What a week!

In my last post I mentioned that I was going away...well that trip was a lot longer then I thought it would be (I'll explain below)! The Cadre group Dave is involved in with Jeanne Mayo does a 'Ladies Breakaway' and it was amazing. To be able to get away with 57 other Pastors/Pastors Wives was truly a privilege. I met some awesome ladies that I hope to continue friendships with. God really put me on this breakaway for this time and season in my life. I feel refreshed and encouraged.

I was supposed to leave Atlanta (ATL) early Wednesday morning and arrive home around 11am which would have been perfect cause I could see Evan for a bit before nap time for us both :0)! WELL I found out Tues afternoon that my flight was CANCELLED due to the snow up north, which ended up being a whole lot of nothing! ANYWAY so I was re-booked on the same early flight for Thursday morning. So along with a couple other girls we went to PF Changs for lunch! One of my favs!! Had a great time. Got to attend Jeanne's youth service Wednesday night which was a panel of couple being asked questions. Started off with silly questions and then got more serious about how to honor God in your dating/marriage relationships. It was really good. When I called to check on my flight for Thurs morning I found out that flight was also CANCELLED! UGH! There didn't seem to be a problem with landing in Hartford (BDL) but was more my connection through Philly...so I thought??? I asked if there was anything flying in Boston since it's only about 1.5 hours away and if it meant I could come home Thursday then I was all about that! They booked me on a flight leaving at 3pm and arriving at 7:45pm in Boston. Well don't you know that my flight leaving ATL was DELAYED for an hour (at least) which meant I would miss my connection once in Philly. Can you imagine the frustration that I am feeling?! I have my husband saying 'can you come into NYC? PLEASE come home today!' :0(!! We ended up driving right over to the airport to talk to someone in the flesh. Basically I could get out of ATL but would be stranded in Charlotte or Philly if I went cause all flights were booked from there. SOOO she booked me on a flight leaving at 5:30AM Friday and arriving in BDL at 9:30am! YIKES that's early! Here's the kicker...the lady tells me I should arrive early like 4am and that the 'train' that brings people to their gates doesn't start running until 530am which means I have to WALK 2.5 miles!!!! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Oh my gosh right?!?! I said well I hope my baby doesn't come! ;0)! It ended up being fine and they had those moving walk ways so that helped. Good thing I work out, hahahahaha. SO my flight finally arrived at BDL Fri morning at 9:10am and I was SOOOOOO happy to be home with my boys!! My trip away was AWESOME but there is no place like HOME!

A new me!

I have been thinking about dying my hair for a LONG time now. Just haven't quite gotten up the 'guts' to do it until now! It was almost like I just made up my mind and that was IT! When both asked separately (a friend,who is a hair stylist, and my hair stylist) what I should do next to my hair BOTH said dye it brown and cut it short! Out of the mouth of more than one??? OK! I was nervous about my cut I must say but the great thing about hair is it always grows back :0). And to be honest I really like both!! I just did this yesterday so when I walk past a mirror I still am like 'whoaaa'. Here I am...totally different right?!?!

On a different note I am about to go away ALONE for 3 nights...WOW. I know. I've actually only been away from my sweet Evan for one night! Dave I have been away from for many nights...but where am I going you ask?! Atlanta! Dave is a part of a cadre group (ministry related) and they set aside a couple days for just the wives to go. I'm really excited and nervous! Luckily, I know a couple of people already so I will know SOMEONE! I leave Sunday afternoon and return Wednesday morning. Until then...

ANOTHER Recipe :0)

It seems like I have been wanting to try NEW recipes lately! Not that I'm complaining or anything, haha! Here's a Pampered Chef one...meatballs were SOOO good.

Curried Turkey Meatballs
Pampered Chef Cookbook – 'Cooking for two or more '

1 pound ground turkey
2 slices French bread, coarsely chopped (1/2 cup bread crumbs)
1/3 cup golden raisins
¼ cup thinly chopped green onions with tops
1 egg, lightly beaten
1 ½ tsp curry powder
2 garlic gloves, pressed
1 tsp. salt
1 jar (9ounces) hot mango chutney, such as Major Grey
1Tbl. cornstarch
1 red bell pepper, diced
Additional thinly sliced green onions (optional)

Preheat oven to 375. In large bowl combine turkey, bread crumbs, raisins, green onions, egg, curry powder, garlic & salt; mix well until blended. Form turkey mixture into meatballs using 'small scoop' (love this PC item!). Heat skillet over med heat until hot. Add meatballs and cook about 10min or until they are browned on all sides, turning often. Remove skillet from heat.

Combine chutney and cornstarch in small bowl; add mixture and bell pepper to skillet. Stir to coat meatballs; spoon into baking dish. Bake 15-20min or until glaze is thickened and meatballs are cooked through. Remove from over; sprinkle with additional gr. Onions if desired! YUMMY!!

23 Weeks...

So I have meant to take a belly pic for weeks now and finally decided to just take one myself!! I didn't actually take a whole lot with Evan...which I probably should have. Let's see if I can be better this time around!! 23 weeks today! CRAZY!!

When Dave got home from work I asked him to snap a couple and WHO do you think HAD to get in the pic?!?! That little face makes me laugh!

Muenster Chicken Recipe

I tried a new recipe last night for dinner. Don't you just get tired of making the same stuff all the time after a while? I do. It's from our church cookbook that was done YEARS ago. I didn't eat it until I got home from work last night but it was YUMMY! So it's not the HEALTHIEST meal so we ended up just making veggies to go with it. Enjoy! Oh yeah...I'm going to try a Pampered Chef recipe soon too...Curried Turkey Meatballs...stay tuned!

Boneless, skinless chicken breasts

1 cup bread crumbs

1/4 cup Parmesan cheese

1 tsp. garlic salt

4 Tbl. margarine or more as needed

1 pkg sliced Muenster cheese

2 eggs

Dip chicken breasts into beaten eggs, then into mixture of bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese and garlic salt. Fry in margarine for about 15min. Place in a baking dish. Pour chicken broth over chicken (I actually didn't have any in my frying pan??) but do not cover. Top each piece with a slice of Muenster cheese slices. Bake at 350 for 30min.

Randomness...

Toaster or Toaster Oven? I have been thinking about this question lately. I didn't grow up with a toaster oven therefore never registered for one when we got married and still don't have one. But I have been thinking about one more and more lately. A friend encouraged me today that they are fabulous ;0)! Any thoughts? What do you use?

A product I have really come to like over the past year is the Ziploc steam bags! Have you tried them?? They're great. Last night I had a piece of chicken in my fridge and didn't know WHAT to do for dinner. I was soooooooo tempted to just order a pizza but I used self control and decided to come up with something! Lately I have been trying to cut chicken breasts in half the long way making 2 instead of 1. A lot of the breasts come SO thick. So I stuck my big piece of chicken in the steam bag and put it in the microwave for I think 3 minutes...with some seasoning of course!! (The bags give you all the instructions for so many different food items.) Cut all that chicken up and mixed it up with some Rice-a-roni and it was delis!! Not the most fancy meal but just added a veggie and it was great dinner! All for now...

A Heart so Full

Tonight after I got home from the gym and helped get Evan ready for bed I asked Dave to read him his books and put him to bed so I could jump in the shower quick. Evan was standing making noise in his crib when I got out so I scooped him up and rocked him for a few moments which I don't normally do. As I did I started thinking about how much I LOVE this boy. My heart was/is so full of love for him. People often ask 'do you remember what it's like not having kids?' To that I answer...sometimes, I remember how easy it was to go out somewhere QUICKLY not having to remember a diaper bag, juice, snack, a toy etc etc. Independence I guess. But you know what? I would not trade that independence for my son ANY DAY of the week. I can't imagine my life without him in it. He brings me so much joy each day. I've always wondered how I will love ANOTHER baby like I love him. I've heard it's quite easy though :). So before I put Evan back in his crib I gave him a squeeze and kissed him (of course!) and told him how much I love him as I always do. I don't ever want a day to go by...good days AND bad days...where I don't express my love for him!