Wordless Wednesday - Memorial Weekend

Shaving Cream

Last night before bath time, we decided to play with Daddy's shaving cream. Caroline loved it! She normally freaks when things get on her hands, but this time it didn't matter. Let's hope and pray she feels the same about sand next week- ha! She was so funny last night and kept saying "ho ho ho". Anytime she sees white, including bubbles, she always says that. I'm sure we will have many more play times that include shaving cream in the future. =))

Having fun

Serious concentration = sticking tongue out

Past Few Days

We haven't done anything to out of the ordinary since Caroline is on her two week break from Mother's Day Out. However, we did get a nice little surprise visit from Asher and his mommy. Lacy and I were best friends through junior high and high school. Unfortunately, she lives in Kansas City now so we don't see them very often. She and Asher were on the way back home so they stopped in for a short play date, and Caroline enjoyed it! 

Then on Saturday, Kelly, another good friend from high school, came over for a playdate with her little girl Brooklyn. Brooklyn came prepared with her babydoll. It was so cute. I think she enjoyed Max's ball though. Ha! It was so fun having another little girl around. They are so cautious! This is a cute picture of them outside coloring on the picnic table. 

Then, the fun began... After an evening of dinner and playing at my parent's house, we came home, put Caroline to bed, and noticed she was still moving around and kind of coughing around 10:00. So I went up to check on her to find that she had thrown up ALL.OF.HER.DINNER! EVERYWHERE!!! Poor thing was shaking like crazy! So once we calmed her down, we gave her a quick bath and hair washing! This was followed up with 4 more times of throwing up; this included doing three loads of laundry in a matter of a couple hours. I think she just was exhausted from playing outside because she has felt fine ever since. We are just thankful that she was pleasant to be around in the middle of the night. We finally got her back to bed around 1am. 

Happy girl in the middle of the night

These two are something else! I can't believe I caught this picture! I said to give each other a kiss and I guess they thought that meant "on the lips". Ha! It's cute at this age, but not when they are older =). They were our entertainment while we sat in my parent's basement waiting on the storms. Thankfully, they didn't hit our area. And our thoughts and prayers are with our former "home", Oklahoma.

On Monday, I took Caroline to her pediatrician because her allergies have just been out of control. Well, the pediatrician wanted us to see an eye doctor because of all the drainage in her eyes to make sure there isn't any "mechanical" issues. Thankfully, our trip to the eye doctor went smoothly. Caroline actually had fun. For now, we are just going to try some drops and washing her eyes every morning and evening. They gave me a clip board to fill out her paperwork, and she thought she needed one too. =) You would have thought this was a pediatrician's office with all the toys they had! 

 

And this is Caroline throwing a fit.... This seems to be a common sight around our house these days.... I'm praying that the terrible two's haven't arrived. We had three "throw herself on the floor" tantrums before 9am this morning. Thankfully, the day hasn't been as long as I thought it was going to be. Ha! 

Last Day

Today was Caroline's last day of Mother's Day Out. However, she is starting the summer session in a couple weeks. So we only have a little two week break. Anyways, here is a picture of her this morning before we left for "school". Poor thing is having to deal with allergies right now hence the reason her eyes look so pitiful!

Crazy how time flies, here is the picture of her when she started in September. Goodness, can time just slowww down a bit?!!? 

Picnic Table

I have been searching Craigslist for a long time now for a Little Tikes picnic table, and I FINALLY found one! It is just the perfect size for Caroline, and she loves it! I have been using Craiglist a lot lately, and you really can find some good deals. So yesterday, we picked up the picnic table, and Caroline enjoyed it last night. She ate a little dessert at it, and she did some coloring. So far, my Craigslist purchases have been worth it! 

Below are the other two big things that we have bought off Craigslist. The play thing is faded but other than that it works perfect. To me, it wasn't worth buying one brand new when it will be all faded from being outside anyway. The slide was pretty much brand new, and we use it inside. So I added it up and buying off Craigslist, we have saved $400!!! 

What Was Cooking on Mother's Day

We celebrated Mother's Day on Saturday with Stephen's family. His parents and brother came up to our house for a delicious lunch. His mom brought the Baby Back Ribs. {Maybe I'll share this recipe one day because they are WONDERFUL!!}. And then I made mashed potatoes, baked beans, and a coconut cream pie!! It was all oh so yummy!! Here are the recipes: 

Party Potatoes

Ingredients:
8 to 9 cups diced, peeled potatoes
2 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons whipping cream
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
8 oz cream cheese
8 oz french onion dip
Directions:
Boil potatoes. Then mash potatoes with butter, milk, salt, pepper, until smooth. Add cream cheese and onion dip; Mix well. Spread in a greased baking dish. Sprinkle with paprika. Cover and refrigerate for 8 hours or overnight. Remove 30 minutes before cooking. Bake uncovered at 350degrees for 50-60 minutes or until potatoes are cooked through. 

Baked Beans

Ingredients:
2 large cans {or 4 regular size} Baked Beans {Pork and Beans}
1/2 ketchup
1.25 cup brown sugar
10 slices bacon {cooked and crumbled}
1 white onion
3/4 stick of butter

Directions:

Saute onion in butter until almost black. {yes you want to almost burn it}. Then add all ingredients together. Cook in microwave for ~10 minutes, stirring occasionally. 

Coconut Cream Pie

Crust Ingredients:

6oz animal crackers

2 tablespoons unsweetened shredded coconut

1 tablespoon sugar

4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled

Filling Ingredients:

1 (14oz) can coconut milk

1 cup whole milk

1/2 cup unsweetened shredded coconut

1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon sugar

3/8 teaspoon salt

5 large egg yolks

1/4 cup cornstarch

2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into 2 pieces

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Whipped Cream and Garnish Ingredients:

1.5 cups cold heavy cream

2 tablespoons sugar

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 tablespoon unsweetened shredded coconut, toasted in small dry skillet until golden brown

For the crust: 

Adjust oven rack to lower-middle position and heat oven to 325degrees. In food processor, pulse animal crackers, coconut, and sugar to fine crumbs. Then process until powdery. Transfer crumbs to medium bowl and add butter, stir to combine until crumbs are evenly moistened. Empty crumbs into 9-inch glass pie plate; using bottom of ramekin of 1/2 cup dry measuring cup, press crumbs evenly into bottom and up sides of pie plate. Bake until fragrant and medium brown, about 15 minutes, rotating pie shell halfway through baking time. Set on wire rack and cool to room temperature, about 30 minutes. 

I can only hope and pray that my life will be an example for Caroline that she will want to carry on what we have taught and raised her to be.

For the filling:

Bring coconut milk, whole milk, shredded coconut, 1/2 cup sugar, and salt to simmer over medium- high heat, stirring occasionally to ensure sugar dissolves. Whisk yolks, cornstarch, and remaining 1 tablespoon sugar in medium bowl until thoroughly combined. Whisking constantly, gradually ladle abut 1 cup hot milk mixture to yolk mixture in about 3 or 4 additions; whisk well to combine. Return mixture to saucepan and cook until thickened and mixture reaches boil, whisking constantly, about 1 minute; filling must boil in order to fully thicken. Off heat, whisk in butter and vanilla until butter is fully incorporated. Pour hot filling into cooled pie shell and smooth surface with rubber spatula; press plastic wrap directly against surface of filling and refrigerate until form, at least 3 hours and up to 12 hours.

For the topping:

Just before serving, beat cream, sugar, and vanilla with hand-held mixture until soft peaks form, 1.5-2 minutes. Top pie with whipped cream and sprinkle with coconut.

I never said any of these are healthy =))

Happy Mother's Day!

I'm so thankful and blessed that God chose me to be this little girl's mommy. I love her with all my heart and cannot imagine my life without her! I have had a wonderful day with her that started off at church and Sunday school, then we came home for lunch and naps, and then we went to dinner and ice cream with our friends, the Richey's. 

Church was sooo good! We had the privilege of hearing Dr. Tom Elliff speak this morning. Dr. Elliff is the president of the International Mission Board, and he had an awesome message for Mother's Day. It spoke to me, and definitely made me think about how much of an impact I have on Caroline. He spoke on "Leaving a Legacy", and not just any legacy but a legacy of faith. His message was out of 2 Timothy 1:1-5 with emphasis on the following:

vs 4-5 "Remembering your tears, I long to see you so that I may be filled with joy, clearly recalling your sincere faith that first lived in your grandmother Lois, then in your mother Eunice, and that I am convinced is in you also."

Dr. Elliff left us with four key points:

1. A legacy of faith is the greatest legacy you can give your children.

2. Every legacy of faith has a point of beginning.

3. Under my watch, a legacy of faith either grows of diminishes.

4. A legacy of faith is what will your life its greatest impact.

I can only hope and pray that my life will be an example for Caroline that she will want to carry on what we have taught and raised her to be.

Evening at the Park

Ever since we moved, I have been wanting to take Caroline to the park at the elementary school near our house. So Friday evening, we walked over, and she had so much fun! She was a little on the cautious side like normal until cousin Henry showed up. By the end, they were both going down the big slides by themselves! 

**representing SMU in her shirt from Uncle John**

Quick Salt Dough

One day last week, Caroline didn't take a very long nap, so when she got up, we decided to make salt dough. It was very easy to make, and she enjoyed helping me make it and playing with it. Here is the recipe we used: 

1 cup flour

1/2 cup salt

food coloring {optional} which I didn't have any on hand

6 to 7 tablespoons water

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

Combine flour and salt in a medium-sized bowl. Use food coloring to tint water if desired. Add tinted water and oil to flour mixture. Knead thoroughly. Refrigerate in an airtight container when not in use. 

Wordless Wednesday

Homemade Pizza

One night last week, we were planning on grilling, but Stephen didn't get home in time. So I ended up whipping up some homemade pizza instead. This recipe was given to me from my cousin {not sure where it originated}, and it is a favorite at our house. and even better that it is super easy to make! 

Homemade Pizza Crust

Ingredients:

1.5 teaspoons yeast {1 pkg. Active Dry Yeast}

1 teaspoon white sugar

1 cup warm water {110 degrees F/45 degrees C}

2.5 cups bread flour

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon basil

1/2 teaspoon oregano

1/4 teaspoon onion powder

Toppings:

Whatever your little heart desires!!!

I use just plain ole' Ragu pizza sauce

Kraft pizza cheese

Mozzarella cheese

Pepperoni

We have made supreme before and it was delish too! 

Directions:

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. In a medium bowl, dissolve yeast and sugar in warm water. Let stand until creamy, about 10 minutes. While that is sitting, combine the olive oil, salt, basil, oregano, and onion powder in a little bowl. Stir in the olive oil mix and flour into yeast  mixture. Beat {knead-whatever} until smooth. Let rest for 5 minutes. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and pat or roll into a round. Transfer crust to a lightly greased or floured pizza pan. Spread with desired toppings and bake in preheated over for 15 to 20 minutes or until golden brown.

Babies

This girl is all about her baby dolls these days. And I just love to see her imagination going as she "takes care" of them. She loves to put them down for naps, rock, them, and just love on them. 

She requested they eat breakfast with her this morning

Putting them to sleep

Making sure they are just right

Covering them with her blanket

And when I told her it was time to leave, she came with both babies and a blanket for each

Driving with her babies


she.melts.my.heart

Twenty-One Months

  

Oh my goodness!! I can't not believe that our baby will be two in three months!! I don't even know how that is possible. It seems like just yesterday we were finding out we were having a baby and bringing her home! I know I probably say this every time, but she is changing so much and I am loving seeing her little personality develop! Boy, she can be super sweet one minute and throwing the biggest tantrum the next. She is such a blessing and joy to our little family, and I love being her mommy. She is up to so much nowadays.

Wearing size 5 diapers, 24mth/2t clothes, and 4&5 shoes

Weighs 26pounds

Sleeping 8:30pm-8am

3 hour afternoon nap

Eating GREAT! There's not much she doesn't like

She LOVES suckers and m&m's {and healthy foods too}

Talking quite a bit. Some words we can distinguish and other we cannot- Ha!

She has officially named her Opa, Opoo with a lot of emphasis on the Poooo. It's quite funny!

She loves going to Mother's Day Out

She has all her teeth except her two year molars {teething was a breeze for her}

We just recovered from double pink eye and now her allergies are acting up

She loves her puppy dogs and her babies

We are loving this stage right now and are soaking up every minute of it!!

I was laying in front of her with my chin resting on my hands. I was trying to get her to do it, and these two pictures were the result. She thought it was funny.