11 + 2 = 575.26

Yes--I really do know how to add.  That is the 11 books I ordered off of Amazon and thankfully the 2 I owned already--for a total of 13 books for this semester totally $575.26!!  Yikes!

See even Lydia looked at my books and cried ;)

It's going to be a challenging semester.  I am looking forward to this semester as I start clinicals and begin focusing on the "practice" side of being a Nurse Practitioner.  I actually do enjoy studying, but it is a difficult program.  I'm open to any help :)  I'll take meals and babysitting offers any day :)

The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged (Deuteronomy 31:8)

Meet Ellie!

Lydia has a fascination with straps.  I'm not sure if all babies do--but she will chew on any strap she can get her hands on.  Car seat straps, high chair straps, swing and bouncy straps.  She loves them!  Some times she is so enthralled by the high chair straps that I have a difficult time feeding her.

Soooo I remembered seeing some "strap" material (which is called webbing) at Hobby Lobby.  So Tuesday night I packed my little one up and we headed there to get some colorful webbing.

Ellie and the ball I made (Lydia was not very interested in it, though :)

I wasn't sure what I was going to do with the webbing after I brought it home, but after digging around in my scrap bags and sewing desk drawers.....Ellie was born!  Lydia loves her!  She will chew on her for 30 minutes at a time while playing with her "pig tails"  and the various textures of her "skirts."

Holding Ellie and her favorite blanket before nap time

Alas, one of my final creative outlets prior to school starting.....tomorrow (or rather today--since it is almost 1 a.m.)  She is a very unique little doll . . . unique and original like my Lydia.

A sneek peek of the other project I'm working on ;)  No webbing here!

I'm done!

Done with my CEN and homemade baby food!

I finally took my Certified Emergency Nursing Exam Monay--and PASSED!!  I have been "planning" to take this for about 2 years now (wow--has it really been that long??).  I decided that if I didn't do it between semesters--it would never get done.  So--why take it?  Well--you learn some things by studying, shows professionalism, and.....you make a little more money.  And right now....a little more....goes a long way!

What you see:  butternut Squash, peaches, avocado chicken, figs, apples, banana mango

I'm also finished with making baby food.  Wednesday night I made chicken/apples, chicken/potatoes, and more sweet potatoes.  Last week it was mango/banana, kiwi/mango/banana--yum, and avocado/chicken/mango.  Can you tell I had a case of mangos!  Well--besides starting school on Monday--and not having much time to make any more--I also have no more room in my freezer.  We have more food for Lydia than we can fit.  Besides--I think I have enough to last a couple of months--and then she'll start eating more finger foods anyway (I think).

Carrots, more peaches, pears, kiwi/mango/banana, and behind this are the yogurt fruit blends :) (and chicken/potatoes and sweet potatoes in the ice trays!

I say I'm done....but I know I may feel the need to experiment with other foods one day (like fish :)

My gentle Giant

My neice came for a quick visit this summer.  Neither one of us had seen each other's babies.  This is baby Johnathan with Lydia. The ironic thing--is Johnathan is 1.5 months OLDER than Lydia! :)

He was born prematurely at 1 pound 9 ounces!  What an amazing miracle.  He has done so well--and his Moma takes very good care of him!  One day--I'm sure he will catch up with Lydia--until then--we'll keep them out of the boxing ring ;)

Where or where did the last month go?

Wow--one month since my last post.  I have actually gotten much better at blogging, but this past month--life was a little like a hurricane.

I finished a summer semester packed with 6 hours of graduate school, unending research, and a video project that stole many hours of sleep from me!  Thankfully--Grandma came to the rescue one week--to help out!  Lydia loves Grandma!

I have finally, thank the Lord, overcome a cold/allergic exacerbation that lasted 2 months!  I am no longer over-dosing on antihistamines of every shape, name, and size.

Immediately after school was over, we became (miraculously) owners of a rental property.  So that entailed late night cleaning (hauling Lydia with blankets, toys, and bottles), early morning cleaning (once again hauling lydia with blankets, toys, bottles, etc), completing the punch list, devising a lease, etc. etc. etc. Phew....glad that's over.  We have been blessed with wonderfully renters already!

We also drove to Dallas to visit friends and Brett's cousins.  Lydia had her first road trip.  She did great!  We swam, went to the Dallas World Aquarium, and ate great food (thanks to John!).  The temperature was 103-105 degrees (without the heat index)--so the zoo trip and the hiking I wanted to do with Lydia--was OUT of the picture :(  Thankfully the Aquarium was indoors!

Currently, I'm studying for my certification exam in ER nursing (CEN)--which I will take before I start school again on the 23rd! Wow--life is busy, the emotions sometimes run rampant, but I have a wonderful little girl who makes me smile every day, and a very supportive husband!  Thank you, Lord, for my many blessings!

The Father's Image

Ok--She DOES belong to me too..... even though..... she looks just like her Daddy!

Ephesians 5:1-- be imitators of God, therefore as dearly loved children

Imitator: (from www.thefreedictionary.com) 1. To use or follow as a model 2. To copy the actions, appearance, mannerisms 3. To copy exactly; reproduce.


Wow--I read this scripture in an entirely different way now that I am a parent!! 


We are called to "look" just like our Daddy!  "Imitating" our Father in heaven should come easily (just as it comes easy for Lydia)--if we truly belong to Him!  Children will mimic whatever/whomever they are around--which tends to be there parents in the early years.  It's only when they grow older, go to school, etc.--that they start imitating others as they venture farther from home and develop other relationships.  Copying the actions, appearance, and mannerisms of God can be quite a challenge at times, but it is much easier if we stay closer to "home" and in relationship with God.

My prayer for our lives and Lydia is that as she grows, and even as she moves on--she will continue to look just like her Father--on earth and in heaven!

Homemade Baby Food--I'm Convinced.... again :)

Ok--so I am even more convinced that this is the best thing possible--making your own baby food!

Tonight--Lydia had avocado with mango and a little chicken (left over from us--ground with a food mill).  It was a little runny, so I added some rice cereal.  She ate it up!! LOVED it! and quite honestly--I did too (I could have licked her bowl when she was done hehe :)  For breakfast it's whole milk yogurt mixed with bananas, peaches, and apples.  It is soooo good!

I get so excited planning what I will feed her next.  What has been more "convincing" was a few articles that I read today describing the incredients in most jarred baby foods.  Did you know that most jarred baby food contains more than 50% water and even more "fillers" like flours? There's nothing wrong with water--but if I want her to eat sweet potatoes--I want sweet potatoes.  Water will be from a cup--not on her spoon.

So... enough of the rant.  If you have a baby (and if anyone is reading this)--set aside one day a month to puree and freeze food.  You can do a lot in one night and stock up for 1-2 months.  It's really easy.  In addition--your baby will be eating actual veggies and fruits and will transition to eating regular table foods much easier.

And if you make too much (fat chance)--you can use the extra cubes of purred vegetables in spaghetti sauces, chilis, soups, smoothies, etc. to add some fiber and extra nutrition to your foods.

Well--are you convinced?  I am.  Now--I just need to start working on me.  I need convincing that cake and cookies are something I shouldn't be eating so much of :)  I might become a ravishing animal if I pull it from my diet, but there's always a way to "tame" the beast.  If you hear me growl--you'll know what is happening ;)

Seriously--I think this is so good--that I've even though about making it and giving it away as baby gifts!  Kind of strange, I know--but I just want others to get the same "goodness."