Beware! Toys that induce tantrums.
Posted by: Sarah on: February 9, 2010
Why, oh why, do companies make small, losable toys for kids? Do they just revel in the pleasure of seeing mothers deal with 2 year old tantrums?? This was our most recent culprit:
I have yet to find that star. Blerg.
Reading Rainbow
Posted by: Sarah on: February 8, 2010
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I love reading. It might be one of my all time favorite pastimes. However, since having Julia and Hannah, I’ve laid aside any active reading; taking up to two months to complete a book. Despite my slow and sporadic “pleasure reading”, I’m finding that my love of reading is rubbing off on Julia.
I’ve made it a point to read to Julia daily (or at least every other day) since she was a small infant. She didn’t start really enjoying “reading time” until she was about a year. Now, she asks “read book” and if you’re not careful, she will have you read to her for well over an hour. This is especially true before bedtime – as a means of delaying having to go to sleep.
Over the last couple of weeks, whenever Jonathan tells her to grab a book so he can read with her, she always replies “Mama read book”. When he insists on reading, she says even louder, “Mama read book!”. I’m not gonna lie, that makes me kinda happy. 
There are few things I feel I do “well” as a mother. There are few things I feel that Julia doesn’t prefer to have her “Papa do”. So, to have her continuously say “Mama read book” makes me thrilled. It’s usually the one time in our day that it is just Julia and me; a time for snuggling, loving and reading.
I love our reading time.
*Julia’s face is so shiny because she has vaseline all over it to help with some major dryness and chapping.
Coffee is GRRREAT!
Posted by: Sarah on: February 6, 2010
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Thanks to Molly Piper, I found this awesome cartoon on the origin and history of coffee.
Welcome to our humble abode
Posted by: Sarah on: February 5, 2010
- In: Life
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We are entering the second month of our stay with our host family, the Abdos. They have graciously given us full rein of their basement and Julia is slowly claiming her rights to the main floor and their living quarters. And she’s also done a pretty descent job of wrapping their boys around her finger. 
One of the best things about living here, is seeing how much everyone loves on the girls. It’s made me realize, that the quickest way to a mama’s heart is to love her children. The Abdos do an fantastic job of showering Julia and Hannah with attention and affection. It makes me love the Abdos even more (which is saying something, because we already love them a ton).
Jonathan and I have joked that our area is very European. If we had a little kitchenette in the laundry room, we’d be all set to live in France! After we packed all our things into storage, there was an amazing weight lifted at realizing just how little we can (and should) be living off.
Here are some pictures of our humble abode:
Living room/ office / master bedroom *Don't mind the oversized dog*
Living room / office / closet area
The girls' room / Julia's sleeping area
The girls' room / Hannah's sleeping area
A glamorous lunch
Posted by: Sarah on: February 3, 2010
- In: Life
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Yesterday I made a variation of Linguine with Tuna and Sun-Dried Tomatoes from the February addition of Southern Living. Sounds pretty glamorous for a Tuesday afternoon, right? It is my new favorite “easy dish”.
Cook linguine until done, but still firm.
I used cherry tomatoes, cut into quarters, rather than sun-dried tomatoes.
Cut olives into quarters. And for you olive lovers – go ahead and help your self to some while you cut, I know I did!
Have your canned tuna on hand.
In skillet, saute minced garlic in olive oil.
Add tuna, stirring to keep from browning, but heating through.
Add tomatoes and olives. Heat through.
Drain pasta and add.
Finished product:
I made some simple garlic bread, using Nature’s Own Double Fiber bread (only 1 Weight Watchers point for 2 slices! ).
I scored an amazing deal at Fareway on fruit (just one more reason why I love them); added a salad and presto! a delicious but easy lunch.
On a side note: Shirley got this new Pampered Chef can opener. I’m sure it’s amazing, but I have yet to figure it out. This is what I continually do to every can:
Which means, I’ll be sticking with the trusted camping opener, until my blonde brain can figure it out.
Bon Appetit!
Nutella, how do I love thee?
Posted by: Sarah on: February 2, 2010
About a week ago, I mentioned to Shirley, our host “mom”, that I love Nutella. Like, can’t get enough, love it. In fact, while Jonathan and I were traveling through Europe after college, I stocked up on tons of Nutella packets and stored them in my backpack to bring home. They didn’t make it back to the States. Pretty sure they didn’t make it through an entire train ride.
Imagine my excitement when I opened the cabinet on Thursday to find this:
Oh yeah. Just in time for after-nap snack.
I spread it on some graham crackers to make a “sandwich”. One word – delectable.
Julia’s thoughts?
I think she likes it.
Thanks Shirley!
Hello, February! New month, new challenge.
Posted by: Sarah on: February 1, 2010
- In: Life
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It’s a new month and a new week. I love when months start out at the beginning of the week. Makes it seem easier to start something new. It’s Monday. It’s February. So guess what, I’m starting something new.
As I mentioned before, I have a love of New Year’s Resolutions. While I’m not technically doing any this year, I am slowly chipping away at my 30-before-30 list. In January I wrote about saving for Paris, #10 on my list. And I began learning piano (no easy task!), #6. This month I am starting three new endeavors; training for my half marathon, #1, learning to make crepes, #28, and sharing the Gospel with those on my prayer list, #24.
That last one is no easy task either, for me that is.
The first person on my list is my younger brother, “FP”. FP lived with us for nearly 15 months, during 2008/2009. He graciously went to our church, allowed us to be involved in his life and was actively involved with us as a real part our family. We spent most Saturday mornings eating breakfast and sipping coffee for hours. This was always the favorite time of the week for all of us. During his stay, FP saw the Gospel lived out, not only in our lives, but also in the lives of the people around us. He saw us stumble, sin, ask for forgiveness, rely on grace and get back up again. We shared the Gospel with him continuously.
And then he left.
He moved back to Tennessee last May. That was a very hard time for me. Life in the house was becoming strained. FP was 18 in every sense of the word – ready to spread his wings, make his own choices, and explore the world on his terms. I played the role of a mother well – sad to see him leave. Although, I was glad to let go of some of the weight of tough responsibilities. One of the hardest parts for me in watching FP leave, was knowing that he had never given his life over to Christ.
In the past 8 months we’ve kept in close touch with FP. Last week I asked him if I could pray for him for the entire month of February. Specifically, that God would reveal Himself in new and moving ways. He said yes.
And so begins my February Challenge. To pray for FP every day. I’ve set a timer on my phone for the same time each day. I expect to see God and something amazing in my life and in my baby brother’s.
My Husband Rocks!
Posted by: Sarah on: January 29, 2010
Jonathan doesn’t get nearly enough “blog time”, despite the fact that because of him and I am Loved Like the Church. So, I’ve decided to take today to do Brag on Him Friday, which is hosted by Blissfully Domestic.
Jonathan is an amazing husband. He is incredibly supportive, continually laying down his wants/desires/needs in order to show his love to me. One mere example of this, comes from this past week:
The University of Iowa hosts the Geneva Lecture, which is put on by a Christian run ministry that aims at answering how God fits in our society. This year the lecture was “Modern Physics and Ancient Faith – Conflict between Science and Religion”. Bing! This is right down Jonathan’s alley. And happens to fall on…. date night. Jonathan expressed his interest at going and perhaps postponing our date to later this week. Then the day came and I asked him what his plan was. His response? “I’m not going to the lecture. Going on a date with you is far more important.”
Be still my heart.
I know the lecture might not have been a top priority in his life, but I also know he was really excited about it. Which proves to me, yet again, how much he lays down his life for me and our marriage. My husband rocks.
I’m back! Easy peasy turkey dinner
Posted by: Sarah on: January 28, 2010
- In: Life
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Last night I cooked one of my favorite (and easiest!) meals. Turkey tenderloin with pasta. Why do I love it? Because the turkey comes pre-basted and oven ready. Oh yeah.
Honeysuckle has all sorts of flavored tenderloins, and truth be known, the ingredient list really is not bad.
Whole grain pasta. A cabinet keeper must. Once cooked, add olive oil and some garlic powder. Yummy!
Alright, I don’t know if corn on the cob actually goes with pasta, but I can’t resist when the grocery store puts corn on sale. I just had to buy it. Because, really, I love corn on the cob. And so does Julia, she had 3 ears! And one of the Abdos had none.
The easiest drop biscuits, courtesy of All Recipes (an absolute bookmark!)
Top it off with some cut up some fruit and walla you have dinner.
I’ll be the first to admit that after Hannah I’ve let a few things slip. Trying to keep up with healthy eating/living, working out, being a mama, a wife, a Christ follower, friend, and daughter – something was bound to get pushed aside. And for me, the first to slip has been food preparation.
Shameful, I know. Good food is at the core of my southern roots.
But I have a good excuse. My daughters turn into crazed monsters between 4:00pm and 5:00pm. Without fail, just like clock work, there is a meltdown, blowout, timeout, or breakdown (more from me than them) in that hour before daddy arrives. So, in response I did No Cook November to help ease the stress of dinner time. But I started slowly letting go of any variety that my family both enjoys and craves. Once we moved in with the Abdos, I started helping out with lunches and dinners. I’ve quickly come to find that with four teenaged boys in the house you need lots of variety and lots of food. They have really helped be regain my cooking groove. Expect more food posts to come!
Man, I love this stuff
Posted by: Sarah on: January 27, 2010
- In: Life
- 5 Comments
Because of this, she hates having her hair brushed. And who could blame her? I know from experience that it hurts. Bad. So, I bought her some hair detangler and I love it. I call it her “hairspray” so she feels like she gets to do something mama-ish. It works like a charm. Spray, brush, and no tears. Yippie!
Now, if I could just figure out to pull her hair back without her screaming, we’d be set.
