sweet talk

need vitamin d!

It turns out that pregnancy and the Winter blues do not mix.
Once Christmas is over, I am done with Winter... this year, even more so!

Today as I was driving to pick up Chloe from school the sun suddenly started to shine through my windows. I found myself aiming my face directly into the glare.
I am craving vitamin D.

Then this song came on- which was exciting- inspiring me to rummage through the driver's side door of junk, until I found that album.


(music=nostalgia.)

Which after a few songs, just made me just wish I was back here.

I can't wait for nights like this. It was 8:00pm when I shot those. And we were sweaty!
(...I write, as the sun is going down at 4:26. Boo!)

I am desperate for this weekend! Talk about being HOT at night!

And weekends here? Yes, please.


But here we are in January.
(*insert long, over dramatic sigh*)
Milk is just not doing the trick.

rainy day schedule

{more like rainy month schedule!}

eleven weeks

...and I think my energy is slooooowly trickling back.

Cookie Monday

*Recipe updated as of 1/21. Thanks to Tegan, who caught my typo...
which may or may not have been due to pregnancy brain.*

Peanut Butter & Honey Cookies
Crispy on the outside & chewy on the inside!

1 stick unsalted butter, room temp
3/4 cups granulated sugar
1/4 cup honey
1/3 cup creamy peanut butter
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups oats
3 Tablespoons all purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt

Preheat oven to 350.

Cream butter, sugar, and honey in the bowl of electric mixer, until light and fluffy.

Meanwhile, mix together all dry ingredients.

Add peanut butter, egg and vanilla to butter mixture. Scrape down bowl.

Slowly incorporate dry ingredients into the wet.

Drop tablespoon-sized scoops of dough onto lined cookie sheets, a few inches apart. Bake 12-13 minutes.

Makes 30-36 cookies.

Where have I been?

There's no question I haven't been myself lately...

not even close!
BUT I have high hopes that this icky feeling will soon pass.
I can't wait!

Stay tuned...

Haiti

When I first got word about the devastation that hit Haiti this week, a shiver was sent straight up my entire body. My friend and fellow Mama, Kristen, following an incredible half-marathon benefitting Heartline, is there, visiting her son Keanan who she is waiting to bring home.

Kristen was finally able to post on her blog today, and her accounts are nothing sort of chilling. I am feeling so sad for her family. She and her 10-month-old may be stuck there until February. This is mind-boggling.

But they are all safe, which sadly cannot be said for thousands of others.

The Project 320 girls and I are desperate to do something.
We don't have details yet, but are heads are together, working hard on a plan.
Please pray with us.

**UPDATED 1/18 at 7:40am:**

It looks like Kristen has made it into the US, and is making her way home.
Thank God!

***

from Julie today:

{posted on facebook the day before the earthquake}

My friend Kristen is in Haiti with her 10 month old daughter Karis visiting their son Keanan who they have been trying to bring home for years.

Years.

Before the earthquake the quagmire that is the Haitian adoption system was a mess.
Now...

But they are safe.
Stuck.
Scared.
But thankfully safe.

I am praying Kristen and Karis home.
I have been praying Keanan home forever.

I am praying for Haiti.
For the injured.
The displaced.
The hurting.
The broken.

I am helpless.
On my knees.
Waiting for, expecting miracles.

We are working on something over at Project 320.
Praying.
Seeking what God would have us do.

Because without Him we all are helpless.

Happy Birthday Chayse!

For birthday number FIVE,

you chose a Batman party with your school buddies,

and loved every minute of it!

Holy Birthday, Batman!

[I added bat wings to the sarah + abraham invites]

On the Menu:
Penguin's Party Dip
Catwoman Claws

Mr. Freeze's Fruit
Robin's Raw Veggies
Poison Ivy Pasta
Two-Faced Pizza

and
Joker Juice

Party favors were personalized bat capes.
{glittered and ruffled up for the batgirls!}
We filled little Batman buckets [by Haus of Girls] with goodies for game prizes.

Mmmmm... Two-faced Pizza!
[half cheese/half pepperoni]

{photo by Mel}

Even "the Batmobile" made a special appearance!

{photo by Mel}

Thanks, Jeff! But we're still disappointed you decided against the full Batman suit.
[headband by Joy's Hope... it's Camden's, not Jeff's.]

Fun & Games:

{photo by Mel}

{photo by Mel}

{photo by Mel}

{photo by Mel}

Happy 5th Birthday, Chayse!
It was so much fun to watch you being a big kid with your friends...
You officially want nothing to do with grown-ups!

We hope you had the best day ever!

chicken enchiladas

Have you tried the best ever chicken enchilada recipe yet?
Creamy, cheesy, spicy, YUM.

Sidenote: while snapping this photo with my fabulous new Nikon D3000 {thanks to my amazing husband}, Chloe kindly informed me that my "shooting" on the stovetop is [quote:] "getting a little old." I'll try to start branching out.

much needed break.

{inspiration for this idea here}

Happy 2010!

It has been so refreshing to spend the past two weeks almost completely unplugged.
So good to just do... nothing!
We were rarely seen in anything but jammies.

We love totally soaking up Christmas.
Christmas music.

Christmas stories.

Christmas movies.

Christmas baking.

Christmas crafting.
December 26th is always so depressing.

I think we are all pretty sad that tomorrow is back-to-school.
Lounging all day vs. Piling grumpy kids in the car at the crack of dawn?
I know what I prefer.

But, here we are. Back to reality.
And ready for a fresh start!

Here are just a few highlights of our time off.

{thanks again for doing our card, Mel!}