I forgot to put up any pictures from my pal Meredith's wedding a few months ago. Here's a cute one of us at the reception.
Friday, August 29, 2008
Just for Fun
I forgot to put up any pictures from my pal Meredith's wedding a few months ago. Here's a cute one of us at the reception.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Birthday Schedule (fingers crossed)
Well, baby boy #2 is scheduled to be birthed on Wednesday, September 10th, if he's not here by then, of course. I'm hoping to make it to my cousin's wedding on the 6th. I'll have to be very good on the weekends. Really, I don't mind when baby comes. I just want to be sure I have MY doctor and not whoever is on call on some random weekend. Pray he doesn't come on a Friday or Saturday! Either way, two weeks at the latest, well have a new addition. Yay!!
Monday, August 25, 2008
No, baby boy doesn't have a name yet...
... but we're working on it.
I'm really getting excited about the coming birth. Nesting sure does help. How could I wash and fold such tiny, adorable outfits and not be excited. Baby's bed is now set up in our bedroom. Arthur likes rocking it at top speed, a habit we'll have to adjust in the next few weeks. :) I might get out a baby doll so he can practice being a big brother.
Wednesday, July 02, 2008
The Update
Well, friends, it's been a while hasn't it? Not that I could help it really - we don't have internet at our new place yet, and up until last Friday, we didn't have a computer yet either. Whatever scraps you've had on Arthur's blog have been made on Jarrod's phone camera.
We are now residing in Monroe, Louisiana, in lovely house we're renting in the garden district. After the cramped feeling from three and a half people in a not-enough-square-feet apartment, we are feeling quite spoiled. It's a 3 block walk to our church/Jarrod's job and about 14 blocks down the road from my bro and sis-in-law. Fabulous. Gas prices have never seemed lower. With the move came a feeling of finally being "real adults" with an actual table our guests can eat around. It's as if our life in Monroe has really started, social life included. I didn't realize how lonesome I was for "girltime" until it became a possibility. Arthur and I walk in the neighborhood several times a week, and I always see someone I know. I can stop by my aunt's house, the church office, the school, wherever, and find someone with a moment to chat. I can have someone over for coffee on a whim, and they don't have to drive for an hour to get to my place! My niece and nephews can come over for wading pool time in the yard. The list really goes on forever. Our life has begun.
Jarrod, of course, is now a college graduate and working full-time at our church. I think the structure has given him a great deal of sanity. He enjoys coming home to his little family with plenty of time to enjoy dinner and chase Arthur around the house rather than rush through to his next responsibility and only get to peek in on the sleeping baby like before. Arthur squeals more for his daddy than anybody else. They've really bonded much more since the move.
I, of course, am still pregnant and heading into that final phase where even rolling over in the bed is quite a feat. "Little brother" is not nearly as active in utero as Arthur was, so I have to poke him quite hard to feel that satisfying slump. He's a genius, of course. I know.
Motherhood is going well at the moment too. The sin nature of my little munchkin has begun to show some challenging features, but nothing a good spank and cry won't handle for the moment. Sometimes both of us with the crying part. If he wasn't so darn cute!
We enjoy a wider variety of entertainment than before as he's grown so much these last months. Pool time, walk time, pull-out-all-of-momma's-tuperware time, bath time, chase, etc... The boy loves to play hard. Although, I've begun to see that he needs his own space once in a while as well. He has to have "crib time" when he sits with his music and a stack of books for an hour or more! I have not forced this upon him. He practically begs for it some days and immediately quits whining when he see he's about to get some "space." I understand because I'm just the same way in that area.
In wifery, having a fabulous kitchen sure doesn't hurt. Jarrod can have his sweet tea and ice cubes without too much of a production on my part. Apparently, big kitchens aren't always the hardest to manage. Going from a tiny one to a medium sized one has been wonderful. I had no room to do anything at the apartment. Now I feel like making a pie is a possibility on any given night. Hospitality is easier too. Jarrod and I both have enjoyed that, as evidenced by the fact that we've had company a couple times a week since we moved into the house. It's fun to give him a number and turn him loose at the church to see who he'll invite for lunch on Sunday afternoon.
Well, I think I'll call it quits for now, but hopefully, this is the restart of something more regular again.
We are now residing in Monroe, Louisiana, in lovely house we're renting in the garden district. After the cramped feeling from three and a half people in a not-enough-square-feet apartment, we are feeling quite spoiled. It's a 3 block walk to our church/Jarrod's job and about 14 blocks down the road from my bro and sis-in-law. Fabulous. Gas prices have never seemed lower. With the move came a feeling of finally being "real adults" with an actual table our guests can eat around. It's as if our life in Monroe has really started, social life included. I didn't realize how lonesome I was for "girltime" until it became a possibility. Arthur and I walk in the neighborhood several times a week, and I always see someone I know. I can stop by my aunt's house, the church office, the school, wherever, and find someone with a moment to chat. I can have someone over for coffee on a whim, and they don't have to drive for an hour to get to my place! My niece and nephews can come over for wading pool time in the yard. The list really goes on forever. Our life has begun.
Jarrod, of course, is now a college graduate and working full-time at our church. I think the structure has given him a great deal of sanity. He enjoys coming home to his little family with plenty of time to enjoy dinner and chase Arthur around the house rather than rush through to his next responsibility and only get to peek in on the sleeping baby like before. Arthur squeals more for his daddy than anybody else. They've really bonded much more since the move.
I, of course, am still pregnant and heading into that final phase where even rolling over in the bed is quite a feat. "Little brother" is not nearly as active in utero as Arthur was, so I have to poke him quite hard to feel that satisfying slump. He's a genius, of course. I know.
Motherhood is going well at the moment too. The sin nature of my little munchkin has begun to show some challenging features, but nothing a good spank and cry won't handle for the moment. Sometimes both of us with the crying part. If he wasn't so darn cute!
We enjoy a wider variety of entertainment than before as he's grown so much these last months. Pool time, walk time, pull-out-all-of-momma's-tuperware time, bath time, chase, etc... The boy loves to play hard. Although, I've begun to see that he needs his own space once in a while as well. He has to have "crib time" when he sits with his music and a stack of books for an hour or more! I have not forced this upon him. He practically begs for it some days and immediately quits whining when he see he's about to get some "space." I understand because I'm just the same way in that area.
In wifery, having a fabulous kitchen sure doesn't hurt. Jarrod can have his sweet tea and ice cubes without too much of a production on my part. Apparently, big kitchens aren't always the hardest to manage. Going from a tiny one to a medium sized one has been wonderful. I had no room to do anything at the apartment. Now I feel like making a pie is a possibility on any given night. Hospitality is easier too. Jarrod and I both have enjoyed that, as evidenced by the fact that we've had company a couple times a week since we moved into the house. It's fun to give him a number and turn him loose at the church to see who he'll invite for lunch on Sunday afternoon.
Well, I think I'll call it quits for now, but hopefully, this is the restart of something more regular again.
Monday, April 21, 2008
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Chili in a Bread Bowl
Yes, it's homemade bread. Last week just put me in the mood, and I made bread several times. A person only needs so many loaves, so I experimented with the form. This one turned out to be the biggest hit. It's a big, butter, garlic, and onion roll.
Tonight I'm making pizza dough.
Tuesday, April 08, 2008
Starbucks in Heaven
Today marks a full year since my brother Andrew went ahead of me into his peaceful rest.
I admit at times, I've been slightly jealous. It's not that I want to die or something; it's just that I want so much to have seen him reach that moment of physical ease. A time when he could run and breathe free without any health troubles or handicaps.
Lately, Jarrod and I have been reading a book about heaven which has given me a new perspective. Much of how I have always pictured heaven seems to be quite, well, wrong. At first, this upset me tremendously. I even cried about it. Picturing Andrew in my version of heaven has comforted me, but when that view was challenged, I was not happy about it. Now I realize that my jealousy is in a way unfounded. Andrew has not yet been physically resurrected. Yes, he's peacefully at rest in the presence of his Heavenly Father, but his physical body is still here. When he is resurrected for eternal life back here on earth, I will be resurrected with him! I WILL get to experience it with him. I am comforted by this new realization. Perhaps all of you reading this have known these things forever, but before this year, I have not spent much time thinking about what eternal life would really be like. Learning more about it has been a great comfort.
Though much of the Christian world thinks so, we WON'T be all bored, playing harps on clouds, singing 'til we're hoarse and walking around our big mansions with no cable TV to entertain us. We'll all be back here on a restored earth, actually living in our bodies and enjoying a place free from the twisted sadness of sin.
I haven't missed Andrew's new life. I will experience it in its fullness at the same time as him. So maybe there won't be a Starbucks for our chats like old times, but whatever it's like we'll find out together. Andrew won't have tasted all the different kinds of coffee before I get there to try them too.
He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul.
You and me both, bro! Otherwise waiting would be too hard.
See you when I see you.
I admit at times, I've been slightly jealous. It's not that I want to die or something; it's just that I want so much to have seen him reach that moment of physical ease. A time when he could run and breathe free without any health troubles or handicaps.
Lately, Jarrod and I have been reading a book about heaven which has given me a new perspective. Much of how I have always pictured heaven seems to be quite, well, wrong. At first, this upset me tremendously. I even cried about it. Picturing Andrew in my version of heaven has comforted me, but when that view was challenged, I was not happy about it. Now I realize that my jealousy is in a way unfounded. Andrew has not yet been physically resurrected. Yes, he's peacefully at rest in the presence of his Heavenly Father, but his physical body is still here. When he is resurrected for eternal life back here on earth, I will be resurrected with him! I WILL get to experience it with him. I am comforted by this new realization. Perhaps all of you reading this have known these things forever, but before this year, I have not spent much time thinking about what eternal life would really be like. Learning more about it has been a great comfort.
Though much of the Christian world thinks so, we WON'T be all bored, playing harps on clouds, singing 'til we're hoarse and walking around our big mansions with no cable TV to entertain us. We'll all be back here on a restored earth, actually living in our bodies and enjoying a place free from the twisted sadness of sin.
I haven't missed Andrew's new life. I will experience it in its fullness at the same time as him. So maybe there won't be a Starbucks for our chats like old times, but whatever it's like we'll find out together. Andrew won't have tasted all the different kinds of coffee before I get there to try them too.
He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul.
You and me both, bro! Otherwise waiting would be too hard.
See you when I see you.
Friday, March 07, 2008
Food Fun
I've been wanting to try some totally new recipes. This week my morning sickness subsided enough for me to mess with raw meat and strong smells again. Here's what I tried.
My first home-made Pice de Gallo, served on a spicy steak fajita.
Orange/Broccoli Salad. Never made anything quite like this before. Contains broccoli, purple onion, cashews, mango and mandarin oranges. The dressing is made from buttermilk ranch, orange juice and horseradish. Totally delicious! Served with Tequila/Lime Chicken and herbed focaccia bread.
Cheese Chowder (with red peppers, carrots, and celery). So creamy and thick!
Thai Pork and Vegetables. I rarely cook with curry, so I really gave it a go. Good stuff. Couldn't find orzo at Walmart, so I just used white rice. Smelled like India in the kitchen.
My first home-made Pice de Gallo, served on a spicy steak fajita.
Orange/Broccoli Salad. Never made anything quite like this before. Contains broccoli, purple onion, cashews, mango and mandarin oranges. The dressing is made from buttermilk ranch, orange juice and horseradish. Totally delicious! Served with Tequila/Lime Chicken and herbed focaccia bread.
Cheese Chowder (with red peppers, carrots, and celery). So creamy and thick!
Thai Pork and Vegetables. I rarely cook with curry, so I really gave it a go. Good stuff. Couldn't find orzo at Walmart, so I just used white rice. Smelled like India in the kitchen.
Monday, March 03, 2008
Hobbies R Not Us?
As a wife and mom, I hardly have time for what I once called my hobbies - dancing, writing, singing in a band, etc... Sometimes I wonder if I'm good at anything besides mom stuff. I recently asked Jarrod if I was interesting. Hmm. Dumb question? If you're a mom, you probably understand this feeling. Baby puke on your shirt, a pile of dishes in the sink, mystery stains in that very important shirt - all of these require some skill or discipline but are not exactly "interesting" nor do they make one feel particularly feminine or talented. I think I need to make a little extra time at home and space on this blog to foster my interests. So, here's a recent project.
I made this necklace just for me. Often, my jewelry projects are for other people, so I decided to make a piece I've been wanting for myself for some time. Then, when I wear it, I'm reminded that I do have a hobby. Plus, it makes me feel pretty. :)
I made this necklace just for me. Often, my jewelry projects are for other people, so I decided to make a piece I've been wanting for myself for some time. Then, when I wear it, I'm reminded that I do have a hobby. Plus, it makes me feel pretty. :)
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Arthur's First Communion
Our church recently changed to a different denomination, one which allows children to have communion as soon as they are able. While I have believed for some time that this was the way to go, I didn't realize how touching it would be to me when Arthur actually took communion. He was sitting in Jarrod's lap in church today when Jarrod gave him a bite of the bread. Arthur looked quite pleased with himself and munched happily away. I didn't cry, but well... I almost did. On my other side, my nephew Samson had his first little cup of wine all to himself. What a picture of God's acceptance of children as a part of His covenant family, even so young.
Anyways, I love to think that Arthur will be taking communion with the rest of the Body of Christ. He will be excited like the other children when the bread and wine is passed around. Such childlike anticipation is a great reminder to me of what a big moment communion is every time. It also makes me smile to think he will truly feel included as a little Christian even from his earliest memories of church.
Anyways, I love to think that Arthur will be taking communion with the rest of the Body of Christ. He will be excited like the other children when the bread and wine is passed around. Such childlike anticipation is a great reminder to me of what a big moment communion is every time. It also makes me smile to think he will truly feel included as a little Christian even from his earliest memories of church.
Monday, February 18, 2008
I love these baby days
This morning we climbed onto the bed to "wake daddy" as we often do together. Instead of the usual claw-and-flub-daddy's-face-until he-gets-up routine, Arthur tucked his head firmly into my armpit and fell right to sleep. What to do but have a family nap! Since Arthur snores, Jarrod and I watched him and smiled at each other over his fuzzy mound.
I know, enjoy it while I can!
I know, enjoy it while I can!
Peas in a Pod
Most people know that little boys will have an "i-love-mommy-and-must-be-with-her-all-the-time" phase, but I seem to be as attached to Arthur as he is to me. While in our long quarantine of sickness, the two of us have become quite inseparable. I think I was more sad than he was about putting him in the nursery for a little while during Sunday school. It seems I have a permanent hole in my side where he must be perched or both of us are not whole. Even if he's playing on the floor, he'll keep his rump pressed again my hip as long as I sit down with him. I've had to block the kitchen with a sideways ironing board just so I can cook or load the dishwasher without him sitting on my ankles.
Once clean, sometimes, I let him help me "reload" the dishwasher.
Here he is putting in his bowl and taking it back out again. What a great little helper.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Pregnant
Yep, the rumors are true. We are expecting Baby Richey #2 in early September. Of course, I'm very excited as is Jarrod, and I'm sure Arthur will be eventually. I think he'll make a fabulous big brother, probably bossy and energetic. He's gonna need a sidekick.
I realize that most of you, well all of you have NOT received a phone call from me with the news. It's not personal. I haven't called a single person yet. It's just that 2008 seems to have had a rough start for us, and making phone calls seems too daunting a task. I started to list the sad happenings so far, but it seemed depressing and well, sad! Call me if you'd like to feel that way.
On the plus side, my friend Meredith picked out a lovely maternity bridesmaid dress for me to wear in her wedding this summer. Jarrod will be graduating from Tech this year. I had a lovely circumstantially huge birthday party in Alexandria which turned out the perfect time and place to announce my pregnancy. And Arthur seems to have escaped the stomach flu that Jarrod and I had this week. Praise God!
I realize that most of you, well all of you have NOT received a phone call from me with the news. It's not personal. I haven't called a single person yet. It's just that 2008 seems to have had a rough start for us, and making phone calls seems too daunting a task. I started to list the sad happenings so far, but it seemed depressing and well, sad! Call me if you'd like to feel that way.
On the plus side, my friend Meredith picked out a lovely maternity bridesmaid dress for me to wear in her wedding this summer. Jarrod will be graduating from Tech this year. I had a lovely circumstantially huge birthday party in Alexandria which turned out the perfect time and place to announce my pregnancy. And Arthur seems to have escaped the stomach flu that Jarrod and I had this week. Praise God!
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
