What happened to March and April? [part 1]

*******this post was written on May 4th, 2012********

So...I'm having a baby. On Monday. My third baby, second in as many years. I'm excited that the end/beginning is in sight, but any moms out there that have had a C-section or two or three know the process is not so much fun. Still, I cant wait to hold this precious little girl in my arms instead of my belly! With this huge life/family change quickly approaching, I thought I should get a little blogging in since I haven't lately and I most likely wont again for a while!

If you ever want to know the fastest way to endure the 9 months that is pregnancy, do it immediately following the birth of a previous child.  You will be so busy and preoccupied with (in my case) a 3 year old and a new baby (now 1 year old) that you wont even realize you are pregnant.  That is until 8:00 pm when they are finally asleep and you realize how your body is aching, your stomach and throat are burning from acid reflux, and you can't sleep because your belly is a bowling ball.  But really, it has been the fastest 9 months of my life. We only just got the baby stuff out of storage last night! So I guess this is really happening....in 3 days. Eeek!

Here's a peek into our last couple of months. Jack and Claire are so much fun now that Claire can "play" with Jack! For a while (in March) the four of us would go out in the back yard after dinner and the kids would ride around in the Cozy Coupes or bikes or jump in the jumpy or dig in our makeshift (but best thing ever) sand box. Sean loves making fires and the kids love making smore's, so that is a usual occurrence in our after-dinner routine. This particular evening it was cold. So they were bundled up, but I couldn't resist getting a few pics of them playing!

My little Jacky Roo.  He is so funny and I literally cannot recount all the amazing things that come out of this boys mouth! He is just so smart and so much fun! The other day I was a little flustered, things kept "going wrong"..nothing major; just one of those days.  As the kids were eating lunch and something spilled I said to Sean, "Ugh today has been so frustrating!" and Jack coyly responded, without missing a beat,
"its not frustrating mommy- Its all part of the fun!"
It was one of those moments when you have to just stop and laugh and enjoy the wisdom of this precious three year old boy! I was getting flustered about a bunch of little things and it was potentially ruining my day; a day that the Lord graciously gave to me to spend with my little ones, just doing life; and having fun.  He was right. It is all part of the fun. If only we as adults could always see life the way these little ones do. I'm so thankful I have them to remind me of what is really important in life.

My little Claire Bear. She is one busy little bee! She is such a cuddle bug and so loving. I am loving watching her little own personality develop. Its amazing. She is my little joy. She is such a girly girl, but yet loves playing with the boys (Jacky and Daddy) and doing whatever they are doing. She can hold her own too! She is independent and adventurous, she loves to climb, and she loves sitting by the fire in the evenings. Sean thinks she is going to be his little outdoorsy girl- I assure him she will also love ballet :-) She absolutely loves music. She just cannot help but dance and move whenever she hears it; whether its someones ring tone or someone humming a tune, she will "be-bop around" as her daddy calls it. It is the cutest thing, and I cannot wait till I can get her into a tutu and pink ballet shoes for dance lessons!!

I really love our family time- just the four of us. It does something for my soul. I need that time with them- I crave it. 

 Its refreshing, its peaceful, its home for me.

They are home for me.

Mmm D'Licious: Peanut Butter Cup Cheesecake

yes...I really did just say that. It's all the chocolately, peanut-buttery, cheesecakey goodness (on an oreo-peanut crust) that it sounds like it would be.

I adapted this recipe here, making only a couple changes, and honestly, if you are lover of Reese's like my hubby is, this is a must try.  It's slightly labor intensive, or maybe it just took me forever because projects {baked or otherwise} rarely ever have my undivided attention with two little ones running around, but it did seem to take a while to make.  Also I would suggest making it the day before so it can set in the refrigerator overnight.  The recipe says at least 4 hours, but it was better the next day. Ok. That's my two cents on the matter...now down to business:


For The Crust
4 1/2 cups crushed Oreo cookies (translation: 1 whole box) Oh and I used Trader Joe's Joe Joe vanilla bean cookies...so good.)
1 cup chopped roasted peanuts
1/2 cup butter, melted

For The Filling
2 lbs cream cheese , softened- as in- let it sit out for an hour or two...this step is paramount in having your cheesecake turn out....trust me.
5 eggs , at room temperature (let them sit out and keep your cream cheese company)
1 1/2 cups firmly packed brown sugar
1 cup smooth peanut butter (not natural-style Helllooo Jif!)
1/2 cup whipping cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
12 Reese's Peanut Butter cups , broken into small pieces

For The Topping 
(I used the recipe from this cheesecake)
16 oz sour cream
3-6 Tbs sugar
1tsp vanilla



Directions:


To Make The Crust:.
Combine crushed Oreo cookies and peanuts that have been ground in a food processor with the melted butter.
Pat the crust mixture onto bottom and sides of a 10-inch springform pan.


To Make The Filling:
Beat cream cheese in bowl of electric mixer until smooth.


Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
Add sugar, peanut butter and cream; mix until smooth.
Stir in vanilla, then fold in peanut butter cup pieces with a rubber spatula.
Pour filling into prepared crust.
Place springform pan into a larger baking pan.
Pour hot water into the larger pan so that the water comes 1 inch up the sides of the springform pan.


Bake at 275°F 1-1/2 hours, or until firm and lightly browned.


For The Topping:
Combine the sour cream, sugar, and vanilla and spread on the cheesecake.
Return the cake to the oven for 5 minutes.
Remove from the oven and allow to cool on a wire rack for one hour.
You may run a knife along the edge of the cake to loosen it from the pan somewhat.
Refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight for best results.


Before Serving:
Chop the reese's Cups ( I used a bag of the miniatures)

 Place on the top of cheesecake
Drizzle chocolate sauce over the top. (I used Torani Chocolate Sauce)

Then try to eat a whole piece. I dare you. 


Enjoy!!

Happy Birthday to My Hubby :-)

Happy Birthday to the most amazing man in the world- my husband.  He is absolutely an incredible person whose compassion, faith, strength, love, and generosity continually amaze me.  There are literally times when I still stop and marvel at the fact that the Lord so graciously chose Sean for me; and how blessed I am to be his wife.  He absolutely is the leader of our family and his life is an incredible example of faith in action, always pointing to and relying on the One from whom all blessings flow.  He is literally the most unselfish, patient person I have ever know.  He would do anything for his family, and I have seen him love perfect strangers in a way that only a Christ-filled person could; meeting needs, and ministering to people with discernment and compassion.  He has been my strength and my rock through the most difficult season of my life, always encouraging me and helping me to focus on the Lord, His faithfulness, His love for me and for those I love. 

 There are no words that can adequately express how much I love Sean.  No words.  He is the love of my life, my best friend and there isn't another person in this world that I would rather travel this journey with.  Life is filled with joys and sorrows, surprises, and sometimes heart breaking circumstances, but the Lord has been gracious to me and has blessed me with this wonderful man to be my partner in this life.   Thank you Sean for being the kind of man your son can look up to and immulate; a faithful, kind, strong leader; committed to the Lord first and foremost, and also to your wife and family.  A father that your daughters can watch to see what true love looks like, how treasured you make me feel and how they also deserve to be loved and treasured someday by a man who loves and seeks the Lord.  That is a gift that goes beyond any other earthly possession or accomplishment.  And still I am also so proud of all your hard work and all you have accomplished. 

You are amazing. 

 I am forever grateful and humbled to be your wife. 

Thank you, Lord, for Sean.

Our 6th Anniversary! Dinner at Greystone's downtown

Ice Skating downtown with Daddy!

80's dress up party! 

lovehim.

Daddy took the day off to go play at Mission Bay!

Zipline at Hume. Love this pic.

We love you so much!!

Happy Birthday!!!

Happy 1st Birthday Baby Claire!

A Year of Firsts

A Year of Fun

Our little doll is turning 1!!

Last weekend we celebrated Claire's 1st Birthday! It is hard to believe that a whole year has already gone by! Even more amazing is how, in only one short year, this little person grew from the precious, helpless, tiny infant to a beautiful, walking, talking, singing and giggling love bug; so full of life and personality! She is such a blessing in our little family and we have loved every moment of her first year of life.  

 She is an amazing little girl.  She has music in her soul and a song in her heart. She will literally dance and sway and sing if she hears any music at all. She is so funny and makes faces- because she knows it's funny and adorable!  She is rapidly expanding her vocabulary and it is so fun when she says real words out of the blue! She says Dada, Mama, cheese, yesh (yes), uh oh!, baby, Bubba (for Jack), hi, bye bye, up, Bumpa (for Grampa- whom she adores!) Mimi (for my mom), cheese, bottle and many more! She is such a delicate, tiny little thing, yet she is fearless, spunky and determined. She gives love to Jack all the time, adores him really.  Her favorite thing to do is whatever he is doing. She wants to be wherever he is and even if its something to hard for her- she will try until she is doing it too.  Jack loves her to pieces too.  He of course gets annoyed with her when she messes up his line of cars, or changes the channel when he is watching Kratt Brothers, but he will out of the blue tell me, "I love ClaireBear so much!" and I know he means it. Their relationship is precious, and I pray they will always be close.

 I am excited to continue to watch her grow and blossom.  And most importantly, I pray that her sweet and tender heart will always be drawn to the One who created her so lovingly and so intricately.  She is a precious "sweet little heart" as Jack called her.

Happy 1st Birthday Claire Bear!!

She is my little doll, and I had so much fun dressing her in outfits that were mine when I was a baby! It was fitting since I planned her little party to have a 
"Vintage Baby" theme.

I made sugar cookies, lemon bars, and raspberry filled cupcakes with raspberry butter cream frosting and lemon filled cupcakes with regular butter cream frosting. It was my first time doing the filled cupcakes, but they turned out really yummy! I had so much fun collecting little vintage items like the baby planter (bottom left photo), the vintage lamb planter (bottom right photo), and the vintage rocking horse, and vintage "first year" frame (in the drink station photo)! I made all the cupcake toppers (with Sean's help...he's the graphic designer), the tissue poms, "Claire's 1st Year" banner and photo banner, the little high chair tutu, and the #1 piñata!

"Claire's 1st Year" in photos

Drink station with pink lemonade and strawberry milk for the kids (not pictured)

I think she was overwhelmed by all of the people and the attention, so she fell asleep, safe and comfy in Mimi's arms (for like 45 minutes!- which is crazy for this little one who never naps!!)

I planned two little old-fashion(ish) games for the bigger kids; Pin the Bow Tie on the Ducky, and the Pinata. Claire slept through this part, but oh well!

Finally awake! and ready for her party!

Cupcake time!

Opening presents with Mommy 

these are my people :-) can you tell we are all related?

Claire with Grandma and Grandpa!

Just in case you were wondering what the boys were doing amidst all the pink and tulle...

We had Shirley Temple music playing in the background, and this little doll couldn't help but dance! It was so cute! Don't you love those little legs? 

It was such a fun day and Claire is so blessed to have so many people that love her! Thank you to all our family and friends who came to celebrate her!

xo

Mmm D' Licious: Gingerbread Cookies!

Tis the Season to be Jolly...and bake lots of delicious Christmas treats! These Gingerbread Cookies are a favorite of mine. They are just the right consistency and oh so delicious!

Ingredients:

1 Cup butter

3/4 cup brown sugar

1/4 tsp salt

1 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp cloves

2 tsp ground ginger

1/2 C molasses

1 egg

3 1/4 C flour

1/2 tsp baking soda

Directions:

Cream together butter and brown sugar.

Add salt, cinnamon, cloves, ginger and mix.

Add the egg and mix.

Add molasses and mix until combined.

in another bowl combine flour and baking soda.

Gradually add to cream mixture.

If you want to roll out the dough and use cookie cutters, chill for an hour first. then roll it out on a lightly floured surface. Do not roll too thin.

Otherwise- scoop out dough onto cookie sheet (I placed them on parchment paper)

Bake at 325 for 9 minutes.

They may not look done, but trust me- they are sooo good as long as you don't overcook them!

Let them stand for a minute on the pan and then place them on cooling racks. Allow them to cool completely before frosting!

Frosting:

2 1/2- 3 C powdered sugar

3 Tbs milk

1/2 tsp vanilla

1/4 tsp almond extract

[This frosting is kind of to-taste, and you have to make sure it is not too thick or too runny.]

Add a few drops of your desired food coloring, get your little helpers, and you are ready to frost your cookies!

Jack is my little taste-tester....quality control :-) 

Enjoy!