Saturday, May 28, 2011

Leave it to the Locksmith's Wife...

...to get locked out of her house!  Ugh!...I went to put stuff in my car, brought Mackenzie Faith out on the porch and locked the bottom door knob.  When I went to find my keys to lock the dead bolt I realized...my keys were inside.  Thought for a second, sent Joseph a text, stayed calm, and thankfully my wallet was in the diaper bag!  I pulled out my handy dandy QT card and slid it through...praying as I did it.  It opened...thank God!

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

My Family by Josiah Eterno

You Are Only Young Once

Basketball goal in the living room?...  Why not!  You are only young once right?!  I'm not sure what the future holds for my son, but one thing is for sure!  It will without a doubt involve sports.  He knows NBA teams and players by name.  He surprises me everyday.  


I love that he has on his Braves Brian McCann shirt on.



Look at that form!  Joseph and I smile ear to ear watching him.  




Incredible Deal


Thanks to Nonnie and Aunt Kathy we will not have to buy formula for a while.  They found an incredible deal at Wal-Mart.  Similac is changing their labels and had these cans discounted to 2 dollars and some change.  My mother in law went to another Wal-Mart and they had the same cans for $13.98.  When I sent her this picture she realized she forgot to give me the other four cans.  This is by far the best deal I've ever seen!  Thank you again Nonnie and Aunt Kathy!!

Awana Awards

Another year of Awana has come and gone.  Josiah has finished up his second year and Sissy her first.  On Sunday we watched our littles receive their awards.  

This year Mary Elisabeth was in Puggles.  They played their video through the screen.  It was so cute watching them sing, dance and scream to the music.  I am so thankful for her teachers and will miss them terribly next year.  They are so patient and so loving with all our kids.  


This was Josiah's second year in Awana and first year in Cubbies.  He will stay in Cubbies one more year before moving up.  This year Josiah had to "work."  They would send a book home and he would study a verse that he would recite for his teachers.  




Receiving his award and teddy bear to pin on his vest




Thanks for coming Nonnie and Papa Rob.  Your spiritual influence in our lives is priceless.  
We love you!






Bridal Shower...Numero Dos!

These women watched me grow up.  They watched me become a wife and now a mother.  Their advice and their stories will stay with me forever.  
But on this day, they came together to celebrate my little sister.  To give her advice and share their stories with her.  They have watched her mature from a girl to a beautiful woman.  And in less than two weeks they will watch her become a wife.

Thank you all for coming out on Saturday.  I know many of you had more than one party to go to (with all the graduation parties), but you took the time to come celebrate with us.  I love all of you and thank God for your influence in my life!

Perfect

Found this bib at Target and thought...



...Perfect!







Adding to the Menu


Last Wednesday Mackenzie had her four months well check up and came in at a whopping 14 pounds 4.5 ounces.  She's in the 85th percentile in weight and 75th percentile in height.  Dr. Elder was very surprised at how much she has grown.  She also had two shots and an oral for the rota virus.  She did great and only cried for a little bit before falling asleep.   

Dr. Elder gave us the go ahead to start rice cereal and oatmeal.  She ate a good bit before screaming and wanting out of the chair.  I can't believe my little baby is starting cereal...  

Sunday, May 22, 2011

End of the World

Saw this on a friend's Facebook Status...


The world did not end yesterday. It is just being rebooted. Please be sure your security software is up to date. Run a full scan of your life and remove any malicious files which may be damaging your joy, stealing your hope, or slowing down your blessings. If you need more instructions, please refer to the users manual, readily available 
or put your hands together, bow your head and contact tech support!


But of that day and hour NO ONE knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only. Matthew 24:36

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Warren Barfield - Love is Not a Fight

My brother will be playing acoustic while Joseph sings this at my sister's wedding.  They played it for us on Sunday night at my mom's house and the tears started.  Oh my...I'm gonna need to make sure I wear some extra waterproof make-up!  


The words to this song are so powerful.  They remind us that we don't give up, we lock the door behind us, throw away the key and commit to never leave.  When I stood by my husband on December 11, 2004 I vowed to love him forever.  To love him in the good times and the bad, in sickness and in health until DEATH do us part.  I'm not giving up on him and I know he will not give up on me.  Everyday I fall more in love with Joseph.  I am incredibly blessed to have such a special man by my side.  During our dating years everything fell apart.  My dad didn't approve, I made bad decisions, and our relationship seemed to be coming to an end, but God had other plans.  I can stand here today and say that without a doubt Joseph is my soul mate.  He is my best friend, we finish each other's sentences, he knows me inside and out, he is my one and only.  


In the past year we've heard of marriages collapsing and it's scary.  It's been a wake up call for me.  To never take my eyes off of the ONE who is the most important in my marriage.  It's not me, it's not Joseph, it's Jesus Christ.  Without Him I am nothing, we are nothing.  But you know what...if we fall, if we fail...God is still there.  He never leaves us.  A couple of years ago Joseph and I experienced a "revival" in our marriage.  There were secrets from our past, secrets from before we were married that we had kept from each other.  Me in particular, I planned on taking my secrets to the grave.  It was something that ate at me every single day of my life.  I experienced so much depression and anxiety at the thought of Joseph finding out.  After watching Fireproof, which is where this song is from, we were changed.  A couple of days later, the Lord opened doors and I shared my secrets with Joseph and he shared his with me.  It was an emotional day, I still remember that sick to my stomach feeling as I told him.  But from that day on our marriage has been secret free.  He knows me better than I know myself.  God completely revived our marriage and blessed us immensely .  We have not been the same since.  I am scared to think of where we would be today if those secrets were still lingering around.  


I'm not writing this to brag, but i'm writing it because I felt led to.  I pray that these words will touch your life and your marriage.  If you haven't watched Fireproof, I highly recommend it!  Love is not a fight, but it's something worth fighting for.  Don't give up, keep on fighting!


Love is Not a Fight


Love is not a place

To come and go as we please

It's a house we enter in

Then commit to never leave



So lock the door behind you

Throw away the key

We'll work it out together

Let it bring us to our knees



Chorus:

Love is a shelter in a raging storm

Love is peace in the middle of a war

And if we try to leave, may God send angels to guard the door
No, love is not a fight but it's something worth fighting for



To some, love is a word

That they can fall into

But when they're falling out

Keeping that word is hard to do
[ Lyrics from:m/lyrics/w/warren_barfield/love_is_not_a_fight.html ]
Chorus:
Love is a shelter in a raging storm
Love is peace in the middle of a war
And if we try to leave, may God send angels to guard the door
No, love is not a fight but it's something worth fighting for



Love will come to save us

If we'll only call

He will ask nothing from us

But demand we give our all



Chorus:

Love is a shelter in a raging storm

Love is peace in the middle of a war

And if we try to leave, may God send angels to guard the door
No, love is not a fight but it's something worth fighting for



I will fight for you

Would you fight for me?

It's worth fighting for



See the video here 

Four Months


My sweet little baby you turned four months old on Friday!  I can not believe how much you have grown.  We go to the doctor tomorrow and I am curious to see your stats!  You are in size 2 diapers and you drink about 7 ounces of formula every 4 hours.  I know it's time to start you on cereal, but I wanted to wait just a little longer.  I waited with your sister and it worked out so much better than with Bubba.  You are such a happy baby.  You only fuss when you are wet, dirty, hungry or want some attention.  You are content anywhere I put you.  From your crib, to the bouncy seat, to the floor, to the couch, and to the bed.  You've even sat in your bumbo seat some, but not quite mastered it.  You are holding your head up so well and working out the muscles in you little chunky legs.  I have packed away all of your newborn, 3 months, and 3-6 months clothes.  You are in some 3 months, but have no problem wearing 6 months.  You even wore a 9 month jumper the other day!!  I love dressing you and your sister alike even though I didn't enjoy being dressed like my sister as a kid ha!  I'll do it now since you can't complain.  You continue to sleep through the night and take a couple of naps a day.  When you hear your Daddy's voice you turn in his direction and want him to hold you.  You are growing up so quickly right before our eyes and I know that in no time you will be crawling all over the house. 

Baby Girl you steal my heart every day.  I am so thankful that the Lord saw me fit to be your mother.  Even though there are days when I ask myself what was God thinking?  I know He has a perfect plan.  You complete our family and it's like you have always been with us.  I love you with all of my heart precious baby!



How can you not love this girl!

Showering the Bride to Be


I've hosted a couple of showers for special friends, but on Saturday morning I hosted an extra special shower...my little sister's!  I still can not believe that in less than a month she will be Mrs. Roberts.  She has one more shower this weekend before heading out to the beach with the girls.  Thank you to all who came by, we had a wonderful morning.



Breakfast Pizza!  This was easy, fast and delicious.  Just ask Joseph who had three pieces!



This was her gift from her future mother in law.  She was so excited!


She even got in some practice for those future Roberts babies!


Oh dear sister, I still can not believe you are a bride to be!  Can not wait to see you walk down the aisle with dad.  Something that a few years ago we thought would not happen.  Such a blessing to know that dad will walk hand in hand with you.  I love you very much and wish you nothing but the best in your marriage.  I'm so proud of you!


Thursday, May 12, 2011

Suite C12

Last Thursday Joseph, Josiah and I headed down to Atlanta for the Hawks vs. The Bulls playoff game.  Too bad the Hawks lost pretty bad.  They just couldn't keep up and get past that 10 point difference.  They gave up too quick and although we were dissappointed we really enjoyed ourselves!  Joseph and Doby bought season tickets for next year and their season ticket representative called Joseph with four suite tickets for free!!  Yes, $540 worth of tickets!  Originally it was going to be Joseph, Doby, and I, but Doby was so kind to give his ticket to Little Man.  We had such a good time and the suite was so nice we really didn't care that we lost.  Well...Joseph did, but me?..nah!  There's always next year.



It was all inclusive.  All you can eat and drink.  





We stopped on our way out to buy Josiah a headband.  He wanted to be like Josh Smith.  I am still amazed at how he knows all of the players.  We're gonna miss you Hawks, but on to the Atlanta Braves.  Our family takes no breaks when it comes to sports!  Something that was not so fun for me in the past, but has become another part of our Eterno Adventures :)!

*Joseph's highlight of the day was riding the elevator with Craig Sagar, TNT announcer.  He's the one that always wears the crazy suits.  He sat in the suite beside us.  We wanted to get a picture with him before the end of the game, but he was too busy hitting on a girl half his age, was quite wasted, and him and the girl left before half time... Oh well!*

But I created a picture of my own haha!


Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Thank You Smart Balance Buttery Spread

 After Mary Elisabeth was born I started to experience some tummy troubles.  It was pretty severe, but I pretty much summed it up as stress.  If you knew me back then you would probably agree that stress dominated my entire life.  So after numerous days of stomach aches, multiple trips to the bathroom (tmi, I know), and just being plain miserable I thought to myself "somethings has got to give."  Never did it occur to me that the milk in my cereal every morning, the mac n' cheese for lunch and the pizza for dinner were making me one sick girl!  Slowly I came to realize that milk was just not sitting well.  I decided to take it out of my diet and after a couple of days, I felt better.  Joseph thought I was crazy...he would say "how in the world are you lactose intolerant when you have been drinking milk all of your life?"  When I finally went to the doctor I was so HAPPY to hear that some women develop a mild case of lactose intolerance after having babies.  Not happy because I developed lactose intolerance, but happy because I was not crazy!  I LOVED milk and cereal was my lifeline so I was pretty bummed at the thought of living with no dairy.  But I made adjustments and cut out milk and most cheeses from my diet.  To my surprise when I was pregnant with Mackenzie Faith I was able to eat cereal every day and eat anything cheesy even my worst tummy enemy Alfredo sauce!  I was in heaven.  I think that would be the ONE AND ONLY reason I would be pregnant again...to eat cheese and drink milk ha!  I was still able to tolerate dairy a couple of weeks after Mackenzie Faith was born...but imagine my sadness when I spent hours in the bathroom, (tmi again...sorry...) curled up with a heating pad on the recliner after eating Alfredo Pasta Bake...  It was enough to scare me from eating anything dairy ever again!  Fast forward to Mother's Day at Nana's when Nacho Cheese Doritos upset my stomach.  I came home feeling defeated because I thought I had a handle on it.  I never expected it to be worse.  I researched lactose and realized that pretty much everything contains lactose.  I had planned on making one of my favorite meals, but I was too scared to use butter.  Butter has never sent me to the bathroom haha, but I was too scared to even risk it.  I searched for a while and finally found this...


It is lactose free!  I can bake or spread it on some toast and not worry about having to camp out in the bathroom (yes, tmi...again...last time I promise).  I am very thankful to Smart Balance Light Buttery Spread because tonight, I was able to enjoy one of my favorite meals...


...Shrimp Scampi!  This was such an easy meal and it literally took me about 30 minutes to get it all together.  I decided to include the recipe for a couple of my Facebook.

This came from Southern Living's Dinner in a Dish cookbook.

Shrimp Scampi

1lb peeled, large raw shrimp (I didn't use raw.  I prefer the pre-cooked shrimp)
1 (12-oz) angel hair pasta
1/2 cup of butter or in my case Smart Balance Buttery Spread :)
1/4 cup finely chopped onion (I used 1/2 an onion)
3 garlic cloves, finely-chopped
1 tsp. salt-free Italian-herb seasoning (I used way more than just 1 tsp.  I sprinkled a good bit in there!)
1 Tbsp. Fresh lemon juice ( I used 1 lemon, but didn't squeeze it all the way)
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese (didn't use that...not tummy friendly)
1 Tbsp. chopped fresh parsley (I didn't use fresh parsley and it was still good!)

1.  Prepare your pasta according to package.
2. Meanwhile, melt butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat; add onion and garlic, and saute 3 to 5 minutes or until tender.  Stir in Italian-herb seasoning.
3.  Reduce heat to medium.  Add shrimp and cook stirring occasionally for 3 to 5 minutes.  Stir in lemon juice.  Toss shrimp mixture with pasta, and sprinkle with cheese.  Serve immediately.  

It was not overwhelmingly garlicky and it was a  light meal.  Try it and tell me how it turns out!  I think the only thing I will add next time is some salt and pepper but other than that it was delish!

I'm on the look out for more lactose free products!  Let me know if you know of any and when I find them I'll make sure to share.


Monday, May 9, 2011

Fire It Up

Last week while I was at Target I came across Lawry's Hawaiian Marinade and decided to try it.   I love marinade sauces!  I let the chicken marinade in the fridge for a couple of hours and sent Joseph out for a pineapple.  I put some olive oil, salt and pepper on the pineapple slices and Joseph set them on the grill.  I made rice with veggies and some oven roasted potatoes seasoned with olive oil, garlic salt, onion powder, and italian seasoning.   I don't eat pineapple unless it's in fluffy stuff, but I've got to say I will eat up some grilled pineapple!  And speaking of fluffy stuff, well no meal is complete without it.  I love grilling out, but I realized tonight that the reason I enjoy it so much is because Joseph spends time in the kitchen with me and grills the chicken for me.  The most I ever do is clean the grill or turn on/off the gas.



Tonight Joseph and I were talking about how far I have come.  The kitchen and I were not good friends, but slowly we have become well acquainted.  I've learned to make enough food for our family and not have tons and tons left over.  I used to make enough food to feed an army, but I've learned to bring down my portions so that we have none left over.  Especially since we are not big on eating left overs around our house.    





Mother's Day 2011

I had a wonderful Mother's Day and hope that you did too!  Mary Elisabeth came to our bed around 4 AM, she sipped on some juice, watched some cartoons and fell back asleep around 5.  I tossed and turned so decided I would get up and curl my hair.  Three hours later I was done ha!  Joseph woke up all on his own this morning, I was very proud.  The kids woke up, Joseph gave the older two baths, and I bathed Mackenzie Faith.  We were running a little behind and still had to stop to pick up some formula.  My hubby was very sweet and told the kids we were running on "Mommy's time."


Mackenzie Faith's Dedication

After service we went over to Nana's for lunch with our family.  I was starving and decided to munch on Nacho Cheese Doritos.  After lunch my tummy started hurting and as I was trying to recall what I ate it didn't dawn on me that Nacho CHEESE Doritos have lactose.  Since Mary Elisabeth was born I've developed a mild case of lactose intolerance...it sucks!  And sadly I think it's gotten worse since Mackenzie Faith was born.  I was able to tolerate it while pregnant and a couple of weeks afterwards, but not anymore! Anyways...enough of my tummy troubles!  We had a wonderful time...sitting around talking and of course, no family gathering is complete without tons of pictures!








After Nana's we went over to my mom's for carne asada!  Gabby and the boys with some help from my mom cooked up a delicious dinner.  After dinner the boys sat inside watching the Hawks and the Braves while the rest of us sat outside talking about the wedding.  I still can't believe my little sister is getting married in less than a month!!


I look pregnant in this picture, but I love it anyways!

My dad doing what he does best :)


Dad wanted a new family picture but we will have to take another one soon.  It was getting dark, my zoom lens was on and dad's tripod was broken.  This was the best we could do...



So blessed to have her as my mom and grandmother of my children!  Love you mom!

After giving the kids baths we watched Dora and waited on the Hawks game to finish up.  After the game was over we drove home, put the kids to bed and called it a night!  What a long day, but it was wonderful!  

Happy Mother's Day!