A Sunday Afternoon at the Park

Two weeks ago my sister, Jonathan, and Josh took the kids for the afternoon while Joseph and I went to choir practice.  Sissy and Bubba love being with them and had a blast.  

Learning New Things

The kitchen and I have always had a love/hate relationship.  Yes I am Mexican and I should be able to make these elaborate Mexican meals.  BUT.  I.  Can't.  I did however learn to make rice and that's about it.  Shame on me for not being an observer in the kitchen while my mom cooked dinner.  I will never forgive myself ha!  I've had to learn a lot now that I am a wife and mom.  During our first years of marriage, Joseph and I spent a lot of time in restaurants and drive-thrus.  I didn't even know how to cut an onion!  But my prayer the past few years has been for wisdom and the capacity to provide nutritious meals for my family.  I've slowly  learned a few things and have come to love being in the kitchen.  A couple of months ago during Apples of Gold, I felt challenged to be a better wife and mother.  One of the areas that I felt I needed to work on was cooking.  Since then I have spent many hours searching the Internet, flipping through books, trying to find new ideas for meals.  On Monday, I was able to have the current Apples of Gold students at my house and showed them how to make a very yummy, easy meal!  I definitely feel like I'm on the right track and pray each day.  It's hard...menu planning, grocery shopping (with three kids), preparation, cooking, but It's become very enjoyable.  

Last night Joseph helped me with the prep work.  It was fun being in the kitchen together, but of course with three kids, it was cut short ha!  He sat with the kids while they watched Toy Story 3 and fed Mackenzie Faith.  This was a very simple meal to make.  I did however, add an iron skillet on my "to get" list.  With the iron skillet I could have put it straight in the oven after cooking it on the stove instead of putting it in a casserole dish.  Next time, I'm going to leave the cornbread topping off so that I won't feel too bad about adding the rolls to the meal!  We're watching our carbs ha!

This recipe is from Kellys Korner, but I believe she got it from Paula Deen! 

Mom

Josiah: "Mom?, can I call you mom?  I like mommy but I want to call you mom..."

Me: *stands there*

Josiah runs off...and I stand there not really knowing how I feel about this.  I like that he is growing up, but I'm not quite sure that I want to be called Mom just yet.  It's amazing to watch him grow up and do new things...I can't believe he starts pre-k next year.  I am one to embrace my children growing up, but I want to be mommy just a little bit longer :)...

3 Months

My sweet baby Mackenzie Faith...you are 3 months old today.  Time is flying by so fast that I have to remind myself every month that you are one month older.  You  are starting to finally smile big.  You recognize our voices and I think you are able to see us better too!  Mackenzie Faith, you are the best baby ever...I joke and say that if you would have been my first, I would have had more kids by now ha!  Your daily routine is set and you are a great sleeper. I will lay you down around 7:30 or 8:00 and you will sleep until 8: or 8:30.  Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!  You are such an easy baby during the day...you sit in your swing and bouncy seat all day.  After I lay Bubba and Sissy down for the night, I just want to hold you because I feel that I haven't held you all day.  You are drinking 6 ounces every 3 to 4 hours and I think you are more than ready to start cereal next month.  I think you are going to follow in your sister's foot steps and like to eat.  The other day you not only gave me a smile, but a little laugh.  I am so ready to hear you cackle (not sure of the spelling).  

My sweet baby you are fearfully and wonderfully made and my prayer for you is that you will always have the favor of God everywhere you go.  I love you very much and thank God everyday for blessing my life with you.  Being pregnant with you was tough, but all worth it when I stare into your eyes.  I love that you know that I'm your mommy, that I'm able to calm you down and rock you to sleep.  You are my sweet baby girl and I love you very very much.

Love,

Momma

Gwinnett Braves Opening Game

We were so excited to take the kids to the Gwinnett Braves game.  Josiah has been begging us to go watch the Braves and he was beyond ecstatic when he found out we were going to the G Braves game.  We decided to bring Mackenzie Faith along, I guess it's because she is my third, but I am comfortable taking her anywhere.  I always hesitated with the other two and they didn't go to their first sporting event until they were much older than her, but I was so glad that I brought her with us.  Thanks to my Moby Wrap she was great!  I still think it's funny at the stares and "you have your hands full" remarks that I get everywhere I go.  Yes people I have three kids and yes I have my hands full!  Ha!  We had awesome seats, but daddy didn't realize how close they were, his glove was on and he was on alert ready to catch a foul ball!  Thankfully no foul balls came our way and at the end of the game Joseph could finally breathe!  After the game we stayed and watched the fireworks and Mackenzie Faith slept through the entire show!  

Bobby Cox throwing out the first pitch

Thank goodness for my Moby!