Three Months (a little late)

My little man is 3 months old.... 3 months!!!!

Where has the time gone?  I have no idea?

This is more than likely our last kiddo, so I am trying to savor every minute I can.  And no matter how hard the time is still flying by.

This little guy has stolen my heart.  He's such a mama's boy and I just can't get enough of him.

He loves to smile and talk to us all the time.  He's trying so hard to laugh but can't quite get there, but I know it's coming any day.

He is sleeping through the night.  8:00pm- 7:30pm.. He's actually been doing this for the last month, but I didn't want to jinx myself, but after a good solid month of this kind of sleeping, I think it's safe to say he likes bed time.

Naps are still a little spotty.  He snoozes off and on through out the day, but really needs at least 2 solid QUIET time naps.  (Having a big sister (who is pretty loud) makes napping anywhere in the house a little difficult)  He takes 1-1.5 hour morning nap, and then a 2.5-3 hour nap in the afternoon.  In the last couple of weeks the napping has improved quite a bit so hopefully we're on to something.

Eating... yeah he's a champ eater.  In fact, I'm a little nervous about what that says when he gets older.  I have a feeling my grocery bill might double.  :)  I mean look how much weight this boy has put on.

Newborn

One Month

Two Months

Three Months

It's just so crazy to me to see how much babies change in the first few months!


And me, well I finally feel like I'm getting into my groove with motherhood.  Days are still exhausting and chaotic at times, but my heart is full.

Pause for a Moment

Imagine wandering the streets witnessing the destruction of your town.  

Imagine hearing the cries and the feelings of hopelessness.  

Imagine not knowing the whereabouts of your very own children, your spouse, your parents, your loved ones.  

You don't know if they are dead or alive.

You fear that they are in pain somewhere and desperately needing your help.

My heart breaks!  

A Super Typhoon hit the Philippines.  It caused so much death and destruction.  Something that most of us will probably never experience in our life time!    The news is reporting that over 10,000 men, women and children were lost and many more people have lost their homes, food, drinking water, etc.  

I think when things like this happen we have a choice.

We can not internalize it and move on with our day, or we can stop and say a prayer for those people.

If we have the means, we can give to help those in need.

Today I ask that you pause for a moment.

Say a prayer for the people of the Philippines.

Pray for the mothers who have lost their babies, the father's who can no longer protect their missing children, and the kids who will now grow up without the love of their parents.

God hears our prayers and answers them.

And if you feel the call to donate to bring these people relief then you can do so HERE.

Editors Note: Our family chooses to support Compassion International in the work they do in times like these and to help those in poverty in other countries.  We feel that their money goes to where they say it goes and the relationships we've made with our sponsored child and other people has truly blessed our lives.  If you have more questions about Compassion or what they do feel free to visit their website for more information or send me an email.  I'd love to talk with you more about our experience.

Link Up, Share your Christmas Crafts and Recipes!

It’s Christmas Giveaway Event

Organized by: Mom Powered Media. Co-hosted by: Bay Area Mommy, My Dairy Free Gluten Free Life, Barbara's Beat, Giveaway Bandit, Slick Housewives, Love Me Some Coupons and Coupons and Freebies Mom.

I can't believe Christmas is just around the corner.... Seriously, decorations are rolling out everywhere.  So it's only necessary that we celebrate the Christmas season early by providing you with a gift card to do some Christmas shopping!   I love the holidays.  I love decorating my house, giving gifts, making my famous gingerbread men and even a little bit of Lulu Style Dog Sledding.  Nothing is better in my opinion.  So link up, and enter to win this awesome giveaway!

MPM Network Bloggers are super excited to share their Christmas Recipes, Crafts, Decor Ideas and much more with you this holiday season. Make sure you take a peek at the fabulous posts below. Surely you will find something that makes your holiday even brighter!

One lucky reader will receive a $500 Sears Gift Card!

Giveaway ends December 2nd at 11:59pm, open to US, ages 18+. To enter please use the Rafflecopter form below. Good luck.

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Foolproof Green Chile

When I married my husband, I knew that some how I would have to figure out how to make Mexican Pork Green Chile.

Nothing makes my hubs more excited than a bunch of green chile smothered burritos (breakfast or dinner).

Here was my problem.... I'd never in my life made that kind of chile.  Didn't have a clue where to start, didn't even know how to buy fresh green peppers.

So after seriously 4 years of trial and error and MANY failed pots of chile... I have finally hit the jackpot!  I feel it is only necessary for me to share the wealth.  It's a perfect fall/winter dish.
Serve it up with some black beans, cheese and whole wheat tortillas and you have a delicious wonderful meal.

Here is your list of ingredients:

4 TBSP of cooking oil

1 pound of pork stew meat

5 TBSP of flour

2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp onion powder

1/2 tsp garlic powder

9-10 fresh roasted green peppers skinned and blended

1- 14oz can of diced tomatoes (I use salsa style diced tomatoes but any kind will do)

3 cups of cold water

1 cup of ice

- Start by peeling your peppers.  I use Big Jim peppers- it give the chile a good kick to it without make your mouth catch fire.  But use however hot, or not hot, of peppers you'd like.

Make sure you get all of the skin off and most of the seedy insides.  

Once they are all peeled I give them a rough chop and throw them in the bullet.  Blend them up and you will get a lovely green paste.  Set aside.

- Next, chop your pork stew meat into tiny 1/2" pieces and throw them into the oil.

Allow the meat to brown, but don't cook all the way through

Remove your browned pork and set aside.

- Add your flour and whisk constantly... allow your flour to turn brown, like the color of a brown paper bag.   Once the flour is the desired color take off the burner and let it sit for a couple of minutes.  

- Add 2 cups of cold water and one cup of ice.  Whisk the flour and water together until there are no more lumps.

Put your pot back on the burner and add your blended peppers, tomatoes, meat and the seasonings.  

Bring to a boil and allow to boil for 5 minutes stirring occasionally to keep the bottom from burning and sticking to your pot.

  

Turn down the heat to a simmer and allow it to simmer partially covered for 1.5-2 hours.

Serve it up and enjoy!

Great for breakfast burritos, beans, tortillas, the possibilities are endless!

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Family Pictures

In an attempt to make amends for failing miserably the 31 day challenge I am giving you some pictures that will just make you smile with delight.  (one can hope)


These were taken when Mr. Jaxson was 3 weeks old.
Little Miss is quite the little model and loved every second of this shoot.  (if you can't tell)

Enjoy folks.

Marriage in the Home

When I was a senior in high school my parents started having serious marital problems.
It would be another couple of years before the officially divorced, but that was a tough year.
Yes, the divorce itself was very painful, but I remember that year being full of so much heart ache.

Watching my parents essentially hate each other was really hard.
At that point in my life, I promised myself that I would never put my children through that kind of pain.

Now that I'm a parent, I want our kids to see that mommy and daddy love each other very much.
I want my kids to see that we put our marriage first even above them!
Yes, you heard me right, I want my kids to know that our marriage is more important than them.

That might sound crazy to several people and before you go accusing me of not loving my kids, let me explain.
My church back home has a very famous saying.  God is your #1 and your spouse is your #2.  You have to keep your #1 relationship strong in order to have a strong #2 relationship.  Well, I'd like to take that a step further and say that if you don't have a strong #1 AND #2, the home you provide for your kids will not be the best it can be.

In my opinion, the best gift you can give your children is a strong loving home.  (Hints why I'm writing this series)  And having a secure, loving (not necessarily problem-free) marriage is the first step in getting that home.

You see, my parents hadn't divorced but their marriage had not been a first priority for awhile.
After several years, it started to crack and crumble and everyone felt it.
It was that year that our home started to crack and crumble.

While everyone needs a solid relationship with the Lord (that's another post), the home needs a solid marriage from the parents to thrive.

By the end of the day, I'm exhausted.  I'm usually covered in spit up, tired from cooking and cleaning and keeping whining and crying at bay.
It's so easy to throw the kids at my husband and go hide away the rest of the evening.
I challenge us women, to spend our evenings really being with our husbands.
I challenge us to keep our marriage the first priority.  Pour into that relationship even when you don't feel like it.
Passionately love your man and remember why you fell in love with him in the first place.
Schedule date nights.  Even if it's just at home after the kids are in bed.
Pray for your spouse and your marriage.

Keep your marriage first.
Your home WILL thrive with such a strong foundation.