No real surprise

As many of you already know we are expecting our baby #4. It is hard to believe that I am going to have so many babies to care for. I go back and forth about if I am ready. I keep wanting to have just go into labor and meet this busy little gal, then I think about all the closets that need organized and the addition out front that is far from being done and think stay in, please stay in.
I have decided that after this baby I will be better at exercising. Kind of feels like, ya what a joke, but I feel so motivated right now which is unusual for me the last couple pregnancies.
This part is for journaling if we ever decide to have more I will remember. I was never sicker than with this baby. I bled off and on for the first trimester. Thus causing me to need to take iron, and thus causing me to be nauseated pretty much continuously, thus causing me to be short tempered and stand offish with everyone I came in contact with. I lost me desire to go shopping. I cringe at the grocery store and hate all the money I have to spend there. (I have started to enjoy Home Depot shopping quite a lot which is way more expensive I must say than clothes or grocery shopping.) The second trimester was pretty awesome though. I did start to gain the weight and put on pretty much all I was going to during those 13 or so weeks. I felt good, and enjoyed the sunshine. But pretty much come 30 weeks the yuck that was present in the first trimester morphed into an on again off again, pain somewhere or another.
As this pregnancy closes I must say that I feel completely blessed that Heavenly Father is blessing our family with another one of his precious children. I hope to be a good mother to all my children and try to be. I will be glad to hopefully feel better so I won't be so emotional about everything.
I will post pictures once our bundle comes and thank you to everyone who is close for being so patient and tolerant of the not so desirable pregnant me.

My little Cassie

One month ago, which I must admit has gone by super fast, I gave birth to my little Cassie.

She is one of the most peaceful babies I have ever spent time with. My other babies all loved and cried for the binkie. Cassie bless her will whimper for a second then I pick her up and she snuggles in. I adore her. My other kids I was so tired I would have Joey stay up late with them. Nope not her. I really am enjoying the newborn phase. I feel good. I enjoyed my other babies, but I think that age, maturity, and more confidence in what I am doing has helped me to enjoy Cassie more.

Changes

This whole format has changed since I last posted. I may go even longer since now I have no idea what or how to do anything on here. Since last post our family has welcomed a lovely little girl into our lives. She is a joy to be around and truly one of the easiest babies I have had.

I only have a couple saved to the computer the rest are on facebook. My sister put them on for me and I need to take the time to save them on here, but alas, I really think it is time to take a computer class and catch up with with the 21 century. This is our family on Mother's Day.

Dairy Free ice cream

I know wow!!! I thought it was great, the other members of Gus' birthday party thought it was great so YOU can try it too. My sister was vegan in college and said she never tasted a better dairy free ice cream

This is for 2 quarts
1 cup of scalded almond milk, once scalded turn off heat and add
1/3 cup of honey
1/2 cup of brown sugar
once the sugars are disolved add
1/4 tsp salt
3 cups of almond milk
2 tsp vanilla
After mixing together put in a bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
I used vanilla flavored almond milk. It probably makes a difference.
Freeze according to the type of ice cream maker you have.
Good luck we LOVED it and I plan to make more tomorrow.

Whole wheat bread

I got this recipe from my mom, who got it from my Grandma, who got it from her sister-in-law. I have of course adapted it to fit our families dietary needs. (Well most of them.) The Gluten free thing will happen after I use up my flour and wheat I have on hand.

4 cups wheat flour} mix 10 seconds
2 cups hot water}
ADD
2 tbsp honey}mix 10 seconds
3 tbsp flax seed, with 1/2 + 1 tbsp warm water mix together for a few minutes}
1/4 cup olive oi}
ADD
2 tbsp yeast} mix 10 seconds
ADD
1/4 cup gluten} mix 10 seconds
2 tsp salt}
3 tbsp sesame seeds}

Add one more cup of whole wheat flour slowly to make a light, soft dough. If more is neccesary add very carefully mix 10 minutes.
Let rise until double- about 30 minutes. Divide into 3 loaves and let rise again for 30 minutes or until 1/2 inch above the rim of the bread pan. Bake at 350* for 30 minutes. Best results come with glass bread pans.

If your friends with me on facebook you can see a before and after picture. I will see if Joey can help me to figure out how to put pictures from my phone to the computer.

Good luck this recipe has only worked for me with the alterations I have made here. So Good luck if you would like the egg butter version let me know and I can add it.
My mom and grandma use a Bosch mixer. I have a kitchen aid. I think that the Bosch is a better bread mixer but I am waiting to get one until some other projects are completed. I will post my cookie recipe soon.

Valentine's Day

Joey proposed to me on Valentine's Day 8 years ago. That was an unusual Valentine's for me then. Yesterday tops them all.

You may be thinking how spoiled were you? Well I have a husband who loves me and shows me constantly and 3 kids who are the best kids in the world.

Yesterday, Joey had to work so for my gift to him (he says presents are only for the females, and to please not give him anything) was to sleep in uninterrupted. I was thinking that he liked it, but... When he came home from work he said he wasn't feeling well and thought maybe he should take it easy. I was tending my brothers darling kiddos and so I had Joey hold the baby so I could help the older ones clean up before the parents got back. Yep kids have to clean up their mess when they come to play.

So we watch our Psych show that we are into on Netflix then decided to go to bed early since we both fell asleep on the couch. Around midnight I heard a big crash. I jumped right out of bed, I first checked the kids and all was well, then I turned around to see Joey sprawled out on the floor passed out. He had been throwing up and got light headed and the next thing he remembers is me standing over him asking him if he was ok. Needless to say I wasn't going to let him go throw up by himself the rest of the night. The darling man was so sick, good thing he has the day off today to recover. He seems to be feeling better but I guess we will see when he decides to eat again.
What an adventure we live.

Pumpkin apple muffins

I wish I could say that I made up this recipe but I can say I ALTERED it and made it even better and lets just pretend healthier.
This is suppose to have a strussel topping. I leave it off because it requires butter and I haven't experimented enough yet to dare try something in its place.
I have taken these to several different occasions and as far as I have been informed have been quite enjoyed. They also stay good for more than same day which is quite awesome considering if you know me I am a huge bread and pastry snob. I won't touch one that is a day old. I will touch and even enjoy these next day. Here is the recipe, really they are so worth it and the batter is quite stiff and should be.

BATTER

2 1/2 cups of flour (I have tried 1/3 rice to 2/3 whole wheat, was terrific)
2 cups sugar
1 tbsp pumpkin spice
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
2 eggs (I use 2 tbsp flaxseed and 6 tbsp warm water and let it sit for a few minutes)
1 cup pumpkin puree
1/2 cup oil
2 cup apples (I mix 1 cup of the sugar with the apples)

STRUSSEL

2 tbsp flour
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 tsp cinnamon
4 tsp butter

1. Preheat oven to 350* line 18 muffin tin cups
2. Combine dry ingredients in a bowl, then mix together wet in another bowl
3. Stir together dry and wet ingredients until just moistened. I go around in a circle with a rubber scraper, gentleness is a key, you don't want to make as little gluten as possible.
4. Put in the muffin tin. I use an ice cream scoop so that each one is uniform.
5. Combine strussel ingredients and place on top of muffin mixture.
6. Bake 35 to 40 minutes until tooth pick comes out clean.

I really should start taking pictures. Enjoy completely, they are so delicious.

Avocado Sandwich

I got this idea from my mom.
So because I am sharing all the different recipes I invent or come across that are dairy egg free, here is a great one. My two year old ate it and enjoyed and so did the four year old.

1 avocado, mashed in a bowl
cranberry sauce
cheese(for the dairy eaters)
bread I use multigrain that is diary egg free

I heated a griddle to 375* then when it was heated I put a thinner layer (for the kids) of mashed avocado on one side and you get the idea I toasted the bread. I don't use butter or any oil for the outside so I watch it closely.
Now for the cheese eaters make your basic grilled cheese then add the mashed avocado when the cheese is melted. To top off both sandwiches put some cranberry sauce to dip or I just put it inside the sandwich.
I was actually surprised that my two year old liked it, and ate it all gone with no complaint.

Ode to the Memories

Sophie was under a year here. Probably 6 to 9 months. She was such a doll. She was one of the happiest babies I have ever known. What a beauty. She always wanted to be part of Joe's therapy sessions (a habit that hasn't changed). The table was on borrow from the blind school. Wish we still had it. I love finding old pictures of the babies. Thank goodness Joey takes pictures.


This is Joe on his first Christmas. He fell asleep on the way to Mema Lisa's and when he woke up was so stinkin mad that we had to strip him down to the diaper to make him happy and you can see here he definitely got that way. What a cutie pa tootie.

Delicious Vegetable Beef Soup

So yesterday I wanted hamburger stew. I made a couple of alterations and came up with this crowd pleaser.

1/2 lg onion
1 1/2 lb ground beef
1 huge potato or 3 regular potatoes
5 carrots (not baby carrots the other ones)
1 qt stewed tomatoes
1 qt tomato juice
salt and pepper to taste
a few shakes of Worcestershire sauce

Saute onion in some olive oil and salt (about 10 minutes on medium heat). Put in hamburger, pepper and fry until not pink. As all this is happening peel and cube carrots and potatoes. Put the carrots and potatoes in the pot and fry. Root veggies always taste better in a soup if they fry for 15 or so minutes before adding the liquids. Once the frying has occurred add the stewed tomatoes and tomato juice. Boil covered for about 15 more minutes until the potatoes are tender. Carrots are alright by my taste if not completely tender I would call it al dente. Turn off the heat because it will be super hot and add the Worcestershire sauce. I let it sit for about 15 minutes because my kids are little and I didn't want to have them burn their mouths. Enjoy. I served with biscuits.

This is a dairy and egg free meal (except biscuits, still working on my bread skills) if you don't add the Worcestershire sauce it would also be soy free. My oldest is allergic to soy so I watch for it also.

Meatloaf

I made this recipe up.

1 med/lg onion, quartered then sliced
1 red pepper, sliced
Saute these together in olive oil and some salt. Saute until just starting to go translucent

1.5 lb ground beef
1 cup oatmeal
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
pepper
Once these are all in the bowl add the saute mixture. Mix by hand so not abuse the meat.
Put in the oven for 40 min at 350 then while meatloaf is still in the oven turn temperature up to 375 for 20 to crisp and finish cooking the meat.

We loved this and it was so flavorful. And as always dairy and egg free.
If you try and like let me know. My sister-in-law made it and said it was very delicious. Her husband even liked it and had informed me that he hated meatloaf until now.

Rice Pudding

My boys are allergic to eggs and milk. So I will on occasion post recipes that I make up that are both allergen free and delicious that my two year old will even eat. Now I should mention, I never use white rice so when I put rice I mean brown. I believe kids eat whatever is available. So if you offer crap they eat crap. If you offer wholesome food then that is what will be their favorite foods. Now don't get me wrong. I love myself a brownie but I have been known to make them with whole wheat flour when making them from scatch, I usually use a box. I am not perfect with the selection I offer but I try as all of us woman do.

Rice Pudding Di Regolo style

1 cup of brown rice
2.5 cups of water
dash of cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg (feel free to use as little or much as you want of the spices.)
.25 tsp salt
Boil the above ingredients on the stovetop for 35 minutes. At this point add a handful of raisins/craisins or both. Boil until water is gone about 10-15 minutes.
When the water is evaporated add some rice milk and either honey or sugar to taste. I add some nuts to give it some added protein, these are optional.

This is a great snack or an easy quick breakfast for the kids.

Breaking

So my dad is a "rock" star. He came over to help us more with the prep for the foundation, he had it all taken care of in no time. He is so strong I am so proud. I need to take pictures of all of this but need to pick up a new sd card or learn how to import all the photos and erase the ones I have.
Joey bought our family our first laptop for a belated Christmas present. We have been borrowing one for the last couple of years. I have been afraid of breaking it so I hardly used it. Now Joey encourages me to use it daily to help me catch up with the times when it comes to computers. I am so terrified I will break it but he says to just not download anything that I am worried about without checking with him so that he can help me not break it.
Growing up I broke the majority of our family computers. I would use them one day and the next it would be acting funny. The crazy thing is that I am not much of a web searcher nor am I a gamer, I use word processing the most. But still manage to break them. If I stop posting either I can't think of anything to write that I am not worried about anyone having access to, or I have broken yet another computer.

The Carport

La ta da daa. We officailly started our remodel/addition. I am so excited that means that come sometime in the future we will be having one more bedroom and one more bathroom in our home. I am also super stoked due to the fact that now I can decorate the kids rooms and paint them fun and do a theme for the kids. Now I just hope the room is done before the baby decides to come to our family from Heaven.
The baby has had me slightly worried because she hasn't been moving but as I am writing this she has kicked multiple times.
The carport is the place of the remodel/addition. So we won't be able to use the back door very much but oh well totally worth it to me. So once the foundation is poured next week please come to the front door when you come to visit. Thanks so much.

Making today the best day yet.

I am going to try to fill everyone up on the highlights of 2011.
Joey seems to just stay constant. He is enjoying his work at Doug Smith Autoplex where he sells vehicles. He has made some great progress in our yard and the shed now has one side usable for us. Thus for all the neighbors a much better beginning of the street with our uncluttered carport. He kept our grass looking AWESOME all summer long. I felt tremendously sinful for being so proud of him and his hard work. He built me a lovely little walkway in my front garden and is hoping to finish my backyard and back garden this spring. This should encourage me to go outside and garden again. This leading into me.
I have discovered the joy of gardening. My broccoli from last year was some of the tallest I have ever seen yet there was not one piece of broccoli to be enjoyed. I grew several things in my garden hopefully this year canning season will not be spent with illness or injure as it was this year. So our family can enjoy the fruits of our labors throughout the winter. As to this for those who have not heard Joey and I decided it was time to add another child to our family and will be blessed with another sweet princess in the coming spring.
Joe had a year of injure and mishaps. He started the year with the ambulance coming due to some milk/egg ingestion. He then got his tonsils, adenoids and some botox injections. Then a couple of head injures causing him to spend more than 10 days at the local children's hospital. Lucky for him and much to my nervousness he has hit a growth spurt growing over 6 cm and 5 lbs in 3 months. He is such a darling. He is still cancer free and loves to have his different therapist work with him on his emerging skills.
Sophie has grown up so much. She believes herself to be far more clever and smart than her mother. Just today she informed me she can't wait to grow up so she can do and go wherever she wants when she wants. Apparently we have a power struggle I was unaware of. She was quite nervous that we would make her have another brother and was much relieved to find out she will have a sister. We took the kids to Disneyland this last Thanksgiving and had a most lovely time. We plan to go again in the next few years. All of the children enjoyed the vacation. Joe and Sophie would ride the roller coaster type rides while Gus who was to short and I who was finishing my first trimester couldn't ride. I was so proud of Sophie showing no fear going on the tower of terror. She is the little head in the back row.



Gus has grown up way to much as well. He started speech therapy in May and in November was nearly kicked out for catching up so well. He was right on track the therapist decided to keep him, well because she is awesome and was Joe's SLP and we absolutely love her. Gus has grown so big he started the year in 18-24 month clothes and closed it out wear 4t pants and 3t and 4t shirts. He is crazy big. And super darling. He makes you shake your head from frustration one minute and then is charming you with his unbelievable sweetness. He says some of the "darnedest" things. I love to have the "Who's ____ best friend?" (filling in the blank with random people). He always says that Sophie is his best friend and that Daddy is mine.
Being a mother to such amazing children is a gift from our Heavenly Father. I would never trade any of them.
So here is to a fresh start with a new year. I have to accept that the skeletons don't go away but I can always "make today the best day yet". (I heard this in church a couple of weeks ago and thought what a great Motto.