Glucose Done

I finally got my 3 hour glucose test results and all is normal.  I was so glad to hear that, Thank you Lord.  For the three hour test you go in after fasting breakfast and they take your blood.  Then you drink the glucose drink wait 1/2 hour they take your blood again, another 1/2 hour take your blood, 1 hour take your blood, then 1 hour later take your blood.  We just went back and forth between arms and in between I got to sit in a recliner and read my Bible and work on my cross stitch.  Not too bad a morning.  What I forgot was that I was going to bring an apple to eat after it was all done before I drove home.  I don't do well skipping meals and then having just had my blood drawn 5 times I thought it would be a good idea to eat an apple before going home.  Well, I forgot the apple but I was feeling pretty well and my mother had called to remind me my grandparents 65 wedding anniversary, (isn't that amazing)  was the next day.  So in my great wisdom I stopped at the store to grab a card before heading home.  Somewhere between the store and home things began to get quite warm.  I turned off the heater and began to feel quite light headed.  I did have water in the car and began to drink it and pray "God just let me get home."  All was well, I got home and ate my apple in less then a couple minutes, but I still needed food so I ate quite a bit more.  After a bit I was mostly back to normal just in time for my dear friend Jessica to pick me up and take me to lunch.  We went to Olive Garden for soup and salad and shared a dessert.   Quite a splurge after my week of watching everything I ate.  Then my lovely husband treated me to dinner for our date night at the Cheesecake Factory.  Latisha had given us a gift certificate there for Christmas and I wasn't sure I would be able to use it after we got the test results.  The results were good but I am back to trying to watch what I eat and exercise every day I can.   I want the best for this baby and I will do what I can to stay healthy for him.  Less then two months now before his arrival and I am still awed that God is blessing us with another child.  What a wonderful God.  As I feel this child move inside me and ponder the miracle of this new little life I truly feel blessed.  God is good and children are such a blessing.  Hoping you are all having a good day.  God Bless

This is what we wake up to every morning, the beautiful frost blankets  everything 

Here is a picture of our Christmas pjs.  Although each one of the girls had a different bow arrangement

Awards night for girls ministry.  My little princesses.

Alicia 

Back to Normal

The holidays have come and gone, my oldest has returned to school, we have started back with school, and we are back into the normal for now.  Our holidays went well with it's bits of challenges but mostly it was good.  We have been experiencing our share of illnesses and just when I think we are doing better someone declares "my nose is really stuffy" or some other form of illness. I think I am finally doing better.  My cold lasted about three weeks.   But God has been good and all is well.  I may have gotten a little carried away on the sweets.  My self control when it comes to sweets is low and being pregnant almost gives me a reason to indulge a bit more, although I know it shouldn't.  Well, I am now paying for it.  Tuesday I failed my glucose test.  I kept putting it off knowing I had been indulging a little more than I should.  Apparently I should have changed my diet a little sooner.  Monday I go in for the 3 hour glucose test and I have been trying to be good, avoid the sweets, and get more exercise in.  So pray for a good test on Monday.

now almost 7 months.

 While Alex was home we asked him to do a little painting for us.  I know, what a way to spend a break.  But it is so nice to add a little color to our lives.  There is a lot more painting that could be done but one project at a time.  We got our room painted and it just feels nice and warm.  He did a great job.

The girls helped out a bit and even got their bathroom painted.

our room and my nook.  

 Then came the day Alex had to fly back.  I expect it gets easier the more times you say goodbye to your kids, but we haven't got there yet.  I drove him to the airport on a very snowy day so it was a longer ride.   That was nice so I could be alone with him for a bit before he left.  Hopefully my emotions are somewhat tied to my rise in pregnancy hormones and I'll be able to say goodbye in a happier way in the future.  I do believe it is a good thing that he is going off to learn more about ministering and music.  I think part of my emotions is that he will miss the birth of his brother.  But I guess his brother missed his birth so it will be ok.  Well, after leaving Alex, I felt an urge to go do a little shopping for our new baby.  Our home is full of pink, purple and well a lot of girly baby things so the shopping helped me refocus.  Although out of no where while shopping an emotion would hit me and I would tear up and say "seriously."  I got a few blue boy things and added that to what grandparents and I have already gotten the baby.  Now we have a nice start.

I hope you are all having a wonderful new year and may God richly bless you this year.

Alicia

Latisha's 17

Wow another year older!  Latisha is blessed to celebrate her birthday so close with Jesus that it feels like one full week of celebrating.  What a wonderful year it has been with Latisha.  She is growing into such a beautiful young women and is so wonderfully motivated.  This year Latisha plans on graduating.  She asked if she could take extra courses this year to graduate in May and if anyone can do it she can.  She has been extremely diligent in keeping up with her extra load and still keep her commitments to family and church.  We love you Latisha and are so blessed to have you in our lives.  Thank you for all the hard work you do.   Love your family!

Together Again

Finally our son is home from college.   We all loaded up the other night and met him at the airport.  The little girls were in their pj's and a few of his friends came too, with lovely signs.  It was so good to see him and give him a big hug.  I'm so glad he is here even if it is only for a bit.  Well it is count down to Christmas.  The Danika was in the Kids Christmas program, Latisha helped direct the acting for it, Sierra was in the adult production "The Gospel According to Scrooge,"  Alex got his finals done, Cassandra was in the preschool performance of the Little Drummer Boy, Isabella's good, David is off for a few days,  I believe the baby keeps growing every day (at least my stomach does), and I got the pajama's done and wrapped.  Through all the busies I do my best to keep the focus on the reason for the season.  Every evening for Prayer we read a Christmas story and sing carols.  What a blessing to celebrate the birth of our Savior with so many around the world.  May the true meaning of Christmas fill your heart with joy.  God Bless

Alicia

Tasting Snow

Finally we got a little snow.  The kids were so excited but because of other commitments they had to leave early so it was just me and the little ones.  It took us half an hour to just find all our snow gear and get dressed but it was worth it.  They were thrilled.  Isabella barely fits in the swing with her coat but thrilled once in there.  Getting her out was quite comical.  I hope no one saw us.  It has been years since I have eaten snow for fear of how healthy it is.  But I was so inspired watching Cassandra chow down. "Mom have a bite."  Well, I tried it.  Yep, it does taste good.  I had forgotten.  Sometimes it is good to let your fears go and live a little.  Taste the snow and have a good day.

God Bless

Alicia

It's all fun.

Our poor little dog getting snow stuck to him.

Such cuties. :)

Let the Season Begin

So, if you didn't already know, I really enjoy this time of year.  One thing I love is going into stores and hearing songs about the new born king.  What a blessing to be able to proclaim Christ's birth all over.  I don't really enjoy the crowds or shopping but I try to make a day with each child to go shopping one on one, during the week when the crowds are down.  David and I acutally started shopping last Monday.  Outside of the pajama's, I have been busily working on (late start),  I hadn't done any shopping.

The start of the Christmas pj project

We got a good start.  Then Latisha and I got to go the other day and it took quite a while to find what we were looking for.  We were both exhausted but enjoyed time together.   I also had a doctor's appointment last week.  The baby is doing great and despite the following picture I really haven't gained that much weight this last month, considering I ate quite well for Thanksgiving.

5 1/2 months

Thanksgiving with the family

The girls 

Thanksgiving was great.  My grandparents made it here, which is such a blessing.  They live 4 hours away and made the trip.  My parents and Sister and her family were here also.  We were glad to be together, but missing our sons.  My mom's son (my brother) couldn't make it,  my sister's son is away in the Navy and my son away at college.  So that was a little sad.  Then Friday my brother surprised us and showed up with his son.  A great surprise.

My brother and me

We did have a bit of excitement the other day.  Alex called and his choir was performing at a tree lighting at an amusement park. He was so excited to let me know the Duggar's were there.  Yes, the 19 and counting family.  :)  I have a very large admiration for that family.  What a family of faith that so strongly treasure Children as gifts from God and are so actively involved in their children's lives.  This is something that is missing in our society.  I find the Duggars a walking miracle.  Having a baby is a miracle and such a blessing.  But to have 19 babies, that is, well, a miracle times 19.  The average number of children for a couple that is open to God being in control is six.  I feel so blessed to have our seventh on the way and am in awe of the goodness of God.  Truly the Duggars are a blessed walking miracle.  After I had Danika I couldn't see how I could continue homeschooling with four kids.  About that time I saw the Duggars first tv appearance.  I was so blessed.  God really used them as an example to me of the blessings of homeschooling and that I could do it.  Really, if God had given them enough grace to homeschool their dozen (I believe that was the number at that time) He surely would help me to be able to educate four.  I have never regretted our decision to homeschool and the Duggars continue to be an encouragement to me.  Anyways, I encouraged Alex to go and shake their hands and thank them for their ministry.  He was concerned that would make him a "creeper."    But he loves me and eventually got up enough courage to shake Michelle's hand and even got a picture with her.  She was very nice to him and I was thrilled to see the picture.  I would share but I don't know if you can share a picture like that, legally.  It caused a bit of excitement here.  I am thankful for families that have strong values, share the love of God, and stand firm no matter what.

Well, this is a long post but if you made it this far maybe you would enjoy another recipe.  This was so yummy the other day.  I made egg casserole, donuts and fresh pineapple.  Here is the egg recipe.  Have a great day and God Bless.

Alicia

Egg Casserole
10 beaten eggs
1/2 cup flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 pt cottage cheese
1 pound sausage, ham or bacon
1 pound shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup melted butter
2 small cans chopped green chilies (we only but in on half)
Mix all together.  Bake in a 9x13 pan at 350 degrees for 35 minutes.  

Apples, Apples, Apples

I was so excited the other day to find out my friend had got a huge amount of apples for 19 cents a pound!  Of course she had to drive a ways out and buy an amazing quantity, but she did and decided to sell the rest.  I went over and got 90 pounds of apples from her and didn't even make much of a dent in what she had.  So, as you may already know, I can't let thinks sit very long.  I had the opportunity and energy so we began canning that evening.  If I'm going to make a mess anyway, might get as much done as possible.  There is no way I could have accomplished all we got done that evening without the families help.  Everyone jumped in and in someway helped.  We canned 26 quarts of cooked cinnamon apples, 7 quarts of applesauce, 4 apples pies and an apple crisp all that evening.  The apples are very large so we couldn't use the apple peeler slicer, we had to hand peel most them for the sauce, pies, and crisp.  It was so worth it.  Our house smelled amazing.  I actually kept 20 pounds for our own eating and they are so yummy.  Here are some pictures and recipes for how I did things.  Thank you so much Amy and my family.  Have a great day and God bless.

Alicia

beautiful, yummy apples.

the fruit of our labor

Can you tell how big the apples are?  Only took three apples to fill a pie.

My recipes are all approximates based on how many apples and how sweet the apples are.

Canned Cinnamon Apples
fill pan 1/4  with water,  add 1/2 as much sugar, and a few tablespoons cinnamon.  Bring to a boil to dissolve sugar.  Add cubed apple pieces (seeds removed) and simmer 15 to 30 minutes, until it reaches the tenderness you prefer.  Place in clean jars.  Push apples down then top with juice from the mixture to bottom of rim.  Seal with scalded lids and rims.  Hot water bath for 20 minutes.  Let cool, enjoy throughout the year.

Applesauce
Fill bottom of pan with 1 inch water and half as much sugar.  Add a few tablespoons cinnamon.  Boil to dissolve.  Add peeled, cored, and sliced apples.  Reduce heat and let simmer for at least an hour.  Stirring off and on.   Add more sugar or cinnamon to taste.  Once to a soft consistency smash with a masher or place in blender.   Fill jars, place lids on, and turn upside down for 10 minutes, turn back up and let sit until cooled and sealed.

Apple Crisp

Place 8 cups peeled, sliced, cored apples in cake pan.  Mix 2 cups brown sugar, 1/4 cup flour, 2 cups oatmeal, and 1 Tblsp cinnamon.  Add 1/2 cup soften butter.  Mix with fork.  Pat down on top of apples and bake 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

Apples Pie
Make pie crust.  Place bottom crust in pan.  Mix 3/4 cup sugar, 2 Tblsp flour, 1 tsp cinnamon, dash nutmeg, and dash of salt.  Add to 6 cups peeled, sliced, cored apples.  Place in pan.  Top with 2 Tblsp butter and top pie crust.  Back 400 degrees for 50 minutes.

Enjoy.