Bathtime & Bows

Have I mentioned that I love having a girl. Every morning when Gabrielle wakes up she gives me the sweetest smile and coos with this little angelic voice. She's so happy to see me first thing in the morning and I her. Her blond hair and blue eyes still get me every time I look at her. She's delicate yet decided. She is quite particular in her ways. She likes to see the world standing not sitting. And when she's tired, she gets punchy. She'd rather be held by mommy first, daddy second and you might be lucky to come in third. She's all girl and she's all mine!

Just like her ultrasound.



Bath time beauty!

My budding photographer!

Samuel here, blogging with mommy's help. Since there's a whole lotta buzz going on about cameras and photography these days. I thought I'd show off my talent. After you see these works of art you'll certainly want a Fisher Price, 1.3 mega pixel camera.

The Toy Series

Self Portraits

You've gotta try this...

Tim was in his glory this past week. I started cooking again! This recipe is a new one for me and it was absolutely delicious!!! The combo worked great together. OK, so I'll toot my own horn - Tim said the meal was restaurant quality. Wow! So really, you have to try it!

Barley Vegetable Medley

1 cup dry barley
olive oil
1 small onion, chopped
16 oz. frozen corn
1/2 green pepper, chopped
2 carrots, shredded
1 tsp dried basil
1/2 tsp dried thyme
salt & pepper to taste
1 large tomato, chopped

Cook barley according to package directions. Set aside. In a large skillet, coated with olive oil, saute onions until tender. Add the remaining ingredients except tomatoes. Saute until crisp tender. Add olive oil as needed. Stir in Barley and tomatoes and cook about 1 minute or until heated through.


Slow Cooked
Savory Barbecued Ribs

3 lbs boneless pork spare ribs
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 tsp hickory smoked salt (I used regular salt)
1/4 tsp pepper
1/2 cup cola
1 1/4 cups barbecue sauce
(I used Wegman's Memphis Style)

Spray inside of a 4 1/2 to 6 quart slow cooker with cooking spray. Mix brown sugar, salt and pepper; rub mixture into ribs. Place ribs in slow cooker and pour cola around the ribs. Cover and cook on high for 6 hours. Half-way through cooking, pour barbecue sauce over ribs.

Home Sweet Home!!

Where will home be? Baltimore? Minneapolis? Staying here? The next big step in our lives has been choosing a location for Tim to do his post-doctoral work. I've been sitting in limbo for, oh, almost a year now as Tim's been interviewing and deciding. I, being totally out of character, have left the decision up to him. I decided to be a trusting wife instead of a control freak. I know he has had our best interest in mind. Well, the decision has been made and the position has been formally accepted so I am now able to tell you all that we are staying!!! You should see the smile on my face!!!

My Personality...

Do you know me like this?

or like this?

I took a personality quiz, which of course I thought was foolish while entering my answers and surprisingly it turned out right on the money!!!

You Are An ENFJ

The Giver You strive to maintain harmony in relationships, and usually succeed. Articulate and enthusiastic, you are good at making personal connections. Sometimes you idealize relationships too much - and end up being let down. You find the most energy and comfort in social situations ... where you shine. In love, you are very protective and supporting. However, you do need to "feel special" - and it's quite easy for you to get jealous. At work, you are a natural leader. You can help people discover their greatest potential. You would make a good writer, human resources director, or psychologist. How you see yourself: Trusting, idealistic, and expressive When other people don't get you, they see you as: Bossy, inappropriate, and loud

What's Your Personality Type?

Somewhat Wordless Wednesday

Haircut Gone Wild!

READY...

AIM...

FIRE!!!

Catching Up - Continued

Tim walked out the door with suitcase in hand. He'd be gone ten days in Mexico with our youth group on a missions trip. I sat in my bed with tears streaming down my face already missing my husband and wondering how I was going to survive with a newborn and preschooler. Gabrielle was 5 weeks at the time. So, we packed up. Oh, yes we packed up what seemed to be the entire house and headed over to Mimi and Papa's for a few days.

Papa might be a grown man but he plays like a kid.
Samuel slept well after hours of fun on the trampoline.

Gabrielle thought Papa was entertaining too!

We caught the 4th of July parade with the most of Tim's family. He and his cousin were having a blast. Samuel ate tons of kettle corn, and candy. A rare treat that when combined with 85 degree heat and a skipped nap produced a pretty good melt down. Oh well it was fun while it lasted.

Aunt Carrie drove home with us and helped me to not lose my mind for another few days. Mimi also came out. Thank You So Much!!!

And so we survived the 10 days without Daddy. It was worth the sacrifice when heaven touches earth. Please link to Amanda's blog to read some awesome testimonies of God at work! You'll be amazed!!!