10-4 Good Buddy. {May Questions}

Those of you that have joined me in the past, you know the drill.

If this is your first time, here's the scoop...

* On the 1st of every month, I will post 10 questions for you to answer.  

* On the 4th of the month {or later}, you will post your ten answers on your blog with a link back to mine. 

* Link up your post at the bottom of my 10-4 post.

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* Take a peek at the other bloggers' posts.

Easy right?  I think it will be fun!  You never know...you may make a new friend!

1. What is one quirky thing about you?

2. What does your perfect date look like?  {Not the person...the activity}

3. What is your favorite picture from last month {April}? 

4. What are your top 3 favorite TV shows?  

5. What is your favorite outdoor activity?

6. What is the last movie you saw?

7. Look up from your computer right now.  What is the first thing you saw?

8. What area in your life are you working on improving right now?

9.  What is your favorite post that you wrote last month?  

10. What would be your dream job?

See you on the fourth!

Thankful {sick boy has fun}

Thankful that even though Max has a runny nose like this.

We can still have fun like this.

Linking up with these lovely ladies...

        

Where's the Love? Wednesday {4.25.2012}

What I'm loving this week...

Playing at the park.  We met Max's birth mom {L} and birth father {S} last Thursday and enjoyed spending time with them.  We got to meet S's daughter too.  More on that later...maybe...we'll see.

This mama bird protecting her babies.

Max "cooking" in the kitchen.

Max doing a little research on potty training via Elmo...and I'm also loving his new haircut.

Remember Max "cooking"?  Well, on this day the food got everywhere, so we decided to get the vacuum out.  Max loved vacuuming until he accidentally dropped the wand and it suctioned to his pant leg.  After that, he was not a fan of the vacuum.

Max getting better at playing by himself.

I hope you take some time to find the lovely in your day.

October Baby? {Adoption Update}

Since our homestudy was completed, there hasn't been much to update you on about our adoption.

Until now.

We have been chosen by a birthmom.

But let me tell you the entire story because it's one more example of God's faithfulness.

We got a call a couple of weeks ago that we had been chosen by two birthmoms.  The adoption coordinator that talked to me only had info about birthmom #1.  We would find out about birthmom #2 later from another adoption coordinator.

This is what we were told...

Birthmom #1 is due Oct. 1.

Birthmom #2 is due this summer.

Birthmom #1 knows that we may go with Birthmom #2 and has some backups just in case.

Wes and I were obviously excited that something was happening with this adoption process, but we didn't like the possibility of having to choose between the two birthmoms.  While I know the answer is, "God has it all under control."  It's still a bit overwhelming to think about having to make that decision.

Our prayer was that God would make it obvious and close one of the doors.

Practically speaking, if we had to choose, we would probably choose Birthmom #2 simply because she is due sooner.  Who wants to wait, right?  If that adoption fell through, we would be able to go with birthmom #1.

God chose for us.

Birthmom #1 had a doctor's appointment and found out she is due August 31.

Not October 1.

Her due date is too close to birthmom #2 for us to be able to work with both of them.

So the agency asked us if we would be willing to stick with birthmom #1.

We said yes.

Thank you God for answering our prayer.

A possible October baby {by the way, have you seen the movie?} has turned into a possible August baby.

We've been through this process before to know that nothing in our adoption journey is guaranteed.  So, I'm telling you this, not because I'm 100% confident that it's going to happen, but because it's part of our journey to the child God has for us...

...and so you can pray for us.

Pray for the birthmom too and that sweet little baby.

Meal Plan {toddler approved...depending on his mood}

I'm joining Carina and Sarah for a meal planning party.  I love cooking, but I'm a horrible planner.  I'm excited to check out some other participants' meal plans.

This is what I came up with...

Breakfast
cereal bars & yogurt.  This is the yogurt I make at home.
smoothies like this one.
cereal
toast & fruit
oatmeal & fruit

Today we had donuts and fruit.  The fruit totally balances out the cups of sugar in the donut.

Lunch {toddler version}
Most days, we have leftovers from the night before.
mac & cheese w/ broccoli
veggies, crackers and hummus
cheese quesadilla
Chick-fil-a is always a good option. :)

Dinner
kale & walnut pesto pasta - recipe below
sour cream chicken enchiladas - I used my homemade yogurt instead of sour cream.
pesto & chicken pasta soup - recipe below and 1 hour rolls
root beer bbq pulled pork
ham & spinach no-crust quiche


Kale and Walnut Pesto Pasta
adapted from real simple magazine

There is probably nothing more unappealing than green pasta, but I promise, it's good.

1/3 c.chopped walnuts
1 bunch kale (about 12 cups)
1 cup parmesan cheese
1 garlic clove
1.2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
1/2 c. olive oil
3/4 lb. pasta

Toast walnuts in 350 oven for about 5 minutes.

Bring salt water to a boil.  Add kale and remove after 30 seconds.  Place kale in colander to drain.  Reserve cooking water for pasta.  Squeeze dry kale when cool enough to handle.

Combine kale, parmesan, garlic, walnuts, salt and pepper in a food processor.  Slowly add olive oil while processor is still running.

Bring reserved water to a boil and cook pasta according to package directions.  Drain.  Save 1/2 cup of cooking water.  Return to pot.  Add pesto and water as needed.

Sprinkle with walnuts and parmesan if desired.

Pesto & Chicken Pesto Pasta
adapted from tasty kitchen

1 Tbsp butter
1 medium onion
1 carrot chopped
2 cups shredded chicken
2 cups pesto pasta
2 c. water
2 1/4 c. chicken stalk
salt and pepper

Melt butter over medium heat.  Saute onion and carrot for 4-5 minutes.
Add water and chicken stalk.  Bring to a boil.
Add chicken and pesto pasta.  Simmer until heated through.  Add salt and pepper to taste.

Tip:  I boil a bunch of chicken breasts at one time.  Then, I put them in my Kitchen-Aid mixer and shred the chicken using the paddle.  It shreds it pretty fine, which is perfect for a toddler.  I divide the chicken into 2 cup baggies to use for other dishes.

Where's the Love? Wednesday {4.18.2012}

What I'm loving this week...

My little handy-man hard at work.

One of nature's best toys...dandelions.  I actually don't love the flower...just the cute boy and those kissable lips.

After-nap-walks.  Max's favorite discovery - a windmill behind our neighbor's house.  We sat on the grass and watched it for a good five minutes.

Pizza with my boys.

Hiding and Daddy's socks.  

The finished wall.  I love it.  It's functional and it adds character to an otherwise boring entryway.  And yes, that is a picture of Wes pitching when he was a young lad.  I put it up there just to be funny, but I kind of like it.  It may stay.

I found the idea on Pinterest

I hope you find some lovely in your life today!

Made with Love {gallery wall}

The wall is completely finished and I'm completely happy about it!

Max and I painted the canvases.  I think you should be able to figure out which one Max did.  He was so particular and serious {not a shock} while doing it.

We decided to line up the top of the bottom frames in a straight line and the bottom of the top frames in a straight line.  You might have to read that sentence over a couple of times...

The frame on the lower right was another DIY project.

I painted some clothespins and picked out some of my favorite pictures.

I added some wire by wrapping it around existing hardware on one side and some pushpins on the other.

 

Such an easy project!

And just so you can see the un-cropped version and us in real life...

May all of your DIY projects be lovely and stress free!

Linking up with Tatertots & Jello.

Just So I Don't Forget...

Maxwell, you're growing up too fast and my brain already is a little forgetful...

So, I want to remember...

I want to remember that you said your first two word sentence today.

"Read it."

I want to remember that you sound like a teradactyl when you want me to get you up in the morning.  You're slowly learning that in order for me to come get you, the word "Mommy" needs to be said instead of your screeching.

I want to remember this face.  Always.  It's your signature look.  From day one, you've had that furrowed brow.

I want to remember that you love listening to Psalty...especially The Butterfly Song.

I want to remember how you whisper count, "1...., 2....., 5....." all of the time.

I want to remember that when you see someone eating, the way you ask if you can have some is by saying, "more".

I want to remember that you love books, coloring, any kind of ball and playdough.

I want to remember how you call me "Mommies" and that you'll say it in the car just to make sure I remember you're back there. 

I want to remember that even on those days when you test my patience, I still can't believe I have the priviledge to be your mom mommies.

Spring Break 2012 {picture post}

We went to a flea market.

We relaxed.

Max sleeping in a big boy bed

We went shopping.

 We ate ice cream.

 We tried some cupcakes.

 

See if you can tell how much we liked them.

We went to the park.

We went to the dog tracks.

My dad texting my sister so she could bet on a dog.

 I lost ten bucks...

...but enjoyed looking at my new pants and shoes.

We went to the pool.

We had a great time.