Because I'm Finally Feeling Better...

I could lie and say that I just haven't been trying any new recipes lately. But the truth is, I haven't really been cooking. Well, not planned cooking anyway. I can't tell you how many varieties of 'pasta + sautéed toppings' meals we've had over the last month and a half. It reminds me of growing up when my dad would cook raviolis because it was the only thing he knew how to do. He made them all.the.time. Think it was a good 6 years after I moved out that I could enjoy the dish again.

 This week I actually went to the store with a list! And meal-planned before going to said store. Hallelujah! We're back in business, even though I'm now fighting a mild cold. But, whatever! Back to my happy place...

I tried a new recipe last night and W raved so I thought I'd share. I got the recipe from a free-mailer calendar a year ago. My favorite thing about this one is that you can do it one handed! With my other, I could hold a Buki {we've changed the spelling of his nickname}, bounce a ball, or pick up a scattered kitchen items and close a drawer. 

Mexican Pasta Skillet

What You Need:

1 lb ground beef

1 jar (16 oz) mild salsa

2 c of tomato sause

1.5 c water

2.5 c uncooked elbow macaroni

1 c frozen corn

2-3 handfuls of raw spinach

1 c shredded cheddar cheese

To do:

in 12-inch skillet, cook beef over med-high heat until cooked; drain

stir in salsa, tomato sauce and water; heat to boiling

stir in macaroni and corn; reduce heat

cover and simmer 12-15 mins; stirring occasionally

last 5 mins toss in spinach; turn off heat

sprinkle with cheese; cover and let stand for 1-2 mins

I know it's just the current stage of life that I'm in, but I totally dig the all-in-one-dish style. Probably why I heart my crock-pot so much! I do look forward to the time where I can have a 3-4 things going on at once in the kitchen on a week day, but for now, a recipe that allows me to barely lift a finger is my cup of tea!

Ezra playing during the few items that required two hands {like cheese grating}:

Happy Weekend!!!

It Is SO True.

"God blesses babies. He takes care of them longer than you have them. Just you wait and see," my wise girlfriend told me. I had just told her we were pregnant with E. And she knew our situation all too well. I was laid off after teaching for only two years. Didn't have health insurance. And W still had a year of school left. This baby was a year ahead of schedule. Oh, geez. What a responsible mother I was. We were both excited beyond words, but scared for how the next year would unfold. 

But she was right. A few days later, I walked into the district office to try to get health insurance. The HR lady said I couldn't because I wasn't rehired for the next year. But she did something she never does and signed her name on the slip of paper anyway. And, Bam! We were covered. 

I only told three close friends at school about my pregnancy but tried to hide it from everyone else. I know they say you can't be discriminated against in the hiring process, but I didn't want to take my chances. I didn't want to go back. I wanted to be home with my baby. But I had to keep that door opened in case there was no other way to pay the bills. Thankfully, I was hired to teach summer school again {one last shoe-in for pay checks} even though they had an overwhelming response from teachers that year because of all the economic downfall and lay-offs. 

With that, W's part time job, our emergency 6 month stow-away fund, unemployment, and tutoring here and there, we actually made it. And not with too much discomfort. Before summer school had started, I looked back at our expenses for the last 3 months and the calculation showed that we wouldn't even make a year with reduced funds. Somehow, the money stretched until now. Like the basket of fish and loaves, we seemed to be provided for. Without borrowing money or relying on others in that way. The Lord blessed us with random opportunities to help friends out and make some money. We got a great tax return refund. All of which helped a ton.

Flash forward to December 2010. W's done with school, but with no hot leads for work. It's pretty dry here. We've even talked about relocating, maybe to Seattle, for work. I find out I'm pregnant. I tell W. We both know he needs a job. A good one and like now. Not fifteen minutes later, W gets a call from the local firm asking for a third interview. He's offered the job. A tax season only job, but we're excited nonetheless. It buys us time, gets him experience, and we're hopeful it may turn into more after April's tax deadline. 

During our first prenatal appointment in January, W gets a phone call from some random number. He takes it outside. When we're done, he tells me that some firm in San Jose got his resume and are interviewing for September positions. Solid firm. Awesome salary. Full time. Benefits. A great and honest career start beginning in mid-September. {Sounds weird, but this is how accountants typically hire...waaay in advance!} The HR lady tells him his resume was forwarded through three different people, none of which he recognized. He interviews for two hours. The follow week, he's offered the job. Wow! We are beyond words at this point. Turns out my mom was the one who started the snowball of forwarding his resume! Love you, mom!

{Celebrating W's new permanent job with an old Arterburn tradition: The Special Red Plate and a fabulous dinner with my parents!}

People often ask us how we gave Ezra his name. We loved the name but also loved the Ezra of the Old Testament. He was a priest and orator who reminded God's people about God and His commands. The God who provided for them and released them from captivity.  Through the pregnancy with Ezra, we were reminded of God's provisions: there was and is always enough. Ezra actually means "God's Help". We knew we'd received a lot of it and would need a whole lot more after he was born.

God has richly blessed our two babies and we are rejoicing. This is just our testimony of His faithfulness. Another girlfriend encouraged me along the way, when she said "No matter what the destiny of the child you carry is, your good Father will supply all the trust you need and all the comfort you need for you to parent for His glory." Even if W was still looking for a job or we needed to sell our house and re-locate or if it hadn't work out this particular way, God is still faithful and would provide for our needs. Some may say that all this is just being at the right place, at the right time. Others may chalk it up to karma. But we know better...this is definitely not from us. 

Your love, O LORD, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the sky.

-Psalm 36:5

O Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done marvelous things, things planned long ago. 

-Isaiah 25:1


What is your story of being blessed?

What I Wore Wednesdays

This weekend was packed with activities. Although they were fun and gave me an opportunity to get out of the whole 'jeans and tee' ensemble, I missed being with my boys. That's because they were 'girls only' events. 

Saturday's event:

gray tunic: f21, forever21

black scarf: outdoor kiosk, s.f. chinatown

red cords: roxy, thrifted

shoes: chinese laundry, thrifted

earrings: black drops, twisted
bracelets: purchase in Haiti & twisted's snap

necklace: XO, twisted

Sunday's event:

headband: anthro, gifted

earrings: Prague, gifted

tan cardigan: the loft; thrifted

gray tee: j.crew; outlet find...and where did that wet spot come from?!

belt: anthro gift wrap ribbon turned belt, gifted

skirt: girls of savoy, anthro {W calls it my apron skirt}

cowgirl boots: ariat, Texan gift from the hubs

{I reserve the right to postpone wiww at any point when I can't come up with post-worthy options as I grow larger and my wardrobe options shrink. K? Thanks.}

Classroom Ramblings...

I wrote this during my first year of teaching 5th graders {10 & 11 year olds} in the 'notes' section on my fb page. I re-read it the other day when a girlfriend, who is just finishing up her student teaching, shared a silly story about what one student had said to her. I laughed and told her how I made a list of all the crazed things that happened or were said in my classroom. Some things are just too unbelievable to go unrecorded.

With 33 students and one gum-shoe teacher fresh on the scene, things are bound to get wild. Most of the items listed here were more of a vent than anything else--which will explain my overtly sarcastic tone. After a long day with these cute kiddos, some times I just had to moan and groan. Here's what you get when that happens. Maybe it'll give you some laughs today! ;)

This is a place when I can record the obscure, humorous, and interesting events that happen to this first year teacher and her 5th grade students.

1. D.A.R.E. police officer thinking my male student was a girl

2. A loud fart resounding in the room as I instruct the whole class and a young girl turning red

3. We finished a Native American unit and decided to write a page paper about what our name would be (being characteristic of who we are)...one girl named herself "Lazy Cow" because she's lazy at home..hmm

4. To date, I have been called "mom" twice by two separate boys..hmm.

5. In a love letter writing assignment (my guidelines said to pick someone you love, appreciate, care about), a cocky male student decided to write about a girl he met randomly & knew for only a week...Clearly, he's going to have difficultly writing a meaningful 4 full paragraph essay. Ah, young love & ridiculous student! How are you going to write paragraph #2 discussing your relationship & geographic distance if you don't know where she's from (and obviously, won't see again) ? Yet you are still so certain that this is a deep, meaningful relationship?!?!

6. Ah, 5th graders can be so mean: male student gets mad, shouts at other male student: "You brown, rotten banana!"

7. Talking to one student, another tries to insert his own opinion into our conversation. My response:"This is an A-B conversation. You may C you're way out." Male student's response: "Really?" and gets up to leave classroom. Geez, sometimes I really fear my attempts at humor are far above my 5th graders. This is bad, considering I spend all day with them!!

8. Today, a really irritating student, whom I've had to fight to even like this year, decided that instead of doing math that he would draw all over his face with purple marker. Then he was shocked when I sent him to the principle's office. "What?!? I didn't know it was against the rules!?!" Come on, man, are you 4 years old and drawing on the walls? Grumph!

9. Got an e-mail from some parents who are divorced and have a struggling student (behavior & academics) stating that they wanted me to e-mail them every time their student had a missing assignment. I send home "parent alerts" (paper with missing assignments) but they stated that it wasn't enough. Hmm....How about sitting down with your child and checking their work at home? I don't get enough compensation to e-mail you and be a private investigator for you. You birthed them, how about you raise them? Iono, silly idea?

10. It's a sad day when an 11 year old wears more make-up than you & wears a black bra (with the straps showing) to support a heavier chest as well.

11. And all you people who forgot about "Family Life/Reproduction Body System", well I now have re-learned all that material just this year. So helpful for my daily life, truly. Especially when you have to explain diagrams and vocabulary to 10 & 11 year olds! So fun! :)

12. A wide-eyed, curious little girl asks,"Is it true that if you do it with your cousin, you'll have deformed babies?" My response: "Um, well, definitely NOT a good idea & I would never recommend it. Let's get back to the topic at hand: the Vas deferens. This tube carries the sperm out of the body."

13. I have a summer school student named Hyemin...wonder how that will go later on in life...

Pregnancy Q & A

Q: When did you find out?
J: Just three days after E's birthday! Such a wonderfully, eventful last few weeks of December!


Q:Awww, did you tell W in a cute way?
J: Naturally, when I found out I immediately thought "This is WAY TOO perfect! Christmas! A special gift! A total surprise! So cool!!" That lasted all of A day. W caught me with a test Tuesday morning and I had to fib myself out of that one while trying so hard not to smile. I am absolutely horrible when it comes to keeping things from W. I acted fast and put the test on his breakfast plate {with the cap on!!} while he took the dogs outside.

W: I was wondering why she wanted me to have breakfast so bad. Right at that moment. She asked me like four times if I wanted to have breakfast. I had to wash my hands!


Q: Was this planned?
J: Sure, in the fact that we weren't stopping it from happening. I haven't taken meds for that since after seven months into marriage. Hated the pill!! But I really think breastfeeding was a natural protection for us, because December was the first full month where I wasn't nursing. The truth is, we'd be happy if we found out another was on the way months before. ;)

W: She about covered it.

Q: How are you feeling?
J: Pretty good now. There was definitely the stage of queasiness and extreme exhaustion. But I found that if I get some good protein like eggs first thing in the morning, I do so much better. The few times I actually felt like I would toss my cookies was when I skimped for a bowl of cereal. The exhaustion seems more this time around but that's probably because I already have a baby to care for!

Q: Notice any differences yet?
J: YES! The biggest is my desire for sweets. With E, I could not touch them, especially chocolate, with a 10 foot pole. Now I'm eating them pretty regularly and sometimes it feels like they help my stomach calm down. Also I'm craving fruit more than last time. Before it was all about salt! I remember drinking the remaining balsamic vinegar in my bowl after I finishing a salad. So gross! But it tasted so good! Also the queasiness and exhaustion seemed to kick in so much earlier this go around. Like week 5 or 6. And I feel it the worst at night; opposite of E.


Q: Are you going to find out the gender?
J: We've been talking about this lately. I loved not finding out with Ezra!! It was one of the sweetest moments when W told me. Now, I'm up for a new adventure. But I still want it to be special. My mom shared the idea that's been going around. I like that. But we won't decide on a name until birth, we've got to meet 'em first and see what s/he looks like. Plus we can never agree until we're under pressure.

W: Probably. But truthfully, I'd rather not. It's one of the very few real good surprises left in this world.

Q: Gender Predictions?
W: Whatever J says, I go with the opposite.

J: Honestly, I have no clue. I'll just say boy. I've already had a dream it's a boy. But, last pregnancy I had two dreams about having a girl. Clearly, I can't quiet down my presumptions long enough to figure out what my gut is saying. ;) It'd really be fun and great to have either for different reasons. Although, I've been eyeing the adorable girls' clothes at Target lately!

W: Alright, I'm going with girl.

Q: And...what about a home birth?
W: If we can find a midwife we like, trust and can afford, we will certainly, prayerfully consider it. If it's a viable option, I'd really like to go for it.

J:Yeah, me too. It's a honest desire of my heart and God's put it there for a reason. It's all about having him/her naturally really, like E. I'd just love to do it in the comfort of my home if at all possible. Actually, I'm really digging the idea of a water birth this time!! Again, up for a new adventure!

Oh, Brother!

That's right. We have one. Debuting September 1st, 2011.

And we're all VERY ecstatic!

{Have I been a hot mess?! Sure. Have I already swapped in my buttons for elastic waists even if I'm only 10 weeks? HECK YES!}

I've been Tagged...

Tiff tagged me so here's what I got! :)

1. What color are your socks right now?

Light blue. I stole them from my mom's stash a few years ago...but shhhh, don't tell her!

2. What are you listening to right now?

Silence. It's really nice every once in awhile. 

3. What was the last thing you ate?

Jumba Juice pomegranate thingy

4. Can you drive a stick shift?

YES! Well, not with much confidence. But that's only because W's truck is HUGE compared to my little Cabrio. I don't like driving it. But he was a very good teacher. 

5. Last person you spoke to on the phone.

Michelle. The mom who's son I teach.

6. Do you like the person who sent this to you?

Sure do!

7. How old are you today?

27...but I honestly have a hard time remembering my age nowadays.

8. What is your favorite sport to watch on TV?

The kind where the TV is off.

9. What is your favorite drink?

 Lately I've been craving vanilla lattes with whole milk. Yum!

10. Have you ever dyed your hair?

I went through a blonde stage like 3 years ago, but I always fall back to my love: dark dark red

11. Favorite food?

Thai, Sushi, Indian, and Ethiopian

12. What is the last movie you watched?

Salt. It was entertaining.

13. Favorite day of the year?

The ones that include family time!!!

14. How do you vent?

This outward processor talks to her hubby, wise friends, and journals. I use to run too, but I've given up hope for that any time soon.

15. What was your favorite toy as a child?

Ehhh, the classics: my little ponies, barbies, and popples

16. What is your favorite season?

Fall with summer in close second.

17. Cherries or blueberries?

Blackberries...I eat them by the Costco-sized case 

18. Do you want your friends to e-mail you back?

Sure. But I guess I'm old-fashioned, I love a great phone conversation or ::gasp:: in person contact! Of course, that was easier before E. ;)

21. Living situation?

Beyond blessed!

22. When was the last time you cried?

Tuesday

23. What is on the floor of your closet?

You don't want to know.

25. What did you do last night?

After a really long day, I had a bubble bath and body massage courtesy of my awesome hubby. Then went to bed really early!

26. What are you most afraid of?

Anything happening to those I love.

27. Plain, cheese, or spicy hamburgers?

cheese.

28. Favorite dog breed?

Don't have one.

29. Favorite day of the week?

I guess all but Tues & Weds...they usually move the slowest?!

30. How many states have you lived in?

Two. This one and Colorado.

I tag: Mexican burnt, Crafty Buddy, Baby Jack's Mama, & My resident L&D Nurse {Ams, this would be a great way to update that blog of yours!}

What I Wore Wednesdays

Eh, leave it to me to commit to a new project then completely ditch it for a whole two weeks. Yeesh. Anyway, W and I dated this weekend. It was super low key because both of us were waaay exhausted. {it's low key when you just go with the first thing you throw on.} Just can't say no to a dinner out when you've got a great babysitter and a gift card. :) But we hustled home to a Redbox movie {Salt} in bed with pajamas on. 

Here's my dinner attire:

brass earrings: XO, twisted silver

three leaf necklace: forever21 {i think??}

striped tank top: isaac mizrahi for target, thrifted

skull imprinted cardigan: forever21

denim: paige jeans, macy*s

gold flats: american eagle, payless

Tutorial.Love.

Inspiration for more craftiness found here. 

{photo credit: here}

Baby Burp Cloths

I've been admiring these homemade cuties for some time now and have finally tried my own hand at them. And they are super easy, just like everyone says! It's a great beginners project since it's all about straight lines. I made a set of 3 in about 2-3 hours a few nights ago for baby L's shower this coming weekend. 

I made two using this tutorial. Loved it the best! And you get to use more of the flannel print which is fun.

 I made one using this tutorial. It was quicker to make and I actually had to change some settings on my machine to find the right zig-zag stitch. One that was small and tight. Yay for being forced to learn something new. 

 So now it's time to raid my mom's supplies for some blue tulle ribbon so I can bow these puppies up and put them in baby L's tote bag!