We love Fall! (Steed's Dairy)

Our family loves fall! We usually jam pack our weekends with fun fallish things for our family to do during October and November. But, I needed a little cheering up this week, so Alan jump started our fall festivities by taking us out to Steed's Dairy tonight.We had a blast :)

First, we started off on the hay ride (chasey's favorite!)

Chase learned about dairy cows:)

Ansleigh was over the cows, so we played in Noah's Ark..

after the ark (and the cows) they played in the corn box...

got lost for 30 minutes (in the dark) in the corn maze..

and fed the pony:) (video coming soon!)

As we were getting lost in the corn maze (which seemed way longer than 30 mins), I was reminded of the preciousness of my children and how blessed I am to have two beautiful, healthy kids! I am so,so thankful for my little family :)

Homemade Tomato Soup

One crazy thing about all of this pregnancy craziness is that I still have all the symptoms/signs of the first trimester of pregnancy-including morning sickness/food repulsion. I occasionally will want Mexican food or caramel apples REALLY bad, but mostly I cant STAND the sight/smell of food. A friend gave me this recipe for tomato soup and its SO GOOD! Its actually something that I want (and I'm shocked because its full of flavors-something that I'm  not into right now) It takes awhile to make, but well worth it :)

Homemade Tomato Soup (2 servings)

-4 cups of chopped tomatos (I used Roma!)
-2 cups of broth (I used chicken)
-4 whole cloves of garlic
-fresh basil (I used dried!)
-1 whole onion sliced
-2 tbsp of butter
-2 tsbp of flour
-salt, pepper and sugar to taste

In large pot, over medium heat, throw in tomatoes, onion, garlic, basil, and broth. Bring to a boil for 20 minutes to combine flavors. When done, puree soup in blender and then transfer to bowl. In the same large pot, make a roux with the butter and flour. Gradually add soup. Season with salt, pepper, and sugar to taste.

To make soup creamier, just add cream/milk to your liking:) Pretty easy recipe and really good! Let me know if you try it:)

Because You are much greater than my pain..

I am SO THANKFUL for everyone that has called me, texted me, facebooked me, wrote me sweet, encouraging messages through my fb inbox and hotmail. It has lifted me up today and I REALLY needed it!

Yesterday evening I started bleeding and went to the ER. They checked me, did an ultrasound, and bloodwork. All of my test came back good (My HCG level went from 5,900 to 19,000 since Thursday), but they discharged me with a "threatned miscarriage" and told me that I needed to rest.

This morning I went in for my OB post-ER check up to do an ultrasound. The sonographer told me that although there is a yolk sac, there was no baby. My Dr. told me that he was pretty sure that I was miscarrying, because my HCG levels were high enough that there should be a baby. He wants me to come back in Thursday for more beta-tests and another ultrasound. If no baby, and if my HCG levels decrease, then I will have a D&C on Friday.

This was not the news that I wanted to hear or the ultrasound that I wanted to see..

So even though Thursday may bring some more bad news or maybe (hopefully!) even good news,  I have peace in KNOWING that His will is perfect and that His plan is flawless. And that God is good! All the time:) I'll be updating soon..

This song has been playing in my head all day--

Birthday Party

Today we had Chase's fourth birthday party at Monkey Joes. Let me tell you, Monkey Joes is the way to go! For a packaged price, they provided icecream, juice boxes for kids, pitchers of soft drinks for the adults, napkins, plates, forks and spoon, set up and clean up and if I chose to they would have provided pizza, gift bags, and balloons. It was great not being stressed out and just being able to mingle with my friends and enjoy my son's birthday:) Here are a few pics!

Chase is FOUR! (& a new blog+ prayer request)

This might just be my tenth blog that I've started. I always have the best of intentions when I start a blog, but then life gets hectic and the blog gets put on the back burner and then I completely forget about it..only to remember 6 months later that I created it:)

I.am.going.to.TRY.my.BEST. to stick with this new blog. I feel like we are beginning a new chapter in our lives and I want to record as much of it as I can

So, I'll start with today.

Today is Chasey's FOURTH birthday! It seems like just yesterday that I woke up on Sunday morning and realized that I was having contractions, decided that I needed to get a porkchop biscuit from Bojangles ASAP (because it would probably be the last that I would have for awhile), vaccum my car out between contractions, attempt to go grocery shopping (I walked into Bilo, had a BIG contraction, decided that I didnt want to have my baby in Bilo, and walked back out) and then went back home to vaccum my house when my water broke. Woke up Alan, headed off to the hospital (and of course, Alan HAD to stop to get himself a drink on the way- and of course I have not yet let him live it down), and became a mother around 7 that night :0)

September 23, 2007 still remains my favorite day. Yes, my wedding day and Ansleigh's birthday is in the top three of the most amazing days ever, but on September 23, 2007 I became a mother.

So today, we took Tucker-butt to Red Robin for lunch and then let him play at McDonalds (which to him was a big treat). Tomorrow will be his birthday party at Monkey Joes. And for the friends that were worried about Monkey Joe freaking out their kids- I called this morning and told them that the big purple monkey was not invited. :)

So for those that don't know yet- WE'RE PREGNANT! :0) I am totally thrilled about this pregnancy. I've always wanted three kiddos, and have had baby fever for awhile now-I was just waiting for God's timing:)
So, I'm embarrassed to admit that I am super early..like, 5 weeks 3 days early :) I found out that I was pregnant at 3 weeks 3 days..and so this is going to make for the longest pregnancy ever!

I am not one of those moms that can wait until they are out of the first trimester to announce their big news. Nope, with every pregnancy I have announced as soon as the double line appeared.

But friends- I need prayers! Yesterday I had my first ob appointment. It was my first appointment with the new doctor, so they mainly did bloodtest (check beta HCG and progesterone) and a "meet and greet".
This morning the nurse called me to tell me that even though my HCG was great, my progesterone level was a little low. She said that they weren't overly concerned, but to be on the safe side I have to take progesterone supplements until I'm out of the first trimester. Scary! So please say a little prayer for this sweet little life that I'm carrying. I would appreciate it:)