Thankfulness and Anxiousness

It's a season of thankfulness. Everyone is posting lately about what they are thankful for. It's definitely a reminder to see the good in every situation.

I am so, so, so thankful to have the opportunity to stay home with Josiah as long as I have. And I am so thankful Rob's had that opportunity as well! How many dads get to stay home and be a part of their child's life like this?

In the midst of my thankfulness, however, my heart is starting to become anxious. Finding a job is still proving impossible, and well, the money is about to run dry. I keep telling myself that God knows all this, He isn't going to leave us on the street. And I also feel like God is saying to continue to enjoy this precious time I have being at home, because I know I will never get it back.

One day, I have hope, this whole immigration thing will be done with and Rob will be able to work. In the meantime, friends, if you'll join with me in prayer for my little family. Rejoice with us that we have this time together, and pray with us that God would provide a job for me to take care of the family.

Happy thanksgiving everyone!

Hi, My Name Is...

Stephanie. And I'm a horrible blogger.

There, I confessed it.

You know, life is so...predictable, these days. I feel like there isn't really anything interesting to say, yet I'm feeling more fulfilled and happy than I think I've almost ever felt. Like someone who is living out their calling. Feedings every 3 hours, almost on the dot. Way to go predictable baby. He'll swing, I'll shower. He'll keep swinging, I'll drink coffee and check out stuff online. I'll put him down for a nap, he'll scream in protest, but then he'll nap. 2 hours or so later, aaaaaand repeat, slightly modified events of course :-) Even nights are becoming more predictable. He is waking up around 3 or 3:30, Rob covers that first feeding (yay pumps! makes life so much nicer for a nursing momma). Then he'll wake up usually around 6:30 or 7, I'll get up with him and we'll just have a boatload of fun in the morning while Rob sleeps in.

This whole neither or us working thing is lame most of the time (hey if you wanna pray for us, I really need a job that's gonna pay enough to support the fam), but right now, we are thanking God that we are still on our feet, not in debt, and both able to be home with Josiah. I can't think of a bigger blessing, honestly!

Becoming a mom is definitely the best thing ever. Having your own child is definitely a whole lot different! And now, I'd really like for some of our friends to jump on the baby bandwagon. It would just make all of this that much sweeter.

There, I did it, I blogged. Thanks for reading about my oh so predictable and only exciting to me life :-)

Hey, I'm a mom, I'm entitled to take these kinds of pics for embarrassing moments later in life, right? :-)

One Year Anniversary!

Today is me and Rob's one year wedding anniversary! I can't believe it! Never would I have imagined where we'd be in our lives now this time a year ago. Having a baby and living back in Texas were definitely NOT on the agenda. Ha. I wish we were able to do more to celebrate, but I'm thankful we'll at least be able to go out for a few hours tonight while my best friend Emmie watches Josiah. My maid of honor still taking care of her girl :-)

I love you babe! I couldn't be happier to have married you. You are the most patient and loving man I know, I don't know where I'd be without you. I'm so glad to be on this journey with you, through the many trials and joys we face. I wouldn't have it any other way. Thank you for loving me so selflessly. Here's to many more beautiful years ahead!

Rebellious Casserole

So, having a baby makes posting blogs a little more difficult. There always seems to be so much to do in my limited free time while he's napping. Alas, Daddy has Josiah sparing me some extra free moments.

My husband knows better than anyone that I hate to follow a recipe. I prefer to take an idea and make it my own. [i think i'm generally that way in most areas of my life. always a bit, well not rebellious, but paving my own path]

All that to say, I couldn't find a recipe for a chicken and rice casserole anywhere online that sounded quite like what I wanted. So I've gathered many recipes and taken little bits from each to create my own thing. Here it is below - it's currently cooking. I'll let ya'll know how it turns out!

2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cooked and shredded

1 cup of cooked rice

1 can cream of chicken soup

2 cups shredded sharp cheddar

1 can green beans

1/2 yellow onion, diced

1/2 cup diced mushrooms

1 package dry onion soup mix

1 1/2 cups water

Can of French's Fried Onions

Mix everything except dry onion soup mix and fried onions. Sprinkle soup mix on top of mixture and bake at 350 for 30 minutes. Top with fried onions, let bake another 5-10 minutes or until onions are brown and crispy.

I'm excited for this one!

Good Baby, Bad Night

After just two weeks, I've realized a few things about sleep. First, 8 uninterrupted hours of sleep is not going to happen for a very long time, but that's okay, I've learned it's not really necessary. Getting 8 hours of sleep, however, is necessary. Josiah has been really good so far about being on a consistent 3 hour schedule. Pretty much on the dot he could wake up at 3 pm for a feeding, have about 20 minutes or so of being awake after that, then go back down for a nap, and wake up at 6 pm for another feeding. This predictability has been allowing me to get rest and I haven't felt very tired at all.

Predictability was shot out the window last night. Insert cranky, crying, growing, I'm-so-hungry-I-need-milk-from-two-moms, baby. There was no sleep involved in this equation. Thankfully Grandma and Opa are in town from Canada and I was able to get some rest this morning. And now, cranky, crying, growing, hungry baby has worn himself out and has been sleeping for a while now. Thank. Goodness. I'm feeling a bit like I'm going through ESOAL at the Honor Academy again. It's a good thing he's so darn cute.

He was cheering for the Rangers, and the look on his face here describes his disappointment.

Fell asleep in the boppy pillow. Too. Cute.

Two weeks old here. He is the perfect length of one of our bedroom accent pillows.