Something to Look Forward to Everyday...

...Seeing this guy.  Judah is 18 months old now, and looking so much more boy, and less baby!  Can you believe how big he's getting!?  Currently our favorite thing to do together is take bike rides through the neighborhood and to Brentwood Park, where all the granola mamas hang out (literally) with their babies!  Being a mom is so special, in whatever way it comes... whether biologically, by adoption, fostering or the rest.  I'm thankful to God for this special gift.  I pray each one of you enjoys the children you've been given to love and that you would cherish every moment.  I'm praying I would do the same, even when I'm so tired and want to rip all my hair out!  :)

P.S.  Remember how panicked I was when I found out I was having a baby?  

Green Smoothie Recipe

Have you ever tried a green smoothie? I used to think drinking something bright green was only for people who work at Gold's gym or go on yoga retreats.

I like to eat healthy, but I'm not a t-totaler when it comes to eating organic-gluten free-dairy free-vegan-blah-blah-blah. (Some of you just gasped in disbelief and pictured me lying in a hospital bed.)

However, I have discovered that green smoothies are the answer to my dilemma of not getting enough fresh fruits and veggies into our diet! Judah asks for a "moothie" every time he spots the blender on the countertop.

Here is our afternoon snack:

Spinach or Kale (2 handfuls)
Carrots (I use 1 handful of baby carrots)
Orange, peeled (we often use mandarin)
Pear or Apple (no core)
Blueberries or Strawberries (as much as you like!).
Ice

Blend it up and enjoy!

(I LOVE our Kitchen Aid blender, if you're in the market!).

Looking forward to 2013

Happy New Year!  I hope you had a great holiday and enjoyed celebrating with your favorite friends and family. What are you planning for the new year?

Here are some of my 2013 goals:

Ride my new bike... a lot

Read more

Plan more dates with friends and with Zac (I've never been good about this!)

Sabbath regularly

Learn and grow more in photography

Stick to meal planning (so help me, God!)

I have a million more ideas flowing through my head, but I am trying to stay realistic!

What are you up to in 2013?  

(photo credit unknown)

P.S.  Happy Anniversary to my Mom and Dad!  Happy Birthday to Jenny-Penny!  Love you all!

Snapshots of our 1st Christmas at Home

We were so surprised when I received a 5 am call from work to stay home Christmas morning and wait until I was needed. I was scheduled to work Christmas Day this year, which, at first, felt like a crisis. But, it turned out to be so sweet, as we had our first family Christmas morning, just the three of us. We made the most of our last minute plans by baking wheat biscuits, setting up Judah's new water table in the kitchen, and taking a spin on my new bike! :)

I'm thankful.

A Great Reason to Get Off the Couch

We forced ourselves out the door this evening even though we both felt so tired. (Zac worked a 21 hour day yesterday. There must be some law against that!?) The hardest part is getting out the door, but we did it!

Austin, Texas brought back the spectacular Trail of Lights! The trail is lined with scenes from favorite children's books (Dr. Seuss!) and classic children's movies (Beauty and the Beast, a fave), and a chance to sit on Santa's lap. And of course, every food truck in the city is there serving all their best. The greasy food smelled glorious!

Judah loved seeing the brightly decorated trees and pointing at all the other babies:).

I love Christmas time!

We're getting excited for Christmas!

What better way to spend an evening than to bake Christmas cookies with a toddler? I love when Judah counts "one-two-threeeeee!" to prepare himself for the loud sound of the mixer.... Or points to the oven and says "hot" at least one hundred times.

There's sugar everywhere.

What other fun activities are you doing with your toddlers this Christmas season? I'd love to hear ideas.


P.S. Zac and Judah did a ginger bread house from Home Depot on Saturday while I was out with friends. It's bright orange. Lets just say it has ALL the power of The Home Depot.

Two of my Favorite People

These two people mean so much to so many people.  They are my grandparents, both in their late eighties and still farming, taking care of cattle, and baking homemade cornbread at least once a day.  It's the best cornbread you'll ever have, and there are multiple women in the family who are claiming Mamaw's iron skillet when she can't cook anymore.

I'm thankful to have spent Thanksgiving on their farm this year.  It feels like home to me.