My Last Meal!

By this time tomorrow, Baby Aubrey will have made her entrance into the world and into our lives (and arms and out of my belly - whew -relief!). Since I'm having a repeat c-section, I can't eat after midnight tonight. Although I complain about it, it shouldn't be too bad since I'm scheduled at 7:30am. For my last meal, I was going to make this Easy Pumpkin Soup that many of you have asked for the recipe. It is so good any time of year; but especially in the fall. I say 'was' because by the time I got in there to make it, I didn't feel like standing anymore, so we heated leftovers. Anyways, break out the pumpkin, canned that is, and treat yourself to this yummy soup.

Easy Pumpkin Soup
1/2 cup onion - chopped
3 T butter
2 C canned pumpkin (I think 2 cans actually makes it creamier)
1 t salt
1 T sugar
1/4 t nutmeg
1/4 t ground pepper
3 C chicken broth
1/2 c half and half
Optional - kernel corn (white or yellow - I use frozen)

Chop onions and gently brown in butter in stockpot. Stir in mashed pumpkin and add salt, sugar, nutmeg and pepper. Slowly add chicken broth & heat thoroughly; but do not boil. To serve, pour into soup tureen (or individual bowls) and add the cream on top. You could do it somewhat artistically for presentation if you want! Makes 4-6 medium servings.

It's really good served with some kind of artisan bread or parmesan toasts!

Since it's pumpkin season, I had the Pumpkin Spice Latte at Starbucks today too - YUM! You have to try it:)

Priceless...

This is what it looks like when Ellie does construction with her daddy! I just love this picture because I remember helping my dad do projects around the house and countless trips to the hardware store. What a cutie!

Ellie's Three!!!

Last Friday, Ellie celebrated her third birthday! As we look forward to Baby Aubrey's arrival on Wednesday, it's hard to believe that three years ago, we were awaiting our first child's entrance into our lives. She has blessed us and challenged us tremendously over the past three years. The challenges have come in the way of God completely revealing to us our depravity and selfishness and some bad habits too! I guess those are also blessings. In more obvious ways, she has blessed us with her smile, laughter, imagination, sociability, and just her presence. As most parents say, we couldn't imagine our lives any differently now - although sometimes we try to imagine what life was like without her. I must say, it's really hard to remember and we are definitely two better people because of her.

So, we had fun celebrating with her by having a horse party at Happy Trails Ranch. The kids got to feed and ride the horses, watch a cat and a dog do tricks and go on a hayride. Everyone had a great time and fall decided to make it's debut with gorgeous skies, cool temperatures and a little reprieve from the love bugs - which are not at all lovely! There are two links to the pictures: one from Our Camera (these include at home birthday pics) and one from Stephanie's (thanks, Steph!).

Two of a kind; but each their own

Thanks to all my wonderful friends who threw us a fun, unique shower last weekend! My sweet girlfriends decided it would be fun to shower us with matching clothes for Ellie and Aubrey and I couldn't wait to see what they'd come up with! First of all, they decorated in zebra and pink theme - which I LOVED! I took Ellie with me so she could help open and since half of the presents were for her! She loved helping me open everything - and then played when she got too bored. Thank you everyone for a fun time - I can't wait to see these two in all their matching clothes! One girl even got pajamas because her girls love having matching pjs. Now that I think about it, Amy and I had a lot of matching pjs, only hers were pink and mine were purple - good memories!

T minus 11 days!

Well, the time is almost here and we've gotten a lot done. I thoroughly enjoyed my shower last weekend - more on that later. Brian's mom's birthday and Ellie's birthdays have come and gone this week, including Ellie's party at Happy Trails yesterday - more on that later too! What else? Shelves are up, letters ordered, basket for toys is painted and filled. Crib sheet is in, car seat is clean and in the car, swing is down and clean, pregnancy pictures are ordered and frames purchased. Just need to go to Target to pick up a few odds and ends and find a diaper bag. Poor Brian is the recipient of my 'must get this done now, I'm not asking again - it's D-Day' attitude. He's a great sport and I'm sorry, honey! Thanks for all of your hard work - this house and family wouldn't run without you - and certainly wouldn't feel like a home! Please keep praying for all of the pregnancies that are about to come to a close - we can't wait to welcome these babies:

• Meredith and Trent Carter will welcome their second, Baby Ella, on Friday, 9/26
• We will welcome Baby Aubrey on Wednesday, 10/1
• Ginny and James Yearty will welcome their third around 10/7
  
• Brian's sister, Charlotte, and her husband, Ryan will welcome their first, Baby Zoe, around 10/10 - in England!
• Rachel and Mike Dasher will welcome Baby Daniel around 10/22
• And there's more after that!
  

The Most Anticipated Shower Ever

On September 6th, a bunch of friends and family had the very distinct pleasure of honoring our dear friends Mike and Rachel Dasher at one of the most beautiful and touching showers ever. We have been waiting and praying for this baby, Daniel Reagan Dasher, for the last 3+ years and can't believe that he's finally almost here! Rachel and Mike are dear friends who we love and support with all of our hearts. We are so blessed to have them in our lives and look forward with anticipation to how God continues to bless them through the birth of their son (on or around October 22nd). Below are some pictures from the shower.

Jingle Frog and Swimmy Diapers

One night last week, Ellie decided that she and Jingle Frog were going swimming in the pond. Why? Because that's where frogs swim of course! So she found one last swimmy diaper, which fit Jingle Frog perfectly and put on her swimsuit too! Her imagination is amazing to me:)

Please Pray

As you've probably seen in another post, Brian's mom's house flooded in Tropical Storm Fay. Please pray for them as they are in the process of cleaning up and will begin thinking about restructuring what has been lost. We have not been out there yet and plan to go tomorrow; but from what they've told us, they are ripping the walls to the studs for 4 feet up from the ground! Of course this means they're ripping up flooring too. We know they're strong and thank the Lord for their health and stamina; but I'm sure it gets overwhelming at times. So, please pray for them as they walk through this unfortunate experience. Thanks!

Ellie's First Day of School

Ellie's a big three-year old now and going to school five mornings a week! This should prove to be a huge blessing with my work schedule - especially after the summer! Phew - we made it back to the fall and normal scheduling:) Even though I only worked three mornings the first week (Monday was Labor Day and Friday was my birthday outing), it felt good to be there on a consistent basis. Her teachers, Ms. Jackie and Ms. Katie, say she's doing great and she's already got a new 'friend' - Preston! Great...we're gonna have to watch out for this girl - we think she's a little flirt already! Just for comparison, here's last year's pic:

T Minus 3 weeks and 4 days!

Well, we've definitely made headway in the last couple of weeks. As you saw in the post before this, the bedding is finished. So, here's my list - and since I'm such a list maker, I've added a few more (some that are already crossed off!).

• Finish last bumper for crib - CHECK!
  
• Finish sewing changing table skirt - CHECK!
  
• Find stuff to decorate the walls - name, shelves, art, etc. - Have shelves and made French Memory Board
  
• Find bookcase for Ellie
• Find baskets to put stuff in/organize - CHECK!
  
• Make a sling? (need more fabric)
  
• Make/buy a diaper bag
• Make presents for SIL's baby Zoe!
  
• Normal, everyday life stuff
• Rachel's shower - CHECK!
• My shower, next Saturday
• Ellie's Birthday Party - 9/20

I'm definitely feeling a little better; but if I stand in the room too long, I get overwhelmed. I know it will all get done and what doesn't get finished will happen eventually!

Aubrey's Room

Here's the long-awaited post on Aubrey's room...after much love (and sore back) put into this project, I am definitely pleased. I'm not sure if I'll do it again - however, now that I've done it once, it shouldn't be as hard the next time. Plus, it's probably like having a baby - you forget how painful it was when you decide you'd like to have another! Here are the pics of the handiwork (the room itself is not completely finished; but getting there). I don't think the pictures do it justice; but you'll get the idea.

Window Valance
One of the bumpers - it's hard to tell in the crib pics.
One angle - notice no crib sheet yet!
Inside of bumpers is beautiful pink - hard to tell:(
Trying to get a good angle for the stripes

Ellie thought her Raggedy's should play in the crib for now! (PS - the one on the right was mine, hence the extra love it's received! The one on the left we got for her last year in Charleston.)

Changing table skirt matches crib skirt

Update on Birthday Ice Cream

Since so many of you have asked if I had ice cream yesterday for breakfast, lunch and dinner - I did not:( I had fully planned to have it at least twice; but just did not have time - or room in my stomach! I was, however, treated to a yummy breakfast with friends, followed by a pedicure. This has become somewhat of a tradition with us and I think we all look forward to it each time one of our birthdays arrives. How fun it is to spend part of the day getting pampered with and by close friends I love and adore! Then, I got Ellie from school and spent the rest of the afternoon running around getting the fixin's for SUSHI! Brian had invited friends over for dinner and we decided to make sushi followed by red velvet cake and ice cream - so I had it once! It's so much fun and tastes so good:) Thanks again for all the calls and notes of birthday wishes. It was a wonderful day!

I Scream, You Scream...!

Julie is screaming for ICE CREAM!!! So, if I've had one craving this pregnancy, it's been for ice cream. And since Publix puts a different brand of ice cream on B1G1 free each week during the summer, I have had no problem paying for my newly found addiction! (this week, it's Publix's brand, which is perfectly yummy! AND...Blue Bell is 2/$7) Since I've loved ice cream so much - believe me, this is not my normal addiction - usually I'm jabbing at my husband for enjoying a bowl each night - I was quite delighted to learn that many ice cream joints have birthday clubs where you get free ice cream on your birthday (and they're not all for kids!). So, I've signed up for a few of them and I'll be visiting them starting tomorrow! Perhaps you should sign up too - everyone deserves to treat themselves to free ice cream on their birthday. (For those who are allergic or lactose-intolerant, I am so sorry you are not able to enjoy this treat!)

Since some of them are places like Cold Stone and Marble Slab, I am soliciting your favorite concoctions to try, so post a comment with your fav! I'm usually a chocoholic; but Ellie's blend of bubblegum ice cream with marshmallows and sprinkles on top is really good for the kid in me! Click through these links to sign up:

www.marbleslab.com - this one is actually just kids; but you can give it a try
www.coldstonecreamery.com
www.baskinrobbins.com

Happy Birthday to All!

The First Week of September

I look forward to this week each year. For 32 years, I've had one reason to look forward to Labor Day and the first week of September - my birthday! Now, I have another reason which I think I'm a little more excited about - Ellie starts school! She started this week and of course, since it's her second year, I haven't taken pictures yet. I'll do that tomorrow. I can't believe she's such a big girl - she's going five days a week now! It's amazing the difference between this year and last. I have looked forward to this day all summer long!!! Not because we didn't have a great summer. We had plenty of fun swimming and doing crafts. Ellie went to a few camps and visited her Abuela and Papi in Pensacola for a week. But it was really hard to work with her around all the time. Now that she's going every day, I can work while she's in school and not have to take any work home - hardly ever! For those who don't know, Ellie goes to school at our church, which is where I work, so this simplifies things greatly! Speaking of simplification, look for a post on that soon.