No, we didn't fall off the ship! I will post about our vacation soon, I promise. We have been in recovery mode and with a busy weekend ahead it might not be until Tuesday... stay tuned.

Happy Birthday to the doubly sweet Caden and Chloe. Happy Birthday to Andy's dear mother!

Huge!

5lb. 6oz.

5lb. 7oz.

A lap full of babies.

Kisses.

Grandma's are the best cuddle'rs.

Snoozin and Strollin.







Slept in the same bed until 1 yr. old.













Tickling toes.









Happy 1 yr birthday!











Spring.








Chicken pox.

Easter.

Fancied up.

We love you!

Easy and Healthy

Everyone is looking for meal ideas right? I love to cook, but I'm always keeping a eye out for quick options that are healthy, too. I thought I'd share some of my latest favorites with you.

Breakfast: Blender pancakes with berry topping
I've reworked this pancake (my fav breakfast food) for a couple weeks now and come up with a recipe that is super yummy and low in fat and sugar. Now I can have a pancake every morning and not feel guilty! It only takes about 5 min. to blend these up. I've been doing one big personal pancake. Just quadruple this if you want to feed the whole fam.

1/4 c. egg beater
1/8 c. wheat berries (or use a heaping 1/8 c. whole wheat flour)
1/4 c. vanilla no fat yogurt
1/4 c. oats
1/2 t. vanilla
1/2 t. cinnamon
1/2 t. baking soda
1/2 t. baking powder
pinch of salt
frozen mixed berries thawed and mashed with a fork (this doubles as your syrup)
fat free whipped topping if ya like

Preheat a small (6in.) skillet on low. Blend first 3 ingred. for 2 min. add the rest and blend to mix. Spray skillet with pam and pour batter in. Makes 1 big pancake.

Lunch: Pita pizza
Take one no fat whole wheat pita and top with:
tomato slices
fresh torn basil
mozzarella (I just pull apart a string cheese)
low fat turkey pepperoni
Put in toaster oven and bake till cheese is melted.

Dinner: Rotisserie chicken = so many options
My husband chuckles when we have this for dinner because he knows I love this cop out to making a meal. I get these when I'm already at the store for other things.
Eat this with hummus or this recipe on a whole wheat roll.
Add a veggie side like asparagus with olive oil and sea salt.

There is usually leftover chicken, so I make it into chicken tortilla soup for another dinner. I have an great Rachel Ray recipe that I adapted for this.

We are having a good week! The Lord is so good to us. I am thankful that He is not out to "get us", but He is a comforter, shield, the One Who lifts our head.

Our suv had problems last weekend and the mechanic said we needed a new transmission...we were so bummed. That night we prayed at dinner that it would somehow miraculously work. A couple days later the shop called and said they cleared some codes, etc. and it drove just fine. The Lord heard our prayers! It was such a neat lesson on prayer for both us and the kids(hopefully).

In about a week Andy and I are going on a cruise with my sister and her husband. The timing couldn't be better. We are SO excited! My mom found awesome deals on tickets. We were a little apprehensive in knowing if it's the best way to spend our $, but (previously)thought with the baby coming it would be something to take advantage of. Now we are thankful to have this to look forward to after the miscarriage.

So, that's a little about what's going on with us.

If you haven't already heard...part 2

My last post was telling how the Lord has blessed us with expecting another baby.

Now I have news of how the Lord has blessed us with taking that baby to heaven.

What I feel is that someone stole something that was mine, a precious possession. Small and unknown as it was, the hope of growth and presence has been taken away.

But I find comfort in what I know. That thief who took my child actually had every right to. He is a gracious heavenly Father who loved this child more than I did or ever will. I find peace in knowing that I was a vessel used to place this baby in perfect arms and in a perfect place.

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways, says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." Is. 55:8&9

"The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; Blessed be the name of the Lord." Job 1:21

If you haven't read Marcie's blog, do. Her experience has ministered to me through this. I have thought of her often. The longer you carry a child the heavier the loss would be, so I must say I only have experienced a small taste of her pain. I am so thankful that Lord has used her as a testimony and encouragement to me.

Thank you all for your prayers.