Boutique Night

My fingers are raw.  "Why?" you ask.  Because I'm making bows for Boutique Night, AND you should come see me!  Since I know you all are dying to come, here's the information to get your booty to me...

The best part, it's a come and go event.  You won't be stuck there all night listening sales pitches.  You come in, shop, converse with me (of course), and head out.  Let me know if you plan on stopping by.  If you are looking for some specific colors for your girl, shout it out and I'll get 'em made.

A Tale of Two Labors

One never really knows what labor will be like until you go through it.  Then you experience labor and you expect your second labor to be similar to that of the first.  Or at least I did. 

With Little Man I started having contractions around 3:00pm on a Sunday afternoon.  After hours of Steven tracking each contraction I called the on call doc.  She said if I could walk around just fine I probably wasn't in labor, but if I tried to go to bed at night and couldn't sleep I would need to go to the hospital.  I could walk around just fine so I thought for sure it wasn't real labor.  I really didn't want to be one of those first time moms who make multiple trips to the hospital with false alarms.  So I tried to go to bed.  I tried to go to bed for an hour and a half.  I tried to go to bed until Steven kicked me out and told me we were going.  He got all my stuff, pushed my very pregnant self in the car and very calmly drove me to the hospital. To my surprise I was in labor.  I was only dilated to a 4, but I got the good drugs and sailed through the rest of labor.  In the end I came home with a beautiful baby boy.

Little Miss was a much different story.  I was supposed to be induced with her.  She had her own plans though.  At about 4:00am on the morning I was to be induced, I woke up with gas pains. Those 'gas' pains started coming every 5 minutes.  I began to realize it wasn't gas, but contractions.  Since Little Man's labor was about 15 hours start to finish, I figured I had time.  I got up to pee and had a pee pee pants reenactment.  Only it wasn't pee.  My fluids were beginning to leak.  I decided I was going to shower, get ready, and then get Steven up to drive me to the hospital.  I didn't want to wake him since I just began labor.  That was a good plan until my contractions started coming every two minutes and I could no longer stand in the shower.  This was in a matter of 30 minutes.  The contractions were coming much faster and much stronger than I had experienced with Little Man.  Somehow I managed to dry my hair and get dressed while Steven called his dad to come stay at the house with Little Man. 

Steven's dad arrived about 30 minutes later, and I was having contractions every minute.  Steven helped me to the car and drove like a madman to the hospital.  He was so rattled.  I kept telling him to calm down.  He said he was calm, but when he pulled up to the emergency room, he dropped me off and DROVE AWAY.  As I'm standing at the entrance, I wondering where in the world he was going.  Thankfully a nurse had seen us pull in and wheeled out a wheel chair for me.  Finally Steven came back.  Instead of parking the car in the emergency room parking lot, he pulled all the way around to normal parking and came running like Usain Bolt to me.  He track star days weren't finished though. I never knew wheel chairs could handle speeds over 50 mph, but apparently they can.  It was great that my husband was so interested in getting me to labor and delivery in a timely fashion after the parking fiasco, but he was running so fast he passed the elevators. 

God must have been watching this whole thing because all of a sudden a man appears out of nowhere from inside and elevator and yells, "Sir, Labor and Delivery is this way.  Hop on."  Steven comes to a stop so fast I almost fly out.  He wheels me around and shoves me in the elevator.  I look up to thank the man when I realize it's a parent of one of my former students, AND I work with his wife.  He is cracking up, and I am dying from pain and embarrassment.

We finally got to where we were going.  After the admittance process, I was dilated to a seven.  When the anesthesiologist finally arrived an hour later, I was at a nine.  I was praying it would kick in just in time for the pushing, and it did.  Five minutes before.  Two pushes and Little Miss was out.  I came home with a beautiful baby girl.

If I could choose my labor for Baby #3, I would go with Little Man's plan.  Fifteen hours of slow labor was much, much better than five hours of hard and quick labor.  All I know is we will do yet another run to the hospital and this time I hope my husband remembers how to get to Labor and Delivery and where to park.  On that note, maybe we'll do two practice runs.

Menu Monday

Welp, I saw The Help.  It is safe to say the movie did not disappoint.  All the actresses hit the characters spot on.  I really didn't think it was possible to dislike Hilly Holbrook anymore than I did in the book, but I thought wrong.  I wanted to reach into the movie screen and slap her at least a hundred times.

The storyline paralleled beautifully to the book as well.  I was relieved. As my all time favorite book, I doubted I would like the movie, yet it now resides in my Top 5 Movie List.  All the yummy southern cooking didn't hurt either.  Unfortunately, I can't cook like that so you're stuck with my Oklahoma version of cooking.

Monday-Creamy Chicken Spaghetti, Green Beans, Texas Roadhouse Rolls
Tuesday-Lemon Honey Grilled Chicken, Cheesy Biscuits, Spring Potato Salad
Wednesday-Smoked Salmon, Broccoli Cheese Bites, Honey Bread
Thursday-Zucchini Bake, Salad, The Bread
Friday-Marlboro Man's 2nd Favorite Sandwich, Sweet Potato Fries, and Fruit Salad
Saturday-Good 'Ol Fashion Fish Fry @ the Kueny's
Sunday-Dinner @ Mom's

I Survived {Little Man's First Day}

After much fretting, I did it. I not only survived Little Man's first day of school, but I did well.  He walked right in and started playing with what he was most excited about, the kitchen area.  What can I say?  He's watched (and helped) me make dinner one too many times.  I've said it once and I'll say it again, he will make his wife very happy one day.

I didn't even cry.  Maybe a little emotional, but no tears.  He was too happy for me to cry for him.  Of course I missed him deeply, but time went by fast.  He's on his second day today, but here's his first day photos.

It's THE Day

It's hard to talk about so I'll just show you pictures.

{A good scrub down the night before his first day}

 {Daddy and Little Man.  He's so happy about starting school}

{He was getting busy on the puzzles} 

{Grammy and Little Man.  He's just a few classroom's down from her room. 

Can you tell she's excited?}

Maybe I'll be able to share the details of his first day tomorrow after I hear them from him of course.  We'll see if I can see my computer screen through my tears.  Tears over my boy growing up.  We're so excited for him, but sure do wish we could keep him little forever.

He's Too Sexy

Do you remember this song?

Well, it's Steven's new theme song.  His dark hair, skin, and eyes just seem to have a way of whoo-ing women.  He just doesn't see it in himself.  I tell him to go look in the mirror. Shirt off of course.  Then he rolls his eyes at me and tells me I have to say that. Then I admit that if he had slidden down the ladder in the looks department I wouldn't tell him.  After all, he doesn't tell me.  He values his life too much.

Anyhoo.  Steven had a crazy day at work on Friday.  He was checking on a job site for some exciting safety regulations and ended up having to stay the rest of the day.  Like the awesome daddy he is, he came straight to the hospital as soon as he could.  Ring around the collar and all.  The poor man had been sweating in his work clothes all day long, but he wanted to check on his little girl.

Meanwhile, Little Miss and I were making do with little items of entertainment we had in my purse.  Our nurse was really wonderful.  She came right in as soon as Little Miss needed her IV drip checked and got her anything she wanted or needed that was available.  There were about 4-5 other nurses at the station right outside our door, but only our nurse came in to check on Little Miss' progress.

I stand corrected. Only our nurse came in to check on Little Miss' progress UNTIL my darn sexy husband showed up.  He hadn't been there five whole minutes before another nurse I had not seen comes knocking on the door.

"Oh excuse me.  Is that her machine beeping?"

"No ma'am.  My daughter's is just fine.  Thanks for checking."

"You're more than welcome, sir."

I found it a bit weird, but thought maybe our nurse stepped out a bit and she was asked to listen for the IV drip.  Steven and I continued playing with Little Miss for a few minutes. Then another knock came.

"Are you guys alright in here?  Do you need anything at all?"

"Uhhh, (looking at me) do we need anything? (Shook my head no).  Nope, we're doing just fine."

"No problem.  You're daughter is just beautiful and has been such a trooper for your wife."

"Thank you.  She's a brave one"

"You let me know if you need anything, m'kay?"

At this point, I was beginning to catch on.  Not my husband.  He was super impressed with the care of the nursing staff.  He was about to open his mouth and say so when our nurse walks in and closes the door.

"This is highly inappropriate to be telling you, but all the girls at the nursing station cannot get over how handsome your husband is.  They have all been gathered at the nurse's station waiting to catch a glimse."

Sure enough, when I stepped out to use the restroom there were about 8 nurses/staff workers sitting there.  I thought some even got a case of whiplash when I opened the door.  Much to their dissappointment, it was just a pregnant lady looking for the bathroom.  Too bad for them.  Thankfully, they were all still gathered around when we were dismissed so they got one last glimpse of the stud holding his little girl.  But, this time they got the back view.  Trust me.  It's almost as good as the front.  Almost.

Little Miss and a High Fever

Last Friday proved to be pretty eventful at the Torres household.  Little Miss went to bed Thursday night with a slight fever.  She woke up Friday morning with that same slight fever and complained her ear was hurting.  No biggie.  A little ear infection maybe and we'd be better in no time.  I made an appointment for 11:30am. 

At 11:35am her fever was no longer a little one.  It was a big one.  104.7 to be exact.  Never in my life have I ever had one of the kids with a fever that high.  After a battery of test (strep, urine sample, and two tubes of blood drawn) we had no more answers than when we arrived unless you count 'something viral' as an answer. 

We were just about to head out with a ton of Tylenol and Advil in hand, when the doctor read the lab work and mentioned Little Miss was slightly dehydrated.  Now I was really frustrated.  I am pretty good about watching the intake of liquids and dietary elements in the kids, and Little Miss had been hydrated.  After asking the doctor how this could be, she said Little Miss was tiny and her fever was so high the liquids in her body were evaporating.  She recommended I take her straight to the Children's Day Hospital for IV fluids for 4-5 hours.

I have to stop and say at this point, Little Miss had been my little rock star.  She didn't fuss or cry at any of the tests.  Not the nasty swabbing.  Not the pricking of her finger and the ungodly amount of blood the squeezed out of her finger.  Not having to pee in a cup.  Nothing. She was brave and tough and strong.  I was impressed with her.  However, I was concerned about the IV.  Plus, I had NOTHING to entertain her with at the hospital.  This was going to be a l-o-n-g 4-5 hours.

On the way to the hospital I immediately called my mom and asked her to say a prayer for Little Miss and myself.  Turns out her prayers worked.  When we arrived, the nurse was waiting for us.  She told Little Miss everything she was going to do and she just watched.  Not one fuss.  Not one squeal.  Not one cry.  In fact after the IV was placed and wrapped with a bandage, Little Miss held up her hand and said, "Ma-Ma, look at my pretty bracelet."  What can I say?  She's my girl.

Now you'll have to excuse her hair in this pic.  It was after her restless 20 minute nap in an uncomfortable hospital bed.  She tossed and turned and rubbed that hair all over the place.  I didn't realize how ratty it looked until after we got home.  Oh well!  I wasn't really concerned with her beauty.  I was more concerned with keeping an almost 3 year old busy.  I did find some Pictureka cards in my purse from a Chick-fil-a Kid's Meal.  We played Eye Spy and drew pictures on old receipts.  Like I said before,  I was not prepared to entertain a child for 4+ hours.  It all worked out though.  We were in good hands, and Little Miss was a trooper.  I think I just survived. 

Thankfully, Little Miss is completely mended and back to her sassy self.  We still don't know what was going on in her little body.  She had not one symptom except the fever.  Crazy, crazy stuff. 

Now tomorrow, I have a funny story related to when my darn sexy husband arrived at the hospital.  I found it quite comical.  Steven found it down right embarrassing.  He just doesn't know how his Latin Lover Looks affect the womenfolk around here.

Menu Monday

This is the week.  The week Little Man starts school.  He is so excited.  We are excited for him, but secretly sad for ourselves.  Especially me.  I've become quite accustomed to having my little buddy around 24/7.  He's not only my precious boy, but he's also my helper.  He truly is a little man.  A little replica of his father.

Not that any of that has anything to do with you, but I have a serious case of 'My Son Is Starting School So I Will Talk About It Non-Stop'.  Sorry.  On a good note, I did compose myself long enough to put together a menu for you.  It's a very weak menu.  We have quite a bit going on this week so we are...wait for it...wait for it...EATING OUT a couple of times this week.

Monday-Lazy Sunday Casserole (on Monday) and The Bread
Tuesday-Out to Dinner
Wednesday-Pizza and Salad
Thursday-Out to Dinner
Friday-Chicken Enchiladas, Mexi Rice, Avocado Salad
Saturday-Steven Plans for Dinner...I'm Outta Town!!!
Sunday-BBQ Meatballs, Broc-n-Cheese Casserole, Sweet Potatoes with Cinnamon Butter

Some New Recipes

I made three recipes from Pinterest this week.  All three were keepers.  Here's the rundown:

Layered Zucchini Parmesan

{via Handle the Heat}

Deliciousness: 10, It was yummy, and good for ya'

Preparation/Baking Ease: 7, the process was easy, but prepping was time con-sum-ing

Would I Make This Again?  Definitely, YES!

Cracker Barrel Hashbrown Casserole

Deliciousness: 8, Pretty stinkin' good, but not good for ya'

Preparation/Baking Ease: 10, short fixin' time and simple steps.

Would I Make This Again? Yes, especially if I need some comfort food

Easiest Dinner Ever

{via The Larson Lingo}

Deliciousness: 6, I would make this again, but not necessarily for guests

Preparation/Baking Ease: 10, The recipe name says it all.  Perfect for a busy day.

Would I Make This Again? Yes.  I have to have some simple stuff that can cook itself.

Since Pinterest is my newest addiction, you might see recipe reviews on here quite often.  I have a long list of baking goods that will all make me gigantically fat, but I do have one I plan on making this week. So long to the 2 lbs I've gained thus far in pregnancy. I'm about to blow up!

To All the Girls

A few weeks back I gave a list of things I vow not to do as a parent of a school aged child, but today I want to talk to the girls who are going to school. Especially those middle schoolers.

School can be a difficult place for kids in general, but girls can be especially vicious and not even realize it.  I was a victim of viciousness and dished it out.  When I look back at middle school days, it makes me sick.  So much time was wasted on my image instead of being focused on the person I should have been. 

I remember so clearly all the times I worried about what I was going to wear, how I was going to fix my hair, and who I was going to talk to at lunch.  Normal things.  Or was it?  Shouldn't I have been focused on what kind of person I was going to be for the day? 

I put thought into what I look like now.  I contemplate how I'll fix my hair.  I definitely choose who I want to hang out with, but it doesn't preoccupy every waking thought.  What does preoccupy my thoughts is how will I behave.  What will I choose to say or not say?  What kind of conversations will I participate in or not? 

We all make choices.  Fortunately I am older and wiser.  I know that the person I am is much more important than what my outward appearance.  Sure I want to look presentable, but I don't want to focus so much on my looks that I'm covering up the ugliness inside of me.  This is what I want the girls to know.  I want them to know that you will always regret what you wore in middle school...or high school...HELLO!  I wore scrunchies and had curled over bangs.  However, you don't have to regret who you were.  The girl who's always kind and guards what she says is rarely disliked.  The girl who goes out of her way to see others happy is rarely disliked.  The girl who has a genuine smile on her face is rarely disliked. 

Bottom line.  Be the person you weren't meant to be.  Don't pretend to be something you are not to fit into the popular crowd.  Don't compromise someone else's self image so you can feel better about yourself.  Keep your negative thoughts about others to yourself.  Not only should you NOT talk badly about other girls, but put a stop to those who are.  At the very least don't stand there and listen to it.

If I could go back to my middle school self, I would give myself the same advice.  You can't make everyone happy, but you can feel good about yourself by remaining blameless.  You can keep yourself from becoming labeled as one of these...

Super Hero Day

Before I even begin I have to flashback to last week.  We were at the library.  The wonderful librarian (who is the most awesomest ever) announces next week would be Super Hero Day.  The kids are to dress up as their favorite super hero and after storytime they would get to parade through the library.

So now you know the assignment, and you should know I like to follow directions.  To my surprise we were the only ones who followed directions.  With the exception of Little Miss.  Cinderella doesn't really constitute as a super hero costume.  She went as herself.  She was happy with that as long as 'herself' included a wearing a dress.

Anyway.  Little Man and Chunkey Monkey were all pumped to be dressed up, and I was proud of them that they rocked their costumes.  Little Man did get a little embarrassed at first, but then he realized he still looked cool.  That made his mama proud.  It only took him a minute to be okay with being different. 

Here's some little pics to capture the moments...

 {Super Hero Poses}

{Showin' off their gigantic muscles}

Our Zoo Day

I had one last little item left on our Summer List.  The summer has been too dang hot to take the kids to the zoo.  When I saw the high was only going to be 95 for Monday, I decided to enlist the help of my mom and drag her to the zoo with three little angels.  There wasn't a whole lot of dragging I had to do.  Our conversation went something like this...

Hey Mom!  Whatcha doing tomorrow?

Welllll, I should work in my classroom.  Why?

Do you want to go to the zoo with us tomorrow?

Of course.  See you tomorrow.

So that's how it went.  I love my mom.  She's always up to playing with her grandkids.  Even if that means she hasn't worked in her classroom and school starts next week. 

Now back to the zoo.  Seeing that these kids have the most mature leader ever, I had them take the most educational photos one could take at the zoo.  Including sticking their hand up the Mayan guy's nose outside the Rainforest Exhibit.  Then I asked if he had any boogers.  Yep, very mature.  After the Mayan pic, I asked them to take a pic with the monkeys so they look more like their ancestors.  For the record, I don't think we come from monkeys, but sometimes, just sometimes, I wonder about my kids...

We also had them see which penguin they resembled the most.  I voted for the Rockhopper, but Little Man was convinced he was the Emperor.  He hangs out with his daddy WAY too much! 

Ahhh, the petting zoo.  Where else can you contract fecal diseases and mites and fleas and who knows what else?  Petting zoos are gross, but I'm not going to let my thoughts get in the way of their good times.  So I let them pet and brush and snack and lick their fingers.  Good times.  Kidding.  They all washed their hands and then got sanitizer.  Double duty.  That's how we roll. 

Be sure to check out Chunky Monkey.  He reminds me so much of his dad.  He liked the animals from afar, but as soon as they came near him or looked at him, he was like, "Whatchyou lookin' at?"  As for Little Miss, she was just looking for someone to boss around.  The goats weren't too into that.

Now for my favorite part.  If you know me at all, you know I love to joke and pull pranks.  This was a proud moment for me.  Just check out Little Man.  A boy after my own heart.

If you're wondering who the man and woman are waiting for us, that's Steven's Uncle Pete and Aunt Mary from Chicago.  They were such troopers coming to the zoo with the kids, my mom, and I.  Who else does that?  Only family!

Menu Monday Fo' Real

Let me tell you what's not a good idea...

Running 3 miles, rushing home to take a shower, getting 3 kids ready for zoo, and then staying at the zoo for 3 hours.  Don't get me wrong. We had a sweaty good time.  We were tired.  We all came home and crashed for naps.  What was not very smart on my part was doing this on a day I teach gymnastics in the evening.  I'm gonna be pooped.

Anyway, thank you for understanding about the menu.  Little Man starts school next week so this blog may take a back seat.  My main focus is making sure his last days of summer are super duper fun.  What can I say?  He's my baby.  He makes me do crazy stuff.

Now for the menu...

Monday-Minature Meatloaf, Twice Baked Potatoes, Peas
Tuesday-Chicken Parmigiana, The Bread, Salad, Zucchini Bake
Wednesday-Italian Broiled Chicken, Cheesy Biscuits, Fresh Green Beans
Thursday-Easy Peasy Mexican Chicken Soup, Tortilla Chips, Corn Casserole
Friday-Fried Drumsticks, Mashed Potatoes, Corn (can you tell I still haven't made this???)
Saturday-Shredded BBQ Chicken Sandwiches and Homemade Fries
Sunday-Dinner @ Mom's

Menu Monday...Later Today

We had way too much fun this weekend, and we're heading out for the zoo this morning.  Menu Monday will have to wait until this afternoon.  Since this is the last full week before Little Man starts school, we are cramming it full of the fun stuff.  See you a little later today!

A Very Bad Habit

Pinterest is becoming a bad habit.  A very bad habit.  Case in point.  It was a leisurely Wednesday late afternoon.  I was beginning dinner preparations so we could all rush out the door to make it to church on time.  Making it to church on Wednesdays is usually a feat.  We have to be there by 6:15 to volunteer, which means we need to leave no later than 5:50.  This makes it difficult when Steven doesn't even get home from work until 5:30. Since he has just enough time to cram dinner down his throat, it is my duty to prepare dinner with 3 kids all the while getting Chunky Monkey ready to go home, and my two presentable for church.

I tell you all this so you can really see how much of a monster Pinterest has caused in me.  If all of the items above weren't enough, I decided to add just one more thing to my list.  As I was standing over the oven, this mental picture came to mind...

{Apple Cinnamon Donuts}

In my head I thought, I have all these ingredients.  What I wasn't thinking in my head was, I don't have time to be making these.  I let my stomach do my thinking.  That's a very scary thing.  So I made them.  Unfortunately, they didn't turn out as scrumptious as I expected.  Mainly because I overmixed the batter making them more like Apple Cinnamon Cookies instead of Apple Cinnamon Donuts.  But would I have another go at them again?  Yes.  Just not on church night.

Bragfest

I have a little boy.  He looks like this...

He has a heart like this guy...

And because he has a heart like his daddy, he does stuff that melts my heart all the time.  He is exactly what we prayed for before he was born.  He will make his wife very happy one day.  Of course that won't be for another 50 years.

Just fair warning to you.  I'm about to open a bragfest on my little boy who has a heart like his daddy.  I really only have two stories for you.  My first story has to do with a bank, his sister, and two suckers. 

It's the usual routine for the kids to each get a sucker when I go to the bank.  Being such a big guy, Little Man gets to reach in a pull out the suckers.  Yesterday there was a strawberry sucker and an apple sucker.  Little Man really wanted the strawberry sucker, so he handed Little Miss the apple sucker.  After much whining from Little Miss who wants all things pink, Little Man unwraps the strawberry sucker and hands it to his sister.  My heart melted.  Then my heart broke.  I look back in the rearview mirror and Little Man has tears streaming down his face.  He really wanted that sucker, but he gave it to his sister so she could be happy.

The next day, Little Man was talking about how much he wants a little brother.  Of course, Little Miss starts up with her two year old professional whining skills and pouts for a sister.  Little Man sits down beside her on the couch and says, "If you want a sister, you can have one."  Then he turns to me, "Mommy, it's okay.  You can have a girl."

He does things like this for his sister so often, I forget to really reflect on the person he's becoming.  I'm so proud of all his accomplishments at four.  He already shows such strong leadership skills and compassion I know it's nothing that comes from me.  It's all what God has put in him through his daddy.  Steven is an amazing man who has an amazing son.  I'm just thankful to be along for the ride.

Now for Little Miss, she's going to need to marry someone like her daddy.  Lord knows she'll needs a patient, loving man who knows how to put his foot down when it counts.

What Will We Eat?

Almost every morning I'm awakened by my early riser, Little Miss.  It usually comes in the form of, "Mommy, I want breasfast (breakfast)."  I then roll myself off the bed half awake and stumble in the kitchen to make her something.  There's not a whole lot of thought to it.  Maybe the choice of what to make, not how am I going to do it.  We're provided for.  No one is stopping me from feeding my children.  I am not watching my children suffer of hunger pains.  I am not watching my children lay lifeless on the ground wondering if they are going to survive the day.

I'm not sure about you, but the images of the families in Somalia/Kenya bother me so much.  I can't watch the news without my heart being burdened so heavily.  When I look at my well fed children, who have options of what to eat, my heart hurts for those who can't provide for their own families.  Yes, there is a hunger problem in our own community and communities throughout our country, but what's going on in Africa has a special place in my heart.

I think back to a few weeks ago.  I was telling Steven that I needed a new pair of running shoes.  My shoes have a ton of miles on them from the 15K run I completed back in October.  All the training runs and the actual race are on those shoes.  Of course Steven told me to just go get a pair, but I knew the money we had allotted for 'extras' for the month was running low so I was going to wait a week until we started fresh with a new 'extras' allotment.  No biggie.  Another week on already worn shoes wasn't going to kill me.  After all I NEEDED new shoes.

Or do I?  When it comes to the basics of life, new running shoes don't really fit the requirements.  I was made aware of this at church.  We sing this song where the lyrics are something to the effect of...Open up my eyes to the things unseen.  Show me how to love like you have loved me...

If I am really going to love like Christ has loved me, I am going to be concerned about things like starvation of children, and sickeness, and disease.  When it came down to it, running shoes suddenly weren't a need anymore.  They were a want.  I'm not saying we should not have things that are nice or the comforts of life.  We have plenty of comforts over here, but this was a way of God showing me that my needs are always taken care of, and I should help take care of the needs of others.  I have never felt better about giving when I donated all my running shoe money to Samaritan's Purse.  If I'm running and the balls of my feet start to ache, I think about all those little tummies that are being fed because God opened up my eyes to the things unseen.  That feels good.  It gives me purpose for this life.  That may take the question away from parents who wonder, "What will we eat?"

I strongly urge you to check out Samaritan's Purse and the work they are doing in Kenya here or you can watch the video above.  It's well worth your time, and I hope you feel compelled to help be part of the solution.  You will be blessed because of it.  I promise.

AND, for those of you wondering about my feet, I'll be sure to post a pic of my new running shoes once I get them.  It just won't be today!  Today my running shoes went to feed others.  What will your 'running shoes' go towards today?

Boy or Girl?

The Torres parents went to the baby doctor yesterday and we have a pretty good idea about the sex of the baby.  Am I going to tell you today? Well, that wouldn't be much fun would it?  Just giving up information so easily?  No way.  I like slow toture.  I didn't even tell my mama. She's dying to know, but she will have to wait five more weeks for the confirmation appointment.  (Alice, I know this is killing you too and I'm secretly enjoying it.)

Since I'm not 100% mean to the bone, I will share that Little Nugget was quite the mover this time during the ultrasound.  We got a great pic of the spine which ruled out a few major issues that can happen during pregnancy, and saw all sides of the baby.  Front, back, side, upside-down, right side up, twists and turns.  This baby is an atheltic little booger!

Now for the part I'm most excited about sharing.  My weight.  Not my actual weight, but my weight gain.  My first two pregnancies I gained a little over 10 lbs during my first trimesters.  With Little Man I worked out almost everyday and gained 12 lbs.  With Little Miss I walked a few times a week, and gained 10 lbs.  With Little Nugget I've been running just a few times a week, and I've only gained...wait for it...wait for it...2 lbs during my first trimest.  Did you catch that?  TWO POUNDS!  The only way to celebrate that awesomeness is with a piece of my mom's leftover Banana Split Dessert.

Last but not least, I'm ready to show the bump.  It's developed way faster than my other two offspring so I was hesitant to show it off.  However, since I can say I've only gained two pounds I guess I can show 'the bump'.  Are you ready???

You'll have to excuse the nastiness of the out of focus picture, and focus on the size of this belly.  Seriously!  This is me at 11 weeks.  ELEVEN WEEKS!  I wasn't this big with the other two until at least 15 weeks.  This is definitely going to be an interesting pregnancy.  The only positive thing I can think of is people no longer have to wonder if I've let myself go or developed a beer belly.  I officially looked knocked up.  Thanks Steven!

Menu Monday

My stomach is getting bigger.  Just picture a first time mom's stomach at 20 weeks, and then you'll get a good mental pic of me at 11 weeks.  Yes, baby number three has a way of making him or her self known.  As soon as I come to terms with the size of the stomach, I'll start posting pics.  Until then, I'll just leave you with the food we're eating which could or could not be a major contributor to my growing stomach.  I just like to blame it on the baby.

Monday-Grilled Dry Rub Pork Chops, Fruit Salad, Fresh Dilled Green Beans, Texas Roadhouse Rolls
Tuesday-Oven Baked Chimichangas, Corn on the Cob, Roasted Peppers and Onions
Wednesday-Homemade Pizza and Salad
Thursday-BBQ Meatballs, Baked Potatoes, Green Bean Casserole
Friday-Fried Drumsticks, Mashed Potatoes, Corn
Saturday-Poppyseed Chicken Bake, Broccoli and Cheese, Leftover Rolls
Sunday-Dinner @ Mom's

Ready

I love summer.  I do. I love the freedom of long days.  I love the smell of sunscreen on my tan babes.  I love popsicles, slip-n-slides, sprinklers, and such.  But I do not like this heat so much.  It's a little absurd to stay inside all day.  I wish the cooler temps to come and stay.

In all honesty, I love the changing of the seasons.  I love the change from extremes to mild. 100+ degree days over and over really have me longing for fall.  How about you?

 

Doesn't this look so inviting?  Little sweaters, blankets, a great book, and the people I love.  I can see us all under this tree feeling and breathing the crisp air and maybe, just maybe, a wiff of a fireplace burning.

What Prayer Can Do

I really debated sharing this story with you today because it's not something I like to think about in detail, but I'm going to because it has a really great lesson for me and probably for you too.

Last week, I took all three kids to Aldi like I usually do.  We have a great system worked out.  Little Miss rides in the actual seat up front because she's the smallest.  She helps me mark the items off the list.  Chunky Monkey sits in the buggy. He's the Cart Manager.  Little Man walks beside me as Inventory Manager.  He gets the items I need and hands them to the Cart Manager so he can put them in the buggy.  It works out brilliantly.  Rarely do we have issues with behavior or rowdiness, because all three kids have a job. 

Everything was going beautifully this trip until we got to the bagging part.  If you've never been to Aldi, after you check out you have to bag your own groceries.  No biggie.  While I bag I ask the kids to put at least one hand on the cart.  They play a game to see who can keep their hand on the longest.  It really was no difference this trip until one of the kids jumped on the side of the cart, still full of groceries, and pulled it forward.  Thankfully, that precious one got out of the way, but Little Miss did not.  The cart probably weighing at least 50 lbs crashed on top of my sweet, barely 25 lbs girl.  She went from standing upright to completely smashed on her back between a cart and tile.  The cart landed completely across her legs all the way up to her chest. 

My first reaction was to grab the cart with one hand and slide her out with the other.  That plan failed miserably.  The cart was too heavy for me to lift with one hand.  Thankfully, a man cashier had jumped up to pull the cart off of her to I could comfort my baby girl.  I remember all of that very clearly, but the events afterward are pretty blurry. I remember trying to calm Little Miss down, checking on Little Man and Chunky Monkey, and some kind older woman who asked if she could bag my groceries. Somehow we all made it out to the car and we were almost ready to leave when a woman grabs me by the arm and asks if she can pray over Little Miss.  I. Broke. Down.  Crying like a big 'ol baby because what the woman was saying was just too unbelievable.

In order to really appreciate the woman's words, I need to back up to the previous night.  Steven and I attended our usual Wednesday night church service.  The messages have been on healing, and Pastor  George shared a story about his daughter that he's shared many times before.  If I ever see you in person, you should ask me about it.  It's an amazing testimony of speaking God's Word for protection over your family.  For some reason, when I was rocking Little Miss that night I had a really strong urge to pray over her health and wellness.  Part of my prayer over her went something like this...

...Lord, I thank you that no weapon formed against her will prosper.  That is it your will for her to well and not sick...

The part that got me the most was the kind woman who asked if she could pray for my baby girl used the exact same words as I did.  That's what got me.  This is how God let me know that Little Miss was well protected.  I am so thankful He did, because when I called the nurse line the most horrid ideas were planted in my mind.  The nurse was wonderful.  She was doing her job letting me know the urgency of getting her in so she could be checked for concussion, broken ribs, internal bleeding, etc.  Of course fear jumped into my heart, but I remembered what I prayed and what the woman prayed for...no weapon formed against her will prosper...

I believed that with all my heart all the way to the doctor's office.  After a lengthy exam, Little Miss was given the all clear.  We basically walked out of the doctor's office with a little scratch on her knee.  A complete miracle.  I know that my prayer and the prayer from that wonderful stranger kept her safe. 

Praying God's Word works. It is His plan to keep you and your family well.  However, we live in a world that is full of Satan's wrath.  It is our job as Christians to know how to protect ourselves against Satan's nasty ploys.  Knowing what the Word says and speaking it is one of the best protectors against weapons formed against us.  I am so thankful I attend a church that teaches this truth.  If I hadn't known this information, I probably wouldn't be watching my precious girl throwing down some Chex Mix right now.  She's happy, healthy, and well.  Thanks be to God.

A Pregnancy Day

Hello All.  I'm taking a Pregnancy Day.  What's a Preggo Day you ask?  Well, it's when you've worked tirelessly to get your house spotless for a coupon class and then you bake some goodies so you don't have time to write down what's been floating around in your head.  Really pregnancy has nothing to do with why I didn't type anything out, I just didn't have time.  Nonetheless, I am pregnant and pregnant women LOVE to use that as an excuse (or at least I do), so I'm using it. Not to mention this is my last time to use it as an excuse so I'd better squeeze it in as much as I can.

Hey!  Maybe you can help me out with this.  What's your best, "I'm sorry.  I can't help you with that.  I'm pregnant," excuse.  Do spill.  I might run out of my own excuses and will need to borrow yours...

On a brighter note, I do have a lengthy true story post for you tomorrow.  Just FYI.  You know so you can grab your morning cup of joe and sit down for a good long story.  See you tomorrow.

Rhea Lana Giveaway #2

UPDATE: The winner to the giveaway pass is...

AMY CONNOR

You're name may not be Ginger, and you may not have won the $20 Rhea Lana of South Tulsa's Spending Cash, BUT you could win an early shopping pass.

We all know that the key to finding great deals at consignment sales is getting there early.  Most places you have to volunteer for HOURS and HOURS to get the good deals, but today you don't.  Since the ladies at Rhea Lana of South Tulsa are so generous, they are allowing ONE lucky reader this...

Get ready for it...

Brace yourself...

Get your Depends if you need it...

One lucky reader will receive the oh so coveted...

 EARLY SHOPPING PASS!!!

Yes, you read that right.  A Torres Tidbit-er will not have to volunteer to cut in on the best deals ever.  I only ask that if you win you don't rub it in to the other volunteers.  Like don't go up to a new mom who's wearing her newborn baby and say, "So how many hours did you work?  You should ask me how many I did.  NONE!  Ha. Ha." 

Yeah, that would not go over well.  Since the early shopping day is well...TODAY @ 5pm this giveaway will close at 2pm and I'll announce the winner @ 2:30.  How's that for a fast turnaround???

To enter all you have to do is leave a comment on this blog, or on the link that posts to Facebook.  I'm really curious to know what you're looking for at this sale.  So do tell!

Menu Monday and a WINNER!

The winner for the $20 Rhea Lana of South Tulsa's Spending Cash is...

Ginger Hornstein

Congrats Ginger!  Email me at wispclips@hotmail.com to claim yo' prize.

If you didn't win and you plan on shopping Rhea Lana of South Tulsa this week, come back tomorrow.  I'll be hosting yet another giveaway from Rhea Lana!

Onto the menu for the week.  This is what sounds good to me right now.  We'll see if it all gets made.  Lately when it comes to making dinner, my preggo stomach can't handle what's on the menu so it gets changed.  This is the main reason why you'll see some repeats from last week. It didn't get consumed so it gets thrown back on the menu. 

Monday-Mexican Lasagna, Corn Saute, Arroz con Gandules

Tuesday-Chicken Salad Sandwiches and Sweet Potato Fries

Wednesday-Lemon Grilled Chicken, Broc Bake, Texas Roadhouse Rolls

Thursday-Dinnner @ the Kueny's

Friday-Dinner @ the Kueny's...again...Happy Party Day, Owen!

Saturday-Fried Drumsticks, Mashed Potatoes, Gravy, and Corn

Sunday-Easy Beef Stroganoff, Peas, Butter Bread