Samantha Michelle Photography

My youngest sister is starting a business. She has always had a great eye. After lots of prayer and studying she is starting her own photography business. Head on over and check out her blog!

Samantha Michelle Photography

This is one of my new favorites that she took, of my favorite subject!

This day-Two Years Ago

I have been reminiscing lately, going through all my photos in iphoto looking at how much has changed in such a short time span. As I was looking through photos tonight and looked at the dates of certain photos, it dawned on me...it was this day two years ago that I my surgery was reversed and I was allowed off of bedrest. All in all I was on bedrest from week 22 to week 36. Man that is a long time when I look at like that. I was so excited to be done with that part of my pregnancy for obvious reasons. I was that much closer to meeting E face to face, I got to get up and get out of the house, and let's be honest I did not enjoy being pregnant so I was that much closer to being done! But the main reason was it was a huge sigh of relief, the whole time I was on bedrest I was worried, the surgery wouldn't hold and I would give birth to E way too early, I was always on edge (not to mention that tributaline medication did not help that edge). Everytime he moved I held my breath, trying to determine if it was a contraction or really just him moving, as much as I tried to be positive there was always a thought of doom and gloom in my head. But finally I made it. I was so excited!
That day I was free to be a happy "normal" pregnant lady. I went to Target and Babies R Us to buy stuff off my registry in person, I went out to lunch. I ran errands ALL day long, and then Chris and I went out to dinner. It was awesome, but let me tell you my body was exhausted. That was the most I had done in months, literally! The countdown was on...no one knew when the little dude would arrive. I was a day shy of 36 weeks and the doctors said he could be here anytime... So when would he arrive?

This is me at about 35-36 weeks

The big project

Every Christmas break Chris and I end up doing some sort of reorganization project. We never plan it, it just sort of happens. This year...We made Ethan a big boy room. Our little baby is growing up. I am so sad and yet at the same time so proud and happy for him. He has grown so much in even the last two weeks. Working full time, Chris and I sometimes have a hard time remembering he is not a baby. It is too easy to keep him as a baby, but after being home with him for a full week over break, we decided he was a big boy and needed a big boy room. So we turned his crib into a toddler bed, cleaned out his closet (his closet has been acting as our "garage" since we moved in here) and made a trip to Ikea for some organizational tools.
The greatest part of the whole thing...ALL of Ethan's toys now fit in his room. Our living room is starting to look like a living room, not a play room.

Tortilla Soup

With my mother's blessing, I am posting her Tortilla soup recipe. I love it. What is posted below is the basic recipe, however feel free to add to it. I often add an avocado garnish, but I did not have any, so no avocado this time. My grandmother likes to add all sorts of vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, etc. It is so simple and quick (I am always look for simple, tasty, quick recipes).

Ingredients:

• 2 Cans of White Chicken
• 2- 16 ounce cans of Chicken Broth
• 1- 32 ounce can of Tomato sauce
• One bunch of Cilantro
• A few bunches of Green Onions
• 1 Pkg of Taco Seasoning
• 1 16 ounce can of Corn
  
• Garlic Cloves-to taste
• 2-16 ounce cans of Mexican Style Stewed Tomatoes
• Tortilla Chips
• Grated Cheddar Cheese

Heat cilantro and onions together. Add rest of ingredients. Simmer. Spoon into bowls and top with Tortilla Chips and grated Cheese.

Doesn't it look delicious. Yummy!

Most children like it...however Ethan just ate the soaked chips and the cheese from the top. I tried.

I even had some leftovers so I decided to freeze some, for a later date and then left enough for my lunch the next day (please ignore the fact that my stove is filthy in this photo, I am a messy cook!). Perfect! Bon Appetite!

Pray for Baby Miles

*** UPDATE***
Thank you for your prayers!! Miles surgery was a success. Doctors thought this would be one of two surgeries with this first one being exploratory to see what exactly needed to be done. But God is amazing and faithful to hear the cries of his people and the doctors were able to complete the procedure in this surgery. He still has some recovery to do so please continue to lift him up.
You can read the full story about God's miracles with this family here.


About six weeks ago my friend and former college roommates, gave birth to twin boys. The boys were born at about 29 and a half weeks gestation. Both boys have made amazing strides. Tomorrow about noon one of the boys, Miles, is scheduled to have surgery for his esophagus. Right now Miles esophagus is not connected to his tummy. Please pray for Miles that the surgery goes well for Miles is a success, pray for his mommy and daddy tomorrow, and pray for the doctors performing the surgery. We have a big God and despite some peoples belief, He DOES still do miracles!!
You can check out their story here.

The calm following the holidays

The Christmas Break was nice. It was a bit too short, but it always is. I am sometimes torn about my feelings for the holidays. I love them so much: the meaning, the lights, the colors, the spirit, the baked goodies, the food; and then there are things I do not like about the holidays: they never seem relaxing, and it seems every minute is scheduled out with little time to actually stop and enjoy the season. Don't get me wrong I love the energy and seeing everyone but the "Winter Break" (as it is called at work) is not so much a break. I am usually pretty tired once all is said and done. It does not help that every Christmas break Chris and I decide to do some sort of major re-organizational project. We never plan that, it just seems to be a nice natural time for things like that to occur. But more on that another day.

This weekend though I feel as if I am getting back into the goove and have found more energy. The last few days at work I have been able to spend time in my office (shocker, I am almost never in my office, always out running from site to site) catching up on all the "paper" parts of my job. It feels good to finally have all the stacks that have covered my desk for the past two months gone.

Today we had a nice relaxing day. I went to lunch with some girlfriends and Chris and E had a boy day. When I got home, we took E to the park to ride his new tricycle and play. We ran an errand or two (Target where I was informed that it is going to be transformed into a Marketplace Target in the coming months!!). On the way home the sky was a beautiful magenta color. Absolutely amazing believe me this photo does God's beauty no justice. After that we came home and made a nice little dinner.
I am not sure why the last few days have felt more relaxed to me they just have and I am so thankful for that. How has your weekend been?

Illegal

Someone should tell Ethan it is illegal to talk on the phone while operating a motor vehicle.