What's Happening with the Staples

1.) We bought a HOUSE! A place to call our very own! It was a crazy process and not something we were planning on doing at this time but everything pointed to the direction that this was the right move for us. The house that we are currently renting, the landlords wanted to put it on the market. We agreed to it and they were going to give us 60 days notice if someone was interested. Right away they were getting offers, lower then the asking price so none were considered. But it made us really think about what our next move was going to be. Do we rent another house...NO! But we were open to the idea if that was what needed to happen. A good family friend took us under her wing and started showing us some houses. Everything was selling so fast...it was crazy! I would see a house online that I liked and that night it would be under contract. So long story short, a house popped up that we were interested in and we actually wrote the contract before we even looked at the house. We quick looked at it...LOVED it and 4 hours later were delivering the contract. Whats even more CRAZY and what made our decision that much easier was that the people that sold the house 4 years ago to the current sellers were good family friends. (And I went with their son to my senior prom:)!) So we knew that house was taken care of and was a good family home. They accepted our offer...it was all so surreal. We seriously feel so blessed! It was great renting and we had some really cute apartments and houses along the way with lots of wonderful memories but it was time to have our very own home. Somewhere I can garden, paint and truly make ours!

We haven't moved yet. We closed May 24th but the sellers are moving out of the country and needed more time before they moved out. With that said we are renting it back to them for a month. We take ownership June 30th! Our first home improvement job will be removing the popcorn ceilings...we thought it would be easier before we moved all of out stuff in.

Now I get to pack, pack, pack..and clean, clean, clean. But I am actually excited about it because God willing it will be our last time packing for awhile! God is SO good!

 

This was the day we closed! 

2.) Baker is potty trained! YAY! If Baker was my first child I potty trained I would have been worried about Jacob. Jacob was SO difficult to potty train...we are still working on accidents! He seriously holds it till the very last minute...does the potty dance and still will refuse to go. He is so afraid he is going to miss something...even in the morning it is like pulling teeth getting him to change out of his pull-up. And he is still very wet at night (which I know is normal). Baker on the other hand had been showing interest. He would tell me occasionally he had to go potty and go! I decided to try putting him in underwear after Dave was done with campus for the school year. I really thought he would be like Jacob and I would need all the help I could get. That was NOT the case. He seriously was completely potty trained in 3 days...it is seriously the craziest thing to me. He is even dry at night. I didn't do anything different then what I did while training Jacob. I actually don't even know what to say about the whole thing it was so easy...I guess it just goes to show you that all kids are different and learn at different speeds. We are thrilled over here though! Go Baker!  

Here is Baker at the zoo...this pictures cracks me up because it reminds me of Billy Madison. 

3.) Beau is crawling...and getting into everything. Because this child is HUGE he didn't do anything for the longest time. He would just lay there or sit in his excer saucer. But one day he sat up on his own...the next week he was crawling and now he is everywhere! Climbing up stairs, pulling himself up, climbing in to the toy box (not even kidding!) He loves it and so do we! So fun!

4.) Dave is home for the summer! Well I should say he is home for the summer but working really hard too! I LOVE having him home, even if he is behind a locked door! Drinking coffee with him in the morning, having him eat lunch with us in the afternoon, taking breaks here and there and watching movies in the evening after the kiddos go to bed. Its wonderful!

5.) Jacob got a new bike for the summer! Here is a picture of the big boy!

6.) New favorite song of the week! Turn it up and try not to dance! 

Today my very dear friend, Cynthia, featured me on her blog in her mother to mother series. I gave practical ways on how to keep a clean and organized house. Read it here....as well as other women who have given advice in the same area...and on the morning routine!

Cynthia has a beautiful blog and always has something insightful to day. Check her out for sures!

Lent

Lent begins in 2 days for the Roman Catholic Church. 40 days to grow closer to our Lord, to grow in discipline and to anticipate Christ rising from the dead on Easter . I really do enjoy Lent. Its a time for me to choose some of my vices and things I would like to work on and do it.

I always like to hear what others are doing for Lent...so if you are willing, please share. It helps give me ideas. I have some things that I will do...I have some ideas I have been praying about, but I would like to do some new things as well.

These are some Lenten ideas I have been praying about:

- Getting up at 6 am to shower and pray before the boys wake up

- Going through In Conversation with God for part of my Lenten mediation

- Taking the boys to Adoration for 10-15 minutes and pray outside planned parenthood on Friday afternoons.

- Pray the Rosary daily (don't judge :-), the Rosary is SUPER hard for me!)

- Take the Facebook app off my phone - not give up Facebook completely, just not have it as accessible.

- no sweets

What do you do for your children to help them experience Lent? I did made a stations of the cross box for the boys this year. I got the ideas of what to put in the box here. I just bought a wooden box from Hobby Lobby and painted it purple. We are placing all the pieces for each station in the box. I was also thinking about putting 40 "to do's" in a jar that they pick everyday. They would be things like; help mommy with the laundry, help make the beds, pick up toys, etc. They do do these things everyday, it will just be a way for us to think, meditate and talk about what Christ did for us as we are doing that specific chore. I'm not quite sure of all the logistics yet, so if you have done something similar like this with your children please share.

This is the first year that I think Jacob will start to understanding Lent. That we do things during these 40 days to grow closer to our Lord and think about how He died on the cross for us to save us from our sins.

Also, what do you think? Do Sundays count during Lent as part of your Lenten sacrifice or is it a "cheat day", a mini Easter? In the past I have always done what I gave up for Lent on Sundays. I am just interested in what others think and possibly doing it different this year.

I pray that you all have a blessed Lent!

Valentines Day

I know this "holiday" seems a little cliche....but I really like valentine's day! I think that valentines day was created by the greeting card companies as a way for people to spend more money, but I think its pretty fun.

The boys woke up to little valentine presents that they have thoroughly enjoyed all morning...as well as some chocolate. *side-note...when you give a 2 year old chocolate at 7:30 in the morning there will be repercussions...like jumping from the 5th...yes a said 5th...stair and running around like a CRAZY man :) But its all in good fun and Dave and I got a good chuckle about the whole thing. Dave got a present and card from me...I really like giving gifts.

We are all dressed in red...I even made my husband:)

We made valentines for friends.

We have read lots of books about valentines day. My favorite is Little Critter Valentines Day

For lunch we will have peanut butter and jelly sandwiches shaped like a heart. And its fun to color their milk red.

After rest we will talk about St. Valentine...learn more about him here.

For dinner we will have a heart shaped pizza from Papa Murpheys and valentine cookies for desert.

Maybe a little over the top...yes maybe! But seriously...we are having fun today! Maybe its the kindergarten teacher coming out in me...who knows!

My little valentines!

I hope everyone has a wonderful day spent with friends and loved ones!

Happy Valentines Day!

My Friend, Stacy.

I grew up swimming and met most of my awesome friends throughout my time in the water...here is the story of my friend, Stacy.

In the 4th grade my mom put me on the YMCA swim team. I loved it so much that I wanted to swim year around. When we moved to Colorado we found FAST (Fort Collins Area Swim Team) where I continued to live in the water. When I entered high school I was on the Rocky Mountain Lobos swim team. I had SO much fun with those girls and have so many memories from my time swimming in high school. When high school was over I was ready to hang up my goggles and swim cap. I wanted to experience college without swimming. I was done with the chlorine smell..seriously every time I got wet the smell would resinate from my skin. I was done with the tinged yellow hair. I was ready to live outside the water.

My first semester at UNC (University of Northern Colorado) I needed to take a PE class. I decided to take swimming just to have some fun time in the water. After 2 weeks in the class the swim instructor, who was also the swim coach, asked me and another girl if we were interested in swimming for the UNC swim team. She saw potential she said. I thought about it for a couple days and decided that it would be a lot of fun and it was something that I would like to do.

The first day of swim practice I was nervous.

I was scared.

These girls had already been swimming together for a couple weeks, they were in better shape then I was and they had already gotten to know each other. Here I was, the new girl.

I remember getting there a few minutes early. I put my swimsuit and cap on. I was ready to introduce myself.

The girls began to enter the locker room. Here goes nothing...

Within seconds, without hesitation, a blond, curly haired girl approached me and introduced herself. "Hi, my name is Stacy Frey." Right then and there the awkwardness left. The uneasiness left. The nervous butterflies left.

Stacy quickly put on her swimsuit and took me by the hand and led me out to the pool where she introduced me to every other girl on the swim team.

Stacy made my first day of swim practice comfortable. That is where we became best friends.

After that moment we spend ALL of our time together. Swim practice of course... breakfast, lunch and dinner in the cafeteria, parties, parties and more parties. We were friends. Friends that enjoyed spending time together. Friends that made each other laugh. Friends that told secrets. Friends that cried together. Friends that comforted each other when boys broke our hearts. Friends that shared life with one another.

Stacy would come home with me for Easter where we would drink one too many mimosas. We wold see scary movies together and then I would need her to stay the night because I was scared out of my mind. She would go through haunted houses with me and hold my hand the whole time. We would sit on the bus next to each other on the way to swim meets and laugh and tell jokes and tell each other not to take that last bite of our sandwich. We would tell each other the truth about the outfit we had chosen to wear to The Armory. We would dance like nobody was watching...all the time. We even spent a summer together working at a camp in New York.

I loved my time with Stacy.

Stacy says what she thinks and feels without hesitation. Everyone who comes in contact with Stacy immediately is friends with her. She doesn't make anyone feel uncomfortable...ever. She is funny. Like pee your pants funny. She is honest. She is joyful. She is beautiful.

She made my time at UNC worth it all.

Almost 3 years ago my friend Stacy was diagnosed with ALS also known as Lou Gehrigs disease or Motor Neuron Disease. A year before she was diagnosed she married her soulmate, Mike. She met Mike at that same summer camp in New York where he also worked. He is from Australia and that is where they now live. Mike is basically Stacy in the male form and those two together are the real deal.

2 years ago I went out and visited Stacy and Mike in Montana while they were back for a fundraiser. My time with them was absolutely beautiful.

Stacy and Baker

One of the things that left me awe-struck while visiting them was the love that Mike and Stacy have for one another. Mike is Stacy's body and does things for her without being asked. Every time I think about the way Mike took care of Stacy, the way he looked at her with love, the way he joked with her and the way he finished her sentences brings tears to my eyes. Their love is truly a self-giving love.

Mike and Stacy

We never will understand why God allows certain things to happen or why He allows suffering in this world. But I do know that Stacy is an inspiration to me and to all those around her. I do know that God blessed her with Mike to be her husband and go through this journey with her, to have a best friend by her side always. She truly lives life to the fullest.

Her friendship means the world to me and I am a better person for having Stacy as a friend.

I love you very much Stacy.

Happy 30th Birthday!

Praying for the Superbowl.

Jacob: "Mom, I need to pray for the Superbowl." As he grabs a Rosary from our Rosary box.

Me: "Okay"

Jacob: "Dear God, please help the Superbowl players have enough food to eat. Amen."

Amen brother...I hope we all have enough delicious food to eat today!

Have a happy Superbowl Sunday!

Go Giants!

10 Things you Never Knew...

About the writer of this blog

I was tagged to do this fun little post by my dear friend Cynthia. And on this snowy day with the boys out sledding with their daddy, the little Beau asleep (for probably 2 more minutes...have I mentioned he is a terrible sleeper!), the house picked up and the laundry put away I thought 'YES!!!'

10.) I really like my house picked up and organized. The beds have to be made everyday and the counters have to be disinfected every day...that one might be a little OCD. The toys all have there special place and...I am embarrassed to say this one...but as we are putting toys aways I count to make sure all the toys are together. If we have 10 little people, I count to make sure there all together...you get the point. ANAL!

9.) I really cannot function in the morning without my coffee. Before we do ANYTHING I have to have that cup in hand. For Christmas we got a coffee pot with a timer and it has been the best. thing. ever. Waking up in the morning to already brewed coffee...yes please!

8.) I dress the boys alike...pretty much everyday. If Jacob is wearing sweatpants, Baker and Beau will wear sweatpants. If Baker is wearing brown pants then the other two have brown pants on as well. You get the point.

7.) I love watching movies. Especially romantic movies where I need a box of tissues by my side.

6.) I want more children (God-willing) and I DO pray that we are blessed with a girl someday...but I really want 5 boys all in a row. My own little basketball team!

5.) I have my toes painted all the time, even in the winter...I really just like to have pretty toes!

4.) Before getting pregnant with Beau John Paul we had a miscarriage. Little Cecilia Anne is in heaven looking upon us everyday. I ask her to pray for me everyday and I feel especially close to her when receiving our Lord in Holy Communion. I miss her and am blessed to have had her with us for a short while. Our family has a little saint in heaven praying for us.

3.) I really wish that I could sing. And believe me I can not...at all. Sometimes I pretend that I can.

2.) I like to cook...but I don't LOVE it. I wish I did but I don't. We are pretty simple over here and when I bake...it's usually from a box!

1.) I make popcorn almost every night....its our favorite!

Well there you go folks! 10 things you never knew! Make your own! Can't wait to ready others!

Whats Happening with The Staples...

1.) My Beau is 4 1/2 months old! How did that happen so fast? We love him so much! He just started rolling over...both directions. Seriously it makes us ALL laugh when we put him on the floor and he starts rolling all the way to the other side of the room. I think he knows we enjoy it:). His sleeping...is well that of a 4 month old...we need to work on it;). He is BIG...weighing in at 20.1 pounds and 27 inches long! His smile melts my heart and I am holding on to every minute of it. Its funny how your mothering changes as you have more children. I still have a lot to learn, but I have grown so much. Jacob and Baker have grown so fast...and it all will happen...no need for me to stress about it- just enjoy it :)

2.) The 2 year old Baker has decided he likes to pee in the potty! Every time he goes he gets to give EVERYONE an M&M. He loves it and gets so excited about it. He likes flushing the toilet, washing his hands and being the big boy that he is! I still have him in diapers...the pooping I do not think we are ready for. This child poops at least 4 times a day...um do any of you have a child like this? I seriously will be jumping for joy the day he starts going poop in the toilet.

3.) The boys have all been sick this week. I don't mean to be gross but we have had more snot coming out of noses then I was prepared for...I had to run to the store to get more Kleenex. And what is it about a child wiping their nose on their sleeves...it grosses me out and we have had to change shirts at least 3 times a day. A couple blogging friends I have recommend this. I just ordered it. They have been champs through it all and are on the mend.

4.) Spinning! I am in love! I love the burn...the rush..the fatigue...the way it makes me feel! I love it all! It makes me happy. I have also signed up for the Horsetooth half marathon for April 22nd. I am EXCITED! I ran a half marathon about 8 years ago and am looking forward to conquering it again!

5.) Dave and I have been watching Friday Night Lights, per recommendation of some friends of ours. Its good. I really just love snuggling on the couch in the evening with my husband and a glass of wine. It makes me happy.

6.) The other day we were cleaning up toys and Jacob looks over at me and says; "Mommy, your really pretty. When you get little can we get married?" I love the innocence and his heart. My response was that I get to be his mommy forever and that is the best job! It really is.

7.) I had some empty wall in the boys room and made this...I was really excited about it. I just went to Hobby Lobby ( love that store BTW) and bought some wooden letters for 60 cents a piece and some paint. Painted the letters and hung them on the wall with tacky stuff.

8.) My dear friend Cynthia was having a giveaway at her blog and I won! I was so excited when I found out and am SUPER pumped about the carseat cover! YAY!

5 years...

Last week Dave and I celebrated 5 years of marriage! I can't believe it! In 5 years we have had 3 beautiful boys...one little girl in heaven, 5 moves and a master's for Dave almost complete! Its been a busy 5 years, full of wonderful memories, lots of laughter and plenty of tears...both tears of joy and sadness! I have had my best friend by my side through it all! Every year we go back and watch our wedding video and relive the day! So much fun!!! I love seeing all the friends that were part of our day...and everyone dancing at the reception is a plus! I am so grateful for this video! The boys watched it with us this year...it was so much fun..they kept asking where they were in the video....they didn't quite get it! 5 years...in the scheme of things is really not that long, its fun to know that this is just the beginning of out life together. God willing we will have MANY more memories together, have more children and lots more adventure in this wonderful world of parenthood!

November 25, 2006

Our first Easter with Jacob

Now a family of 4...finding our pumpkins

5 of us in September

Earlier this year I posted the story of how Dave and I met and our engagement story...I am reposting it HERE if you want to read it again!

Have a blessed day!

Where have I been?

So last night I was on my way to my book group when listening to the radio I instantly feel in love with a song....who could this be I thought? I shazamed it (if thats a word, I love my shazam app!) It was this song....

Where have I been you asked? Apparently this artist has been around awhile. I have heard all about Adele on the news lately with her throat surgery. My good friend Cynthia has mentioned her to me on several occasions...but it just never stuck! Last night I went and downloaded her album...and its been playing all day:)

So if you were like me and just disregarded this great music...don't anymore and listen! You won't be disappointed!

Have a wonderful Friday! And Happy listening!

Whats Happening with The Staples...

Well its been awhile since I have been on here....

Its been hard to find balance between it all... nursing, having quality time with the boys, homeschool preschool (which is SO much fun), quality time with my husband, keeping a clean house, keeping up with the laundry...and just keeping up with the things of everyday life, errands, bills, balancing the check book, etc. I know it will come...give yourself 3 months is what I keep having to remind myself. Here is a quick take at what we have been up to...

Halloween

1.) Beau is absolutely perfect! He fits in wonderfully and is loved by everyone in the house! Jacob and Baker simply adore him...a little too much sometimes:)! Seriously the amount of kisses they give this sweet baby! Beau is a BIG boy...as he was from the beginning. He is almost 2 months old (where did the time go?) and is over 15 pounds! I have him in 6 month clothes already, which I am actually grateful for...thats were all my warm baby clothes are! He is a good eater...sleeps well..and literally NEVER cries! God has blessed us with Beau! The transition of 2 to 3 has actually been easier them 1 to 2! It is SO beautiful bringing a new soul into your family...watching your family grow and watching the love between your children!

I love this smile!

2.) SO I have started weight watchers once again... It has been more difficult this time for me to log in what I eat. I was at a different place last time I began WW...Baker was 1 already so it was easier for me to focus on me..if that makes sense. But I will get there, discipline is a good thing:) It will also be nice to get back in shape before Beau is 1...right? Thats what I keep telling myself! I have been making it to the gym about 3 times a week. Dave watches the boys Tuesday mornings and my mom comes and watches the boys Thursday mornings (I love living close to family). I just have to make sure I make it one other time that week. Its been good. I'm excited about my goal.

Beau and Me

3.) We have began preschool here at the Staples. We are doing The Little Saints preschool program. It is really fun and so cute! We do it 3 times a week for about an hour. We just finished learning about safety and next week we will move on to shapes! I have noticed their behavior is better on the days that we do preschool. I spend quality time with them, we read, sing songs, do an art project, talk and laugh! After that they are okay with being by themselves for a short while and playing. They get a long better and let me get some things done. I have really enjoyed it too...it's bringing back the teacher in me!

Jacob painting

4.) Beau John Paul was baptized on October 16th. It was such a blessed day with friends and family. We are blessed to have our good friends the Schroeders be the godparents of Beau. Thank you to all that joined us on this beautiful day!

The Staples came to visit

5.) Here is a song for your listening pleasure...I couldn't decide between the acoustic or regular version...so here are them both. You can decide!

I hope that you all have a wonderful Wednesday...hopefully i will be back here soon to write more!

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Initially Boy Baby Announcements

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Tag!

This morning I woke up tired and exhausted from last night's drama (which included several...I mean SEVERAL intense contractions that led me to believe that I would be holding my sweet baby this morning...but no such luck :(. I got on to check my morning blogs...and my dear friend Cynthia invited me to play along in a little game of answer these questions! Too much fun...how could I resist!

If you have a chance visit Cynthia's blog...which is full of beautiful, inspirational writings, good music and fun ideas!

What's your occupation right now? I am blessed to stay at home with my two beautiful boys (almost 3..come on baby Beau)! It is the hardest thing I have ever done and the thing that has led me closer to our Lady and our Lord. Through their constant grace I am able to strive to live out my vocation.

What are you listening to right now? I have been on a country kick lately...laugh if you want! But I can't get enough of Keith Urban, Bard Paisely, Blake Shelton, Carrie Underwood and much much much more! That twang puts a smile on my face!

What was the last thing you ate? Strawberry Yogurt! Something to get that baby moving this morning!

How old are you today? 29...not to far away is the big 30!

What is your favorite sport to watch on tv? I LOVE football season with my husband. It excites me to sit on the couch and watch a good old football game with my husband...and boys! They tackle when the football players tackle! It is quite enjoyable!

Favorite drink? I am on a lemonade kick! That is what the pregnant belly wants! Have you tried the premium lemonade at Wendy's? Or the lemonade at Chic-fi-la??? Oh my goodness...yes please!

Favorite new song? Like i said before my country side is coming out...Love Brad Paisely's new song..Alabama

What is the last movie you watched? The Rite...good movie but left me with weird dreams.

Favorite day of the year? I LOVE Thanksgiving! Such yummy food, a beautiful time of year and a great time to spend with family!

What was your favorite toy as a child? I would have to agree with Cynthia and say that I loved my Barbies! I loved setting up the "dream house", dressing them in all their fun outfits and have Ken and Barbie fall in love!

What is your favorite season? Fall hands-down! I almost pulled out all my fall decorations this weekend but I resisted! The crisp air, apple picking, pumpkins, leaves falling, sweaters, football...it all makes me so excited thinking about it! And this year a new baby:)

Cherries or blueberries? Cherries make my tummy happy!

When was the last time you cried? Last night. I really thought we would be gong to the hospital. I just sat in the boys room and sobbed...because I knew everything was going to change. A good change but nonetheless change. Why is change so hard?

What is on the floor of your closet? A big tub of maternity clothes...and I am excited to be done with those! I seriously wear the same 3 outfits every week!

Who is the friend you have had the longest? Adria...meet her in 6th grade when we moved to Colorado and have been best friends ever since. I am blessed to have her in my life! Love you A!

What did you do last night? We ate leftovers for dinner, gave the boys a bath, put them to bed (without any hiccups)...said good-bye to my husband who was going out to do his fantasy football draft...and then proceeded to have contractions.

How many states have you lived in? 5 states...Wisconsin, Nebraska, Colorado, Kansas and Florida.

What is your favorite kind of flower? Gerber daisy's and tulips! Love. Love. Love.

Did you have fun?? Thanks for following a long :)

Here are the people I will tag: Caitlin, Julie and Lisa

So I cannot figure out this font thing...and how to post a video from youtube...I have done it before but am giving up for today. Wierd.

Still Pregnant!

Well it is September 6th and I was due yesterday...so yes I am still very much pregnant! Hopefully he decides to come into this world soon...very soon!

Does anyone have anything up their sleeves that made their little one arrive??? I have tried many...last night I even drank a dark beer because I heard that helps start things!

I feel like things are moving along though! I have been having many contractions...just not extremely regular! I go to the doctor tomorrow and I will find out my progress...hopefully good news!

If anyone has any prayer intentions I would love to pray for you during my labor. Either leave them in the comment box, message me on facebook or send me an email! I would LOVE to pray for you...those few readers I have :)

Summer Salads

I just simply LOVE salads in the summer! They are light and refreshing! (especially when you have no air conditioning and you don't want to heat up the house!) We usually just grill chicken and throw it on top of some lettuce with lots of other yummy vegetables! I am always very content after one of these salads and not to mention the cleanup is SUPER easy!

Yesterday I was making a meal for a friend that just had a sweet baby boy and I came across this salad in my recipe box that a friend made for me when Baker was born! It was so delicious and I made it several times last summer but forgot about it until I made it for her yesterday! It is on the menu for tonight and I am SO looking forward to it! It is an expensive salad to make up front but once you have all the ingredients you will use them over and over again!

Strawberry Spinach Salad

1 lb spinach (or however much you need)

1/2 of a red onion (I usually use a little less then half of the onion)

3/4 cup sliced almonds (I eye it)

diced strawberries

dressing:

1/2 cup sugar

1/4 cup olive oil

1/4 cup apple cider vinegar

2 Tbsp sesame seeds

1 Tbsp poppy seeds

You will really have to shake or stir this dressing to dissolve the sugar and it will continue to settle on the bottom so really stir it every time you want to use it!

This salad goes REALLY well with yummy chicken parmesan! This is the recipe I use for chicken parm:

chicken breasts

1 egg

italian bread crumbs

2 jars regular spaghetti sauce

mozzarella cheese

cilantro

2 limes

1. preheat oven to 400

2. put aluminum foil on a cookie sheet

3. dip the chicken in the egg and then the bread crumbs

4. place chicken on cookie sheet

5. put chicken in oven and cook for about 25 - 30 minutes

6. put 1 jar of sauce in the bottom of a baking dish and put in a handful of chopped cilantro and squeeze 1 lime into the sauce. (gives it a fun taste)

7. Put chicken in sauce and add more sauce to cover the chicken. I always add more cilantro and squeeze another lime on top!

8. Add mozzarella cheese on top

9. cook for another 10-15 minutes until chicken is cooked all the way.

This is so yummy and the cilantro and lime give the sauce a really delicious taste!

Believe me...you.will.love.this.

Let me know what your favorite summer salads are or some favorite meals you make during the summer that don't heat up the house!

The Seasons of Life

As I sit here this morning watching the boys play outside, digging in the dirt, climbing up the slide, hiding behind the tree they call their fort, getting along for the most part:), I can't help but feel how blessed I am. I am also thinking about how much my life will change in just a little over 8 weeks (probably more...I am typically late with the babes!)

I sit here sipping my coffee with my feet up just watching my boys go on their many adventures. They don't really need me right now..they are completly fine on there own...and enjoying their freedom too! Thats how life is right now...typically pretty easy when it comes to entertaining the boys. Yes, sometimes I do feel like a WWF referee breaking up the constant fun of wrestling and tackling that has gone a little to far and isn't fun for one of them anymore. But really I can't complain. We put the boys to bed at 8 and I pretty much don't see them till the morning, there is the occasional visit in the middle of the night that is fixed with a quick kiss, a re-tuck in and a rub on the head...and maybe a prayer or too...but they go back to sleep. With a good nights sleep this means I am able to get up at 6 to pray and shower before I see the beautiful faces of my boys. (believe me when I say I am such a better mom if I have had a cup of coffee and some prayer time before we start our day!) When we go out I don't have to bring a diaper bag and remember the million things that a newborn might possibly need. I don't have to think about the type of shirt I need to wear that will work with nursing while we are out. We can go out in the mornings without wrecking anyones nap schedule. They eat the same thing at lunch and they can feed themselves! They go down for nap at the same time..on their own and sleep. We have routine. This is the season of life that we are in right now...but it will soon change.

When a new baby enters the picture EVERYTHING changes for the time being...but it is such a short time and soon things will become routine again...probably a different routine but non the less a routine. There will be many awakenings in the middle of the night. There will be the constant nursing that a little one desires. There will be the carrying of the car seat into the grocery store. Things will change...you get the picture!

But how we look forward to this change, how exciting it is to hold a sweet, tiny baby in your arms again. One thing I have learned and I will continue to learn with every new baby is that this season goes by SO FAST! They are only little for so long and then soon they will be running with the rest of the pack. That they only sleep peacefully in your arms for a short period and they only need you in the middle of the night for a brief time. I know that with Jacob I did not treasure the newborn time I had with him like I should have. I worried about things like sleep schedules, nursing...was he doing all the things he should be doing at this point in his life. What will it be like when he crawls...when he walks. I wished for the next period of his life to come and did not really enjoy the time that was present with us at that moment. But I have learned and the time I have with a newborn is treasured and looked forward to.

So yes, in 8 weeks or so I will not be sitting here watching the boys play outside, sipping my coffee with my feet up. I will most likely be sitting here nursing and enjoying the sweet baby smell as the boys play outside...But how we look forward to Beau John Paul becoming part of this family outside the womb.

Jacob

Baker

Whats Happening with The Staples...

Looking back I have not blogged very much over the summer...sometimes life just gets busy! But here I have found a few moments to sit down and update you few readers I have:)

1. We just got back from a three week trip out to Michigan. It was really very nice to spend time with Dave's family and catch up with several of our mission partners we have out there. On the way out we spent two nights at Mahoney State Park in Nebraska. Last year we camped but being 7 1/2 months pregnant I voted for the air conditioned lodge! We had a blast! We hiked, paddle boated, fed fish, played. played. played, and spend an afternoon at the water park. It was really nice to have some family time together and just relax! In Michigan, Dave's family lives in a VERY small town..its very cute and quaint. There is no cell phone service...well hardly any:) And lots of farms. "I see cows! Hold!" was all we heard Baker say. (Thats his new favorite thing to say..."hold!" he wants to hold EVERYTHING, no matter the size! Its really pretty cute:)!) The humidity was crazy..being a Colorado girl... but we managed to get through it! The boys enjoyed seeing their gramma and papa out there and had lots of quality time with them...they were spoiled! Always nice to visit! We miss them for sure!

2. WE ARE MOVING! In 10 days...and I haven't even started packing yet:)! Dave will be serving FOCUS at Colorado State University (CSU) next fall so we will be moving to Fort Collins. We are so excited! I grew up in Fort Collins and thats where my family is and several of my aunts, uncles and cousins. We will be living 1.8 miles from my parents house...some of you might think this is CRAZY;) but I am so excited to live close to them! It will especially be nice with #3 coming along here! I am so not looking forward to packing, that is why I have been putting it off! I wish I could snap my fingers and everything would hope in to boxes, just like Mary Poppins! I guess the positive is we get to clean out everything and find all those missing toys!

3. I am 32 weeks pregnant and feel that way too! I don't know if it's the heat or all the traveling that we just did but I am so tired...ALL. THE. TIME. I am not as "quick" to get up for sure and I have swollen ankles too! But enough of this complaining...we feel blessed! Beau John Paul is an active little guy in the womb so I can only imagine what he will be like when he is born. I sit and daydream about what he will look like, what is smile will be like, holding a sweet, tiny baby again, his smell and all the joy another life will bring to our family. 3 of my friends have had their babies in the past week and I am getting baby envy...I want to meet little Beau so much with all my heart...but I will just have to wait! It's not quite his birthday yet!

Not a very good picture...but here is Baker resting on my belly!

4. Baker will be 2 July 17th. I cannot believe how much this little man has grown up in the past couple months. Everyday he surprises me with something new he knows. His vocabulary and the way he communicates with us has grown leaps and bounds! He is just plain funny and makes us all laugh...including Jacob! Even though he does NOT listen, his favorite word is "NO!" and he doesn't sit in timeout unless you are restraining him...you can not help but love the kid!

5. This is my new favorite song...

What do you do with your Christmas card pictures?

So this project is way over due considering that Christmas was 5 months ago but my husband was out of town for the week...the entire RAINY week...so I was very productive and made the most of my time, when the boys were asleep of course:)! (Why am I always this productive when my husband leaves and not when he is home?) So tonight watching a little television and listening to the rain fall outside I conquered this project that has been hanging over my head for the last 5 months.

Every Christmas we get SO many wonderful Christmas cards updating us on the happenings throughout the year of all our friends and family. There is usually a beautiful picture attached which I hate to throw out, but never knew what to do with before. I hate to throw them in a drawer or a box and just let them gather dust...but lets be honest if I am going to put them in a box chances are I will not look at them again and they will just take up space. So I make a collage of all the pictures I receive and put them in a picture frame to hang in our living room. I really cannot take credit for this creative idea...my mom does it with all her Christmas card pictures (She hangs hers in the kitchen)! I love this idea for so many reasons...1. it gives me a chance to look at all of our beautiful friends and family everyday and 2. we pray for the people in our frame!

If I received a picture from you this year...it is displayed in our living room for all to see! And most people that come into this house look at the pictures for a couple of minutes!

What are some things you do with all your Christmas card pictures?

What's Happening with The Staples...

1. Yesterday I did ALL of the laundry and was able to fold it and put it away! I have not done this in MONTHS! It usually sits on the couch for days while piles of laundry waiting to go in the washer sit in the hall. It was such a great feeling! I didn't go to bed till 11:15 last night but I was determined to get it done!

**Side note: The boys somehow, without my knowledge, found my RED lipstick and put it in their hamper. When doing their laundry I dumped it all in the washer without realizing it:(. Now, all of their clothes have bright RED marks all over them! UGH a thousands times over! A few good friends of mine swear by oxiclean...so off to the store we went this morning to buy some oxiclean so I could start soaking these clothes. I have never used oxiclean before but have been inspired by these women. I'm not sure how well it will work though since the clothes have already been dried with the stains...we will see! They are soaking now...wish me luck!

2. We seem to have taken a couple steps backwards in Jacob's ability to use the potty. For the past two months he has being doing AWESOME with very few accidents but the past couple of weeks we have been having SEVERAL accidents...most of them being poop (yesterday 3):(. I have been unsure how to handle these accidents. Do I discipline him for going poop in his pants or to I treat it like I have past accidents, "Accidents happen and its okay!" We have been struggling. Today we have gone back to a jelly bean after he goes in the potty. If any moms have suggestions or have gone through this I am all ears!

3. Lent is almost over. I am embarrassed to admit that I have really struggled this lent with staying true to my lenten fasts. I wish I would have been more disciplined during this season. My prayer has been good though which I am thankful for. May these last few days before the Resurrection of out Lord be a time of prayer and grace for all of you!

4. Last night I went shopping for the boys Easter baskets! I HAD SO MUCH FUN!!! I spent way to much money on candy though...why is Easter candy SO delicious??? Probably because we don't eat it until Easter! Dave did make me take two bags back though...he thought I went a little overboard:)

5. Yesterday during lunch we has a little thunderstorm ! It was so cool! We had it all... a little hail, thunder, lighting and rain! The boys were quiet during their whole lunch as we sat there and watched mother nature at work! It was beautiful!

6. Baker has discovered the word "NO"! Seriously that is ALL he says! I try so hard not to laugh every time he says it because the way he says it is SO darn cute! The cuteness of an almost two year old is unbearable!

7. The other day I was cleaning the bathroom and went to check on the boys and saw this...

Melt my heart!