26 Weeks

Goodness!! Trying to navigate blogger this morning is terrible! That stinkin counter thing is messing me up. GRRRRR. It's been a busy morning already, and it's not even 9 o'clock.

26 weeks. Check out my 24 week pic to compare.

I am 26 weeks now and more days than not feeling pregnant. Funny, though, there are days I have to look down to remember that I am pregnant. Those days I just don't feel pregnant. But that's ok, I enjoy the reprieve, it will be soon that I'm feeling it every minute of everyday. Baby moves a lot and is very strong. I am already in love with him and can't wait to meet him. I am hoping with this notable change of thought that my postpardum stage will be a lot easier than last time. I've hired a young girl to come work for a few hours a day to keep the house up. That way I can just enjoy sitting nursing, or reading to Nadia, or napping, if I get a chance. In two weeks I'll officially be in the third trimester, I can't believe it!

We decided to go camping with extended family at the end of next week. We are renting a cabin. Everyone else has campers, I just can't do tenting when I am pregnant and it's so noisy for Nadia when she's trying to nap. Not only that, but I worry about her when she's sleeping at night, it gets so cold. It'll be nice to have a private place to get away to. Tents just don't feel private to me.

Then the week after that, my in laws are coming out. I enjoy having them here. That means we gotta get some stuff cleaned up in the basement. I feel like calling someone to watch Nadia all day so that Andrew and I can get stuff done. It feels like things have been piling up left and right since during VBS week. Just for my peace of mind here is my to do list:

• Clean both bathrooms, including tub and shower curtain
• Diapers
• Weed the garden
• Look for potato bugs
• Make guest bed
• Dust
• Dig up/replant bulbs
• Plant sunflower seeds
• Vacuum
• Iron
• Mop hard floors
• Trash cans
• Letters/cards to various people
• Chocolate chip cookies to my helpers
• Recipes to Dad and Aunt
  
• Organize bathroom closet
• Curtains boxed up and moved
• Dishes
• Redd up (for those of you who aren't PA Dutch, or don't read any Amish books, that means tidy up.)
  

I think thats it. I think that's enough.

I got a new treadmill. That's something I've been wanting for a long time. Since I no longer have a gym membership, it's well worth it. Plus hubby said he would use it too. That way I can exercise when I am really big, but not have to worry about being bothered (Do you know how many pregnant women are attacked for their babies?) or about the heat. Plus I can jump on it for 5-10 minutes after the baby is born to rebuild strength and get back into shape. Then, later on, I can start jogging again.

We have finally, after 5 years, taken our cars in for some much needed work done to them. My car only needed brake pads and rotors done. Less than $125. But Andrew's car, whew! That needed lots of work done. Front and rear struts, front brakes, inspection, oil change, some body work for rust. Just over $1000. But better that price than that of a new car. We both get 38 mpg. Can't find that. Then my car needs at least two, if not, four new tires. We'll see. We've been blessed by the garage we found, they do good work fast and for a great price. We are thankful.

And it looks like I'll get to see a good friend of mine at the end of July. Andrew is on a commission that is meeting in our old hometown, so we'll get to spend some time with them.

I've been trying to save money wherever I can. That includes the co-op I am a part of. I travel 45 minutes one way to pick up an order. That's a lot for just a few things. The local healthfood store is able to now get refrigerated trucks in, so I can get my Stoneyfield Yogurt and maybe some of their frozen yogurts in too. I sent the poor lady a laundry list of things I buy from Frankferd Farms to see what her prices are. Even if they are a bit higher I might still go with her because it keeps money here locally, it is a much much shorter drive, so that means I'll save on gas. Plus she gets brown, organic eggs for a super cheap price, cheaper than the walmart ones! And I think she can get me local honey for a good price too. I am also asking her what her prices are on the individual loose teas I buy, to see how she can help me there. I am sending a lot of business her way, hopefully. But it will work out good for both of us in the long run.

My garden is doing really well, and so are the weeds! I've been spending the past week and a half at getting them out. Now it's just maintenance. We've eaten snap peas and have had lettuce for weeks now. Everything is up, although the corn hasn't come up yet, it's been a little cold here for the past few days. I know there are little potatoes, I saw one peeking through the dirt. I need to get clean mulch for them. And the sweet potatoes are doing super! I can't wait till we get squash and tomatoes. Yum, I can taste that supper now.

Nadia's been a trial for a little bit here. She changes her mind constantly on what she wants and then when I think we've got winner, she won't eat it. So I don't give in. She doesn't seem to understand about telling the truth, or maybe she does and thinks that fibbing will keep her from discipline. No, honey, it won't. She's still our sweet girl and we love her to pieces, it's just difficult right now. I think I may have a solution to the potty training issue. If she is running around diaper-less, she notices the need to potty better. I don't think she likes the dirty or wet feeling so much. We'll see. I'll let you know.

Well I'd better get to my laundry list of things to be done. I should say I plan for a nap everyday. I need it and so does my family! Blessings!

VBS and all other alphabet soups

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VBS is so over!! Stick a fork in me, I'm done!! And after the closing tonight I don't even want hubby around. *gasp* that's a first for me! I am an introvert, I am so peopled out I can't take another person around me. I'll pop. There is a young woman at our church, unmarried, but wanting pregnancy and children so badly. Anytime I am around her she pummels me with questions about pregnancy, breastfeeding and EVERY SINGLE TIME WANTS TO TOUCH MY BELLY!! I realize that we older women are supposed to guide and educate the younger women, but my goodness, I couldn't take anymore! I ate too many chocolate chip cookies.

But my kids, they were so good. And I told them so. So sweet and loud singers. I loved them. The one girl asked me if I would be back next year, I told her I would. It's nice to be able to say that. She also came up to me, looked at my protruding belly and in a very small voice said "are you going to have a baby?" I told her I was.

But even after the whole week and getting up and down off the floor numerous times in a 15 min time span, I was caught with the spirit, the thrust of VBS. Lord please let Your word permeate these children. The Word says that His Word will not return to Him void. I pray this on these children. So young, so impressionable, so lovable. Lord let Your remnant come home and praise You once again.

It has been a strengthening passion in me from the Lord about the NEED for believers to be in the Word, devouring the Word, speaking about the Word and meditating on the Word. When I am in prayer it comes up everytime.

My friend, I plead with you, be in the Word. It is our life, our bread, our water. Without it we cannot survive. I don't know how believers do it. I don't know how I did it for years. I truly understand it better everytime I read it. And everytime I read it, I want more.

Do you want true change in your own self? Be in the Word. Change in your marriage? The Word. Your children? The Word. The Word. The Word. I will not apologize for this passion. I believe it is a change agent for the world. I pray you would know this deep and rich blessing which is His Word.

Busy Busy Busy!! And 24 week pic.

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24 Weeks22 Week Pic

We have been extremely busy this past week. Last friday I drove out of state for my best girlfriend's Master's Graduation. It was just me and Nadia. It was hot. Very hot. We stayed in a hotel for the night, went to the graduation ceremony the next day and left directly after. Four hours both ways with just me and the munchkin, well lets just say I was never happier to see my four walls again.

Then on sunday we had our VBS opening. I am teaching the Kindergarten class. I really am enjoying immensely. Although, ours is 7-9 and it is tiring. Nadia usually goes to bed at 8pm, but all this week it's been 9:45 or so. You know, the pastor and his family is the last to go. But she sleeps in and takes a long afternoon nap. I just can't seem to get anything done at home. And we've had great weather for growing. A few good days of sun and hot and then lots of rain last night. So I've been in the garden trying to weed, plant the last of the seeds and tomatoes and just try to get everything in. I have folded laundry and laundry that needs done all over the place. The floor needs vacuuming and bathrooms need cleaned. Kitchen needs mopped and my Aunt and Uncle from Michigan decided they were going to visit for a day or two this week, but they're not sure when they are coming in! My treadmill is being delivered this week and we forgot a car appt for my car for breaks. Ugh!! It has been one busy week.

I did have my midwife appt last week. Did I tell you we are planning on birthing this babe at home? I struggled with actually writing that, I'm not sure who all reads this, but we have a wonderful home birth midwife, who I just love. I feel so at peace. And she does so much more to educate me. I got my records from my previous practice and while she was looking over my labs from earlier in my pregnancy, she noticed that my iron levels were low. And I was never told this before. That explains why I am so tired!! So she told me what to eat to get it back up. I don't eat much red meat, the hormones in it just do a number on me and it expensive. So I've been eating more dried fruit, soy and a tablespoon of blackstrap molasses everyday. Ew. But I do have more energy now. I'm tired, but not fatigued and exhausted. There is a difference I can see. So I'm going to do that everyday and I'm not constipated like I would be if I was taking a supplement. Plus the molasses have B vitamins in them too. I am feeling better.

That's whats been going on at the parsonage these past couple of days. I thought you might enjoy some pics of things around here.

I think we will be putting the corn and cantaloupe in on friday. I'll try to get a pic of everything here soon. Oh! I have peas!

She is so beautiful! I know I am biased.
This is when we were visiting my inlaws over Memorial Day. She somehow got all those balls on her fingers.
Here she is just being goofy.

Look at those dirty feet! And can you see the foot print by her one foot? It is so cute!

Jan 08

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Don't worry, this is an old old pic of me right when I got pregnant for a forum I'm a part of. Just ignore it. Wait till Wednesday for a pic of what I look like right now. I'm much bigger trust me.

Here Comes Cutie!!

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My daughter loves wearing any kind of dress. Nightgowns, towels, if it drapes, she loves it and begs to wear it. I made her a flannel nightgown, because I can't stand that polyester junk they make kids clothing out of now. And she loved it. But it's getting warmer, so I took the same pattern, shortened the sleeves, used a cotton fabric and there you go, a nightgown the girl loves. And she really does. You should've seen the smile spread across her face the first time I had it on her. I love sewing for people when they really like what I've done. It makes it all worth it.

I Can't Say I Never Win Anything

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Because I have won something! And not like a piece of candy or something. I've won something really pretty.
I won a pair of beautiful earrings from 2BellesandaBead!! I love them!! I have been wearing the same pair of earrings my wonderful hubby got me two years ago from a jewlery store that was going out of business. They are still my fave earrings, because my sweety got them for me (sorry Crystal, I'm sure you understand.) But I will definitely be wearing these new beauties on sunday! And the nice thing was, they are dainty, yet elegant. I like to wear that sort of stuff. They are those curved posts, so they don't smash into my head, oh I don't like that. Here is another pic.

You gotta check these ladies work out. They do a nice job. I will be checking them out more for gifts and such!

And the nice thing? It all comes smartly packaged. You can tell they cater to women! Presentation is everything. I was once told (when I was thinking about being a chef) that presentation was 70% of someone eating a dish. Taste was only 30%. Now I won't be eating these beautiful things, but I was already into them when I pulled out the little silver box with the purple bow on it. I love it!! Thank you Crystal and Karen!

22 Weeks

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I feel and look like I am getting so big. Bigger this time than what I was with Nadia. I know it's not fat, I have gained 16 lbs so far. I walk 5 days a week, weed in the garden and run around after a toddler. It's working. I am also really watching what I am eating.
Sometimes it can be hard, though, I am such a good cook. But I know I can take it all off later. I gained 60 with Nadia, lost about 25 right after she was born and then in the next year lost another 15 from nursing. So I figure even if I gain 40 with this one I'll have it all off by his first birthday. Maybe even sooner! I wasn't really watching what I was eating with her, not until she was a year and a half. I have to keep telling myself to not worry about it. A healthy baby is better than gaining the 'right' amount. However, it does help me to eat better, which is good for me and for the baby.
He is doing great, by the way. Very active. Which I love. I can't wait to meet this little guy. But I keep telling him he has to wait.

My Backyard

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We have a huge backyard and I am so grateful, because, that means we can have a huge garden!! Right now I only have (hah! I say 'I', when really it's Andrew) two plots tilled up. I am planning on three others. There is the main garden with the peas, carrots (which aren't showing up very well, I was used to carrots growing like nuts out in NW Ohio in that boggy soil) onions, spinach and lettuce. I will later plant cukes, cabbages, peppers, squash and zukes there too. Then there is the potato plot with my Yukon Golds in them right now and later, when they get shipped, I will plant my sweet potatoes. I love sweet potatoes, especially sweet potato fries!!! So good for you! Just remember, when any recipe for fries calls for oil, you can sub the cooking spray. All you really need is something to make the seasoning stick. Here is a 'sweet' recipe for you to try.

Then, when it gets warm enough, I will (there's that I again, when really it's Andrew) will till up two more plots. One for the hoard of tomatoes we will be putting in. We've got Julienne tomatoes (which are these cute mini romas, perfect for snacking on, salads, salsas, or canning), Delicious tomatoes, which are an heirloom variety (word about that, if you plant heirloom or non hybrid tomatoes, let a couple go in your patch and they will plant themselves for the next year, reducing your $$ output and your work). These Delicious are supposed to get at least a pound each, really meaty, great for sandwiches and canning. Then the one tomato company I got my seeds from sent me a hybrid packet for free. I thought, hey, why not? They are called Big Tree, or something like that. They get about 1-2 lbs, pink, meaty tomato, good for canning or sandwiches. We'll see. They have done surprisingly well starting up. The other plot will be for the corn and cantaloupes. You can plant the two together. The loupes grow on the ground, with the vines intertwining the stalks and sheltered from the hot hot sun.

I also am planning an herb garden. I have cilantro, dill and parsley already up. Down the basement I have thyme, lavender, oregano and rosemary (which is not doing well at all). I'll plant basil and chives soon.

So that is my backyard, well really my garden. I love it. And baby is going to stay in here long enough that I can put up most of it. If not, I know of some sweet church ladies that would love to help.

Because....

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Because I don't feel like writing anything coherant, because you are sick of seeing a pregnant woman and because my family is so cute!

I fed them turkey for supper, that's why Andrew looks so drugged.

My Amish husband. Doesn't he with that beard though? I love his beard!

My beautiful girl...




I am blessed.



Don't ya just love that you can see right up her nose?


This one was taken a little while ago. Of a sunday morning before church. Don't let her fool you, she's not as angelic as she looks.

Paths of Faith

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Voice Of Truth
Casting Crowns Oh,what I would do to have
the kind of faith it takes
To climb out of this boat I'm in
Onto the crashing waves
To step out of my comfort zone
Into the realm of the unknown
Where Jesus is,
And he's holding out his hand

But the waves are calling out my name
and they laugh at me
Reminding me of all the times
I've tried before and failed
The waves they keep on telling me
time and time again
"Boy, you'll never win,
you'll never win."

But the voice of truth tells me a different story
the voice of truth says "do not be afraid!"
and the voice of truth says "this is for my glory"
Out of all the voices calling out to me
I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth

Oh, what I would do
to have the kind of strength it takes
To stand before a giant
with just a sling and a stone
Surrounded by the sound
of a thousand warriors
shaking in their armor
Wishing they'd have had the strength to stand

But the giant's calling out
my name and he laughs at me
Reminding me of all the times
I've tried before and failed
The giant keeps on telling me
time and time again
"Boy you'll never win,
you'll never win."

But the voice of truth tells me a different story
the voice of truth says "do not be afraid!"
and the voice of truth says "this is for my glory"
Out of all the voices calling out to me
I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth

but the stone was just the right size
to put the giant on the ground
and the waves they don't seem so high
from on top of them looking down
i will soar with the wings of eagles
when i stop and listen to the sound of Jesus
singing over me

But the voice of truth tells me a different story
The voice of truth says do not be afraid
And the voice of truth says this is for my glory
Out of all the voices calling out to me (calling out to me)
I will choose to listen and believe (I will choose to listen and believe)
I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth

I will listen and believe
I will listen and believe the voice of truth
I will listen and believe
'Cause Jesus you are the voice of truth
And I will listen to you.. oh you are

Psalm 37:4

Delight yourself also in the LORD,and He shall give you the desires of your heart.

Jeremiah 6:16

Thus says the LORD:
“ Stand in the ways and see,
And ask for the old paths, where the good way is,
And walk in it;
Then you will find rest for your souls...."

I am looking down a road I have read about often. I am about to step upon it's path. I have walked a road parallel to this before, looking over at this other, unused path. Pray I take the right path. The way that the Lord would have me take. I am His and my life is for His glory.

20 Weeks.....And It's A......

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Here I am at 20 weeks. I'm half way!! YAY!! I am loving this pregnancy and I'm feeling good now. I've gotten back into a really good exercise routine that works for me and I feel good doing it. Weight gain has been good, but not over board, yay!! I've been feeling baby move and kick and I love it. In fact, just last night, Andrew felt the baby move for the first time. And not just once, several times!! It was neat to see his excitement. I love this part of pregnancy, when hubby can enjoy the good parts too and not just the yucky parts. Check out my 16 week pic.

So I guess I should tell you, it is a boy!! And I couldn't be more excited!! We got ultrasound pics, but they aren't really good, so I'm going to wait until I have my next one, they couldn't get all the shots they needed, so I need to go in for another one, to put another pic up. You'll get to know the name once this little guy is born.

My mother in law and I went shopping at this huge consignment sale for baby's, kids and maternity clothes. This boy is outfitted until 6 months. I kid you not. And I'm glad for that. Everything is washed too. Now all we need to do is rearrange the basement so that my sewing stuff can go down there and Nadia's stuff can be moved into the sewing room and the baby's room can be in Nadia's room. Catch that? Only one thing, the windows in the sewing/Nadia's room and baby's room need to be replaced. The church is going to do that, but they are custom windows so that means more expensive. Pooh. But I know the church will do it if we ask them to. In fact there are several windows that need replaced, but those two rooms are the most important, if you ask me. I want to get pull down shades for both rooms, that's easier and nicer to put up and down. The quilted coverings I have now just kinda stay up and don't come down. Anyway. More later on non-preggo stuff. Like my garden!!


And for your viewing pleasure....

I Am What I Am....

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I am…..... a Mama, a wife, a Christian. A sister, a daughter, a lover.
I want..... a home birth.
I have......a hansome hubby, a beautiful daughter and a blessing in my belly.
I wish......I was the type of mother I want to be.
I hate.......that it's easier to have an abortion in PA than it is to have a home birth. What's wrong with that picture?
I miss.......my dad.
I fear........ loosing Andrew, loosing this baby. Messing Nadia up.
I feel......... content.
I hear........the dishwasher running, my hubby and daughter talking to each other.
I smell.......nothing, which is surprising, I smell everything these days.
I crave.......ice cream.
I search.......for a CNM who will do home births.
I wonder.....why God blessed me with two children when I don't feel worthy enough to be a mother.
I regret........my words and actions.
I love...........my freedom to worship, my husband, my daughter, my baby, my home, my garden
I ache..........when I miss my husband, when my daughter is sick
I care...........about the people I love
I always........have a LIST of things that need done and I love it.
I am not…...going to call this lady before friday!!
I believe.........that God has a plan for the birth of this child and I will trust Him for it.
I dance.........well by myself.
I sing..............with all my heart. I love to sing.
I cry................when I am so angry I cannot even say it.
I don’t always.........play with my daughter enough.
I fight........with myself and my own selfishness
I write.......on this blog. I used to write a lot.
I never.........want to live in Las Vegas again
I listen.........for my daughter in the night.
I need........to be patient with my husband, my daughter, my self and others.
I am ..........loving feeling this babe move.

5 Things About Me

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What I was doing 10 years ago:
1. Preparing to graduate from high school
2. Researching schools
3. Having fun with the last month of school
4. Working in CVS as a pharm tech
5. Still living at home

5 things on my to-do list today:
1. Iron
2. Bake Faux Sourdough bread
3. Sew something!! It's a release for me.
4. Tidy up the house
5. Exercise

5 snacks I enjoy
1. Plain yogurt and honey
2. Celery and Hummus
3. Cheese and Crackers (although I don't enjoy it too much)
4. Popcorn
5. Pickles and olives

5 things I would do if I was a billionaire
1. Tithe 10% to our church
2. Pay off all of our debt (which is just Andrew's school loans)
3. Go on a long vacation, with a babysitter, to a nice far away place
4. Buy a nice sewing table that stored the sewing machiene with lots of drawers
5. Fix the cars up

5 bad habits
1. Anger problem
2. picking my fingers
3. I'm a perfectionist
4. Pushing myself too far - see #3
5. Expecting perfection out of my family - see #3

5 places I've lived
1. South central PA
2. Northwestern OH
3. Northwestern NM
4. Central Pa in the mountains!
5. That wonderful happy place I go in my mind from time to time.....

5 jobs I've had
1. Pharmacy Tech
2. Shift supervisor
3. Jo-Anne worker (cutting fabric, ringing people up, etc....)
4. Graphics Design and Administrative Assistant
And my favorite thus far...
5. Domestic Engineer and Mama.... :)

I don't know who to tag, so I won't tag anyone.

I promise I will be posting a belly pic with the latest ultrasound and if it's a boy or a girl. Things have been so busy. I'll tell ya about that too.

Nuttin Much to Say

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Life feels hectic right now. I'm sure it's not. I'm sure it's just because I've been out of the house for the past three days. Monday morning I went grocery shopping. Tuesday went to the city for dinner (which entails leaving mid afternoon and getting back not till like 9pm) and today I went to Walmart to pick up an order. I usually have all my day to myself to get things done. So for those reasons I feel soo busy!

We've marked the boundaries for the garden, Andrew has checked out the rototiller and I have my seeds started. I hung my first load of laundry outside today. It's still waiting in the basket on the table for me to finish it, along with tuesdays laundry. Oy.

We ate a really cool dinner tonight. It was a campbells recipe. I haven't the gumption to link to anything. It was really good. Check out their website for lots of yummy easy recipes.

I've sewed a shirt, an apron, and a pair of capris so far. I'm planning on four other shirts, one more pair of capris and a nightgown yet.

Hubby found and bought me an awesome sewing table for 50% off!!! I've been waiting for this for a while. He'll get his art desk back. *blush* He's so good to me. But that thing shakes something awful. I think he's putting it together right now and I told him he didn't have to. He said that the amount of sewing I do, it's worth it. It folds out to be a cutting table with storage on underneath. It even has lines on it for cutting. I have a heavy duty cardboard fold out cutting board right now that goes on the floor, but for some reason I'm having trouble getting down to it. I hope I can get these clothes done soon, or otherwise I won't reach anymore!

I'm feeling good. Back into an exercise routine. Which helps so much. I'm not drinking enough water, I know it. But I am in love with plain, non-fat yogurt. With a little honey. Oh joy! It just sets the day right.

Oh and before I log off. I figured one other thing might make you smile....

We sold our house!! Finally! One month after the first closing date, we sold our house!! This is the best financially we've felt since we've gotten married. It feels good. Thank you for your prayers!!

16 Weeks

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I've had trouble thinking of how to start this blog entry, so that it sounded eloquent and well worded. It's not working. I am so tired. We were running around in the city today, I had my appt, the cars had an appt, we went to Sam's. It was enough. At any rate, this is my 16 week shot. Baby is growing. Check out my 14 week pic. Pre pregnancy clothes (jackets and such) that fit, not a week ago, do not fit anymore. YAY! I love it. This entire outfit is from my previous pregnancy, so it's a bit big, but I don't care. It is comfortable.

I made a pair of capri's and maybe, if I get the gumption, I'll show you. At any rate, enjoy the pic. Have a good evening. I'm going to play Pirates tonight. Arg.

Suppertime.......

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In the light of increasing food costs, I am always seeking ways to cut ours. We had the traditional ham for Easter and unbeknownst to me, the ham had a bone. Super!! I cut off what meat I could, wrapped it up and put it in the freezer. More With Less has a recipe that utilizes a ham bone. You would not believe the aroma in the house right now. I love soups that sit on the back of the stove for hours. I used vegetable boil water that I froze (all that good flavor and nutrients) along with additional water. Here is the recipe:

Ham Bone Dinner
2C green split peas
4 pepper corns
1 ham bone
salt to taste
water to cover

Bring to a boil in a large kettle (I used my cast iron dutch oven), reduce heat and simmer for 2-3 hours till peas are soft. Remove ham bone, cool, cut off meat, chop finely. (I did not do this. Instead I put the peppercorns, bone, salt and water to cook for 2 hours and then removed the bone. I wanted to make sure no small pieces of bone fell off. Then I added the split peas and will put the cut meat back in.)

Add to soup:
6 carrots, sliced
1 green pepper, chopped
2 onions diced

Cook until carrots are done, about 30 mins. Check seasonings.

Then they have a little add on for dumplins.

Combine:
2C flour
.5t. salt
4t. baking powder
Cut in:
1T margarine
Gradually add
1C water

Place on top of simmering soup in large spoonfuls. Cover and cook without peeking for 15 mins.

Then I made a delicious Swedish Graham Bread. Oh my oh my oh my! It is soooo good. I'll have to post that later.

Children Are A Blessing From the Lord

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I think sometimes I forget the last part of that saying. Sometimes children don't feel like a blessing. I have struggled with being a mother. I really have. I butt heads with my daughter so much (maybe she's more like me than I realize.) Sometimes I don't really enjoy being a mother. But I read something today that gave me peace, and I realize maybe a little mercy? too. Becoming a mother wasn't all up to me. God had a big part in it too. Whether I'd make a good mother or not wasn't the measuring stick I had to stand up to. God, in His wisdom, decided to bless us. And I always thought, if this is such a blessing, why is it so hard? Well difficulty in life doesn't mean we are on the wrong path. Difficulty is used to shape us. Well all I have to say is that, I must gonna be something beautiful someday, because being a mother is really tough.

Here is the article, I encourage you to read....

BBQ Chicken and Onion Pizza

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*Don't y'all just hate it when people post pictures of FOOD!! Well I'm pregnant, so I can.*

BBQ Chicken and Onion Pizza
This is a very yummy pizza with no tomato sauce on it. It comes from a pampered chef book, but not totally pampered chef. I used my own pizza crust recipe which makes it better tasting and better for you.

1 Large Onion, sliced
2 plum tomatoes, sliced
4 slices turkey bacon, diced
2 garlic cloves, pressed
.5c smoky bbq sauce (bottled or your own)
2 tsps BBQ seasoning mix
2 C diced cooked chicken (leftovers work great here)
1 C shredded cheddar and monty jack cheese blend (or all cheddar, that's tasty!)
1 tbsp fresh parsley, or dried (that's what I used)
1 prepared pizza crust See here.


Directions
1. Preheat oven to 425. Make sure pizza crust has been baked for at least 10 minutes. If you put the toppings on the pizza unbaked, it gets soggy and not as nice, but still good.
2. Lightly spray skillet with cooking spray and cook onion, bacon and garlic for 10-12 minutes until onion is tender and lightly browned. Stir in BBQ sauce and seasoning mix. Remove from heat and stir in chicken.
3. Spread chicken mixture on half baked pizza crust within .5 inch of edge. Arrange tomatoes evenly over top, sprinkle with cheese. Sprinkle with dried parsley, if using. Bake until crust is golden brown and melted. Sprinkle with fresh parsley if using.

Enjoy!!