Retooning the Nativity

Made me laugh.

http://sermonspice.com/product/28307/retooning-the-nativity

The Look

Here's a picture that Aunt Beki took this past Monday. This is the look I get from Gwen when she is doing something she shouldn't be doing. :)

Meal Plan and Baby Bap

Easy chicken dijon, salad

quiche and cottage cheese salad

Katie Fisher's beef stew, grilled cheese sandwiches

turkey loaf, corn pudding, green beans

jumbalaya with hot dogs, cucumber slices

garlic lemon chicken spaghetti

mexican pizzas

tonight- curry chicken pot pie, green beans

I went to the doctor today and I am 1 cm dilated. We're waiting to see when this new baby shows up now. My mom comes tomorrow. Lots to be thankful for.

More Christmas

Granny Pam's dog, Rusty, finding solace in Elmo.

Granny Pam pulling Gwen along on a sled. She had a wonderful time and her cheeks were so rosy from the cold when she came in. She imitated me and rubbed her hands in front of the fireplace when she got in.

Last, but not least, is a video I took of Gwen on Christmas Day. She's trying out a new toy that her Aunt Stephanie and cousins Clay and Chloe gave to her. She enjoys the music as you can see.

Baby Bap Update

I went for a sonogram this morning and everything looks good with Baby Bap. It is measuring to be weighing around 7 lbs 6 oz right now. It's head is a little large, but nothing dramatic or to worry about. It's heart looked great and was pumping away in there. I have a lot of fluid in there, so that may be why I'm measuring big and why I'm feeling such heaviness. I guess now I just need to sit back and try to be patient for this little one arriving. I do feel my body getting ready for the inevitable, but you never know how long it will take to reach the day. Although I'm ready to have this baby, this news was comforting to me in that the baby is doing well and it's not 10 pounds at this point in time. I guess I'll just try to focus on loving on Gwen while it is just her and spending quality time with Ben and family. My mom will come sometime in the next week and a half, so that will be nice too. Maybe I should try taking down the Christmas tree before little one comes. It might be up until St. Patrick's Day otherwise.

Christmas 09

We have had such a wonderful Christmas. Christmas Eve a storm blew in and it was dicey getting home from church that night, but seeing all those candles lit at once made it worth it. I will share some movies later, but here are some photos of our time. Since Christmas Eve I have been at home and intend to stay here because the roads are so bad. I will however get to my ultrasound on Monday. :)

Here's Gwen with her tickle Elmo we got her off of Craigslist... $5. Can't beat it!

Daddy and Gwen opening presents on Christmas morning.

Here is our backyard. A white Christmas... and what a Christmas to remember.

Here's a gift I got from my mother. I think it's so cute.

Ben decided to go on a bike ride. Yeah... in 13 degrees... but he got all this new gear for cold weather and he could stand it no longer. Of course, he made it 30 seconds down the road before he realized that he couldn't get through the snow. He said he felt like a ninja.

We made Christmas dinner over here and pulled out my Great Aunt Jo's china for the occasion. Aunt Jo was such a sweet lady.

Gwen loved being in the snow. She screamed when she had to come inside. I of course, was not out there. I can barely move at this point. :)

This is Nuts

Meal Plan

This is a big one this week. I'm not sure if I'll make all of these things, but with family coming in I wanted to have extra things planned.

turkey stuffed spuds with gravy

creamy tuna noodle casserole, salad

Christmas Eve- pressure cooked pork chops, mashed potato, pretzel salad, green beans and bread, with bark stuff for dessert if there is a dire need (!)

Christmas Day- I'm bringing broccoli cheese casserole, pumpkin pie

Salad with chicken, egg salad sandwiches

Curry Chicken Pot Pie

Songs

Love this song!



This is a group I heard on the radio and had to look up.

Home Improvements Conquered

We just last night finished the room that will eventually be Gwen's room when the new baby takes over the nursery. At first the new baby will be beside our bed in a bassinet. Gwen went in there tonight and got on the bed and said "comfy." There is a trundle bed under this bed that she will actually sleep on. (we think anyway)

9 Month Glory

This is the day before my due date with Gwen. She wasn't born for another week after that though.


37 weeks today. So... any guesses as to the sex?

What's Going On

First, some nature shots of Canadian geese we saw going to church. I guess they were resting in this park.

There's nothing that will fire up your home improvements like knowing another little person will be entering your life and you will probably never get anything done again. Ben got the popcorn ceiling off in this room and we've been painting it. I should say, Ben has been doing almost everything. I have been taping windows during the day and assisting just tonight. This will be Gwen's room when the baby takes over the nursery. If you are wondering... the nursery will stay exactly the same for this new baby.

This is the promised picture of our Christmas tree. Nothing fancy, but Gwen loves it. She loves the lights and loves hanging the ornaments from our Advent calendar on there every day.

Finally, a children's book. This is a page in which the doctor tells Corduroy the bear that he's gotten too fat off of eating too many cookies. Boy, can I identify Corduroy. What makes me laugh is the look on the nurse and Corduroy's faces.

Baby Bap Update

Today I went and saw my doctor. I'm 36 weeks today, but she said I'm measuring 40! She said that she thinks it is because the baby is not engaged in my pelvis yet...but then again, it might not decide to do that until labor. She is concerned about the size of this one, so she has ordered another sonogram. Right now it is scheduled in another 2 weeks, but Ben thinks we need to try to get one sooner. She said the sonogram will help determine how far they will let me go without intervention. I asked her to do an internal exam and I am not dilated at all yet, which she thought would be the case. I don't really know how to feel about it. To say I'm uncomfortable would be an understatement, but I want to keep the baby's best interest at the forefront... not my own. I think we'll just pray that things either start on their own sometime in the next two weeks, or that I'll have the wisdom from God that I need to make the decision of what to do next.

Dancing in the Morning

Don't you just love the way kids dance with complete abandon? She's so precious to me.

Meal Plan

Tuscan pasta, salad- Ben requested to have this again this week

Russian veg soup, garlic bread- didn't get around to it this week

turkey meatballs with lemon sauce, 4 bean salad

chili and cornbread

chicken tortilla casserole, salad

sesame noodles, grilled beef

Christmas Singing

This Christmas I'm singing quite a bit here and there and here are some pictures from a beautiful church in Kansas City. It's called St. Paul's Episcopal Church. I was hired to sing a Bach cantata and some other songs with a quartet.

Here is a statue of baby Jesus they had in the church. He was covered in burlap when I found him, but I let him have some air.

Here is a picture of the quartet. Becky, David, me, and then Josh. Can you see my (almost) 9 month belly?

A beautiful mosaic behind where we stand.

The main stained glass window in the church. This is what we face when we sing. It's very awe inspiring.

Another window in the church depicting the birth of Jesus.

One For The Record Books

Well... everyone knows when you are pregnant that your emotions go haywire. Last night was no exception in the Barreth household. It takes me a long time now to do most anything. After my face washing ritual I got into bed with huffing and puffing and groaning only to realize that I didn't brush my teeth. I started laughing hysterically because that meant that I'd have to get up which takes a lot and then get BACK into bed again which is a chore. Ben looked over at me and was pretty amazed at how hard I was laughing. Then, I hoisted myself up on the edge of the bed and I'm not exaggerating here... started crying. Not a single tear running down the cheek either. We're talking sobbing. I just felt out of control of my emotions! I said "I'm pathetic" to which Ben I think was at a complete loss to know what to say other than "no, you're not." Some things you just need to write down and remember. Shesh!

Thoughts

These are pictures from a few books that Gwen has that have amused me lately. This first one is a nice book of Bible songs and here it depicts Jesus and some kids. What cracks me up in this picture is the "girl" on his right. To me she looks like a really short 40 year old.

We got this book from the library this week. It's called "Family" and has many family members which is great...but look at Grandpa! Look at the second hand smoke. I mean, he could smoke later couldn't he?

Around the House

Ben got me these roses today. Aren't they a pretty color? I told Ben that I'd like to have an orange rose bush sometime. I am blessed with such a wonderful husband.

This is a video of Gwen showing and saying "belly button." She is really into body parts now and can tell you about anything you want to know. Her speech is exploding and she repeats almost everything I say to her. She is going to be so funny when she can talk... I just know it.

Meal Plan

It took me a long time to get through all of the plan I had before, so that's why I haven't posted a meal plan lately. Here's this week:

Russian vegetable soup

beef stuffed spuds

chicken and cornbread dressing

split pea and ham soup

pork chops, zatarain's rice mix, peas

Tuscan pasta, salad

Owl City

I'm liking this song lately. I have no idea what it means. See what you think.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aI4JLa0hbUw

Changing of the Seasons

I've had these two pumpkins at my door since mid-October. I decided with the Christmas tree up now shining through our window it would probably be a good time to bring in the pumpkins. This year I didn't carve our pumpkins because it was just too much effort and I kind of liked the way the pumpkin looked a la naturel. I bought this pumpkin at Aldi's because I thought it had character. (use your imagination to think about what I thought it looked like) Now I'm deciding if it is too old to cook and save the pumpkin. Any thoughts?

This is a picture I took of Gwen last night. Her hair in the back is beginning to grow now. She felt so much better yesterday than she has in the past week. I was surprised to discover that she has multiple teeth growing in at once right now. One molar and several canines. Yikes... no wonder she wasn't sleeping well.

The Bend In The Road

This poem encouraged me this morning after a hard night with Gwen waking due to congestion and teething. At 5:30 I finally succumbed to tears and the thought of what I am going to do with two little ones was overwhelming at the time. This one inside me was kicking, the other having a fit in her crib. Maybe one day I will look back at moments like this and if not laugh, then at least smile a knowing smile. The Lord sees the whole picture when we don't. That gives me hope.

When together we stand at life's crossroads,

and view what we think is the end.

Know that God has a much wider vision,

and He knows that it's only a bend.

For the road will go on and is smoother

And the pause in the song is a rest.

The part that's unsung and unfinished,

is the sweetest and richest and best.

So rest and relax and grow stronger,

Let go and let God share your load.

And have faith in a brighter tomorrow,

You've just come to a bend in the road.

-Helen Steiner Rice

Need a little chuckle?

This guy thinks he's singing 5 octaves. This made me laugh. I needed that... thanks Shane.

Odds and Ends

These are just some things that have been on my mind recently. Before you get too serious, just know not a lot of serious stuff crosses my mind.

This first item is some shampoo that I bought at Aldi, oh, say a month ago. I've been looking at it in the shower and it says it is "normalizing shampoo." What does that mean? What is abnormal hair? Sounds bogus to me and it bothers me. :)

This is our Christmas pinata this year. Last year it was Frosty...but this year it is a tree we will whack. I've decided to put homemade goodies in there and ask the neighborhood kids to join in. I'll be sure to film that and share at a later date. Right now it is residing in my closet away from 1 1/2 year olds.

This is a book we got for Gwen at the library. You know me and children's books if you read this blog. Well... I got to looking at this cover and noticed something different about the mouse on it.

I told Ben that either this mouse has its tongue out or it is smoking a cigarette. He confirmed it is indeed sticking out its tongue.

Tomorrow I will be 34 weeks... 8 1/2 months. I feel like I am carrying a hulk of a baby in there and I'm getting weary. I ask Ben for nightly encouragement that I can and will be ok. I watched this TV invention show a long time ago where this guy made up this little plush toy that velcros around your neck and when you squeeze it it says "everything IS going to be all right." The guy called it the "therapy buddy." Ben and I laugh about me needing a therapy buddy. Ben is my therapy buddy. I am more tempted this time to ask for induction, but Ben says it's better if I let nature take its course. When he says that I want to say "nature, shmature", but I don't cause I'm way submissive. :) Oh, and the doctor said on Wednesday that she thinks the baby is head down. Good news! We set up the Christmas tree. Hurray! I'll make pictures soon for the thousands of folks who read my blog... ha ha!

Thanksgiving Day

I have so much to be thankful for. First of all, my Savior Jesus Christ for saving me. How could I EVER get over being thankful for that. Second, for my wonderful family. I'm so blessed to have such a wonderful and fun husband and such a bright and sweet daughter and now with another on the way. Here we are today eating. I'm getting that pregnant lady swollen face I think... on second thought, maybe it's the plate of food sitting in front of me. HA!

Ben's Grandma Georgia MCing the talent portion of the Thanksgiving Day. She is wonderful and we all love her very much.

Ben and Gwen having a smile.

Before everyone eats a prayer is said and then afterwards everyone always sings the Doxology. I filmed it this year. Such a neat family. Notice how many people are there! Ben and I did a skit this year that went over pretty well I'd say. By the way, I made the Welsh rarebit and I didn't like it. :) Oh well... HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

Cinnamon Bread

Today I made cinnamon bread for Thanksgiving guests that will be staying at Ben's Grandmother's house. I tried a bit of it and it tasted delicious. I thought I'd share the recipe with you all. The only thing is that my dough didn't rise as much as I think it should have. I'm not sure why. Maybe I'll try again sometime. If you are one that likes cinnamon rolls, but doesn't like icing oozing off of them, then this bread is for you.

1 C milk- heat to a very warm temperature

3 T butter, 1 1/2 tsp salt and 2 T sugar- add both to milk until butter is incorporated in

1 egg white- beat till frothy, add to milk mixture

add a cup of flour to above

Dissolve 1 pkg yeast in 1/4 C lukewarm water. Let rise a bit, then add to above. Stir in 2 C flour, one cup at a time, then add flour as needed. approx. 1/2 more if needed.

spray bowl with veg spray, put dough in bowl, spray top of dough. Cover with saran wrap and let double in size.

Mix together cinnamon and sugar (1 C sugar, a few T of cinn). Roll dough out in oblong strip. Spread with butter to about an inch from top. Sprinkle cin/sug mixture on butter. Roll up and pinch together at non-buttered end. Cut in half and place each loaf in bread pans, sprayed with veg spray. Cover and let rise until doubled in size. Bake at 350 for 25 min. Immediately after removing bread from oven and bread pans, baste with butter all over and let cool.

Fun With Daddy

Meal Plan

Whew... this week was hard deciding on what to make and there is a lot going on. I've been trying to do a little Christmas shopping every day and it is a chore for me. I am not one of those women that enjoys shopping and I find the whole task confusing. I was in the mall for some 2 hours today and did I buy anything? No... but I sure enjoyed the carousel ride with Gwen and watching her play with other kids. Oh, and my peach tea I bought. HA! If you are interested in riding carousels and getting peach teas then go shopping with me... because that's about all I can stand. Walking through the cosmetic department is always amusing to me. There I am, no makeup on, and looking well... rather... unkempt and they look at me and down to Gwen and say "you are so pretty." Is it a sin to look at their lined lips and think "why do you do that?" OK... enough rambling... onto the food! Happy Thanksgiving!

To bring to a pregnant mom to freeze for later: molten chocolate cookies (yes, I made them and I was disappointed. I was expecting them to be the best cookie I'd ever put in my mouth, but they were just ok), sausage balls, alphabet soup with beef and vegetables, cornbread muffins

For Thanksgiving: cinnamon yeast bread, Welsh rarebit (my exotic choice this year to bring), green bean casserole

Just our everyday meals:

spicy black bean soup, cornbread

Indian food- from last week... haven't made yet- time consuming

baked pretzel crusted chicken breasts- trying the same recipe except baking the chicken instead of frying this time, vegetable, salad

chicken quesadillas

creamy baked chicken breasts, wild rice, peas

chili and leftover cornbread

Modern Homesteaders

If you are like me, you can appreciate the desire to live simply. This couple decided to do just that by putting their house on the market and living in a tipi for a year while they build a cabin. They are in Missouri. I find their blog very interesting and thought you might too. Here's the link:

http://hickoryhollowhomestead.typepad.com/hickory-hollow-homestead/

Whew

I was reading a book to Gwen today that we got from the library last night. I have come to the conclusion that some people just don't think the way I do... but I felt I needed to share this one. This page says "Cecily Parsley is making cowslip wine for this gentleman. But who is that peeking in at the window?" Ok, a rabbit making wine... made me smile.

Next page... (and I know it is turned the wrong way.. for some reason blogger won't let me insert it the right way) it says "Benjamin Bunny is smoking a pipe of rabbit tobacco. The Flopsy Bunnies are playing. Can you see another face at the door?" Ok... a rabbit smoking. At this point I'm thinking the next page is going to have a rabbit shooting up some rabbit heroine.

Whew! the next page reads, "Meet old Mrs. Rabbit. she is making camomile tea for poor Peter Rabbit tucked up in bed." Don't you spell it chamomile? Anyway.. maybe this is a British book. Nothing against the Brits, but they do have different spellings of things. When I was over there I was amazed to see they spell tires like "tyres." At least we can depend on little old ladies (rabbits) to just be making tea instead of rabbit heroine.

My Favorite This Year

Joys Seven

This is a song my choir is preparing for Christmas. I've been thinking of the words lately and how all these things could be a joy to the heart of Mary. I asked the singer next to me how could it be a joy to see Jesus on a crucifix and she said to me, "He was defeating sin." Do you think Mary knew that then? See what you think.

The first good joy that Mary had, it was the joy of one;
to see the blessed Jesus Christ when he was first her son;
when he was first her son good man, and blessed may he be,
both Father, Son and Holy Ghost to all eternity.

The next good joy that Mary had, it was the joy of two;
to see her own son Jesus Christ to make the lame to go;
to make the lame to go, good man, and blessed may he be,
Both Father, Son and Holy Ghost to all eternity.

The next good joy that Mary had, it was the joy of three;
to see her son Jesus Christ to make blind to see;
to make the blind to see, good man, and blessed may he be,
both Father, Son and Holy Ghost to all eternity.

The next good joy that Mary had, it was the joy of four,
to see her own son Jesus Christ to read the Bible o'er
to read the Bible o'er good man, and blessed may he be,
both Father, Son and Holy Ghost to all eternity.

The next good joy that Mary had, it was the joy of five,
to see her own son Jesus to bring the dead alive,
to bring the dead alive good man, and blessed may he be,
both Father, Son and Holy Ghost to all eternity.

The next good joy that Mary had, it was the joy of six,
to see her own son, Jesus Christ upon the crucifix,
upon the crucifix good man, and blessed may he be
both Father, Son and Holy Ghost to all eternity.

The next good joy that Mary had, it was the joy of seven,
to see her own son Jesus Christ to wear the crown of Heaven,
to wear the crown of Heaven good man, and blessed may he be
both Father, Son and Holy Ghost to all eternity.

Quite Possibly the Best Ventroliquist Act You Will Ever See in Your Whole Life

For Fun

These made me laugh.

Meal Plan

meatloaf, corn pudding, green beans, banana bread- bringing to a friend and having it ourselves
aloo golby, dal makanee, chipati- Indian food
tomato and bean stoup
pretzel-crusted chicken breasts, sweet potato, broccoli
red beans and rice, hot dogs, cantaloupe, cucumber slices
tomato basil orzo soup, garlic bread

Turkey Hat Returns

The turkey hat has returned for another season and Ben and Gwen were playing. Gwen is actually wearing a little shirt on her head, but I thought it looked like a court jester. They have a lot of fun together.

Videos

I thought you all might like to see these videos. One is of Gwen in Alabama playing fetch with my mom's dog, Bonnie. The other one is of a sound puzzle that Grandma Barreth got for her. The sound of the guinea pig makes me laugh. Whoever thought of putting a guinea pig on there?

Some Mentionables

These are some roses I cut from our rose bush in the back yard. Aren't they beautiful? They are called "Julia Child" roses. :)


Recently I bought a body pillow. I have no idea how to even sleep with the thing. One of my friends swears by it. I know in this photo my bed isn't made, but I figure if I'm going to get back in it for a nap at some time why bother.. ya know? Anyway, Ben calls it the velveteen slug because I bought a velvety pillow cover for it. He wanted to call it "Larry the slug," but I didn't want anything in my bed having a man's name. :)


I mean, look at the size of this thing. I could sleep on just about anything right now and I would be uncomfortable I think. I'm 31 weeks now. 9 or maybe 10 to go... but who's counting? :)