Yummy Food & Modern Warfare

Married Life has been fun: there are the moments of learning to do new things, but also of remembering to indulge in those more "childish" past times ;)...

I have been trying my best in cooking, thank you to my family for passing along all of your WONDERFUL recipes for me to attempt to re-create.

The following is a recipe from Pete's mother, one of his favorite dishes, that I decided to surprise him with after his long week out of town:

Darla's Chicken Alfredo

Ingredients:

~ 4-6 grilled/blackened boneless chicken breasts

~ 16 oz. heavy whipping cream

~ grated parmesean cheese

~ shredded parmasean romano cheese

~ pasta (we've tried it with all kinds- it's all good!)

~ optional sauteed broccoli or mushrooms

Directions:

Boil noodles. Drain. Place back in hot pot. Add whipping cream, cheeses to taste, and veggies if desired. Lastly, slice chicken and add to hot pasta and salt and pepper if desired. Serve immediately.

We love this great meal, especially when you're really hungry, makes your home smell fantastic! Enjoy and thank you Darla for sharing this Lee Favorite with me!

This week, we also tried out a very yummy gift from my parents as well! Anyone that has lived with me knows that one of my FAVORITE dishes is Chicken Pot Pie. Well, this Chicken Pie is from Harry & David and I hear is also on Oprah's Favorite List ;). Pete and I can attest- it is fabulous and would be a great Christmas gift if you're still lookin'!

Thank you, Mom & Dad- I love and miss you so much!

Lastly, this was a candid shot of life for us on a Saturday. My WONDERFUL brother ;) gave Pete an excellent gift for his birthday last year; probably one of the best birthday gifts he's received since I've known him and he has DEFINITELY gotten his money's worth from it. Modern Warfare is a must loved past time of Pete's! There is always a need to 'level up' and at this moment his wing man was right there with him to fight the mission.

Thought I would share this picture of my favorites....

Last but not least, from our family to yours we would like to wish you a very

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!!!

Enjoy trying new things, but don't be too grown up- indulging in childish pastimes make family time so fun!

18 Weeks

I am 18 Weeks tomorrow and I think the "realness" of all of this is starting to sink in! I have felt blessed ever since finding out Pete and I would be parents, but this week I am feeling like, "Wow, parenthood here I come!!"

Heartbeat

I actually felt the baby start to move this week! I was expecting the baby to just punch me in the gut and I'd be like, "Eureka, there's something alive in there!" Well, it was not that way- I actually felt the first little butterfly flutters while lying in bed, I rolled over and felt like I had just gone down a small hill on a roller coaster. So, that was the first, and now every so often I'll have that feeling again and every time I can't help but smile and shriek for Pete to put his hand on my belly, but as all you mother's know... it's a little early for that just yet ;).

Hiccup

Really the hiccup of this week was my husband being out of town as I enjoyed these first flutters of life. He heard ALL about it over the phone and I guess it wouldn't have been much different if he were here (not like he can feel it;), but it would of been cool- but I know the reality- he's gotta work!

Well, in our 18th week, baby, I, and Pete will head to Indy so I'm sure there will be many "heartbeats" as we visit with family and friends!

17 Weeks

I am 17 Weeks this Monday! It is crazy to think that I am just about halfway through with the pregnancy, but I have to say it has been an amazing, exhausting, and fulfilling journey so far! So, in keeping with the "theme" of this blog, here is my heartbeat and hiccup of pregnancy at 17 weeks:

Heartbeat

geeesh- this week it is a tie between 2...

1) going to my 16 week Dr. appointment; I met our new Dr. and she is so sweet and I loved that she had good news for me- the baby is doing well at 160 bpm... still gets me every time I hear that little swish swish of a heartbeat :)

2) Told Pete that the baby is developed enough to start hearing us so now he has little "talks" with the baby- so cute!

Hiccup

Definitely realizing that even though the morning sickness has gone away the baby/new found ailment of heartburn does NOT seem to like any form of red sauce. I already knew that meat sauce on spaghetti was a no no, but I tried Chicken Parmesan and pretty immediately had to follow it with a lovely dose of Gas X- ha! Megan, I and Pete still LOVE your recipe, but I may just have to enjoy its loveliness from a distance- at least until May!

A Work In Progress!

With every move comes the excitement/worry of, "where am I going to live?" Pete and I decided to rent a house out here in Arkansas so we could have space for the baby, but also a space for our furry baby, Emma (she is slowly enjoying her time as an outdoor dog;).

I wanted to share some pictures of our new place, but keep in mind- it IS a work in progress!

Backyard (obviously): place I am TRYING to get Emma to like; I think I have spoiled her to being an indoor dog- I mean, she has been a heat-loving/people-loving/always-have-pets-whenever-I-want-them type of girl... guess I don't blame her, I may be her enabler :)

The Bonus Room: kind of a heap of stuff right now... mixture of Pete's old work stuff, scrapbooking, and my desk- but, I guess every home has a place like this- right?!

Master Bathroom: we were the MOST excited to have 2 sinks (looks like you can only see Pete's in the picture), but it is wonderful- our own space untouched by the other- kind of nice to have a few things like that in the home we share ;). This place also has a bathing tub that has yet to be used, but it sure does look inviting!

Master Bedroom: I love our bedroom because of all the light from the bay windows and it is spacey! I need to decorate and stuff, but it's ok for now!

I'll only show you the hallway for now ;), as this leads to the guest room/bathroom and baby's room which I have not added anything to yet! I DO look forward to the next few months when I can take the time to decorate them!!

I have to draw attention to it: do you see the cut out in the wall to the left? It reminds me of something you see in churches and I don't have the slightest clue what to do with the space... a vase? a picture? any suggestions?

Kitchen/Eating Area: I love this space and it has actually gave me the itchin' to start cookin'! I happened to marry a man who loves to cook and is rather good at it, but now that he is working out of the house it seemed like a pretty good time for me to start learning! So, I have drug out cook books and "how to's" online to learn how to make some kitchen yumminess! So, far I have only caused some minor smokiness and burnt one dinner- I'm getting there! ;)

Living Room: last but not least, our living room where we spend most of our time! Thank you to my sister for adding the only color we have in our home (all the paintings you have seen throughout the house were created by my talented sister:)), I think we may need to put in an order for another here soon- possibly for above our TV?!

So, although strange to put all the pictures of our home up I thought it would be fun- a picture to go with how things are down here in Arkansas! Although in the works, we do have a guest room with the door always open and sheets always clean if you would ever like to visit!!

Trying it on for size...

So, here I am actually beginning my blogging life. Never thought I would be the one to do it, I'm not so good with keeping people up to date with the happenings of our little life, but I think now that Pete and I have moved farther away from loved ones, what better time! Saddle up and enjoy the nonsense and loving moments that somehow make our wonderful marriage :).

First though, I wanted to explain the title with the preface that I am NOT creative at all! I always put way too much thought into things and end up with less than I started with and this project was no different: my family can attest to me asking and brainstorming with them about the title of this "journey". Nothing was really hitting home with me, so I decided to take a nap (oh yes- AMAZING NAPS that have taken on a whole new meaning with pregnancy- I've never appreciated them more). I woke up, lying with my hand over my belly, realizing that the happiest moment of my life was hearing the beautiful sound of my baby's heartbeat and looking over at my husband with tears in his eyes- we were going to be a family. With that beautiful heartbeat also comes life's hiccups:10 weeks into pregnancy my husband was blessed with a new business opportunity that was what we had hoped for but would sadly take us farther from our loving support system and happy St. Louis life. Although thrilled, it was a little hiccup that I had not planned for and my OCD mind needed to realize that just when you think you have things all planned out, God has other plans which I like to call hiccups- nothing horrible or that you can't get over, but that all in all make you stronger.

So, with that being said Pete and I hope you enjoy the heartbeats and hiccups of our life; we look forward to being able to share it all with you...

Love you all...