Oh Happy Day!

The news has finally broken and we are PREGNANT! Yesterday marked the end of the 13th week, the end of the 1st trimester, and the beginning of being able to openly talk about our precious Baby Smidgen.

But, Clint and I have actually known about Smidgen for a while. We found out that we were pregnant on July 22nd - the day we were leaving for our vacation. What a surprise and we weren't completely convinced - although the pregnancy test was obvious enough. We took another test while on the road on July 23rd and got the same result. So, on the long, long drive to Florida, we scheduled a doctor's appointment on August 6th after we returned. Our appointment went perfectly and the doctor confirmed that we were pregnant. We returned a few days later to meet the OB/GYN and ended up getting our first ultrasound! It was so amazing to see our little 1 cm Smidgen.

Now, we have had a couple more appointments, a TON of tests (all of which came back great - for which we are thankful), and even got to hear the baby's heartbeat a week and a half ago. Smidgen is now pushing "lemon-size" at 3-3.5 inches and should hit 1.5 ounces this week. We are so excited and are busily preparing ourselves, our lives, the baby's room, and everything for Smidgen's arrival somewhere around March 26th (our due date).

Catching Up

Shame on me... It has been a month and a half since my last post! Wow! I'm ashamed of myself... and even still I don't have too much to talk about! *I know - that's a first!*

Well, I know I have talked a lot about our diets and weight loss endeavors and so far we have been quite successful. Clint has easily hit fifty pounds and I am pushing forty pounds! That's in less than 7 months - I think that is quite impressive and a healthy rate of loss.

Now that we are losing the weight, we are also going to be modifying the quality of our foods. I am trying to make a switch to more raw (not uncooked, but less processed), clean, organice foods. Now, hold on, I'm not going off the deep end, but I just think that the fuel we give our bodies should be high-quality and meaningful. Too often, meals are an after-thought and we end up throwing trash into our system. Then, we wonder why we feel sluggish and bloated.

Instead, we are creating meal plans (side benefit: this helps a LOT with budgeting and grocery bills!) full of whole wheat breads and pastas; fresh, organic fruits and vegetables; appropriate serving portions; and limited processed foods.

Then, just for fun, I made this trail mix from raw ingredients at Central Market. Yay for being healthier!

Yummy Food Pictures!

A delicious breakfast pizza, the recipe is complements of Clinton - very yummy and easy to make! Just use a canned pizza dough, white gravy for the sauce, and then pile on your favorite breakfast toppings like sausage, bacon, scrambled eggs, and cheese!
Black Bean Burgers - recipe is several posts below...

Avocado Soup - looks good, but it wasn't my favorite.

Carrot and Onion Quiche...

Penelope in the Bluebonnets...

Other assorted catching-up pictures...

Last Sunday Clint and I took our CHL (concealed handgun license) class which consisted of a class with a written test and a field test. Lots of fun and we both passed! Another tick off of the bucket list.

Then, we just purchased Clint a new to him truck!!! Say hello to King Tritan (my name for the truck, not Clint's). A very nice 2005 F-150 in a very sexy charcoal gray color.

I don't think the next picture requires a comment... Ok, maybe it does... And now, in the center of the ring, Clintoni Hoovoni!

Uh-Oh! Time for Catch-up!!! Penelope's Second Birthday!

For Squirt and Penelope's second birthday, we took them to Krystal's Hamburgers for a yummy kid's meal of a hamburger and french fries and then went to Fort Woof for some fun play-time. Enjoy the pictures!

Yes, that is an entire hamburger bun in her mouth. Don't worry - she has it all under control!

Look at her licking her chops!

Christ Chapel Bible Church

Last night at church we learned about the amazing process and procedure of the Passover, the symbolism of the Seder meal, and the relevance to us as the body of Christ. Also last night we were challenged to fast and pray for our church as we embark on a new building project. This time of fasting can be as short or as long as God leads us, but I feel challenged to fast, pray, meditate, and reflect during my work day. So, for the entire time I am at work, I will be fasting, reading the Bible (during lunch and my conference time), seeking God's plan for our family's financial contribution to CCBC, and refocusing my attention on God.

I decided to do this during work, since this time seems to be the time when I get most caught up in other things. I get most stressed, over-worked, immersed in tasks, and exposed to worldly behaviors during the 7:30-4:30 time block. So, instead of eating breakfast this morning, I read in Dueteronomy about God's provisions and deliverance. Instead of eating lunch, I will meditate on God's word and reflect on His amazing love for me. Instead of snacks, I will dedicate my actions to God's will.

Clint has also committed to fasting and praying with me (albeit, at different times and in different places) during the lunch hour.

Please pray for us today.