Five Girls

You know those people who are just refreshing to be around? They leave, and you can't wait to get together again because you really enjoy the mom and your kids play beautifully? The Kellys are one of those families. Shelley brought her girls over to play yesterday, and everyone had a sweet time.

Here are Abby Jane and Anna Beth having some private big-girl time in Abby Jane's room.

Abby Jane with all the little ones...
Lots of pink on that sofa...
Blythe snuggling with Katie, who's just a few months younger.

Thanks, Kelly ladies!

Granna's Not Really Fried Okra

Sandy made this recipe for us a couple of weeks ago, and I've made it multiple times since. Very little hands-on time, the taste of fried okra without the deep frying fat. I also like that it is a family recipe.

Ingredients:

- desired amount of okra, I'm guessing around a 1 or 1 1/2 is average amount, cut into 1/2 inch pieces

-1/3 cup white cornmeal

-1 T flour

-salt and pepper

-1 egg, whipped* (see note below)

-"just enough bacon grease to shine your cast iron skillet" is the official recipe, but I just add a couple T of canola oil

Directions:

Heat oven to 320 (I've jacked it up to 400 for a little while when I've been in a hurry a few times, though). Put whatever you're using as a cooking oil, be it bacon grease, shortening, or oil, in the skillet and put in oven to heat and "shine the bottom of the skillet." Remove skillet and combine all other ingredients in the skillet and bake in oven at least 4o minutes, up to one hour, depending on how crispy you want it.

*The first time I made it, I forgot the egg. I liked it eggless and a little drier, more just salty and crumbly topping on the okra. With the egg, it's even more of a fried taste, but still without the deep frying and heavy breading.

** WARNING: IT'S ADDICTING!

He's Home!

Jake landed at 7:30 this morning and had a beautiful sign welcoming him home!

And just look what that sweet man brought home with him from two of my favorite places!

If he couldn't put any people in his luggage, these were the next best things to bring home! Glad to have my man on this side of the country again! Did I mention that he got home from his red-eye and went with us to storytime at the library an hour later before going into work. I know, I know, he's good.

Less than 48 hours

Until Jake gets home! The girls and I "got away" to my mom's house for the last few days, and here are the high points (again, this falls under the category of superfluous blogging for Jake's sake!)

-Blythe's aforementioned bloody nose

-going to a wonderful park and all the girls getting to swing

-Greg, Sus, and their kids coming over for an evening swim (during which Abby Jane jumped off from standing on my shoulders AND jumped into the deep end with me!)

-the opportunity for me to get in some early morning runs, which I can't do while Jake's gone, and for me to do some child-free errands

-great time at Mom's church

-an extra set of hands to love on and help my little girls!

Every time Jake has to go out of town, I have a new respect for single mamas!

Chapters

A huge one closed in our lives today as Jake had his very last day of classes for his Ph.D! I am so extremely proud of him and beyond thrilled that this day is here. He has loved his classes, his cohort, his faculty- the entire experience has been such a blessing.

But what on earth will we do now that he's only in the dissertation phase? I know, the phrase, "only" there is a joke- that's still so much, but it will be new sweet chapter where Jake can really dive into and enjoy his research without the responsibilities of coursework in addition.

Then there's that whole extra time for family thing that we'll have. I'm excited about about that one. There's a lot that Jake plans to do with his newfound time after spending four of our six years of marriage in class for either his masters or doctorate (he was halfway through that masters when we got married!)

Another chapter we appear to be opening is Blythe's camicaze stage. Today, she fell flat on her face from standing by the sofa and literally got a bloody nose. It was absolutely the saddest thing I have ever seen! Not to be gross, but the juxtaposition of blood on a little pink seersucker smocked top was so Blythe in that she's a sweet, petite little girly, but she's also seem to have some tomboy in her!

Pruning...

Today I pruned back my lantana in my front step flower pots.

I took a few items that had been waiting in my garage and in the twins' room to the Hope Center.

I got a haircut, thanks to a babysitting Mimi.

I finally had the opportunity to get into Blythe and Joy's closet to remove items they have outgrown and hang up items they now fit into.

Trash bags have been taken out, outgrown clothes have been tucked away, and I even found the carseat toys we bought for Blythe and Joy before they were born for them to have as new and fresh. They have been MIA since the day they were born, but today's "pruning back" of my home revealed them!

Pruning feels great!

Tidbits

Here commences a few tidbits to make Jake smile while he's away from his girls...

-Joy said, "Mamamama" this week, and seems to feel compelled to wave simultaneously, and you can tell she's very very proud of her accomplishment

-Blythe is literally become an ankle biter and can blow phenomenally loud zerberts on my shoulder, leg, wherever she may be

-Blythe also has a thing for shoes, and any time a shoe is about to fall victim to Blythe's mouth, Abby Jane tells her in PERFECT "Soup Nazi" tone of voice (without coaching): "No shoes for you!" and takes it away. It does not fail to crack me up.

-In other quotables, today, after some particularly impressive potty performance, I told Abby Jane she was a rockstar. She said, "No, Mama, you're a rockstar." Granted, she's never heard the phrase before and has no idea what it means. If you think about it, "rockstar" to a 2-year-old sounds pretty bizarre. I don't think I'd want to be one either!

My Future Career (surprise, Honey!)

Today was our weekly Farmer's Market/play at the park morning. I love it- there is something so therapeutic about seeing all the fresh produce and various other homemade goods people are selling. I also love being known there. This one lady today said, "I see you brought your little city with you!"

I was thinking after I put the girls down for their naps how much I love the market, its atmosphere, and the concept behind it- people bringing whatever they do best, be it produce they grew, bread they baked, preserves they canned, and making a profit doing what they love. They can tell you just how they grew it (pesticides they did or didn't use), what ingredients they used, how they ground their grains, etc. There are no ingredients you can't pronounce.

Then it hit me- someday, I would love to do what the soup lady was doing. Today I bought a container of cold Thai curry squash soup that I had sampled and loved last week from a lady selling three cold soups each week. She keeps her list of items simple, she displays it very tastefully, you could tell she enjoyed talking with customers and other vendors (in a non-annoying way). It's no secret I'm not dying to get back to nursing in the future, though that may change. But it would be so fun to sell seasonal baked goods at a farmer's market!

Don't hold me to it. I might be an empty-nester before I do it. By then, I might not want to. But today, it's fun to think about!

P.S. I can't upload pictures while Jake's in Cali, so wait til after next Wednesday if you only check our blog for pics!

We're all learning...

Yesterday, our family of five loaded up and drove Jake to the airport to fly out to L.A. for his last on-campus session that will complete his doctoral coursework!! On the way we had a conversation that went like this...

Abby Jane: "Whacchu going to do in California, Daddy?"

Jake: "I'm going to finish my doctorate."

Abby Jane: "Whacchu going to do with that, Daddy?"

Jake: "I can better help people, I get to learn, and it will help me make more money."

Em: "Daddy gets to learn, Abby Jane!"

Abby Jane: "I'm learning how to go poo-poo on the potty!"

Jake: "Yes, Daddy had to learn how to do that before he got to start his classes, too."

Highlights of the week

Sandy helped me take all three to the park this week, and Blythe

and Joy

absolutely ate it up. It seems to run in the family. Abby Jane literally prefers to swing almost the entire time we are at a park. We have just recently started honing our "big kid swing" skills and are learning to pump!

Last night, Jake and Abby Jane mowed the yard and somehow cleaning off the mower turned into this... which ultimately turned into an outdoor bathtime for Abby Jane!

Today we had lunch with Jake at KSU's amazing dining facility. Abby Jane finds it especially amazing as she always gets a treat after lunch there- observe cupcake frosting on her arm (she's saying "no, don't take a picture!").

Summer Italian

Last night we had Kris and Rebecca Hodges, KSU's Campus Crusade staff couple, over for dinner. Jake is Crusade's faculty advisor for KSU, so I have heard about the Hodges but didn't have the pleasure of meeting them until last night. We so enjoyed getting to know that sweet couple better and hear a little of what God's doing at KSU.

I used the opportunity to try Holly's Roasted Summer Squash and Chicken Pasta, which was amazing. It made enough for dinner last night, and at least three more dinners to freeze- very economical! I like it.

(Side note: I was at the farmer's market getting the veggies yesterday and ended up using one HUGE zucchini that was about the size of Blythe... that I got for $1!)

Our Turtle Bend veggie subscription gave me some basil last week, so I made some bruschetta and was amazed by how easy and FAST it was to make... and how addictive those little guys are.

(If you try it, I did add a pinch of sugar as my tomatoes seemed a bit too acidic at first. Also, as a cost-saver, I used shredded mozzarella I already had in the fridge instead of buying slices. It was still delish!)

Rebecca brought a salad with craisins and candied walnuts that was perfect and light with the pasta.

We did this blueberry topping (that Holly, a.k.a. Martha Stewart, told me about) for our vanilla ice cream, and I was a fan. I think it would also be great with angel food cake or pound cake. Didn't take pictures because we had company over and I didn't want to say, "Oh wait, let me photograph your dessert." But it was really pretty and summery looking! They say blueberries should be called brain berries because of how great they are for your brain. I'm sure the butter and sugar only enhance those qualities, right? Right, right...

What I am SO excited about...

Remember the whole episode with Blythe's bumper that ended up awarding me $105 store credit at Pottery Barn Kids? Well, voila! Here is Abby Jane's resulting new quilt!

I'm obsessed! It just came in today and I love it. If cost were no factor, I would want the whole collection. But I think the rest of America did, too, as it's mainly sold out. For today, that quilt just makes me so happy!

***Just realized I should mention that this photo is the one from the PBK website, not Abby Jane's room... in case the monogram threw you off!!

A Great Idea

You may not want to read further if you are not a past, present, or future nursing mama. If you are, though, have you ever heard of a milk bank? What a fabulous and easy way to both address the hypothetical frozen milk hypothetically taking over your freezer AND help other babies!

Girlfriends

My sweet Auburn roommates came in town last weekend for our annual get-together! They were kind to come to ATL so I wouldn't have to worry with logistics with leaving or bringing the twins. We had SUCH a refreshing time of talking, shopping, yummy food, and just enjoying hanging out! Lynds and Mikelyn came over Friday morning to see my kiddos, as Mikelyn had not met the little girls yet. We had dinner that night at Eclipse Di Luna, which was fabulous!!! Here are Lyndsay and I there...

Mikelyn and Steph

All four of us at Cafe Intermezzo (excuse the flash). I had only been there once or twice before and had forgotten HOW AMAZING that place is! Of course it was only beat by the company.

I wasn't the only one enjoying girlfriends this weekend, though. One of Abby Jane's sweet little friends, Maddy, had her 2nd birthday party on Saturday morning. While Jake stayed home with the itty bitties, I took Jane and we both had a lovely time!

Girlfriends are just the greatest, aren't they? Jake's my best friend, but I'm so indescribably thankful for all the ladies who tie for 2nd best! I pray for the same thing for my girls.

Celebrating

Last weekend, we celebrated family...

Ian's birthday...

America's birthday...

and Blythe crawling (video to come)!

And finally, we celebrated the life of my precious sister-in-law Susan's sweet mom as she went to be with the Lord early Monday morning after her 10-month battle with cancer ended. As Susan had to leave us to go be with her mom Saturday and Sunday and while arrangements were being made for the service, etc., we all had the blessing of getting to love on Susan, my brother Greg, and their kiddos and "be family" in that unique way that you only get the privilege of doing a few times in life. The service yesterday was a very sweet celebration of Susan's mom's life- those of us who knew her were all the more blessed for it. Beyond that, the amazing and daily inspiring wife and mother that Susan is speaks the most loudly as to who her mother was. That in itself is a challenge to us moms, that we will leave a similar legacy.

Eight months

Joy kicked off the week of their 8 month bday by producing her first two teeth on Saturday! She laughs at random times and especially when tickled- the kid is soo ticklish, and sometimes she smiles so big you think her face might break. She talks LOUDLY and frequently carries on conversations with Abby Jane and Blythe when Abby Jane says these magic words: "ba ba ba." Our home is going to be SOOO noisy when all three are actually using words. Joy is fantastic at sitting up and is content to do just that- seems to have no desire to crawl or scoot.

Blythe continues to just be a nut. She still smiles at anything that moves and thinks a lot of people are really funny. Jake thinks she said, "Mama" the other day, and I think she sometimes is looking at me when she says, "Maaaa" but it's not official yet. One of her current stunts is pulling down the bumper to look out of the crib, which makes it tricky if you're trying to sneak in to do something for just Joy! She will crawl at any second now. I think she's waiting for a big audience this weekend with my family to officially do it, but she is definitely on all fours, rocking, scooting, spinning on her belly, lunging, trying to pull up... the kid is rarely still.

They play decently well together, though they frequently steal each other's toys. Blythe is better at getting finger foods in her mouth, but Joy is improving. They eat anything I feed them, and in large quantities! They get really excited about the blueberries, cheese and Puffs that come out after all their veggies.

Joy is still our snuggler- at baby storytime yesterday, all the other kids wanted to pat the librarian's stuffed gorilla, but sweet Joy just leaned in for some snuggle love.

Abby Jane got consistent about differentiating between the little girls when they were about six months old, and she is FANTASTIC at helping when they're in the car! She makes them laugh, gives them pacis, tells us who's awake or asleep, and gives them toys. At home, we're working on not grabbing toys out of their hands, but for the most part, she's kind and gentle to the girls (though she did tell me the other day, "I don't want to be kind.") She ALWAYS can't wait to see them when she wakes up and gets so tickled by their funny talking and when they reach out to her.