A new chapter

Well we've had some change of plans that I didn't see coming, but we have decided with prayer and now we're going forward with confidence. Derek is going to be quitting his job on August 15th and is enrolled in full time school and I will be heading to work to be the bread winner! It is a scary thing for me. I said many many times that I WOULD NOT go full time until Drew was at least a year old. It's strange how things change. I found a few jobs, but none felt super good until I went in for an interview at Orem Rehab and Nursing. It was a full time position, but they were willing to work with me. They found another COTA who was possibly going to be willing to split the shift with me, if not they would hire me on at 30 hours a week, so I was pretty happy. Then the other COTA decided it was better for her family to stay in Salt Lake. I totally understand you need to do what is best. So here I was going to be working 30 hours, I was still considered part-time even though full time is 32 hours... the plan was to go full time in January and Derek would start full time school then. so anyways it was nagging at me that something wasn't fitting. Our kids were going to be in Day care for about 7 hours a day (sucky) and we would only save about $4000 in four months after child care and other expenses came out from my checks. It didn't seem worth it to me to basically be working full-time, having our kids stay somewhere else all day long if we weren't even going to be able to build up our savings account to a super impressive number. So last night Derek and I discussed the subject of me just starting full time and him going to school full time. The reason I'm working is to get him through school right? Well we prayed about it and I felt a peace about the whole thing, but to my surprise Derek didn't What??? We had never been on separate pages before, so we talked, did some math some more, then took a break for the night, then prayed some more. Derek said this morning he still didn't feel great about the idea so he asked me to pray about him going to school. Well I did,but again I still felt calm about the idea. I was very confused, because I should be the one fighting to stay home right? Don't get me wrong my heart is crushed into pieces at the thought of not seeing my two beautiful kids smiles all the time, but I couldn't help it I had a very peaceful feeling. So I called Derek a little upset and confused. I had it worked out that it would be cheaper for us for me to work full time since he could take after noon classes so the kids would only be at daycare for about three hours until I came and picked them up that is not bad at all in my eyes, and they would be able to at least be with one of their parents! He said that I made valid points and said he would think about it some more. A few hours later he called me and told me he was going to be quitting his job! He felt that the reason he didn't feel super was because he truly hadn't decided yet if going to school right now was the best choice, but as soon as he did he felt the peaceful feeling I had too. It is working out for this semester so far. His schedule is all in the afternoon from about 2:00 on so it won't be long that the kids will be babysat before I get home. We still will be able to save each check if we discipline ourselves since I will be able to make more than we are making now. It is going to be such a hard few years for me, to miss my kids each day, but I know that the sooner Derek is done with school the sooner my hope to be a stay at home mom can become a reality! I am so grateful for the Lord in answering prayers, even if it is a hard answer. This will be the hardest thing I do at this point in my life, but I have a confirmation that I can hold onto when the hard times of guilt and missing my sweet kiddos come up. I hope that others won't judge this decision of me working outside the home, unfortunately I have faced judgement before just going to school. I have read the scriptures and many articles about mothers and working. I like one quote that was given from President Hinkley I believe in one article it said "to those mother's who have to work outside the home for righteous reasons to help support their family, the Lord gives his blessings, because he understands and knows the anguish you feel." So true. Times have changed in the financial world now. It doesn't mean I don't believe a mother should be with her children at home if she can, but I also know and believe if a woman is called to work outside the home to help provide and support her family, not just to have more money and "things" then she is still a righteous person and no one can say that she doesn't love her children, because speaking firsthand there is nothing I wouldn't do for my little bugs and my heart will ache everyday, I'm starting to cry just thinking of it, but I know what is right for my family. If we're lucky we'll only have about three years until my hubby can graduate!!! Sorry for the soap box, but anyways here's to a new chapter in our lives!

Some recipes

Okay so as we've been trying to eat better here are two things that I think have turned out to our liking the first one is just my made up thing. It started with a night of getting down to the bare minimum of our groceries and trying to make it stretch. Well it turned out to be super yummy and filling and low calorie. Derek actually asks for it all the time. It'll probably be the easiest cheapest meal you can make that is pretty good for you. So anyways...

three cans of whatever beans ( I like black, kidney, and white)
some steamed brown whole grain rice
homemade or bought salsa
some cheese

so obviously there are no measurements just whatever looks good to me. So throw it all in a skillet and heat it up and mix it together. Get some corn chips or tortillas and there you go! It doesn't sound like much but it actually tastes great together and I get full on one serving cause of all the beans. Super yummy! you can even top with lettuce and make a little salad out of it!

Okay I tried the black bean brownies and I have to say I was pleasently surprised. Linnea kept asking for more, Derek said they were good, they had a different texture, but he said he couldn't tell there were beans in them so here is that recipe if you dare to try

1 can black beans
3 eggs
3 T veg oil (or applesauce if you want it healthier)
1/4 c cocoa powder
1 pinch salt
1 tsp vanilla
3/4 c sugar
1/2 c chocolate chips (optional)

preheat oven to 350 degrees, combine beans, eggs, oil, cocoa, salt, vanilla, and sugar in blender. Blend together. Pour into 8 x 8 pan and top with chocolate chips if you want. Bake until top is dry and edges start to pull away from the sides about 30 minutes. I put a little powdered sugar on top at the end and we enjoyed them! They are dairy and gluten free for anyone who has allergies. I told my mom so we'll see if she braves them :) Tomorrow I'm making a low cal garlic chicken so it's a meat recipe we'll see how it turns out. It's kind of fun finding fun healthy recipes and having them turn out to be something my family actually really enjoys!

Our new mission

Well Derek and I have decided to make some changes in our lives. Healthier changes. Now once upon a time after I had Linnea I was a health nut, very close to being almost a vegan, not for weird reasons, just health. I would have milk from time to time or some eggs, but for the most part I was basically eating plant food. And to be honest I had never felt better in my life! I had so much energy and I lost 60 POUNDS!!!! I have, like a lot of girls, had self-esteem issues that have been there since middle school, and after I lost that weight I actually after years would look in the mirror and liked what I saw...that may sound vain, but it wasn't in a vain way I just felt good and happy all around. So anyways once I started my school program the vending machines became much more tempting and I was sitting most of the day, so I put on a few more pounds, not a horrific amount but about 7 or so and then I got pregnant with sweet little Andrew and all discipline was gone. So here I am again....I know everyone keeps telling me o you just had a baby it's fine. But I can't tell you how frustrating it is to not fit in any of my summer clothes, so anyways without whining too much about baby weight, Derek and I have made some decisions. We are not vegetarians, we both like our meat, but we have decided to decrease our meals with meat in them and increase our plant food intake. So four nights out of the week we have meatless meals, and the other three we'll have chicken or something like that. We have a roast that we'll have on Sunday, but that's about it. I've been doing the bountiful basket co-op for over a year now, and I have made a goal to seriously make sure I use ALL my produce from that basket. I want to make some changes for my family. Linnea is a big sugar holic which is fine, but I also want her and Drew to understand as they grow up what the healthy choices in food are. We did a family home evening last monday on healthy eating to kick start our little family journey. My sister and her family have given us a lot of inspiration. Katie and Eric have truly made some drastic changes in their lives and I hearing how it affects little Sammy, so I know he'll understand what is healthy and I want that for our kids also. Last night we made a black bean bake with some rice...you wouldn't even notice that it didn't have meat in the tortillas! The beans fill you us almost better. Derek has a co-worker that uses beans in their desserts in place of the fat. Derek tried some cookies and he said you wouldn't even know it. I found a recipe for black bean brownies which is the same concept so we'll see how they turn out!!! I've done a lifestyle change before, but I hope this time it sticks, because now my husband is involved, granted Derek has a sweet tooth, but he is trying to take apples and carrots now to work instead of chips and cookies. So wish us luck. I think changing your eating habits is one of the hardest things to do, at least for me!!!
If anyone feels maybe they want to try some meatless meals, I've found some great resources for recipes so let me know!

Blessing, the 4th, Splash park...and other stuff

We have had a busy last few days! Our Sweet little man was blessed on the third and it was so great. We had tons of family come down to spend the day with us, I love getting together, and of course with our family there is always tons and tons of food! Some highlights that Andrew was told in his blessing that really stood out to me, because a few days before I had the same thoughts of my little boy, he was told a few times how kind he would be, and how he would love people so much and just yearn to share the gospel because of his love for others. I had that thought come to me, more about how he will love his sister and always be one to watch out for her because I just know he is going to be such a loving and gentle personality. So I absolutely loved his blessing and I loved watching Derek perform the blessing!!!

For the fourth Derek and I just did our own thing. We were so spoiled the kids slept in until 7:30 so for most of the day we just relaxed and played outside and recooped from the busy weekend. Before our personal firework show we went and got some ice cream, and yes I gave Andrew his first experience, now before you judge it was a tiny amount and it was hilarious watching him lick lips! Linnea was a little bit afraid of her sparkler and the flowers that we got, but it was still a lot of fun. We didn't watch any big fireworks since the kiddos had had several late nights we decided to put them to bed at bedtime. it was a great day, and I am so thankful to all those who have sacrificed for the freedom of the country. Even though there is drama with the government I would never want to live anywhere else!

And then today we have a brand new splash park around the corner from us that just opened up so I went with my friend Erin and linnea's little boyfriend Jude and we let the kiddos splash, Drew did not appreciate me putting his feet in the water, but Linnea loved it. Jude is fearless and would sit right on the streams of water, Nea was a little bit cautious, but still had such a fun time. Life is so great right now. I have so much fun with my kids and Derek it is awesome. O I am officially licensed now as a COTA, so on the 7th I have an orientation for a job that is on call. I hope to only work a max of 10 hours to 15 hours a week for a little while, but it will be nice to help out with finances a little bit I know it will relieve some pressure for Derek and help us increase our savings yay!!!!! Well enjoy the picture show below :)

The two red-heads loving life

Drew loves his Daddy

mommy and Drew

Linnea being a little unsure about the fireworks :)

Sweet baby Drew

Some of the crazy Carters

Some of the Childs'

Katie and Sammy loving life

Nea and Daddy

Ahhh memories

I have found after having my own kids how so much of what Linnea does reminds me of some of my favorite things I used to do as a kid, like wearing adult shoes, doing my parents hair, playing with any type of animal I can find....it is so fun to watch my little kids develop and grow!!!! And here is just a picture of cutie patootie drew!

There are a few things in life that can lift your spirits instantly and are completely irrisistable...a little baby's smile is for sure one of those things...Drew loves to smile at us...I'm still trying to capture one of his open mouth smiles cause those just melt you in a second :)

Father's Day

I just wanted to wish the wonderful father's out the a great day. I personally have such a wonderful Dad that I couldn't ask for anyone better. He has always been a kid at heart I think. He loves Disney movies and Disneyland more than any other kid out there :). My dad has always worked so hard to provide for his family, for most of my life he had two jobs, but still made time for church callings as well as all of our extra curricular activities including sitting through never ending drill team competitions which I know he has no interest in dancing :) but he did it just so I would be able to look up and see both he and my mom cheering me on! He is a wonderful grandpa to my kids and little Sammy. Linnea absolutely adores her papa!!!

I also have the greatest husband who is an amazing daddy! He is so calm and understanding and is so fun to watch with our little girl...who most definietly adores her daddy, and now to see him make faces and play with little Drew I can almost see the two of them in a few years mowing the lawn or playing catch together. It is such a different kind of love you feel for your spouse when you see them interact and have so much love towards their kids! I love you Derek and think our children and future children are the luckiest kids alive to have a daddy like you