Menu Planning Monday

I thought I'd do something fun and join in on the public announcement of our week's menu plan...

I have a confession....Pinterest is my go-to menu. Most, if not all, of these recipes came from Pinterest. Is that sad? It's just so easy and I have found some keepers! I've even stared a board called "Foods I make on a regular basis!" Follow if you like! :)

(I'm not sure on what the "rules" are for pictures and on sharing other people's pics...and I always forget to take my own or don't feel like messing with it because I am not a photographer...so... sorry for lack of pics and please enjoy the few that I took!) :)

So here is a peak at our menu for this week:

Baked Sweet and Sour Chicken - The whole family LOVES this recipe and the chicken is so addicting! I sometimes double the recipe so that there's enough for lunch the next day! The fried rice recipe in the link is pretty good too!

Taco Pizza - I can't wait to try this one! It looks so good!

Honey Garlic Pork Chops - Also a new recipe that I can't wait to try!

Baked Cream Cheese Spaghetti - This is the only way to make spaghetti now! YUMMY!!!

For dessert today I made a pumpkin chocolate chip bread. It doesn't taste a whole lot like pumpkin bread and wish it did. So...might need to mess around with the recipe. I took a pic after Lincoln and I took a taste test. Lincoln says it passes. But Joe, and the other hand, doesn't like that it doesn't taste like pumpkin bread.

 

On Sunday I didn't go to church because of two little ones with the sniffles, so I made some frozen breakfast burritos. This is a first and I enjoyed the ones that my mom made last week, I had to try myself! I made egg, ham, and cheese burritos and hope to try other kinds in the near future! It's so easy with a quick pop in the microwave and they're ready to go!

Another fun thing to make is baby food! This week I was able to pull out my Sage Spoonfuls box that I won in a twitter party and put it to good use! I had won the "Let's Get Started Package" and after the first try, I LOVE it!!!! 

And so does Beckham! We made some apple puree!!!

Not that you really care what we are eating this week... But if you have a go-to recipe that never fails, or have a fun baby food recipe that you think I should try, please share! If I pick yours, I'll try it and blog about it! :)

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Lincoln 4 years old: 20 questions

Happy 4th Birthday to my big guy!!!!

My interview with Lincoln:

Me: Lincoln, I'm going to ask you some questions, ok?

L: Ok! what is it?

1. What is your favorite color? uh, blue and green. Just two of them

2. What is your favorite toy? Lego bumble bee

3. What is your favorite fruit? Apple...or...banana...banana

4. What is your favorite tv show? Little Einsteins 

5. What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch? Banana

6. What is your favorite outfit? a candle shirt. it lets you see in the pipes.

7. What is your favorite game? Mario. I like Mario. Mario's the best!

8. What is your favorite snack? Banana

9. What is your favorite animal? Elephant. Because they have royal trunks.

10. What is your favorite song? Jingle Bells

11. What is your favorite book? Mario

12. Who is your best friend? Sean

13. What is your favorite cereal? Banana

14. What is your favorite thing to do outside? Play catch

15. What is your favorite drink? Juice

16. What is your favorite holiday? Christmas

17. What do you like to take to bed with you at night? A car, teddy bear

18. What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast? Banana

19. What do you want for dinner on your birthday? Candles and a birthday cake!

20. What do you want to be when you grow up?  A doctor and check out your heart and listen like this: thump thump thump. 

Apparently this kid cant get enough bananas! LOL!

update on kiddos and life

I've missed blogging...These kiddos have kept me busy...

Beckham at 2 weeks

(photo credit: Natalie Grace Photography)

 Beckham with big brother at 14 weeks

It's hard to believe that it's been almost 4 months since Beckham was born. What's even harder to believe is that Lincoln will be 4 in about a month! CRAZY!!! He is growing into such a big boy. A little man really. Some of the things he comes up with cracks me up and I wonder to my self, "what in the world? where did he come up with that?!" I really should write them down. (cuz now I can't come up with any...)

My favorite thing about Lincoln right now is his imagination. From pretending to be Iron Man, playing Blue's Clues (he always makes me Blue...), to building robots. I decided that for his birthday, we will be getting him some big boy Legos! He's doing the best he can with what he's got now, which isn't a whole lot!

I've been trying to do preschool with him. But with baby and house work and lack of motivation....yea...I'm terrible at it...anyways...This is a new week...

Beckham is growing WAY TO FAST!!! I'm thinking he's my last baby and I don't want to let go, miss anything, or make him grow too fast! He's a very smiley baby and LOVES his daddy! He enjoys watching big brother and has just found a new growl/voice thing...it's so cute!

Right now Lincoln are waiting excitedly for Uncle Ken and Aunt RuthAnn to get in. They are moving to Greenville from Colorado and should be here soon! RuthAnn will be traveling with the quartet (that Joe travels with,) playing the piano. We are excited for this opportunity for them and happy to have family in town! With that happening, Joe and I have been looking for a house to buy thinking this might mean we will be here longer. 

so...kids, house hunting, in-laws moving in town, some preschooling, church, and family time...I'll TRY to fit blogging in there. What should I blog about?

Beckham Scott is here! (late update)

Photo credit: Cathy VanLaanen

Beckham Scott arrived on Thursday, June 14, 2012 at 5:29am. He weighed 7lbs. 7oz., and was 18.5 in. long. (not as big as I was predicting) Delivery went smoothly and we are adjusting nicely to being a family of four!

Sorry for not keeping up to date like I did with my pregnancy. I hardly touched my computer in that first week of being home. My parents came in the day after Beckham was born and we stayed busy with trips to downtown, the flee market, and stuff around the house. I felt really good after this delivery, that sitting around while mom and dad were in town didn't make much sense. 

Lincoln enjoying some time with Grandpa!

When Beckham was about two weeks, we took a trip up to Midland, MI to visit Joe's family. It was such a wonderful stay. HOT, but fun times with family and friends! Joe and I really missed Michigan and did not want to leave! :)

photo credit: Natalie Everson

Grandparents and all the grandchildren (minus Beckham) at the Saginaw Zoo!

photo credit: Natalie Everson

Lincoln with his cousin Kevin at the Concert in the Park before the fireworks.

photo credit: Natalie Everson

Lincoln was so excited for the fireworks! But he must have forgotten how loud they can be!

photo credit: RuthAnn Everson

Lincoln and his Aunt RuthAnn!

On our way home we stopped by my sister's in Indiana. Lincoln always loves going to Aunt Brooke's and Uncle Everett's! (He remembers the Christmas presents...)

(photo credit goes to Brooke)
Lincoln and Beckham enjoying their Aunt Brooke!

I'm slowly getting back into the swing of things. It's nice to have my energy back. Even though I'm now getting up for midnight feedings, it's not the same as pregnancy exhaustion. It feels really good to have my body back. Now I'm hoping to start working out soon. I'd like to try running. I've never tried and I've always hated running. I'm interested in giving the Couch to 5K running a try. (Pinterest find) My plan is to start next week as I will then be 5.5 weeks postpartum. I'm also (slowly) reading through the book called 'Move it Mom! How to get your body back after baby.' (previously free kindle book) I REALLY want to commit to some type of work out! I'm SO bad at it. I just don't have enough motivation....BUT...I'm gonna try this time! :) I can use all the encouragement I can get!

For the most part my days consist of nursing, diaper changing, PBS, and Netflix. Adventuring out on my own with a newborn is still scary to me. I did go grocery shopping with both kids last week, but it was a quick trip and Beckham got pretty mad at the end... He won't try a bottle or paci for moments like those. Hopefully he will change his mind soon!

Joe had a little break from traveling on the weekends with the quartet and will be back at it starting this weekend. The schedule looks pretty full all through the fall. I'm not sure how much I'll travel with him this fall.  

photo credit: Natalie Everson

It was really neat to have the quartet sing at our 'home church,' Calvary Baptist in Midland.

Ever since we got back from Midland, Joe's had the artist's itch again and is pumping out some really cool art. You can see what he's been up to here.

I feel that I have so much more to update everyone on...maybe this will get me back into blogging more! You may have noticed that I like to steal people's pictures. That's another thing I want to work on...taking my own pictures so that I have something to show for on my blog! I have ideas and hope to keep you all up to date more than I have been!

So with that, here's one that I LOVE! :)
First signs of Beckham's smile!

Pregnancy update: 37 weeks, 6 days (maybe last update!)

I've been bad again at not keeping up with the pregnancy updates. I've not been motivated to do anything! If I do do something, it just exhausts me.

This week Joe's grandmother passed away. We knew it was coming and prayed about God's timing as Joe would have to leave me for the funeral. This was almost cutting it too close though! Thursday I had a doctor's appointment. They said that since I haven't had any signs of labor starting, they weren't going to examine me just yet. But gave warning that anything could happen over the weekend and to just take it easy! 

I felt great and thought it'd be find for Joe to leave us from Friday early morning to late Monday night. We went up to Charlotte, got a hotel, swam in the pool, and had a good time relaxing as a family. Lincoln really liked the pool! 

I said goodbye to Joe at 4am Friday as he went off on the shuttle to the airport. We went home, did some grocery shopping, and went out for dinner with some friends with a movie at their house afterwards. I was tired at the end of that day but still felt fine.

Saturday was a different story. I was exhausted, so I laid around for a little bit in the morning. By afternoon/evening I was so uncomfortable with my back hurting and braxton hicks contractions happening every time I moved out of my spot on the couch! I was afraid to do anything or go out anywhere. I also noticed, but thought maybe it was my imagination, that my belly looked a little lower. I skyped with my mom and she even thought the same! I kinda started freaking out in my head. I didn't want to take any chances of jump starting labor, so Lincoln and I stayed home from church on Sunday.

I sat on the couch, played Wii with Lincoln, and watched movies. After a quick afternoon nap and supper approaching, we were ready to get out of the house! I picked up some McDonald's and took Lincoln to the park. I just sat on the bench. Contractions weren't coming a much as they were on Saturday, and the nap really helped. I'm glad we got out and enjoyed some fresh air!

Lincoln and I went to bed around 9:30, which is early, but ended up watching a movie. Somehow we were still up at 11:45 getting a snack. But 5 min. after his snack, Lincoln rolled over and was OUT! He didn't wake up till 9:45am! SO glad we slept in. I felt great and did some house work. But couple hours into that, contractions started up again and my back was really sore! I can't walk right now and I'm propped up with pillows all around me. Baby is very active and I'm waiting for the evening to end quickly so that I can start our car ride to Charlotte. Today has gone by pretty fast, and I can't wait to see Joe! As soon as he gets here, baby can come! 

So that was my weekend. I feel that baby will makes it's arrival any day now. I keep thinking since baby is measuring at a June 11th date and if things repeat like my last pregnancy with delivering exactly a week early, tonight or tomorrow might be the day! AND....full moon tonight if that matters or not. :)

I forgot that the camera was on mirror setting...and No, my face is not that tan. I had a shadow on my face and couldn't get the lighting any brighter. Hopefully Joe will get a good before shot of me before we leave for hospital.

How far along: 37 weeks, 6 days

Countdown: 2 weeks, 1 day

Size of baby: Watermelon (19 to 22in, 7lbs)

Maternity clothes: Last week I bought some maternity/nursing wear. I just could not find anything else to wear in my closet, but didn't want to buy more maternity considering I only have a few weeks left...so I'm glad I found some nursing wear at Target that will last longer than the few weeks of pregnancy that's left! :)

Movement: always LOTS of movement. It's funny how it seemed he was low early on in the pregnancy, and now I can't get him down! His feet were constantly in my ribs until just recently I think he might've dropped a little. Last night was the worst though. Felt like somersaults and really had hiccups! 

What I miss: My old body. :)

Sleep: Has been rough, but not too bad. Heart burn has died down (thinking again, maybe because he's dropped) but my hips hurt and I can only sleep on my sides. So everything is still sore when I wake up.

Symptoms: Hips, back, and everything in that general area hurt. Braxton Hicks contractions have been intense. Nothing painful yet, but stronger. Especially this weekend...(while Joe's out of state of course)

Cravings: I've been wanting something chocolaty, and I always want sushi!

Best moment of the week: I come waddling out to the pool with Lincoln in my sun dress with a bowl of watermelon and fruit to snack on. Lincoln says,

 "mom, you're HUGE!" 

I asked, "ya? does it look like I swallowed a watermelon?"

"YA, a GI-NOR-MOUS one!!!" 

What I'm looking forward to: Picking up Joe tonight, and then having this baby!

Pregnancy Update: 33 weeks and 1 day!

How far along: 33 weeks, 1 day

I hate how my hair is the same style in every shot. I should start taking pics on Sundays. That's when I actually do my hair!

Countdown: 6 weeks, 6 days

Size of baby: Large cantaloupe! (19-22in, 5.5lbs)

Maternity clothes: Anything long and stretchy! Dresses and tanks with bikini top underneath!!! (hot week)

Movement: His kicks, punches, stretches, (whatever he's doing) HURT!!! At times it feels like a heel is stuck up in between my lung and rib cage! I do not remember Lincoln being quite as active as this one! And LOTS of hiccups!!!

What I miss: My body pillow....

Sleep: Can't get comfortable...heartburn and indigestion always starts right before bed.

Symptoms: Like I said, still more heartburn. Clumsy, pregnancy brain, tired, and lazy..... (maybe some of these aren't REALLY pregnancy symptoms...) :-/

Cravings: Anything with chocolate! I've been eating these chocolate covered, peanut butter granola bars from Aldi's....(hence the heartburn probably) oh yum!  

Best moment of the week: my doctor telling me that she's liking the progress, and to keep eating whatever I've been eating! More chocolate granola bars for me!!! :) OH!! and finding a $70 high chair for $17 at Walmart! Woohoo!

What I'm looking forward to: Getting the kid's room finished.

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Let's hear it for the boys Link up at The Mob Society

Day 2 of #21Days4Sons ~ The Importance of Obedience

I'm taking part in the #21Days4Sons over at The MOB Society where we are reading Warrior Prayers for the first 21 days of May.

So far we are in day 2 and I'm really enjoying the challenges, the book, and praying the scripture for my sons.

Today's topic is on Obedience. I was challenged by how important it is for me, as the mother, to teach my son(s) Biblical obedience. I'm the type of person that likes a visual aid, and I love the example that the author gave us on how the teaching of obedience lies a great opportunity in sharing the Gospel message with my son. She used it like this:

“Son, you’re right. You didn’t obey mommy.  God says you must obey mommy and daddy, doesn’t He?  It’s hard to obey, isn’t it?  Everything in you wants your own way!  It’s fun to hit your brother sometimes.  It’s fun to be too loud and sometimes, it makes you feel good about yourself to tell mommy no.  But God, Who made you, says you must obey.  You can’t do it by yourself, can you?  No matter how hard you try to be good and obey mommy, you just can’t get it right all the time.  That’s why we love God so much, Son!  He knew you couldn’t do it by yourself!  He knew you would choose to sin instead of obey!  He knew you would need help!  So He sent His only Son Jesus to die for your sins and take the punishment you deserved.  Then God raised Jesus from the dead and now Jesus is with God in heaven, just waiting for you to confess your sin and ask Him to help you fight the sin in your heart!  Isn’t that great news?  We need Jesus! Let’s pray now and ask Jesus to help you!”

(McGlothlin, Brooke (2011-05-02). Warrior Prayers: Praying the Word for Boys in the Areas They Need it Most (Kindle Locations 318-325).  . Kindle Edition.) 

I'm seeing that I really need to take these opportunities when they come about and teach my son how important it is to obey. I sometimes tend to be a "fly by the seat of my pants" parent mostly because I'm too lazy to get to the heart of the issue. My prayer for myself is that I will have a plan and a renewed vision on the importance of teaching obedience to my son.

"If our boys never learn the importance of obeying and see their inability to obey by themselves, how will they ever recognize their need for a Savior?"

WOW!! I hope and pray that I will set an example of obedience for my son(s)! Today was revealing and I'm looking forward to see what else is ahead in the #21Days4Sons.

Today's Warrior Prayers through the Scripture:

Warrior Prayers for OBEDIENCE

• Whether it is favorable or unfavorable, may Lincoln obey the Lord our God so that it will go well with him (Jeremiah 42:6). 
• May Lincoln obey his parents in the Lord, for this is right (Ephesians 6:1)
• May Lincoln obey his leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over his soul, as those who will have to give an account. Let Lincoln do this with joy and not with groaning (Hebrews 13:17). 
• May Lincoln obey God rather than men (Acts 5:29). 
• May Lincoln return to the Lord his God, and obey with all his heart and all his soul all the commands God has given (Deuteronomy 30:2).
• May Lincoln walk after the Lord his God and fear Him and keep His commandments and obey His voice.  May Lincoln serve Him and hold fast to Him (Deuteronomy 13:4). 
• May Lincoln stop his sinning and begin to obey the Lord his God (Jeremiah 26:13). 
• May Lincoln obey Jesus’ commandments, and remain in His love (John 15:10). 
• May Lincoln show his love for Christ by obeying His commands (John 14:15). 
• May we be full of joy at Lincoln’s obedience (Romans 16:19). 

Warrior Prayers for SUBMISSION TO AUTHORITY

• May Lincoln obey his leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over his soul, as those who will have to give an account.  Let him do this with joy and not with groaning (Hebrews 13:17). 
• May Lincoln submit himself therefore to God.  May he resist the devil, so he will flee from him (James 4:7).
• May Lincoln submit to laborers of the Gospel and to everyone who joins in the work (1 Corinthians 16:16).
• May Lincoln submit to others out of reverence for Christ (Ephesians 5:21).
• May Lincoln be subject to the Father of spirits and live (Hebrews 12:9). 
• May Lincoln agree with God, and be at peace; so good will come to him (Job 22:21). 
• May Lincoln be subject to the governing authorities.  For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God (Romans 13:1).
• May Lincoln submit himself to the Lord (2 Chronicles 30:8).
• May Lincoln, who is younger, be subject to the elders.  May he clothe himself with humility toward others, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble” (1 Peter 5:5). 
• For freedom Christ has set us free; may Lincoln stand firm therefore, and not submit again to a yoke of slavery (Galatians 5:1). 

If you're interested in joining in and would like to pray along with us for our sons, grandsons, and/or future sons (like sons in-law), go to The MOB Society for more information! I won't be posting everyday, but I do usually tweet some thoughts through out the day on the topic that's given, if you'd like to follow along: follow @bethanyev

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I won a blog award!!!

Jessica from Young At Heart Mommy just tweeted me to let me know that she nominated me for the Liebster Award! That just made my night!!! Thank you so much Jessica! :) It's been fun getting to know you through the #UBP12! I love making new bloggy friends! 

Please check out Young At Heart Mommy where you can get to know Jessica! She has a really cute blog and a darling little girl!


What's the Liebster Award? The Liebster Award is given to fairly new blogs with 200 or less followers. It's a great way to support fellow bloggers who deserve some more attention! 


Being nominated for a Liebster comes with a few guidelines...

1. Thank your Liebster Blog Award presenter on your blog

2. You must link back to the blogger who presented the award to you

3. Copy and paste the blog award on your blog

4. Present the Liebster Blog Award to 5 blogs you think deserve some recognition.  Remember they have to have 200 followers or less when presented with a Liebster!

5. Make sure you let the bloggers you nominated know they have a Liebster! Leave a comment on their blog, DM on twitter, Facebook post--however you normally get in contact with them!

Here are my 5 nominations! (no particular order) These are all blogs that I like to visit that I feel deserve some extra attention. Enjoy! (And don't forget to follow and show your support!)

1. Jessica from Gardner Clan
2. Hillary from The Sassy One
3. Tamara from Four Girls & A Daddy
4. Kasey from These Five of Mine Plus Two
5. Angela from The Ps 37:4 Life

Pregnancy update: 31 weeks, 2 days!

Boy am I ready to be done with pregnancy!!!

 How far along: 31 weeks, 2 days

Countdown: 8 weeks, 5 days

Size of baby:  A honeydew! (19in, 4.5lbs) wowza!!!!

Maternity clothes: Joe's tshirts, or stretchy tank tops. Down to one pair of jeans that ride just under my belly. (given that the button needs to be popped anytime I sit!)

Movement: I don't know how he's supposed stay in there for 2 more months! There's NO room!!! He's got some rough kicks!!!

What I miss: A flat tummy! :) And clothes looking normal on me.

Sleep: Night sleeping is getting a little rough, naps are the greatest!!! 

Symptoms: Heartburn every night. More braxton hicks and getting stronger. Strong hunger cravings. Nothing in particular, just wanting to snack all.the.time. Well...I guess the cravings are more for junk food than anything else.

Cravings: I guess it's junk food! and coffee.

Best moment of the week: I can't remember...really, I don't remember what happened this week....All that matters is that nothing terrible happened!

What I'm looking forward to: Just holding a newborn. 

Lincoln loving on his little brother and mommy! :) Can't wait to see him as a big brother!

Linked up with:

My lesson from my son on parenting and God...

I had this little thought(s) go through my head the other morning as I was trying to start my morning devotions.

As my son is watching his morning cartoons, drinking his chocolate milk, he's constantly talking, asking, replaying the scene he just saw, and is constantly saying, "mom, mom, MOM!!!" 

"WHAT?! WHAT DO YOU WANT, YOUR FINE!!! 

Can you just PLEASE be quiet, and sit still for a little bit as I try to read my Bible?" 

(Now know this: I'm tired...I know that I've been short with him lately, I feel like a horrible mother, the house work is piling up, I just want to be in bed till baby gets here....that's where I'm at... that's why my response is so...fleshy)

My thoughts turned to, how do we sound to God? As His children, does He hear, "God, God, GOD, over here, look, LOOK over here! See?! hey, hey HEY!!! are you paying attention?!" Are we always asking sounding so selfishly for things that we probably don't need or deserve? Do we sound like annoying little children?

But then as I started my morning in Psalm 27 and was reading about God, being our shelter and how he never leaves us, and is always a caring God for His children, I was rebuked by my thinking process from earlier on. God has a concern for His children, He cares. So much more than I ever will for my son. 

So during those times when I'm asking God repeatedly, over and over, with a child like attitude, He actually shows that He's concerned and pays attention to my needs. As a parent I saw how I was not always responding to my son's needs with the right attitude. With CONCERN, with CARE.

Then I read more on how the psalmist has confidence in God. Confidence in God's care and protection and confidence in knowing that God will never forsake him. This made me think of a child like faith. My son, as he's young, has the confidence in me for his protection. In his little mind, I'm never going to leave him, I'll always be there to take care of him. Now as he grows older he'll grow to understand that as humans, this isn't always possible and he'll learn to trust God, but in his mind for now, he's fully confident in me. Am I like that with God? Do I have that kind of faith?

I was not ready for my morning to be (really a lesson from my son) a rebuke on my parenting skills, for the parenting lessons and example of how God is to His children.

So here are some lessons/reminders for me:

• I learned that I need to work on my response and to be more patient with my son and show that I care just as God shows His children
• I learned that I need to be a better example to my son of God's care and concern
• I was reminded of the child like faith and that I too can have confidence in my God just as my son has in me. (But with God it's for oh so much more!)
• In the end I'm praising God for His care over me and that He's concerned and apart of every part in my life. Knowing that I can have confidence over everything because He is with me is such a help in this journey through motherhood!

Our children need to see Christ in our lives, and need to see us live it out on a daily basis. I'm no super Christian by any means and am still growing and stretching like every other Christian. I'm always learning and don't want to stop. I thought that maybe I'd share some of my thoughts as I've enjoyed reading others go through some of the same experiences/lessons. 

Has there been anything that God is teaching/shown you recently? Please share! Thanks for stopping by!

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Pregnancy update: 30 weeks and 3 days!!!

Sorry I've been bad and not updating over the last couple weeks. I've been tired tired tired....Same old story for the last couple weeks. Just can't seem to get this fog off me. Pregnancy brain has been terrible and I just don't want to do ANYTHING!!! That's my excuse...Sorry...

So here it is. It's down to the final weeks!!!! We're in the single digits for the countdown!!!

(I take horrible pics, I know...)

How far along: 30 weeks and 3 days

Countdown: 9 weeks and 4 days

Size of baby: (still measuring a week bigger) a head of lettuce (19 in, 3.9 lbs)

Maternity clothes: Whatever I can find, (which has been hard) I need more tank tops and shirts. I hate to buy more clothes for just a few more weeks of big belly.... So I might pull out my maxi dress and see how that looks. Like today I'm wearing a dress/shirt from Express. Forgot how much I liked it! Bonus! It's comfy!!! :)

Movement: LOTS!!!! and lots of braxton hicks contractions too. Definitely more than last pregnancy. I think it's mostly because I don't drink water...I know....I really should be drinking water. I'm trying. I'm just not a water drinker.

What I miss: Being able to walk like a normal person. I'm so over with this waddle.

Sleep: Can't get enough. Though, I did pretty good yesterday without my nap! That's a first in a long while! My energy level comes and goes.

Symptoms: Sore back, fatigue, REALLY BAD PREGNANCY BRAIN!!!!

Cravings: candy. I think I ate most of my son's Easter candy. I can't go to Aldi's without buying some of the  Australian strawberry flavored licorice. (you know, that really soft licorice....my BIGGEST weakness right now) I heard of someone who refrained from eating candy and bought a little stash of her favorite kind to reward herself for after delivery...hhmmmm...can I do it???

Best moment of the week: Lincoln telling me that I make his heart happy! Makes all this mommy/pregnancy business all worth it! :)

What I'm looking forward to: The moment they place my son on my chest and we get to see each other for the first time!

Other random updates since last pregnancy post:
I passed my 3hr glucose test, so I've been spoiling myself. (which you've probably noticed with all the candy eating lately)
I had an ultra sound done yesterday and my placenta is not low like it was earlier on, so that's good news.
I got to visit my sister in Indianapolis couple weeks ago.
I rearranged Lincoln's room and made it into the 'boys room.' There's a pack n play in there and I'm making a dresser into a changing station.
I packed a diaper bag. (this one is just crazy to me, I don't know why....but it is)
Preschool with Lincoln has been put on hold.
Lincoln likes to look at the recent ultra sound pictures! One of them he pointed and asked,
"what's this?"
I said, "It's his pee-pee."
"OH!! HAHA!!!"
His reaction was just too funny!! He cracks me up!

So that's pretty much it! Thanks for stopping by!

Linking up with:

The Good Bad Ugly Link up hosted by: www.diamondsdogtagsdiapers.com

Ultimate Blog Party 2012

For those who are visiting from the UBP, thanks for stopping by! Let's get this party started! This is my 3rd UBP! (Go here to see my other UBP posts from the past!) I'm looking forward to this week of blog hopping and meeting new blog friends! :)

For those who are new to this UBP, click on the banner above to see what it's all about! (there are PRIZES!!!) And thanks 5MinutesforMom.com for hosting this event every year! It's a blast!

Let me tell you a little about myself, family, and blog. :)

About Me:

I'm a born and raised Christian Cheesehead kind of girl from NE Wisconsin, who's living in the South and am enjoying some snow-less weather!!!! I love my God, hubby, 3yr old son, and baby boy #2 who will make his appearance sometime in June! I'm a SAHM who loves candy, coffee, and couponing!!!!

I enjoy good times with friends and family whenever I get the chance. Summer activities like grilling, picnicking, boating, tanning, and campfires are my most favorite things to do with my family and friends back home in WI!

About my family:

I met my husband (Joe) in a small Bible college in the northwoods and we married in July of '07. Our son (Lincoln) came in November of '08. We traveled around for two years with a traveling evangelist and then settled in my hubby's hometown of Midland, MI. God had other plans and shortly after we started renting our first permanent home (one without wheels), we packed up everything AGAIN and moved down to the steamy HOT South Carolina! I don't think we'll ever get used to the summers down here! :) We're thankful that we are where God wants us, but it's still hard at times being so far away from MI and WI family. God provided a job for Joe and he's also doing what he loves on the weekends, which is singing and traveling with a quartet to local churches in America! Lincoln and I like to go along at times too! We get to see new places, meet new people, and Lincoln's favorite, RIDE THE BUS!!!

Lincoln is three and is looking forward to being a big brother! He enjoys playing outside, doing "school," and playing with his friend Charlie!

Introducing boy #2!!! In September we found out that we were expecting and couldn't be happier! Lincoln will be 3.5 yrs by the time little brother arrives and I think he's going to do just great! He's already been a big helper and is starting to be more independent! We have a name floating around for this little guy, but just not sure yet.... June 19th is my due date. But he's actually a week bigger in every ultra sound we've had, and Lincoln was born a week early....so....sometime in June. :)

About My blog:


I started this blog back when I was in college right before graduation thinking I was going to blog about wedding plans, being a newly wed, and such....but I'm on of those bloggers who has nothing to blog about. I really don't have anything to say. I just like to look and see what others say. I lack in the creative thinking area, and I didn't do so well in English 101, so I also lack the confidence in keeping up with a day to day blog.

Through out the years I blogged about our travels, places we've gone, and mostly updates for family members to enjoy.

Just within the past couple months I had the blogging itch come back and I've been appearing more than the once a month pop in... I've been blogging about motherhood, pregnancy updates, my son and his preschool creations, my coupon adventures, and just life in general. I'm mostly trying to keep family updated, and using my blog as some sort of outlet. I've also enjoyed meeting up with mommy bloggers for a source of encouragement and ideas.

I'm due for another pregnancy update if you'd like to come back and read that!

Thanks for stopping by! I hope to see you again! Leave some comment love and I will do the same for you! I love making new friends!

For extra fun, in your comment, please leave a link to a blog that you've recently found and liked and think I should visit. It could be a recipe, a craft for a preschooler, a diy blog, something that encouraged you, anything that caught your interest and it needs to be shared! I'll visit them and will let them know that you recommended their blog!

Follow me on twitter, @bethanyev as that's where I'll do most of my partying!!!! Now let's party!!!

My bookshelf

I've been in a reading mood lately. Most of my bookshelf contains mothering/parenting books. My problem is that I will start a book, get to a spot that doesn't interest me, I'll take a long break, or something happens like I'm too busy, or I'll find a different book. After a while, I'm half way through 5 different books not being able to retain a whole lot. So, I've been trying to be good, not to rent anything from the library, so that I can give myself time to read what I have at home and actually finish them. I've been picking up books through paperbackswap.com and plan on swapping them back for the others that are on my wishlist! Thought I'd share, I know it's a lot. But I hope to at least read 15 books with in the year! Is that a lot? I've never counted or kept track how many books I've read...This is a first.

Here's where I'll start.
Learning to Live Financially Free by Marybeth & Curt Whalen (started months ago and would really like to finish it this month...)
The Power of a Postive Wife by Karol Ladd (JUST started)
Savoring Living Water by Lara Williams and Katie Orr (click on picture to go to the website)
(Fun read) The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger

What's on your bookshelf that you have read or would like to read? I might like to add it myself! Let me know if you've read and recommend any that are on my list!

Shelfari: Book reviews on your book blog

Pregnancy Update week 27

*YAWN* all I can say these days is, "Where's my bed?! Is it nap time yet? Why am I SO tired???"

Today I was in the dr. office waiting to get my blood drawn after I drank that nasty orange stuff...and I almost fell asleep in my chair it's been so bad....

BUT!!! I just got up from a nap and am drinking some Pepsi, so hopefully that will get me through the evening! Seriously though, I don't remember being this tired with my first!

I feel like I look huge...I FEEL huge!!!

How far along: 27 weeks - Third trimester starts now!!!!

Countdown: 13 weeks

Size of baby: Small cabbage. 17 in, 2.9 lbs

Maternity clothes: Bring out the maternity summer clothing! Couple months ago I found a good sale and stocked up on summer clothes for our Florida trip in February. There in the picture is a comfy tank I had gotten then. I think from now on that's all I'll be wearing is tanks and my stretchy capris. 

Last week Joe and I found a REALLY cute dress at Target and I can't wait to wear it!!! :)

Movement: Lots of jabbing going on. Sometimes really hard jabs! Couple weeks ago I mentioned that I thought he was curling up on my right/front side and then I'd get this weird bump on my belly...It's been happening more often and my stomach muscles will get really hard. The other night as I was laying down, my stomach was so deformed I googled "braxton hicks" and I found a picture that a girl took of her belly during a braxton hicks, and sure enough...I was having them without even realizing it! They don't hurt like it seems for other people. I just get really tight stomach muscles and a funny looking belly that's lop sided. I get them almost every night when I lay down at the end of the day. At least this time it's that instead of the annoying leg cramps like I was having in my last pregnancy...SO PAINFUL!!!!

What I miss: Wearing normal shirts.

Sleep: never seem to get enough. I took two little naps today.

Symptoms: My bladder suffering here!

Cravings: Dark soda like Coke or Pepsi

Best moment of the week: Buying more summer baby clothes at a consignment sale! :) (summer clothing is my weakness!)

What I'm looking forward too: Seeing my baby's face for the very first time. Joe and I have been talking about how anxious we are getting to meet this little one!

Linking up with:

Saved 70% at Publix! (3/16)

This post is a week in the making...I was waiting till I went back to exchange some things and I didn't get back till yesterday...Oh well. I officially have no more room in my freezer so I think I will be taking a break this next week from shopping unless it's a need. 

My favorite buy was probably the Lucky Charms for $0.69 each! 

Publix:

oop: $20.44

savings: $48.66

That's a savings of 70%!!!!

(I grabbed the wrong box of Bayer and didn't notice till I got home...So later on in the week I exchanged them for the 20 count. So the picture has the wrong boxes, but the prices are updated...)

I got everything that I wanted, except the frozen pretzels. I don't know if I was just not seeing them, (but I can never seem to find them at the Publix in Taylors) or they don't sell them. Oh well. I had already grabbed a box for $0.20 at Bi Lo earlier this week, and my freezer is REALLY full... Still, wish I had grabbed a rain check from last weeks sale at Bi Lo. Live and learn...

Here's what this week's haul got me! :)

(the prices are after coupons)
2 boxes of Lucky Charms: $0.69 ea.
Palmolive dish soap: $0.75
2 Resolve Spray and 1 Stick: $0.49 ea.
Snuggle Fabric Softener: $1.99
2 Ken's marinade sauce: $0.50 ea
2 Pepsi cola products: $0.83 ea
Publix frozen vegetables: $0.99
2 Gortmans shrimp: 2.00 ea
2 Bayer Advanced 20ct: $0.99 ea
2 Halls cough drops: $0.45 ea
2 containers of strawberries: $1.11 ea
1 lb of asparagus: $1.11 (I used the $2/$5 produce coupon for the strawberries and asparagus!)
Beechnut Mini meals: FREE!

I've been keeping record of my weekly shopping and savings in a spreadsheet for 4 weeks now and my year  to date savings is 52%. Alone, my Publix savings YTD is 69%!!!

Now....Here's hoping I stay out of the stores this week! We need to eat out of our freezer for a few days!

Anyone have any good ideas on what I should do with the strawberries in my fridge? I need to do something quick as we haven't been eating them quick enough! Smoothie recipes?!

Linking up with:
SAVINGS IS FREE!!!
Couponers Living Free