Today

Yes, "today" is the only title I could think of for this posting. I haven't felt a creative bug for a while, hence the severe lack of blogging.

In my May blog I described myself as "hormonal" and in need of some "retail therapy". Turns out I was pregnant, not PMS-ing! Due date: 1/28/2011

Soooo, we're on our way with baby #5, or would it be #8? Not sure how to count it. lol We have custody of our 2 nieces & nephew, so our kid count is presently set at 7 - with one more baby we'll be at 8! Holy cow! I remember clear back a half a life-time ago when I told my mother-in-law that we would have as many kids as the Lord decided to bless us with. By the time Roxie was born my thoughts on that had definitely changed! I no longer wanted as many kids as the Lord wanted me to have. I wanted F.O.U.R. That's it. hahaha - turns out maybe the Lord has a different idea for me. :P

We are certainly excited for the new little ones arrival, albeit a little nervous. Roxie is thrilled, and I dare say, a bit obsessed. She is continually rubbing my belly, or asking about the baby, or wanting to see the pictures of the baby (either of my ultrasound or of the baby from the birth magazines). I have a feeling she is going to be a great helper!

At the dinner table tonight, Ethen asked me, "Mom, where do babies come from?...like, where on your body do they come out?" I am so not prepared for these coming of age type questions! I wasn't sure what to say, and just kind of sat there for a minute. Poor kid probably thought I didn't hear him. lol I finally responded that they come out near your bum. Asher threw in his two cents, and told Ethen that babies come out of mommy's belly button.

I'm certain that me stating I'm pregnant was enough of a shock to my very few followers that I think I will keep this posting at that...besides, the kids' movie is over, which means so is my blogging time.

"Feelings. Nothing more than feelings...."

I feel like an emotional basketcase today.

First off, it's almost that "time of the month", so my emotions are all wacked out anyway! It's not fair.

Week before last Cade & I had some experiences that professed to us that we needed to attempt to get temporary custody of our 2 neices and our nephew. That alone was a very difficult statement to process, but we know that this is what we need to do. And actually, I'm excited. Nervous, but excited.

This week has been a little tumultuous for me. First we had a family meeting on Wednesday. Tears were shed. The process of getting custody was started.
All week we've been preparing for these 3 special little kids. Unfortunately for me, that involves getting rid of a TON of my "collections", lol. I am apparantly a hoarder - who knew?!? I have just about every piece of clothing that my kids have ever owned (including shoes) since Ethen was born 9 years ago. Yes, 4 kids + 9 years worth of clothing = A LOT of stuff!!! Trying to decide what to discard has been quite an emotional rollercoaster. After almost a week of sorting and cleaning and discarding, I've had it. It's making me into a mess - my nerves are shot.

I got some great news last night from a close family member - she's pregnant! :) Her first. I'm so excited for her and her husband. I wish she lived closer so I could share more in the experience with her (or really, so I can boss her around and tell her how to take care of a baby, lol!) I guess one of the good things about this for me, is that I can pass down my 9 years worth of "stuff" to HER! bwahahahaha!!!

Alright, I think it's time for a little retail therapy...

Family Night Fanfare

Every other week, my house is host to our Brown/Campbell Family Night. On the other weeks, it's hosted by my mother. We always start out the evening with dinner and then the typical family night fanfare.

Last night I decided I was going to go all out - Roast Chicken, fresh green beans, and roasted new potatoes. ...now I just needed to find some recipes seeing as I had never cooked fresh green beans nor new potatoes before in my entire life!

I LOVE trying new recipes. Cade gets mad, because I'm always trying new things! I can't help it, I get sick of having tacos, spaghetti and tator tot casserole on a weekly basis!

Recipezaar.com is my most favorite-ist (yes, I know, that's not a word) recipe website ever! They have just about any recipe you could every desire, plus you can sort them by ingredient, dish, and (this is the best part) by rating! I love it, so obviously that's "whom" I turn to in my time of need!
I present to you THE RECIPES:

roasted green beans
and
roasted garlic herb new potatoes.

The kids (well, except Asher, who doesn't like most anything except mac & cheese) LOVED the green beans. As Ethen so kindly put it, "they look like crap, but they taste GREAT!" Which is true, they don't look so pretty, but they really are tasty - and this coming from a lady who has a great disdain for all things vegetable. ;) Try 'em, you'll like 'em!

The only change I made to the potatoes was that I tossed them in a bit of olive oil, and then added a bit of kosher salt, more garlic (of course, why would you cook ANYTHING without more garlic!) and some fresh rosemary.

Dessert was your choice of homemade strawberry pie (I made the pie at home, not the strawberries. They came from the store) or coconut cream pie.

Dinner was a hit! Next time I'll take a purty picture to tempt you!
The only problem? I didn't make enough...