I love this girl of mine

Here are just some snap shots of Jade from the past couple days. This was in the evening a few days ago after Jade's bath. Her favorite thing to play with right now is a princess castle with all the toys that go with it. Here she is holding the toy prince which she fondly calls "daddy!"
Playing with her princess castle some.
Okay, I did take this picture to show of my daughters bottom. hee, hee. At night she wears a special cloth diaper that has double padding in it (for extra absorption) However, it makes her bottom SO big! It cracks me up every night. hee, hee
It's never to early to teach your kiddos how to make dinner. Jade looks bored, but really she is just very serious, because she begged me to let her "help!"
Here we are mixing up hamburger meat to make mini burgers for dinner. She was a big help!

This morning (Sunday) I put Jade in her special dress from Grandma Mangione. Jade just wanted to twirl and dance in it. She is asking daddy to hold her "Blank" (blanket) so she can show off for the camera

My little baby model, she stood over in the corner and asked for a picture. Of course, I could never refuse.

Prayers

I had my ultrasound today. And what I most feared was told to me. They couldn't find anything and I was told that I had a miscarriage. There is a super, super slight chance that they missed something or I'm not far enough along for them to see anything. But I thought I was having a miscarriage last Sunday, so I'm sure they are right.

I'm bummed, I was really hoping everything was okay and that I was still happily pregnant.

I know God is in control and has a wonderful plan for our lives. During the ultrasound all I kept thinking of over and over (and this was before they told me anything) was
"count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. And let Patience have it's perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing."
James 1:2-4

Right now I do feel like I am lacking, and life does seem pretty gray. But I also know that God will get us through this small family trial and our lives will be richer for it if we trust Him and praise His name.

I have some News!

Hello everyone in my blogger world. Many of you already know this, but I'm sure there are still some who don't. Guess what? I'm pregnant! Hurray! lol

I'm posting this now for two reasons,
1. I'd hate for some of you to feel "out of the loop" and
2. While I am pregnant, I am very newly pregnant and there is a small chance that I may have some complications (I won't go into details).

I'm going in for an ultrasound tomorrow morning to see if everything is "alright", but I've been told even the magic of ultrasounds can't always show us everything we'd like to know.

I'd love prayer that everything is fine and that I have nothing at all to worry about. But if, for some reason, God has other plans for this tiny life inside me, I'd also appreciate prayer for that.

On a happier note, I'm doing really "Good" physically, not throwing up or anything like that. Just eating lots and wanting to sleep all the time.

When I told Jade I was having a baby I pointed to my belly and said "there is a baby in my tummy". Jade promptly laid down, pulled up her shirt and stuck out her belly and pointing at her tummy said "Baby!". hee, hee. If all goes well, this is going to be a very entertaining nine months.

Jade

Just a bit of cute-ness

A new picture of Jade and an update

I know this is a grumpy picture of Jade but I hadn't posted a picture of her in awhile. lol. She was really in a pretty good mood the day I took this picture I'm not sure why she is mad...maybe she just wanted a snack I wouldn't give her or something. lol

Well, life is starting to return to some form of a routine now that the big holidays are over. I took on a Nanny job of sorts. I say "of sorts" because the baby is being brought to me and I'm just watching him at home, apposed to actually going to someone's house to watch their kids.
Today was the first day of that new job. I think I'm going to like it. The baby is a doll and the convenience of getting to work out of my home, again, is wonderful.

Bible study also starts up again this week. Again I get to host it at my house so I don't have to try to be on time somewhere early in the morning with Jade. MOPS returns tomorrow after a month absence and we will be making Growth Charts as part of the craft time (I do the crafts).

Next week will be JB's and Jade's birthdays, can you believe that Jade will be two?

Our weekends seem to be filling up with running errands and doing things around the house, not to mention football games. Go Cardinals! lol Sundays is church, of course, and I get to start teaching in the Two year old class, now that Jade is two. That should be loads of fun:)

I think I have something going on every day of the week for the next couple weeks, but I don't mind. I like to keep busy and have something to look forward to, even if it's like today and my "To do" list consists of finishing laundry and washing the floors. Hope everyone else is settling into a nice, post-holiday routine, and everyone is having a lovely winter so far.

Shopping with Jade

Shopping with Jade is so much fun, it's always been an entertaining experience but ever since she started talking more, she always has me in stitches. Or at least keeps me amused.

I've taught her a few fun phrases that she now says over and over, one of which is putting the word "pretty" in front of a sentence or another word. So shopping today in Target went something like this.

Mom: Okay, we have to hurray!

Jade: Momma, ook, pretty dress!

Mom: Yes, that is a pretty dress

Jade: I touch?

Mom: No, not right now

Jade: Oh, pretty shoes!

Mom: Yes, they are

Jade: I a, boots, off, pretty shoes!

Mom: No, Jade you have to keep your boots on, we aren't trying on shoes

Jade: Pretty toys!

Mom: ~Keeps walking~

Jade: I walk? I help?

Mom: You want to help push the cart?

Jade: Ah, huh

Mom: Okay, but be careful

Jade: PRETTY wheels!!....

....You get the idea:) lol! We did end up trying on shoes and clothes, no dresses, but in the dressing room she gave her opinion saying "pretty momma" when I tried on a new, soft sweater. Or when I made a funny face in the mirror thinking the top I tried on was hideous she'd say "funny Momma". lol

If you are ever bored, call me up and we'll take Jade shopping together. She is becoming quite the convesationalist.

Home again, Home again

We arrived home from our vacation early Saturday morning. It seems life since then has been really crazy until today.
Jade caught a cough and fever yesterday and so we are spending down time today drinking soup (well, we will soup for lunch) and watching cartoons.

We had a wonderful time with all our family and are sad we couldn't stay longer, but it's always good to be home after a trip. Plus, with Jade being sick I know she is happier to be in her own bed.

I don't have anything huge to post about today, just wanted to let you know we are home and happy. Pray Jade gets better soon!

Just a bunch of pictures from our trip

I have so many pictures of our trip it was hard to even decide which ones to post. I think one of Jade's biggest highlights about visiting the Bechtle's in Indy, was the fact that Aunt Autumn kept bringing over dogs for her to play with. I only have pictures of Jade with Oreo and here is one of my favorites. Right before I took this pic the dog was starring right back at Jade.

Here is Jade with her Aunt Alicia and Aunt Autumn right before nap time.

A favorite past-time was playing piano with Grandpa

Before we left Indy Jonathan and I took advantage of the free babysitting and went out on a date.

While out on our date we picked up a Colts hoodie for Jade. It's a bit big, but it will work. Go Colts!

Another fun thing we did while there was visit the largest Children's museum. I love this pic because all three of them are bending over to try to see inside the very authentic doll houses.

My favorite picture from the whole vacation (I think) is this one with Alicia and Jade. They look like they are in a cartoon!

Here is Alicia and Jade playing with soft dino eggs

A $1 ride on a merry-go-round. She may not be smiling in this picture, but she loved it, and began to cry when I told her we had to get off.

Waiting in line to go down the winter wonderland slide. I think it's getting near Jade's nap time.

Jade and Daddy coming down the long slide

After Indy we drove over to Michigan to visit with my family. The evening we got there we had a second Christmas and opened lots of presents. One of those presents were fancy dresses for all the little girl cousins. So then, of course, we had to do a photo shoot. Here is Jadey with her Uncle Isaac (and my baby brother, he is 8)

Jade saying "cheese" for the camera

All the cousins so far!

Me and my sisters (Nic, Li, Jo and Me)

On Monday night Jonathan and I joined the some of the family at Tony's basketball game. He is the guy in the picture with the basketball;)

Joanthan and I at the game

I have many, many, more pictures. But this is all I felt like posting for now. Maybe later I'll post some New Years pictures.

Hope everyone had a fabulous Christmas and Happy New year!

Everyone together for Christmas

There are many photos that have been taken and are being taken of our Christmas vacation trip. But I just couldn't resist quickly posting a picture with everyone.

Hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and have a wonderful New Years!

Just a few snap shots from our early Christmas

Since we will be with family for Christmas, we decided to do our own little family Christmas a bit early. Last night Jonathan put together this special table just for Jade. She was thrilled to walk down and see it this morning.
She really liked her gift of a "moo, moo" (movie) and when I asked her to hold it up for a picture this is what she did.

Silly goose

Another gift we got her was the "Floppy faces" game from Discovery Toys. Jade thought the funny faces were hats and tried to wear them all:)
Not sure if this video will work or not. I took it on my camera. Jade LOVED her new boombox, mostly I think she just liked opening and closing the cd and tape holder. lol

Santa hat and more snow

We got a lot more snow last night and today! Jade and I played outside in it twice. On our seconding outing outside when I asked Jade which hat she wanted to wear she picked the Santa Hat. Hee, hee
here we are in the backyard getting ready to build a snowman. Jade didn't quite get the concept of a snowman, she kept trying to knock him down.

Kind of an Update

So many things seem to be changing, or happening, or have recently happened. A few minutes before I logged onto my blog account I had a million things to say...now I can only think of a few. lol

As you read last week, I only have four more days of work and then I'm no longer a part-time, working from home, mom. I'm just a Mom! I'm so excited about this!! I thank the Lord that my income has always been in addition to JB's and while, very helpful at times, has never been "needed" to survive.
It's been amazing to, to see how life has changed and needs have changed, as I went from working full time, to sort of full-time (six hours a day) to very part-time (4-3) and now none at all. God's timing truly is prefect.

I'm so proud of my husband too! Getting to see him on the news, hear him on the radio, read what he's written (And I'm not just talking about his book that he co-authored) just blows me away. I don't think I expected life to be as exciting this soon in our married lives. Isn't my husband suppose to be the all impressive man at like...40? Once again I get to thank God for my amazing, wonderful husband. What he has been able to do and accomplish at work blows me away.

That being said I was near tears the other night (granted I am a very emotional women, lol) watching him, once again, show what an amazing Father he is. He's so good and patient with Jade, the two of them play blocks and read books together almost every single night. Jade has come to love and expect the fun activities she gets to do with Daddy. Last night after dinner after repeating her request for daddy to "ome" (come) upstairs with her to play, she finally turned around, grabbed his hand and begin trying to pull him up the stairs with her. She needed her daddy "play" time.
When they aren't playing blocks or reading books, you can find JB with his xbox controller and Jade with an unplugged xbox controller playing football or some exciting game. Or, you can find JB working on the computer and Jade "helping" as J teaches her very important words like "Router" or "wires" or "fan". Her favorite is "fan" and the other day she brought me to the computer and went behind it pointing to the fan and saying "Momma, fan!". lol!

Jade on her own likes to read and do blocks and "wolk" (rock) in her rocking chair. She also will count for you holding up her fingers going "one, two, three, FIVE!"

She goes on the potty like a big girl now too! Sunday I brought her to church in big girl panties and she did great! That makes me very happy. she does have trouble sharing though. Saturday we had some friends over with their little baby girl. The poor girl was playing with a toy and Jade yanked it from her tiny hands. The little baby started crying and Jade got a firm reprimand. Overall, she is a pretty good friend and loves to get together with her little buddies to have "fun" (as she now says)

In other news I'm really looking forward to the holidays and getting to spend time with my In-laws (which includes sisters and brother-in-law, and cute doggies that I KNOW Jade will be thrilled to play with) and then some time with my family and almost all my siblings and sister-in-law and her two, adorable girls. I was gonna add that I am really looking forward to Jade getting to play in snow, but then over the weekend...we got snow!! Can you believe it. There is still a light dusting of snow outside, so I hope to bundle Jade up after breakfast and let her play in whatever is left of the snow. I'll try to take pictures too!

My MOPS group is "off" for the rest of this month, we had our Christmas meeting last Tuesday. That is turned into a pretty busy and big chunk of my life these days. It's so fun getting to meet new moms almost every week and get to hang out with the moms who come regularly and who have become my friends.

It's hard to believe that just a few years ago I was new to this area with little to no friends and spent my afternoons taking lonely walks in downtown while Jonathan was at work.

Now I find it's rare to have any "lonely" times and when I do, I'm finding myself enjoying them. Such as...last Friday. I didn't have anything happening until that evening. So even though I probably should have been doing some form of domestic work, I instead got a chance to read, and look at magazines and play with Jade's hair and paint our finger nails and do NOTHING at all. It was wonderful!

Well, I guess this post is pretty long. So I'll end it for now. I feel like I have so much more I want to say though!

Jade's Pig Tails

"Cheese"

"Good Job Mom"

A few MOPS crafts we did today

Just a few crafts we did at MOPS today.

A candy wreath

A candy cane vase

A set of four snowflake coasters

Tomorrow at MOPS

For those of you who live near me, I just wanted to invite you to my MOPS group tomorrow. We are having a special day planned with extra events to celebrate Christmas!

We'll have special music from the kiddos, a speaker, lots of crafts, lots of food, and games and fellowship. I know we are going to have a GREAT time so if you have young kids, babies, newborns...not yet born because they are still in your tummy...come to our meeting tomorrow from 9:15-11:15 we are going to have a really good time!

Need directions or more details, just let me know!

How I make Zeppola's

A family tradition around the holidays (growing up) was to make yummy zeppolas. Zeppolas are basically a type of deep fried, hearty donut that you can either make sweet and fill with creams, jelly's and sugars, or you can go the opposite route and fill it with saltier things such as anchovies and or various types of cheese.
Growing up, we only made these filled with mozzarella cheese. So that's the way I like them.
Yesterday, since we were having guests (and it's the holidays) I decided to make some. And, since I am a bit of a dork, I decided to take pictures of each step as I went a long.

First, you make a fairly basic bread dough, only, add a few tablespoons of sugar so the dough is just a tiny bit sweet (not to sweet, unless you are wanting a sweet donut). Place the dough in a well oiled bowl to rise for an hour, free of drafts.
While the dough is rising you can work on making other things or go polish your nails or something (hee, hee). Before you are ready to punch the dough down, go ahead and cut up your cheese or filler of choice.
I picked motzeralla cheese, of course.
Then I checked my dough to make sure it had risen properly and was ready to be rolled into balls.

It's ready!

Jade heard me say the food was ready and thought she'd turn on the oven (which I don't need). But instead just turned the oven light on and said "ready!". lol
Take a chunk of the dough and flatten in out a bit so you can stuff a hunk of cheese in the center. Then roll it up into a ball.
After you finish all your dough, or cheese, or amount of rolls you wish to make. Let them rise again for about 30min-1hr.
Then, fill your pot or deep frier with oil and turn up to around 300-350 degrees. Once the oil is hot, plop your dough balls in the oil until lightly browned. Turn at least once.
Place the cooked zeppolas in a paper toweled bowl or plate (to help obsorbe any excess oil), allow to cool a little bit and...Enjoy!

Tada! And there ladies and gentleman is my cooking "How To" for the day.

Update: Hey Janice, is this for you:) I have a bosch that I mix the bread up in and that makes it super easy!! The basic bread dough I make is:
1 pkg active dry yeast
1 cup warm water
3 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons shortening (or oil)
1 large egg
1/2 teaspoons salt
3-3.5 cups flour

combine your yeast and warm water and let stand for about 5 min. Then add your sugar, shortening, egg, salt and half of your flour, beat at low or till mixed all together.
Then gradually stir in enough remaining flour to make a soft dough.

Still teething I guess

I was sure Jade was done with or over (at least ) the hard parts of baby teething. From what I could see from casually looking in her mouth a few months ago it seemed as if she had all her baby teeth. But then yesterday she seemed really upset. kept pointing her her jaw and sticking her finger way back in her mouth and crying. After her morning nap it seemed she even had a fever. I took a closer look and could see one of her baby molars was only grown in half way. So I assumed she must be working to get the rest of the molar to pop through.

I think the saddest part if I had a lot i needed to do yesterday, and I felt awful dragging Jade along with me. But she didn't complain. She just laid on me as I ran in one store and out another. During one trip I got her out of her car seat and she fell asleep on me just from the short walk from the car to the store. I felt so bad.

This morning, she woke up chipper and happy and ready to watch "Feet" (happy feet). I'm so glad she is doing better and I didn't make things worse by carting her all over the place. I guess it just goes to show you that kids are a lot tougher then we often give them credit for.

Anyway, I assume she has some more molars she still has to pop though, so I guess I'm not done with the teething stage yet. Seems like it lasts awhile.

Something cute Jade started doing

Recently Jade has really started to use her imagination when she is playing. Something she's started doing is taking her pink bear (Mr. Bear) or her pink bunny and reading to them. She'll sit them down next to her and talk to them and will ask "read book?" then she'll get a book and "Read" to her stuffed animal, even stopping to turn the book towards her stuffed animal to show them the pictures.
This morning I caught her reading to her bunny and then afterwords she took him for a walk, I tried to take a picture of this because it was so cute watching her try to make the bunny walk. The picture didn't take fast enough, so instead all I caught was her hugging her bunny for me, as she likes to pose for her pictures.

Jade also likes to pretend fed both herself and her toys, pushing plates, cups or whatever else in the face of her doll and saying "eat". It's pretty cute and always cracks me up.

Something new for me on the Horizon

Being today is December 1st, it hit me that I only have 18 days more to go before I stop working part-time (for HSLDA) and become a complete SAHM full-time. Not that I work that many hours a day right now, but still...I'll be done!

So with stopping work being just around the corner, and having Jade very near to being potty trained (she just wets at night and sometimes during naps) I'm really hoping to focus more of my morning hour time on doing projects with Jade.
I have a good friend here who always makes a point to do crafts and projects and fun activities with her kids and I'd really love to start doing that more with Jade.

For the past couple weeks I've been "teaching" Jade how to count to five. It started out as just something fun to do to distract her when she was upset (I'd hold my fingers up one at a time and count to five and turn it into a game) but when she started catching on and counting with me I realized "man, I could teach her to count already!". She also tries to spell her name with me. She has the word "Jade" up in colorful letters on her bedroom wall and when she points at it I usually say "Jade...J-A-D-E" and then she normally tries to copy me and says "Jay... A-A-E-E". So now I also feel like I could start teaching her the alphabet a little at a time.
So who knows, maybe I'll start pre-school with her a little early. That's the beauty of homeschooling right? You can work at your own pace, or begin sooner or later if needed? lol

Anyway, I don't have much to say. I'm just excited about stopping work. Who knows, maybe it will help me stop being so addicted to checking my email. I realized over the long weekend that I check my email ALL the time! I go upstairs, check my mail, I put Jade on the potty, check my mail, I vacuum the carpet, check my email. Go downstairs...run back up, check my email. It's crazy. I must check my email 50 times a day! I realize it's good to check your email often if you are working and your work is checking emails. But...I don't really need to check my personal email as often as I do...so hopefully, stopping work will help me stop being on the computer as much as I am.

With that being said, maybe I'll end this blog post for now.