"The To-Do List"

I am very much a list-maker. Always have been. Maybe anal but always seemed necessary for me. And of course this big event coming up in our lives has it's list as well. Thought I would post it for all to see what my crazy mind thinks it needs to get done before we take on a third child. I have noted all that I have accomplished thus far. So here it goes:

• Prepare freezer meals: broc.,chicken and rice cass.; banana bread; cookie dough; burritos; chicken chili; Swiss sour cream enchiladas; meat loaf...DONE
• Get baby clothes out of storage...DONE
• Wash baby clothes...DONE
• Nursery cleaned thoroughly...DONE
• Nate moved and adjusted to new room...DONE
• Put Luke's letters up on nursery wall...DONE
• Baby items from attic (Tory): car seat, bouncer, swing...DONE
• Post-partem clothes prepared
• Garage sale...DONE
• Carpets cleaned PROFESSIONALLY!!...DONE
• Abigail and Nathan a "to do" bag for hospital...DONE
• Pick out a middle name for the little guy...DONE
• Plan a princess birthday party for my girl.

There you have it and only 4 weeks to go...maybe. We are very excited to meet Mr. Luke but know that the Lord will bring him to us in His own perfect timing. Until then there is obviously still more to do and of course lots of fun to be had during our last days as a family of 4.

Yard Day

My manly men doing their thing...

No Nate, not the tulips!

THUNDER...over our backyard!

We quickly learned after moving to this big Kentucky city that life revolved around THE DERBY! No joke, it is almost considered a major holiday here...everything shuts down. And not only is the first weekend in May one of the biggest ever, the month leading up to this day is full of not-stop party. Well, last night was no different. The annual "Thunder over Louisville" was at an all time high with the best weather you could imagine for the event. 700,000 was I think the number that attended yesterdays festivites which include an afternoon full of aircraft shows and around 9:30 the largest firework show in the U.S. We, on the other hand, stayed at home for our own celebration. Abigail was of course not settling for "fireworks on T.V." so we pulled out the left-overs from last July 4th and did our own, much cheaper rendition. The kids were satisfied, prego mom didn't have to walk the mile to and from the car, and we were in bed and asleep before 2:00 a.m.

Advancing to one in BOTH hands!...which requires the tongue technique.

BRAVE one!

Delicious!!

Thanks Chrissina for sharing this!

White Chicken Chili

Combine the following in crock pot on low until chicken is cooked thoroughly (About 3 hours for me.):

-2 lbs. boneless skinless chicken breast
-2 cups water
-2 packets McCormick "White Chicken Chili" packets
-2 tbsp. vegetable oil
-Cumin
-Garlic powder

Remove chicken from crock pot and shred. Return chicken back to crock pot and add the following:

-2 can white beans (drained and rinsed)
-2 cans petite diced tomatoes
-2 cups frozen corn

Warm together in crock pot until ready to serve. Serve over white rice and top with grated cheddar cheese and sour cream if desired.

*Serves 12...I doubled everything and will let you know how it does from the freezer :)

He is Risen!!

Happy Resurrection Day!

The Giddens'

They're listening.

Just the other day Tory and Abigail were sitting out on the front porch enjoying the rain and having one of their very fun and interesting chats.  I was in hearing distance and was really taken by the conversation.  We have always loved affirming to Abigail how much we love her day in and day out.  Tory was taking this moment to do this again.  I heard him tell her on the porch that he was so excited to get to be with his little girl forever.  She turned and looked at him and replied, "No Daddy, some day Jesus is going to come back and get us to be with Him." Taken off guard, he paused for a minute and then looked at me in curiosity.  Then looking back at Abigail he said, "Abigail, where did you hear this?" (Knowing full well that it could have come from numerous of  places.) She said, "Mommy."  Oh, the tears that swelled up in my eyes.  What a beautiful thing to hear come from your daughters mouth and then to hear that the short and sweet little teaching moments we have are reaching her heart.  Thank you God, for helping her grasp and look forward to the day of your return.

The trimming.

Tonight was haircut night in our house. I came to the realization that it was time for Nathan to have his little neck trimmed with "THE TRIMMERS". I new that one of two things could happen: a. he would be completely scared and traumatized every time we brought out that loud, vibrating thing or,b. it would be fine and I would just sneak by at getting it "done". I turned them on and let him hold them a bit before we started. His reaction was priceless! And he laughed the entire trimming. Thanks Kiddo, for liking it and making it so much easier for your mom.

(And for those who read my last post, the camera part came in this week. Yeah!)