Opt Out October Update

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Things are continuing to go pretty well for my personal Opt Out October challenge.

I've stuck to my rule for coffee and eating out one time a week. This week has been tough though. We've had ample amounts of rain, a sick baby and my hubby has been home for a total of one day in the past week. I'm exhausted. The urge to stop for coffee more than once this week, while probably justified, was a bit challenging at times. The only additional purchases I've made this past week was one pumpkin (G has to have a Halloween pumpkin) and some new socks for G because well, she's out grown all of her infant socks. I also booked the hotel for my upcoming Girls' Weekender. Regarding the pumpkin...I know I said that I'd not purchase anything to decorate the house, but look at her face...it had to be done.

I'm excited about the coming weekend. I have my Infertility Bible Study on Friday evening (gosh I love those gals!), our annual pumpkin patch/orchard trip with our friends and we're hosting the Youth Group's dinner/game night on Saturday, and family pictures on Sunday after church. Here is my dilemma. I have been scouring my closet for something to wear for our pictures. It's embarrassing to acknowledge just how outdated, faded and blah my wardrobe is. I've been weeding out those items (which equates to almost two trash bags-some of the hubby's clothes have been included) and I'm not left with much that screams fall-winter...nor do I have much of anything that would be suitable for fall pictures. If I'm paying for pictures, I want them to be ones that I want to see myself in. With that being said, I'm trying to decide how to make this work. I refuse to purchase a whole outfit at this point but a new top may be in order.

I do have a scarf that I love...maybe I'll just try to work out a solid colored top to wear...truth be told, I seriously need a fashion consultant...

I've also continued with my de-cluttering. I patched up the wall by our front door where our dog, who is now outside, had scratched it up. My hubby put up the new coat rack and I'm loving the mail/magazine baskets on the stairs.

I have a new sense of order upon walking into the house. I may be learning to let go of things but some of the things I love to do, such as decorating for fall, has been neglected. I love this time of year but I'm also in "get it done" mode in regards to prepping our house for sale (hopefully sooner rather than later.) I will decorate for Christmas...so that gives me a little time to get some things taken care of.

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I've also found a new way to work my menus. I plan monthly...yes, monthly, menus and for several years now I've been printing them out using a calendar template. Silly me. This has been such a waste of paper and printer ink. My hubby bought me a magnetic calendar for the fridge. This allows me to easily change my monthly menus and adjust meals as needed without having messy scribbles or reprinting.

For those of you who have sold your homes, what did you do to prep it before sale? We have some landscaping and miscellaneous items around the house, but are there things that you recommend we definitely do before putting it on the market?

Linking up with Home of Malones

More Fall Fun!

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I love having a fall bucket list. It helps me stay focused and motivated about the things I want to get in this fall. Let's begin with the items off of that list that I've accomplished this past week...

-Autumn themed craft (you can find the how-to here...although instead of following their directions for the taping part, I formed a sheet with the tape strips, cut out my shapes and then placed them on the pumpkin. It just seemed simpler.)

G painted her first pumpkin!

-Watch a Halloween movie...this is my favorite Halloween movie ever!

Hocus Pocus

-Enjoy the autumn air

Seriously...I just can't get enough of this face!

-Make homemade apple sauce.

-Gaze at the full moon.

There are so many wonderful things ahead! I've some apple picking,  pie baking,  collecting pine cones and a few other things that I am really looking forward to. It's been a fabulous fall so far.

I've also been busting out the crock-pot a lot lately. However there are some soups that are quick and come together in one pot as well. This White Bean, Sausage and Spinach soup is a fall menu must. You can find the original recipe here.  I tweaked it just a bit and loved every bite! It's simple, filling and flavorful...what more could you want?

White Bean, Sausage and Spinach Soup



Ingredients:

2 cans of white beans, drained and rinsed

1 can diced tomatoes

1lb smoked chicken sausage, sliced

2c low sodium chicken broth

1/2tbsp dried basal

2c chopped fresh spinach

Directions:

In a Dutch oven sprayed with cooking spray, brown the sausage. Remove the sausage and add the chicken broth. As the broth heats add the tomatoes,  beans and basil. Bring to a boil and then simmer for 10 minutes. Add the sausage and heat for an additional 5 minutes or so. Finally, add the spinach. Cook for a couple minutes and remove from the heat. Allow to set for a couple minutes before serving.  

I paired it with a crusty garlic bread...yum!

Linking up with Tickled Pink!

Linking up with Green Fashionista

Outdoor Romps and Recalls

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Last weekend we celebrated the 1st birthday of one of G's little buddies. There was cake, grilling and a playground...perfection. We enjoyed the beautiful fall weather and time with friends.

After such a fun weekend it was hard to manage through such a long and trying week. The full moon theory was in full swing at our elementary school. If any skeptics want proof, hang around in our hallways during the next full moon phase.

Fortunately we did survive and greeted the weekend with open arms. My hubby was finally home so we had made plans to visit the local pumpkin patch. We woke up to rain. With no end in sight, we made other plans...or should I say plans were made for us.

I opened up an email reporting a diaper wipe recall. I've been purchasing G's diaper wipes (Simply Right brand) from Sam's for a while now. They provide great quality for a very reasonable price. Both of those factors had to be put aside on Saturday. The email I received indicated that there was a potential contamination of the wipes and all unused wipes needed to be returned (for a full refund of course).

First thing that morning we headed to the store and returned the wipes...no questions asked. The recall is regarding a possible bacteria contamination. The bacteria in question is B. cepacia. It is a natural occurring bacteria that generally does not pose concerns to healthy individuals. However, people with lower immune systems or with Cystic Fibrosis are at a higher risk for complications. Of course the symptoms are fever, cough, congestion, and wheezing...much like cold symptoms, which appears to be having a lot of folks freaking out. G has been dealing with nasal drainage since the weather change a few weeks ago. I'm just keeping an eye on her and of course will talk to my doctor at her appointment next Tuesday.

We of course purchased another brand of wipes and will use them until we hear otherwise. After swapping the wipes we ran a few errands and came home to enjoy just being home. It seems like our time together is so much less these days. We've been aware of this over the last few weeks and are diligently trying to ensure that we spend as much family time as possible. Yes we have to work and yes we have obligations, but I want G's childhood memories to be filled with us, her family. These are days we'll never get back and we are intentionally trying to make the most of them. She is the best investment we'll ever make.



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Linking up with Leslyn

Why I Love Him

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In 15 days we'll be celebrating 6 years of marriage. I cannot believe how quickly the years have gone by. I'm eternally grateful to God for bringing us together. I'm also grateful that a sweet country boy took a chance on a girl that he met one summer...

I thought I'd dedicate this week's post to my amazing husband...here are five (granted there are thousands more) of the top reasons why I love him.

Engagement Photo 2007

Our Wedding 2008

[A Heart of Gold]
The mold was broke when this guy was made. I've never met someone who was so generous, caring, and sincere. He is truly my better half.

Our first anniversary 2009
We're under the "Wedding Bell" at Dixie Caverns.

[Country Strong]
He was raised to work hard and play hard. We share so many of the same passions including the outdoors, traveling, and family. We have treasured memories that center around campfires, four wheelers, mud on the tires, and star filled skies. He knows my heart.

2010

[A Man of Faith]
The most important quality of the man that I would marry was that he'd love the Lord and have a heart for His commandments. When I met my hubby in 2004 at a Christian camp in Central Virginia (we were counselors), I learned two very important things about him. One, he loved the Lord with a beautiful passion. He had, and still has, a servant's heart and is a living testament of God's goodness in his life. Secondly I learned that he loved children and wanted his future little ones to love the Lord the same way he does. Almost two years ago we were blessed with our miracle babe and He has been keeping good on that promise.

2011

[Sing-a-longs]
My hubby has a secret talent. He has the potential to be a living, breathing, walking one man musical. He has the ability to turn everyday conversation into song. This keeps me laughing. The best part is that he starts out in fun and then has a really hard time stopping!

2012 in Baltimore

[My Best Friend]
As a gal who never dated in high school...and I mean never...well, ok there were two blind dates but I try not to think about those...I was not sure when or if God would bring "the man" into my life. I had always had guy friends but none of them ever took a chance on me. I was the "best bud" and the one you came running too when the girl you thought you loved broke your heart. I remember meeting my hubby and not thinking twice about him in my future. I was trying to make peace with where God wanted me and little did I know that I would meet the man that I'd spend the rest of my life with. Four years later we married and I can honestly say he is my best friend. He is the one I cry with, laugh with, and dream with. He is the amazing father of our beautiful little girl and proves his amazing love for us over and over again. I'll love him forever...


2013
Proud daddy

2014

Linking up with Farmer's Wife for Oh Hey Friday and Darci for Five on Friday



Opt Out Update

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It's no secret that I adore the fall season. The air is turning a bit more brisk here in Central Virginia. The leaves are beginning to turn and the daylight is slowly becoming shorter.

My heart sings.

As I take in the beauty of this season, I have also been hard at work over the last week to maintain my goals for my Opt Out October. I thought I'd give you an update.

Let's begin with the "getting healthier"...

I've really reeled in my snacking and the eating out has become almost obsolete. I've been prepping meals the night before and using my crock-pot a lot more this week to ensure that I have no excuse to eat out or pick up something on the way home. I haven't gotten back on the treadmill yet but I've been parking farther away from my destinations and my little one and I have been staying pretty busy.

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As for my spending this month? I'm doing great! Last month was out of the ordinary for me in regards to some of my typical spending habits so I feel really good about how things are going. I've opted out of multiple coffee runs during the week and I've cut down my eating out to a maximum of one time a week. (We don't typically eat out, but like I said, last month was a doozy.) There was one exception to my "no purchasing clothing" rule. Over the weekend I took G to meet her newest little friend. Our close friends had their baby a week ago and we were finally able to visit. On the way there I had plans to stop at Lowes to grab some paint. Unfamiliar with the area, I relied on my GPS. It took us on a crazy, winding, narrow mountain road...and G got seriously car sick. By the time I could finally safely pull over, she was covered in mess. I had brought an extra outfit but it was one of her "play outfits" and not one I really wanted her to be in should pictures be taken during our visit. Maybe this is shallow or silly to some, but whatever. I stopped at a local clothing discount store and picked up a cute outfit for $8. She was cleaned up, changed and away we went. Needless to say, we never made it to Lowes.

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Overall I'm proud of my progress this past week. I've been getting some things done around the house and the motivation continues thanks to Living Well Spending Less' 31 Days to a Clutter Free Life. I get an email once a day with a different de-cluttering challenge. I've been able to take almost all of them up to this point.

I hope your fall season is going just as well. This month holds a lot of joy and sadness as I reflect on all that October has held for us. We grieve the loss of our friends' little ones that have gone before us as October 15th draws near. I miss my grandfather so much more this month as the 2nd anniversary of his passing approaches. I do however have a lot to lift praises for as well. It was this month, two years ago that we announced our first pregnancy. We'll celebrate our wedding anniversary. We'll meet with friends, enjoy family time and count our blessings often. What will your October hold?

Linking up with Home of Malones

Fall Fun To-Do List

I'm so excited about fall! It is my hands-down-absolute-favorite-cannot-get-enough season. I ran across a great Fall Fun To-Do List and I decided to make it our bucket list for the fall of 2014. My goal is to capture me and/or my family completing each one of these items. It's a challenge I gladly accept.

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To kick things off, I'm linking up with Amanda at Tickled Pink for her Countdown to Halloween. I hope you'll join in!

Here are a few things that I've accomplished so far...(*Items marked with FFL are directly from the Fall Fun To-Do List.)

I created our fall chalkboard art for the family room...



Hayride (FFL): I took G on her first hayride. She really enjoyed herself. Not only did she get to experience the hayride but she also had her first face painting experience.

Favorite scarf (FFL): I recently bought a new scarf and I love it! Something about scarves just says "fall".

Love Print Infinity Scarf



Of course I couldn't let Tuesday slip by without sharing a recipe.  This one is for the slow cooker. Mine gets double the use during the cold months and this tasty dish is surprisingly versatile.

Crock pot Hawiian Chicken

Ingredients:

2 large chicken breasts, boneless and skinless

1c pineapple tidbits with juice

1/2c chili sauce

1/4c water

1/2tbsp corn starch

Directions:

Place the chicken in the crock pot. Pour in the pineapple with juice and the chili sauce.  Cook on low for 7-8 hours. 

Remove the chicken and shred or chop. 

In a small bowl combination the water and corn starch.  Mix well. Whisk into the crock pot. Add the chicken and allow to cook on high for 10 minutes.  The sauce will thicken slightly. 

This serves well over rice and veggies or sets well on a toasted bun. Enjoy!

I hope you'll join in the fun this fall!

Also linking up with Green Fashionista for Tasty Tuesdays and

Love in the Kitchen for Tuesday's Table.

A Time for Everything

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It's been a week of highs and lows...

Let me start from the beginning. Last weekend, after yet another agonizing and yet promising TWW, we discovered that we were once again not pregnant. You would think after continuous months of negatives that I'd be numb or would have found a better way to cope...but nope. I let my hopes fade and the tears fall. Crying is truly therapeutic.

That same weekend I spent a wonderful time with my friend and her daughter at a fall festival and celebrated the birth of our dear friends' little boy. These were such good moments.

These moments were soon overshadowed by some heartbreaking news. My husband's best friend (since elementary school) and his wife lost their 3 month old son to SIDS. I got a call from my husband on Tuesday. He rarely calls up to work but I didn't immediately think anything was wrong. He then proceeded to tell me the tragic news. I could not wrap my brain around it. My heart was and remains so grieved for this family.

Thursday night we went to the Family Visitation at the funeral home. It was seriously one of the saddest experiences I've ever had. I had no words of comfort. I prayed continually as we waited in line to speak to the family. I whispered words to the Heavens as I watched the child's mother stare longingly at the picture slide show as the father took the condolences. I will never forget the pain I saw in his eyes as my husband went up to him and hugged him. As I watched these two strong men cry together my heart broke even more.

I took off work on Friday to attend the graveside service.

The drizzle and drear seemed appropriate for the emotions of the day. We watched as the father carried his son's casket to the area where the service would be held. We gripped each others hands as the mother and remaining immediate family walked past us with tears in their eyes. I looked around at people, bringing love and support for this family, and thought how amazing it was that this tiny little life had touched so many. The service was as sweet as one could be under the circumstances and the message of God's goodness, grace and mercy were woven throughout. The beautiful truth for those who have Christ as their Savior is that death is not the end. I remember that as the service was ending and we all stood in silence, the clouds gave way to sunlight. I couldn't help but think that it was God's way of reiterating that there are still good things to come. While it may take a lot of time for this promise to become a comfort, it is my prayer that it will become just that.

I share this for several reasons.

First, this past week has been a major struggle and I've relied so heavily on my God for understanding, comfort, wisdom and discernment. It is my belief our friends' little one's 103 days on earth were purposeful and that his death, regardless how unfair it seems to our earthly minds, will indefinitely make an impact in Heaven. His passing has drawn me to the Lord in ways that I have not visited in a very long time.

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Secondly, I have delved into the truths found in God's Word for comfort. I've been connecting with God on a whole new level while dealing with our infertility. This connection has only deepened as I've sought after the Lord during this time of darkness. I desperately want to serve as a light for this grieving family and can only do so through His strength, because lets face it, I've been crying on and off since Tuesday and without His help, I'd be no good for anyone.

Lastly, I share this because I want you to hug your little ones a little tighter. Remember that these angels are granted to us to care for, lead, guide and raise in a way that will set them apart and bring glory to God. Love your children fiercely. Appreciate every moment. Get over the messes and embrace them. Every fingerprint, every Cheerio underfoot is something to appreciate.

I know this wasn't an easy read and I appreciate you bearing with me. Please keep our friends in your prayers. The days, weeks, months and years will continue to bring pain with each first that "should have been" and every holiday to come.

Linking up with Leslyn