Slow Cooker Beef Stew

Enjoying the cool fall evening 

I. Love. Fall. It is my favorite season for hundreds of reasons. One of the biggies is that the cool weather just begs to be paired with warm, comfy, stick to your bones recipes. One of my favorites is stew. Stew is a pretty generic term considering how versatile it is. In honor of the first day of fall, I thought I'd share a tasty stew recipe that not only makes yummy leftovers, but also freezes well.

My daughter has been helping me a lot in the kitchen lately and yesterday she helped me throw together this yummy stew. Now you can use whatever type of meat you prefer but I typically use beef or venison. I opted for certain veggies but of course you can use whatever you'd like.

Slow Cooker Stew 

Ingredients:
1lb ground venison
3 potatoes, cubed
1 c frozen corn
1 c frozen lima beans
1 c baby carrots
1tsp onion powder
2 cloves minced garlic
2 bay leaves
1 tsp Oregano
1/2 tsp paprika
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1 tbsp sugar
1 15oz  can low sodium beef broth
1/4 c Worcestershire sauce
2 tbsp cornstarch
1c water

Directions:

Spray the slow cooker with nonstick spray.  Next, place your venison on the bottom, breaking it up slightly. (If using ground beef, you'll want to precook it and drain the fat.) Layer on the veggies and then top with the seasonings. Pour over the Worcestershire sauce and beef broth.

Cook on low for 6-8 hours or until the potatoes and carrots are tender. About 15 minutes before you're ready to eat, mix the corn starch and water and stir into the stew. This will thicken it. Pair with your favorite corn bread and enjoy!

Linking up with Waiting on Wednesday
and Mommy Moments

Currently: September

N is really working his smile these days

Holy moly! September is working its way out. This is nuts! This October will be bittersweet so I'm not trying to rush anything. Here's what's going on...

Thinking about: Our upcoming vacation. We're going out of town to meet up with my mom and two sisters. The four of us have not been together since my dad's funeral in 2012. My middle sister has yet to meet both her niece and nephew and my youngest sister has not met her nephew. It's about time if I don't say so myself.

Working on: October's monthly menu. This starts the first of 12 much smaller monthly paychecks, so it's even more important that I plan spending savvy.

Learning: To simplify. There are a lot of things in my life that I don't understand and can't control right now...but there are still things that I can control and that's what I need to focus on. I was encouraged by a friend to read The Life-changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo. I just got it today and have read half way through it already thanks to naps and feedings. I'm already so inspired.

Watching: The Middle. Reruns are on daily during naptime. Sometimes this mommy needs a little break too...

Listening to: G "read" Baby Bear, Baby Bear, What Do You See? Seriously. Adorable.

When she's not reading she's outside enjoying the beautiful weather

Trying: to sort through all that we've aquire these last 7 years. Despite all that we thrown away, sold and donated, there is still so much! I'm ready to just throw it all in bags and haul it off.

Feeling: Both overwhelmed about returning to work and excited about living out what I'm learning in our new Sunday School bible study.

from When Wallflowers Dance by Angela Thomas

Loving: My sweet babes and all things Fall!

Linking up with Mommy Momments

Bouncing Back After Baby - Post Baby Goals

::via::

I'm 2 months post birth and I'm still not feeling 100% myself. N's pregnancy was much more difficult and his labor was 2 times longer than that of his sister's. Let's just say my body feels like it has been through a war. I'm still healing and the various issues I've had since his birth have not been as easy to deal with at times. There have been multiple doctor/dentist visits and quite frankly, I'm over it. I want to feel good again.

Prior to his conception,  I had lost 20lbs. I only gained 17 during his pregnancy and lost that pretty immediately. However, just as before, there were things that made it difficult to breastfeed and after a couple weeks, I was unable to do so any longer. Some of the weight creeped back on. ::sigh::

We've been asked if we're done having kids and to that I don't have a solid answer...but I can say I have goals until then. These goals are meant to carry me over the next couple of years and mini goals will be implemented along the way. I don't want to rush my body but I don't want that to stop me from moving forward.

Goals

1. Lose 30lbs. I am actively using FitnessPal again and I'm eager to see some change. I'll be once again blogging about my progress soon.

2. Put our house up for sale. We have a few projects left prior to officially putting the house on the market but we're well on our way.

3. Get reconnected. The last few months have been difficult in the way of personal relationships and my relationships with friends, family and Christ have suffered. It's time to get more involved again and fix what can be fixed and find closure with what can't.

4. Build our forever home. I desperately long to build our new house. Our land is just begging to be settled upon. We can't begin that venture however until our current home is sold. It's so close and yet so far...

5. Survive financially over the next 12 months. My maternity leave is cutting my pay by several hundred dollars each month for the next year. We've been saving, making cuts and trying to just prepare ourselves all the way around. This next year will be super tight and we are trusting in the Lord's provision. He's never failed us.

::via::

6. Live intentionally. As of late I have known or read about too many people passing away unexpectedly and it really gets you thinking. I want to make memories, live fully, overcome my fears and anxieties and show my children what an amazing life the Lord has blessed us with.

7. Date my husband. I have a really hard time leaving my kids. I admit it. After being gone from them all day, all I want to do is be with them. However,  this doesn't grow my relationship with my phenomenal husband. I need to let go and let others help us more. I need to go on dates with my husband minus both kids and relax. (Can you sense my type A personality?)

::via::

8. Revamp my teaching style. I love what I do as a teacher. Every year I say there are things I want to do or change and rarely do I do them. It's time to fix that.

What goals do you have?

Linking up for Mommy Moments  and Waiting on Wednesday

Baby N is 2 Months Old

I'm fighting the urge to get teary. Our baby is 2 months old today and yet it seems like yesterday we were making our unexpected trip to the hospital. I still remember the moment he was placed in my arms. I'll be going back to work in a month and I'm already feeling the ache that comes with leaving my babes. I begin to think of all I'm missing and dread the thought that some of his firsts will happen without me. He's already grown so much!

Weight: 12 lbs 2.7oz


Height: 23 1/2 inches


Clothing size: 0-3 months

Eat: 3-5oz every 3-4 hours

Sleep: About 4-5 hours at a time through the night.

Play: You are not a fan of tummy time. However, you are quite content laying on your back swatting at the dangling toys on your play mat. You like to interact with your sister and others who are willing to get on the floor with you. You are starting to take more interest in things around you, whether outside or in. You even enjoyed your first time in the exersaucer this month. You also enjoyed a lot of evenings outside. The weather has been so nice.

Odds and Ends: You become stronger every day. You like to be held up so that you can put weight on your legs and stand tall. You are starting to sway from side to side so I'm sure rolling over is in our future.

You have started a lot of social smiling (which melts my heart) and you are "talking" a good bit these days. You make the sweetest sounds when you are content. However, you also make it known when something is bothering you.

You scared us with a trip to the Emergency Department. We hope to not have that happen again.

You also had your first Sunday at church this month. It was so good to be back!

Every moment spent with you is precious. We love you sweet boy...now and always.

N's Birth Story//1 Month

Linking up with Tuesday Talk and Mommy Moments



The Power of a Shower

I'm still adjusting to being a mom of two. Schedules differ, needs are vastly different and the demand varies. With N at 8 weeks old, he still requires so much.G has her own needs and wants that inevitably should take priority just at the time I'm feeding the baby. My house is never together or completely clean and my list of to-dos is not getting smaller.

I'm learning to give myself some grace.

My body is still not my own, the healing is still happening and the one night of solid sleep I had last week is but a distant memory. Since life is a beautiful mess everyday there is very little I get to do for myself. As this is my 2nd time around, I'm well aware of the importance of focusing on myself from time to time.

In comes the shower. Never underestimate what the spray of hot water and some sudsy, aromatic body wash can do. Typically I have at least one kid hanging out in the bathroom with me but on the special occasion that they both nap at the same time...bliss! The rejuvenation that can come from washing away the smell of spit up, sweat and mommy fog is essential to being able to bring your best...even if your best isn't back to normal.

::via::

Whether you're a new mom or just new to baby #4, remember to take a little time for yourself. You'll be glad you did.

Linking up with Waiting on...Wednesday

and

Mommy Moments

A Girl and a Boy...Now What?

Enough is enough...but how do you decide? How do you know when you are done having kids? For some the answer is simple and concrete. For others there is no definitive answers. Some dream of many but can only have one. Others never dreamed of having any and they end up with a multitude.

I remember soon after our daughter's birth (as in hadn't even left the hospital) people were asking if we were planning on having more children. We had struggled to conceive our daughter, and even though a dream of adding to our family was in our hearts, we really did not know how to answer that question. Of course we wanted more, but whether or not the Lord would grant us more children was a huge unknown. In my heart I hoped He would allow us more children, but to say that we would most certainly have more was not an answer I could give.

When we learned we were pregnant again last fall, we were elated. We had prayed and with the help of medical interventions, we conceived our second child. We were even more excited to find out that we were having a boy! We loved being girl parents and yet we had hoped to experience the sweetness of a little boy. In July of this year I gave birth to a beautiful, red headed little fella. So.In.Love.

Once again, soon after his birth, visitors were asking about our family...but the question was different this time. People were asking us if we were DONE having children since we now had one of each. I did not realize this was such a major assumption. Apparently when you have one of each your family is complete and it's just silly to think of having another.

::via::

I ran across this little ditty about the time I was getting a little flustered with all of the assumptions. It is spot on.

I originally wanted four kids (and honestly, I still do) and my husband was content with two (and honestly, I think he still is). Our last conversation had us agreeing that we will most likely try for at least one more. However, we're not sure how this third child will come to be. Each go at getting pregnant has proven more difficult than the last and this difficulty only increases with age (I'm only 30...but still). We still believe adoption may be a possibility, but we'll have to see how we feel we should proceed when that time comes. Right now we are a ways off. We want G in Kindergarten and our forever home to be built. This gives us at least 3 years. We also don't want to rush this precious time. There are plenty of memories to be made before adding another set of tiny feet to our home.

Despite our feelings, we believe the Lord has already determined the size of our family and we trust Him to bring the number of children that He wills into our home. I joke with my husband that we could have twins in an attempt to have our third child...he doesn't see the humor, but our use of fertility meds ups the chances. We also trust God's timing for our next child despite our timeframe. We also trust Him to bring the perfect child(ren) into our lives as He sees fit, whether I am blessed to carry another child or we open our hearts and home through adoption. His plan is perfection.

Personally, it's hard to think of saying that I'm done having children. I love being a mom and love bringing new life into the world. I kind of get why these couples keep having kids...although 19 is a bit much for anyone's sanity in my opinion. My husband on the other hand looks at everything from a very practical point of view and has no problem setting a limit.

For those of you who have decided to call it quits or for those of you who have decided on "your number", how did you do it? What factors did you consider? What made your decision? I look forward to hearing your thoughts!

Linking up for Thoughts for Thursday and Mommy Moments

Currently: August

N's first Sunday at church 8.16.2015

I can't wrap my brain around the fact that it is August...and half way in at that! Here's what is going on currently...

Thinking about...
how this first week of school will go. It's so strange not to be starting out the year with my students. However, I would not trade this time with our new son and toddler daughter for anything.

Working on...
gathering consignment items and prepping them for the sale in September. I've participated in this particular consignment sale the last couple of times and I typically do pretty well. With our finances taking a major hit thanks to my maternity leave, every little bit will help. I'm also trying to finish up a photo book project for our son. I'm determined to have the same photo books for both of my children...I forgot what an undertaking this can be.

Learning...
how to be a mother of two. It has definitely been an adjustment. I feel like we're starting to adjust to our new normal, only to have to readjust when I begin back to work in October.

Courtesy of Frank Crocker Photography

Watching...
reruns of The Middle. It cracks me up and I'm amazed how much I can relate.

Listening to...
my two year old sing "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" and "Jesus Loves Me".

Reading...
the latest Parents magazine and frugal cooking blogs. I'm also revisiting potty training tidbits since we've begun this venture (again) this week.

Dreaming about...
our new house. Every time I drive past our property my heart longs to pull into the driveway. With the changes we will be experiencing this year, it is unlikely the building process will be able to begin since our house has to sell first. I could be surprised but I'm accepting the fact that this dream will be postponed a while longer.

Wanting...
a cleaning fairy to come to my home. I just can't get this house together! I'm also wanting this potty training experience to be more fruitful than our last attempt...

Feeling...
a multitude of emotions. We have so much coming up that I am having to slow myself down and remember that 1. God is in control, 2. God will provide, 3. I am too blessed to be stressed.

Loving...
my life. Despite the challenges we're facing, I am so in love with this crazy, beautiful mess that I call mine. My children are healthy, my husband is amazing, my job is secure for another school year and the sun is shining. I think overall, things are pretty good.

What are you up to currently?

Linking up for Tuesday Talk and Waiting on...Wednesday