Super Mom...

Well, that is what I feel like these days. Kidding. For as long as I can remember I have struggled with the joy of cooking. I LOVE to bake everything and anything, but cooking has just not been my favorite thing to do. Then came Noah. It got not only tough to find things to cook for two picky eaters, but finding the time was hard. Now, with two kids I find time to be even more scarce. So, I have looked at all my options: Hire a personal chef, order in daily, freezer cook, or just stop eating. Hmmm...tough choice. I chose the personal chef, however my checkbook reminded me that I should probably choose again.
So, I began the journey of dabbling in crock pot cooking. The problem for me is that most of the recipes I found online were just not something my family would eat. In conversation with my dear friend Sandra, she handed me a book that changed my (and my family's) life. It is called "Fix it Fast, Cook it Slow" Apparently this author devoted herself to crock pot cooking for a whole year and started a blog to track it. Now it is the most visited site for crock pot users and her book is full of the best meals. All I can say is AMAZING! Each week I pick 7 recipes and we try them out. I have yet to find something that my family won't eat. We have done chicken pot pie, pulled pork sandwiches, spaghetti, cheeseburger soup, chicken tacos...and so on. I truly can say I have not turned on my oven in over three weeks. It feels so good to know that when dinner time comes around in our house I have something warm and yummy to offer, and a variety at that! I have found a new passion for cooking...well crock potting that is!

Auntie Chrystal Visits

Aunt Chrystal came to visit us and to meet Maleah. We spent some time hiking and going on the Huntsville Ghost Walk. We had such a great time. Noah loved it when Aunt Chrystal would sing "pee pee on the potty" and Maleah liked wearing Chrystal's sunglasses. We are so glad that she came to visit!

Backyard Camping

Ryan came over and joined us in our backyard camping adventure. We pulled out the fire pit and pitched the tent in the backyard. Noah loved it! Especially the smores by the fire! He also loved sleeping in the tent in the backyard.

Tate Farms

We to the kids to the Tate Farms Pumpkin Patch. Noah, of course had a blast. There were tractors everywhere and tons of things to play on. It was a beautiful day and we were able to enjoy all that it had to offer. Maleah also enjoyed her time, short of all the crazy pictures mommy had to pose her for! In the end, we came home with two very tired kids and a bunch of pumpkins to be cooked and carved!

Noah's Fort

Noah decided to build himself a fort in his closet. I thought he was building a store to sell diapers.

Pretty Girl

Here are a few shots that I took of my pretty little lady. She is getting so big, and I am having so much fun dressing her up!

Argh!

Noah has been into watching "Jake and the Neverland Pirates" on Disney in the mornings. It is a very educational show that our whole family enjoys. However, Noah has realized that Captain Hook is not very nice and takes whatever he wants. So last night while talking about going to his friends birthday party we had a discussion like this:
Mom: Are you excited to go to Maddy's party?
Noah: Yes, I want to blow out the candles on her cake
Mom: Well, you won't blow out the candles on her cake because it is Maddy's birthday and she will be doing it
Pause--
Noah: Well then I will be like Captain Hook and take her candles away!

3 Months Old!

To my dear sweet girl,
You are 3 months old already. You have grown so much in the past couple of months it is hard to believe. I love your marshmallow cheeks and rolly legs. You have moved to 6 month clothing and size two diapers. You have started trying to sit up on your own, straining so hard to lift our head in your car seat. We like to call it "sit up till you spit up" because you will actually make yourself spit up trying so hard to sit up! You have also found your thumb. I guess that means that you might be taking after your mommy. I try to give you a paci and you will take it, but soon after I will find your thumb in your mouth. You have started to smile and giggle more than ever and you just love your big brother. Finally, you are starting to hold your head up during tummy time. I have a feeling that you will be crawling before I know it. It is hard for me to even think of you growing up as I want you to stay my little baby girl forever. I love your mellow happy personality and look forward to seeing how you will progress. You are such a great joy to our family and we thank God everyday for you.
Love.
Mom