Stacking the Candyland deck

Today we were playing a friendly game of Candyland when Jenna got upset because she hadn't drawn a red card. My opinion was, just wait and sometime you'll probably draw a red card. Jenna has Daddy wrapped around her finger so as he was shuffling he stacked the deck so she could get a red card. CHEATER!!! Of course she won the game. However cheaters never win! I think it is all a conspiracy against me so that I'll get the gingerbread man and have to go back to the beginning.

I'm not sure what Sarah's obsession with the dishwasher is and this video shows her dishwasher work at its finest. Erik also thinks he can throw her up in the air since she's the backup. He throws her pretty high and it's a little scary but she loves it as you can see.

I got 77 points in Quiddler today and made the words creole (5 point bonus) and dyking (I did NOT know that was a word - what does it even mean? do I want to know?) and noms. What an awesome quiddler day for me!

This blog post is a little lighter than the last couple even though I'm really excited about all the discussion! Maybe we'll have more exciting topics in the future. Although I do think Erik's stacking the candyland deck is worthy of discussion. How can we trust him in other games if he is willing to go to lengths to stack the candyland deck? I tell ya, I'm always back at the gingerbread man!

Another Perspective on Contraception

I'm so excited that I got 13 comments on my last post!! And that everyone is thinking about this topic. One of the professors at Devry has 6 children and I've copied his thoughts below. He puts his faith into action. I've known him for about 7 years and has never complained about having too many kids or them being too much work. To him, they are a blessing. He has the right attitude - one that I'm working on :).

So what can I say? I am a “cradle” catholic - born and raised in the catholic faith. With my children growing – my oldest now 14 – I need to address this issue with them. It’s for them that I am most concerned but right on the heels of that I must say God loves each and every child and what is happening in America and all over the world with abortion (and thus most forms of contraception) is the second greatest evil that world has ever known. The concentration camps held only a small fraction of the dead that have fallen to our practices since Roe V. Wade and the abortion numbers don’t even begin to estimate the number of chemically induced abortions due to abortive contraception methods. BTW Roe – who brought the case – is now one of leading prolife advocates in the US.

My personal experience and thoughts on birth control have indeed been tempered by the teachings of the church – doesn’t it sound better to say ‘family planning’??? Did God give us the intellect and tools to help us plan a family? Absolutely. Does he want us to do so without killing? Absolutely. This is not a social question or a health question. If you truly believe life begins at conception then anything we do that stands in the way of that life coming to fruition as God intended places our souls at risk, more so if we knowingly lead others along that path. Parents, health professionals, and public policy makers have great responsibility. Now, I am not saying everyone who uses contraception or has promoted abortive methods has sinned. Sin involves the intention as well as the action. One must know what they are doing is wrong for it to be a matter of sin.

My aunt Rose is the group that did not realize the contraception methods she was using were abortive. To this day they have not had children but they wanted them very badly. She was pregnant once and only after she lost the child did she come to find out the her birth control methods may have played a roll. Can God grant a child to a couple using birth control? Yes – unfortunately things do not always work out for those children conceived during the contraceptive use. She still blames herself but again at the time she did not know that what she was doing could harm the baby – she is one of the gentlest people I know which is why I think this still hurts for her today.

So what do/will I tell my children and what do Kathy I practice? I will (do) tell my children that the availability of pornography on the internet and the sexuality that they see on TV and elsewhere is dangerous. When one begins to only think of sex and not the person or relationship involved not to mention the potential for children then one has gone astray. Sex should not be selfish or casual and thought of as without consequence. Only in a real loving relationship can it truly be experienced for all that it is – which I would dare say – includes an openness to God and his plans. The true potential and meaning come to fruition only in marriage. Not “I think we are going to get married” but the true commitment it takes to raise a family.

So how does one plan a family? God knows that there are times when we would like to postpone a pregnancy but what he asks is an openness to his will too. He also knows that there are couples who desperately want a child or children. If a woman’s fertility can be tracked and ovulation predicted reliably then that’s really all you need. Men are typically always fertile so that part doesn’t matter too much. Abstain during fertile times and you can prevent pregnancy as reliably as any of the artificial birth control methods. Don’t abstain during fertile times and you are likely to conceive – some couples more than others :). Kathy & I use the sympto – thermal method to track her fertility. IF it is practiced as prescribed it has 99.7% rate of accomplishing your goal – either to conceive or prevent pregnancy. Now, I know, Kathy and I have 6 kids so you might be thinking – yeah right, but, we planned on a big family 4 – 5 children and we were trying for a sister for Becca. We did get a little lax and so Sam came along but it really wasn’t the method’s fault and do you know what? Sam is one of the greatest gifts God has given us. It would tear me apart not to have him in our life.

So… our computers all have net nanny on them, the natural family planning methods are now high tech – software can be found at www.ccli.org/software - and accepted by medical professional as 99.7% reliable, and when our temporary stay here on earth is done this is one question I hope I won’t have to worry about HIM asking.

What about contraceptives?

For the past three weeks I've gone to an abortion clinic to pray at 5:45am. They perform abortions at 6am at this clinic. A group of 5 of us stand there and pray for an hour as the women walk into the clinic. It's very hard to watch them walk in. Today a girl walked in with her latte and her attitude just seemed so casual to me - it makes me tear up.

Today I felt God impressing on me the phrase "what about contraceptives?"

I've taken this to God and discussed it with Erik and we will be taking a new direction in our lives. The pro-life movement has a very strong Catholic base which takes a stand against contraceptives. I read this very long article about it as well as some others which raise good points.

So my vast readership, what about contraceptives?

Goals

D&D buddies came to visit on Saturday and we all had a good time. I'm sporting my i (be rational) pi (get real) shirt which is totally funny! Aaron and Michele are next to me, and next to them is Matt. Although we always call Matt Bogg since that's his character's name. Jenna even called him Bogg - how cute! Jon is wearing his Thriller shirt and looking mighty svelte! And Michelle was wearing a cute bento shirt but you can't see it.


Jon has a list of 43 things he would like to do - I guess they are goals. My other friend Kimberly also has a list but hers is 101 things she would like to do in 1 year. And she tracks her progress on her blog. Her goals are measurable which I like but I don't want to keep track of 101 things for an entire year. I think I might spend all year keeping track of my goals! So to simplify things for myself yet still get on the goal bandwagon, I'm going to work on 25 goals for 100 days. I started yesterday, which means my goal time period will last until Feb. 15. I'm keeping track of this in Excel (obviously) so that I can easily calculate my progress.

Here are my goals:

1. Go to bed by 11pm (50 out of 100 days)
2. Read 2 fiction books
3. Read 1 nonfiction book
4. Read 1 journal paper
5. Lose 5 lbs
6. Exercise (30 out of 100 days - 30min)
7. Pray at abortion clinic on Fridays (12 times)
8. Go on 3 dates with husband
9. Go on 2 mommy dates with Jenna
10. Write in journal (80 out of 100 days)
11. Do Iron Chef
12. Try 3 new vegetables
13. Memorize 1 verse per week (15 verses)
14. Read to kids besides bedtime (45 out of 100 days)
15. Clean desk 3 times
16. Take Stats or Graphics design course
17. Have girls movie night
18. Learn something new about GIMP
19. Serve dinner at Faith Mission
20. Take a Pilates class
21. Try 10 new recipes
22. Level my EQ2 character 2 levels
23. Do 3 things for my secret sister (mommy group)
24. Paint master bathroom
25. Write conference/journal paper

So this is my list. I'll keep you updated on how I'm doing. I really wanted to add "Learn one song on the guitar" but Erik doesn't want me to play right now. Maybe I'll save that goal for later.
Had to post this cute picture of Jenna pushing Sarah in the laundry basket. They were actually playing!
Went to the doctor yesterday and found out I have pneumonia. Great! Let's hope no one else gets sick from me.
BTW, I got 78 on Quiddler and made the word floaty. I really didn't think it would let me do floaty but it did!

Commit to the Lord

While I'm bummed about the result of the election, I will support our new President and pray for him. The previous two elections resulted in bickering and hateful responses such as "selected not elected". The people have spoken - Obama is the President. We should support him, even if we do not agree with everything he does. We are bigger than the hateful complaining of the last two elections.

In other matters, I got 84 on Quiddler today and made the words: verse and giddy. I feel giddy after making those words!

I also discovered a new verse that I'm going to add to my list (someday when I update it) and I think I'll place it very high! Proverbs 16:3 "Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed." Isn't that verse rockin'!

Tomorrow

Tomorrow is election day - a tremendous privilege that we have the right to vote. Our country is founded on principles of freedom: freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom to peaceably assemble, and freedom to petition the government for a redress of grievances (1st Amendment). However millions of babies have this freedom denied from them. These are the unborn.

Some Bible verses about the taking of innocent lives:
"Do this so that innocent blood will not be shed in your land, which the LORD your God is giving you as your inheritance, and so that you will not be guilty of bloodshed" Deut 19:10

"He sent them to destroy Judah, in accordance with the word of the LORD proclaimed by his servants the prophets. 3 Surely these things happened to Judah according to the LORD's command, in order to remove them from his presence because of the sins of Manasseh and all he had done, 4 including the shedding of innocent blood. For he had filled Jerusalem with innocent blood, and the LORD was not willing to forgive." 2 Kings 24:2-4

"16 There are six things the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to him:
17 haughty eyes, a lying tongue,hands that shed innocent blood, "
Proverbs 6:16-19

"therefore as surely as I live, declares the Sovereign LORD, I will give you over to bloodshed and it will pursue you. Since you did not hate bloodshed, bloodshed will pursue you."
Ezekiel 35:6

These verses tell how God despises the shedding of innocent blood. Unborn babies are murdered every day under the banner of "choice". I can not stand before God one day saying "yes I voted for someone who supported legalized abortion - the murder of innocent lives". This has been on my heart since college when I was a member of Students for Life. We were small but managed to fill the Oval at OSU with crosses depicting the number of lives lost to abortion in a day. Sometimes I lay awake at night thinking of these babies and I tear up. This must end.

So I will be voting pro-life tomorrow.

Trick or Treat!

Jenna's preschool had a Halloween party today and she dressed up as a Tiger. However she would not roar since she was a nice tiger. While she was refusing to roar, another catlike creature (besides Scruffles) was stalking around the house. Check out this picture of Sarah standing in the dishwasher. She is so attracted to the dishwasher. It's like Scruffles and the can opener. As soon as I start unloading it, she rushes in to play with it. It's a dishwasher!!

Later tonight Jenna went out trick or treating and we all gorged ourselves on her candy. I dread the day when she no longer will share her candy with us :).

Tomorrow we are going to the Melting Pot (yum)! Amanda, Missy, and Megan will be down here and we'll be going out for a day of fun (shopping and melting pot!). We'll be going after my class on Saturday morning. I hope students will be excited to go to class Saturday morning :).

Got only 16 points on Quiddler today. Horrible!

Jenna-isms

Why is orange juice orange?


Why do I like cheese?


Why is healthy food healthy?



These are some questions for which I stumble with the answers or my answers are "because God made it that way".


Jenna has also said things like "there are too many boys, how can I choose just one?" after we discussed marriage.



The following is a prayer she and I were saying before bed: Mommy: "Lord please protect our family" Jenna: "from what" Mommy: "from bad things" Jenna: "like what" Mommy: "like sickness and robbers" Jenna: "and ghosts?" Mommy: "yes ghosts too".


My personal favorite is when I was tickling her the other day she said to me "Mommy can you stop being the tickle monster and start being Gina Cooper". As if I had ceased to be myself when tickling her. So cute!

Jenna also has two "chocolate chipper" my little ponies. Because of this we've had several discussions about how to tell them apart. This has led to her asking the question "how can we tell Miss Jessica (her preschool teacher - shown below) from Jessica unicorn (also shown below)." Well I've included both pictures and I'm sure you can't tell the difference. I mean, they're both named Jessica. I'll let you try and figure out who is who.

In other news:

1. I'm reading three new books that have come out: The Hero of Ages (third Mistborn book), Brisingr (third Eragon book), and the Longing (third Beverly Lewis - Courtship of Nellie Mae Fisher book).
2. I've put Thomas Covenant on hold.
3. Sarah is 10 months old (as of the 23rd) and I put her picture up with the white lamb.
4. Grades were due today at 3pm and I finished them at 2:30am last night. That was a rough night!
5. I went to lunch yesterday with two girlfriends, one I haven't seen in years!
6. I got 47 on Quiddler today and made the most awesome word ever: storing and got a 10 point bonus! Unfortunately I was left with a Q and a TH and thus lost lots of points.
7. Sunday I'll start another 3 day fast for the unborn. FOCA is scary!
8. I spent a few hours distributing right to life literature this weekend.
9. Time for bed!
   
   

Hot Cocoa

Mmmmm....hot cocoa. Nothing is better than hot cocoa on a cold day. Gooey marshmellows, yummy warm hot chocolate warming you up all the way to your fingers and toes. Starbucks has come out with new signature hot chocolates. I've tried both Salty Caramel and Hazelnut. Wow! These hot cocoas are the kind you can imagine drinking on a brisk day sitting by a fireplace. They are incredible. Erik and I went on a coffee date (it's not really a date since Jenna and Sarah are there) to Starbucks and got a salty caramel hot chocolate (for us) and a strawberry frappuccino (for Jenna). We also sampled the pumpkin cream cheese muffin - yum!! So I decided to make these muffins. I made pumpkin muffins and put a dollop of cream cheese mixture in each muffin (I didn't really have enough). You can see the muffin from the picture. The cream cheese mixture was 8oz cream cheese, 1/3 cup of powdered sugar and a little bit of vanilla. I didn't want it to be as sweet as cream cheese frosting but I did want to add a little sweetness. The combination was excellent! Then I threw some toasted pumpkin seeds on top. Yum Yum!


We have been on a painting frenzy lately. We've painted our hall bathroom and our spare bedroom. We're moving Jenna out of her room to the spare room since it is much warmer. Next we decided to paint our room a sky blue color. I can't wait! The dangerous issue with painting is tackling a scary project: the den. I've uploaded a picture of the den. It truly is scary. However, if we were to clean it out and paint it - I think it would brighten up the whole house. At least it would brighten up the den and Sarah wouldn't crawl around eating network cables (hopefully).

Of course I've added a picture of the girls wearing their buckeye cheerleader outfits. And I have to add this video of them "playing". Yes - this is actually what Jenna thinks of Sarah. Someday I'm *sure* they'll be friends (fingers crossed).

83 points on Quiddler today. I guess "famer" is not a word. Apparently there is no such verb as "to fame".

Some Great Days

These past two days of prayer and fasting have been so fantastic I just had to write about it. I came home from Devry tonight thinking that I should fast everyday. When I told Erik that he said that I would be dead soon and that he liked me.

While I was going to focus my prayers on our country and the unborn, God has been showing me so much and been surprisingly talkative. God has been doing so much with me.

1. I've been convicted to change, give, and press on.
2. I like to read fantasy. I picked up one of the previous series I had read and stopped (not Thomas Covenant) and was just reading along and half of the book finished. I was convicted to stop reading and take the book back to the library. It is a gruesome story but I've read some pretty bad stuff and it's never affected me before. I had to take it back though because I would be tempted to keep reading it. I did.
3. I've been convicted to give to those in need including people by the side of the road and I did it today (even though I had to turn the car around dangerously!).
4. I was talking with a few of my students tonight and one of the guys mentioned that he wasn't sure if Devry was the right place for him to go to school. He prayed before his first class and asked God to help him feel comfortable here. He said the admission process was smooth and that I was the first teacher he had (I don't remember him!). He said on the first day of class that I mentioned that I go to church and he knew he made the right decision. Wow. I almost cried when he said that.

Thank you God for this blessing!

David got hitched!

Congratulations David and Becca! On Thursday we flew to Vermont for David and Becca's wedding. They got married outside at Mt. Philo State Park in Burlington, VT. Wow! New England is beautiful in fall. I mean BEAUTIFUL! Flying over Burlington we couldn't take our eyes off of the landscape. This was the perfect place and time to get married. Scratch that, it was the second perfect place and time, the first was Canton, OH on Sept. 6, 1997.

I've included some family pictures as well as a picture of the view. We really couldn't capture the beauty of this place. It was a perfect day too.

In other news:

1. Jenna's preschool took a Block O picture with all the kids dressed in their buckeye attire. Jenna is part of the big O.
2. Tomorrow I start my 3 day fast for America and the unborn. We certainly need prayer here.
3. We are watching the season of firefly and love it!If I had a list of TV shows this one would be very high.
4. Apparently Diet Coke kills sperm. I'm really not surprised at this fact.
5. I got 52 on Quiddler today. I was left with CAAH and lost the C. Apparently you can't make a word out of CHAA or even CHA. I really thought CHA was a word!
   
   
   
   

Fall Fest

This was our last camping trip of the season and we went out with a bang! Literally, watch Erik playing with fire and nondairy creamer.

So no banging or burning with serious consequences occurred but we did have a good time. I can see why the fall festival at Alum Creek State Park was booked up so early (several months in advance!). There were lots of fun activities: we decorated pumpkins, went on a wagon ride, played on the swingset, toured the nature center and saw live turtles and stuffed coyotes, and the kids went trick-or-treating. Erik said it was the best trick-or-treating experience he's been on (not sure if that includes his childhood or Jenna's?).

We went with a big group and one friend who is a Michigan fan had his car vandalized by an OSU fan. You can see the damage in this picture as well as the culprit walking away (Duane - our vacation buddy).

All-in-all it was a blast. I've also included a picture of Sarah eating lentil soup. Yum. I love soup but Erik doesn't and now apparently Jenna doesn't since she wouldn't touch the lentil soup. Only Sarah and I ate it - bummer.

Speaking of eating, I ate so much on these past two camping trips that I should probably start working out again :). I guess it will cancel out since I'm starting a thre day fast next Sunday. I stopped pumping last Sunday, Sept. 28 so now I can do this fast that God has been pressing on my mind lately. I'll let you know how it goes!

I got 75 on Quiddler today which was horrible. I made the words "sweat" and "clear" which I thought were pretty awesome but the high score was 115!

Amish Country

We went camping last weekend to Amish country and had an excellent time! I knew the weekend would be good when I walked down the steps to see Sarah playing in the dirt of our plant. Just look at the mischevious grin on her face!

Our drive to Amish Country Campsites was memorable. I've included a picture of some of the hills (really, it just looks like a roller coaster - that's about how steep the hills were). Of course, Erik handled the drive with the camper beautifully!

On Friday we went to Heini's Cheese Chalet and spent $40 on cheese and other yummy treats. Now all the cheese is in the freezer along with everything else we buy (someday we'll eat this stuff, really). After that we went to Rolling Ridge Ranch. This was incredible! We were on a wagon while animals came right up to us and snacked on food we held out to them in flimsy plastic buckets. I say flimsy because these animals were BIG! Watch Erik trying to feed some elk! It's a short video but I promise they were crazy :). I snapped some pictures of the elk, the Masts (no they were not part of the animals we were feeding), and some big horned thing that I can't remember what it is - it's big though.

The rest of the camping trip was lots of fun too! I had my obligatory 2 smores a night and the girls spent one night at my parents house. I felt very rested after this trip. Such a fun time! I'm sad camping season will be coming to and end for us. We are taking the camper back in a week. Bummer!

Sarah is now 9 months old. How time flies! She is also 10% in weight at a whopping 17lbs. She's a tiny thing but that doesn't stop her from getting around. Here is a picture of her with the white lamb. She is getting so big!

Jenna has decided that she likes to perform (who switched this child at birth???). Here is Jenna's rendition of "Strong Tower" by Kutless. This is the actual song. I can't tell the difference can you?
Today was an awesome Quiddler day for me. I got 88 points and made the word "lazing".

Renfest!

Last Saturday, we ventured to the Ohio Renaissance Festival to pretend we live in medieval times. It's such a cute little village and I enjoy going every year. This year I was able to dress up unlike last year when I was pregnant. Erik wore a tunic (and period sunglasses - really, they had sunglasses back then!) and chain mail, Jenna and Sarah wore medieval princess dresses, and I wore my blue lady dress which Erik thinks is smokin' hot!

We had excellent fun on the rides, Jenna on a pony ride, and watching the shows including full armored jousting. The food was great and although it was hot - we had a blast. We also captured pictures of our friends: Aaron and Michele, Jon and Michelle, Kristan, and Eric, Justin, and Lily Near. Lily is 4 days younger than Sarah!

In other news we are going camping this weekend to Amish country. I can't wait! Hopefully we will be filled with cheese and goodies when we come back.

I have recently had a hunger to study more about God and am reading Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World by Joanna Weaver, The Organic God by Margaret Feinberg, Battlefield of the Mind (still) by Joyce Meyer, and 12 Reasons why we Overeat by Joyce Meyer. I know why I like to overeat: I like food. The end. That book should be short - really, what else is there?

While reading through fantasy literature sites, I stumbled upon a site listing the 5 greatest fantasy series. They included: Sword of Shannara (very good), Sword of Truth (great), Wheel of Time (excellent), Song of Ice and Fire (rockin'), and Thomas Covenant (huh???). I think I should give Thomas Covenant another shot.

Got 79 in Quiddler today. Terrible showing.

Beautiful Songs

Well the Buckeyes lost horribly this weekend even though the girls were cheering (as you can see Sarah crawling over Jenna). Jenna was also playing "naptime" with Daddy. You can see daddy here taking a nap with a cute pink blanket.

I like to make lists (who doesn't?). I need to update some of them, but one list I've never made is my list of favorite songs. Instead of making a list of favorite songs, I've grouped songs into what I like to listen to when in a certain mood. Also, while I like many different genres, my favorites are classic rock and Christian. Now one can make the argument that books, movies, restaurants, etc can also be grouped in this manner but that takes too much effort - and since I've never made a list of songs, here goes:

Favorite Classic Rock Songs
1. The Joker
2. Magic Carpet Ride

Favorite Christian Songs
1. Sometimes by Step
2. When God Ran

Favorite Praise and Worship Songs
1. Before the Throne
2. Arms of Love

Favorite Songs to Sing to Annoy my Husband
1. Pina Colada Song
2. Dancing Queen

Quiddler score = 88

Munch on Lunch

Since Jon is always posting his and Michelle's awesome bento lunches, I thought I'd post my lunch. This is my usual lunch: peanut butter honey toast with bananas on it and yummy yogurt which consists of yogurt topped with craisins and honey. For dessert I eat half a bar of dark chocolate every day - super yum! Then Sarah has a delicious jar of babyfood. Jenna's lunch is a little more unique. I gave her a container of yogurt and she requested a bowl of cheezits. So I gave her that too. She dumped the yogurt in the cheezits then asked for some mixed nuts. She dumped that in the concoction as well. She did eat the whole bowl. Yum?

My mom brought me some green beans from her garden. So I layered them in a casserole with some carmelized onions, cherry tomatoes, and fresh grated parmesan cheese. YUM! (that was an actual yum unlike Jenna's cheezit yogurt yum). Of course, I added a lot more cheese after it baked but it was very yummy.

The big game is tonight and we are all pumped. Go Bucks! I dressed the girls in their cute buckeye cheerleader outfits and Erik and I were all decked out too. I hope we win.

In other news:

1. I've finished this round of rewrites and sent my dissertation off again. I'm hoping I graduate before 2011 as that is when my courses will not count anymore (since it will have been 10 years).
2. I'm reading two books on evolution: "Biology through the Eyes of Faith" by Richard Wright PhD and "The Politically Incorrect Guide to Intelligent Design and Darwinism" by Jonathan Wells PhD. I've been studying evolution for quite some time and my entire research is based on evolutionarily similar proteins, so I want to study this subject so that I can explain my opinion using faith and science. I'll get back to you on it :). I plan on watching Expelled sometime soon too (whenever I get it from the library).
3. I got 67 on Quiddler today.
4. Erik and I have a dream to own a castle bed-and-breakfast one day. We have stayed at Ravenwood and enjoyed it and plan on staying at other castle bed-and-breakfast establishments over time (there aren't that many). However I think it would be incredibly fun to own a bed and breakfast (I love to make food for people and breakfast food is the best!) and Erik wants to live in a castle. Whether or not this dream will come true - who knows?
   
   
   
   

food, food, food!

For our anniversary yesterday we went to the cheesecake factory - yum. I've included a picture of the slice of cheesecake I got. It was heavenly. Jenna wanted to share but I didn't want to, which sparked a discussion about how princesses share and that mommy was not being a princess.

Lately we've been on a creme brulee kick. Erik bought a torch and we've been torching the creme brulee and enjoying its silky creaminess with the hard shell on top. First I scald cream and sugar and mix it with egg yolks and vanilla. Then cook it in a water bath (see photo). After chilling for a few hours, we take it out, sprinkle sugar on it then Erik lights the torch and carmelizes the sugar. It's a fun dessert.

In addition to my creme brulee desserts, I've been playing around with making homemade pasta. Wow - what a difference. I had never made homemade pasta before but everyone does it on iron chef. So much flavor!! It doesn't take that long to make but is so delicious. Since I had some extra heavy cream (from the creme brulee), I heated it with some fresh garlic, butter, and basil to make a cream sauce. Then cooked the fresh pasta (only needs to cook for 2 minutes) tossed it with the cream sauce, more basil, and cherry tomatos from our garden. Fantastic! The picture doesn't do it justice - I promise it was good.

I also had to include this adorable picture of Sarah in the sink. There is a similar picture of my sister Missy in the sink when she was about the same age. There's something about second borns and bathing in the sink :).

57 points on Quiddler today - I lost the Q. It was a terrible showing!!

I have found the one whom my soul loves

Butterflies were dancing in my stomach. I clutched the bouquet of roses and smiled at my father. Before me were the two double doors leading to the sanctuary of the church; the altar at which I would speak my vows of marriage before God. The Wedding March started to play and the doors opened. Every step I took down the aisle brought more faces into view - friends, family, and soon-to-be family. But at the end of the aisle stood my love.

"I have found the one whom my soul loves" ~ Song of Solomon 3:4

Each step drew me nearer to him. My love. My best friend. His embrace can fill me with warmth, peace, and comfort. At times just being near to him can run shivers down my spine. Holding each others hands we recited our vows with fervor and anticipation. The priest introduced us for the first time as a married couple - I stepped into my new role as Mrs. Cooper while walking back down the aisle.

Saturday will mark our 11 year anniversary. 11 years married to my love. 11 years of joy that has only gotten better with time. I love you Erik!

I love Sarahs!

This picture of bread is called Mexican bread. It is a standard egg yeast bread but with the addition of orange jucie, coffee, chocolate and cinnamon. I thought with too many flavors it would be overwhelming. The interesting thing about this bread was that they blended together so that you couldn't really pick them all out. I'm going to tweak it and see what I come up with.

Sarah is the smiliest baby I've ever seen. Here she is on her swing (the one in the pink). I've also included a picture of Jenna on the same swing 3 years ago (actually Jenna was 2months older in the shot). They both love swinging! And Sarah loves Scruff. Check out this youtube video.

I try to stay away from politics on this blog, but I'm very excited about Sarah Palin. Erik and I had been discussing possible choices and she is a brilliant choice (not one we were guessing)! A cool link.

Jenna is enjoying school but wishes there were more girls (only one other girl in class). I hope she likes it more.

In a cooking disaster, I made meringue cookies with espresso in them. They were totally flat and did not puff like normal meringue cookies do. I'll have to investigate and see why they did this. My normal experience with meringues is that they are easy and yummy.

No quiddler score today - apparently the site isn't working!!