Sinful Sunday

In our house Sundays (sometimes Saturdays) are the day that we make something delicious that we wouldn't usually make during the week. We call them Sinful Sundays. I've decided to share the recipes after we try them out. Here are the two for this week!

Easy Saucy Meatballs

1 package of frozen meatballs (works best if they're NOT the Italian style, I used two small packages)
1 can of red chili sauce
1/4 cup grape jelly
salt & pepper to taste
1/3 c. of bbq sauce



Mix all ingredients in crock-pot. Cook high 2.5-3 hours or low 6-8 hours. Serve over rice.

Pumpkin Cheesecake

1 1/2 cups graham crackers (crushed)
5 tbs. butter (melted)
1 c. sugar PLUS 1 tbs. sugar
3 8oz. packages of cream cheese
1 tsp. vanilla
1 cup canned pumpkin
3 eggs
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
1/4 tsp. allspice
whipped cream

1) Preheat oven to 350*
2) Make the crust by combining the graham cracker crumbs with the melted butter and 1 T sugar in a medium bowl
3)Stir well enough to coat all of the crumbs with the butter, but not so much as to turn the mixture into paste.
4) Keep it crumbly
5) Press the crumbs onto the bottom and about two-thirds of the way up the sides of the springform pan.
6) Bake the crust for 5 minutes, then set aside until you are ready to fill it
7) In a large mixing bowl combine the cream cheese, 1 C sugar, and vanilla. Mix until smooth
8) Add the pumpkin, eggs, cinnamon, nutmeg and allspice and continue beating until smooth and creamy.
9) Pour the filling into the pan
10) Bake 60-70 minutes or until top begins to brown
11) Remove from oven and cool at room temperature. When cheesecake reaches room temp chill in refrigerator.
12) When chilled remove sides of pan and serve with generous amount of whipped cream

This turned out great! I can't wait to try some more, goes great with coffee or milk.

Nursery Photos!

I have a few minutes while our "sinful Sunday" dinner is cooking so I thought that I'd post these!

Swing, Bouncer and Car Seat

Crib with his name

Cat in his crib


Hoping to still get some stuff on the walls and get a chair and possibly changing table. I'll post more when we get more!

Good Things About Bedrest...

I'm trying to remain positive! Here is my list of things that God has blessed me with during this time

*Time to do my hair and makeup (from a seated position) each day
*Catching up on TV series from forever ago
*Getting to read a lot of fun books, not school books!
*Getting to email my friends and family during the day
*Hanging out with Mary everyday
*Getting to feel Levi move around all day
*Being home when John gets home
*Enjoying the cooler weather, from the comfort of my couch in pj's and a hoodie :)
*Having time to focus on Him each and everyday
*Working on Mary Kay stuff
*Uploading old pictures
*Cleaning old files off of the computer
*taking pictures of my pets :)
*Not being stressed out/tired/annoyed with work stuff
*Praying
and, most importantly...
*Levi is still inside my belly :)

See, it's not so bad!

Everything Changes...

When we first found out that we were pregnant, people kept telling me how much this baby would change things. I already knew that, to some extent. I really had no idea how much though. We knew from the beginning that Levi was special. He was not somebody that we ever expected to be in our lives, yet he already is. After many doctor's appointments we've learned that he's not just special because God has blessed us with him, but God has made him different than many people, physically. You see, Levi will only have one kidney. This is not something that is life threatening, just different. We'll have to watch some of his activities, he'll probably have to have a surgery as a baby to remove some blockage, and he may have to eat differently as an adult. Nothing we can't handle. Although, the idea of putting my baby through surgery gets me nerve-racked already! We're looking at a lot of doctors appointments in the first few years of his life. His body just doesn't work how you would expect a baby's to work growing inside of mama. Because of both of our bodies being under extra stress, we've had some ups and downs. Last weekend we went into preterm labor at just under 28 weeks. That was scary. After a night in the hospital they got everything slowed down and we're both fine. He was so good and calm through the entire process. Most babies will freak out at some point and their heart rate can drop or skyrocket. Not Levi. He was so constant and calm. He just kept hanging out in my belly, doing what he's supposed to do. I am done working for at least a few weeks at this point though. We need to give him every extra day that we can. God's protecting us in ways that I never dreamed we'd need protection, and I am so grateful. God's giving me this time with my son to learn to calm down and focus on Him before the baby's born. We'll take any extra prayers right now that Levi stays healthy and that I stay calm here at home. We are really trying to keep in mind that we are made strong in our weaknesses.

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Levi's crib in his all painted room! The whole room is this color blue, love it!

Mama at 28 weeks. He's getting big and strong quickly! I can feel it more and more each day!

Happy Birthday, Kellie

I know that a few months ago you read my post about my cousin. Kellie. In February her and her husband, James lost their baby girl to SIDS. Today is Kellie's birthday. Her wish this year is to have Maddie back in her arms. Since that can't happen, her wish is for everyone to take a moment to remember Maddie. I'm passing this wish along. Please take a moment to pray for this strong Mama and her precious angel watching over her. Remember a smiling Maddie in a big bow today, for Kellie. Happy Birthday, Kellie.

Nursery!

Okay, so last weekend we spent some time priming the nursery. It was an UGLY pea green, so we wanted to paint it blue or something. This weekend we got it all painted. It is BLUE for sure! I love it. John already took a nap in there, he says that it's perfect sleeping color. The cats are most of why we had to paint so early, they're really old and freak out with change. We also got Levi's name on the wall and the crib set up. I am very excited. Now I feel like it's just a hurry up and wait until he gets here. We have another appointment on Wednesday, and we'll find out for sure about the kidney's. At this point, it still looks like only one. On another note, I do not think that Levi will be good at sitting still in church. Today during church he was great, until the sermon started. Then he started kicking me like crazy until it was over! Maybe everybody's right, I'll be getting payback for all of the antics I pulled in church as a kid. We're in trouble then!

I've been wanting potato soup so badly! I had some a week or so ago, and haven't stopped thinking about it! Tonight, John and I made it for dinner! It was wonderful! It hit the spot. It does make me anxious for fall though. I cannot wait for comfort food all the time. Any good recipes anybody has, please share them. We love crock-pot cooking during the winter. Last year our thing was Crock Pot and Beer Night on Fridays. We had some great (and not so great) inventions coming out of our crock pot! Well, hope that everybody survives the remainder of the summer.

Nursery pictures to come soon!

Letter to Levi- 25 Weeks

Dear Levi,

You have a name now :) Your dad picked Levi. He picked that because in Numbers God consecrates the Levites to be Aaron's helpers as the priests. One duty that they also acquired was being the church musicians. That is perfect for your dad. He is one of the most gifted musicians that I have ever met. I know that over the next few years he'll spend lots and lots of time playing and singing for you.
You are getting so big. I can feel more of your kicks and rolls. Last time the doctor saw you on the sonogram, she had to comment on how big your feet were! Chances are, you'll be tall like your dad. That's good. His height was one of the first things that I noticed about him.
We only have about 15 more weeks like this. Where I get to spend most of my day feeling you kick and roll. I'm going to miss that. I like knowing that you're all safe and sound in my tummy. I cannot wait to meet you though. Your dad is getting excited too. Hopefully this weekend we'll start getting your room all ready for you. I want it to be perfect when you come home.

I love you.

Love,
Mama

One Big Foot :)

Little Levi