And he's 5...

I remember being so anxious and ready for my little bundle of joy!

The night before, Suge took video of me and all my bellyness.

I was up at 11, but let Suge sleep.

We checked into the hospital around noon the next day.

My 8 pound sweetheart was born at 4:52 p.m. on a Wednesday.

It's been an exciting, scary, up and down, roller coaster ride ever since.

Happy Birthday to my Wildman.

Christmas Greetings!

With all the holiday parties, shopping, hustling and bustling it's easy to forget what Christmas is all about.

Take a moment.

And remember.

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!

XOXO,

Mama Stone

12 months old...

Tater tot is 1. She made it through a year of Mom, Dad and Brother all watching out for her and her every move. She's smart but most importantly she's tough. Don't mess with her, or she'll pull your hair. She will leap out of my arms for her Daddy, but will come right back with a smile. She'll play forever in her Brother's room with his cars, swords, superheros, or whatever else he has laying around. She goes with the flow. She sleeps all night and we love her to heaven and back! Hope you had a wonderful birthday my sweet baby girl!

The most wonderful time of the year

I'm heading out in the morning to go riding with the girls. We've been taking this fall riding trip for several years now. I can't really relay to you how wonderful it really is. This year we are heading to Alabama for the first time, to a place called Seven Springs. There's even a saloon in a cave there. Pretty fancy for us... Anyway, I'll miss my wild ones and Suge too, but there's nothing like a few days away with the girls (oh yeah, and nature). Maybe I'll take some pictures. Until then, here's a few of my sweet ones~ I love the one of them together because you can see how caring he is. Wow! Who knew he'd be such a good Big Brother? Happy Fall Y'all!

Soccer Mania

Never say never.

It happened to me.

I said,

"My kids will never play soccer."

Well, guess where I have to be in the morning...

you got it--the soccer field and

I LOVE IT!

Wildman loves it too.

Who knew I'd be a

soccer Mom too?

Tennis any one?

I spent the majority of my Labor Day watching tennis. Or so it felt like. It can last forever. Longer than any football or basketball game (not basketball season mind you). Suge loves to watch it on t.v. and I have to say that I don't really mind watching it.

So WHY for goodness sakes can I not figure out how they score it. I did take tennis as a PE in college. Now, the amount of classes I actually showed up to, you can count on one hand. But if you know me, or anything about me, you know that I am pretty knowledgeable when it comes to sports. I know most of the rules of football, basketball, baseball and some rules for figure skating...

So why is it that I can't figure tennis out? Is my mind too tired? Too full? I think Suge has even explained it to me once before.

I give up.

I guess I have to admit that I watch it for their outfits, grunts, legs, and the little guys/gals that run so quickly to retrieve the balls.

30 Love.

Mama Stone

Let's Rest...

Rest time is not wasted time. It is economy to gather fresh strength...It is wisdom to take occasional furlough. In the long run, we shall do more by sometimes doing less. -C.H. Spurgeon

Garden Harvest

Lately we've been eating out of the garden. Not our garden mind you. But plenty of people like to share their bounty- I think sometimes gardens get overwhelming and gardeners don't know what to do with it all, and that folks is what I count on. I was surfing around today and found this recipe on www.twopeasandtheirpod.com . I know zucchini is one thing gardeners always have plenty of, and one thing we are always looking for recipes for...

Baked Zucchini Fries
Ingredients:
3 medium zucchini, sliced into skinny sticks
2 large egg whites, beaten
1/2 cup whole wheat bread crumbs (we make our own)
2 T grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 tsp dried basil
Pinch of dried oregano
1/4 tsp garlic powder
Salt and pepper, to taste

Directions:
Preheat oven to 425°. Spray a baking sheet with cooking spray. Set aside.
In a small bowl, beat egg whites with a fork until frothy.
Put the breadcrumbs, basil, oregano, garlic powder and cheese on a plate-I used a pie tin. Mix well.
Dip the zucchini sticks in the egg whites and then into the bread crumb mixture, make sure all sides get coated well. Place the sticks on the prepared baking sheet. I did the sticks one by one.
Bake at 425° for about 20 minutes or until golden brown and a little crispy. I turned over the fries half way through. Serve warm. We like to dip ours in marinara sauce.

I can't wait to try it! I like anything w/ fries in the name.

xoxo.

Oh...

the inexpressible comfort of feeling safe with a person,

having neither to weigh thoughts nor measure words,

but pouring them all right out...

chaff and grain together;

certain that a faithful hand will...

sift them,

keep what is worth keeping,

and then with the breath of kindness blow the rest away.

-Dinah Maria Craik

Isn't it romantic?

Do you and your sweetie have a special place? A restaurant? A park? A place that makes you feel romantic just being there? Well, my Suge and I do. We haven't been there together in a few years. 5 to be exact. Suge's 30th birthday, the very same weekend I found out I was pregnant with Wildman! Just the thought of the special times we've spent there brings a smile to my face.

Thank goodness we are making it back there this weekend. Thank goodness for fantastic Grandparents. And thank God for my Suge.

Why I Love iPhoto: Reason #435

It took me about 5 minutes to find Wildman's first 5 Fourth of July celebrations. Sorry I missed you on Independence Day. We had a blast (ha). It really is one of my favorite holidays. Hope you enjoyed yours! Soon we'll be saying so long summer. Can you believe it?

When we all get to Heaven...

After going to the funeral home tonight I had these thoughts-

Parents should not have to loose a child, but a child shouldn't have to loose a parent.

Thanks to GOD, we'll all be in Heaven together.

The Pioneer Woman Cooks

If you've never checked out www.thepioneerwoman.com I highly recommend it. She's genius. In everything she does. I got Sweetheart one of her cookbooks for Christmas and I think she has actually used it. How many cookbooks do you have that don't have a cracked spine? Soon I'll show you my cooking book. It took me too long to make it, seeing as it took 45 minutes to put together. ANYWAY...

This blueberry pie is from the website. It's called Mom's Blueberry Pie and I LOVE IT. Maybe I'll marry it. Sorry Suge.

Mom's Blueberry Pie

2 Pints (to 3 pints) Blueberries (or for all you folks like me that can't convert 4-6 cups)

Sugar

1 dash (to 2 dashes) Nutmeg

2 tbs (to 3 tbs) Flour (optional)

2 whole pie crusts

1 stick butter, sliced into pats

In a large bowl place the fresh blueberries.

Coat them with regular white sugar, not too much,

just enough to bring out the natural sweetness.

Throw in a dash or two of nutmeg and a few tbs of all purpose flour.

If you prefer a pie that's more juicy leave it out.

Pour the blueberries into the pie crust and top with 8-10 small pats of butter.

Cover with a second pie crust. Press both edges together, tucking the dough under as needed.

Cut three or four slits in the top of the pie for ventilation.

Bake at 400 degrees for 35-40 minutes.

FYI: I always add the flour and I use 2 dashes (at least) of Nutmeg.

It's a hit, even with people like Suge, who insist on only eating chocolate dessert.

For Sweetheart, PW (Pinewood) and my Beautiful, Wonderful Stepmother

Ok ladies, I dare you to try this...

I found this recipe when I was organizing all the ones I had cut out and printed out etc...

Jalapeno Jelly

2 large sweet green peppers (about 1 lb) corded, seeded chopped
6 large jalapeno chiles, seeded and chopped (about 2/3 cup)
1 cup cider vinegar
5 1/2 cups sugar
1/2 cup water
1 box (1.75 oz) powdered pectin, dissolved in 3/4 cup water
1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
Green food coloring (what? why?)
6 canning jars (1/2 pint), lids and seals

1-In processor, finely chop green peppers and jalapenos with vinegar.
2-Place pepper mixture in 5 or 6 quart heavy-bottomed nonaluminum saucepan. Stir in sugar and water. Bring to boiling, stirring occasionally; boil over medium-high heat 5 minutes or until slightly thickened.
3-Meanwhile, in small saucepan boil pectin-water mixture 1 minute.
4-Add pectin mixture, lemon juice and desired amount of green food coloring to pepper mixture. Boil 2 minutes. Remove from heat.
5-Pour hot jelly mixture into sterilized canning jars; seal. Process in hot water bath following manufacturer's instructions. Remove jars from water and place on wire rack. Let stand at room temperature 24 hours or until jelly sets up.
6-Store in cool, dark place for up to 6 months.

Now ladies, I know you have gardens...

Wouldn't this be fantastic on tortillas, quesadillas etc. etc.

Let me know!

Cookout Season

I don't know if I've told you this before but my children and I guess my whole family really, love to eat! Wildman will eat practically any thing put in front of him and Tater Tot has thus far. Since it's that cookout time of the year I've got a few recipes for you to try out. I've highjacked both of them from the internet and will give credit where credit is due. Both serve as a base and you can definitely take creative liberties when preparing them for your crew.

We had a great time cooking out with our family last weekend. It's always fun to see what people bring and to see how your own new recipe turns out. We had Dad's smoked chicken~enough said!

This potato salad recipe was the one I took with me and although I'd never tried it, I was pleasantly surprised. It is definitely a base and I think you don't have to get too creative to come up with some really good additions. For example, green onion (which I did), bacon, dill pickles/relish etc. etc.

Fipps Family Potato Salad (from myrecipes.com)

4 lbs. baking potatoes

3 hard boiled eggs, grated

1 cup mayo (I used Dukes)

1 tbs. spicy brown mustard

1 1/2 teas. salt

3/4 teas. pepper

Cook potatoes in boiling water (I peeled and diced them first) until tender.

Stir together potatoes and egg.

Stir together mayo and next 3 ingredients.

Gently stir into potato mixture.

Serve immediately or cover and chill.

So so so so easy. Next up is a pasta recipe I served as a main course hot. But it was really good the next day cold. I think this would make for a great side at a cookout. Or I think it would be fantastic with chicken in it.

No-Time Pesto Pasta (from kraftrecipes.com)

1/2 of a 16 oz. pkg penne pasta, uncooked

1/2 cup pesto

1/2 cup chopped roasted red peppers

1/2 cup crumbled feta (w/ basil and tomato or plain)

Cook pasta as directed. Drain, return to pan

Add pesto and peppers, cook and stir on low heat 3-5 minutes

Stir in cheese.

What?!?! That's it?

Summer here we come!

Man of my dreams...

Take a look, it's in a book...

Hello fellow readers! I've been busy since I got my Kindle for Christmas. I'd highly recommend it, or any other electronic reading device because I LOVE instant gratification! I'd love to hear what you've been reading because I am always looking for something new. Anywho, here's my list:

1. Stuff Christians Like -Jonathan Acuff
2. Black Heels to Tractor Wheels -Ree Drummond
3. Age Before Beauty -Virginia Smith
4. Stuck in the Middle -Virginia Smith
5. Third Time's a Charm -Virginia Smith
6. House Rules -Jodi Picoult
7. Skipping a Beat -Sarah Pekkanen
8. The Opposite of Me -Sarah Pekkanen
9. All is Bright -Sarah Pekkanen
10. A Scattered Life -Karen McQuestion
11. Saving Rachel -John Locke
12. Leaving Home -Jodi Picoult
13. The Color of Heaven -Julianne MacLean
14. The Weird Sisters -Eleanor Brown
15. Miranda's Big Mistake -Jill Mansell
16. Rumor Has It -Jill Mansell
17. Staying at Daisy's -Jill Mansell
18. Millies Fling -Jill Mansell
19. Perfect Timing -Jill Mansell
20. Take a Chance on Me -Jill Mansell
21. Easily Amused -Karen McQuestion
22. Water for Elephants -Sara Gruen
23. Heaven is for Real -Todd Burpo
24. Sixkill -Robert B. Parker
25. Offer You Can't Refuse -Jill Mansell

(Miss Rachel reading to Tater Tot)

I must say that a lot of those are chick lit and several are british chick lit, but there are some more meaty ones too. The Weird Sisters was one of my favorites and of course I loved the true love story of The Pioneer Woman in Black Heels to Tractor Wheels. Heaven is for Real and Stuff Christians Like are both very inspirational and the books by Virginia Smith are Christian romances. Robert B. Parker's Spencer books are so much fun and Sixkill did not disappoint. Do you remember Spencer for Hire? If so you'd love all of his Spencer books. I loved Water for Elephants but I've also ready Sara Gruen's other books and loved them just as much or more. Anyway...Please Please Please give me some titles to check out.

Happy Reading!

xoxo.

Mama Stone

Craziness 101 or 202 if you've mastered the class

Sometimes you just have to get it down on "paper" to realize the craziness of our lives. I've done that with a family calendar and I just can't believe all we do in a day, week, month and year. When you are in the moment you sure don't realize it. Of course we all have those melt-downs and don't try to tell me you don't. I've seen you in the Wal-mart parking lot loosing it. The past two weeks I was on an unofficial cooking strike. You know the deal, I might cook, but we are talking breakfast for dinner, grilled cheese for dinner, cheese quesadillas etc. etc. Something easy and quick. Don't get me wrong, these definitely count, but I really enjoy cooking from recipes, trying new things and experimenting on my family (I learned that from my step-mom). Anyway, I guess I chose to handle my near melt-down with a cooking strike. I must say, I think it worked! I'm back to cooking and feeling loads better. So send me a recipe! Seriously, during those times when nothing seems to go right, or there seems to be more to do in the day than you really have time for, here are my suggestions: stop and pray, love on your babies, snuggle with your suge or just eat marshmallows for dinner. Trust me they all work!

And she's back...

It's been over two months since I've posted here! To say I've been busy is the understatement of the year, but also the biggest excuse. Regardless, there's so much to tell but let's start with this update: my sweet tater-tot is 6 months old and my wildman is going on 4 1/2.

TIME is FLYING!

I just want to stop time in its tracks.

Enough with the mushy stuff and on to more meaty substance. Well, not exactly meaty. I wanted to share this recipe and it has NO meat:

red bean vegetable jambalaya-

1 tbs veg. oil

1 large onion, sliced (maybe use zucchini if you can't use onion)

4 large carrots, peeled and sliced into 1/2" coins

1/2 cauliflower, cut into florets, about 6 cups

1 large green pepper, cut into 1" pieces

2 cloves garlic, peeled and chopped

2 cans diced tomatoes

1 tbs cajun/creole seasoning

1/2 tsp salt

1 can kidney beans, drained and rinsed

1 pkg 7 oz. couscous

-Heat oil in stock pot over med. heat. Add the onion and carrots and cook 6 min., stirring occasionally. Add cauliflower and pepper and cook an addition 6 min., stirring occasionally.

Stir in the garlic, tomatoes, cajun seasoning and salt.

Simmer with lid ajar for 25 min., stir occasionally.

Add beans and simmer 3 min., until beans are heated through and veggies are fork tender.

While jambalaya is cooking prepare couscous according to pkg.

Serve jambalaya over couscous.

I served it with cornbread and you know you could always add chicken, shrimp or sausage or all three, but we really enjoyed it sans meat.

Let me know what you think.

xoxo.

Mama Stone

How can you not smile?

All of the sudden today has become a downer. It happened about 2:00. I'm going to try to drag myself out of the blahs and this picture is helping.

This weekend at the farm Tater Tot made her first of many visits to the kitchen sink. Wildman spent lots of time there before he was mobile. It's a great place to prop her up when we don't have a bouncy seat or swing. Get a quilt and voila!

Although the picture doesn't reveal it, she loved it. Even slept in it. She has a great view of the valley and the kitchen, what else could she want? I never thought of her as spoiled...but now I'm not so sure.

I'm going to hunt down a picture of Wildman in the sink. Found one!

See what I mean? All kinds of things to play with and do in the kitchen sink!

That little kewpie just sent me over the edge back into Tuesday afternoon happiness. Hope it helped you too!

xoxo.

My, how things have changed

Baby Wildman, Mims and Priss

circa 2007

(same age as Tater Tot now)

Seems like Priss is all grown up now (almost 6), and of course my Wildman is 4! They sure don't stay babies for long. Excuse me while I go sniff those baby smells (the good ones of course).

Three Tens and Four Ones

Tomorrow is my birthday and Valentine's Day. Don't forget. I am also heading back to work...full-time. I debated and debated, but I think this is best or so we'll see.

I'm over my S A D. (that didn't last long) The sun is supposed to be out ALL week! I am so excited.

Oh, by the way, the 5K on Saturday went well. I had a fantastic time run/walking with Mrs. Hatcher. (I'll post pics soon) So much better than huffing and puffing by myself. Mims was here all weekend and that always helps to put a pep in my step.

I'll be sure to report back on how the first day back goes. Otherwise, here's a pic that's simply irresistible.

XOXO,

Mama Stone

S-A-D

I think S-A-D set in today. There's no sun and I've lost any motivation I ever had to actually exercise. I don't care about the cold, but I really like for the sun to shine.

Last year about this time I was in Vegas. I think that broke up the dreary.

Well, all will change come Monday when it's back to work for me. I think Tater Tot will be in shock for a week or so, but she'll get used to it pretty quick. She's done really well so far. I am excited about getting back into a routine, however crazy that will be.

Ok, I've got to go perk up, maybe give myself an attitude adjustment.

To sleep or not to sleep...

Tater Tot went to school for the first time yesterday and of course I didn't take a picture. But here's a cute one for you anyway. Her nap schedule was pretty laughable, the first nap lasting from 10:55 to 11:00. The naps did get progressively longer (40 minutes at most), but it cracked me up that they recorded the five minute nap. All-in-all the school day was a success.

She's been fighting sleep this past week, and to me, that's so perplexing. It's not something we continue to do as adults, well, maybe kind of we do. If you knew it was OK for you to fall asleep anytime, anywhere, wouldn't you? The only good reasons we fight sleep are 1) because it's late and we're driving home, or 2) we're sitting at our desk at work. Is the infant's concern about "missing" something that strong? I can't imagine so.

As you can guess she's asleep right now- in the swing. In fact I think both the kids are asleep, and here I am on the computer. Not really sure what else I'd do (dishes and laundry are done), maybe I'll get caught up on my Bible reading. I read this morning about the Crucifixion and it still amazes me that God would send his ONLY Son to die for us. Can you imagine doing that for ANYONE, much less us? God's love is so many things, I just erased several words that seemed so inadequate to describe it. Go read Matthew, I just finished and it's amazing.

You want a little cheese to go with that?

I hope some of you can sympathize when I say I've heard enough whining to last me a lifetime. PLEASE tell me it's just a phase. I actually flat out ask him if he whines like he does at home, at school-and he said "No." Well, glad we could be your audience. You see that beautiful smiling face? He can turn it to tears in about 1 second. I really don't think this has anything to do with Tater-tot, but it could, deep down. But being the positive outlook Mom I am, I'm just going to grin and hug him. The time-outs and yelling don't seem to be getting us anywhere. Yelling never works for anything, but sometimes it does make you feel better. Maybe that should be one of my New Year goals. No more yelling. Do you think if I whisper he'll listen better? I'm going to try it. I'll let ya know...

That was close...

I found out the hard way that my sweet sweet sweet baby girl would not take a bottle. This came as somewhat of a surprise seeing as she had taken a bottle just two weeks before (and other times too). Anyway, Suge and I went out to dinner with friends on Friday night and Tater Tot decided she was NOT going to take a bottle for our dear sitter. Nor was she going to take one for Suge on Saturday night. So needless to say I've been pushing the bottle with desperation (she can probably smell it) ever since.

Today, Wednesday, was a success. Thank the Lord! I'm going back to work in less than a month and I would really like for her to eat while she's at school. I never thought I'd make such a silly parenting mistake, but it's called survival folks.

What's your biggest mistake so far?

All of the sudden

Lately I've been living my life two hours at a time. If you've ever had a baby you probably remember just what I mean. I sit down to feed Tater Tot and all of the sudden it's time to feed her again. The next thing I know a whole week has gone by and I'm telling people she's 9 weeks old! What?!?!

We've had lots and lots and lots of snow lately. It would be one thing if we lived in a place where we expected to be wearing our long underwear ALL the time (you know, some place like Montana--I still haven't given up my dream of living there one day), but in Tennessee? I'm over it. I really don't mind the cold, but the snow, I could do without. Anyway, here's a pic of Suge and Wildman venturing out-

I hope you had a great Holiday season, we sure did. Now, to get back into a routine.

xoxo.

Mama Stone