Apple Crisp

One of my favorite things about fall, is indulging in a bowl of warm Apple Crisp.

This recipe is simple but delightful.

Apple mixture....

1 cup sugar

2 Tbsp. flour

1/4 tsp. cinnamon

3 large apples, sliced

What you will need for the topping....

3/4 cup flour

3/4 cup brown sugar

3/4 cup oatmeal

1/4 tsp. soda

1/4 tsp. baking powder

1/3 cup butter, melted

Start by slicing your apples into thin slices.

Mix the sliced apples with the cinnamon mixture.

Put in a 8x8 dish.

In a separate bowl mix your topping ingredients to a crumbly consistency. 

Pour over top of apples.

Slice 1 cube of butter on top of the mixture.  

(you don't have to use the entire cube, if you don't want)

Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

Put in a bowl with vanilla ice cream and enjoy!

Large And In Charge

It is Fall correct?

Why am I being tortured with this heat!

Thank the heavens I will be in Utah next weekend.

You may wonder why I cannot stand the heat....

This is what it has done to me.

Sausage toes and cankles.

Good look, I know, right?

And just for laughs, below is a picture of me when I got my wisdom teeth out.  

(Thank you Maggie for saving this picture over the years)

Apparently swelling and I go together like two peas in a pod.

Please pray for the heat to subside.

Love Note

Dear Baby Girl -

Your daddy and I are getting so excited to see you.  You are in our every conversation.  Your daddy has been working day and night, so that your nursery will be perfect and so that you will have all the things you so deserve.  We have had so much fun shopping for you.  Your closet is full of darling outfits and bows, we are dying to see you in.  We daydream about what you are going to look like and act like.  

Your daddy has taken such good care of me, all the while I have been growing you in my belly.  My body has never felt such pain, since I have been carrying you, but I wouldn't change anything, because in the end, it means I get you.  I get teary eyed just thinking about the first time I will get to hold you in my arms and look into those sparkling eyes.  You will be coming straight from heaven.  I know this will be such a special moment.  You will have just been with your two very special angels, your Uncle Kyle and your Grandpa Brown.  They will be with you always. 

I hope you know how much you are prayed for already.  I hope I can be a good mommy to you.  I will sure try my very best.  Please be patient with me as I learn my new role, I have no idea what I am doing.  I hope that someday I will be your best friend and that you will not be afraid to talk to me or ask me those awkward questions.  I want nothing more than to give you the world.  I want you to love and respect your dad.  You are seriously so lucky to have him as your daddy.  You will be and are already loved to the moon and back.  Be prepared to get kisses from your mommy and daddy every day.  

The final count down is on baby girl.  We will try our best to be ready for our world to change.  We can't wait for you to join our little family.  Your puppy GiGi is even excited to see you.  You sleeps under your cradle and crib already.  She will protect you and be your right hand gal.

Now enjoy that tight squeeze inside my belly.  I love you little one.

Love,

Mommy

Up To Date

Come Wednesday I will be on the single digit count down for baby girl.  I can' tell you how thrilled I am about this.  My stomach has really started to show, even though I feel like it has shown since day one.  Baby is measuring right to date.  My belly button is still in place and no stretch marks.  I am keeping my fingers crossed.

This past weekend Tyson took my to my favorite Maternity Store and let me pick out some new tops and pants.  I can't tell you how great this made me feel.  There is nothing like having clothes that fit correctly.  Baby girl is getting so strong.  Tyson and I get a kick out of watching my belly squirm up and down and all around.  I finally got a prescription to help me with my acid reflux.  It has been a dream come true.  Besides the bathroom breaks, I am sleeping like a baby through the night, however my dreams are another story.

My poor feet and ankles are still swollen like nothing else.  Tyson took me to get some new shoes.  We ended up having to get me a size and a half bigger than usual.  I sure hope my feet shrink back.  I have too many cute shoes that I will miss.  

Tyson has been working non-stop on the dresser for the nursery.  We were on a deadline thinking that he was going to be having shoulder surgery today.  Our prayers were answered and he ended up not needing the surgery.

He has been working so hard all around the house.  I don't know what I would do without him!

It is FINALLY fall!

I have been going nuts around my house.  I may have even jumped the gun on putting up all of my Halloween decorations.  I have been burning my fall scented candles and have been stocking up on candy corn and pumpkins.  I treated my front door to a fall wreath.  I have already made pumpkin chocolate chip cookies and will be purchasing heaps of apples for my apple crisp.  Stay tuned for the recipe.

Tyson's best friend's little boy arrived this past week.  We were lucky enough to go over to their house and snuggle on him.  I couldn't get over how sweet and perfect he was.  There is nothing like a new born babe.  I became overwhelmingly ecstatic for our baby.  Watching Tyson hold little Cash made my heart melt a hundred fold.  I'm pretty sure he is going to be the greatest daddy around.  

We are going to register tonight for my upcoming showers.  Any thoughts on the must haves for the first baby?  We are clueless.

Baby P

As I approach the 30 week mark, I cannot help but daydream about the looks of our little girl.  I can hardly hold in my excitement.  

I really hope she gets Tyson's adorable dimple and heart melting smile.

I am keeping my fingers crossed that she will get his sweet, tender, and loving personality.

I really really really want her to have my full head of hair.

Ultimately no matter what she looks like, I know we will be head over heals for her.   

Pregnancy Must Haves

There have been a couple of products that have SAVED me through this pregnancy.  I went into pregnancy blind.  I had no idea what to expect.  No one tells you all of the crazy things that are going to happen to your body.  Not that I am an expert by any means, but here have been the must haves that have worked for me.

My feet and hands have been swollen since I can remember.  There is an uncomfortable tingle that comes right before they swell.  Gold Bond Body Lotion has saved me from itching the skin off of my feet.  There is a nice cooling effect that happens immediately after slathering up my feet and hands.  

The only shoes that have lasted me through this pregnancy, have been my Birkenstocks.  They have allowed my feet to grow and have helped support my back.  No lie these are the only shoes that fit me right now.

Heartburn has been kicking my booty.  There have been many nights I wake up chocking on my acid... lovely I know.  I take one of these puppies before bed every night and I am actually able to get some shut eye.  

I have been popping Tums like they are candy.  I have a stash next to my bed and in my purse.  The smoothie flavor is much less chalky than the original.  

Some women are lucky and can get away without having to wear maternity clothes.  I on the other hand am not one of those lucky women.  The best thing has been Pea In A Pod shirts.  They are so soft and comfortable.  I would have one in every color if I could.  If I would have known how much maternity clothes were going to cost, I would have started a dedicated savings account.  My husband would agree. 

I have heard that no matter what you do stretch marks are going to happen, if they are going to happen. I figure it can't hurt to try and prevent them from happening.  So far I have been lucky.  I lather myself every morning with this Cocoa Butter.  It smells delicious and isn't too greasy. 

Sleeping just isn't as pleasant as it once was.  The Snoogle Body Pillow has helped me get some shut eye.  It has helped me from sleeping on my back and holds me nicely on my side.  I seriously cannot sleep without it.  It does take up a lot of room on the bed, but it is well worth the space. 

If you have any advice on other products or things that have helped you through your pregnancy, I would love to hear them.

Grandpa Bob

Tyson's Grandpa Bob passed away peacefully in his sleep, last night.  He has had Alzheimer's for the past few years.  I never knew him prior to his Alzheimer's, but could always feel such a special sprit about him.  

I will never forget the first time I met him and he told me how pretty I was.  He always had a way of making you feel special.  I have loved hearing Tyson tell me stories about his grandpa, over the years.  He traveled to all of Tyson's basketball and volleyball games.  He would pack Tyson honey and peanut butter sandwiches and orange slices to give him energy.  Tyson always said he enjoyed playing basketball with him because he never got tired of rebounding and spending time with his grandchildren.  He said they would play for hours.  I have heard many stories of how strong he was, how is was such a hard worker, was so talented in baseball, served the Lord daily through constant missionary work, and loved his wife fiercely.  The sweetest thing I can remember is when Tyson's uncle informed him that his grandpa found a newspaper clipping, about Tyson playing basketball at Fresno State.  He cut it out and has kept it in his wallet ever since.  I know he loved Tyson dearly and was so proud of him. 

I loved looking through Tyson's old pictures and seeing the love and support that Tyson got from his grandpa.  That man always had a smile on his face.  

And you better believe he had moves on the dance floor.

This past Valentine's Tyson and I went to visit him, with Grandma Betty.  It was so nice to see the love that they share for one another.  No matter the adversity they were still so in love.  This will always be a special memory I hold in my heart.  

I tell Tyson all the time, that he is going to look just like his grandpa, when he is older.  Two of the sweetest smiles I have  ever seen.

What an amazing man he was.  I feel so blessed to have the gospel in my life and for a Savior who died so that we may live again.  I know that he is in a better place where he will not have to struggle any longer.  What a peaceful feeling that is to have.  

I am so grateful that families can be together forever!

27 Weeks

I couldn't be a happier girl.  It is September!  

The blistering hot month of August, has finally slipped away!

Goodbye 114 degree weather.

Hello 98 degree weather....

It feels so nice to finally say I am in my third trimester now.  

Baby girl has been moving like crazy.  She is obsessed with my right side and my ribs.  My belly button is still in place, however, I think within the next couple of weeks it will be making its debut outward.  No stretch marks as of yet.  I am keeping my fingers crossed.  My mom got lucky, maybe I will...  

Last week was a rough one.  I had complete melt down to Tyson and my mom.  But really what is new.  Work had been killing my fingers and wrists.  I guess carpal tunnel is a normal thing for pregnant women.  So I have been sporting this sweet wrist guard, as of late.  It has been my saving grace.  I decided to cut back to half days until I am totally out for good.  It has made such a difference being able to come home and take a nap.  

My swelling is still in full swing.  I envy you pregnant women that do not have this problem.  As I was getting a pedicure the other day, with my sister-in-law, I was laughing historically as the lady tried to scrub my feet with the pumice stone.  I told her I felt like the Pillsbury Dough Boy getting tickled.  I sure do miss wearing my wedding ring.  I look at it often.  In the mean time I don't mind sporting my fake bling.

The bedding came in for the nursery.  I have never been so thrilled.  I find myself going into the baby's room everyday.  I sit there and imagine what it's going to be like to go pick her out of bed in the mornings.  I can't wait.

Tyson scored me this sweet old school Lazy Boy recliner.  It is actually very comfy and much, much, much more affordable than those rockers in stores.  

On another note our furry little girl now has a boyfriend.  That's right, GiGi is going to be a mommy as well.  Poor Tyson is stuck with two very hormonal women.  I can't wait to see what her puppies turn out looking like.  

I was looking through old pictures and found this gem.  My sweet mother and yours truly.  

My mom was blessed in this dress and so was I.  I am so happy I get to pass it down to my daughter.  In one month I will be in Utah.  I couldn't be more excited.  My mom and I are going to go through her hope chest and see what things she saved for the babe over the years.