Justin's New Blog

Justin has decided to start his own blog! He's going to be writing about what life is like when he's out on the road! So check it out!

http://jyontheroad.blogspot.com/

I Love You Joe!

I have a deep and abiding fondness for Trader Joe's. If you've never been, find one and go! I don't have one real close to my house, so I only get to go now and then. But the girls had a dentist appointment today in Marietta and there was one about a block away from the dentist's office. So of course we had to go! The girls love it because they have little, red, kid-sized carts that are identical to the grown-up carts. They also give out excellent samples AND give away free balloons! I mean what's not to love?! I love that they have tons of healthy, scooby snack options at reasonable prices! It's a good thing I had other errands to run and couldn't get refrigerated items or I could have done some serious damage. My friend Tina put up a recipe for Greek salad on her blog, which looked delicious. So I was drooling over feta, kalamata olives, and also some yummy looking hummus and guacamole when I realized I couldn't get refrigerated stuff because we wouldn't be home for awhile.

But I did load up on some of my favorite Joe's carbohydrates! Mmmm, cookie-crackers! Little tubs of goodness! Seriously, the Chocolatey Cat Cookies can save you from a serious chocolate craving without doing the damage of a bag of Reese's miniatures, which is what I would otherwise be inclined to attack. And the cinnamon alphabet crackers are HIGHLY addictive! Maryn and I love that we can spell out words and then eat them, it's just fun! I also got some dark chocolate covered cherries! Which Justin won't eat, so I get them all to myself, well sort of, the girls like them too. Also, the girls and I are a big fans of chocolate soy milk, even though we LOVE cows and all things dairy, it's still delicious, so give us some soy! But I accidentally grabbed a chocolate drink made from almonds instead of soy and it was still delicious! Super score! And last but not least, they had these adorable, potted, mini roses for $3.99! What an affordable way to cheer up any countertop! It's all about the simple pleasures people!

Daughters

Tonight I went to the Young Women's General Broadcast at the chapel. As I was sitting there I just kept thinking, I'm so grateful I have daughters. Before I had kids, I was for some reason convinced that I would be a better mother to boys. Maybe because I grew up with brothers and therefore did not relate to girls? But it's funny how the Lord knows what is best for us. I knew before tonight that I loved being a mom to my daughters. But sitting there listening to the inspired counsel given to the Young Women of the church tonight, reconfirmed it. It is without a doubt a tough world out there. Justin laughs at me and says I'm such a worry-wart, but there are so many things for a parent to worry about. Peer influence, making wise choices, kids growing up too fast, instilling gratitude and work ethic and service to others. The list could go on. And in a world where the examples of everything that can go wrong with a young person are so prevalent, it was so refreshing to sit among teenage girls who have committed their lives to trying to do it right. By staying close to their Savior and trying to be true to their light within. It helped me realize that not only can raising good girls in today's day and age be possible. But the journey made in teaching them the things they need to know to be successful and stay close to the Lord in such a crazy time, is truly a blessing. It made me so grateful for each one of my girls. As much as I wish they could stay little forever, I know they will grow up. But it calms a mothers soul to know that the Lord has and will provide them with every needful thing to live up to their divine potential. I'm so grateful for that. And I'm so grateful that He saw fit to bless me to be a mother of daughters.

The Big Mac Did It...

This documentary changed the way I looked at fast food.
A total must see.

Tonight the girls and I hung out with Tracy and Ansley Ensign. The last time we were together we had promised the kids ice cream, but it didn't work out. So Tracy and I were making good on our promise and took the girls to McDonald's to grab an ice cream cone. It was around dinner time and so we decided to go ahead and eat dinner while we were there. Truthfully, I'm not much of a fast food girl besides the occasional Chick-fil-A or even less often Taco Bell run. So when Tracy asked what I wanted to order, I didn't know because I really don't frequent McDonald's. So I said I would just have what she was having. People, tonight I ate my first Big Mac Value Meal. I understand why millions of people eat Big Macs. It was delicious and I ate every bite, including fries and a Fruitopia. But can I just tell you how hard that was for me.

I became about 50 lbs. overweight my last couple years of high school. I hated myself, I hated the way I looked and felt, I hated that time of my life. I worked really hard and lost the weight and have since adopted a much healthier lifestyle and outlook on food. I like snacks and treats as much as anyone, but it's not as hard for me to say 'when' anymore, because I have that nagging reminder in the back of my brain about how miserable I was when I misused food. So tonight, after I finished that Big Mac I just felt sick, because I felt like I had absolutely abused my body. I don't really know where I'm going with this, but it's just funny to me that something so simple could trigger something so strongly in my brain. Feeling big from being pregnant and then eating a notoriously unhealthy meal took me back to how I felt as a teenager. I felt myself starting to panic, feeling trapped in my body. I had to remind myself that I'm not that person anymore. I'm in control of my life, my body, and my health. It's crazy to me how everyone has their own little demons that chase them, tonight mine was a Big Mac.

Food and Family History

My friend Tina is Greek. Growing up I always thought her family was so cool. They had all these names and dishes that were so out of the ordinary for little old me. In everyday little things, they were able to remember their heritage. I remember running through the kitchen when her mom was making all sorts of tasty treats I'd never before seen. And I didn't know any other kids with Yiayia's and Popou's. Everyone else was like me and had, what seemed like at the time, boring names for their grandparents, like Grandma and Grandpa. Tina got to be an otherwise regular kid, but also had all these cool things that made her different and ethnic. I just loved it and secretly wished I too, had cool names and traditions.

I was on Tina's blog the other day and she was sharing her family's recipe for Greek Easter Bread and reminiscing about all of her family get-togethers as kid for Greek Easter. I started thinking, I need to research my own family history a little bit more. I know there are recipes and stories there. I just need to make the effort to find them. I remember Tina telling me when she was either engaged or newly married, that it was so weird to her that she was going from being a Stephanos to a Fussell. She was used to having a name that sounded ethnic. But even though her children now bear a different last name than the one she had as a child, they still have her Greek heritage coursing in their veins. Tina is able to remind them of that with the dishes that she makes and the traditions she passes on.

Tina's 'Greek Easter Bread' was out-of-this-world delicious! Justin said it was even better without jam. Which if you know Justin, saying something is better without being slathered in Homemade Strawberry Freezer Jam is really saying something! It was warm, subtly sweet and oh-so delicious! We will definitely making this one more than just Eastertime!

I've decided to give my children the same gift. My Mom told me stories about my grandparents and great-grandparents all the time as a kid. But I never wrote them down and they were forgotten. My parents have given me recipes, as have Justin's that link me to wonderful memories and traditions. I 'm going to start compiling these recipes and stories for my sweet daughters. I want them to know that we too, have our own wonderful heritage to celebrate. Before they leave home, I hope my daughters will have spent time by my side in the kitchen, talking about the people who gave us the tastes that make up who we are. Whether it be making Grandma Gibson's Banana Bread and talking about her and Grandpa's little orphan love story. Or making a delicious breakfast of Ma Young's perfectly light Buttermilk Pancakes and talking about what a sweet woman she was. Or making Nana's Nectar (Chicken Salad! Yum!) or Papa's Dutch Babies. I could go on and on about the flavors of our family, there are so many.

I know that my girls will grow up and likely marry and take on their sweethearts names. But no matter what their last name, they will always have the heritage that Justin and I have given them running through their veins. It's my hope that no matter where they are, they can make those recipes and tell those stories. And through that, know that who they are and all the generations that went before them, is something wonderful and to be celebrated.

The golden loaf, of braided, yummy goodness came out of the oven shortly before dinnertime. I had originally planned on making Spaghetti and Meatballs tonight for dinner. But when I saw that loaf of bread come out of the oven, I knew I was going to have to change my plans! All I have to say is Tina's Greek Easter Bread also makes the best French Toast I've ever tasted!

Happy Easter!

We hope all of you have had a wonderful Easter! Here's just a few pics from our day!

Maryn and Brynna looking just beautiful in the pretty Easter dresses Grammy and Gramps got for them!

Momma and her little ladies!

Daddy's Girls

After church we went to Grammy and Gramps and changed into the adorable, little dresses Nana and Papa sent for a fun Easter Egg Hunt!

Our competitive little Peanut wasn't wasting any time! She's off!

Brynna practically had to trip over an egg before she saw it! Gramps had her back though and coached her through it before Maryn scooped up all the eggs!

At dinner last week, Maryn informed us of what she does to look cute for boys. (Don't ask where she comes up with this stuff!) So she was showcasing her talents tonight for Grammy and Gramps while we were eating our Easter feast. The surefire way, according to her, to get a boy's heart to melt is to clasp your hands and bat your eyelashes. I'm not quite sure she's perfected the technique yet. It's actually a little terrifying right now, but I'll be just fine if she doesn't get it right until she's in her early 20's!

March Madness Baby!

Growing up I never really played sports, besides a couple years of volleyball in middle school and a failed attempt at Cross Country. My brothers all played sports, but I don't remember them being obsessed with a certain team or player. I never once remember my Dad sitting down to watch a game on the boob tube. So I never really got the whole sports mania thing... and then I married into a family full of boys that eat, drink, and sleep sports. This includes my hubby, Justin. He obviously loves basketball, since he has chosen to make a professional career out of knowing everything about it. (Justin is a National Basketball Recruiting Analyst for Rivals.com.)

So, being the non-sports loving girl that I have previously been and actually still considered myself to be, it's been surprising to me when I have had certain thought processes passing through my brain. For instance, how sad I will be when Dickie V. dies. Truly, college basketball will never be the same without his raspy enthusiasm. Or how I got kind of ticked when Dan Patrick stopped doing the funny interviews in the back of ESPN the magazine. I still read his replacement, Kenny Mayne, but I don't have to like it. It's just not the same. Or how I can now watch 'Sportscenter' and 'Around the Horn' without my eyes absolutely glazing over. It would seem that Justin has had an affect on me after all. Weird, huh?

So when he suggested that I fill out a bracket for March Madness this year, I was actually kind of excited to oblige! Again, weird. I figure it's going to be on our t.v. non-stop, I might as well have a vested interest in it right? So, I filled it out and showed it to Justin. He said he thought I actually did a pretty good job! Let me break down how I decided my Final Four, let's just say there is some kooky, girlie reasoning, but hey if it works, it works...

Memphis will play UCLA. Why Memphis? I heard some old dinosaur on ESPN going on and on about how he thought Memphis would take it all. Hmmm, I'd never heard much of anything about them. So I did a little more probing and found out that they actually have a pretty good team that can really score. But they're all kinda punks, and Sarah no-likey punks. Then there's UCLA who has Kevin Love and awesome defense. Let me tell you my thoughts on Kevin Love though... I hate his stupid facial hair. Not a good look for anyone really, but it especially doesn't work well for white boys. However, he is from Oregon, which is where my family is from. So I will turn a blind eye to that horrible mess on his face and give him and his team the win over the Memphis.

This is not a laughing matter Mr. Love, that's a seriously bad boy-band beard.

Then there's the other side...

North Carolina will play Kansas. North Carolina because let's face it, everyone obsesses over Tyler Hansbrough. All I hear about is how he's a real 'special' kid. I bet Coach K wishes he had him since he likes 'special' kids so much. Also, like I said before, I hate punks. So I'll give a hard-working, down-to-earth kid a shot in my bracket. And even though Roy Williams laughed at Justin when he fell and twisted his ankle once, I'll give him credit for having a good, hard-working team.

"Haha! Did anyone see that big boy fall down?!"
Laugh it up, Chuckles. Nobody messes with my man.

Now, Kansas. Okay, here's where my really psychotic, nonsense, girlie logic comes in. I have always had an affinity to the Jayhawks because I just love their stinkin' cute mascot. I mean really, he's adorable. I call them my little Cherrypickers, because can't you just picture that little Jayhawk in the palm of your hand with a little cherry in his mouth? I want him for a pet. Okay, so maybe you now will not continue reading the rest of my post because I've proven myself a complete and utter moron. HOWEVER, in addition to my love for their mascot, they have a great team too. So my loyalties lie with my Cherrypickers to beat North Carolina (Who's laughing now Roy? That's what I thought.) and then finish the spanking by beating UCLA.

So there you have it, insight into my insanity. But hey, it just might work. The madness starts tomorrow, so tune in and see what happens!

Oh, and my friend Erin requested an updated belly shot of my preggy-self. Ask and you shall receive, my little Lemonita!

Me, preggers at the 24 weeks mark.