Sunday, March 27, 2011

fun, delicious recipe

I made this the other night and oh my goodness!!! It was delicious!  I just had to share.

Chicken Enchiladas with Green Salsa
You will need:
  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 1/2 pkg McCormick Baja Citrus marinade
  • 1/4 c. diced onion
  • 1 jalapeno, diced (I left out the jalapeno b/c I don't do spicy too well right now)
  • 1/3 pkg (8 oz) cream cheese
  • 2 dashes of salt
  • 1/2 tsp. ground cumin
  • 1 1/2 cans (7 oz) Herdez Salsa verde, divided  (Herdez is the brand name)
  • 1 can (4 oz) diced green chiles
  • corn tortillas
  • 1/2 c. shredded Monterey Jack cheese
Preheat oven to 400.  Marinate the chicken with McCormick seasoning (I marinated all day, but an hour or so will do) and grill.  Shred/dice both breasts.  Add onion, jalapeno, cream cheese, salt, cumin, and 1 can of green salsa.  Mix until creamy.  Heat 8 tortillas in the microwave for 1 minute (if you lightly spray between each tortilla with cooking spray before heating they won't stick together as bad).  Spoon mixture into tortilla and roll.  Place in 13x9 pan folded side down.  Mix chiles with 1/2 can of salsa verde (I used another whole can because I could drink the stuff).  Pour evenly on top.  Sprinkle with cheese and bake 20 minutes.  I hope you enjoy! I served with Mexican rice and black beans. Mmmm.

Saturday, March 26, 2011

I was really nervous about going back to work on Wednesday, but I did and I survived. The first few hours were really emotional.  When you work with lots of women who truly care any minute of the day can turn into a cry-fest! When I saw the parking lot that morning I just didn't think I could do it, but I just kept pushing on.  Several of my friends came by to check on me and as soon as I saw them standing in my door I would just break down in tears.  By lunchtime I wasn't anxious anymore and felt somewhat normal again.  I also came across this Bible verse that morning that helped to calm my anxious thoughts:
As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the body is formed in a mother's womb, so you cannot understand the works of God, the Maker of all things. --Ecclesiastes 11:5
On another note....We have cribs!!  A few weeks ago we went to IKEA.  I had posted a picture previously of a green crib that I had my eye on.  Well,  in person it was really green.  So that idea went out the window.  I ended up getting white cribs that will break down into toddler beds when needed and I love them.  They were on sale and I got a super deal. I would post a pic, but they are still in boxes in the garage.  :-) 

Today some of my sweet friends came to visit.  They brought a beautiful pink rose bush, a tea olive bush that smells delicious, and some cute metal pinwheels for my flower garden.  The weather is not cooperating for us to plant this weekend...hopefully we can get started one afternoon this week.  Last year I planted some lilies in with my vegetables and they are coming back! yay!! They will be beautiful.  I also  bought some zinnia and black-eyed susan seeds this week.  Does anyone have any other suggestions or ideas about what I should plant?? 

Here is my 12 week glamour shot...ha!

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

12 weeks

Our precious baby is resting in Jesus' arms. We went to the doctor yesterday where they discovered that our baby's heart is no longer beating. Our baby is in heaven with a perfect body, a perfect face, and no need or want for 46 perfect chromosomes.  This morning I woke up with this song playing over and over in my head. I haven't heard it in so long and I know it is God's message especially for me (I was going to provide a link, but I couldn't find my favorite version by Kevin Derryberry).....

Jesus, lover of my soul. Jesus, I will never let you go.
You've taken me from the miry clay. You set my feet upon a rock and now I know.
I love you. I need you. Though my world may fall I'll never let you go.
My saviour, my closest friend. I will worship you until the very end.

Last year we had a small vegetable garden. After our appointment last week I decided that I didn't want to fool with vegetables this year. I just want a pretty place full of flowers.  Norman and I talked about it yesterday and we can't wait to get started.  I am off work today and I am going to pick out some pretty flowers to plant.  I hope it turns out as pretty as the picture in my head.  I will do my best to post pictures. 

Our two other babies are healthy. Once again, the doctor assured me that they are at no risk.  They are growing and moving...and according to the ultrasound I believe we have 2 thumbsuckers  :) .  Also,  it's not confirmed...but we think one just might be a boy.  We're not buying blue yet, but it's just a hunch that the ultrasound tech had yesterday.  I cannot wait to know for sure!  Our next appointment is April 6, so maybe they can tell for sure by then.  I am measuring right along with where I should....Dr. Davis said I am measuring at 4 months for a singleton pregnancy. Yikes! But he is pleased with my baby bump.

Please keep us in your prayers. I know grieving is a process and I will grieve on and off for a very long time (maybe forever) in my own way.  I feel like I am supposed to know how to grieve, but that is silly. I pray that I recognize my need to grieve as well as Norman's. 

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

I am writing this morning with a heavy heart. Last week (Thursday) at our routine ultrasound the ultrasound technician saw something a little concerning on one of the baby's heads.  We talked with our doctor who immediately made an appointment for us at UAB for the following Tuesday.  We were told it could be anything...something as insignificant as a shadow or something bigger.  I completely fell apart that day.  As always, Norman held me together.  The next day (Friday) I experienced an all-consuming peace about everything. I don't want to act like I thought everything was okay and I had nothing to worry about....but I knew no matter what the outcome God was holding me and these 3 babies in his hands. 

Yeserday was my appointment and I had been fine with no worries all weekend.  But once we got on the interstate to head to UAB fear took hold of me and I was scared to death.  Once agian, Norman put me back together.  Our ultrasound at UAB led the doctor to be "very confident" that one baby has Trisomy 13.  Some of the markers were evident in the ultrasound.  Trisomy 13 is a rare chromosomal anomaly. 

I know this may sound crazy to some of you, but I can already see God's hand in our situation.  My neighbor who has become my very dear friend had a beautiful little girl, Sophie, with Trisomy 13.  Last night her and her husband came to visit, talk with us, and pray with us. They brought so much comfort to Norman and me.  I can't even begin to calculate the odds that we would live across the street from each other.  The funny thing is that we have both been drawn to each other to pursue a friendship for a very long time.  And when we finally were able to spend time together we just "hit it off".  I will have much more to say about Aimee and our relationship in the posts to come, but I had to share a small bit today.  I have always admired her strength and courage.  I know this is going to be a difficult road to walk down, but God will provide us with the manna we need to get through each day.  My prayer is to bring glory to God in all circumstances.

Something else that will be new to me is balancing my joy and sorrow.  I have 2 healthy babies that are growing and moving all over the place!!  Praise God!!  The doctor reassured me that neither of those babies are at risk and they have no problems.  We go back to the doctor on Monday. I will update again soon.  I want to leave you with a fun picture....10 weeks and growing!

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb.  I praise you because I am fearfully and WONDERFULLY made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.  --Psalm 139:13-14

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

good book

My dear friend Lisa bought this book for me and I am learning so much!
photo taken from amazon.com

Also, I am going to need opinions on nursery ideas.  Since I am going to be on "restricted activity" (or even worse, bedrest) at some point I am trying to go ahead and get as much done as possible.  I am going to IKEA this weekend to look at a crib I found online. What do you think?
I'm thinking green, yellow, chocolate brown for nursery colors??  I am also thinking a solid color for bedding??  Please give ideas....solid yellow, solid brown, solid white, or gingham green and white? It's hard to decorate for 3 babies!