love with no avail

9 Things I've Learned about Motherhood

2012-01-25T05:44:00.001-08:00

1. Do not underestimate a good swaddle. Swaddling is magical.

2. Muscus is a big deal. If they can't breathe, they can't breathe.

3. Sleep is overrated. Enjoy the late nights. I betcha you'll look back someday and wish for those quiet times again. You can't hold them forever.

4. Eating well makes a huge difference. It not only helps you feel better, but if you're a feeding mother, you'll learn the necessity of good food. It's the difference between a content sleepy baby or a gassy cranky one. Eat smart.

5. Prayer and quiet time is necessary. End of story.

6. Learn to say no. Sure, you shouldn't let a baby completely determine your life, but things will change a little, and that's okay. It's kind of what you signed up for, right? We still go out with friends, but we also set limits. We do extra stuff only twice a week, and we try to be back home by 8pm. This stage won't last forever, and for us, it's what works.

7. Exercise. You can't take care of others if you don't take care of yourself first.

8. No one's kid is the same, so not all advice should be either. Use what you can, and don't worry if what works for someone else doesn't work for you. I bet your kid will be just fine if you choose to have him on a schedule or not. :)

9. Leave the dirty dishes. This one is hard for me because I like a clean house, but guess what I love more? And guess what else? I'M NOT MISSING IT.

2012-01-24T19:29:00.001-08:00

I think there's a writer in everyone.

No matter how much experience you have, how old you are, or even if you feel like you're short on words, we all have something to write. If you enjoy writing or not...now that's a different story, but for those that choose to write it, I love your blogs. I love the opinions and words from other people that are so similar, and some so different than myself. I love the honest truth and the eloquent words. Carry on.

Quick 1 minute brownies!

2012-01-24T11:12:00.001-08:00

Have you ever wanted brownies, but you just need one? That's me, because I don't like sweets sitting around (or I eat them). :) Just so you know, this recipe is phenomenal, but only for the people who like "fudgey" brownies. These aren't the dry crispy kind. :)

Mix in a safe microwavable mug:

4 Tbsp Flour

4 Tbsp Sugar

2 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa

2 Tbsp Vegetable Oil

2 Tbsp Water

dash of salt

Microwave 1 minute. You can thank me later.

Isaiah 46:4

2012-01-16T07:56:00.000-08:00

2012-01-16T07:28:00.001-08:00

For all you mommas out there, have any of you ever had a kid that spit up buckets? I don't mean a few wet burps either, I mean...BUCKETS. Jonathan and I stopped calling it "burping him" and we now call it "spitting him" because it's gotten so bad. It's usually around 3oz of liquid. Poor little guy hates it coming up just as much as I hate watching it. Yes, he's on Prilosec for acid reflux, and I think it helps him feel better. Unfortunately, it doesn't really help the spitting in the slightest. :) I'm okay with having a kid that is wet all of the time and constantly wearing a bib. There are bigger problems in life. He's healthy and mostly feels pretty good I think. It's not affecting his growth, so I'm okay with it. The only time it's hard to handle is when I'm tired, he feels miserable, I'm completely wet, he's completely wet, and he's screaming because he's still hungry. Now that, that is hard. I don't know why you never hear about stories like this before you have kids. I mean, I guess people don't want to be debbie downers and tell you about all of their problems if your child is going to be just fine. I get that. But I mean, NEVER had I heard about this until Truett. The doctor says he is perfectly fine as long as he's growing and not showing signs that he's in too much pain, so we are thankful for our very chill child, considering how he's probably feeling. What a trooper!

On the flip side, I'm thankful that Truett is a great sleeper. We bath, feed, and spit him around 10 or 11 and put him down, usually with his eyes wide open, and we don't hear his voice again until 6 or 7 am. I'm not sure how we got so lucky there, but that's okay with me. On days when I think, man this spitting is a lot to handle, I realize that I guess that's why God allows me to get good sleep. It really is a give and take. He's growing...and he's happy. Thank you Lord for your many many MANY blessings. We sure don't deserve them all, but you keep sending them down one after the other. If I thanked you every day of my life, I would never come close to catching up.

2012-01-09T08:24:00.000-08:00

Sometimes I get kinda cranky after I have to give Truett a bath at 2am, and then rock him for 4 hours and he still won't go to sleep. But then I think, in a couple of years when he doesn't want to be held anymore and he says, "I can do it myself, mom." I bet I'd give my left hand to rock him for 4 hours in the middle of the night, which is why I enjoy each and every minute with Little T, regardless of what time it is.

I. Love.

2012-01-07T13:37:00.000-08:00

1. Vans shoes. Have you ever worn them? My oh my, they're comfortable.

2. Scentsy warmers! My favorite is Whiteout. It smells like fresh Winter. I can't describe it any more perfectly if I tried. My good friend Candace sells it, and you can order it here if you're looking.

3. Baby Gap. For the love of all things wonderful, that place is absolutely ridiculous at making baby clothes. I don't go shopping much.

Cannot.

Resist.

4. A good Starbucks ristretto grande vanilla nonfat extra hot with light whip latte.

5. My camera.

6. Journaling the day away.

7. Coldplay

8. Chocolate

9. A good pedicure

10. My family.

Done.

2012-01-04T15:27:00.000-08:00

It's not about you.

Sometimes I want to shout that to people driving on the road that cut other cars off. I mean, surely where they are going is more important than where I am going, right? And certainly the people in their car are more valuable that the people in mine. My grandpa used to speed in front of those rude folks on toll roads and pay their tolls for them. Now that's love.

I want to tell it to the rude, impatient man waiting to check out in line at Walmart behind me that's practically breathing down my neck, "Please learn to be a little more patient, sir, or at least keep your distance. I need to check out just like you. You're giving yourself a heart attack stressing like that."

I want to scold the little kids laughing at the old man in the wheelchair. "Hey, he lost his leg fighting for your freedom."

I want to shout it at the woman who was in a hurry and nearly ran a kid over who was trying to cross the street. "Do you really need to get to Sonic before 4pm in exchange for this kid's life? How bout I give you a dollar for your coke and you slow down."

I want to tell the man who leaves his wife and kids each night to fend for themselves while he's off hanging with his buddies, "Don't you think you'll wake up one day and regret that decision? You can't get time back."

I want to ask every American who has 17 coats hanging in their closet if they can find a way to give away just one to someone who may be cold this winter.

There are a million choices every day. I've learned that the little things matter. We're all the same.

But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first. Matthew 19:30

Reliving memories.

2012-01-04T15:18:00.001-08:00

I found this poem that I wrote in April 2008:

Today I woke up and spit on the world, because it smiled at me.

I knocked down the door and cursed the ground as it gently let me be.

The sunshine kept me warm and well and the grass just made me smile.

And I kicked the dirt in fury as I walked on for a while.

I did not see the fluffy clouds, though white and full of good.

I only saw the cracked old tree where a baby tree once stood.

"That's an ugly tree." I exclaimed as I picked up its last fruit

I threw it down and smashed it in my anger, with my boot.

The tree looked down in sadness as it waved it branches slowly.

"You took my one and only son, the apple I'd been growing.

And carelessly you took, only thinking of yourself.

Now you please be off, and go live life, in your grandest richest wealth."

I needed nothing really, but I took from what he had.

I realized what I'd done just then and I dropped my head, so sad.

The day would not get better, the suns hot rays would never fade.

Then the tree that I had wronged reached out, and with his branches gave me shade.

...and I found this post from May of 2008. How hilarious to read back about it. I hardly remember writing it.

"Right now I want to talk about how fluffy the couch is and how it reminds me of a huge marshmallow covered in expensive graham cracker sprinkles. I want to jump on the bed and see how many times i can touch the ceiling with my head before laying down in total exhaustion. I sooooo want to dust the top of the refrigerator just for fun...and strangely, love it. I can't wait to pick the rocks out of the bottom of my tennis shoes with a toothpick and I cannot stand it how much I want to climb a hill and get my feet so dirty that when I take a shower, I leave dirt rings in the bottom of the tub. I want to do my homework, but opening a book is worse than Chinese water torture. I need a good trip to the zoo and some Vanilla Dr. Pepper. I need a hug from my brother and I need to hear the muffin joke from Roxanne. I want to drive 200 mph--on a motorcyle. As long as it's black, I think I could pull of the hardcore look. I want to type this whole post in the phonetic alphebet but I can't type a schwa unfortunately. Now that...that would be fun."

A few reminders

2012-01-04T07:38:00.000-08:00

God isn't late with his promise as some measure lateness. He is restraining himself on account of you, holding back the End because he doesn't want anyone lost. He's giving everyone space and time to change. 2 Peter 3:9

You got me when I was an unformed youth, God, and taught me everything I know. Now I'm telling the world your wonders; I'll keep at it until I'm old and gray. Psalm 71:17-18

You eyes are windows into your body. If you open your eyes wide in wonder and belief, your body fills up with light. Matthew 6:22

We plan the way we want to live, but only God makes us able to live it. Proverbs 16:9

Words kill, words give life; they're either poison or fruit--you choose. Proverbs 18:21

Life in Black and White

2012-01-03T19:21:00.000-08:00

Easy Potato Soup

2012-01-03T16:49:00.000-08:00

Most potato soups are cream based, but not this one! This recipe is simple, quick, healthy, and really really good! Trust me, I made it tonight for dinner!

1 bag (32oz) frozen hash browns

1 carton (32oz) chicken broth

1 cup water

3 Tbsp flour

1 cup milk (I use Soy Milk)

2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

1/4 cup real bacon bits

1/4 cup green onions, sliced

Optional:

1/2 diced onions

1 stalk celery, sliced

HOW TO...

1. Dump the hash browns, chicken broth, and water in a crockpot on low. (You can also add 1/2 cup onions and a stalk of celery if you wish, but I prefer it without.) Let this sit 6-8 hours.

2. After step one is finished, mix the milk and flour together in a small bowl and then add to the soup mixture. Turn the crockpot on high for 30 minutes and it should thicken.

3. Add the cheese, bacon bits, and green onions to the top of the soup.

Happy Cooking!

Journal

2012-01-02T13:29:00.000-08:00

I bought the little man a journal today. He doesn't know it yet, and he won't for 18 more years, but someday I hope he'll read each word and feel so incredibly loved.

To buy or not to buy...

2011-12-27T12:13:00.001-08:00

...that is the question. What do you guys think of these boots? Yes? No? I'm kinda crushing on them, but I'm wondering if they're only awesome with skinny jeans. Thoughts?

2011-12-14T13:48:00.001-08:00

Since babies don't pose for you, I'm allowing myself some grace. This week I'm gonna test out my skills and see if I'm at all even qualified to take pictures of kids. It's quite different than my norm! Truett just volunteered for my test run. :)

A bagillion reasons to be thankful

2011-12-12T09:22:00.000-08:00

1. I realize that it takes a while to get back to where you were before kids in the weight department (if you ever make it completely, I'm not really sure) but I only have 12 lbs to go, so I am crazy surprised about that...and I'll take it! :) My feet finally stopped swelling and my wedding ring fits again. It's the little things, right?

2. Sweet baby is sleeping 6 hours at night (for the last 4 days in a row anyway) so I will say a thankful prayer to God and count my blessings! I am tired, sure, but I can't complain about that! I feel like Truett is an easy baby. I haven't had others, so I guess I can't compare, but he rarely cries unless he's cold or hungry, and even at that, it's for a really short time and he's smiling in no time. If they're all this easy, maybe we'll have 7!

3. Both my boys love Justin Bieber. One dances, and the other sleeps. Both are wins.

4. Christmas is almost here. Enough said.

5. We have the best friends and family in the world. Love has been poured out on us in a huge way and we are so thankful. So many people have been so generous. Wow.

6. Jonathan Meisner. People always told me having kids changes your marriage, and it's hard sometimes to be romantic in the midst of chaos. For the Meisner house, it has been nothing but good. I don't think I've ever felt more in love with Jonathan than this last week. I don't ever remember having such wonderful conversations right before falling asleep (or at 1am) before. What a sweet man.

7. Mom. I love mine. She came and cleaned my house, cooked lots of wonderful food, and pretty much made life too easy last week. Thanks momma!

8. Drugs. I love them. They have helped make the healing process so easy. I'm thankful thankful thankful for those. :)

9. So thankful for the Bible this week. What a nice thing for God to leave behind for us. Can you imagine life without it? I really can't. We would all be so lost and confused, but he left us really clear guidelines and a book filled with loving words to encourage us along the journey. I'm thankful for it, and I love reading it more and more.

10. Our warm heater. This cold December, I'm really thankful for our warm cozy house.

Meisner Family Film

2011-12-07T08:42:00.000-08:00

If you haven't ever seen my husband's work, you can find more amazing videos on his site here. But for now, get a kleenex and watch this first Meisner Family Film of Truett's birth. He captured it perfectly. PERFECTLY.

Truett

2011-12-06T18:06:00.000-08:00

He's here. 9 lbs. 3 oz. and 21 3/4 inches long. Our life will never be the same again...in a great way. Welcome little man. Thanks to Hillary for being there on our special day to take some pics. These aren't all of them, by any means, but you get the picture. :)

2011-11-28T12:20:00.000-08:00

Can I tell you something? Today I want to cry. I cannot sit, stand, or lay down in any direction without hurting. It all just aches and swells. I'd really like to end this pregnancy on a happy note, but let me tell you, I'm so done. I am trying to count it all joy, but it's getting progressively harder each day past my due date. Well, that's the truth about that.

Then Jesus said, "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28

I'm not sure if God meant that figuratively or literally, but I'm taking him up on his offer today.

2011-11-23T06:53:00.000-08:00

I woke up this morning and spent some time in Truett's room praying for him. I prayed for his little feet, wherever God would lead him in his life. For his tiny heart, that it would be healthy and strong, and so full of love for other people. For his mind, that it would be filled with good things, and that Jonathan and I would be a part of filling it with great things. I prayed for his little legs, that they would take him good places and help share God's love with the world. Hurry little man.

From the Heart

2011-11-23T01:27:00.000-08:00

I'm not sure where to begin.

I'm thankful. I've been enjoying this gray cloudy weather. There has been nothing nicer than to sit in silence and relax at home with Truett. I've struggled with swollen feet this whole pregnancy, and just to put them up for a few hours every afternoon really is heavenly.

I'm in love. Do you know Jonathan? If you do, I'm sure you would totally agree that he's such a helper (and that's an understatement really). I have been crushing on him lately like no one's business. I feel like a giddy little school girl when he comes home from work and I hear his key turning in the door. I just know that fun is about to be had, and every night I'm going to feel so very very loved.

I'm obsessed. I've been listening to Coldplay's new album. Woah. Enough said. You should go buy it.

I'm hungry. My body wakes me up every day around 3am to make me eat. This has only been happening for the last 2 weeks, but I seriously get so hungry that I start to feel sick like my stomach is eating my body from the inside out....so Honey Nut Cheerios and milk have been my go-to. :)

I'm impatient. It's hard to wait to see the face of your first baby. It's hard to wait...it's just hard. Time feels like it has literally stopped. I think. It has.

I'm learning. I have been loving YouVersion. Do you have the Bible App on your phone? If not, you may just love it like me! I don't know what I would do without those reading plans. I just continue off where I left off the day before and allow God to show me something new each morning. Or, in my 3am moments, I just read it right from my computer and count it all joy. :) I'm thankful for wonderful new technology that's so easy and awesome.

I'm excited. Truett is almost here, my little brother's wedding is in 2 weeks, Christmas is just around the corner, and my sister is having a little baby girl in a month. What more can I ask for?!

Favorite Warm Weather Gear!

2011-11-22T06:30:00.000-08:00

Every year, I pull out a bin of cold weather hats, gloves, and scarves. And...every year, I always want new stuff. Why is that? It's like my sad purse addiction (which by the way, I am getting over. I only have 3!) and shoe fetish (and am down to 20 of those, thank you!). Well, if I need it or not is not really the issue. I mostly just wanted to share some adorable finds that I loved, if you find yourself like me, dreaming about snow!

Pink Wool Blend Scarf $12.90

Yellow Knit Scarf $6.99 (No, it's not a joke)

Navy Cable Hat $12.99

And how adorable are these earmuffs? Best part? They double as headphones. Who doesn't listen to jams while shoveling the driveway, right? $29.99

Striped Leather Gloves $98

Cable knit pom pom hat $29.95

Long cable knit mittens $29.95

Or...if you want something truly original, check out Etsy. They have some of the cutest shops!

What a steal. Only $15.00 for a custom knit hat?!

Happy Shopping!

Korean Noodle Bowl

2011-11-19T16:22:00.000-08:00

So, after my last post about Sushi, and wanting to further my hot recipes streak, I decided to try this new one, and DING DING, it's a winner! I used what I had at my house, so feel free to alter it based on whatever you have in the fridge!

Ingredients:

1 lb whole wheat linguini noodles

1 1-inch piece fresh ginger (I used pickled ginger that I already had instead)

2 large cloves of garlic, grated

1/4 cup dark soy sauce (I used low-sodium)

3 Tbsp honey

2 Tbsp tomato paste

2 Tbsp rice wine vinegar

1 Tbsp sesame oil

1 tsp hot sauce (I used a Tbsp cause I like it hot!)

2 Tbsp vegetable oil (I used EVOO instead)

1 lb skinless, boneless chicken meat, cut into thin strips

1/4 c small cabbage, thinly sliced or chopped (I left this out because we didn't have any on hand)

1 bell pepper, chopped

1 bunch of scallions, thinly sliced

2 Tbsp sesame seeds

Directions:

1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil, add the pasta and cook until al dente. Drain. While the pasta is cooking...

2. Combine the ginger, garlic, soy sauce, honey, tomato paste, vinegar, sesame oil, and hot sauce and stir it up really well.

3. Chop all the remaining ingredients up for a quick stir fry. In a large hot skillet (high heat) using your EVOO or vegetable oil, add the chicken and cook until browned. Add the cabbage and bell pepper and stir-fry for 2 minutes.

4. Add the scallions and ginger sauce and toss for 1 minute. Pour over the drained noodles and top with the sesame seeds! Serve with hot sauce, of course!

Sushi Date $20

2011-11-16T16:25:00.000-08:00

What happens when you're pregnant and want sushi? A veggie sushi date, of course! We made quite the amazing sushi at home the other day (and no I've never taken a class or done it before, so you can do it too!) so I wanted to share my recipes here in case you feel the need for a fun, healthy, $20 date! You can really choose any vegetables you wish, but these were some that Jonathan and I picked for ours. If you want to add crab meat or salmon, that's appropriate too, but I prefer to keep in simple.

Sushi Roll Ingredients:

Seaweed Sheets (also called nori) - plan on 2 per person

white sushi rice

1 red pepper

1 cucumber

1 jar of pickled ginger (not raw ginger)

1 avacado

rice vinegar

soy sauce (I use low sodium)

1 pkg cream cheese

Directions:

1. First, make 1 cup dry rice following to the package instructions (sushi rice is a little sticky, which is good). This will make approximately 2.5 cups after it's cooked.

2. While the rice is cooking, thinly slice your vegetables in long strips so they're easy to roll. You don't want them diced for this, trust me.

3. When your rice is finished, add 2-3 Tbsp of rice vinegar per 1 cup of rice and mix well.

4. On a wet surface (I used a wet cutting board), lay out a sheet of seaweed paper.

5. Spread a thin layer of rice on the seaweed, being careful not to get it too close to the edges. After all, you don't want a mess. You want pretty sushi.

6. Lay whatever vegetables you choose to use in a thin line and then roll as tightly and gently as you can with wetted fingers. (We just added ingredients that we wanted, not everything. You can see our sushi rolls below if you need suggestions.)

7. To get the roll to stick shut, just add water under the edge. The nori sheets will stick really well together with water.

8. To slice, make sure to use a very sharp, wetted knife and cut slowly. Each roll should make about 6-8 pieces. (It cuts much easier if you refrigerate it for 30 minutes...if you have the patience) I betcha it turned out great!

9. Make and use your sauces! Don't skimp! It's the best part! May I recommend the Sesame Ginger Sauce? A-MAZING.

Dynamite Sauce: (surprisingly good!)

1/2 cup low-fat mayo (I used fat-free miracle whip)

2 Tbsp hot sauce

1/4 tsp sesame oil

Sesame Ginger Sauce: (SUPER WINNER!)

2 Tbsp soy sauce

1 Tbsp dijon mustard

1/4 tsp sesame oil

1/4 tsp ginger root (I used chopped up pickled ginger from above ingredients)

2 1/2 tsp water

Jonathan's Sushi:

Red Pepper

Avacado

Cucumber

Michelle's Sushi:

Cream Cheese

Avacado

Cucumber

Ginger

A Critical Heart

2011-11-13T13:03:00.000-08:00

At my church (LifeChurch.tv) these last 4 weeks, there has been a wonderful series by Craig called "Those People." It's about the negative, hypocritical, manipulative, and critical people in our lives that just seem so hard to love. We all know someone that has one of these characteristics, and in some ways, we were all, or still are, these people as well. I came to realize that more than all the rest, I'm the critcal person. I don't always voice my opinions out loud, because I've somewhat learned to tame my tongue, but it's a heart condition, and when it comes to that, I'm guilty for sure.

I'm critical of people who are late to meetings, of people who don't do things exactly as I think they should do them, of others who don't produce the quality that I think some should strive toward (excellence in everything, right?) Why do I do that? What a nasty disease. It seems good to care about the small things, but it can really just lead to judgment that doesn't do anyone any good, and leads to a negative heart. I've caught myself several times about to share something, and then deciding to stop mid-thought, because really, it's not going to lift anyone up.

Dear Lord, help me to work on my critical nature. To be patient and loving toward all people, no matter if I understand if or why they do things or not. It's not up to me to make them perfect, but it is up to me to love them. Please give me a gentle, kind, patient heart. Help me love like you love, and take everything else to you.