25 Weeks! (And other random updates)

Here's me at 25 weeks pregnant! Robert made me stand on the mantle, lol.

Once this week at H&R Block, I was making small talk with a client, and she was asking if I was married, if I had kids, etc. I told her that yes, I'm married - and just about to celebrate 3 years with my husband - and that we're expecting our first daughter in May. She was absolutely shocked. She asked how many weeks along I was, and I told her, and she said, "No way! You don't even look pregnant!" I'm not sure whether that was complimentary or insulting - I suppose it's all in how I interpret it. On one hand, I like being able to wear my regular clothes still, and have the flexibility to wear my maternity clothes...but on the other hand, I feel like I should be showing more than I am! I know Elizabeth is happy and healthy, and I feel her moving more and more every day, but I'm a little concerned that I'm still getting sick all the time. I want my daughter to have the best of everything, and that includes nutrition. Here's to hoping I start getting sick less!

We haven't been great about keeping up on our weekly baby bump pictures. It seems like it's just been a back-burner project lately. Actually, everything has been a back-burner project lately. Robert was such an amazing husband and took care of putting all of the Christmas decorations away for me a few weeks back, and that was a big chore. We've also managed to get the common areas of the house picked up and somewhat reorganized again. There are some little projects we need to tackle, like a few cabinets needing help in the kitchen, wiping down the cabinets and counters, sewing the buttons I got at Hobby Lobby onto my pillow covers, etc. I'm looking forward to having some time to get to these soon!

I'm really loving being back at H&R Block again. It's nice to have a little extra money to tuck away, and I love helping all of our clients that come in. So far, I've done a good job of monitoring my rest and activity level, and while I'm home far less than I was, things are working out great. And we're almost one month into tax season! Robert complimented me several times this last week on how much I'm getting done, even with working both jobs right now. It feels amazing! I do take more naps during the week when I come home from work, but that's okay - naps are great!

I'm doing decently on my goals for the month - and perfectly on my Bible reading goals - and that feels better than most anything! I'm supposed to be working on the office this week, since Robert and I finished our master bedroom last week. I don't know if I can get everything done in the office in one week, but I'm sure I can get a solid start on it! I'm hoping to just get my desk sorted out. Anything more would be a bonus. I also got the church's newsletter all ready for printing and emailed it to the church office last night (and found all the copies in the Narthex tonight while we were there for Awana - yay!), and I also got the Info Board all updated for February tonight - and it looks super cute. :)

For now, that's the best 25-week update I can write. :) Sorry we didn't get around to doing a 23-week or 24-week post! Stick around for more updates.

First Week Back

My first week back at H&R Block went very well. :) I wish more people had their W2s and would come in to do their taxes, but sadly, many people don't yet.

It always amazes me that after 8 months of not being there, everything comes back so quickly! I didn't have any trouble with the few transactions I've done, I have made sure that everything has been done fully before I leave at the end of my shifts, and I feel like I'm helping people - which is why I'm there! :)

The scanner has been down for who knows how long, but thankfully Steve came in and fixed that for us yesterday afternoon, and I've caught up on about 1/3 of last year's scanning! Tomorrow, I plan to do as much as I can, and the same with Tuesday, Thursday and Friday until it is caught up 100%. It was sure nice to have something to do today while I was there, because you can only read your books and play on your Kindle for so long before it becomes very boring very quickly, lol!

We did have one client come in today and one phone call, so that was the excitement for the day! But there was plenty of scanning for me to do, so that was a blessing. 

Despite the fact that this is my 8th tax season, I am still so very grateful for the opportunity to work there! It's extra money for us, it gives me a chance to help a ton of people, and it's really an easy job. I love my coworkers, and what I do there, too.

I'm feeling a little tired, but I don't even think that's all pregnancy-related, because I always feel a bit tired during the first week back for tax season. This week, my shift was 4-7 M, T, Th & F (I don't work Wednesdays, since those are Awana days), and next week that will change to 5-9pm M, T, Th & F. We are always open 9-5 Sat. & 12-5 Sun., and I work those days, too.

I was reflecting today on my conviction to work and earn/ save as much as I possibly can to provide for myself and my family. That conviction has been with me for years, but I feel like we are in such a better place now than we ever were before. The truth is, I do not have to work this second job every year, because I have spent years working full-time, and Robert works full-time (sometimes more, depending on what his job is requiring of him day-to-day), and now I have the luxury of working a regular part-time job with all the benefits of full-time, and it allows me the opportunity each year to work at H&R Block for a little extra income! So many people have told me over the years I'm working too hard/ too much, but I know that for me, it's not. It's only 14 weeks of the year, and it's well-worth it!

Here's to a new week!

PS - I'm still 100% on track with my "reading the chronological bible in one year," and "Proverbs/ Psalms" readings! Yay! And Robert deserves a shout-out for not only putting all the Christmas decorations away, but also cleaning the house for me! :)

22 Weeks

Sorry; we didn't get around to doing a 21-week post!

Here is me with Ellie Jo at 22 weeks :)

It sure doesn't seem like it's been that long, although every time I get sick I tend to negate that previous statement, lol. I got really sick last night, which was a bummer for me. I tried not to get upset about it, but it was hard, because I knew I was getting weighed today at the appointment.

Which brings me to my next news - the appointment today!

The doctor went over my ultrasound results with us, and everything looked good, normal and healthy! Everyone thinks Ellie Jo is long and skinny like her daddy, because I'm measuring at almost 24 weeks, but I'm not really showing all that much yet. The doctor thinks she'll probably take after mommy and be a little petite, but that's okay. I don't really care as long as my baby is happy and healthy. :) I also got the news that all of my results from the ultrasound are looking good, just like baby's! I still have great blood pressure (though I forgot to ask them what it was), and I even gained 3lbs! That is so exciting for me, as I've just been losing since September! The doctor said, "Well....you know I actually gained more weight than you over Christmas, but it's improvement." Improvement! YAY! I don't care if it's only 3lbs., I'm super happy to have been told I'm gaining instead of losing. :) Robert even took me to Frost doughnuts this morning to get a bacon maple bar to celebrate. (And a little plug here, I think my husband is quite the trooper for getting up at 6:15am - a time he does not believe exists - and going all the way to Mill Creek with me to my appointment, and then working a double-shift today! He was given the option to stay home this morning, but I'm glad he said he would go, because I secretly don't want him to miss any appointments, and would have been crushed if he took me up on that offer - but I was trying to be considerate.)

I'm not really feeling much bigger, like I said, but I am wearing a lot of my maternity clothes now. They're frankly just more comfortable, and they are all super cute!

My mom seems to come home at least twice a week with more stuff for Ellie Jo, and she currently has all of her clothes up at my parents' house, as my mom is washing, folding and ironing/ hanging up everything we have been given so far. It's worth noting here that we haven't purchased that much for her - it's primarily gifts and hand-me-downs. I do have some hats and slipper-socks and a couple outfits here for Ellie Jo, but we have received far more in blessings than I have purchased at Value Village and the outlet mall, lol! We couldn't be more grateful for everything we've been given and the great deals I've been finding.

Robert is now in the process of un-decorating from Christmas. We had a bit of a miscommunication here about when Christmas should come down. If you know me, you know that I am always sad to see Christmas go. But this year, I really need everything put away ASAP so that we can get all the Christmas storage bins back out of the guest room and start converting it to a nursery. So, both trees and their decorations came down last night. The garlands are packed up, and so are a lot of the bigger decorations around the house.

In other news, I returned to work at H&R Block this week, and although it is slow right now, I'm loving being back there.  I love helping everyone that calls and comes in, and it's really an easy job to do. I work M, T, Th, and F evenings from 5-9pm starting next week (this week, my shift is 4-7pm) and that will continue throughout tax season. I work Saturdays 9-5 and Sundays 12-5. It's a lot of hours, but it's just extra money to stash away. Robert is not returning to work there this tax season, as he's working a lot of double-shifts at Anthony's right now. All in all, we count it a blessing that we're provided with such ways to make a living, and we're very thankful for the extra income!

That's about all I've got for this update. Stay tuned for more!

Victory Doughnuts - Homemade Baked Maple Bars

Today, Bryce and Daniel came over to watch the Seahawks game with us. :)

Although I am very, very tired today, I decided to try one of the recipes I pinned on Pinterest awhile ago.

Homemade (baked) Maple Bars!

They turned out fabulous. :)

I used this recipe, but I'm posting what I actually did here on my blog, since I changed it a little bit:



Maple Bars
1 1/2 cups milk
1/3 cup shortening   butter
4 Tablespoons granulated sugar
2 teaspoons salt
1/4 cup lukewarm water
4 1/2 tsp. yeast
2 large eggs, beaten
5 cups flour
2 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. nutmeg


Maple Icing
1/3 cup butter
1 cup packed brown sugar (make sure there are no molasses chunks - they will not cook down)
1/4 cup milk
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

2 teaspoons mapleine
1/8 teaspoon salt

For the dough:

• In a medium saucepan scald milk; add butter, 3 Tablespoons granulated sugar, and salt. Stir to combine and set aside to cool to lukewarm. (I didn't quite let it cool until it was lukewarm; but it didn't seem to matter)
•  In a large mixer bowl, add the lukewarm water and the yeast (remember the water should be just lukewarm, too hot and it will kill the yeast)
• Add the remaining 1 Tablespoon of sugar to the yeast and water and whisk to combine. Let sit for about 5 minutes until it starts to bubble and become foamy. 
• After the yeast is foamy and the milk mixture is lukewarm, add the eggs to the yeast and stir to combine, then add the milk mixture to the yeast mixture. 
• Whisk the cinnamon and nutmeg into the flour and gradually add to the yeast mixture. You may need to add more, you want the dough slightly sticky but not too sticky.  
• Knead for 3 to 5 minutes. (Mine got too thick and heavy to whisk; so I probably kneaded for a good 10 minutes as I mixed in the last of the cinnamon/ nutmeg flour mixture)
• Spray another large bowl with non-stick spray, place dough in the bowl and let raise for an hour or until double in size. (I let mine go for exactly one hour).

• Punch down and roll out into a large rectangle about 1 inch thick. Cut the rectangle in half, and then each half into 6 pieces to make 12 bars, then place on a greased baking sheet. (I split mine onto two baking sheets).
• Let raise for about 30 minutes. 
• While bars are raising,  preheat the oven to 425 degrees.
• Bake the bars for 7 to 8 minutes or until light golden brown, Watch carefully. Remove from oven and let cool slightly before icing. (I didn't let mine cool for longer than 10 minutes, because the icing probably won't spread well if they're too cool).

Make the icing while the bars are raising:

• In a small saucepan mix butter, brown sugar and milk. (I used a spatula for stirring).
• Bring to boil for medium heat and simmer 3 minutes.
• Remove from heat and cool for 15 minutes. 
• Add the mapleine and powdered sugar and blend well with a hand mixer. (I mixed it first with the spatula, so that powdered sugar didn't go all over my kitchen). 
• Add a little more powdered sugar if needed (I didn't add any extra).
• Spread on the cooled bars

Thumbs up for "Victory Doughnuts!"

 

 The boys all approved, calling them "Victory Doughnuts."  

 

The only advice I really have about this particular recipe is to be patient - the dough takes awhile - and make sure you're always watching what you're doing. I didn't mess up, but I easily could have. It helped to have all the ingredients measured out before I started, too.

I love trying out Pinterest recipes! :)

More Baby Gear

Tonight, my mom and I were editing and updating my baby registries.

Yep, we spent a little bit of money. :)

But in our defense, we got yet another great deal, and we bought from eBay, and I talked the seller down from their original asking price.

Want to know what we bought?

Photo courtesy AOL shopping

It's the crib bumper and dust ruffle for Ellie Jo's crib! (Dust ruffle not pictured). I have been searching and searching high and low for this particular set, but it's been discontinued and I haven't had any luck finding it. Although I just checked eBay last night, we found the set listed (gently used) on eBay today. My mom was the one that insisted I look so I could show her what I wanted.

The reasons I wanted it are pretty simple - it can match pretty much anything in the colors that are on it, it doesn't have any cartoons or fruity patterns, and it's what I've always wanted.

My parents split the cost with me, which was unexpected and awesome. :) One less thing we have to shop for! I do, however, still need to find the sheets. Here's to one more thing checked off our list, though!

January & New Year's Goals/ December Update

This year, I've decided the only thing I'm "resolving" to do is to be the best wife and mom I can be. That's really where my focus is going to be. My one 2013 goal is to read the bible in one year. If you want to join me, I'm considering doing an online discussion of some sort with the reading schedule posted! Just leave me a comment here on the blog (not on Facebook, as I won't check that for comments about this goal), and let me know you're interested! I'll get in touch with you via email :)

Here is my update on December Goals:

• Finish gifts before December 20th  - No, sadly. :(
• Wrap gifts before December 23rd  - All but one or two, so I call this a success!
• Keep bedroom clean - Again, a fail. :( It seems like this is my lowest priority!
• Vacuum at least once per week - I definitely did better about this!
• Organize coupons again (we're so behind) - Robert did it!
• Take a nap every day I'm able to - Yep! Naps are amazing!
• Work on registries for baby (we find out what we're having on December 20th) - I got an amazing start on these! We have 4! (Amazon, Babies 'R Us, Pottery Barn Kids, and Target)!
• Take at least one day for pampering in December (I would love to get a pedicure!) - Yep! Robert took me and we both got pedicures right before Christmas! :)
• Finish 3 library books - More like one or two :(
• Make some Christmas cookies! - Fail. Robert did this. I had zero energy for it. 

My January Goals are as follows: 

• Start back up with FlyLady
• Get the office straightened up and back in order
• Re-do my weekly cleaning schedule
• Stick to my deadline for the Newsletter at church, and get it out next week (this week is New Year's, so we have to push it back one week)
•  Read Psalms & Proverbs (going to give this another shot: 1 Proverb + 5 Psalms daily)
• Try to do a meal plan two days/ week 
• Make more soups to freeze (Robert's request)
• Get the pantry stocked back up (Kind of a joint project between Robert & me)
• Keep selling on eBay
• Make a list or do some kind of inventory on the baby stuff we have (see my posts here and here for all the blessings we've received/ found!)  

That's it! What are you all doing for your 2013 goals?