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Tuesday, January 13, 2009

The Latest

Thanks for the prod to update, Ruthie. I've clicked on my blog page a couple of times, but I've often been too tired to know what to think!

Then I read that I last posted we would have our ultrasound in 28 days.... we now have less than a week to wait! So, yes, an update is long overdue. :)

We had a wonderful Christmas with both of our families. We left the week of Christmas for South Carolina to see Matt's family, including our 4 month old niece. It was really sweet to be there for her first Christmas. :) Matt got to go hunting one morning with his dad, although it rained the entire time. They really enjoyed laughing and joking around like old times since the rain meant they didn't have to worry about being too quiet--the wildest wildlife they saw was a squirrel. :) We got to visit with Tyson and some other friends as well. It's always fun to see them and get further glimpses into the 20+ years of Matt before I ever knew him. :)

The Sunday after Christmas we packed up and drove to TN to spend the next week with my family. One brother's family stayed in town and the other got back before we left, so it was really nice to see *everyone.* We had been on a kind of opposite schedule with my one brother's family as far as staying in TN/traveling for Christmas. We both traveled to in-laws' homes for Christmas but were back for New Year's. I'm really glad that worked out. :) I also got to have lunch with friends from my first college Bible study, catch up with friends from my college program, play some Catan (I won!!!) and Ticket to Ride, and finally get to see my sweet friend (who was a bridesmaid in our wedding) who is expecting exactly 2 weeks after we are. :) Most of all, I SOAKED up family time! Some of the family even came with us to Babies R Us to help us begin our baby registry. It doesn't have any gender-specific items on it yet, but we gladly took their advice on the big/gender-neutral stuff! How amazing to have a baby registry?!?

We got back to FL January 2nd. We had the weekend to unpack and settle back in before heading back to work. And since then, we've been settling back into work! :) My class is doing really well. I am really enjoying them (how could I not??), and I even got the "other" big talk out of the way with my principals, letting them know I won't be back next year and will take about the last month of school off this year. My due date is one day after school gets out--even though I think they planned for me to teach to the very end because of that, we did not plan for that. ;) They "handled" the news well. Their only request was that I share the news of me not returning with the parents in my class who have siblings coming up next year and are already asking the administration how early they can request me for next year. I got that done, too, and received a very sweet and thoughtful reply. It's SUCH a blessing to have such supportive parents of my students!

We have been at work some around the house. The wallpaper border backing that previously "graced" the nursery walls is now gone (thanks, honey!). I've started some cleaning out and organizing. And I am enjoying some new things. I received a bread maker for Christmas, and I am really excited to be using it! If you have some great bread maker recipes--bread, dough, etc.--I would LOVE to know about them!!

Baby K is kicking away. Last week the fequency and force of kicking increased a TON. Get this.... Matt even felt the baby kick!! I was only 18 weeks! His eyes got HUGE and he grinned from ear to ear. :) He talks to the baby frequently, as do my students. :) In fact, today they were rather excited about paper lanterns they were making, and as the volume of their little voices got a little louder than usual, the baby started kicking like crazy. :) It was fun to tell them, "The baby can hear you! Baby K is listening!" They they all apologized to the baby for being too loud! :) They are SUCH a sweet class, and they are DESPERATE to know if the baby is a boy or a girl. :)

Well, I suppose that is about all for now. I have been so depleted of energy, I have not been a good crafter. I finally decided I need to figure out how to make do without my energy (everyone said it would be back by week 16... it must have gone south for the winter), so maybe I'll get back in gear. :) I know I have sewing I want to do if/after we find out just who this little one is on Monday! I will be sure to update then, so check back next week for, Lord willing, the big announcement! Most of all though, we're praying for a healthy baby. :)

Blessings,
Becca

2 comments:

Nashvillians Now said...

Wow! We can't wait to hear if Baby K is a he or a she!
I am excited you got a bread machine. I love mine and use it a couple times a week, except I rarely bake in it as I prefer the bread when it is baked in a loaf pan in the oven.
I use mine to make: pizza dough, breadsticks, and at least one loaf of whole wheat honey bread or whole wheat cinnamon raisin bread (with no sugar!)

Here is my favorite whole wheat bread recipe. I use my bread machine to mix it up and then I take it out and put it in a loaf pan to rise. My bread machine takes 20 minutes to knead the dough. You also have to put it in the machine in the order your machine suggests. This is a recipe that I adapted to use in the bread machine not one for the bread machine

1 1/3 cup warm water

2.5 TBSP oil

4 TBSP honey

3/4 TBSP (heaping) dough enhancer (or gluten) (this is optional, but I have found it adds a lot to the whole wheat!)

1 heaping TBSP yeast

2.5-3 3/4 cup whole wheat flour (I use the white whole wheat from King Arthur, I love that stuff!) I am using 3 3/4 cup flour right now

Add all ingredients to the bread machine in order suggested by bread machine (ie: liquid first, yeast last) Let finish the kneading cycle. Put into greased loaf pan. Let rise 30 minutes in warm place. Bake at 350 for 25-30 minutes. Remove from pan and let cool on wire racks.

For amazing cinnamon raisin bread, I will roll the dough out once I get it out of the bread machine and sprinkle honey, cinnamon, and raisins on the dough and then roll up and put in pan to rise. Oh my goodness it is good! It makes awesome French toast! KJ said it is the best cinnamon raisin bread he has ever had. We love cinnamon raisin French toast and have it at least once a week, either for breakfast or dinner! I also made a loaf of this for the kids teacher's Christmas goodie baskets. I have had rave reviews from them since we came back.

If you are interested in me sending you a link to my favorite pizza dough recipe or breadstick recipe, let me know!
Have fun and keep us posted!

notes of em said...

What an amazing complement that parents are already requesting you as the next child's teacher.
So glad your Christmas was a success!