When Ya Gotta Have Something Brown....

Looks.....delightful, doesn't it?

 

Actually, it was!  It's called Lentil Soup with Ground Beef and Brown Rice. I don't know what possessed me to try this soup, because the picture on this lady's blog didn't look much better.  I am sooo glad I did, though because not only is it amazingly delicious, but it's under 200 calories per cup, and one cup fills me up.  And that rhymes.

 

Here's the link to the recipe - http://www.kalynskitchen.com/2007/11/lentil-soup-recipe-with-ground-beef-and.html

 

I didn't realize we didn't have carrots, so I omited them from this recipe.  I did use the balsamic vinegar, but it didn't need salt.  We were also out of beef broth (Way to plan ahead, Karen.)  so I used vegetable broth.  I did end up adding more broth than they called for. 

 

I know it looks like a pile of brown food.  And it is.  But it's so good, and so I think you should try it.  :)  And then I dare you to take a picture where it looks appetizing.  I double-dog dare you.

Here's the Skinny...

Mike and I have been trying really hard to get into shape since Charlie was born.  Mike has been doing AWESOME.  He has lost about 19 pounds, and looks amazing.

 End of February

 End of May (Isn't he a handsome guy?  I tend to think so.)

 

I have losing very slowly, but surely.  I'm not counting the weight loss from the first 6 weeks since it was purely post-baby stuff, but I've lost about 6 pounds so far.  So that's pretty fun.

End of February

End of May

A Day in the Life...

My life is not exactly glamorous.  It mostly consists of laundry, dishes, and diapers.  Oh, so many diapers.  It also consists of a pretty amazing husband and three sweet little kids.  All 3 or under.  At least for a month or so.  So if I act a little crazy, blame the tiny ones.  Just kidding.  Kind of.

 

So, a glimpse into my life.

 

Taking Pictures:

I look like I have completely lost my mind.  Oh well. :)  Andrew has started asking us to take silly pictures of him, or of him and us.  This was the result of ours.

All of the Mike/Andrew ones turned out super cute, but this one is my favorite.  Andrew came in once when I was doing the dishes and watching Dancing With the Stars (don't judge).  He LOVED it.  He always asks to watch "the dancing show" and so I sometimes will find a fun dance or something online and we'll watch it together.  He always acts it out, and I think this was one of those times.  Look at that hand.  CRACKS me up.

 

Getting a haircut:

I finally got around to cutting Emmie some bangs.  It was beyond the ridiculous point and I just couldn't keep a barrette in her hair to keep it out of her eyes.  I thought it actually turned out pretty good, especially considering my guinea pig is also super squirmy and was brushing her teeth at the time. 

Mike also gave Andrew a haircut and did a good job as well.

Holding Charlie:

As much as the kids adore Charlie, they really haven't been interested in holding him at all, until recently when Andrew has wanted to.  This is a bit of a problem because he often asks AS he is picking him up (yikes) but I think it's sweet.  And speaking of sweet, check out the little sneakers Charlie boy is wearing.  Pretty adorable.

Sometimes seeing each other:

This picture was taken after church and home teaching was over, in Emily's room, blocking the door so Andrew wouldn't come in again.  It's really hard to get pictures together, fyi.  Sometimes I feel like I don't see Mike as often as I'd like, but I sure do love the times when I do!

Being Sick:

Poor little Emmie was so sick for a few days.  She was stumbling around the house, with her hoarse little voice asking us to hold her and just generally being super pathetic and sad.  Let's just suffice it to say, we are so grateful our baby girl is feeling better.

Taking More Pictures:Andrew LOVES taking pictures.  Here's one of his favorites.  A few of his other favorite things to take pictures of?  Floors, Charlie's carseat, his knee, and pictures that make me look like I have 10 chins.  :)

And....Charlie:

Andy and Emmie are both obsessed with Charlie and his tiny little features.  Andrew loves to tickle him and I heard him say to Charlie when he woke up crying, "I know.  It's hard to wake up sometimes, huh?"

Sometimes I feel like he's just along for the ride.  :)  He is just so cute.

Mike

He's never looked better.

 

I love this guy.  He is so nice to me, and so nice to our kids, and so nice to his family, and to everyone else he comes into contact with.

 

At the funeral, Mike's mom's cousin (not sure how that translates.  1st cousin once removed?) said to me, "He's too good to be true."

 

And it's completely true.  I love my Michael.

Goats!

When we were in St. Louis, we decided to make a trip to Grant's farm to see the animals and let the kids feed the baby goats.

This is me and Charlie (before he had a blowout diaper, covering himself, me, and the Moby wrap).  He liked eating the wrap.  :)

The whole trip was worth it, if only to hear Andrew's laughter when he first got into the pen and the goats started eating his shirt.  He sounded so sweet, and had such a good time.

Emily looked so cute in her "pretty pants" and followed the goats around the pen saying, "Hi goats!"

She was a little concerned when the goats started eating, because they got so excited.  She liked to watch while I fed them.

It wouldn't be a trip to Grant's farm without one parent or the other having to rescue at least one kid from the over-excited goats.  He was fine, but they were a little stampy with those hooves.

Little Fish

We were in St. Louis last week for the funeral and stayed in a hotel.  The kids were excited to hit the pool.

Charlie just chilled in his suit and took a nap.

 Em loved the pool (and looked remarkably cute in her pink suit) but REALLY loved the hot tub.  "Mama, I want relax."  Then she'd lay back and float while one of us held her up.  This girl is just too much!!  :)

I was there.

Andrew had such a blast, and tried swimming for the first time really.  A funny story - I was pretending there were sharks, fish, etc in the water and would quickly move away with him while saying, "Ahhhh!!! A shark!!!"  Then he said, "No, Mommy.  It's just a fish that not bite.  They just swimmin' and sayin' hi."

G.Q.B.

Stands for GQ Baby.  And he is so very cute in everything he wears.  Even if he looks freaked out in this photo.