Total Devastation

If you follow me on Twitter or Facebook then you probably know that my family lost some land in wildfires that are raging rapidly in Texas.  There is a resort community in this area called The Cliffs.  My mom and dad own land here, as well as timeshare in the condos. 

Here is a video from one of our local news channels, WFAAS Channel 8.  This was the footage taken lst night from the wildfires.  You will see that they talk about some apratments that were engulfed in the flames, well these are actually the condos we stay in.  You will see the firetruck backing into a cul-de-sac - well mom and dad's land is the left corner of the cul-de-sac.  So this video shows us our worst fear - the land that my parents were set to build their retirement home on, and the condos where we have learned to love as a 2nd home are gone. 



If you read this post from a few weeks ago then you know that we were just here.  It was a mini-vacation to a place that we love to go.  The pictures and video of Emmalee laughing were taken inside the very condo that is now ash.  The picture of Emmalee and my mom was taken right in front of their land - land that is now charred and burned. 

But today we are also thankful - we are thankful that we didn't lose a home or lose precious possessions like many others lost yesterday.  But we are also spending the day in prayer for those that have lose everything and those that do live in the community.  We pray that the fires are put out quickly and that the homes currenlty threatened are saved.

New Weeknight Favs

This past week we tried some great new Cooking Light recipes. 

The first one we tried was the Buffalo Chicken Thighs.  The magazine has the recipe for blue cheese mashed potatoes as a side, but I just made regular ole' smashed potatoes. 

This was a really great and easy way to make chicken.  It has great flavor, but wasn't too hot.  Of course if you like it super spicy you can just add more hot sauce.  For us, the timing in the over that the recipe called for wasn't long enough.  I had to cook our chicken about 5 minutes longer - so just cut into your chicken before serving to make sure its completely cooked.
You can find the complete recipe here. 

The second recipe was incredibly delicious - Brant and I both couldn't stop eating it.  It was Barbeque Chicken Pizza.  The original recipe can be found here, but I changed ours up a bit. 

This pizza had a great crispy crust, and delicious savory, yet sweet taste.  Brant and I both agreed that we would definitely make this again! Here is how I cooked the pizza.

1 Tube of pizza dough crust.  Cook as directed on the package.

1/2 lb. chicken breast - you can use more, but I just used 2 breasts since there is just 2 of us.  Dice the chicken into small pieces, then pan sear it with a little olive oil.  Season with a small bit of salt and pepper.  Once it is completely cooked, toss it in just a bit of BBQ sauce.

Once the pizza crust is ready, smear the dough with BBQ sauce.  Scatter the chicken on the crust.

Slice on yellow bell pepper, 1 orange pepper and thinly slice red onion (I just used 1/2 of a large one).  Put the pepper and onion on the pizza.  Top with shredded mozerella and sharp cheddar.  Brant and I are not huge fans of blue cheese, so I used mozerella and some sharp cheddar for that good"cheesey" flavor. 

Bake at 500 degrees for about 10 minutes or until the cheese is completely melted.

I cannot tell you how wonderful this pizza was.  I insist that you try it, but make it your own.  Tell me how you made it and let me know what you think!

Discipline

So, did you hear about the mom who was found guilty of child abuse for making her son drink hot sauce?   Y'all knew I was going to bring this up, right?  The legal side of me and the mom side of me are mixed into one, so how could I resist talking about this? 

If you haven't heard the story, then you must not watch the news!  This Alaska mother of 6 was found guilty of one count of child abuse for making her son drink hot sauce, a discipline tactic she admitted to when she appeared on the Dr. Phil show.  Apparently this mother made her son (who was adopted at the age of 5) take cold shower, drink hot sauce, and even do jumping-jacks until he was exhausted.  I am incredibly intrigued by this story, so I just thought I would share a few of my thoughts.

First of all, please note that I am not condoning this mother's discipline methods.  My questions simply lie within the rights of a parent.  In my opinion there is a line between discipline and abuse, and I'm not sure the mother crossed it.  This mother had gone on the Dr. Phil show in order to get help in how to make her son obey.   She wanted HELP!  She realized that the methods she was using were not getting the desired result - even when she used hot sauce.  Granted, I was not in the court room and did not hear all of the prosecution's testimony; however,  I know that raising children can be hard.   

I guess my ultimate question (and fear) lies in this - at what point does the government have the right to step in and dictate how parents discipline their children?  In the past I remember hearing so many stories about parents who spanked their child in public and then saw CPS on their doorstep.  These are our children, and don't we as parents, have the right to say how WE discipline them?  My parents spanked me, washed my mouth out with soap, made me sit in time out, grounded me - you name it - but not once did they even come close to "abusing" me.  So what is the line - at what point does the government get to say "Hey, you can't do that?" 

Anyways, I know I'm rambling but these are just my thoughts.  This mother is due to be sentenced soon and faces up to one year of jail.  I think it will be very interesting to see what her punishment is.  What are your thoughts on discipline?  Did this mom go too far?

Want to know more about this, or watch the Dr. Phil video?  Click here. 

A Day of Firsts

Today was Emmalee's 4 month checkup. Dr. Hull, our pediatrician, said she has hit every milestone she is supposed to, so she is right on track with her development.

Dr. Hull asked me if we had an excersaucer and I said yes, but we hadn't put Em in it yet. She said we should try letting her sit in it because she thought the colors and toys would really stimulate and capture her attention. So as soon as we got home, this momma went to work setting up the Baby Einstein Activity Jumper...and this little girl loved it!

At first she just studied all the "stuff."

But as soon as she realized all of these toys were her "friends," she was thrilled! She just laughed and played.

She started "talking" to all of her new friends. It was so stinkin' cute!

Dr. Hull also said we could start eating cereal. The past week or so, I think Em has definitely figured out what "food" is. Every time Brant and I sit down to eat she just stares at our food. Last night Brant went to got us a banana fudge sundae. As soon as he handed it to me, Em's eyes got huge and she started grabbing for it. How in the world does my 4 month old know how delicious a sundae is? Oh well, I was just thrilled we got the ok to begin solids.

Here goes nothing!

Getting ready for our first bite!

YUMMMM!!!

One full and happy girl!

It seems like Emmalee is doing something new every day. I am really loving this age and watching her develop more and more.

3 Month Photoshoot

Last month Sister did 3 month photos of Emmalee Caroline. Amanda did such an amazing job, as always. Go take a look here and see for yourself!

Weekend at PK

Well Brant, Emmalee and I took a little trip to Possum Kingdom Lake this weekend. My mom and dad have land in The Cliffs, but until they actually build the lake house, they get to go stay in the condos for a full week every year. They are gracious enough to invite us out each time they go. PK is far enough away to feel like you're out of town, but close enough that it takes less than 2 hours to get there.

We were going to spend most of the day on the lake, but it started raining about 2 am on Saturday and didn't stop until mid-morning. But considering we desperately needed the rain, we were just fine with it! So, we ate some breakfast and let Emmalee play. She was having fun with tummy time.

After about 10 minutes, she was finished!

But she just wanted to picked up!

Once the clouds rolled out, Granda and I decided to take Em on a walk. We had lots of fun and saw some deer and all kinds of little animals.

But the best sight of all was toward the end of our walk when we saw this 8-point just sitting under some brush. How beautiful is he?

While Granda, EmC and I were on our nature walk, Daddy and Grandad played golf. This is definitely one of their favorite courses to play. It is absolutely beautiful.





We did get on the lake for an hour or so late in the afternoon. After dinner, Brant, Em and I headed home so that we could be at church Sunday morning. We have an absolute blast. This is definitely one of our favorite "close" vacation places.

But while we were there, Granda got Emmalee laughing. She has laughed for me and Brant before, but she was cracking us up at PK. Here's a peek at Em!




I hope your weekend was a fabulous as ours!

Look Who is 4 Month Old!

UPDATED:

That's right, my sweet little baby is getting so big and growing up so fast.

Emmalee,
I don't really call you my newborn any more because you are growing everyday. You are constantly discovering new things and love to explore everything around you. I cannot believe that four month has already gone by - it seems like just yesterday I was waiting for you to make your appearance.

You are definitely a growing girl. At your 4 month checkup you weighed 13 lbs. and 9 oz (which is the 50 percentile) and you are 26" long (95%). You are still in size 1 diapers and you wear a mixture of 0-3 and 3-6 month clothes, but all of your pj's are 3-6 because you are way too long for the 0-3 size.

You now have momma's milk and formula, and typically eat 5-6 oz. every 4 hours. You have started waking up again in the middle of the night, but its usually just once because you're hungry. As soon as I feed you, you're back to sleep. Momma and Daddy wake you up around 7 in the morning and you go to bed around 9:00. You are a very easy baby to put to sleep because you, usually, put yourself to sleep. At your checkup, Dr. Hull said that you get to start eating cereal. You have had it 3 times now and you love it! You are learning how to eat with a spoon very quickly.

You still love your bath, but you really love to talk and play. You love to watch the TV and Baby Einstein because you think the characters are talking to you. You LOVE to be talked to and to listed to people talk - I'm not quite sure where you got that from. You seem to no longer be content to just lay on the floor, now you want to arch your back and scoot around. You are grabbing at objects and toys, and of course they go straight to your mouth.

A few firsts this month:

- You started taking formula
- You rolled over from your back to your tummy, all by yourself!
- You started sitting in your Bumbo chair.
- You had your 1st sleepover with Granda and Grandad
- You started laughing out loud

You are still one of the sweetest, most content babies I have ever met. Momma and Daddy's love for you continues to grow each and every day. We love coming home to your sweet smiling face and big blue eyes. You are, and will forever be, the light of our lives!

I love you Emmalee Caroline,
Momma

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Dear Perfect Person...

...are you out there?

I know that I have been completely absent from blogging lately, but life is pretty stressful right now. I told you a few weeks ago that I have just started a new job, and that is going wonderfully. I still enjoy what I do and the hours are so much better. I love getting to spend my evenings with Emmalee. She seems to be growing up so fast. But as soon as she goes to bed, Brant and I are at the computer trying to find our perfect person.

Ms. Regina is Emmalee's caregiver. She is so incredibly wonderful and has in-home care for children. Two of our other dear friends have their children in Ms. Regina's care too. Regina has loved Emmalee like her own for the past 2 months and I have never once had to worry about my daughter's care when she is with Regina. But sadly, Ms. Regina is going back to work in the corporate world. At first, I wanted to be angry, but I couldn't be. She wasn't looking to go back to work - the Lord simply brought her an incredible opportunity that would enable her to provide financially for her family. I understand that - there is a reason I sit in an office all day long - its not because I want to. Its because, as a mother, we do what we have to in order to provide.

So I have never once felt any anger, just sadness...and stress! when I was pregnant, finding Regina was easy because she had an opening, we have amazing recommendations from two families and we immediately connected with her during our interview. But finding another Regina has proven almost impossible. There always seems to be something that I don't like - whether its their personality, their home, the number of kids they are already keeping, or their care schedule...its always something. So then we thought about the idea of a nanny-share with other friends, but then you have to deal with the government and taxes...and that just seems like a headache.

So right now, we have a friend keeping Em until we find something permanent. Mine and Brant's prayer has been that the Lord bring the perfect person for our, and mostly Emmalee's needs. As a mom, I won't leave my child with just anyone.

So Ms. Regina, you will be deply missed, but know that we wish you the absolute BEST for the future!

Rosie the Riveter

This is what I feel like these days - Rosei the Riveter - trying to balance my life as a wife, mother but work a full-time job as well.

After Emmalee was born and I went back to work, I, like I know so many other moms, felt guilty about leaving her. It was an extremely emotional time for me - this was my sweet baby girl and I was leaving her. But I had full confidence in the private sitter Brant and I chose, and day-by-day the guilt faded away.

However, I hated the fact that I worked almost an hour away from home. My days started at 6 when I got out of bed, made my cup of joe, then got myself ready. At 7, I work Emmalee up, dressed her, fed her, spent a little one-on-one time with her, then we left the house by 8. Dropped her off with Ms. Regina at 8:20, then headed to the office. Worked from 9-6, then get home to my husband and baby around 7. Walk in the door, feed a starving Emmalee, fix dinner, eat around 8, clean the kitchen, put Em to bed, go to bed and get ready to do it all over again. After a few weeks, I was okay to be working, but I hated that I lost so much time during the day with Emmalee.

So I started looking at what else was out there, and was incredibly fortunate to receive a job offer just a few short weeks into my search. I got the privilege of going to work for a large, reputable company who values family. I am only about 20 minutes from home now, but I get to set my own hours. Brant and I both leave the house around 7:30 and both get home around 5:30. I finally get to relax in the evenings and play with Emmalee - I usually get a good 3 hours with her before she goes to bed.

I won't lie, I still have some guilt about working, but its what my family needs. At this moment, I can just be thankful that the Lord answered our prayers and provided something 1) with a pay raise, 2) a family-friendly job (which my law firm was NOT), 3) much closer to home, and 4) with better hours. Brant and I feel blessed that I was given this opportunity.

So, if you want to know why I have been on blog hiatus, its because I have been busy with a new job, enjoying fixed dinner for my family (that now eats around 6), and playing with the sweetest baby girl I know! Life, for the Williams, is good!

Cheesy Meatloaf

So this week has been cleanout the refrigerator and pantry week. I didn't go grocery shopping on Sunday like I normally do, so I've been "throwing" meals together. On Tuesday, I made a DELICIOUS meatloaf! Brant and I both loved it and the flavors were so savory. I had this mini-meatloaf recipe from Cooking Ligh, so I used it as a guide. But here is MY version of Cheesy "Clean-out the Pantry" Meatloaf!

Ingredients:
1lb ground beef (use as lean as possible - I used sirloin)
1/3 cup crushed cheese n' herb flavored crutons
1 TBSP EVOO
1 onion, chopped
2 TBSP minced garlic
3/4 c ketchup - use 1/2 cup in the meat mixture, then use 1/4 on top)
handful of shredeed parmeassan cheese
handful of shredded sharp cheddar
1 tsp oregano
1 TBSP dijon mustard
1 egg lightly beaten
good pinsh of salt and fresh ground black pepper

Directions:
Turn on the oven to 425. Grease or spray your bread pan.
Heat your EVOO in a skillet and saute your onions and garlic for about 5 minutes.
All all ingredients into a bowl and mix well.
Put in bread pan. Bakc for 25 minutes. Then put the remaining ketchup on top of the loaf. Bake for 15-20 more minutes.

I cannot tell you how wonderful this was! I am SURE to make it again.

My Advice...on Marriage!

Today Kelly's Korner is going a blog-hop on marriage advice. If you look at my post from Wednesday here, you'll see that Brant and I just celebrated 4 years of marriage - and it has been the best 4 years of my life!

Although I am by far no expert on marriage, I do have a few tidbits I try to live by in order to make marriage a happy one.

1) PICK YOUR BATTLES
I hate fighting, and to me, there is nothing worse than fighting all the time. In marriage, I think you have to pick your battles. Don't fight over the small stuff because its just that - small stuff. I have a friend who gets mad (and stays mad) over the silliest things, yet she wonders why she can't have a long-term relationship. Who wants to be with someone who gets angry and yells because you didn't say "I love you" when they hung up the phone? So pick your battles wisely!

2) TREAT EACH OTHER WITH RESPECT
Respect is one of things that every one of us expects, but don't always give. As a wife, I have to respect my husband, but I also expect him to respect me. We value each others' opinions and listen to what the other one has to say. If you don't then our marriage would fall apart. How can you have a bonded relationship with someone if you don't have respect for them?

3) KEEP IT SPICY
I think, or at least I hope, this one speaks for itself. But just in case you need some help do on a date, have a night out (w/out kids), put one some "cute" pj's...the stuff that keeps is fun!

4 Years of Bliss

Today Brant and I are celebrating our 4th wedding anniversary. It seems like just the other day when we said "I do", but in some ways it feels like a lifetime ago because it just a few 4 years, so much has happened.

We began a life together.

We bought a house!

We have welcomed nephews into the world and spoiled the other niece and nephews. We have watched them grow and seen the Lord at work in their lives.

We have been through tragedies. We've buried and grieved for loved ones.

WE (yes we because I helped) have gotten Master's degrees and are working on a second!

We have supported each other through lost jobs and new beginnings.


We have traveled to marvelous places like Cancun and Hawaii.

(Yep - that me definitely pregnant in Hawaii)


We struggled for 2 years with an emotional journey of infertility.

But we cried tears of joy when we saw our prayers were answered.
And we sang His praises when this precious angel came into the world and changed our lives forever.

Mr. Williams, I love you more today than when I said "I do" those 4 short years ago. You have loved me unconditionally and supported me through the good times and bad. You are my very best friend and I cannot wait for the next 4 years, and the 40 after that! I will love you for the rest of my life.

3 Months

Oh Sweet Love of Mine,
You are three months old and you have stolen my heart away. Don't get me wrong, you stole my heart the very day you were born, but these days have been so very special. You definitely know your momma and daddy and you love having us around. When strangers hold you, you look to make sure one of us is near. Sometimes, you get a little fussy and settle down as soon as your in my arms - its over joys my heart that you know your momma's touch.

Your sweet smile lights up any room and your "talking" is such sweet music. Your daddy and I can listen to you talk all day long, and still yearn to hear more. I still can't believe how lucky I am to be your momma.

You still go to bed around 9:00, but you sleep through the night now and wake up between 6 and 7. You eat about 4 ounces every 4 hours - usually 2 bottle during the day, but I feed you whenever I can. You have started going to Mrs. Regina's everyday while Momma and Daddy work. You love being around the other kids and Mrs. Regina loves holding and spoiling you. We are so lucky to have found someone so great to watch you during the day.

We have started letting you watch Baby Einstein videos and you love all the music and colors. You enjoy your tummy-time more and more each day and can prop yourself up on your forearms. You still love your swing and you like to be propped up so you can see everything going on around you. You still love your bath and any kind of water. We read books as often as we can and you love to read books at Mrs. Regina's house too.

My sweet little one, you continue to be the joy of our lives. It has only been 3 months since you came into this world, but I don't remember what life was like without you. This has been the best 3 months and I cannot wait to spend the next 3 month, 3 years, 3 decades with you. You delight my soul and fill our lives with gladness.

I love you my sweet angel,
Momma

Begging for Your Prayers

This morning I write begging you for your prayers. I found this blog yesterday from a prayer request on Twitter. This sweet couple prayed for a precious child and their prayers were finally answer, only have a tumor invade their child's body. Today, they take their child home to surround him with love the last days of his life.

As a mother, I sit here in tears this morning - my heart breaking in pieces for this mother and father. I honestly cannot imagine the pain and heartbreak they are feeling. I look at my sweet sleeping daughter and can't saying goodbye to her. Seeing her sweet grin while she sleeps makes my heart swell with joy, but I cannot fathom being this mother knowing that the smile you see may be the last.

So pray with me. Pray that this family has complete peace and comfort. Pray that they are surround with family, love and support. Pray that this sweet baby feels no pain, but that he goes to the arms of his Creator peacefully.