Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Babies and more Babies!

I want to congratulate two amazing people in my lives:  Heather B. (like grade school) got a teaching job for 7th grade... we both will be in the same "twilight zone"  emotions and germs on legs.  =]   And then my dear friend Rebecca had her baby girl yesterday!  (Gideon has another beautiful girl to choose from in about 20+ years!).



This is the most adorable child I know.  OKay, I'm a bit bias... but I can't help myself!

Playing drums with daddy - or trying to shove the drum stick in his mouth... 

went swimming, and this time he enjoyed it!  He played for over an hour! 

Daddy and baby swimming! 

Pretty much he's the coolest.  

The kiddos from small group:
Sam = 1 month, Gideon = 4 months, Zoey = 7 months, John = 10 months, Zach = 28 months, and James = 35 months!  We love our small group family! 


That's about it for the update.  I'm going to go work on stuff for my classroom!  Hope everyone has a good evening.  Also, on youtube I've started a channel to upload videos (because I can't do it on facebook anymore/takes too long).   I'm gideonsmom12   

Sunday, June 24, 2012

Oops - forgot the salt!

Gideon is 16 weeks old, as of last Friday.  I still can't believe at how quickly time passes when you have a little one.   I am sitting here thinking that I'll be teaching soon and how unprepared I feel.  Everyone tells me that I'll do great, that I'm going to be an awesome teacher, they gave me a job - didn't they.  I know I'll be okay, just a very crazy adventure.

Tonight I tried this recipe (from about a month ago, I wanted to do this from our dinner planning blog).  We just are now getting around to it.

Mini Mexi Bites. 

I forgot the salt and the cliantro.  I didn't use a red pepper but a green... and I just used what onions we have.  I used "block" cheese that I chopped up... not shredded.  Soooo.. we'll see how this taste.  However, I only used one pie crust (made 12 "quiches").  And that took up the whole mixture....  so we'll see.

I think I might serve them with a salad.  I don't really know what they will go with.. some fruit for sure.  We need some salsa to serve with it.     They will be ready in about 13 minutes.  So, for now I'm going to go read and hang out with Gideon (he's been playing on his own nicely).

Have a great start to the week!  

UPDATE:
the mini mexi bites were pretty good (not as filling as I would have hoped).  Jeremiah said that he wanted meat with it (so maybe great breakfast with meat and fruit).   By the time the baked Gideon and I were able to finish 6 books!  He likes to read.

Because we were still hungry I wanted a salad, but that didn't sound good so I decided to do this "health" smoothie.

Green Smoothie   I was very sneaky.  At the end it just says fruit + green + water = awesome healthy smoothie.

I did two banana, 1 cup blackbeeries and a little over 1 cup blue berries, a few ice cubes, a little water and two great big handfulls of spinach.  It was really yummy.  I could taste the bananas and the blackberries made it a bit gritty. But over all so good and it was really fast... and not to mention how HEALTHY it was.

OKay, now off I go!  Goodnight Moon.  

Friday, June 22, 2012

J's Low Carb

Jeremiah is trying to eat very few carbs.  It's personally probably going to be the death of me!  =]  I love my breads and noodles and cookies!

So I'm on a mission to find quick, simple, affordable low carb meals (specifically something that can be in the crock pot).  Here is what I've come up with so far.

Zucchini Lasagna

Italian Vegetable Soup

Or I think I might just come up with something of my own!  Just throw in a bunch of ingredients we already have in the house, those make the best soups!

Megan's Amazing Beef and Vegetable Soup:

Ingredients:
Roast - we had left over roast from crock-pot roast and veggies.  So I diced up the left overs (about 2+ cups full)
Carrots - I used the left over carrots from the roast as well.  Chopped them.  2 cups
Celery - two celery stalks diced/thinly sliced
Corn - one can
rotel - one can
onion - half of a yellow onion diced
green beans - fresh from my mom's garden, cleaned about 2 cups
northern light beans - one can
tomato sauce - one can
chicken broth - about two cups
water - enough to make soup
spices - cayenne pepper, basil, oregano, and pepper

Put everything in the crock pot/slow cooker.  Cook on low for 8 hours.  Stir every few hours, add water if you need to make it "more soupy"

Note: We didn't add potatoes for Jeremiah is trying to watch his carb/eating healthy.  I just went through my pantry/refrigerator and added vegetables we liked.  Though about using peas instead of the beans, you could use probably any kind of bean of your choice (to make it heartier).  Add as little or as much vegetables or sauce to taste.  Although Jeremiah really enjoyed this soup the possibilities are endless!

The same day I made the soup (Thursday) we also made omelets for lunch!  YUMMY!!  We put sliced ham and green peppers in ours.  We cooked the peppers and ham together.  Such a cheap idea!



Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Gideon is 15 weeks, and then some.

Our little guy is not so little anymore.    Every baby we have encountered so far seems tiny next to Gideon.  Okay, he's healthy... but it's not really his cute cheeks or his round tummy... it's the fact his head is HUGE.  We have a doc appointment in a few weeks, and we will surely know then if it's all good.  He's such a goober though.

He's still trying to sit up.  His head is hard to keep up though (too large we think).  But everyday is better than the first.  He no longer coos, but "speaks".  I tell him to use his words and he moves his mouth and tries... usually comes out in clicks, spits, and gurgles now.  Still darling.   He has been developing a laugh and I hope that one day he know why he's laughing!






We had a great time visiting family in OK last week!  All the above pictures are Gideon with some of his 2nd or 3rd cousins.  We really aren't for sure how they are related!  =]   Their momma's are my second cousins...so go with that!  It was a very lovely day!





The last four pictures were of Father's Day!  They day started out wonderfully.  We were on our way to a picnic up north of us about 1.5 hours away to see my mom's side of the family.  About half way there, Jeremiah's car started shaking like crazy!  HORRIBLE SHAKE.  So we pulled off at the next little town, checked the oil and went on our way.  Still shook, so we drove reallly really really slow.    Come to find out, it was his tires... we had to drive all the way home on a donut.   Our trip turned an extra hour long!    Monday, we dropped almost a grand on getting everything fixed up.  =[  very not happy day.    BUT fathers day went well.  Got to see my almost 80 year old grandpa.  Got to see my grandma (she's the one going through cancer) and of course other great family.  



I hope you can view the video.... it was Gideon and I's gift to Jeremiah (very last minute and tossed together).

Well, I have lots to do right now.  So off I go!  Gideon says hi!

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Healthy Living

Gideon is almost 15 weeks old!  or 3.5 month.  It's cray how fast everything is going.  He's such an amazing wonder to me every day.

As I stress out about school, my new job, I can always look at his face and it brings a calmness to me.  Knowing that I am doing the one thing I am supposed to be - being a good mother.  I'll be a great teacher too, just have to find that routine and toss these gitters.

Jeremiah not only has been working, going to summer school (Trig online = no fun = long nights).  But he recently started doing P90x!   This morning was his third day!  We are so very proud of him.  I am still trying to walk/run/jog as much as possible.  With time they weight is coming off!

I wanted to post a few pictures for my readers.

This is Samuel Titus born early June. 

Gideon is 3 months older than Sam - and bigger too!   
Gideon was passed out the whole time we visited. 

The next day we went for a drive to meet Connor.  
Connor is only a month younger than Gideon.  
At first, they didn't want anything to do with each other. 

But then once they saw each other, they started being wiggely and trying to hit each other
(notice Cassie holding Connor's hands down)  It was cute! 

This is currently, right now, what our baby is doing.  He kicked us out of bed (don't worry, we don't co-sleep, he comes to play with us in the morning, I'm lazy, and then he goes back to sleep and I get up!) He pulls his own covers up to his head.  Silly adorable boy!   

I'm going to go check on that cute face! 

Dinner and food:  We are still doing awesome with cooking/grilling.  with J doing p90x (a workout) he is eating healthy too.  I'm still just counting calories.   Yesterday we made Chicken faijatas, Monday night we grilled Salmon and hamburgers with Craig and the Gill family.  Friday Gideon and I went to a picnic that my mom was providing for some volunteers (we brought Jeremiah home the extra).    Sunday we did eat out - used coupons though so really cheap!  Jeremiah wanted to have his "last super" of junk food before he started his workout on Monday.   Tonight is small group and I'm going to make spaghetti.   Jeremiah will have leftovers or make vegetables and chicken.  He can't have carbs, sugar and very little sodium.

I suppose that's it.  I need to go edit some pictures before little guy wakes up to eat and play!

Have a good week everyone.  Won't be on in a few days.  Going to my classroom tomorrow, to buy my first pair of running shoes, then Friday we are going to OK to see family, Sunday is father's day!   So we'll see you next week!  Also Gideon is looking forward to spending time with Grandma Marlene. She's been visiting her parents (my grandparents) while my grandma starts radiation/chemo.  So keep her in your prayers.  

xoxo
The Jones'

Friday, June 8, 2012

One Tired Momma

Yesterday I got to see Beth before she moved with her hubby to a new state!  Her adventure is about to begin!   Last night I made something very simple and affordable.  Green beans, potatoes, ham.  Nothing special.

I thinly sliced the potatoes and fried them in a hot skillet with 1/4 cup of olive oil.  Salt and pepper to taste.
While the potatoes are frying, I had canned green beans in another pan cooking.
After the potatoes are browned/done I fried the ham to warm and brown the sides.  Then serve.

Yummy, simple and fast!

Today:
Lunch was leftovers J had the lasagna and I had the leftover rice and chicken a la caroilla.  Tonight I am taking Gideon to the park to have a picnic that my mom prepared for some volunteers in the area.  Jeremiah will have to 'fend' for himself!  I might bring him some food too =]

I signed my contract yesterday.  I'm officially a teacher now!  How cool is that!   Still a bit nervous on how this year is going to go.  But I'm sure it will be great!

Short entry - going to try to sneak a nap in while Gideon is asleep.    Jeremiah and I have been staying up till about 2am working on his trig online class homework.  I'm getting too old for this =]

Everyone have a good day!

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Remember to eat, pray, love

Eat, Pray, Love is an excellent book... but they are also some very basic things up there with breathe.

Remember to breathe.

Pray:
Jeremiah has started summer school and it's getting a bit crazy with him trying to work and everything as well.   Just need him to trust in God in with knowing what is our plan.

My grandmother has been sick (well, just not feeling well) and has been losing weight for several weeks now.  She FINALLY went and got everything checked out.  They found a tumor in her gastric tubes (not for sure where or apart of her stomach or what).  So please continue to pray for her health.

Our friends had their baby on Saturday, however, Michelle is not doing well.  Bronchitis and normal new mother aliments.  Pray that she will heal quickly and be able to fully enjoy time with her new son.

I go in for my final interview tomorrow with one of the human resource people.  I know it will be fine, but I need God to give me courage to do what and say what I should and sign that contract!  I also need some guidance with one of my friends.  God knows what is going on with her and I - I just wish he would inform me and help me to make the right decisions and to do the right things... as of right now, I am currently waiting (for her).

Love:
Our son.  Period.   No matter how tough life gets or crazy or stressing, seeing him cry, smile, laugh and play always makes it worth it.  I love my husband, family, friends and even career and photography and traveling.  But there is nothing like the love a mother has for their child.  Agape.

Eat:
Today, we already broke our rule and had subway for lunch.  I was busy with pictures, gideon and the house and didn't know what to make that was "light", simple and healthy.  Subway is always worth it.  Tonight was going to be small group but too many people are gone/sick/coming home from a trip (Have Justin get home safely).  Jeremiah needed to do homework so we decided to cancel.  I made Lasagna.

Let's see how it taste!   It says there is 500 calories per serving!  It better be yummy!  =]

UPDATE:  Jeremiah and I both really liked the Lasagna I made (which was challenging with an upset baby... but it did get done!).  I made a few personal changes.  While browning the meat I tossed in one small onion and half of a tomato (it needed to be used).  I also did a dash of cayenne pepper.  I also shredded my own mozzarella and because I'm cheap I only used 10 noodles (box at 20, save for next time) and did two layers.  Next time I think I will use more sauce, or add more tomatoes/paste into the browned meat.  Overall it was really good and I was happy with it.

Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Gideon = 3 months old (and then some)

Gideon turned 3 months old on Saturday June 2nd!  It's a very special day because our dear friends Dan and Michelle welcomed their beautiful baby boy - Sam T - into this world too!    It's a very special day!

Gideon is becoming such a handsome man.  His smile (hard to catch on camera) melts my heart.  His hugs and spit up make me laugh.  He's just terrific.  He still talks/coos a lot.  He's trying to laugh a lot more.  He's sleeping through the night (with some struggles here and there... we think he might be getting close to teething).   He can sit up with support, hold on to things/grab them/hit them.   He still rolls over and holds his head up and he tries to stand all the time!  He's going to be moving soon.

Some of these pictures you might have seen before - but they are just too cute!  I have to post them again.

This was him playing with daddy!  We have a video of him saying "I Love You Too"   okay, it's probably all in our proud parent minds... but he's talking! 

This is the priceless upset face.  He can get that bottom lip out pretty far! 

"Woooweee, that bottle filled me up!"

June 1, 2012 I got to be apart of Beth and Todd's lovely wedding.  Mom brought Gideon to see us!  So happy for them. 

Saturday June 2nd we went and picked blueberries with Grandma Marlene.  He is holding one in his right hand (and didn't squish it).  He then went off to sleep all on his own - no fussing! 

June 5th - Daddy and Gideon's first time "swimming" at Great-Grandma Melinda's pool.  He only lasted about five minutes, but the water was pretty cool.... I didn't even get in.  But look at how tight he is holding on to J..... "Daddy, don't let me go!" 

As you can see we have had a pretty busy start to June so far!  

Jeremiah also started summer school on Monday.  and I have pictures I need to edit!  So off I go while little man is asleep! 



No eating out... again

Before our precious Gideon came alone we went I believe 2.5 weeks without eating out.  Talk about saving money!  I'm really going to try my best to do that again.  If we can go with only eating out twice a month, we would be rich!  Okay, maybe not rich....but at least we will be healthier.

Today was very productive.  Before noon I did all the laundry, swept the kitchen, emptied the dishwasher, washed bottles and other few dishes by hand, played with GX, ran my ct5k (2.25 miles), organized and sized GX clothes, made the bed/clean our room, and started on lunch!  AWESOME!!

Lunch:
Ham, Egg, Cheese, Biscuit sliders.  Very easy and affordable.
Ham was $6.00 for a pound - used maybe an ounce... so less than 50 cents for the whole bit,
Five eggs - another 50 cents
Three slices of cheese - another 50 cents
Biscuits, can of 10 off brand - possibly 25 cents.

Cooked the eggs on a low temp skillet until one side was done and then flipped.  I did break the yolks but did not scramble!  While cooking the eggs I baked the biscuits.  After the eggs were done I tossed in the ham slices to warm.  Combine into little sandwiches!  

I also served green grapes with this meal and Jeremiah made him self some chocolate milk.  It was really easy, cheap and pretty good (specialy if you like breakfast for other meals)!

Tonight Jeremiah has to work until 10:30+ so I threw something in the crock pot for us to eat. It's called Chicken a la Criolla.  I didn't put olives in it and used other type of tomatoes.  Might have added too much garlic too!  We shall see!   It kinda reminds me of chicken faijatas, but with different seasoning.

You basically chop all the ingredients (I just put the chicken in the bottom) and cook them together.  It says it is good served over rice.  So I will make some rice to go with it.    We'll let you know how everything taste!

UPDATE:  This chicken is not worth  making again.   It might have tasted better with a package of fajitas seasoning in with it or something.   Or just use pretty much the same ingredients and make fajitas.  It just didn't have much flavor.  It was pretty bland.  Not something going to keep!

Crock Pot Chicken a la Criolla
Skinnytaste.com
Servings: 5 • Size2 thighs + vegetables & sauce • Old Points: 5 pts  Points+: 5 pts*
Calories: 211 • Fat: 6.2 g • Protein: 28.8 g • Carb: 9.9 g • Fiber: 1.9 g • Sugar: 2.1 g
Sodium: 447 mg (without salt)  
 

Ingredients:

  • 10 (2 lbs) skinless boneless chicken thighs, fat trimmed
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 1 garlic clove, crushed
  • 1 bell pepper, chopped or sliced
  • 4 plum tomatoes
  • 2 tbsp alcaparrado or pitted spanish olives
  • 8 oz can tomato sauce
  • 1/4 tsp oregano
  • 1/4 tsp cumin
  • salt to taste
  • 1-2 bay leaf
  • 1/4 cup chopped cilantro (plus 2 tbsp more for serving)