Spilling the beans...

Dear Little One,

I wrote down my feelings the day I found out I was pregnant with you. It was very early on a Saturday morning (February 27 to be exact) and I just knew something was different. I climbed out of bed at 5:30 a.m. to take a pregnancy test and within what felt like 2 seconds the test read...PREGNANT. I did a little happy dance, much like that of Hugh Grant in Love Actually, and climbed back into bed. I woke your Father to tell him of the good news but sometimes men aren't overly keen on being woken by a barking dog, a giddy wife and bright lights all around. I laid there for what felt like 3 years trying to fall back asleep. But visions of you and all things baby were too much to allow my mind to sleep.

Leading up to taking the test, I had a very vivid dream of pacing the upstairs hallway from what will be your nursery to the office. In this dream I was holding the sweetest baby boy and in it I could feel how much I loved you even in my sleep. I will always cherish that dream.

It's hard for me to imagine all that will change when you finally arrive and yet I can't comprehend what things will remain the same. I've never experienced anything like pregnancy before. It brings about feelings of apprehension, elation and joy. I feel so blessed to have gotten pregnant so quickly and despite the sometimes endless nausea and exhaustion, it is the most exciting thing I've ever done in my life. I want you to know and always remember that we wanted a baby. We hoped and prayed for our lives to be forever changed by you. We are in awe of God's mercy to allow us to play a very small role in creating your life. He's chosen your body as a place for His spirit to dwell and we are anxiously awaiting getting to see all He's created you to be. I daydream of holding you, what you will look like, the sound of your voice, and your good newborn smell.

So dear son or daughter, stay comfy, grow perfectly in God's image and we'll be here counting down the days until November 5 (or whatever day you chose to arrive).

Love Always,

Your biggest fans!

South of the Border at Home

I love Mexican food! Not that stuff you get at La Thisorthat and El Whatever. I mean real, authentic Mexican food. I remembered an arepa I had in a market while in Napa and I had some leftover pork roast and decided it needed a whole new look. I took some leftover pork loin, fresh corn tortillas, homemade tomatillo salsa, homemade pico de gallo, oaxaca cheese and some fresh chopped cilantro. Next I made myself a big ol' margarita (ok maybe two) and enjoyed my dinner fireside!

Delicioso!

Project 20-10

It's only the end of January and I am finally getting around to sharing my projects for the year. I've just been having too much fun living life! So without further delay...2009, I bid you adieu! Thanks for the memories made and the life lessons learned.

I’ve got a feeling that 2010 is going to be a great year! I’m optimistic because I don’t base my happiness on the state of the economy, the nature of the current political debacle or what others opinions are, but rather the moments in life that are worth remembering and celebrating each day with friends, family and loved ones for God hasn’t given me a spirit of fear!

As I do every year, I’ve decided to give myself a few projects. Here they are in no particular order:

(1) Read the Bible cover-to-cover. I’m happy to report that so far, I’m on track and loving it!

(2) Grow something edible. I’ve been meaning to start a garden for years. This is my year! Check back for updates and photos. I’m praying my green thumb for plants carries over to yielding delicious crops.

(3) Cut the grocery bill. I’ve never given myself a grocery budget. As you all know, I love to cook and I won’t scrimp on the quality of my ingredients. Given that, I’ve been pondering how to cut my grocery bill without eating prepackaged/processed foods (Blech!). I’ll share any tips and progress as it comes.

So there’s the list. Notice there isn’t one project to do with “getting skinny” or “losing weight.” That’s because I am officially cool with me. I eat healthy (90% of the time) and I work out at least 4 days a week. This decade will not be spent obsessing over calories and hovering over the scale. This decade is about being at peace with the person God made me and seeking out the person he wants me to become. I will always strive to be healthy and part of that is learning not to obsess and live a more balanced life.

Join me on this journey of 2010. Watch me succeed, fail and pick myself up again. I hope your 2010 is off to a most fabulous start and is full steam ahead to the best life could offer!

Happy New Year

I wish you Health...

So you may enjoy each day in comfort.

I wish you the Love of friends and family...
And Peace within your heart.

I wish you the Beauty of nature...
That you may enjoy the work of God.

I wish you Wisdom to choose priorities...
For those things that really matter in life.

I wish you Generosity so you may share...
All good things that come to you.

I wish you Happiness and Joy...
And Blessings for the New Year.