Dedicated

This post is dedicated to Scott...Happy Anniversary!

Four years ago today we got married and I can't believe how fast its gone by. Here's to the last four years of being married to an amazing man and to the next fifty as well. I am so lucky to be a part of his life and he is a wonderful father and husband.



"What is love? This may be hollywoods version and the interpretation of those who write love songs and love fiction. true love is not wrapped in such flimsy material. one might become immediately attracted to another individual, but love is far more than physical attraction. it is deep, inclusive, and comprehensive. physical attraction is only one of the many elements; there must be faith and confidence and understanding and partnership. there must be common ideas and standards. there must be a great devotion and companionship. love is cleanliness and progress, and sacrifice and selflessness. this kind of love never tires or wanes, but live through sickness, and sorrow, poverty or privation, accomplishment and disappointment, time and eternity"
Spencer W. Kimball

And then there was four...

We are so happy to introduce Henry David Berrett to the Berrett family. He joined us April 9th at 10am. He weighed in at 8 pounds 10 ounces and 20.5 inches long.

The morning he was born, I started having contractions when I woke up and started to get ready to go to the hospital. I told Scott to take his time and shower because they weren't super close and I felt like things wouldn't go very fast. An hour later I really regretted taking our time. We showed up at the hospital at 8am and I was very paranoid they would send me home because I wasn't dilated. she checked me and said I was at a 6- I then asked for an epidural asap- which didn't happen very asap if you ask me.

I think (from what I remember) I didn't get it till after 9am which is a very long time when you are in labor and feeling labor pains. Poor Scott got the brunt of the labor pains...and his hand- I was holding it so tight, you'd think I'd of bruised it.

As soon as I got the epidural they broke my water, had me push four times and little Henry arrived. It all happened very fast but everyone is doing well.

Benson is interested in his brother sometimes but most of the time he goes about his business. Having two kids keeps me on my toes and there are DEFINITELY more diapers to change but I love these boys and am SOO glad not to pregnant anymore!

Spring to Summer

I feel like we skipped spring all together this year. Going from 20 degree weather to 85 really does that to you. Today was so hot that after walking to our car from the library, we decided that water was a must in our next activity for the day.

Oh Baby

Dear Baby Boy,
I know your due date isn't for another week but since your brother was two weeks early, can you please come early as well? and come during the day? and maybe even right now? you will like it here, I promise. You'll have a lot more room to stretch out and you even have a brother ready to play with you.

I would like my body back soon, So please come now.
xoxo,
Your Mother


(i found this video of Benson the day after he was born. )

Chicken Lickin

The last few weeks, dinners in our house have been the same 10 recipes over and over. I don't know why but I hit what I like to call a "Blah" phase...nothing sounds good to cook or eat and I would rather have cold cereal or oatmeal than make dinner. I have been trying to get out of this rut for some time and may have succeeded tonight. Chicken is a staple in our home and so I was glad to find a recipe that was new and had chicken as an ingredient. You should try this recipe I found on myrecipes.com

Grilled Chicken and Pineapple Sandwiches

Ingredients

• 4 (6-ounce) skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• Cooking spray
• 1/4 cup fresh lime juice (about 2 limes)
• 4 (1/2-inch-thick) slices fresh pineapple
• 4 (1.5-ounce) whole wheat hamburger buns, toasted (I used hawaiin sweet rolls)
  
• Light mayonnaise (optional)
• 4 large basil leaves

Preparation

1. Prepare grill.

2. Sprinkle chicken evenly with salt and pepper. Place chicken on grill rack coated with cooking spray; grill 5 to 6 minutes on each side or until done, brushing occasionally with lime juice. Grill pineapple 2 to 3 minutes on each side or until browned.

3. Spread mayonnaise on bottom halves of buns, if desired. Top each with 1 chicken breast half, 1 pineapple slice, 1 basil leaf, and 1 bun top. Serve immediately.

Welcome to New Orleans

So lets be honest, when I don't blog for awhile, it normally means that I'm having a hard time with life and I would rather keep my troubles and trials and struggles in my personal life rather than sharing them with the whole world.

Many people know that we moved to Minnesota for the training part of Scott's job and that we were told within six months we'd be assigned a store to manager. Starting in October we started hearing rumors that we'd be moving before the holidays, and then it was we'd move by the end of last year and then it was by the end of February and then it was the end of April or sometime in May and then it was "You're moving in March to St. Louis" and then three days later it was "No, you aren't moving yet" and then two weeks later it was "You're moving to New Orleans and we need you there in a week".

So for the last few months we have been on edge waiting to hear where we will move and when. This has caused some struggles for us and especially me, because I have had no clue where I would deliver this baby until I was 36 weeks pregnant.

Now we know, and we have moved and Scott has started him job. I finally unpacked the last box this last week and we have (I think) Everything ready for this baby. I found a doctor, a hospital, We've started going to our new ward and I've even had a chance to meet our new neighbors.

We are really enjoying the warm weather, the fresh oranges from the orange trees from our backyard, and i LOVE, LOVE, LOVE seeing green grass.

This is from our second day in being in New Orleans...yes, that is the street I was driving on...I soon will be a professional at driving in 3 feet of snow AND 3 feet of water. We must be destined to live in extreme weather conditions.