Old Pictures

Our friend Dan was able to fix my Dell laptop that has been sitting for almost three years broken. I am incredibly thankful to him because it had numerous letters between Jerry and I from our China days that had not been stored elsewhere. There were also lots of pictures I had not saved on our external hard drive. Below are a few of the lost treasure that was found...the most important ones recovered were those of my pregnancy with Miriam, but those I will save for another day. Here are to some good memories not in chronological order...

Matt and Seyan's wedding

Hanging out with Angela and Ryan in Thailand

Jonathan and Leslie Poe's wedding

Ryan and Dara's wedding

Mark and Alora's wedding

Graduation dinner at OBU

Saying goodbyes before I left for China

Title Shmitle

After another band of snow showers, we are ready for the sun!

Ems loves to sing!

Who taught this kid how to eat apples?

Memaw gave Emsleigh this cute apron. She loves to wear it while helping in the kitchen or really while doing anything. Notice her blue socks, if they aren't dirty, that is what she chooses to wear. She loves the color "boo."

For some reason the mirror ended up on the table while Emsleigh was eating lunch. So, she watched herself intensely as she ate every bite.

She thought it was so funny.

She loves to look at pictures. Usually in the morning after breakfast she sits down and looks through the picture books in the living room. Here she is looking at pictures of her sister Miriam.

After a million takes, Emsleigh finally smiled for the camera on Sunday morning. All I wanted was one cute picture of us in our purple...

However, later that night when I was in my after church napping clothes, she thought that was the best time to take a picture, so she came a put her arm around me and said "Cheese!" Of course that time there was no camera around.

Thankful for good friends!

Although it was short, we were very thankful for the time we had with our dear friends the Moore's who were in town for a quick weekend visit. Because of weather and time, we hung out at the seminary in a classroom. The girls has fun playing on the white board.

Then we got to spend Friday and Saturday evenings with our friends the Yates. One night was planned, one night was spontaneous, both were super fun!

Don't Forget....

We are going to have a another baby in just about 10 weeks!!!!

This week we...

opened a package from Mimi.

Read books with MeMaw.

Watched "Bob" aka (Veggietales). Isn't she going to be a good big sister?

Snuggled with daddy.

Acted squirrelly.

And enjoyed long bathes since it wasn't so cold!

Happy Valentine's Day

Ok, I know it is a little early, but I just love these pictures so much I couldn't wait anymore!

Isn't this sweet, she loves to read the "Aible."

I love this little girl and she's sending her love to all of you!

She loves you all but not as much as she loves her daddy!

How can you resist this face?!!!

YOU MUST TRY THIS RECIPE!

I hope the fact that I am using precious nap time to write out this recipe will help all of you know how wonderful I think it is. Thanks to Alora for sharing this recipe with me. I enjoy it so much I want you all to have the opportunity to try it!

Dijon Chicken Stew with Potatoes and Kale

4 tsp olive oil divided

2 cups of sliced leek (I used onion)

4 garlic cloves, minced

1/3 c flour

1 1/2 lb skinless, boneless chicken cut into bite size pieces

1/2 tsp of salt, divided

1/2 tsp of pepper, divided

1 cup of white wine (I used chicken broth)

3 cups of chicken broth, divided

1 tb flour

2 cups of water

2 Tb. of Dijon mustard

2 cups of potatoes (I used plain old baking potatoes, and I used two)

8 cups of loosely packed torn kale (the first time I made this I did 8 cups and it was way too much, the second time i made it i just tore kale into the pot until it looked good to me)

Crushed red pepper, optional for topping

1. Heat 1 tsp oil, add leek and saute until tender, add garlic and saute about a minute, empty into a bowl.

2. Place 1/3 c of flour in bowl and dredge chicken in flour shaking off excess. Heat remaining 1 tb of oil in pan and add half of the chicken mixture, sprinkle with 1/8 tsp of salt and 1/8 tsp of pepper, cook until all sides are brown. Add to leek mixture and repeat with rest of chicken. Removing all chicken from the pan.

3. Add wine(or broth) to pan and scrap sides to loosen browned bits. Combine 1 c of chicken broth with 1 tb of flour and whisk until smooth. Add broth mixture, remaining 2 cups of broth, water, and mustard to pan, bring to a boil.

4. Stir in chicken mixture, remaining 1/4 tsp of salt and 1/4 tsp of pepper. Cover, reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes.

5. Stir in potato. Cover and simmer for 30 minutes or until potato is tender.

6. Stir in kale. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes.

7. Garnish with crushed red pepper if you want.

YUMMY!!!!!! And perfect for a cold 4 degree day like today!

A few from this week...

I have been trying to get her to wear a scarf for over month....

Why does my daughter's hair look like Joe Dirt when she wakes up? Where are the CURLS!!??