The Stavengers

Mommy's Little Rock Stars

2012-02-03T22:06:00.001-06:00

Our weekly playdates resumed at our house this week. Kendall shared "her" instruments with buddy Jasmine and they made some beautiful music together! We mommies were a proud audience indeed!

Little buddy watched the girls, too. Someday soon he'll be pounding away on his own little keyboard :)

A Chuckle A Day...

2012-01-30T23:19:00.000-06:00

Keeping Busy

2012-01-29T00:35:00.001-06:00

I spend a lot of time indoors these days. The snow FINALLY arrived and temps took an abrupt dive, so the kids and I don't venture out much. Therefore, all the projects that have been on the backburner since we moved in now appear on my to-do list. And since I've been feeling exceptionally ambitious/crafty/energetic as of late, they're actually getting DONE! Here's a couple fun ones that I crossed off today...

We got our prints from Carter's newborn photo shoot! I put them in their frames (spray painted from black to white by my wonderful mom) and hung them up in Carter's nursery. Don't worry...I'll be sharing some of the newborn cuteness with you soon.

AND, after enjoying all of our Christmas cards posted in our home this month, I transferred them all to a small binder. I HATE throwing them away each year, and with many friends starting families and boasting small children, I thought it would be fun to watch them grow over the years. Our Christmas card from this year went on top and...voila! Christmas 2011 is in the books!

Who Needs Sleep Anyway?

2012-01-18T12:00:00.001-06:00

Different isn't necessarily a good thing.
I heard from a lot of people that having a boy would be "different, but good".
Well, THIS boy is VERY different than his sister, and not in the best way.

This is the face of colic:

From the hours of 10 p.m. to 1 a.m., approximately, my smallest child SCREAMS his lungs out, with no apparent avenue to console him.
It's tiring.
It's frustrating.
But it's temporary.
I've somewhat adapted to my new three-hours-of-sleep-a-night routine, with the help of coffee in the morning (it's gone from a nice option to necessary...). And, thank you JESUS, Kendall sleeps through ALL of it!
Because of his sporadic tantrums, I've been sleeping on the couch downstairs next to the little guy's bouncy chair rather than putting him in his nursery (adjacent to his sister's room). I now face the challenge of crib training a baby that does not sleep well on his back (he startles himself awake). I'm dreading the transition, but so anxious to sleep once again in my cozy bed next to my husband!

Any encouragement/suggestions from mom's who've had colicky babies?

Insta-Tuesday

2012-01-17T18:38:00.001-06:00

I've been having fun with my Instagram application on my iPhone- thought I'd share some moments recently captured of my two favorite models. (Sorry, Chris...you're a close third!)

I'll let the pictures speak for themselves today.

For the Love of Tebow.

2012-01-14T14:53:00.000-06:00

I'm a 49er fan by birthright.

I'm a Vikings fan by marriage.

I'm a ~~Broncos~~ Tebow fan by choice.

Yeah, I'll admit it. I have a teeny tiny crush on Tim Tebow. His charisma, humility, faith, and athleticism (say what you want about his QB'ing skills...the guy commits and gets it done) and his slightly-above-average good looks are a nice bonus. Looks like I'm not the only Tebow fan in this household...

Kendall was reading Tim Tebow's autobiography when she felt the need to get down on her knees and thank the Lord for this fine human being. :)
You can find other people doing the same thing in different places on www.tebowing.com for a good laugh.
Okay, actually Chris just finished Tebow's book about sport and faith, which can only be followed by the autobiography of a military sniper who has killed over 150 people. Ummm....

And what is on MY reading list? Well, currently you'll find Mary Beth Chapman's book Choosing to SEE on my nightstand. And the irony of the eyemask next to it is not lost on me.

So there you go. Our current reads and my current infatuation...
...which will probably be over by the time the Broncos lose tonight.
But until then, TEBOWWWWW!!!

Sister Meets Brother

2012-01-13T18:11:00.001-06:00

Many of you have been asking how Kendall is adapting to her new brother. After completely ignoring him the first couple of weeks, she started enjoying "helping" Mommy by handing me wipes when I changed his diaper. The next sign of affection came when he was crying...Kendall started rocking his chair and saying "I sorry...". Now, she asks to hold "baby," give "baby" kisses, likes to hold his bottle on occasion, and often tells him how "Shuuuuute" (cute) he is. "So shuuuute!"

We captured their first meeting on video (above)- Kendall wasn't too sure about the baby thing.

From Near and Far...

2012-01-12T18:10:00.001-06:00

I love Christmas cards.
I love hearing what other families have been up to during the year...
I love seeing their growing children...
I love knowing that they remembered us during the holiday season.
It makes me all warm and fuzzy inside. :)

If you had looked at my Christmas card list ten years ago, almost all of my addresses would have read "Stockton, CA." But as I grow older (yes, I am...and you are too...), friends and family have
diffused across the country and around the world. Although it makes me sad that I can't visit them all at once anymore, I love knowing that we can go almost anywhere and still see a familiar face!

We've got Washington and Oregon covered, with friends and family in Bend, Paulina, Portland, Seattle, Redmond, Vancouver, Shoreline and Zillah;
Shoutout to the super-cool peeps in Henderson and Sparks, Nevada;
We hope to be closer to friends in Colorado someday- HELLO Windsor, Denver, Boulder, Highlands Ranch and Salida;
I've got faithful blog followers and friends in North and South Carolina;
Baltimore and New Orleans are home to dear church friends;
I'm glad to know new transplants to New York, New York, and Alpharetta, Georgia;
Howdy to friends in Austin, Texas and good ol' Franklin, Tennessee;
We love our Arizona family- hello Tucson!;
From Manhattan, Kansas to Pennsylvania, Lincoln, Nebraska to Locust Grove, Virginia- a sprinkling of friends all over the country;
Close to home here in Minnesota, North Dakota and Wisconsin;
And across the sea! MAJOR shout-outs to friends in Malaysia and Thailand! You know who you are...
Last but not least, our friends and family all across California- from Redding to Sacramento, Stockton to Turlock, Fresno to Los Angeles, Long Beach to San Diego, and all the crazies along the coast- Santa Cruz, I'm talking to you :)

For that reason, as weird as this may sound, I love updating our Christmas card list!
Though it's a tedious task, it's such a great reminder of how many people contribute, or have significantly contributed, to making our lives special, and we feel the love from all over the world at least once a year.

Very Pinteresting.

2012-01-05T23:23:00.002-06:00

I've heard talk of Pinterest for quite a while. For those of you who are unfamiliar with this site, it's basically an online pinboard for things you see online that inspire you- music, food, fashion, photos, crafts...whatev. While I wasn't initially interested because I don't have a plethora of DIY time in my life, I DO need something to pass the time in the wee hours of the morning when I'm nursing the little one. Thus, my love for Pinterest was born. Though I'm just a newbie, I've gathered a pretty good collection of style ideas, kid activities, crafts and recipes. AND, I'm actually DOING some of them!

~~I made~~ My mom made this yummy Cranberry Apple Pie for our Thanksgiving dinner. It was yumm-o, though I would tweek the recipe just a tad next time.

This Creamy Caprese Pasta was a winner at our house!


And as soon as opportunity and motivation collide, I want to make a tree like this for Kendall's room.

If you need an invitation to join Pinterest, I'd love to help you out! (You need an invitation to join. We're that cool.)

SECRETSSSS....

2012-01-04T18:00:00.000-06:00

Animal-Style.
Most hamburger loving Californians (and some Arizonans and Nevadans?...Nevadians?...Nevadites?...) can identify which chain restaurant offers this on their not-so-secret menu.
What I hadn't heard of until yesterday was the "secret menu" at Starbucks.
I offer this to you with the following cautionary note...
If you walk into a Starbucks and order "Captain Crunch", your barista will have no idea what you are talking about. (...so I've heard.)
Because UNLIKE the popular In-N-Out Secret menu, the Starbucks menu is SO secret that not even the baristas are familiar with it.
I guess rather than "secret menu," it should be referenced as creative flavor combinations that you must dictate in your order. Nevertheless, there might be a winner on here that you never thought of.
And for THAT, you can thank me later :)

Feelin' Crafty

2012-01-03T21:31:00.001-06:00

Hi there. Welcome back! Perhaps you've visited my blog more than I have in the last couple weeks, so I should technically welcome myself back. It hasn't been a lack of ideas keeping me away...just the lack of opportunity! I've been busy helping a certain toddler in the house foster HER creativity at the expense of my own. Here's a glimpse at what we've been doing!

Making cookies...

...which we later decorated at a playdate with friends!

Kendall discovered finger-painting with frosting... :)

...and painting with water at her new craft table!

And, of course, getting messy with play-dough.


This guy just watches it all and wishes he were a little bigger!

As the temperature continues to drop and our excursions outdoors become fewer, I'm really having to step up my indoor creative play ideas because I refuse to listen to Mickey Mouse all day. Pinterest has been a fun resource, but I'd love to hear what activities worked/are working with your toddler!

Fire away...

Kendall's Second Birthday!

2011-12-23T12:26:00.000-06:00

December 2009- I waited 10 long, agonizing days past my due date to meet my precious {little} baby girl- if "little" includes 9 lb 14 oz babies! In days that were very dark due to my brother's recent passing, she really brought light into our lives! Our Kendall tried to "mend-all" of our broken hearts with her coos and giggles, all with Uncle Derek on her shoulder as her special angel.

December 2010- No stranger to airplanes, we celebrated Kendall's first birthday in style...a special trip to California. We watched as our one-year-old pulled herself up any furniture within reach, ambitiously tried to walk with Mom & Dad's help, and made everyone around her smile. Though she hadn't figured out her words yet, she communicated well with her big blue eyes and excitedly waving hands. She tore into her birthday cake and set records with the mess she left behind.

December 2011- Our little baby is turning two! Now, we watch in amazement as she walks, talks, laughs and learns. She recites numbers in order, knows colors and shapes, tries to sing songs...even choreographs her own dance routines! She shows off her nurturing nature with her stuffed animals and "babies". And now, she has a REAL baby to dote on...her very own baby brother. Kendall is a model big sister, helping "brother" with diaper changes and trying to console him when he is fussy. We couldn't ask for a sweeter daughter!

Happy birthday to our beautiful girl!

There's Still My Joy

2011-12-22T07:55:00.000-06:00

For those who grieve, the holidays don't pass by without some tears. Not that we don't grieve the rest of the year, but the holidays mean noticeable absences from dinner tables and family traditions. For me, it's remembering the only person with whom I shared childhood Christmas memories. Derek would get up early in the morning eager to check our stockings, then make his way back up the stairs to wake me up and report to me. As we got older, he continued to do this, even though he'd likely go back to bed afterwards. Derek was the one who would distribute all of our family Christmas presents- excitedly as a boy, then somewhat begrudgingly as a grown-up (he secretly liked it). And I'll never forget the face he would flash in my direction when he received an ugly sweater or ridiculous gift- he knew I'd be laughing inside. I miss that.

I would be lying if I said the sting of the holidays hasn't blown through my camp for the above reasons. But I'm also aware of the miracle of Christmas- the joy we have in our Savior's birth. Because Jesus came to earth, the gap between us and our God was bridged, and eternity became available to those who recognize Him as Lord. Because of this day, I'll see Derek again, and enjoy that snarky smile that I miss so much.

I found this song a couple years ago and have been wanting to re-record it, but for now this version (complete with cheesy random google images...just close your eyes and listen...) will have to suffice.

<p>&amp;amp;lt;br&amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;lt;br&amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;lt;br&amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;lt;br&amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;lt;br&amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;lt;br&amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;lt;br&amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;lt;br&amp;amp;gt;There's &amp;amp;lt;br&amp;amp;gt;</p>

There's Still My Joy

I took my tree down to the shore
The garland, and the silver star
To find my peace, and grieve no more
To heal this place inside my heart

On every branch I laid some bread
And hungry birds filled up the sky
They rang thy bells around my head
They sang my spirit back to life

One tiny child can change the world
One shining light can show the way
For all my tears, for what I've lost
There's still my joy
There's still my joy
For Christmas day

The snow comes down on empty sand
There's tinsel moonlight on the waves
My soul was lost, but here I am
So this must be amazing grace

Slow Down, Christmas!

2011-12-19T00:22:00.000-06:00

I've been trying to figure out why it feels like the Christmas season is passing me by at warp speed this year, and I've come up with a few theories;

1) I didn't leave my house for a month. Okay, that's an exaggeration. But my trips to the mall and other highly decorated stores were few and far between around Thanksgiving. You say Michaels had Christmas decor out in August? I had no idea.

2) If Christmas music has been playing for more than a week on the radio, I didn't know anything about it. Why? Nothing plays in on my car stereo except Little Einsteins and "Mick Mou" DVDs. I haven't had a chance to get sick of Christmas music*! (*With the exception of the highly over-covered "Breath of Heaven" and "Mary, Did You Know". Seriously, musicians, please write new stuff.)

3) We haven't attended any Christmas parties. Not. A. Single. One. Typically, we have Chris' work parties to attend, and some kind of Church leadership gathering. This year, nothin'. I'm pretty bummed that I haven't had a reason to dress up and get out of the house! I'm thankful, however, that the free food and drink at such extravaganzas haven't brought about unholy gluttonous temptations :)

4) Our mailbox has been pretty void of Christmas cards this year. Obviously, most of our friends haven't updated their address list to include our new address. Slowly, they're trickling in as forwarding (to another incorrect address, might I add...) kicks in.

5) I've been preoccupied with other things. What, you ask? You obviously haven't been around this blog very long.

Christmas is my FAVORITE time of year. So, the fact that this is the LAST week to legitimately enjoy the sights and sounds of the season saddens me (sure, I can pop in my Glee Christmas CD in February, but it's not the saaaaaaaame.) I'm hoping this week brings opportunities to slow down and savor every last drop of Christmas, and I wish the same for you!

ICKY!!!

2011-12-17T18:11:00.000-06:00

Lazy Saturday afternoon...so Kendall and I made some play-dough! It was Kendall's first go with the sticky substance, and my little neat-freak was pretty concerned about the "icky" on her hands. But with a little coaching from mom, she got into the doughy spirit and made lots of "pancakes"!

There was a lot of one-fingered play to begin with.

When she really got going, it was impossible to get a still picture. That blue blob is getting a good beat-down.

Play-Dough

1 cup flour
1 cup salt
Mix above together and separate equally into two bowls.
Add 2-3 drops of food coloring to 1/2 cup water. Add to one bowl and mix.
Add 2-3 drops of food coloring to another 1/2 cup water. Add to other bowl and mix.
Ta-Da!

The New Man In Town

2011-12-17T18:04:00.001-06:00

GUILTY....of letting my camera get a little too dusty while getting acclimated to the new little guy! By this time in Kendall's life, I had several albums FULL and a newborn photo shoot in the books. The second time around...I'm just not as trigger happy. And, he's much more restless than his sister was- stretches of contentment are few and far between. If this is a "boy" trait, I'm in for a rough ride. He's adorable, nevertheless...has his sister's sparkly eyes and droopy cheeks :)

Sleeping angel

Sparkly eyes!

Bonding with Daddy

The Toddler Brain

2011-12-11T21:04:00.000-06:00

Having a newborn in the house makes us very aware of how much Kendall has grown (wow...they really start out tiny!) and sometimes painfully aware of her "toddlerhood". There are perks of having a toddler- she loves helping out Mommy and Daddy, and gets excited to help change Carter's diapers. She is entertaining as all get-out, and we love communicating with her in big-girl words! Still, she is often an enigma as we try to figure out what she really wants. This diagram is pretty helpful :)

As frustrating as it can be, it might just be my favorite age yet!

Born to Breed

2011-12-08T08:58:00.001-06:00

As I was walking into the mall to finish some Christmas shopping yesterday, I couldn't believe that just a week ago I was in the hospital having a baby!

Yup, as of November 28th, I'm officially not pregnant :) We welcomed Carter at 8:23 p.m. last Monday, four days overdue. And, as I could have predicted, he was BIG. At 9 lbs 12 oz, he still failed to eclipse his sister!

It was an anxious and emotional few days leading up to Carter's birthday...both of my parents were visiting us on fixed travel schedules, and after my dad had to return to CA prior to meeting Carter, I was beginning to think they both would completely miss it! My plea for induction before Thanksgiving was met with rejection, so all I could do was hope it would happen naturally- and soon.

I went in for a doctor appointment/non-stress test for the baby that Monday, and after looking at my monitor feed, the nurse informed me I was having contractions. I was completely unaware of this because 1) they didn't hurt, and 2) my labor with Kendall was all in my back. She was pretty optimistic that I had made some progress with dilating, so I looked forward to the doctor's opinion. It didn't take him long to ask me "if I wanted to have a baby today". YESSSS!

I had a couple of hours before I was to check in to the birthing center...enough time to make sure I had everything packed, call the necessary parties (including Chris at work), and spend some special time with Kendall.

My labor started out pretty difficult, being that I waited longer to get the epidural this time around. But once that sweet relief came, the rest was a breeze! Just a few pushes and Carter was out. My doctor told Chris to pick up a shirt for me that says "Born to Breed". :)

Hospital bound...one last hug for my "baby" girl!

Here we go....round two!

I'm focused on contractions and Chris is focused on....his football scores :-/

First minute of life!

Baby? Who cares! There's a BALLOON!!!!!

So glad my mom was here to be a part of Carter's birth!

BAM! Family of FOUR!

Time for your close-up, Carter!

Kicking our feet up after a long day!

Daddy's favorite boy.

Our handsome little guy!

Home sweet home!

Deck the Halls!

2011-11-27T16:56:00.000-06:00

Alright, I said earlier that there would be no more pictures on this thing until the baby was born because our camera was charged and packed.
I didn't know I'd have to put it away for over two weeks!
So, out it came to document the hanging of the greens at Chateau Stavenger!

Kendall was an excited helper this year!

The product of her efforts...a cluster of red balls around the bottom of the tree.

We had to stop in the middle of our decorating tasks to indulge Kendall's love of climbing up "Grandpa Mountain". This little game sparked LOTS of giggles over the course of Grandpa's stay!

Showing Grandma Donna how this decorating thing is done!

Taking the decorating into her own hands. Shortly after this photo, she realized the tree was prickly and didn't want any part of it anymore. :)

All finished...time to enjoy family and our pretty tree!

Please Don't Make Me Shave My Legs Again!

2011-11-22T22:05:00.000-06:00

Three times. I've had to shave my legs three times since I thought I'd have this baby.
I love a good shaved leg, folks, but getting the job done with a nine-month pregnant belly is no easy task.
And before some of you post comments with links to THIS device, let me just say I'll NEVER be using one of those. Sheesh...I'm clutzy enough with a regular razor.

With that being said, at this moment:
My hair is clean.
My legs are smooth.
My toes are looking snazzy.
My bag is packed.
My camera is charged.
The carseat is in.
My laundry is done.
I have a full belly.
I got a good nap.
My mom is here.
My dad is here.

BABY CARTER, I AM READY!!!!
Let's DO this before I get bitter.

I Never Thought I'd Say It, But....

2011-11-16T22:32:00.000-06:00

*Pause*
If you're looking for any kind of intellectual substance from this blog, you will be sorely disappointed with the next few posts. I've given my brain permission to downgrade function until the baby is born, so until then....total nonsense. If that's your thing- well then, pal, stick with me!
*Double Pause*
Oh, and if you're looking for more cute pictures of Kendall, I'm afraid that's on hold, too (I'm plugging my ears so as not to hear your collective sigh of disappointment. Neener neener!). The camera battery has been charged and disk cleared for upcoming events. Hospital bag....check!

Ok, what was I blogging about? Oh yeah...
I NEVER thought I'd say this, but...
I think I am officially Pumpkin Spiced Out.
Not permanently, just for the remainder of 2011. (It took me three tries to type that year correctly. Told you my brain is asleep!)
I've made just about every recipe possible and consumed WAY too many Pumpkin Spice Lattes.
I went through about a dozen cans of pumpkin in the last couple months and, as I evaluate my current body type, I'm even starting to believe that you are what you eat...my belly is looking very pumpkinish these days.

So, I'm officially moving on.
Goodbye fall, hello winter and all of your red cup goodness.
Peppermint Mocha, meet your new best friend.

While I Still Can...

2011-11-15T10:00:00.000-06:00

I definitely haven't spent much time concentrating on my belly this time around. I wasn't a "monthly belly shot" kinda person with Kendall, and nothing much has changed- except I've taken nearly NO pictures of my growing belly this time! Maybe Carter, down the road, would want to feel some preggo love, too. So, our friends at Elation Photography set up a family photo shoot this weekend. I'll always cherish these pictures from our last days as a family of three!

Kendall had a fever all weekend, but was a trooper for our session!

The LOOK on Kendall's face when she realized my belly was fair game for coloring was PRICELESS! This part of our session was the most fun- lots of giggles from everyone!

And...the finished product. A masterpiece by Kendall and Chris :)

More to come...these are just some teasers!
Thank you for graciously sharing your talents with us, Ty and Brandy!

All Settled In!

2011-11-14T09:44:00.000-06:00

Welcome to our new home! Come....take a look!

Entrance...Living room is to the right.

Our cozy living room. The green paint is a little awkward with green couches, but it will have to do for now.

Our 4th bedroom/ currently functioning as a den/playroom. It sits above the garage.

Kendall's "big girl" room...a work in process. We have yet to get her bedding, window treatments, etc. And I've got a wall mural project up my sleeve. Her room was originally yellow and purple (see below) with princess decals around the top. Kendall was excited about the closet space, as you can see below!

These airplanes were a DIY nightmare, but I wasn't going to pay $60 per airplane through PBKids. 3$ foam airplanes, some spray paint and fishing wire...a nice addition to Carter's nursery.

Carter's nursery is coming together! Still a couple more projects to complete, but you get the idea!

The Grown-Up bedroom, with a temporary baby set-up. Kendall is living in Carter's nursery until she's ready for the jump to the big-girl bed.

Annnnnd, what sold us on the house....the beautiful kitchen! I ADORE the open space and the PANTRY!

The Christmas Card Quandry

2011-11-14T09:04:00.000-06:00

Christmas is a-comin', whether I like it or not.
I used to love the Christmas season. But since Kendall busted on to the scene on Dec 23rd, adding a birthday to the mix has also added a considerable amount of stress. Extra presents, parties, and if I didn't have enough to do this year, let's add a NEWBORN to the mix!

I'll get it done.
But one thing still has me baffled:
WHEN do I send out Christmas Cards!?
Carter is due to be born on/around Thanksgiving. I could get them ready NOW before he's born, but then they wouldn't include our almost month-old baby.
Or, I could rush to get them out after he is born and save myself a birth-announcement mailing- but that would be cutting-it-close.

Sigh....holiday babies throw a wrench in the whole system!

Practicing...

2011-11-04T19:20:00.000-05:00

She'll be a big sister soon!

The Halloween that Almost Wasn't.

2011-11-03T19:03:00.001-05:00

or....
This Little Piggy Went Wah Wah Wah.
-but I thought the piggy references on this blog were getting a bit excessive.

Halloween started off on a funky note. Kendall was up at insane o'clock in the morning, warranting an afternoon nap that is not usually a part of her routine. When we woke her up to prepare for trick-or-treating, well, she MAY have been possessed by some toddler demon. And, unlike EVERY OTHER DAY that she begs me to wear her piggy costume, she was just NOT having it on Halloween. Super.

So, we threw an orange pumpkin hoodie on her and headed out to hit up our family stops for candy, then planned to stay home and distribute sugar rather than taking her out in the neighborhood. I'm not exactly sure WHEN the demons fled, but she was suddenly a new girl upon arriving at home, and easily was persuaded to costume-up in exchange for a wagon ride. We made a few stops at our immediate neighbors, and then Kendall helped Mommy and Daddy pass out the candy at the door. (She jumped up every time the doorbell rang!) All in all, I felt like part of the night was salvaged, but really glad we took Halloween pictures early this year!

Begrudgingly making the rounds.

Not even Gma and Gpa Stav could really pull her out of her funk.

Back at home, a little bribery helped us get her suited up.

Just rolling with it!

Now totally on board with the Trick-or-Treating thing, having abandoned the wagon idea.

Digging in to her stash.

Being a super helper at the door.

Kicking her feet up at the end of a long night!

Premiere of the Pigtails!

2011-10-30T18:12:00.000-05:00

It's the moment I imagined when we found out we were having a girl.

I bring experienced hands to the table, having rehearsed on Barbie Dolls for years and years.

And I've been waiting ~~patiently~~ for the day when Kendall's hair would be long enough to do THIS:

L.O.V.E. Though, that baby-fine hair is a lot harder to work with than the plastic rats nests on my Barbies. And, the subject tends to not SIT AS STILL. So, as any great toddler stylist would do, I put her in a Mickey Mouse-induced coma while I went to work.

Behold! A new era of cuteness!

Speaking of pigtails, these aren't the only pigtails she'll be sporting this week!

This little piggie is going Trick-or-Treating!

Happy Halloween!

Oh Crap Oh Crap Oh Crap.

2011-10-28T23:56:00.000-05:00

This morning, in the Starbucks Drive-Thru, the kind barista engaged me in some friendly Halloween banter.
Her: So, what's your little one going to be for Halloween?
Me: She's going to be a little piggie.
Her: Oh, cute! And what about your little, little one?

(This is the point where I look at her all confused-like until I realize that she can see the infant carseat next to Kendall in the backseat.)

Me: Ohhhhhh, he's actually not here yet! A few more weeks to go.
Her: Always good to be prepared! Looks like you're ready for him!
Me: Heh. Yeah.

As I drove away with my caffeinated beverage, I thought about the little white lie I had told.
It may seem as though I'm fully prepared for Carter's arrival. I mean, the CARSEAT is in the car, isn't it?
This, unfortunately, began a downward spiral of hormone-enhanced neurosis in which my calm exterior was overtaken by my interior panic. I AM NOT READY!!
I drew a picture to help you understand how I was feeling:

(I even included my hideous dark roots in this one. This baby can NOT come until that is remedied!)

Add a few contraction-esque belly spasms later in the day, and I was a MESS.
My daily nap was hijacked by the single thought that if I was laying in the bed, the bed was not made.
AND THE BED MUST BE MADE before I have this baby!!
Also, diapers, sleepers, onesies, a bassinet and more logical incidentals should probably be taken care of.

For the record, I took a long bath later in the day to chillllll ouuutttt. And I did.
But, tomorrow's to-do list is a doozy!

I Couldn't Resist.

2011-10-27T18:33:00.000-05:00

Daddy and Kendall had some playtime in the backyard tonight, and I couldn't resist grabbing my camera and snapping some pictures of our little girl. Yeah, I'm bordering on photographic overload lately, but I'm compensating for posting NO pictures of Kendall in September! This is about as current as it gets...she's still outside playing in her little red jacket :)

Baby, it's (getting) cold outside!

Pumpkin Fun for Everyone

2011-10-21T10:24:00.000-05:00

Recommended by some good friends, we made the October pilgrimage to Buffalo River Pumpkin Patch for some happy harvest fun. The cute little patch didn't disappoint- offered plenty of entertainment for Kendall's age, from petting zoo to playground, and a carriage ride through the "not-so-spooky" forest (where we spotted Dora, Mickey Mouse, and an assortment of other cartoon characters along the route). We went home with some pretty pumpkins and special memories of Kendall's first real Pumpkin Patch experience!

This friendly goat gave Daddy kisses and simultaneously restored her faith in goats.

A little reconciliation was in order with the goat species after the last petting zoo incident.

These little piggies induced lots of giggles :)

My attempt to show Kendall this was a friendly hay bale didn't work so well.

Kendall spots Mickey Mouse on the carriage ride.

Time to pick a pumpkin!

Kisses for the pumpkins must mean it was a successful outing :)

Why I've Been A Terrible Friend Lately:

2011-10-20T11:46:00.000-05:00

This literally brought me to tears this morning.
Maybe it's the hormones.
Maybe it's the lack of sleep.
Or maybe it's a giant slap of affirmation and truth.
Fortunately, I think I have great friends who understand completely.
Do take a second to read this:

Can I get an "AMEN?"

Sweet Monday Morsels of Deliciousness

2011-10-17T14:00:00.000-05:00

Ohhhhhhhh maaaahhhh gaaaaaahhhh... WHY are these SO. GOOD.!!?
THESE cookies are the reason my doctor is going to scold me at my appointment this week...and I don't care. I savored every delicious calorie.

PUMPKIN CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES
(Thanks again, Paula Deen.)

1 pouch (1 lb 1.5 oz) Betty Crocker choc. chip cookie mix
1/2 cup canned pumpkin (NOT pumpkin pie mix)
1/4 cup butter, softened
1 egg
1 1/4 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon powdered sugar (optional)

1. Heat oven to 375F. Line cookie sheet with cooking parchment paper.

2. In large bowl, stir cookie mix, pumpkin, butter, egg, 1 teaspoon of the pumpkin pie spice and the salt. On cookie sheet, drop dough by tablespoonfuls 1 inch apart.

3. Bake 9 minutes or until set and slightly cracked on top. Remove from cookie sheet to cooling rack; cool completely.

4. In a small bowl, stir powdered sugar and remaining 1/4 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice. Use fine mesh strainer to sprinkle mixture over cookies.

Poor Little Piggy.

2011-10-16T23:08:00.000-05:00

Here's a little halloween preview.

Why do you think this little piggy is so sad?

It's because Mommy said it was time to take her costume off.
Halloween is going to be fun this year!

You've Got a Friend In Me.

2011-10-14T16:29:00.000-05:00

Kirby, the Stavenger's family dog, was- without dispute- Kendall's first friend when we moved to Moorhead. He elicited more smiles and giggles than we could ever coax out of our toddler. And as soon as Kendall was up on two feet, she would gravitate to Kirby's side and, literally, lay around on him. Kirby never minded, even seemed to love, the attention (and scraps of food) from this little girl. Here are some of our favorite Kirby moments:

We'll miss you, buddy.

American Worldview at its Finest

2011-10-14T14:08:00.000-05:00

I know this has been around for a while, but it makes me giggle every time...

While We Still Have Green...

2011-10-13T10:01:00.000-05:00

Acquiring a new home means acquiring all sorts of maintenance projects. This house came with a beautifully landscaped front and back yard. So, while the weather is still tolerable and we can still see our green grass, we (Chris and Kendall) have been out tending to the garden. Kendall especially loves grabbing a watering can and giving our flowered plants some love.

Kendall's favorite part of our backyard :)

We're enjoying the outdoors as much as possible, especially since it's been unseasonably warm here for October. We all know what's waiting just around the corner...

Last Hurrahs

2011-10-12T09:26:00.000-05:00

After a summer full of boy trips for Chris, I thought I was due for some time away from my Mommy duties! So, before this belly got too ridiculous for travel, I took to the friendly skies and arrived in Southern California- my old stomping grounds. Plans had been made to surprise my best friend, Stephanie, with my visit. So my other "bff", Beth, and I planned a coffee date at Starbucks. Despite Beth's inability to tell a good lie, Steph was MIGHTY surprised to see me when she arrived (tears were shed. Just sayin.).

We enjoyed a low-key holiday weekend, including a girl's night out at La Creperie and cupcakes from Frosted. The crepes were amazing, as always. The cupcakes (yes- cupcakeS plural. Eating for two.) were decadent. The time spent with some amazing friends- totally worth the the cross-country trip. Love those girls.

My So-Cal Gal Pals.

Frosted!

Cheers to good friends!

Picture Perfect Playdate

2011-10-11T13:05:00.001-05:00

My friend, Brandy, and I decided to get our little girls together for a playdate- they are a month apart in age and share a common love for all things Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. They played well- next to each other, mostly. One of these days they'll figure out how to play WITH one another. In the meantime, I'm just happy if there are no meltdowns.

Brandy was such a gracious hostess...we even got some surprise souvenirs thanks to Brandy's keen eye for photography! Enjoy some snapshots, compliments of Elation Photography :)

Elation Photography

Elation Photography (We loved how each girl matched her bike perfectly.)

Kendall's Candles

2011-10-04T20:13:00.000-05:00

It started with an innocent trip to Bath & Body Works. I ~~needed~~ wanted a new fall-ish candle and B&BW has THE best variety. As soon as I taught Kendall the concept of "smelling" candles (with an inhale rather than snotty exhale), she demanded that we sample EVERY candle in the store. I found a favorite and off we went.

Consequently, for the last two weeks, Kendall has been carrying candles around the house, smelling them (huffing them, really....) and taking the lids on and off. It's hard to pry them out of her waxy little hands!

The evidence of a hardcore candle sniffer.

Notes to Self.

2011-09-20T22:20:00.001-05:00

THIS....

...is not the appropriate place to store your hair comb. Combs should be stored in the bathroom, not in the middle of a pile of dishtowels.

THIS....

....is not a good place to leave your purse after loading groceries and a toddler in the car. Someone might (gasp!) want to steal it...even here in North Dakota.

THESE...

...are typically removed BEFORE entering the shower. Although I hear the "Never-Nude" movement is popular with some people, it's not for me. (bonus points if you understand the latter reference!)

Pregnancy is quickly depleting my brain neurons.
That is all.

I Saw It All Because I Am A Huge Slacker.

2011-09-10T22:41:00.000-05:00

Few Californians witnessed the 9/11 attacks live on television.
You would have had to have been up pretty early.
I was.
As a teaching credential student, I had literally pulled an all-nighter working on my quarterly portfolio.
I was functioning solely on coffee at that point in the morning, and turned on the television in hopes that the morning programs would assist in keeping me awake.
That's when I heard Matt Lauer interrupt an interview with breaking news.
And I watched....assembled pages.....watched.....assembled pages....and witnessed the horror of the second crash live on television.
Soon after, I left the house to drop off my portfolio across town prior to beginning my day of teaching (yes...I was once able to normally function after sleepless nights).
But all I really wanted to do was plop myself down in front of the t.v., along with the rest of America, and watch history unfold.

At school, teachers gathered for our morning meeting, where our teary-eyed principal entered the room and told us of the building collapse.
I welcomed students somberly into our classroom that morning, and consoled worried parents.
One of my students reported to me that the White House had been hit.
With no way to verify that information, I was pretty upset until my update at recess, when I discovered that he had mistakenly been talking about the Pentagon building.
Later in the day, a student of mine was removed from class since her father was suddenly called to active duty in the military.
The rest of us colored patriotic pictures on squares, which we later turned into a class quilt.

We didn't accomplish much that day in Second Grade.
I blame morning's trauma and my failing adrenaline levels in equal part.
But it was good to be together, to give my students a bit of safety and consistency as the world around them changed.

Ice, Ice Baby.

2011-09-08T15:20:00.000-05:00

I'm generally not a fan of ice. Don't like it when I get two sips of soda because icebergs engulf my glass, I'm not a banner-waver for ice-skating or hockey, and I certainly don't like LIVING in it.

But something happens during my gestation that makes me a crazy, ice-seeking lunatic.

I tried to research this phenomenon online, but typically landed on a condition called "Pica", the desire to eat non-food materials. Animal feces, Clay, Dirt, Hairballs, Ice, Paint, Sand. Uh, does ICE seem a little out of place on that list?! That did little to lesson the "freak" factor of constantly having a cup of crushed ice and a spoon in my hand. And for the record, NONE of those other items sound remotely appealing.

I take comfort in the fact that this is apparently very common, as birthing centers usually have- in endless supply- buckets full of ice waiting for us. Not just ANY ice, either. The BEST ICE IN THE UNIVERSE. Soft, wonderfully crunchy pellet ice. I'm thinking we need to take a tour of our new birthing center soon so I can try it out :)

In the meantime, I am on the hunt for this delicacy in real life. While in Southern California last weekend, my friends and I enjoyed conversation over a cup of ice at The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf- amazing ice, for free! It has been suggested that Sonic and Taco Bell also have pellet ice- I have yet to confirm this. If it's true, I could be consuming a lot of Tacos in the near future.

Our crushed ice at home will suffice for now, though I may have no teeth by the time this baby arrives.

Milestones: First Haircut!

2011-08-29T13:30:00.000-05:00

Ready for my first haircut! Surprisingly NOT freaked out by the strange surroundings and lady with scissors! Let's do this.

Surprisingly TRAUMATIZED, though, by the cape! This penguin frock is the second try- the first was ripped off in a fit of rage. Nothing a little Cinnamon Toast Crunch can't fix!

Oh, and Elmo, too.

Just enjoying the full beauty experience...

...and a sucker at the end makes it all worth it! Now the weird rat-tails growing behind my ears are gone, and my curls are even-steven! The nice lady even gave me some glitter in my hair...just in case I wasn't sparkling enough! :)

Home Is Where the Mortgage Is.

2011-08-26T08:13:00.000-05:00

Remember when I said we've been a little "busy" around here?
"Busy" included talking with a realtor, touring homes on the market, acquiring a mortgage, placing an offer, negotiations, inspections, yaddayaddayadda...
and when all is said and done,
we have a house!
Due to close in the middle of September, we are really thrilled with our move-in-ready abode. It fits us like a glove, down to the already-matching paint colors and backyard playground.

Thanks for your patience during my little hiatus! More fun stuff to come!

The Wild, Wild West

2011-08-16T22:20:00.000-05:00

Howdy, Y'all! We've been swamped here at home (cough*understatement*cough), and will soon have some rootin' tootin' good news to share with you! In the meantime, I have some catching up to do on the 'ol blog! (Which, by the way, is looking pretty shabby and desperately needs a makeover.)

A couple weeks ago, we spent a few days in Tucson, AZ to visit with my mom's side of the family! It was great to see my grandparents, aunts and uncles, and give Kendall the opportunity to meet them as well. The heat was...HOT, but whatever. Nothing a few Eegees and some air-conditioning couldn't handle. Enjoy some favorite snapshots from our trip-

The Petersens and Stavengers with Kendall's Great-Grandma and Great-Grandpa

We did some quintessential sight-seeing at Trail Dust Town and found this sad old man and his mule.

Pretty authentic, minus the Hummer in the background. Kendall did some exploring on her own.

These two hooligans couldn't escape the law!

Either my beer gut is out-of-control following a trip to the saloon, or Grandma D is giving love to her grandson-to-be.

OUTLAWS. Don't let the stroller fool you- that's one tough girl.

We spent an afternoon at the Miniatures Museum, where there were some displays only Kendall was tiny enough to enjoy :)

Afraid to step on it at first, this glass floor display quickly became Kendall's fixation.

Precious Moments with Grandma Donna :)

This and That

2011-08-03T20:45:00.000-05:00

Just some randoms for today...

1) "Thanks a lot, hon! Now everyone is going to think I'm stupid!" -Chris Stavenger (in response to my posting of a record-breaking score on WWF.) In fairness, I don't win that big every day. But I DO win. So, here is a picture of our CURRENT game. And, if my husband is savvy, he'll take note of the letters that I have and don't have (not that it will help him much. ha ha...).

2) Check out that Site Meter! ------------------------------------------>
We're just a handful of blog visits away from 100,000! How shall I celebrate?? Hmmm, what to do, what to do....

3) A couple of special birthday shout-outs this week...to my MOM (whose birthday is today) and my BROTHER, Derek, who would be 33 on Friday. It's still pretty heart-wrenching walking by the "brother" section of birthday cards at Hallmark and not needing to stop. We all miss you, Deez.

4) In happier news, I get to celebrate both of the above occasions with my family! The good news: Kendall gets to meet a slough of relatives she's never met before, and spend some special time with Grandma Donna and Grandpa Keith! The bad news: Tucson AZ in the summer, where the forecast is:

Enjoy your weekend- I know I will! :)

Words With Friends

2011-08-02T20:29:00.000-05:00

I don't play Angry Birds.
I tend to gravitate toward, um... more "intellectual" games- games that require brainpower and strategy. Always a fan of the word game, when this Scrabble-like game was adapted to the iPhone, I was hooked. Chris started playing, too. And by "playing", I mean "surviving". (See below. Sorry, honey!)

Being that many of you are of elevated intellect, too (*wink*), I'm sure you can appreciate the "5 Commandments of playing Words With Friends" (posted on www.stuffchristianslike.com- one of my favorite blogs). For the whole post, you can click here. Otherwise, I've reprinted the commandments below. Take heed, gamers!

The 5 commandments of Words with Friends

1. Thou shalt not covet your neighbor’s words.
Just like in Scrabble, each time you play a turn, you get a collection of letters you can use to spell a word. Don’t covet your neighbor’s letters if they get the much-desired “blank letter” which can be used as any letter. Don’t out act in envy if you find yourself without a single vowel.
2. Thou shalt not cheat.
There are four different apps that you can use to cheat on Words with Friends. One of them is called “Cheat with Words.” You tell the apps what letters you have and the apps will tell you every possible word you can form. When someone used the word “Horjemr” in a game against my wife, it was clear they were cheating. No one on the planet regularly uses the word “Horjemr.” Except maybe “Horjemr Smith” who only uses it to say, “I sure hate my parents for naming me Horjemr.”
3. Thou shalt not strike a person who always adds “S” to your words.
The “S guy” is the worst person to play in Words with Friends. This vocabulary villain waits until you spell a brilliant word and then lazily tacks on an S to the end of it, soaking up all the points with none of the work. Scoundrel! But before you lash out, keep in mind, this is a completely fair move. Dastardly perhaps, but it’s not cheating.
4. Thou shalt heed the call of “Your Move” quickly.
Your iPhone buzzed. Your Droid beeped. Your smartphone essentially said, “Hey, it’s your move on Words with Friends.” Do not tarry friend. Do not delay. Make your move quickly. Play your word with great haste.
5. Thou shalt not be a sore loser.
You lost. In one fell swoop your opponent got a triple letter score with a Z and tore your word kingdom asunder. Do not slander or gossip. Do not throw barbs or have a mouth of poison like the wicked. In other words, don’t use the chat feature of Words with Friends to talk trash.

The Verdict is In!

2011-07-26T16:44:00.000-05:00

Oh, the Anticipation!

2011-07-25T12:55:00.001-05:00

Tomorrow, tomorrow, I love ya, tomorrow,
We're only a day away...from knowing if Baby Stavenger is a bouncing baby boy or another sweet girl!
Stay tuned for the special announcement, coming tomorrow to the Blog!

Anyone dare register a last-minute guess for the books?

A "Stately aFair"

2011-07-21T22:43:00.000-05:00

Were you able to decode the clever (cheesy) title of this post?
We took a family outing to the North Dakota State Fair in Fargo a couple of weeks ago.
Observations included:
1) we aren't in California anymore (the Stockton Asparagus Festival could put this event to shame, let alone the CA State Fair!)
2) it is impossible to pass up a bucket of Cheese Curds ("curds"...a word I'm still not comfortable attributing to my food, but I'll gladly eat them.)
3) I will never let my children ride on carnival rides alone. Multiple rides began before we were even buckled in- clearly, the carnies didn't give a rip.
4) Goats bite. Literally.

Here's the pictorial evidence.

Kendall sneaking a bite from the Bucket O'Curds.

Kendall was particularly smitten with the bunny rabbit exhibit.

Kendall was very hesitant to pet the little duckling. I think she was terrified of this lady's HUGE boobs. Can't blame her.

On to the petting zoo, where this goat nibbled her finger instead of the food.

She was pretty upset about the goat incident for a while.

Just in case you missed that face...

A ride on the ferris wheel pulls her out of her funk...

...and we saw lots of smiles on the "Bees". Weeeeee!

I Ate The Whoooole Pan.

2011-07-19T22:37:00.000-05:00

Ok, not quite. But pretty close. Mind you, I'm pregnant and allowed to have an occasional gluttonous binge, so LAY OFF!

(Regains composure...) SO, I'm taking a little break from picture posting to bring you this delightful recipe- good for picnics in the summer, and I imagine will be just as wonderful as a holiday treat.

BUTTERSCOTCH OATMEAL BARS
(God bless you, Paula Deen)

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups firmly packed brown sugar
1 cup quick-cooking oats
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup butter, melted
1 cup semisweet chocolate morsels
1 cup butterscotch morsels
1 cup chopped pecans
1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk

Preheat oven to 350°. Line a 13x9-inch baking pan with heavy-duty aluminum foil.
In a large bowl, combine flour, brown sugar, oats, baking powder, and salt.
Stir in melted butter. Press two-thirds of mixture evenly into bottom of prepared pan. Bake for 10 minutes.
Sprinkle chocolate morsels, butterscotch morsels, and pecans evenly over baked crust. Pour sweetened condensed milk evenly over pecans. Sprinkle evenly with remaining flour mixture. Bake for 30 minutes. Let cool completely before cutting.

Was There Ever Any Doubt?

2011-07-14T21:50:00.000-05:00

Mom and Dad don't think I can do this....well, hmpf! I'll show them!

Just making sure I've got everything in place, and....

BLAMMO! Next time give me something challenging, people!

Precious Moments

2011-07-12T08:00:00.000-05:00

I had settled in to give Kendall her bottle and put her to bed.
Before doing so, I decided to tell her a little about her Uncle Derek.
I picked up the frame that sits next to us every night.

Before I could get a word out, she grabbed it and gave it a quiet kiss.
My heart smiled and ached at the same time.
Somehow, I think she already "knows" her Uncle D.

It Happens Once A Year.

2011-07-08T16:12:00.000-05:00

I suppose before getting on to pictures of America's birthday, I should log a few from MY birthday, waaaaay back in early June. What the heck!! Am I that behind?! Blech!

This year was nothing special, other than celebrating in a whole new location. I enjoyed a great dinner out with some of Chris' siblings, and made some cupcakes for the kiddos at home. (Okay, I snuck one. Two. Possibly three...it's a blur. ;-) The best part was letting Kendall pick out my birthday balloon at the store- my favorite, Elmo (she knows me SO well, heh heh)- and watching her enjoy it the rest of the day. Love those smiles, each one is a gift in itself!

All dressed up for the occasion!

Kendall enjoyed sharing Mommy's birthday balloon with Kirby.

They Done Graduated.

2011-06-27T23:13:00.000-05:00

Me: "I'll be in California next week."
Them: "Oh really? What for?"
Me: "My first class of second graders is graduating high school."
(stunned silence as they calculate how many years that is...)

Kinda fun to ambush people with that information (teaching seems like a lifetime ago!) until I realize that, WOW...that really DOES make me sound/feel olllllld! The above conversation took place countless times before I visited CA in May to attend the graduation ceremonies of some very special students. I attended 2 graduations, and saw 14 of my former 2nd graders receive diplomas- one as a valedictorian.

I've had a lot of students, but my first class remains a special one to me. I was simultaneously working on my teaching credential, and many of the students were used as case studies and projects throughout the year, developing special relationships with them. In addition, I had the most amazing, supportive group of parents the world has EVER seen! I've kept in touch with them through the years, caroling on their doorsteps at Christmastime, and they've been there for me with wedding and baby showers. I wouldn't have missed their kids' special day for anything!

JP displays a picture of a much tinier version of himself...

This happy graduate is off to Chico State in the fall!

Lincoln High School graduation- I graduated on the same field 16 years earlier!

My lovely girl, Katrin- off to SJDC in the fall!

St. Marys High School graduation ceremony

Former students Amanda (left-graduate) and Angela (graduating next year!)

Cydney will soon be a fellow CSU Sacramento alum!

So, so proud of all my sweet "kids"!

iMakeover.

2011-06-24T21:08:00.000-05:00

It's been slobbered on.
It's been dropped.
It's cover has been ripped off and reapplied so many times it doesn't stick.
It's been cracked. It's chipped.
It's red has faded.
It has bits of cracker crumbs in every crevice.

It's a genuine "MOM" phone.
But not anymore...

Something got a fancy new makeover!
We'll see how long it lasts...

Feelin' Stoned.

2011-06-21T17:00:00.000-05:00

I had grandiose plans for blogging this weekend.
The whole family was gone, and I had plenty of time to draft some scintillating prose for you.

It was going to be really incredible.

As a reader, I would feel gypped, because instead of the above mentioned incredibleness, THIS is all you get today:

a disgusting picture of MY KIDNEY STONE.

Kidney stones: Thwarters of blogging plans. Thwarters of ALL plans.
Right on cue, when EVERYONE is gone, that little bastard decided to shred my insides. A generous Mother-In-Law cut her lake vacay short to get me to the emergency room, where they stocked me up with enough morphine for a small army, and Chris drove through the night from Omaha to get home (awwww...).

This episode was pretty awesome- that thing showed persistence like no other, cutting through 4 doses of morphine to make itself known. And, I also got a BONUS this time around: a morphine HANGOVER, the perks of which include getting to feel your own heartbeat in your head all day, and revisiting that beloved first-trimester nausea.

Can't think of a better way to spend a gorgeous weekend. Or can I?

Let the Lake Fun Commence!

2011-06-17T17:34:00.000-05:00

One perk of living in Moorhead is that we are MUCH closer to the lake house- trims off 3 1/2 hours of drive time. Of course, we are utilizing it whenever possible. Here are pictures from our summer inaugural trip to the lake...

I'm the King of the Worrrrrld!

A control freak in the making.

Look at that face....she was NOT a fan of the jetski.

Hi, I'm Jamie and I like to burn stuff. :(

Ready for a snack, Mom!

Trying out the new hammock with Grandma Marcia.

Favorite activity at the lake (or anywhere)- walking around aimlessly.

Snuggle time with mommy....perfection.

Fun in the sun with Dad!

All About the X's

2011-06-15T23:33:00.002-05:00

I read of a study a while back which researched the happiest combinations of sibling genders, creating "harmonious families" (check it out here- it's worth the read). I thought it was pretty humorous, though it wasn't intended to be. When we found out we were pregnant again, I thought about the article and what gender would create for us, theoretically, the happiest family life. Research says, we'll be happiest if baby #2 is popping pink! That's right, the study says that families with "two girls are most likely to be: well-behaved, play nicely together, easy to reason with, and rarely try to push each other's buttons."

I know this study probably pushes the buttons of those bearing sons somewhere in their offspring.   And many others can attest that often girls don't bear the sugar and spice with which they are labeled. But according to Bounty.com, here are the BEST to WORST combinations of siblings:

1. Two girls
2. One boy and one girl (Happy Petersens!)
3. Two boys
4. Three girls
5. Three boys
6. Four boys
7. Two girls and one boy
8. Two boys and one girl
9. Three boys and one girl   (Poor Stavengers...)
10. Three girls and one boy
11. Two boys and two girls
12. Four girls

We find out in about 4 weeks if our family will have optimal harmony or not.   Theoretically, of course. ;-)

But I Just Don't FEEL Pregnant.

2011-06-06T16:28:00.000-05:00

This pregnancy has been weird.
I've been sick, tired, sick and tired.
I've got an conspicuous round bump on the front side of me.
And though all signs point to PREGNANT, I have had a hard time making the connection mentally.

I think the miscarriage messed with my mind a bit. I didn't allow myself to feel happy about getting pregnant again. I haven't made it a priority to "bond" with this baby like I did the last. I haven't even talked about it much. And it wasn't until last week when we SAW the baby on the screen and heard that healthy heartbeat that I truly embraced my pregnancy.

Factor number two, to which many more moms can relate, is the fact that I'm BUSIER this time around- busy taking care of baby (toddler!) #1! I don't have time to immerse myself in pregnancy books and watch "A Baby Story" every day. Maternity shopping has lost it's luster (mainly because I'm reusing many items, and no thanks to the extra baby weight I'm still carrying from the first). It's business as usual here, and this pregnancy seems to be an afterthought to both Chris and I.

Baby #2, just chillin' with it's feet up. :)

So, Baby #2, I am already bearing some mommy guilt for not paying more attention to your miraculous growth these last few months. We promise to love you JUST as much as your big sister! And in the meantime, we are busy preparing our lives for your big entrance. I hope you understand if it's a little chaotic for a while- just enjoy your peaceful little home for the time being.

Still Perplexed by the Chick.

2011-06-01T21:17:00.000-05:00

It makes an appearance in every Easter basket...and it remains one of the most mystifying finds.

Easter 2010

Easter 2011

Ten Things I'll Miss Most About Duluth: #1 Our First Home

2011-05-25T06:00:00.001-05:00

As I blog this, we have an offer pending on our house! It seems unreal that it soon will belong to someone else.

My all-time favorite Duluth memory is the morning we brought Kendall home from the hospital. There was a blizzard on Christmas Eve, and there were massive snow banks lining our street. When we went inside, there was Christmas music playing, our tree was lit and beautiful, there was a fire roaring (by video on the TV- no fireplace), and it smelled of apple cider (all thanks to my Mom and Dad). I put Kendall down and took it all in. Despite having lived there over a year, it was that moment that really made it feel like HOME.

We proudly displayed the beautiful wedding gifts we received as a reminder of that wonderful day.
We enjoyed visits from friends and family, and dinners around our table.
We worked tediously at making Kendall's nursery a soothing, safe place for her to sleep and grow.
We have memories of many Kendall "firsts", all with that house as a backdrop.

Driving up to our house on Christmas Day, 2009

The beautiful gift we brought home from the hospital :)

Our living room, all cozy and cluttered with gifts!

Kendall won't remember it, but I will always cherish the time spent in that house- the place where I became a wife and a mommy.

Ten Things I'll Miss About Duluth: #2 The Vineyard Church

2011-05-24T13:55:00.001-05:00

Oh, man. Who's got blog guilt? This girl. Not even the "end of the world" could get me off the hook for this top ten! But, I'm glad to return with vigor, as number two holds a very special place in my heart!

Vineyard Church. Prior to finding my place in this community, I felt like I was hanging out with all of Chris' friends. Not that that's a bad thing, I just wanted to have some neutral friends that didn't necessarily have a history with either one of us. I also desperately needed a place to worship JESUS with other believers! It took six months of church "shopping" to find the right fit for us. Amongst many churches that seemed to be dying (or dead!), this one had momentum, energy, and love for Jesus oozing out the walls.

During our time at Vineyard, we got to be a part of an exciting move to a brand new building, and have subsequently watched the church grow and grow. I joined a worship team, and later began leading one of four teams. I used my musical gifts to teach a course on Keyboards in Worship for the Vineyard Music Academy. I was blessed by the Women's Ministry and it's programs. I watched Kendall thrive in her very own Sunday School class! I enjoyed my time in a local small group. I learned how to worship Jesus more authentically. And, I met some people who changed my life for the better. That's what church is about, right?

Love God, Love People. Period. ; )

Thank you, Vineyard Church, for your ministry to me. I am a better, closer follower of Jesus because of you.

There's a Bun in the Oven!

2011-05-08T17:52:00.002-05:00

We interrupt this blog to bring you a special Mother's Day announcement:

There's a bun in the oven!!

And for the metaphorically challenged,

by "Bun," I mean baby.

And by "Oven," I mean my uterus :)

Due to complete baking by Thanksgiving Day!

Mom is Always the Best Educator...

2011-05-08T12:00:00.002-05:00

10 lessons that only moms can teach us (because college is way too busy being academic).

College teaches you how to look at the world. Mom teaches you how to look at your own behavior.
College teaches you how to structure your time. Mom shows you what to do with your spare time.
College teaches you to appreciate a well-thought-out presentation. Mom teaches you to appreciate a Mickey Mouse-shaped pancake.
College teaches you about gravity. Mom teaches you how not to fall off a bike.
College teaches you how to drive home your point. Mom teaches you how to drive a stick-shift.
College teaches you how to make plans. Mom teaches you how to be flexible when those plans don’t work out.
College teaches you how to get to the heart of broken management. Mom teaches you how to manage a broken heart.
College teaches you to respect deadlines. Mom teaches you to respect others.
College teaches you accountability. Mom teaches you reliability.
College teaches you how to think. Mom teaches you how to love.

Happy Mother's Day to the greatest teacher I've ever had :)

Ten Things I'll Miss Most About Duluth: #3 Mount Royal Fine Foods

2011-05-07T00:01:00.000-05:00

I don't think I can adequately express just HOW much I disliked grocery shopping. Then two things happened in my life to change that opinion:
1) I had a baby, and grocery shopping became my only alone time.
2) We moved a couple blocks away from the greatest grocery store ever.

Yes. A grocery store graces my top 10, and it would probably appear on yours, too. I became enchanted with their delicious deli items, beautifully organized produce section (yes, these are the little things that make me happy these days...) and friendly service. But the thing that I love the MOST the Caribou Coffee cart that greets me with familiar baristas and enough caffeine to endure the task ahead. Oh, and at Christmas time, I can always count on the sweet stylings of a stringed quartet or a group of Dickens-clad, muff-wearing carolers wandering the aisles.

I doubt grocery shopping will ever be the same.

Ten Things I'll Miss Most About Duluth: #4 Lake Superior

2011-05-06T23:46:00.000-05:00

"It will be just like living by the ocean!" This is what Chris said to me after I agreed to uproot from Long Beach in order to move to Duluth. Um, nice try honey, but not quite. Aside from the egregious lack of beaches and the fact that it turns into a giant block of ice once a year, it does take the edge off being landlocked in the midwest. And nothing beats driving over the hill in the morning to see the morning sunlight bouncing off a layer of mist. Breathtaking, really. Kendall and I have enjoyed strolls along the Lakewalk since she was tiny. We'll certainly miss that beautiful, GREAT lake!

Ten Things I'll Miss Most About Duluth: #5 Book Clubs

2011-05-05T21:39:00.000-05:00

Not that there aren't book clubs in Fargo/Moorhead, but I really enjoyed the groups I joined in Duluth. I really wasn't a recreational reader prior to moving to Duluth- juggling way too many activities in So Cal. I picked up my first work of fiction in almost ten years shortly after moving here (having no job and entirely too much time on my hands) and regained a love for reading.

I was invited to a Young Moms book club by a friend of mine and, though I was newly pregnant with Kendall and technically not a "young mom" yet, I enjoyed some girl time away from home. Recently, some friends from church put together Sir Book-A-Lot, a "sophisticated" book club for beings of higher intelligence (pffft!). I'm sad that I'm moving just as this group is taking off...great discussion, scintillating book picks, and amazing food.

Happy reading to all my book club friends!

Ten Things I'll Miss Most About Duluth: #6 Sarah, and the On The Canal team

2011-05-04T19:56:00.001-05:00

Since I mentioned On The Canal in the previous post, I thought I'd go ahead and elaborate on my LOVE for this place. Sarah, my stylist, was one of the first friends I made in Duluth. I cannot tell you how much I love this girl, and how much she must love me to put up with my hair on a regular basis! Sarah has listened to me vent, cry, and sing through some crazy stuff the last few years, and I've heard her share of trauma, too. It was icing on the cake when we started attending the same church, and had yet another common thread weaving us together!

About a year ago, I converted Chris from his SuperCuts ways. Though he felt his pride was in jeopardy on his first visit, it took one haircut with a neck massage and aromatherapy to hook him for life. Now, he's a spoiled haircut brat :)

And as a regular customer, I've gotten acquainted with the rest of the staff at the salon- sometimes it's just nice to go "where everybody knows your name". (NORM!!!!!)

One of the conditions of our move (established by Sarah with my husband) was that I will get to pay her a visit every few months for my color appointment. So, it's not goodbye to the salon, but "see ya later!"

Sarah at work!

Look at the way she traumatizes my child....

Ten Things I'll Miss Most About Duluth: #7 Canal Park

2011-05-04T19:56:00.000-05:00

Canal Park is adorable.
I must admit, when Chris first told me that Duluth is a "tourist city," I laughed. But all you have to do is visit Canal Park in the summer to see what is drawing people from all over the area to Duluth.
Grab some great food at one of MANY restaurants there.
Enjoy a Caribou Coffee and take a stroll on the Lakewalk.
Trek out to the lighthouse for a panoramic view of the port and expanse of Lake Superior.
Get yummy gourmet chocolates, grab camping gear from Duluth Pack, or peruse the "I Love Duluth" shop.
There's always time for a Coldstone ice-cream!
How about a little massage at On The Canal Salon and Spa?

It's become a favorite spot for walks with Kendall and dates with my hubby. Don't worry, Canal Park...the Stavengers will be back to visit you ;)

Ten Things I'll Miss Most About Duluth: #8 On3Design

2011-04-20T16:20:00.000-05:00

We found Al and Lyndsey Johnson through Vineyard Church, and promptly scheduled them for Kendall's newborn shoot at 3 weeks old. Lyndsey came to our home and patiently endured a shoot with a fussy baby. Somehow, she captured some magical images on film, and we have a wonderful souvenir from our first weeks with our baby. We enjoyed our time with Lyndsey so much that we scheduled a family session in the fall of last year. Baby announcements, Christmas Cards...we have On3Design to thank! To see some of their incredible work, including pictures from their recent adoption in Ethiopia (wow!), check out their website!

Ten Things I'll Miss Most About Duluth: #9 Hawk's Ridge in the Fall

2011-04-19T17:22:00.000-05:00

If you've been lucky enough to visit Duluth during the 3-week climax of autumn, I'm sure it took your breath away. You have to time it well...it seems to come and go as quickly as cherry blossom season in D.C. And if it's too cold, the colors aren't nearly as brilliant. But when all the conditions are right, WOW. It *almost* makes the 8 months of winter we endure worth it!

Hawk's Ridge overlooks the city of Duluth from the hillside, and also provides a sweeping view of Lake Superior. We like to stop and hike the small trails to hidden scenic overlooks, and frequently make stops along Seven Bridges Road for beautiful pictures. Waterfalls, streams, stone bridges, gorgeous views....all just a few minutes from our house!

Ten Things I'll Miss Most About Duluth: #10 Fitger's Brewhouse

2011-04-11T16:12:00.000-05:00

As our days in Duluth wind to a close, I thought I'd take some time to appreciate all the things I've grown to love about this city.

If you have come to visit us during our time in Duluth, you HAVE BEEN to Fitger's Brewhouse. It's our go-to Northland dining experience for visitors, date nights, and gatherings with friends. It was the first place I ate when visiting Duluth. In fact, on that fateful day, our table was positioned under the "You'll Love Duluth" sign. I made jokes about it at the time, but it was truly quite prophetic. And it was the first meal I had after my labor with Kendall (in the hospital, thanks to my loyal runners!).

I have devoured more of their beer-battered fries than I care to think about, each one totally worth the souvenir calories it comes with. Chris' mouth starts watering at the mere mention of the "Beau Burger", and though I'm no beer connoisseur, the unique flavors and brews are the best around.

There WILL be weekend trips to Duluth in our future, if not only to re-visit one of our favorite restaurants, Fitger's Brewhouse!

Dance Break!

2011-04-10T18:28:00.001-05:00

Observe the following awesomeness:
1. My daughter's affinity for punk rock.
2. Her attempt to breakdance at 1:45.
3. The fact that she has surpassed her father in coolness at fifteen months.

Happy Blogoversary to ME!

2011-04-09T08:43:00.001-05:00

If you can believe it, tomorrow marks the FIFTH year of this blog!
Now, I was blogging a bit before that on another domain, but this particular blog kicked my commitment into high gear.
You can travel back to that first post here.
And many of you have been following for YEARS!
Thank you for keeping up with me and our growing family.

Here's to many more happy blogs to share!

I'd love to know if you've been following for a while- leave a comment (maybe you've never done that before...it's easy!) and share some love! And if you have a blog that I don't know about, do share your link!

K.S. Phone Home

2011-04-05T09:31:00.000-05:00

Yay! Gonna call Grandma!!

It's ringing...

Wait a second...I can't hear anything....

Connection lost!? Dang it, AT&T!

Fifteen months old, and she can power on my phone by sliding her finger across the screen. She particularly loves scrolling down on text messages. By five, our kids are going to be schooling us on the latest technology- it's pretty scary!

I Got Skills.

2011-04-04T15:36:00.001-05:00

I was reflecting today on all the various jobs I've held in my life, and how each of them supplied me with life skills that have long outlasted my employment. It was a fun walk down memory lane! In chronological order, here they are:

The Bible House (Stockton, CA)
-How to work a register
-How to gift wrap a package
-How to discern between different translations of the Bible
-How to supervise a team
-Familiarized with Christian authors and artists
-How to execute EXCELLENT customer service!

Nutcracker Sweet (Stockton, CA)
-How to create a gourmet gift basket
-Tasted every kind of chocolate imaginable :)
-How to work humbly under difficult management
-How to deal with crazy Beanie Baby collectors
-How to bum sandwiches off of the cafe workers for lunch

Alder Market Catering (Stockton, CA)
-How to create wonderful food presentations
-How to fold a napkin :)
-Gleaned numerous ideas for my wedding
-Took away secret hors d'oeuvres recipes

Bath and Body Works (Stockton, CA)
-How to annoy customers with pushy sales tactics
-How to respond after being assigned one night a week (quit.)

Pottery Barn (Sacramento, CA)
-Team-driven retail
-How positive incentives affect employee motivation
-Retail has big perks (40% discount, people!)

First Baptist Church (Stockton, CA)
-Responsibility and authority in Ministry
-Ability to organize programs
-How to lead worship authentically
-How to care for the spiritual needs of children

Lakeside Christian School K-8 (Stockton, CA)
-How to put together daily learning experiences for a classroom of children
-How to work with and establish trust with parents
-How to engage children in meaningful activities
-How to successfully manage large groups of children

Biola University (La Mirada, CA)
-How to inspire prospective teachers
-How to keep a paper trail for EVERYTHING
-How to use a MAC computer (life changer!)
-How to be attentive to detail in paperwork
-Understanding the teacher licensing process in multiple states

Mommy (Duluth, MN)
-How to make a baby giggle
-How to meet daily needs of children
-How to balance being a wife and mother

How about you? Have any of your previous work experiences given you useful life skills? Any that stand out to you?

Kendall and the Purple Crayon

2011-04-01T17:38:00.000-05:00

We enjoyed Barnes & Nobles' children's storytime the other day, featuring the children's book "Harold and the Purple Crayon". Kendall enjoyed the opportunity to make her own artwork with her very own purple crayon. Although, she spent more time fixated on how to get her neighbor's orange crayon...

Daddy Daughter Rock Chalk.

2011-03-31T16:22:00.001-05:00

Kendall was a supportive daughter last Sunday, sporting her Jayhawk gear to help her daddy cheer on Kansas in NCAA tournament. They enjoyed (endured) the game together, a game that ended sadly with a loss.

Before the game.

After the game.

Seeing Red.

2011-03-27T17:15:00.000-05:00

Nice job, Kansas.
Way to disappoint us yet again.
Closing the book on March Madness this year with a dead bracket.
Beep. Beep. Beeeeeeeeeeeep....

Like a Big Girl!

2011-03-25T15:49:00.000-05:00

Wearing Mommy's shoes and feeling like a big girl.

Seriously....wearing Mommy's shoes is my new favorite thing.

Standing up tall like a big girl.

Helping with the laundry like a big girl.

Climbing the stairs like a big girl.

Playing with...well, let's just say there are some perks of being a LITTLE girl, Kendall.

Tough Stuff and Big Changes

2011-03-24T15:57:00.002-05:00

You know that saying, "God will only give you what you can handle"?
Such a lie.
We deal with stuff all the time that we can't handle. Sometimes it just feels like it's burying us.
And when we think we've reached our capacity for sanity, God assures us that He's there to carry the load- if we'll let Him.

So, I guess it should read, "God will only give you what HE can handle."
And I'm okay with that.

So it has been the last few months of our lives. We've been thrown some serious curveballs that have put our faith to the test:

A miscarriage in January.
Major home damage in February.
Countless bills from both of the above.
A job offer for Chris in a place far from where we wanted to move.

In the midst of it all, it was like walking through mud. Our serene daily routine was replaced with contractors, phone calls, doctor appointments, paperwork, yadda yadda yadda.

And knowing that God was up to something, I tried putting the pieces of the puzzle together (which never seems to work). God, you make ALL THINGS work together for the GOOD of those who love you (Romans 8:28). This must be no exception! As frustrating as it was, this was the truth to which I pressed in every day.

The culmination of all of this mess is that Chris accepted a position in Fargo, and we will be moving from Duluth to the Fargo/Moorhead area in late April. When the job offer first came about, I was totally shut down to any consideration. After all, Chris and I had visions of raising our family somewhere completely different, and that singleness of goal has been with us our entire marriage. I was even reluctant to PRAY about the possibility, because that would give God a foot-in-the-door to make it happen. Thankfully, several of my friends offered to help me in this area, praying with me, encouraging me, even giving me prophetic words of community and peace that they feel is waiting for me in Fargo. I have received many soft assurances from God, and do believe that this is the best decision we could make for our family at this time.

And, though I'm not in the"YAY! I'm so excited!" stage of this change, I can see how God has been piecing this move together supernaturally. Perhaps the timing of our pregnancy wasn't right in light of this move. And perhaps all of our home repairs saved us thousands in the long-run as we prepare to sell our house. And maybe, MAYBE, God has this next phase of our lives under control too...

Brilliantly Pointless Street Fliers

2011-03-22T14:00:00.000-05:00

There are more here, but these are a couple of my favorites. And, it's been a while since Lionel Richie got a shout-out on my blog.

I realize this is also a brilliantly pointless blog entry.

It's Spring, You Say?

2011-03-21T18:32:00.000-05:00

I looked out my back window this morning and saw this lovely spring sight:

Pfft...Yeah, right. We haven't seen green since October. It actually looks pretty much exactly like it did in October. White, white, white.

So, while the rest of the world enjoys the flowers and showers that come with spring, we're paying attention to the blizzard warnings for the coming week.

From the Duluth News Tribune today:

Duluth, MN (Northland's NewsCenter) - The national weather service in Duluth has issued a blizzard warning in effect from 1:00 PM Tuesday to 7:00 PM Wednesday.

An intense snowstorm will affect the Twin Ports region Tuesday through Wednesday, including cities of Duluth, Cloquet, Superior and Two Harbors.

The strongest winds and heaviest snow will occur Tuesday night into Wednesday morning.

12 to 16 inches of snowfall is expected by late Wednesday afternoon.
Heavy snow and northeast winds of 30 to 45 mph will result in blowing and drifting snow across the Twin Ports with white out and blizzard conditions likely.

Power outages due to downed trees and power lines are also possible.

For the rest of the Northland, a Winter Storm Warning has been issued meaning snowfall rates of 1-2" per hour and difficult driving is expected. Storm total snow could be 6-12" in these areas with wind gusts over 30mph possible. Drifting snow is also likely with these high winds.

That's all for now....I'm off to the grocery store for some daily rations. Sigh.

A Little Weekend Treat

2011-03-20T12:00:00.001-05:00

This week was a doozy. More on that later.

I thought it was a good time to make something special for Chris and I. A couple weeks ago, I attended a class at Whole Foods Co Op on Pizza Making from scratch. They demonstrated an appetizer Pear and Cream Cheese pizza on an herbed crust, a dinner Greek Hummus pizza, and a Chocolate Dessert pizza. I have since made ALL of them at home and, while the Pear concoction remains my favorite of the three, this chocolate goodness comes in at a CLOSE second.

That's ricotta cheese, blackberries and raspberries on a chocolate pizza crust, topped with chocolate ganache. Go ahead- repent for your gluttonous thoughts...I already have.

So We're in THAT Phase Now.

2011-03-19T12:00:00.001-05:00

She finally found them...cabinets, doors, and all that's behind them.
Looks like my job description just doubled!
I'm keeping a keen eye on this little one...
but letting her have some supervised fun, too. :)

Tick-Tock, Where's My Dinner!?

2011-03-18T20:26:00.000-05:00

This one's for you, Mom :)

State Hockey 2011

2011-03-16T17:00:00.002-05:00

It's a Stavenger family tradition. Hockey? What hockey? I was having too much fun enjoying the reunion! This was Kendall's second go-around at the State Tournament, this year she was a little more engaged. Aside from the tourney, we paid a visit to the Mall of America, where last year Kendall slept through the excitement. This year, she pointed excitedly to every balloon in sight, stared wide-eyed at the giant Dora the Explorer, and took her first ride on the Merry-Go-Round. And Chris and I continue to enjoy seeing all these experiences through new eyes as she takes it all in for the first time.

The black and orange clad Stavs.

Grandma and Grandpa with the grandkiddos.

Our cute little Spuds fan! (And not so cute mommy and daddy, thanks to a day of travel!)

Mallory has a thing or two to teach Aunt Carrie about smiling for the camera!


After riding this quarter-carousel at the Mall of America once, Kendall pointed to it EVERY time we passed by. She was ALL about it, and got to ride it a few more times. Just her size, too!

A break from all the fun with Daddy.

Marcus, Mallory, Uncle Eric and Lauren enjoyed a ride in the caboose.

First time on a REAL merry-go-round! Kendall is staring up at a giant cartoon of Dora the Explorer, of course.

Losers like us.

A night out with all the sibs.

Just the girls...and a guy with a green vest, no shirt, and a barbed wire tattoo.

Get Your Cheer ON!

2011-03-13T23:26:00.000-05:00

Let's get this game STARTED!

Alright SPUDS! Do your thing!

Darn! Thwarted by the goalie.

REF! How could you not call that check!

Nice play, boys. Nice play.

Where I lack a certain passion for the game of hockey, looks like Kendall is picking up the slack. I love watching this girl!

Puck Hunting

2011-03-10T10:57:00.000-06:00

We're off to the annual State High School Hockey Tournament in the cities.
Hockey enthusiasts in California are few and far between.
But, boy is it a celebrated sport here!
Hockey is such a peculiar game to me.
I have a hard time following the puck on the ice...and I have outstanding eyesight.
Most of the time, I just clap and sigh when everyone else does.
It would be nice if they doubled the size of the goal so that some scoring can actually happen.
I will say it's fun to be a part of the energy in the arena.
And we'll be rooting on Chris' hometown team in the playoffs.
Go Spuds! (That's right....Spuds.) :)

Fruit and Meat...Together?

2011-03-08T08:48:00.000-06:00

This is the question my husband asked when I told him what was on the menu for dinner. This recipe featured one of my FAVORITE combinations....pork and apples. It's not a crazy idea- they are paired together often, with the sweet apples complimenting the bitterness of the pork. And it's certainly not the first time fruit and meat have been featured together (ahem, cranberries and turkey). The best part of this recipe- 5 ingredients. FIVE. So easy, there's really no excuse not to try it.

Apple Pecan Pork Tenderloin Medallions
(serves 4)
     1 lb Pork Tenderloin
     2 Tbsp butter
     1 (16 oz) can sliced apples, drained
     1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
     1/2 cup pecans, chopped

Trim fat from Pork. Cut into 1/2" slices.
Melt butter in large skillet over med-high heat until it sizzles.
Reduce heat to medium.
Arrange pork slices in skillet.
Cook 2 minutes, turn slices.
Spoon apples over pork.
Sprinkle with brown sugar and pecans.
Cover and cook 4-6 minutes more.

Vision and Leadership

2011-03-07T11:11:00.001-06:00

I had the privilege of spending the whole day on Saturday with the Women Leaders of the Vineyard Church. We dined, we made pizza, we had coffee, we sang, we watched a film at Zinema...it was a FUN day! Additionally, we cast vision for the future, but not before talking about what vision means. I loved the outline Jordan gave us for recognizing Godly vision. I think it applies beyond the perimeter of ministry, so I thought I'd share it with you. Has God given you vision for your job? Your family? Your education?

1. It's Clear. When we have refined vision, we understand it clearly and the people following us can articulate it as well.

2. It's Challenging. It calls yourself and others to rise to the occasion. One of the biggest defeaters of momentum is a vision that is too small or requires too little commitment. We want something worth investing our lives into.

3. It's Possible. It's actually attainable, though not without hard work and sacrifice. There is authentic possibility in it.

4. It Consists of a Mental Picture. It lodges into our minds and the people we share it with. It is connected to compelling images and memories. You can describe what it looks like.

5. It Relates to the Future. The vision talks about what could be, even if the present reality isn't.

6. It Carries a Sense of Urgency. When you have a vision, it's always tagged with "this has got to happen!"

Vision is the most important commodity that you can have as a leader. Without vision there is fear, insecurity, misdirection, aimlessness and lack of purpose. Without vision there is no leadership."

Picture Perfect

2011-03-04T16:53:00.001-06:00

I took Kendall out for her one-year-old photos (at fourteen months, but nevermind that) a couple weeks ago.
Ignore also the jenky number one that tilted every time she stood with it.
But we still got a good crop of faces!

Unexpected Conversations

2011-03-02T12:00:00.000-06:00

Emily (left) and Chantal (right)

Our new kitchen flooring was (finally) installed today.
Home Depot sent a burly-type contractor to do the work.
So with Kendall asleep, I turned on the end of "The Bachelor", which I had recorded from the night before.
And then I heard from the kitchen:

"Did you miss this episode last night?"

"Yeah- just catching up now."

"It was a good one. Surprising, but good."

"You watch The Bachelor?!"

"Yeah, my wife likes it, and I really like it now that I'm familiar with all the characters."

"Who are you pulling for?"

"I really thought Ashley and Brad had good chemistry, but it seemed like he was trying to make their communication haywire as an excuse to get rid of her. I didn't see that coming at all. I like Chantal, but my wife doesn't like her at all. She seems kinda fake, I guess. We both like Emily, but it seems like she never opens up to Brad like the other girls do, and she's got one helluva past- that's gotta scare him."
(I was cracking up on the inside at this entire conversation. Clearly he is not ashamed at all of watching this show!)

So, now I have a kitchen floor and the latest dish on The Bachelor, compliments of the handyman.
Team Emily!

It's Cookie Time!

2011-03-01T10:58:00.001-06:00

I know what you're thinking.
That's one bad-a$$ looking Brownie.
Maybe it was the feeling of authority that came with snapping on that orange criss-cross tie and pulling up those tasseled knee-highs.
Or maybe that glare is the aftermath of cookie season- a season which I dominated year after year.
100+
250+
300+
I racked up badges like crazy.
This achievement was earned by hauling that brownie beanie door-to-door, and flashing that adorable brownie smile.

As a teacher, I had ample opportunity to get my annual fix of Samoas and Tagalongs. A box here, a box there. But since I moved to Duluth, the Girl Scouts have been eluding me. I heard that cookie season was upon us, but I didn't receive (nor did I expect, given the chilly winter weather) any knocks on my door.

I almost missed the opportunity altogether, until I saw that friend Kathy's daughter was getting ready to collect her cookie orders. NO! WAIT! I need cookies!!! (I pictured myself carelessly sprinting toward her, waving my cash in the air and subsequently diving into a pile of cookie boxes.)

Kathy to the rescue- she's picking up a couple boxes for me.
Crisis averted.

Did you get your cookies this year?
Thin Mints, anyone? :)

I Forgot One.

2011-02-25T09:19:00.000-06:00

Ahhh, my little muppet :)
Thank you, Great-Grandma Peterson!

The Girl Can Work A Hat.

2011-02-24T12:00:00.002-06:00

These are *some* of my favorites from this past year.
That "perfectly round head" turned out to be great for hat modeling :)

Weekend with my Valentine

2011-02-23T12:00:00.000-06:00

I didn't get a card.
I didn't get flowers.
I didn't get chocolate.
I got something much better:
A weekend away from home, away from mommyhood, to rest and soak in the beauty of the Rockies.
While Grandma Marcia came to care for the Buggin, Chris and I spent the weekend in Colorado Springs. It was such a surreal feeling traveling without a stroller, without a diaper bag, without a baby in my lap! I had forgotten what that freedom feels like. And, ohhhh man, was it nice. We had two different flight delays on our trip out, causing us to miss a connection. But we looked at each other and thought "WHO CARES!" No nap schedule to think about, no fussy baby to entertain. Delay us all you want...just being alone is a treat.

And at the same time, I missed that little girl like CRAZY.

Grandma Marcia took over Mommy duties for the weekend!

Our beautiful view of Pike's Peak and Garden of the Gods.

A Valentine's Day visit to the Garden of the Gods.

The "Kissing Camels" got into the Valentine's Day spirit.

Chris with the weight of the "Balancing Rock" on his shoulders.

Same Dream, Different Night.

2011-02-22T15:33:00.000-06:00

Calling all "Josephs" out there- wanna dust off those dream interpretation skills and clue me in on this one? I've been having this same dream for a little over a year now. Have at it.

-I show up at Lincoln High School (Stockton) as a student.
-I'm wearing a red backpack. (That may or may not matter at all)
-It's the first day back at school after a break.
-After first period, I have absolutely NO idea where to go.
-I cannot find my class schedule.
-I try to access my schedule on my iPhone, but it takes too long. (*note*- the internet didn't even exist when I was in high school, let alone iPhones.)
-I head to the office to get a replacement, but there is a long, slow line in front of me.
-I stand there for hours, realizing I'm missing my classes.
-When I finally get to the class where I think I belong, nothing is familiar.
-I leave, and wander the corridors until I wake up.


Lincoln High School (see, in California, we don't need to have the entire school inside)

I Came Home To Find This...

2011-02-21T10:02:00.000-06:00

I remember my thoughts when I first heard we were having a girl.
Pink. Barbies. Dresses. Ponytails. Dollhouses.
It's a world with which I am familiar.
And Chris is quickly learning the ropes.
I love watching these two play together.
Kendall is so lucky to have such a fun Daddy!