Rhubarbs.....they're here!!

Ahh, finally it's time for rhubarbs!! I've been waiting and waiting and I finally found some at the farmers market. I was so excited! So I finally had all the ingredients to make strawberry rhubarb jam....so good!!

2 cups chopped strawberries
2 cups chopped rhubarb
5 1/2 cups sugar
1 box powdered pectin
1/4 cup lemon juice

Bring everything but sugar to a boil - add sugar - bring back to a rapid boil and boil for 1 minute stirring constantly.

This is going to be a fav. I'm going to get more rhubarb next weekend and try to make a pie....everything Garrison Keller talks about rhubarb pies my mouth waters - so I figured I'll give it a try.

Oh, and another thing I got at the farmer's market? Roasted Green Chile...now it's not Hatch, but it's something. It is actually really tasty, we are almost done with the bag that we bought on Sunday. It's another sign that fall is just around the corner!!

Kirby in training

So I figured with the baby coming I really need to start training Kirby. It's not that he is a bad dog...it's just that we never really trained him. He just gets super bad on leash because he has leash fear. This is not because we never socialized him. When we lived in B-more he went to the park EVERYDAY to play with other dogs. Without his leash on. Big problemo now because I want to walk him without him flipping out! It gets scary and dangerous the further along I get.
So I bought a Cesar Milan book.

And I started out training. It really only consists of repition. We walk every morning before work. I love walking in the mornings because it is cool enough for both of us and there are less people/dogs to run into. So right now I am focusing on him not pulling on his leash - but walking beside me. He does better some mornings than others. But he is making some progress.

I also bought a shock collar - which I have yet to use! I guess I'm a little freaked out about it....it is supposed to shock him every time he barks. I think I'm going to take it back and get the other kind though - the kind that I can control when it goes off.

The root of the problem? We never told him he was a dog! He has been treated like a child....and I know - it is a disservice to him. But all we can do now is try to make everyday a new day and be better dog owners...

Graduation Present

My parents bought me this for graduation:

YEAH!!! SO EXCITING!! I have been in need of this for a while...especially after the homemade bread debacle. Isn't she a beaut?

I Graduated!!

A week ago last Friday I graduated from grad school....such...a...relief!! I really can't believe it's done - the past two years have been really difficult - emotionally, mentally....just kind of draining. The whole time we have lived in Colorado has just been non-stop for me. Working, going to night school, homework every weekend. I am so glad I am through (well, for the time being, but more on that later). But looking back - I did it at the right time in my life. Being in the part time program at DU really gave me an opportunity to meet some really great people. And I am glad that I waited to go back - I'm not sure if it meant more, but I felt like I could really contribute more from my experiences. Don't get me wrong - there were times when I was FLAT OUT miserable and wanted to quit. I'm so glad I didn't. I'm happy I got this degree before my baby is born - that way I can focus on her and not worry about the other million things (I will worry about well over 1 million things, but they won't have to do with grad school).

Last weekend was just wonderful though! My family came up - Amy, Mom, Dad, and my grandma, and my  friend Beth. We had such a nice time, and it meant SO much that they came to see me graduate. I really had not wanted to do it....but my mom talked me into it and I am really glad that she did. Everyone was so proud...I guess I was just feeling like this was something that I did....like grocery shop every weekend, but my family being here made me realize it was so much more and it made me feel proud of myself. I'm not sure if that makes sense....

So for now my college days are through. I have my nights and my weekends back!! I already have a book list and a movie list going. And I want to start watching TV shows....and sewing and cooking and baking...thingsI have dreamed about for 2 years. And of course, priority #1, start decorating the baby's room!

Newest family member

Wanna see a picture of my new nephew?

This is Boots and I want to snuggle with him. So does Kirby.

We are having.....

A GIRL!!!

She was very cooperative during our ultrasound and we are so happy we were able to find out the gender. But even more important than the gender is that our little girl is perfectly healthy. Everything looked great in the U/S and she is growing at the right rate. We are just so thrilled!!

Here's a picture of our beautiful baby girl!! Even just looking at it now thrills me beyond belief. This is the best thing that has ever happened to us! Isn't she amazing?!?

What's new with me....

Quick update:

Weather - finally cooling off slightly.

Belly - getting pretty big - 19 weeks today!!

Tomorrow - FINAL GRAD SCHOOL PRESENTATION!! After tomorrow morning....I am pretty much through. I can't believe it's almost over - I am almost giddy.

Graduation - one week from Friday!

Ultrasound - one week from Today!!

Family coming - one week from Thursday!

27 Days until I can decorate for Fall (oh, yes, I look forward to this for MONTHS! It takes everything to wait until Sept. 1)

What's new with you?

picture updates

Me - almost 17 weeks

Tony - almost Grizzy Adams

Jam Makin'....

I've been in the mood to make some jam, so when strawberries went on sale I went a little nuts. Like 12 pints nuts. I figured it was best now to start making Christmas presents, since come Christmas I probably won't feel much like shopping or making anything!
The jam turned out so tasty! Peaches went on sale this week - so last night I made strawberry/peach jam. Delish! I went a little rouge on the recipe, so it didn't quite set like I wanted it to. Tonight I'll add more sugar to it.
2 Cups Strawberry's (sliced/diced/processed)
2 1/2 Cups Peaches (same as above)
5 Cups Sugar
1 Cup Brown Sugar
2 Tbs. lemon juice
1 packet pectin (I've begun using liquid - but powder is fine)
cinnamon to taste (I only like a little)

Bring fruit and sugar to a boil - let boil for a few minutes and get the peaches soft. Add lemon juice and cinnamon. Stir a lot! This needs to be at a rolling boil before you add the pectin. After you add the pectin let it boil for 1 minute (depending on elevation - I have to let it boil for a minute and a half). Take off heat.
In the mean time your jars and screw tops have been boiling in water - take them out as you fill them.

Now I got my strawberry jam to set without double boiling - but I think that might have been another reason my strawberry/peach didn't set last night. So this time after I fill the jars I will put them back in boiling water (2 inches above the top of the jars) for 15 minutes.

I also got some plums today so I'll be making that this week too.

Coming along...

Here are some pictures from yesterday - being 15 weeks 4 days. It's funny how in maternity clothes I look more pregnant than in regular clothes. I am mostly wearing maternity clothes now - they are so much more comfortable. I still wear my regular jeans with a bella band, but I don't know how much longer that will last.

So here are the pics - even though I feel like I look more fat than pregnant. I'm sure that will change in the next couple of months though!

Week 13

Today I am 13 weeks and 5 days along. It's odd - some days I really feel like I am showing....then other days not so much. I definetly look chubby, but not obviously pregnant. I am feeling great though! This has been easy so far. I was nauseated for about 4 weeks or so, but that is getting better now. There are still some foods that I can't really eat, but I'm sure that will pass. The most disappointing this of all is that I haven't been cooking....I just don't have it in me to do it. And then when I do cook, by the time I get done I can't eat any of it. I am really hoping this will pass - I miss cooking!!

Tony is living up in the mountains. I miss him so much!! I know I'm being extra emotional, but I just cry and cry when he leaves to go back on Sundays. It's awful! I'm glad he's getting it out of the way now though, and then he'll be that much closer to being done.

The good thing is that I have been really busy with my own classes, so I haven't had time to dwell on Tony being gone. I am getting so close!! This last capstone class if really demanding, but I just keep thinking this is it! And I'll have my degree and be done with school for a while.

6 more weeks until we find out the sex (hopefully)! Everyone said that pregnancy seems to go by quickly and they were right. I'm so eager for things to slow down in life so that I can just focus on enjoying the pregnancy and getting ready for the baby!

Look at what I'm growing!!

THIS:

OH YEAH.....AND THIS:

That's right  - you are looking at the first picture of our baby!! Tony and I could not be more thrilled. I am 12 weeks and 4 days today. So far everything looks wonderful. I am due around Christmas. This is the most amazing thing that has every happened to us! It's been kind of hard to keep it a secret because we have known for a couple of months, but we just wanted to wait and make sure that everything looked ok. I have just started showing, really showing this past week.

Orlando

The day after we got back from Minnesota I had to fly to Orlando. I had a conference for work. It was originally supposed to be in Nashville, but was moved to FL because of the flooding. I was really really looking forward to Nashville, so I was kind of disappointed that we were going to Orlando. But it was great! Much better than I thought it was going to be.

The conference was really good - and I got to catch up with an old friend and make a new friend! Here is a picture of me, Sarah, and Emily at Universal.

On Friday we went over to Cocoa Beach for a little while. It wasn't as nice as I thought it would be, but still, it was a beach and I had a nice time just visiting with friends.

Minnesota weekend

So Tony and I drove to MN for the Memorial Day weekend. We left Thursday around 4pm and got to Duluth the next morning around 9am. Tony drove through the night and I slept on and off. We rested for a while then went down to Park Point to go to the beach (Lake Superior). I cannot explain my love for Lake Superior. From the moment that we make that turn on I-35 and the lake comes into view my heart speeds up. It's just so beautiful. It never ceases to take my breath away.

A huge ship (maybe called a Laker?) coming under the suspension bridge. It's fun to see the ship traffic.

That night we went out to some friends house for a party. I have a video of Tony and Daniel jamming together that I'll try to figure out how to load it.

Saturday we drove down to Minneapolis and went to the Twins game. The stadium was really nice and clean. It's right in downtown Minneapolis so the stadium is more vertical than others I have been to. Unfortunetly it was really hot that afternoon and our seats were right in the sun. We only stayed for 6 innings and then  had to leave. After that we went down to Lake Harriet and Lake Calhoun though and I got to see where Tony's grandmother used to live. What a beautiful afternoon we had with Tony's parents and Daniel.

This is Joe stretching.....I know you can't see his face but it's him.

Only in Minnesota can you get Walleye at the game.

We left on Sunday around noon and drove to Nebraska. We didn't drive through the night that day (thank goodness) so we got back Monday mid afternoon.

It was definetly tiring and fast and furious - but we always have such a wonderful time in Minnesota and it's always worth it.

Comings and Goings

Life's been same old same old. Too much to do, not enough time. I finally got registered for summer school - so I'm on track to be done in August! I'm glad but I've had so much drama surrounding the whole school thing that I am just ready for it to be over.
We did go see Robin Hood last weekend!! It was AWESOME!! So much better than I thought and I highly recommend it! I loved the one with Kevin Costner so I wasn't sure how this one would hold up - but it was great!
This week I'm looking forward to school being over and on Thursday we are going to MN. Tony's dad got us tickets to a TWINS game on Saturday night - we are really excited to go to the game, especially in the new stadium. Ok, let's be honest - I get to see Joe Mauer and that's always a good thing.

Jesse's visit (and why I'm a bad friend for not posting about it sooner!)

Jesse came to visit us the last weekend in April. I can't believe I haven't posted about it yet....I've been meaning to, but.....I just haven't.

It was such a great weekend!! I really needed to see an old friend. We took a painting class on Friday night which was fun - I don't know why what I saw in my head didn't transfer to my canvas though. Jesse and Tony's looked GREAT and they will definitely be going on the wall. The class was fun though and I really like the concept of it.

Saturday we went to Eldorado State Park. We wanted to show Jesse one of our favorite places and show her all the rock climbers. Serious serious serious rock climbers. Then we drove up to Estes and went to RMNP. This is where her mind was blown - exactly what I was hoping would happen! There was still so much snow on the ground and it snowed on us while we were driving around too.

It was a great weekend and I'm so very glad that Jesse flew out here to see us. It meant more than we can say.

Go here to see what Jesse thought of our rocky state.

Birthdays

This past week I turned 29 years old. 29. It's kind of hard for me to wrap my mind around. Just the fact that this is the last year of my 20's. I can say that my 20's have flown by - the years have been good, full of love and laughter - a very good decade for me.
I am sitting here trying to think of where I have been for each birthday...and what I was doing.
Well, on my 20th birthday Tony proposed to me.....so by my 21st birthday I was married. I'm pretty sure that we went out for Cinco de Mayo at a bar that year. The next ones are kind of a blur....but I remember my 25th, that was in Maryland and a bunch of friends came over to the condo to celebrate. That is when they realized how far away I lived from everyone else and why I didn't invite people over more often.
My 26th birthday - Heather and Gary, Sean and Bern, Jen and Adam, and Craig came down to Federal Hill to go bar hoping for this birthday. That night was so much fun!! Great memories, even if the next morning I was sore and bruised up. :)
All in all, I'm most thankful that I have gotten to spend every birthday of my 20's with my sweet husband.

Off the radar

I've wanted to post something...anything...for a couple of weeks, but I feel in turmoil right now and can't think of anything good. So I direct you to Trisha's blog to look at some really hot pics of Joe Mauer...and a little tid bit of Trisha and I's meeting in Las Cruces.

In need of intervention

I'm in serious need of some prayer. The get down on your knees kind. No one is sick, everyone is fine - I'm just going through a really stressful time right now - disillusioned with people and so hurt I can't even find anger.
So for any of you that read this - say a little prayer for me. Thanks.

Home Brewin'

So Tony has started home brewing. In the past 6 months or so our appreciation of beer has grown (maybe that's why I can't lose my gut?) and what better way to expand on that than to start brewing your own? Friday he bought all the equipment and yesterday our house smelled incredible!! It's going to take a few weeks for us to try our first batch - but it's so exciting! This definitely is a hobby that is going to take patience.
Now we have to start thinking of names for the micro-brew. Any suggestions from all you creative people out there?