Monday, Monday

The good news?

The excavator is here!
I have been meaning to clean and purge our utility (storage) room for a couple of months now, and I have the opportunity!

The bad news?

I HAVE the opportunity because a line was accidentally hit that brings water our to our wood boiler. Our utility room is under 2 inches of water. The lines broke right above the shelves that hold our camping gear (sleeping bags, tents...) and our keepsakes from childhood. What does the Bible say about holding loosely to the things of this world?

I'll be downstairs until further notice.

Walla Walla, anyone?

So today the baby has reached the size of a large onion. Approximately 5 oz. and 5 inches long. However, to this point, I have gained 5 pounds total. (Where's the justice!?) Seeing as how I am 17 weeks along out of 40 total weeks, I figure I will gain a grand total of 11.76 pounds. You know, when you cross-multiply and divide. ;)(insert snickers. Or Snickers... yum.)
The tough news is that I have had my heart set on finding out the gender via ultrasound which our doctor has always done between 18 and 20 weeks. Yesterday he informed me he would do it at 24 weeks... which is late June/ early July. That's a long time, people!

I have felt the baby move just a few brief moments. I really don't sit still very often, so I am sure it moves more frequently, I'm just not paying attention. Sometimes I can see a baby belly plain as day, and other days I can't even tell it's there (usually in the morning). That's about all the news I have for you on the gestation front.

Tomorrow is the long awaited "Garage sale day" (insert angelic "Ah-ha's"). I will share a portion of my list with you, though like last year, I am sure I will find many treasures that I am forgetting I need until I see them. Here goes:

1.Shoes, shoes, boots and more shoes for all three kids.
2.an umbrella stroller (never had one, believe it or not. Spoiled baby of the family. :) )
3. a hot thermos
4. a bigger cold beverage thermos (1 gal+)
5. rollerblades for Noodle
6. a bathroom scale (again, never had one!)
7. bedside lamps
8. Little House books
9. an aluminum bat (or a few of them)
10. brown dress sandals for me
11. sawhorses
12. a sled (or a few of them)
My youngest SIL os making her maiden voyage with us, and seems to be up to the rigors of the day. :) She and her family should be arriving later tonight.

God has been so good to us. I am so thankful for health. For friends. For family. For the beauty of His creation. For new life. For the joy children bring. For this new little life inside me. Thank you, Lord.

Dances With Skunks-Now on DVD

Well, due to the precious avocado I am incubating, I will not be able to join friends in doing the May Day weight loss challenge. I do however, hope to control the weight gain with this pregnancy, and hope to not retain "our little caboose" with a big ol' caboose of my own.

So, with that in mind I set out for a walk this morning, met up with a friend for a bit, and then parted ways to head to our own homes. I walk a little frontage-type road and was admiring all the new green life in the ditch when out of the corner of my eye I saw movement. About 5 feet away in the middle of the road was a skunk, precariously tiptoeing on it's front feet- rear in the air. I took a quick step back, then side stepped slowly along the road, trying to look as non-threatening as I could. Without the release of any aroma, he started waddling away. He took the opposite ditch to the nearest culvert with me crossing to watch him until he was out of sight.

So there you have it. My brush with nature on a lovely Wednesday morning.

I made delicious mango/banana smoothies for breakfast- just the fruit and milk. Oh, were they good! Now off to do the bills in which I will sweat off any water weight I am carrying. :) I have a baby check this afternoon. Stay tuned for the produce update tomorrow!

Ahhh...

Do you hear the satisfaction in that sigh?
Doodle, Bella and I spent a good part of the day purging their toys. We started with a messy, overflowing, disorganized basement family room and now have a clean, orderly place where, hey, ya know, I think they could actually PLAY with the toys that remain.

We sorted movies and books. We consolidated toys and re-containerized what remained. I wish I had before and after pics. Honestly, though, my first reaction upon going down there was to throw up a little bit in my throat, not to grab the camera.

A good vacuum and dust will complete the makeover.

*** Note, speaking of vacuum, my dear husband fixed our saggy-belted vacuum that has been stinky and non-effective since he was out east! It now purrs like a kitten and sucks like, well, a Hoover.***

I am officially getting in on a garage sale in early June. I have a pile accumulating and today's booty doubled it.

Not to tackle that wretched utility room. Inspiration- come find me!

Another fabulous Mother's Day gift would be...

I would just love for someone more techno-savvy than myself to design my blog! I've got it all envisioned... but I'll save the details for later. Good Luck to all! :)

10 things meme

OK, I was bad at posting the last meme De(de) threw my way so I am going to do this one so she doesn't hold a grudge forever (he he... you have to read her list to get that one!).

I am to list ten facts about me or habits that I have, and then am supposed to tag ten of you to play along. I haven't done this for a long time, so I may repeat, and I don't think there are ten of you out there who read this blog and have your own (or haven't already been tagged by De), so if you want to play along, please do, and leave a comment so I can read them!

1. I hate feet. Especially other peoples feet. I even wince when I have to trim the kids toenails. The boys both do their own now. Dry feet are the worst... On me and others. ugh.

2. I go through deodorant very slowly. Though I DO wear it daily, Jake goes though 2 or 3 sticks to my one. (Let me know if you are a friend who has noticed I don't put enough on. I do want to know.)

3. There are only 4 foods I don't like (I think). Milk, cake, frosting and coconut. I am a very adventurous eater and will try just about anything that isn't in the "Fear Factor" realm.

4. I love hiking and walking. I would take a hike daily if time allowed.

5. I was adopted at 2 months old. I have found my birth mother, but once my curiosity about her was fulfilled I am no longer in touch with her. I have a GREAT God-given family and have no desire to pursue a relationship with my birth mom. There are many more emotions to that all than I ever knew existed. I still don't understand them all! :) I DO know that I am very full with all God has blessed me with.

6. I *LOVE* garage sales and most of what I wear is from them. Not everything... but at least an item a day.

7. I get carsick when I am not in the front seat. Be warned. :) It's manageable... I usually just need to open a window and get air when I start to feel queasy.

8. I can't stand waking up to a dirty kitchen.

9. I love to shower and take L-O-N-G showers. Daily.

10. I took 8 years of piano lessons. I also played the oboe for 8 years with stints on the cymbals, alto sax, and bass drum for marching band.

There you go! Probably not new for most of you. Play along!!! I dare you.

Have I mentioned I love contests?

This would be a fun Mother's Day gift! Good Luck!!!

Happy Trails!

This bloggity lady is packing up and shipping out bright and early! I get to board an airplane- NO KIDS- just my MIL and I and we are headed west. Gonna get ourselves a homestead. Oh, no wait. That's On the Shores of Silver Lake, the book I'm reading with Bella. Well, we're headed west anyway and greeting the tiniest member of the Dahl family. Not that I'm counting, but we leave here- KID FREE- in 15 hours.

So Hasta La Vista, all. I will report sometime next week how the travels of a cooped-up-mommy went. :)

Disclaimer: I love my children beyond words. I WILL miss them. They are well cared for and loved immensely. Just clarifying.

The Welcome Wagon

Whoo Hoo! We have Daddio back home at the Dahl house- Welcome home, Jaker!

And a big WELCOME to our newest neice, born today in the Wydaho region (I'll wait for her mommy and daddy to introduce her)! I can't wait to give her Mommy a big hug for a job well done! See you Thursday, Baby girl! Your Auntie Molly, Uncle Jake and all your Wisconsin cousins love you already!

Hallelujah!

I just have to say praise the Lord for 75 degree weather! Despite the dreadfully dirty laundry it produces, I love it. Clorox II, Biz and Oxydol on on the top of my Walmart list this week.

We have my wonderful college roomie's kiddos here for a couple days and at about 10am the girls came running up to me and said, "We loved having a bubble bath together last night, so we're trying to get really dirty so we need another one tonight!"

I was truthfully able to say, "Mission accomplished. Now you can play cleaner."

Ha!
Sandbox, trampoline, sandbox, trampoline, sandbox, trampoline... You get the picture.

Back to the citrus fruits!

Ahh ha! I was sadly mistaken! The citrus comparisons continue. We have two more whole weeks of edible comparisons before I need to storm the produce section with a tape measure.
So the baby is lemon-sized this week. We have officially begun the second trimester, which I am sure is much more of a milestone if you are nauseated. I am pretty sure I have felt baby move the past two days. I think it is the love of Hot Mushroom Dip inspiring him/her to dance. Right, Jaker?
We have had a productive week at the Dahl house. I have much of the yard raked and finished the "Big Clothes Sort" for yet another season. No, shorts are not officially in their dressers yet, but it looks as if they may make an afternoon debut over the weekend as temps will soar (We ARE in Wisconsin, folks) into the 70's! Whoo Hoo!
We are eagerly awaiting the arrival of our newest niece out in the Idaho/Wyoming border area. Next week my MIL and I get to fly out and make her acquaintance. Pray for her anxious parents as they wait on their firstborn!
Well, the weather is beautiful and I have a date with my Doodle. (Noodle is at school and Bella is at a playdate, so Dood and I get to walk to the local ice cream parlor for a treat!) Sorry, friends, but a momma's got to have priorities!

I think I may have had a craving. I don't like to blame things on pregnancy a lot, but yesterday morning I woke up and realized I had been dreaming about a hot mushroom dip I made one time. Throughout the day I thought of it and by the kids bedtime I was chomping at the bit to make it. Besides, Jaker is not a mushroom fan AT. ALL. What better time to make it? We loaded up, I got what I needed and while the kids watch part of a movie I threw it together. I got them in bed and came down to warm, creamy fungi heaven.

Here's the recipe:
(If you are looking for low fat, pass on by... nothing to see here.)

Hot Mushroom Dip/Spread
4 slices of bacon, diced (I've gone to using the Real Bacon Pieces in a pouch- Quick and not so messy!)
1/2 pound fresh mushrooms, chopped
1 med. onion, chopped finely
1 clove garlic
2 T. flour
1/4 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. pepper
1 tsp. soy sauce
1 (8oz) pkg. cream cheese, cubed
1/2 cup sour cream
2 tsp. Worchestershire sauce

Cook bacon until crisp, drain all but 2 T. of drippings to saute mushrooms, onion and garlic in until tender. (Or, just saute in a little olive oil and dump in the easy bacon pieces at the end)
Add flour, salt and pepper, cook and stir for a minute until thickened.
Reduce heat, Add cream cheese, sour cream, and both sauces. Cook on Med low until cheese is melted.
Stir in bacon and serve warm with *Wheat Thins* or veggies.

YUM.
And you've gotta love this packaging, right TA? My favorite words... combined with mushrooms! Heavenly!

Dear Daddy,

We sure miss you. We wanted to write to tell you that everything is going well at home. Doodle has become a "reader rabbit" while you've been away. He read 2 whole books yesterday!



Bella has been strengthening her leg muscles continually...



Noodle has been climbing higher than ever...



And lots of things are growing, like the plants:



and Mama:



We can't wait for you to get home. Mom makes us work a lot more than you do.
Love,
Noodle, Doodle and Bella

High Aspirations

So in school the past couple of days Doodle and I have been talking about jobs. Yesterday we focused on how every job is important. After all, what if garbage collectors and firefighters didn't do their job?

Today we talked about how there are some jobs that most anyone is able to do such as a store clerk, dog walker, or cleaning person. We talked about how some people have to have a lot of specific training for their job such as a nurse, electrician or teacher. (I'm not meaning to start a fight over which jobs are harder or anything... after all ALL JOBS ARE IMPORTANT!!!)

So they had a page where Doodle then had to draw a picture of a skilled field he may want to work in someday. Their examples were a dentist, juggler (Special talent/skill?) and a police officer.

He came to me with pride in his eyes and said, " I came up with a really good one. I really want to play football or work in a bait shop, but if I have to go to special training I want to work here!"

And showed me his sweet little drawing of a red building with golden arches.

"Cause not everyone knows what a double cheeseburger is!"

Our Weekly Update

I promised a break from the fruit venue and here it is... the baby is a jumbo shrimp this week. Three inches from crown to rump. I'm sad to say that I think this is where BabyCenter breaks from the food analogies and just gives length and weight approximations from here on out. We'll continue to keep you updated, as I am sure Thursday brings anticipation throughout Blogland as to the development of our little fetus. :)

In other news we had a great Easter!


Though the boys look less than enthused, I assure you their Easter baskets were found, and not filled with coal, or rabbit pellets, or whatever the bad Easter omen would be.

We are headed into the weekend again! Where does the time go? I'm off to tidy the house. And that only makes it sound like a small, pleasant job.

Happy Thursday, All!

And the fruit salad continues...

Well, the fig has now hit lime status, but I guess not the girth of a lime, but rather the LENGTH of a lime (Knowing our Dahl babies, it very well COULD be the girth of a lime as well). All is well. Still haven't had a lick of "morning" sickness (Thank you, Lord!) and am not to worried about it hitting as we begin week 12! I see the doctor next Tuesday for the first of many in and out visits, Lord willing. Stay tuned as next week we break out of the fruit comparisons!

In other news, the rumor is true and I turned 31 on Tuesday. I have great friends and a great family and that's about all I have to say on that.

We are excited for the coming Easter weekend. A time to see extended family and celebrate the Lord's resurrection! Bella and I are having a packing/laundry extravaganza tomorrow as the guys all party at school. Doodle was invited in to our friend and Pastor's wife's 1st grade classroom for the day. He is thrilled. He and Noodle both get to attend a birthday party following school. Can the day get any better? Jake has to say farewell to his first student teacher tomorrow. He was thankful to have him and I'm sure will be sad to see him go.

We wish you all the happiest of Easter weekends! Travel safe, enjoy family and eat the ears first!

An eight-year hickey

So my driver's license expires tomorrow and I loaded up the troops and headed to the DMV. I hurried them through lunch, hollering into the dining room as I primped- determined that the notorious "nightmare photo" wouldn't be so bad. At one point, while craning to keep the kids on task I burned my neck with the curling iron, but didn't think much of it as I packed books, snacks and sleeping bags for the full afternoon wait I was sure was awaiting us.
We were pleased when we took number 98 and they were on 86. Two chapters of Little House later I was up to bat. All went very smoothly. I got to take the vision restriction off the back of my license, "yes, I will give my organs," "yes, I weigh that... usually," and then off to the little photo curtain, "Cheese" and "Here you go, Molly. Your photo turned out nice!"

"Whew," I thought, "cause I don't renew this for eight more years!"
Then I looked.
And maybe it's just because I'm not into the whole public-display-of-vacuum-like affection thing, but I just don't think the burn gives a "nice" look to the photo.

Contest plug

I have to admit that I sign up for contests. Not like hundreds or anything, but here and there. I think I get it from my dad who religiously entered the Readers Digest Sweepstakes, and more recently that Dream Home one on HGTV. He hasn't won yet, but ya know... SOMEONE has to win, right? The Lord provides. It's not a desparation thing- but just entering a contest here or there for say, a $1000 Gap Gift Card Drawing. I won't even have a chance if I don't enter. I see it as opening the door for His provision. :)

So here are two that are too good to keep to myself.
Try not to laugh when the title for this one pops up! It's gas(oline) for life! Over $50 worth of gas each week for I think like 35 years!

And here's one for the "all the rage" Dyson vacuum.

After all, someone's got to win!

Wrapping up the Week

Well, here you have it. I am carrying a wee one the size of a fig this week. That translates to T-202 days until the addition (physical house addition) must be finished! Ahhh...

For those who don't know the minute-by-minute plans of the Dahl family... We had been looking to do a kitchen remodel this summer and after news of the fig hit, decided quickly that an additional bedroom trumped the need for pretty countertops and floors. So we are looking at (and praying for) putting on an "east wing" master bedroom. Your prayers for wisdom would be greatly appreciated as we begin this project. We are newbies at the building process and it seems a bit daunting at this end.

This weekend holds some time with my mom as she is headed up for a short visit. We hope to shop in the morning and she'll spend some time with Jake and the kids as I head into work tomorrow night.

We've had a rainy, cold end of the week. The days have rushed by and I've spend most of my time in the kitchen, it seems. My aunt had sent me a subscription to "Cooking Light" for about 5 years and I recently compiled two cookbooks of what I thought our family would enjoy from them. So far we have not been disappointed... Mango and Raspberry Crisp, Chocolate Zucchini Bread, Cuban Picadillo, Beef and Barley Soup, Pork Tenderloin Enchiladas, Chicken/Cheesy Noodle Bake... they've all been very good. And what better place to be on a rainy spring day than a warm kitchen? (OK, a comfy chair in front of a fire. Or bed. There are better places.)

De- I am contemplating the Real Moms post. I'm not ignoring you! :)

Take Care. Happy Weekend.

Spring has sprung

Ahh, we enjoyed the beginning of this week when temperatures soared into the upper 70's!! Doodle pulled out his bat and ball and gave me a lesson on the "correct stance" to take when at bat. The poor guy needs to pull up a better pitcher from the minors. He stayed calm and kept giving me pointers. "Mommy, maybe I should just stand over here (moves four ft. to the right), cause it seems like that's where your pitches usually go." I could just squeeze him!! (And did!)



OK! WHO KNOWS HOW TO FIX THIS! I CAN'T SEEM TO "BLOG THIS" FROM PICASA, AND WHEN I LOAD IT FROM BLOGGER, THEY ARE UNALTERED- EVEN UNTURNED! HELP? ANYONE?
***Edited*** Thanks, Tammy!

This is Bella on our beautiful Monday. Contrary to how it appears, she is covered- she just had her leotard ("dancing outfit") on under her poncho. "Cause it's kind of like shorts, right, Mom?" Yeah, kind of. Like the kind you don't wear in public... unless you're five and in your own yard.