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.

Bwhahahaha!

Ok, Shannon linked to this, but if for some sad reason you didn't catch it there- and are in need of a deep abdominal workout... ENJOY.

In which I compare my child to a citrus fruit

This is the size of the baby this week- we're back up to ten weeks. :) She/He is a kumquat. the kids are amazed at the updates in physical development we get each week from Babycenter. Ellie always gushes, "OH, Awww... I just love our baby!!" and gives my very normal abdomen a big cold kiss. I hope the love continues.

Jake and the kids are off to the Basketball banquet at school- a pizza buffet for which I am grateful (not to be in the midst of supper preparation, I mean). After a busy day I am staying home! I hope to go for a walk and then return to pack for a get-away this weekend! Me, and as De put it, forty of my closest friends! :)

We did school today from 8 -10:30!!! Now to some that isn't a biggie at all, but lately we've been starting so late that it takes the whole morning. We're getting down there... 25 lessons in the curriculum to go, but much reading and writing and spelling to teach in the "off-season." (Oh, and gestating and building on an addition, and spring cleaning, and purging of junk, and...) Yeah, we're really never "done."

Life is rolling along here at the Dahl house. We have friends visiting today and you wouldn't know there are any kids here. A gray, drizzly day + Little House + Pollys = quiet. Ahhh.

I am off to get Teriyaki Chicken prepped for supper.

Oh- I got these for my kids for Easter today. Check out the website... The words on these CD's are straight from Scripture, yet a bit more appealing to a little bit older kids than Steve Green's classics "Hide 'em in your Heart." I'm excited to get them! Thank you, Girltalk ladies for the suggestion!

A Wicked good time

We had a great time in Madison. My sister had lots of fun on the agenda for the kids. We mini-golfed, visited the library, went bowling and went to a movie. I got to catch up with my best friend from high school one evening while the kids were in my sister's care. Jake watched more basketball than I previously thought was possible between the State Tournament and NCAA Tournament.

The highlight however came on Saturday when my mom and sister, aunt, cousin and I headed down to Chicago for Wicked. It was SUCH a fun day! We were seeing green and loving it!


Lottie and I and the St. Patty's Day fountain


Lottie, Sara, Me, Mom and Char right after the show!

In which I apologize for neglect- the 18 step plan...

1. I apologize for my delinquency as a Blogger in the past weeks.
2. The ticker at the very bottom of the page is the accurate one.
3. I am at the "tree trunk," "thick middled" stage of pregnancy which feels yucky.
4. But I'm not sick!
5. Doodle was invited to go to school this morning for "Waffle Wednesday."
6. That is why I am blogging at this time of day.
7. I went out late last night and slept very hard upon my return.
8. I am still in a bit of a zone.
9. I need to get out of this zone as I need to pack to get 5 people out of the house in T-minus 8 hours.
10. Here I sit.
11. Thinking surely a milked-down latte wouldn't hurt the kidney bean.
12. The baby is kidney bean-sized this week, moving into a grape on Thursday.
13. I get to see my sissy tomorrow!
14. We are invading her house for FOUR nights!
15. It doesn't seem like I missed telling you about much over the past two+ weeks.
16. It just really flew by.
17. And I'm sorry.
18. For being a delinquent Blogger.

A Winter Wonderland

The kids spent a long late afternoon in the snow yesterday after God dumped us with a foot of fresh powder. Their specialty was "tunnel creation." Here they are with their handiwork!

Delayed Gratification

Well, a visit to my OB and an ultrasound of this peanut brought to light that the peanut is actually lentil-sized yet. Dr. Bob pushed the due date back (insert shrieking "Nooooo...) to Oct 18th, and scheduled another ultrasound in two weeks to check on the little legume. Not exactly the words I was going for. I was hoping more for, "Man, I think you're about 6 months along! No weight gain yet."

On another note, little Bella had her 5-year-old shots. She is terrified of medical procedures. It wasn't pretty, but our nurse was good and for now Bella is completely vaccinated. Hopefully at 12 it won't be quite as traumatic.

I could curl up and nap, but have things to gather for church tonight.
And a lasagna to pop in, thanks to De. What a treat! Thank you so much!!