Spring is almost here...

The other day when Holly and I were "cruising" Walmart, I decided to check out the seeds. We found this nifty little starter kit for planting and for 5 bucks, decided to give it a shot. So...tonight was planting night! Holly wasn't quite sure about the whole deal, but after a few minutes decided to get her hands dirty. She liked putting in the seeds and covering them back up with dirt. She kept asking me "Why?" we had to cover them. After numerous times of telling her "So they can grow," I finally I told her we had to put them to bed and cover them up so they don't get cold. She liked that answer much better! It made more sense in her almost three year old brain, I guess. Anyway, here are the pictures of our planting experience. I've also added two of my ever growing belly. I feel like I look 7 months pregnant, not five, but I guess three pregnancies will do that to you. :) I have an appointment tomorrow and an ultrasound, so pray that all goes well and baby "Fink" is healthy!

 18 weeks

20 weeks. Not the best picture of me, but hey, it shows the bump!

A Celebration of Hope!

1 Corinthians 13:13 tells us: "Three things will last forever--faith, hope, and love--and the greatest of these is love."

A year ago today Kieth and I were at Kootenai Medical Center in Coeur d'Alene Idaho. It was not the trip that we had anticipated having with our baby girl. At 25 weeks gestation, I delivered Hope Catherine Finkbeiner at 5:45am though she was already in God's loving arms. Saying hello and goodbye to your beautiful baby in the same day is not something anyone can prepare for, and is not something a person can understand until they find themselves placed in that situation. But through it all, God has given us his promised PEACE! What a blessing! Even tonight, as I spoke with a friend who is going through cancer treatment, God showed me a glimpse of His greatness and the blessings that can be shared through our difficult experiences. His plan is so much greater than anything I'll ever understand. Over the past year, I've learned that trusting in Him and trying to follow His plan for us is so much more peaceful and rewarding than anything I could create myself! I will never forget the sorrow and pain of losing my daughter, nor will she ever be replaced with the new life growing inside me, but I am reminded of God's grace and His blessing of another child. I look forward to seeing how life has changed by Hope's birthday next year! With God, there is Hope!

Crockpot Chicken & Dumplings

I was flipping through one of my slow cooker cookbooks today and found this recipe. It is now officially "what's for dinner." :) It's in the crock pot and is smelling delicious! It was super easy so I thought I'd share. I made a few modifications to this recipe, such as fat free cream soups and sea salt instead of kosher, so we'll see how it turns out!

2 boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
2 medium carrots, cut into 1 inch slices
2 ribs celery, sliced
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 1/2 cups chicken broth
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp dried thyme
1/2 tsp kosher salt
1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
1 16 oz can buttermilk biscuits
1/2 cup frozen green peas

Place the chicken pieces, carrots, celery, soups, broth, garlic powder, thyme, salt, and pepper in a 3 quart crock pot and mix to combine thoroughly. Cut five of the buttermilk biscuits into quarters. Add to the chicken mixture and lightly combine. Cover; cook on low 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. Fifteen minutes prior to serving, bake the remaining biscuits as directed. Add the peas to the chicken and dumplings about 2 minutes before serving, or until warmed through. To serve, spoon the chicken and dumplings into individual bowls and top each serving with a warm biscuit. Ladle additional sauce over the top, if desired.

16 week appointment!

Today I had a checkup for the baby, and even though I've had two ultrasounds already, the appointments still make me nervous. I have to just pray on my drive over the hill that God will give me peace through the appointment no matter what happens, and he always does. God is good! Everything is looking good they tell me. The heartbeat was strong and fast, between 155-160 bpm, and measuring right on track. I'm starting to get a pretty good baby bump so pictures are going to start showing up on here soon! I'm ready to look pregnant instead of just chubby. :)

Holly's First Haircut...

Well, today was the big day. I finally took Holly for her first haircut! After several years of barely having any hair, she finally has quite the mop of brunette curls, but they were getting quite fuzzy and tangle in the back. So, off to visit our friend and hairdresser Jody Scribner. Holly had been very excited all day about the "big event" but when we got there she wasn't so sure about the whole thing. She ended up doing great and got some "pretties" and a sucker out of it so I'm sure we'll have a hard time keeping her away now! :)

 Before "the Cut"

 Picking out "pretties" for when Jody was done cutting

 Warming up to the idea!

 All done!

The "after" picture, sucker and all. :)

Today!

Today, as many of you know, is my birthday. At 28, I don't really feel any different than I did at 18, except that people that are graduating from college are starting to look REALLY young! There was a new PA student working with one of the doctors today and I swear he didn't look a day over 16. Crazy. Anyway, I was reflecting on the year this morning as I was driving to work and thinking about how this birthday is definitely bittersweet. I'm still the wife of a wonderful husband, mother to a beautiful two and a half year old who I'm crazy about, and the daughter of the most wonderful parents anyone could EVER have. But there's a few things missing this year. This was the first time in my life where I haven't gotten a call on my birthday from my Grandma Marge singing me one of the worst renditions of "Happy Birthday" you've ever heard. At my last birthday, I was anticipating turning 28 and being the mother of two children. I know God had a different plan for my life, but it still breaks my heart to think of the baby I never got to meet. But today had it's highlights. Kieth and I got to see the new life growing inside me at my 12 week ultrasound appointment and everything looks completely normal. PRAISE GOD! I also go to hear a message from one of our great friends on our answering machine that really was THE WORST rendition of "Happy Birthday" that you've ever heard. AND, I can listen to it whenever I want because it's saved on our machine. :)

I really do have a beautiful life and can't wait to see what this year has in store for me. Thanks to all of you who sent birthday wishes my way and I hope on your birthday you feel as special and as blessed as I do today!

Snow Day!

We got about 6 inches of new snow yesterday and Holly was ready to play! When I got home from work, Kieth, Holly, and Lucy were in the yard and Holly was in her snow clothes. We got the sled out and pulled her many times around the yard, and Paige, Holly's friend from across the street, and her mom came over to join in the fun! We topped off the afternoon with some hot chocolate and marshmallows. What a great way to spend an afternoon!