Help! It's Hunting Season!

Be vewy, vewy quiet! I'm hunting wecipes...
I was so excited for September. It usually doesn't feel anything like fall when September hits but the last few days here have been gorgeous! Usually we just pretend like it's fall. And I was excited to start pretending! Until my sweet husband reminded me that it's hunting season. Dove hunting season. It's only a measly two week season, but I completely forgot about it. And it totally stole my "fall" excitement! I forgot that Josh would take the day off work to go hunting opening day. He would probably go hunting the next couple of evenings. He would go hunting that weekend, and then any chance he could get the following week. Josh has been hunting dove (and other 'game') for the past 7 years, at least. He does it for hobby, it's not like we need to hunt so that we will have supper on the table (thank the Lord!). But he hates to throw away what he shoots. He's still a conservative! So my sweet husband asks me, each year, every year, what new recipes I'm going to try with the dove he brings home. Know that the only good amount of meat on the bird is the breast, and it's only about the size of a chicken nugget. A chicken nugget! And it sure don't taste nothing like chicken! It has that gamey taste to it that doesn't leave you asking for more. No wonder I've seen so many recipes that have the little birdies wrapped in jalapenos... it's to mask the taste! So I'm now on the hunt for a few different dove recipes. My brave and talented friend, Hollie, wrapped them up in bacon and grilled them on skewers one year and that was probably the best version of dove I have ever had. Even then I was only able to muster down one or two. Mitchell (at one years old) had a feast and ate more than I did! He sure scored points with his Daddy that day =) I'm sure Josh was thinking many manly thoughts about hunting with his boys! But I'm almost relieved Dove season is so short, how many birds can a guy get? We shall see...until then, wish me luck on my own hunt! I'm almost tempted to cook so awful that they are completely inedible...is that horrible? Or maybe I will finally master cooking wild game! Be looking for a future post about my adventures in the kitchen... I know you want to ;)

The Week of the Birthday

Mason just recently turned 5. My how time flies!
Here he is on the day he was born. Monday, August 15, 2005, just hours old.

Then he turned into a one year old.

And then a two year old...

And then a three year old...

And then a four year old...

And now a five year old.

This is probably the first year Mason had an idea of what he wanted for his birthday, what he wanted to do, how many days left until he was 5...etc. One of the big things he really wanted to do was go camping in Big Bear, where Nani & Papa (my parents) stay for the summer. So we went up the weekend before his birthday and had so much fun! Our good friends, the Gunn's, came up for the day Saturday to get away from the desert heat and hang out with us. We took the boat out on the lake and let the boys have a little fun tubing. It was their first time tubing and they all loved it, I was very impressed with how brave they all were.. because even if I wasn't pregnant, I would be too chicken to go! Marni was brave enough for the both of us and took her turn on the tube. She did great... and even got some air! Mason was the only boy who fell off the tube (with Daddy of course) and he handled it like a champ! Those swimming lessons really helped his comfort level in the water. My sister met us up there with my nephew for dinner and cake and we really just had so much fun. It was wonderful weather with wonderful people! The night before Mason's birthday I kissed him goodnight and said "This is your last day as a 4 year old. You're going to wake up tomorrow and be 5!" He just lit up. I don't think he realized it was literally the next day, and neither did I! I admit it got me a little me teary-eyed thinking about my boys growing up right before my eyes. What do you do? I can't freeze them in time lol! So I just try to enjoy every moment I can while they're little, and say things funny, and ask for help with everything, and take a ton of pictures for when I forget how little and cute they were! So the next day we all woke up, had chocolate chip pancakes per request of the birthday boy, and went to church. We had lunch at Red Robin with Grammy & Gramps (Josh's parents). We realized we've had 3 birthday meals for the boys at Red Robin for the boys so it must be a tradition in the making =) Later that night after church we had a casual get together for cake and ice cream (one last time!) with friends and grandparents.. it was his actual birthday after all ;) Chocolate cake and Mint Cookie Crunch Ice cream (from Dreyers) has been his personal fave and I'm right there with him! That's my boy! All in all it was a great "week" of celebrating Mason. We had fun treating him extra special and loving on him. And I enjoy having a whole week to cope with my baby turning another year older =) Here are some moments captured of our fun filled week!

Getting ready for his first tube ride with Daddy

Party pooper on the boat!

 Mitchell woke up when he realized there was actual fun on the boat!

He really loved it!

Best buds Hunter & Mason

Micah taking a turn with Kevin

A little stop at Bass Pro Shop on our way down the mountain

Lunch at Red Robin. Mason was showing off how "strong" he is as a 5 year old!

Spoons all over the place!

Brothers

He loves chocolate just like his Mama

More cake & ice cream with friends... it doesn't get better than this!

Boys Begging for Bars

It was the end of the month and we were out of granola bars. A snack staple in our house. The boys were begging to go to the store to buy more "bars" but that wasn't going to happen..did I mention it was the end of the month? So I had to think fast ;) {Yes I'm being dramatic about it!} I made a little stop at AllRecipes to find one of the highest rated granola bar recipes, because I only want the best for my boys of course! I came across a chewy granola bar recipe but made a few changes per a review I read. They were real easy to make, Micah and Mitchell even helped add the ingredients...and spill oats all over the floor! The boys loved them, especially Josh since his self made lunches aren't so exciting. Here's the recipe with the changes I made. The Rice Krispies gave it a nice little snap, crackle & pop! Enjoy =)

Peanut Butter Granola Bars

     Ingredients

     3 cups rolled oats                                 1/2 cup butter, softened

     1 cup Rice Krispies                               1/2 cup peanut butter

     1 cup all-purpose flour                         1/2 cup honey

     1 tsp baking soda                                 1/3 cup brown sugar

     1 tsp cinnamon                                    1 1/2 cup chocolate chips

     1 tsp vanilla extract

     Directions

     1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Lightly grease a 9x13 inch pan.

     2. In a large mixing bowl combine the oats, Rice Krispies, flour,           baking soda and cinnamon. In a small bowl combine the butter, peanut butter, honey, brown sugar and vanilla. Stir until mixed together. Add the peanut butter mixture to the oat mixture and stir with a large spoon. Stir in the chocolate chips.

     3. Press the mixture into the pan. Bake at 325 degrees F for 18-22 minutes or until golden brown. Let cool for 10 minutes then cut into bars of your size preference. Let the bars cool completely in the pan before removing. Store in an airtight container or ziploc. 

Letting Go to Grow

Wow, I can't believe my last post was over 2 weeks ago! I've been meaning to update but life has taken over in full force. Between school, running errands, cleaning, homework, meals, laundry, swimming lessons, appointments... and somewhere in between I'm supposed to shower and look decent! It feels as though my life can spin out of control at any moment (ahh!). I'm so grateful I don't have to carry the load alone. I'm reminded of Psalm 55:22 to "Cast your burden on the Lord, and He will sustain you." I tend to think I have so much to do, and I'm doing it all alone. I make my burden heavier than it really is in my own mind. Half the battle is realizing I can't do it alone. And the other half of my battle is asking for help...even to the Lord. Why is that such a struggle? For me the hardest part is giving up control. I sometimes won't even ask Josh to fold clothes or sweep, because he doesn't do it the way I do. How horrible is that?! Let go girl! You're getting FREE help! I know as soon as I get over myself and let go, I find relief. I find rest. And I enjoy the little moments. What can I say, I'm a constant work in progress. I'm thankful the Lord (and my sweet husband) love me just the way I am... my imperfections an all.


Speaking of letting go, the boys have been taking swimming lessons the past few weeks. Their teacher is a woman who's been a part of our church family for years. She is such an amazing and inspiring woman, we are so blessed to know her! She has probably taught the majority of the kids at Desert Chapel how to swim! I've heard so many good things about her teaching and knew it was time to get these boys comfortable in the water. She's so great with the boys and has so much patience. I'm really impressed with how much progress they've made in such short time. Mason has gone from never getting his hair and face wet and only sitting on the steps of a pool to swimming under water. Micah was pretty comfortable in water if he was doubled up in floaties =) Now he's jumping in the pool and taking more risks with confidence. He is on his way to swimming! And Mitchell, completely fearless, is now aware he has boundaries. He jumps in with a big smile on his face and eyes wide open and just floats. No kicking, no paddling, no flailing, nothing. It's almost creepy to watch, but he's just so comfortable! Getting him to kick his feet will be his huge milestone! They really love their time with Ms. Jeannie and look forward to every session we have, as do I! Here are some pictures over the past couple of weeks!