Myles

Sweet little baby boy.  What a precious gift from God!

Always such a happy baby and such a blessing that you were added to our family!

Starting to gain your independence and loving to play with some "big kid toys"

That mischievous grin on your face always makes me smile and wonder what you're thinking of doing next. 

You've grown to be such a wonderful toddler.  Always exploring the world around you and loving life to the fullest.

I thank God every single day that you are a part of this family.  I am so glad that I get to be your mama.  Love you so much!  

Happy Birthday Myles!

Mama

Baking Bug

I woke up the other morning with the baking bug.  We were planning to make Barrett's teacher's gifts this morning (cinnamon and sugar pretzel nuggets), but I've already made Honey Oat Quick Bread and Maple Whole Wheat Bread.  I'm thinking about making loaves of Peppery Onion Bread and White Bread too.  Those might wait til later on :)

The cinnamon and sugar pretzel nuggets are so fast, easy and sooooooo GOOD!  I got the recipe from my mother-in-law at one of my bridal showers (almost 9 years ago!).  They are a wonderfully easy gift to make or a good last minute thing to bring to a party.  In this house we're lucky if they make it out the door.

Here's the recipe...
15-18 oz bag of pretzels (nuggets are best, but I've used twists, rings and sticks before)
2/3 cup canola oil
1/3 cup sugar
2 tsp cinnamon

Dump pretzels into large microwave safe bowl.  Pour oil, sugar and cinnamon over the pretzels and mix well.  Microwave on high for 2 minutes.  Stir.  Microwave on high an additional 3-4 minutes until oil is absorbed (stirring every minute).  Let cool before serving or bagging up to give away.

And here's a picture of the Honey Oat Quick Bread.  The recipe can be found here.  

It's so easy and amazing... you have to try it!

Yes, that is Batman and the Joker in the background.  

In case you want to try it (I didn't take a picture before it got eaten) here is the recipe for the Maple Whole Wheat Bread.

Hope the baking bug bites you sometime soon!  

Megan

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas!  

I hope everyone had a wonderful day celebrating the birth of Jesus!

Megan

Living Nativity

Last night we had our first annual Live Nativity at Messiah UMC.  I thought I would share a few pictures with everyone.  These were taken by wonderful people at Messiah who have great talent!

Mary, Joseph and Baby Jesus (not a real baby... it was too cold)

Camel

The Three Wise Guys

Beautiful Angels

Early Christmas Eve Service

Myles didn't want to stand for a picture and Barrett wouldn't let him go.

If you would like to see more pictures go here and you can see them all.

It was a wonderful evening full of friends, family, laughter, and reflection on the true meaning of Christmas.  

Rejoice!  A Savior Is Born! 

Megan

Spinning Round and Round

Does anyone like to spin?  I don't.  I did as a kid, but I really don't like feeling dizzy anymore.  Several months ago I picked up a couple of sit and spins from the thrift store.  I haven't regretted it yet.  The boys love to sit (and spin).  I caught some pictures of their most recent spin-a-thon and thought I would share with you.

Here they go, side by side.

I love the look on his face here.  Trying to keep concentration.

The smile is still able to been seen even through the spin.

Just so you could see how fast he goes... he about flies off of there!

I hope you enjoyed these as much as I do.  They have so much fun playing downstairs and it's so nice to have a place indoors to let them burn off some of their energy!

Megan

Wonderful Day

What a wonderful day we had today.  We got up, got ready and went to church (both boys went to Sunday School, which doesn't always happen).  After church my parents took the boys back to their house so my wonderful hubby and I could get some Christmas shopping done.  I have to tell you, I didn't realize how much we needed the afternoon together.  We got almost everything completely done.  There are just a few things left to get.  What's better than getting most of the shopping done?  I got to spend an entire 4 hours of uninterrupted time alone with my husband.  It was amazing!  We really needed it.

It is as obvious to everyone else in this picture that he's a foot taller than me?

What's your favorite thing to do on a date with your significant other?
Hoping that you get to spend some quality time with the one you love!

Megan

Double Peppy Pizza with Boz

(source)

My kids have recently found a new love (as far as watching tv goes) in Boz the Green Bear. If you haven't heard of this, you really need to check it out. It is an awesome preschool dvd series that combines faith and education. I even love watching this. If you've been around us during any meal you've heard Barrett say grace. The prayer he prays he learned from Boz the Green Bear. His version goes like this...

"Thank you God for my family and my friends.  Taking time to sit and pray, thank you God for this great day."  

And then he goes on and thanks God for whatever is on his mind that day.  Lately that's been letters since we got a new Boz video (B-O-Zs and 1-2-3s!).   Myles talks along with him and they do a joint "AMEN" with hands in the air (which they learned from Carol- our fantastic Children's Ministry Director at Messiah UMC).  It's adorable... I really should video tape it sometime so everyone can see it.

The first video we got was Bananas, Bubbles and Busy Bodies.  Boz makes "double peppy pizza" with Drew, Grace and Mrs. Baxter.  Barrett has been asking to make this for weeks (maybe months).  So, we finally did.  

They had so much fun adding peppers, onions and tomatoes to their pizza's.

Here's the finished product, pre-baking.

Put them in the oven.  (Ignore the dirty oven)

Final product.  They were delicious and so much healthier than pepperoni (which is usually Barrett's choice).  I'm so glad they made dinner for us and hope they do it again!

Maybe you'll have some double peppy pizza for dinner tonight!

Megan

Holy Yoga

I've been wanting to take yoga for a long time.  I searched to find the right class for me.  I finally came across Holy Yoga.  This is the place where I relax and renew myself every week.  I take the Gentle Yoga class.  We stretch and pose while listening to christian music and praying.  The instructor, Crystal, reads bible verses and a has a message every week.  Last time it was right on the money for what I needed to hear.  

It's amazing how God works like that, don't you think?

Here's what it's all about...

Mission Statement- Holy Yoga is an experiential worship created to deepen people's connection to Christ.  Our sole purpose is to facilitate a Christ honoring experience that offers and opportunity to believers and non-believers alike to authentically connect to God through His Word, worship, and wellness. (source)

You can also check out Holy Yoga: Twin Cities on facebook.  This has all of the                                         class times available in the Twin Cities area.

Here's to making a Foundation in Christ.

Megan  

Daily Three

Does anyone else have some blogs that you check daily?  I have three and I have them all delivered to my email every day (that they post).  I look forward to the little ding of my blackberry telling me that they've arrived.  I'm always looking for something new to read, let me know if you have a blog!

The Small Things Blog

Kate has some awesome hair tutorials that are really easy to follow, a few decorating tips, some cooking, fashion and gives me a good laugh every once in awhile.  She also has an etsy shop with some cute jewelry she and her sister make.

IHeart Organizing

Jen has a super organization blog.  She has three boys (which I can relate to, well I have two) and likes neatness and order... aka organization.  I think she might be my organization twin living in a different state.  She's just better at it than I am.  She also has an etsy shop with some great organizational tools.

Schilling Times

This is one that I just found.  Kenzie's story is amazing!  The strength she finds in her faith is inspiring.  I look forward to following her blog about being a stay at home mama with three kids.

Happy Blogging Everyone!

Megan

Sickies and Snuggles

I'm sure that everyone else is dealing with the random illness that is going around.  Right now we've been battling colds in this house for about a month.  As much as I hate it when my kids are sick, there is one thing that I love... the snuggle time.

Snuggling with sweet baby boy.

And with my sweet big boy.

Here's hoping that you and your kids stay well during this season.  

If anyone does get sick... enjoy the snuggles!

Megan

Fancy Hot Dogs?

Have you ever had one of those days where you have several things you can make for dinner, but they all take too long or you didn't get around to cleaning your crockpot from yesterday?  These are the days that I love Google.  I had half of a package of turkey hot dogs in the freezer and wanted to use them up in an interesting way.  So, I googled "recipes with hotdogs."  Several things came up, but Fancy Hot Dogs Recipe stuck out.  So, I made it for dinner.  I think it took me 15 minutes total.

Since I always forget to take pictures when I'm cooking... here's the picture from Simply Recipes.  Mine, of course, didn't look as pretty and perfect.

I adapted it a little bit because of what I had on hand.  This is the recipe for how I made it...

1 Tbsp butter

5 turkey hot dogs, sliced into 1/4 inch thick slices

1 red onion

1/2 cup pureed low fat cottage cheese

1/4 cup non-fat plain yogurt

1/4 cup pureed acorn squash

Dash of garlic powder

Sprinkle of dried parsley

Why not use sour cream like the recipe calls for?  Well, I don't buy it.  We puree cottage cheese or use plain yogurt.  It's healthier and the boys love it!  Plus, cottage cheese gives a really creamy and cheesy texture/flavor to any dish you put it in.  I added the squash because I try to get in vegetables wherever I can.

Hope you enjoy it as much as we did!

Megan

My top three... from Pinterest

Oh my goodness... I have found Pinterest this week.  

It's so addicting and I had no idea how much I would love it.  I love being able to "pin" things to my board and come back to them later.  It's like bookmarking websites on steroids!  Whether they are decorating ideas, great quotes, craft ideas or gift ideas I just pin the all.  I love it!  

So, I wanted to share some of my favorites so far... 

1. Ruffled t-shirt scarf.  This is an awesome way to use old t-shirts around the house.  What a cute way to bring a fresh look to your wardrobe.

2. I got a bag full of maps from my wonderful grandparents this past weekend and I am having a lot of fun coming up with ways to use the maps.  Some might even turn up under the Christmas tree this year.

3. I picked up an old dog food tin at Arc's Value Village in New Hope this week.  Our current dog food container sits out right now and it's just plain ugly.  I decided that if it has to be out it might as well be cute!

I hope you are able to find inspiration on Pinterest.  I definitely have.  Happy Pinning!

The Things I've Learned from the Car Accident

So, for those of you who didn't know.  The boys and I were rear ended at a stoplight in March of this year.  The car has since been long repaired, but we've been going to the chiropractor once a week or more since March 30th.  I was thinking the other night about what I've learned from having the accident and I thought I would share with all of you...

1. Ice and massage are your best friends.  I can't tell you how much these two thing have helped me and are still helping me on an almost daily basis.
2. Dr. Andy (pictured below), Dr. Kyle, Rachael and the other staff at HealthSource Chiropractic are fantastic and I wouldn't be moving without them.  My kids LOVE all of them too.

3. Call a good Personal Injury Lawyer early on in the process.  I just got one and I wish I had done it earlier... maybe early April!  Don't sign anything from your insurance company without talking to your lawyer about it first.
4. Call the police after an accident. Yes, even if it's a "minor" accident.  That police report will help you later on.
5. Embrace your portable dvd player and bring it with you to your chiropractic/rehab therapy appointments.  It will get your kids to sit quietly and allow you to get your pt done so you can go home.
6. Stretch.  Stretch.  Stretch.  STRETCH!  Did you get that one?
7. Drink lots of water.  I know everyone says it, but it really does help flush all the crap out of your body when you're getting adjusted.
8. Take pictures of the damage to your car AND keep them.  Don't delete them off of your phone like I did!
9. Bring someone with you to your IME (Independent Medical Exam) to take notes, very detailed notes.  For those of you who don't know what an IME is, it's what the insurance company sends you to so they can stop paying for your medical care.
10.  Myles stopped getting ear infections when we started going to the chiropractor.  It's amazing really... we were going to have to get tubes.  There are other health benefits to the chiropractor too, but I won't get into those today.

For the love of Daddy

Last night's bedtime was hard.  Beau was working late and I put the boys to bed by myself.  Thirty minutes after putting the boys in their rooms they were both still whining/crying a little so I went in and checked in them.

Myles was because he's cutting his i teeth right now.  SO PAINFUL!  I gave him some baby orajel and tylenol.  Sang him a few songs and he went to sleep.

Barrett was up because he was upset.  He missed daddy.  He had been crying enough there was a grapefruit sized wet spot on his sheet.  My remedy, call daddy at 9:30pm.  So, we called daddy.  Barrett didn't hardly say anything, but nodded his head yes in response to everything Beau said.  Beau told him that he loved him and missed him, that he would see him in the morning and it was time to go to sleep.  I got him some water, tucked him in and sang Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.  He went to sleep shortly after.

Beau arrived home around 10:30pm (I think).  Barrett woke up about 30 minutes later (I don't know why) but was very happy to see daddy.  He got his hugs and loves and went to sleep.

This morning Barrett came bolting out his room with a HUGE smile on his face.  Daddy was still home and he got to see him for a little bit before he had to go to work.  When Myles got up and saw daddy he squealed with delight.

Tonight, Beau is taking Barrett and Sawyer (my almost 12 year old cousin) to the movie Cars 2.  This couldn't have been timed better.  Barrett is so excited to go do something special with daddy and Sawyer.

I love that my boys have such a wonderful daddy.  He works so hard (and some very long hours with his second jobs sometimes) but he's always available to play, listen to and love on our two sweet boys.  I am very lucky to have such a wonderful man as my husband and as daddy to Barrett and Myles.

Starting this Blog

Never did I think that it would take me so long to start a blog.  I have been thinking about it for about a year.  First I wanted to write about Barrett's hearing loss and our journey with that, but that isn't all we have going on in our life.  So back to square one... trying to come up with something else.  This is going to be about life in this house.  Whatever that may be from one day to the next.

So, why Balance in Detail?  For those of you who know me, you may already be laughing about the title. I am a very particular person (almost to a fault, but I'm working on it).  I like things the way I like them and it's hard for me to get around that sometimes.  So when I was chatting with a friend on facebook the other day about starting this blog we were trying to come up with the "perfect" name.  Balance is something that I'm always trying to achieve.  Detail is a synonym to particular (see my picture in the dictionary next to this).  So, it just seemed to make sense.  Now, I decided the title was truly right when I told my mom and another friend about my title and they both laughed because it was just so fitting.  So, Balance and Detail was born.

I hope you enjoy this journey with me...