Granola Bars.

Anyone else addicted to Pinterest? I thought so. I found some energy bites on there and didn't even open the link- I was inspired and I decided to make my own recipe. They are really good if I do say so myself- and the beauty of it is that you can tweak it in any way you want to fit your taste.

I called them Granola Bars because I use actual granola- the best recipe I have ever had an will share from my mom when she gets home from vacation. Granola is great for so many uses- on yogurt, as cereal, and now in a bar. I hope you enjoy and "think out of the box" when you make yours!

1c Granola
1c Peanut Butter
2c Instant Oats
1/4c Honey (more or less for taste)
1/2c raisins
1/2 tsp vanilla

Mix oats, granola, and raisins in medium bowl. Add peanut butter, honey and vanilla until completely combined. Spread evenly in a 9x9 pan. Cover and refrigerate over night. Cut the bars in your desired size. Enjoy!

I promise they taste great, are good for you, and will keep you full for a long time!

{S}

Meaning.

Last night, my husband and I had our monthly date night. Sounds like far and few between, but we normally spend every night together and our date night is the opportunity to go do something outside of the house. Plus, only going to a sit down restaurant once a month saves some money!

During the last few date nights, we always discuss baby names- not coming up with anything. It always feels like a dead end. There are a select few they we are okay with, but nothing that stands out the most. Everyone once and a while, one of us will find a name we really like, then the other doesn't like it.

Credit

The most difficult part of naming for me, is meaning. I can't seem to find a name with a meaning that jumps  out to me. I find that I like girls names better that have an outstanding meaning. Here is my reasoning of why meaning is so important to me, in a very short version: my mom thought she was losing me in her pregnancy one night. She prepared the bed for the possibility of losing me in the night. She had a dream. I would be a blond-haired blue-eyed little girl and she was to name me Sara (God's Princess) Elizabeth (God's Gift). Well as you can tell, the story ends the best way it could- it all came to pass. My mom calls me her miracle baby for many reasons. My name means so much to me; it's my survival story and reasoning for purpose even when I was in my mother's womb. I even have my name tattooed in Hebrew behind my ear, a reminder never to forget I have purpose and a future.

Last night, we found one. It may bot have the deep meaning I was looking for, but it's in the running; it's a top choice. Last night we agreed on it being an option high on the list. My nameless son now has a possibility! However, it will be a secret until he decides to grace us with his presence.

credit

Date night was a success- quality time with my husband, and great possibilities for naming my son!

{S}

Perfection

Sporting my favorite man sweater, sitting at Spyhouse Coffee Shop sipping on my favorite chai beverage, listening to The Civil Wars pandora station, working on my resume, blogging, dreaming... 

This is absolute perfection to me. 

Be sure to make time for yourself to do what you love. 

{L}

The Crib.

Before I start in about my crib, here is an update!

24weeks.

My Crib, well, my baby's crib. Here it is in all its glory.

We purchased this crib in order to stage our loft for a second bedroom. We were having our house appraised- and that was a big mistake/slap in the face/ epic fail. It didn't turn out how we would like causing problems with trying to refinance and lower our payments on our Mortgage. But let me tell you- if you are in the central Minnesota area and are looking to refinance... You should contact Audrey Nierenhausen. I never never been treated so well and had anyone bend over backwards for us like she had. And overall, she is just an amazing human being with intergrity and good character. I would be happy to send you her information if you are interested. Off on a tangent.

Back to the crib. This crib is my dream crib. Espresso finish, perfect shape, and the cheapest one of its kind. A real find if you ask me. When we first bought it, it was just a piece of furniture. Since then, it has filled with baby clothes, pajamas, products, and accesories. It's a constant reminder that I have the best gift I could ever ask for coming. I wish I had the ability to give him a room of his own, but for now he has the open loft in my one bedroom home. It's his space; it represents him.

I was thinking this morning, as I was brushing my teeth in the dark hours of the morning, how much this crib means. It respresents a life.

I find myself in the quiet hours of the morning, before my husband wakes up, walking to my place in front of the crib. My fingers trace the outline of crib. I pray for my son. I pray for his protection, I pray for his health, I pray for his future. I pray for me to be a great mom and that I would raise him in the way he should be raised. I pray for us as parents, that we could get it right. I can't help but tear up thinking of these moments I share with this crib. I look forward to the day my son is sound asleep in this crib and I can actually see him when I pray over him.

That is all. A heartfelt piece of my soul spilling over with love. I can't believe the way I feel for this child and I haven't even met him yet. Don't pass up quiet moments that will become memories that will last forever.

{S}

Lindsay's New Favorite Music!

I am LOVING The Civil Wars.

Check Them out!

The Civil Wars

love love LOVE them! 

{L}

Accomplished.

It could be the winter cold and darkness, with a side of pregnancy lack-of-energy, but I have been a literal bump on log. No desire for any of my creative outlets - no cooking, no baking, no projects, no crafts. I feel as though I have been hibernating since the temperatures have dropped.

I am happy to announce a change. I have motivation again. I have a desire to do the things I love. Nesting has begun! I have the ability to stay awake and not give in to the alluring comfort of my couch for a way too long of a nap! It's a beautiful thing. I finally once again feel accomplished.

I miss working with daylight. Darkness just always has a way of putting me to sleep. So I have to think of a way to take advantage of this new found motivation. I don't like New Year Resolutions. I never make them. I just always plan on making myself better in every way. I don't like the idea of having such high expectations of myself, then feeling worse if I fail. I like to take small attainable goals, then surpass them in my own time. It's how I tick.

Here is my plan for using this new found energy. While I use my best, most productive energy at work before lunch, I decided to take a moment and write down 2-3 attainable goals I want to do that evening when I get home. It's all simple things - make dinner, organize my closet drawers, etc. That way, when I step through the door when I get home, it's off to the races to accomplish my list before my energy is depleted once again.

I then feel not guilty when I sit down in my favorite spot on my couch, warm blanket surrounding me, and my new project for the baby's room on my lap (to be shared later on!) I try not to focus to much on what I am not doing- it's amazing how working two jobs more than 40 hours a week makes me unable to complete other tasks.

To the women out there who work full time, take care of their children, and take care of their home- wow. You put me to shame and you inspire and amaze me. Teach me your ways! I am so blessed to have a husband that shares household responsibilities with me and constantly goes beyond anything I could ever ask of him. I have no idea what I would do without him.

With all that to say, here is a quick picture update on what's been going on since the last time I wrote forever ago.



We cut down our tree on Thanksgiving with Kona, who is no no longer a puppy.

We had our ultrasound and everything looks great!

It's a boy!

Kyle surprised me with a Christmas lights tour on a trolly

Baby is growing- 21 weeks here.

Christmas came and went a little too fast

Well there is your rewind over the last couple months. A lot more to be shared. Happy New Years!

{S}

partying Here!

New Year, New Adventures...

We all have our New Years resolutions every Jan 1st and every year we (at least I) never accomplish what I set out too. But, this year, I'm going to share with all you fellow readers what my goals are and blog when I accomplish them or are not feeling em! Hopefully blogging them will help me finish what I set out to do! So, Here is what my 2012 Resolutions are!

~Train/run a marathon. I'll start with a half and hopefully be able to do a full. 

~Lose 10-15 pounds. I don't consider myself over weight but I want to have a cute, skinny tummy for once. 

~Have daily devotions. Whether I do them in the morning or at night, I want time set apart for Jesus. 

~GRADUATE!!! That shouldn't be too hard... June 14th!
~Have all credit cards paid off and most my student loans paid!
~move out and buy a car!
~Travel!!!!!

Whew... I can do this! To start off my resolutions, I'm going to do my devotions and head to bed, wake up at 5:30am to attempt to run/walk than back to school since Christmas break. 

Happy 2012 bloggers!! Lets accomplish those resolutions!

{L}