Ham and Cheesy Noodle Casserole

We had a wonderful Easter weekend visiting my family and Keith's. We ate lots, had an egg hunt and enjoyed time with family. As always we left my parents house with yummy leftovers. This time some yummy ham. I wanted a way to use it without just eating plain. I found this recipe and it was a winner. Keith was skeptical as he said it looked like tuna noodle but once he tried it he gave his approval.


Ingredients

• 2 tbsp butter
• 1/4 cup chopped onion
• 1/2 cup chopped green pepper 
• 1 can cream of mushroom soup
• 2 cups Swiss or cheddar cheese shredded (I used cheddar)
• 1 cup sour cream
• 2 cups cubed ham
• 1 8 oz package egg noodles, cooked 
• Bread crumbs on top

What you do:

Sauté butter, green pepper and onions. Then add all ingredients into pan. Stir up and put in oven. Bake until heated through.

My new life

My new life as a mother, eye clinic receptionist, part-time stay at home mom.

We've had a week now of our "new life" or "new normal" or whatever you want to call it and I feel so blessed. There are so many things I feel so fortunate to be able to do or experience...

I spend my Monday and Tuesdays cuddling with my favorite lil man and working around the house. This has been wonderful. I don't feel bad while cuddling because I'm not doing chores and while doing chores I don't feel like I'm wasting my precious time with G because I have that extra time. I can work during nap time (or attempt as he rarely naps:)

I left for work at 7:45 and was early...whoa! On the other side I left at 5:00 and was home by 5:05.

I haven't filled up with gas in over a week.

During lunch I drove the few blocks home and had lunch with my boys one day, played with kolby another and enjoyed a quiet house on the last. Our bank account enjoyed that I didn't use my credit or debit card all week.

The job itself is going well. There is a lot to learn and I'm learning to multitask times like 100. Towards the end of the week I got my desk organized so it makes sense to me which has really helped things flow smoothly.

Well, I have a sleeping baby in my arms. I think I may join him for a cat nap!

Oatmeal Breakfast Smoothies

Smoothies sounded good the other day so I went to Pinterest to see what I could find. 99% of recipes call for bananas...I don't eat bananas so this took awhile and required some swaps. (Even though my husband thinks I'm making it up I have an allergy to raw bananas. It's a very painful reaction so I avoid them like the plague) anyway I found this yummy recipe and just cut out the banana and added mini chocolate chips (they're the same right?!)

What you need:
-one cup yogurt. I suggest vanilla or strawberry
-1/2 a cup of milk
-1/4 a cup oatmeal
-2 tablespoons peanut butter
-squirt of honey
-handful of mini chocolate chips
-fruit of choosing. To be honest I haven't added fruit yet but I plan to try strawberries or apples

What you do:
Blend all together in blender and enjoy! This makes a great breakfast treat when nothing else sounds good! I am going to try and make one tonight so I can grab as I run out the door tomorrow. Not sure how it'll taste but worth a try!

Meatball Sub

I asked Keith this morning what he wanted for dinners this week. He surprised me by saying meatball   subs. Okay...so I went looking for a recipe. We made it tonight and it was a great supper. Quick, easy and tasty!

What you need:
-subs
-spaghetti sauce
-provolone cheese
-meatballs (we used frozen ones and just baked them before putting them on the sub. It says you can also use microwave but we had time)
-when I was busy with Gavin, Keith doctored them up a bit...you'd never want to follow a recipe to a T! I think he threw in some shredded Parmesan and garlic powder.

What you do:

Heat up meatballs according to package instructions, warm sauce up and mix with meatballs. Once warm put on sub (Keith toasted our subs which was tasty). Put provolone cheese slices on top and microwave for just a few seconds to melt cheese. Then enjoy!

Changes

After an amazing eight weeks of maternity leave I sadly kissed my little boy goodbye and drove the 45 minutes to work. I spent the day trying to get back into the swing of things and asking my mom (who was babysitting) for updates and pictures. The minute it was time to go home I was in the car and ready to go! I'm sure most mother's share this same struggle and sadness: leaving their little one home for the first time. I am very fortunate my mom came down to babysit the three days I headed back to work (as Keith was also working). It made going back easier knowing he was enjoying grandma time.

It also helped on the third day (which was a Friday) I got a call from an Eye Clinic here in town offering me a job as a receptionist (I had applied a few weeks prior and interviewed that Monday). I've been waiting for the right opportunity to appear for quite sometime. Who knew it would come from an eye clinic, three days after I headed back to work. I told the doctor who called YES! and headed into work, dreading telling my boss and co-workers. As I figured they understood. So today, April 11th is my last day at SATUCI. My last day in the drug world. My last day of my first "adult" job.

Wednesday the 16th of April I will begin on this new path. Instead of my 45 minute commute I will drive two minutes to the clinic. Over lunch I will head home to eat and see my family instead of eating in my office or going out. And after work I'll drive the two minutes home instead of my usual 45. Monday and Tuesday mornings I will be waking up whenever Gavin decides it's time to begin the day and will spend my days playing and cuddling with him (and perhaps maintaining the house:). Wednesday through Fridays I'll work 8am to 5pm and most Saturdays I'll work 8am until 12pm.

I am sad to leave my SATUCI life as I've met a lot of great people and am comfortable there, I am scared to start over with all new things to learn but I am so thankful for more time at home with my boys.

Carlson family grows to 7!

In June of 2013 my brother met a girl. September 5th he emailed and said "I'm dating this girl Kelly. She's really nice". Few days after Thanksgiving he sends a picture of an engagement ring on her finger. March 22nd we get to watch them take their vows and it is an amazing moment.

"She's really nice" was such a complete understatement. My brother found the most amazing girl to share his life with and I smile still each time I say "my brother and his wife".

We had a wonderful weekend celebrating Ben and Kelly. Since Keith and I were still on maternity/paternity leave we headed to Champaign, IL Thursday afternoon. Stopping to drop Kolby off and pursue the outlet mall. Were so slow my parents and grandpa caught up with us. Had dinner at Chili's with them before heading back on our way. After driving a bit we are passed by Ben...who left after work. Finally get to IL around 1:00am, exhausted but excited.

Friday morning we enjoyed bagels courtesy of Kelly's brother. Relax around hotel until we meet her parents for lunch. Can see why Kelly is such an amazing person. After lunch we head back to the hotel and take Gavin swimming. He was less than thrilled by the cold water. We decide to take a long nap cuddled up together. Wake up and go downstairs to Ben and Kelly's non rehearsal dinner. Have amazing food and fun with a mixing of the two families. Games are broken out late in the evening and I play a few before heading to bed. Keith and gang keep on going!

Saturday morning we enjoy breakfast with Nass family and Grandpa O at the hotel before trying out the pool again. Gavin was a little less shocked by the water and tolerated for awhile. Ordered Jimmy Johns for lunch for entire Nass family and squeezed everyone into our hotel room to eat. Mara, Mom and I then headed to Kelly's house to watch her get ready for a bit. Once back at the hotel got ready and dressed Gavin up in his wedding best! Headed to the Refinery for wedding and reception.

Was captivated by their wedding ceremony. The entire night was "so them" and just perfect. Highlights:

• Seeing the beautiful bride before the wedding.
• Watching Ben as Kelly walked down the aisle. Pure happiness.
• Watching Ben and Kelly complete the Jesus fish together.
• Participating in the sibling blessing.
• The announcement of Mr. and Mrs. Ben Carlson!
• Breakfast food for dinner
• Ed and Esther's Coffee Bar (This was HUGE highlight)
• Pittman family in the photobooth
• The dads powerpoint presentation helping us get to know their kids!
• Dixit cards as guestbook
• Dancing with my boys
• Nass family dance party
• Watching Ben and Kelly dance
• Seeing Gavin in his adorable wedding outfit

Sunday morning we packed things up and headed home. Keith had to head back to work Sunday night so we made the drive with minimal stops.

It was a weekend to remember. What I'll remember most is how happy Ben was and how thankful I am that God brought Kelly into his life (and our lives). Also watching them was seeing love, if that makes sense.

Weekend to remind us of how blessed we are with our family.

The happiest, scariest, and most tiring day of my life!

Gavin Scott Pittman

He's finally here! Actually he has been here for 10 weeks already but I'm just now getting back to the blog...and hopefully my unfinished scrapbooks...and cooking. Our sweet boy arrived on his due date January 29th at 4:53pm. These past 2.5 months have been surreal. It still doesn't seem real some days when I come home to my baby. MY.BABY. Both of us have fallen in love with our little boy and being his mom has been better than I ever imagined it could be. (I hope to get into a better blogging routine and have a feeling Gavin or GSP will dominate most entries so I will fill you in on birth - 10 weeks later but for this post I'll just cover his birthday!) Awhile ago I typed up the complete "story" of his birth and it was seven pages long so I think it's best we just hit the "highlights" here.

• Tuesday January 28th, after a walk with my favorite pooch and my Aunt Mara my water breaks around 6:30pm. I don't believe it has actually happened so we order Chinese. Realize after a bit it did. Ate Chinese and then headed to the hospital.
• Admitted to the hospital around 8:30pm, called mom to head down. Turns out they had to "steal" their van from the repair shop first.
• Went to bed planning to have a baby by morning or late morning at the latest.
• Spent the night listening to Keith watching Top Gear, the UK version, and attempt to sleep. Was not very successful. Contractions were sporadic and not very strong so Pitocin was started. Not much of a change.
• Morning of January 29th, mom brought donuts for Keith's breakfast. I ate jello and apple juice...
• Spent the morning answering text messages with "no baby yet, progress slow". Watched TV, played games, attempted to nap.
• Lunch time Keith brings back Jimmy Johns to the room. I ate jello and apple juice...
• Things are getting more uncomfortable now.
• Around 2:00ish still at 4-5 cm and very uncomfortable. Ask for the epidural. It's been around 18 hours so far.
• Around 3:00ish. Epidural finally arrives. Ahhh....much better.
• Around 3:15ish baby's heart rate drops. I'm told to switch positions a few times before being told to flip over onto all fours.
• Still around 3:15 room gets full of people and an oxygen mask is put on me. Still on all fours. Trying not to cry at this point. Telling myself crying will not help the baby.
• Praying, Praying, Praying.
• Heart rate goes back up. Whew...I'm allowed to flip back over. Keith brings me the IPAD and puts FRIENDS on. I watch for a few minutes before the nurse returns. Heart rate has dropped again.
• Nurse decides C-Section is needed and calls the doctor to confirm. Given various medications/liquids that taste bad.
• Head down to OR. Keith is taken to put on scrubs and hats (on his feet because they're too big for their booties). Room is COLD. Lay there waiting and praying. Also feeling exhausted.
• Finally they start. Feel lots of pulling and tugging but no pain. Seems like it takes FOREVER to get to baby. Doctors attempt to use vacuum to get him out. Doesn't work the first time as he has too much hair. Works the second time.
• We hear our sweet boys first cries at 4:53pm. Most amazing sound in the world.
• I see him from a distance before he's cleaned up. Soon Keith comes over with our son bundled up and places him in one of my arms. I can't believe I'm holding him finally.
• Too quickly he's taken away to be cleaned up and checked out. Keith goes with. I'm left waiting in OR alone. Remember feeling very, very tired. Told he is 8lbs and 7oz, 21 inches. Thought "that can't be, they said he was small".
• Finally finished and taken to recovery room. Remember thinking "finally warm" and "when can I see my baby!" Had to wait until I could feel my legs. Headed up to room after what felt like hours (but wasn't).
• Mom, Dad, and Keith's parents have arrived. Finally get to actually hold my baby. He's the most adorable baby I've ever seen. He's perfect. Keith asks if Gavin Scott Pittman sounds good. I say yes.
• Spend the rest of the evening admiring our miracle who is completely healthy and unaffected by having the cord wrapped around his neck twice.
• Had an awful overnight. Was in lots of pain, tired, uncomfortable from machines, and HOT.
• Finally morning of the 30th comes bring doctors and additional pain medication...much better.
• Sometime around noon I'm allowed to eat real food. Gone in under five minutes.
• Allowed to get up and walk a couple laps in the hall. Wow it hurts...but up means I can shower. Early evening, finally allowed to shower. Feels amazing.
• Have a much better evening.
• Friday morning the 31st feeling much better. Spend the day holding Gavin, eating, and walking around the halls. Dad and Mara visit.
• Saturday February 1st, going home today! Spend the morning getting ready to go. Packing, filling out paperwork etc. Give Gavin a bath and go home!

 Hard to believe that is the abbreviated version! It was quite the long process and a little more excitement than we planned on! Gavin has brought us so much joy we already can't imagine life before him. I feel so blessed to be his mom and I am so excited to watch him grow.

New Baby, New Job, New Blog!

Our little family is changing so much I thought "might as well change the blog!" Actually, it was under my old email address and I couldn't figure out how to change to my new address and it was driving me crazy having to sign into my old account yada, yada, yada...so I am starting over. Link to my old blog is below for any past recipes. Someday I may transfer some recipes over, I've found some have a few (or many) typos so hopefully I can get those fixed.

http://www.missmaggiemaesays.blogspot.com/

I figured the title: A Blessed Life was pretty accurate. Keith and I have been so blessed by family, friends and life in general. The address lovehopelaughlive.com was A. the first one I found that was actually available and 2. I thought it fit our family and was a good motto. We have lots of love to go around, you must have hope, we always have lots of laughter in our house and we need to always remember to live!