Quick, easy, and tasty - all in the microwave!

Squasherole

1/4 c water
1/2 tsp salt
1 - lb yellow squash or zucchini

Combine. Microwave for 8-10 minutes in microwave-safe dish. Drain.

2 TBS butter
1/4 c Ritz cracker crumbs
1/4 c pecans - chopped

Combine. Microwave 2 minutes in separate microwave-safe dish.

1/4 c mayonnaise
1 egg - beaten
1/2 c cheddar cheese
2 TBS butter
1-1/2 tsp sugar
1/2 tsp dried onion

Combine, pour over squash, and microwave for 5 minutes. Add crumb topping. Microwave 5 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes.

See You at the Fair!

We painstakingly mucked through all our photos from the past year and whittled down our best to six photos each for this year's county fair. It was hard because we both have so many favorites! To see this year's entries, please visit these links:

Jenn's Fair Photos

Matt's Fair Photos

They're all entered and ready for judging, so wish us luck! If you plan on visiting the Twin Falls County Fair this year, make sure to look out for our work!

Breakfast Casserole Recipe

A friend sent me her quiche recipe, but I didn't have the pie crusts it called for. So, I got online and found an easy breakfast casserole that was basically the same thing, but simpler. It was a big hit with the boys and incredibly simple to make! I really didn't follow the directions to the letter. I added the amount of fillings that looked good and just made sure that the egg mixture mostly covered the fillings, but didn't overflow the dish.

Breakfast Casserole

1 lb. sausage, ham, or bacon
1 c. cheese, cubed
1 c. veggies (I used fresh spinach, but you could use mushrooms, peppers, onion, etc.)
6-8 eggs (or enough to make sure the whole casserole is covered)
1 3/4 c. milk
6-8 slices of bread, cubed (or enough to cover the bottom of the dish completely)

1. Grease 9x13 casserole dish.

2. Cook meat until fully cooked. Crumble or cut into small pieces.

3. Beat together eggs, milk, and salt and pepper to taste.

4. Layer bread, meat, cheese, veggies, and then eggs in dish. Let sit for five minutes.

5. Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes, or until brown.

Scars of a Sinful Past

While doing VBS this past July, I stopped by one day to hang out with Robby in the nursery. As I was sitting on the floor looking through a book with him, a friend's toddler stopped her play, pointed to my ankle, and said, "What's that?" I didn't have to ask for clarification, nor look for it. I knew exactly what she was referring to. My "dragon" tattoo. Sheepish, I replied, "Scars from a sinful past."

I say "dragon" because you really have to use your imagination to actually see the dragon. What was once such a good idea at the mature age of 18 is now nothing more than a squiggly-lined embarrassment. I remember it all too well. I had just turned 18 and I was more than eager to exercise some freedom. My family, of course, would have never signed for such a thing, and I can't say that I blame them, so I diligently waited for my 18th birthday. I remember going with a friend, who was also 18 and tattoo-crazed, to a little salon here in Twin to get our tattoos. I didn't have enough to pay for one, but I "haggled" with the lady to do mine for $50. Lesson learned: you get what you pay for. I knew I'd always love dragons, so I scoured the internet and found the perfect one (seen above). At least, in theory. Needless to say, she did a very poor job (shocker) and now I'm stuck with the embarrassment and something that resembles anything but a dragon. It's really not surprising that half of people who get tattoos later regret getting them. I'm definitely one of that 50%.

Regretting much more than just a rebellious, stupid waste of $50, I'm now facing the dilemma of what to do. For a long time, I came to the conclusion that I would just cover it with something else - another tattoo. Now, I realize that that's not only a waste of more money, but a more foolish thought than the original tattoo idea. There's tattoo removal; something I have yet to still price out of fear of "sticker shock". Or I could keep it as a reminder. A reminder of what I once was - an unsaved, unregenerate, rebellious, selfish, vile heathen, dead in my sin (to many of my readers, this may seem harsh, but really, I was being nice). When I look at my tattoo, I see what God has saved me from and I remember where I started. God didn't gain anything by saving me, but now I have great worth to Him - emotional and physical scars and all. I'll have to pray about the right thing to do, but for now, my body's not my own. It's devoted to the little one growing inside me and I have to take that into consideration. Now you're all going to be looking at my ankles at church. ;)

Any thoughts, feedback, or prayers on this subject would be greatly appreciated.

Update

It seems like life is taking another great shift for us. With baby #2 on the way, job "reorganizing", and new opportunities to serve at church, life seems like it will never be the same again. I like it.

This pregnancy has gone fairly seamless, so far. I have yet to make my first prenatal appointment, but I'm waiting until I'm ten or eleven weeks so they'll actually be willing to see me. Most doctors won't see you until you're that far along and Dr. Dan yelled at me last time for coming in too soon, so I'm waiting. Plus, I'm in no rush to start the poking, prodding, and nagging party just yet. This was the part I hated last time, but I know that it is vital. I promise to be a good girl and make all my appointments. As for symptoms, I've been fortunate again this time and haven't had much sickness. A little queasiness here and there, but mostly, I'm just tired. Between growing a human and only being able to take Benedryl for my terrible allergies, I feel as if I'm always walking around half-awake - probably because I am only half-awake.

Robby's been keeping me on my toes, too. He's not making it easy on me. He's doing great with his walking, though. He's getting braver and braver each day! I notice he's attempting to walk to a destination rather than crawl, now. Most of the time, he makes it atleast halfway, if not all the way. No real talking, yet. He'll say one word once in awhile, but mostly he just babbles. A lot. He sounds like he could be saying something very important - if only I knew the language! I try to work with him and teach him the names of various things, but all he'll give me is something that resembles "that" and "is it" and "see it". It's sometimes entertaining to listen to him ramble, though. His teeth give him a slight "sss" in everything, so he sometimes sounds like he's speaking Japanese or something. I feel bad for laughing...sometimes.

Since Matt's job was sold to another company, there have been some changes for him at work. Some good, some questionable. He's happy to be able to sport his beard again and to have shorts this summer, but we are anticipating some income and possibly even position changes in the near future. He had to "interview" for his job and some new positions yesterday - a complete waste of time, if you ask me. It was limited to just current employees, so I figure that they should know where to place everyone. But I don't have a college education, so don't listen to my logic. Although Matt wasn't completely enthusiastic about the whole thing, he still put great effort into his interview answers and impressed one of his bosses, who called to tell him so this morning. I'm proud of him for trying, even when he really didn't want to. If he stays a driver, he would be switched from salary to hourly - good and bad. Great for summertime when everyone's buying cold drinks, but bad for winter when things are slow. He was told that despite the change, he still would possibly be making more per year, which is definitely good for us. It's in God's hands, now, and I know that either way, He will provide.

As for church, we'll be celebrating our year mark at Magic Valley Bible Church sometime next month and we'll finally be able to become true members, soon. Hoorah! We've actually really looked forward to finally being "officially" part of the flock. Then they'll be stuck with us forever! Muahahaha! I never thought I'd see myself serving in a church as much as we're starting to, but I'm actually rather enjoying it. Matt and I are still on Children's Church rotation and enjoy teaching very much. Matt has signed up to lead in AWANA, which I'm sure he will do very well at - he's so good with kids! I would like to be more involved, but I'm trying not to load my plate up while I'm pregnant. I help here and there when I can. I already have a job for VBS next year, though, evidently. Not outreach, thankfully! I'll be doing registration instead and probably the same publication and photography work I did this year (if they'll let me). But my kids will come first, so I guess it's all up in the air for now.

October is fast-approaching and we were really hoping to find a house to rent before our lease is up, but it doesn't look like that will be happening. Not a huge deal. We'll just sign another lease and try again. We've looked at some houses to rent, but everything's out of our price range. Maybe with the changes at Matt's work, our income will be enough where we can't afford more in rent and be able to move. The thought of having another child to house is a little unsettling, but luckily we'll be okay for a time with either gender. Although, I am hoping for another boy, both out of convenience and experience.

Fair time is in a couple weeks and we'll be entering photos again this year. I think Matt's more excited about than I am, if that was possible. We've worked hard all year and carefully chose our entries and will be entering them in Advanced Amateur on purpose this year. I know it means more competition and stiffer judging, but it'll be worth it. Just being able to do this together and to show our hard work is what makes it worth it! I'll make sure to post about our entries when the time comes so you'll know what to look for.

I think that's everything for now. I've just been trying to keep busy, grow a baby, chase a toddler, support a husband, tend a household, and stay awake. Prayers appreciated, as always. :)

Breaded Pork Chops: Correction

As I was making these last night, I realized that I had forgotten an ingredient. Oops! When you're whipping up the egg, add 2 tbs. of milk (doesn't matter what percent) to it. It makes the chops even juicier!

To view the original recipe post, click here.

Pregnancy & Life Stages

Okay, so this is an odd comparison, but I got to thinking about the different stages of pregnancy and how it (roughly) related to the different stages of life. Stick with me on this, because I thought it was amusing. Hopefully you do a little, too.

Pregnancy Stage: First Trimester
Life Stage: 0-30 Years
Similarities: You start your life throwing up, crying, eating, and sleeping. Your body eventually ends up going into hormonal overdrive, causing your head to become an oil slick. No one really wants to be around you because you're known to "fly off the handle" at times. You still spend much of your time crying, eating, and sleeping.





Pregnancy Stage: Second Trimester
Life Stage: 30-50 Years
Similarities: "Carefree" days. Life has usually settled down by this time and you get into the rhythm of daily life. The thought of "the end" distresses you a little, but you're having too much fun to really worry about it. Life is good. However, you do notice your waistline, energy, and memory quickly disappearing.

Pregnancy Stage: Third Trimester
Life Stage: 50 Years-Death
Similarities: You feel your body starting to give. You waddle (slowly) everywhere and you pee yourself whenever you sneeze, cough, laugh, etc. You eventually get to the point where you need help standing up, tying your shoes, or getting out of bed. You find yourself reminiscing about the "good 'ole days" quite a bit. Heaven help you if you fall down. You pray for it to be over soon.

Saturday Morning Pancakes

There's something about making pancakes on Saturday morning that instantly makes every mom feel like their mom or grandma. At least that's the case for me. I've made pancakes for my boys the past two Saturdays and there's something oddly nostalgic about it. I instantly thought of my grandma and our Sunday morning breakfasts. Sometimes fancy, sometimes simple, but always comforting and satisfying. The warm aroma of coffee brewing, sausage crackingly, and pancakes simmering filled our home and drew everyone to the dinner table for some real family time. Good memories.

Today was banana chocolate chip pancakes (especially made for my banana-and-chocolate-crazy husband) and needless to say, they were a hit. Robby out-ate both of us, clearing his plate of four small pancakes without blinking. He didn't move much after that, but soon the sugar kicked in and away he went! The happy smiles and satisfied "mmm!" coming from my boys definitely made my day and kept my family's stomachs content for quite awhile. It's the little moments like those that I thrive on. Everything else melts away and it's just me, my family, and breakfast.

Guess Baby #2's Stats!

We did this last time and it was a lot of fun! Whoever's closest to the baby's stats will win a small prize. This time will be a tad different, though. Since there is a strong possibility of a scheduled c-section, the birthday guesses will be closed as soon as this date is set (TBA). Also, we plan on finding out the gender, so once we find out and it's announced, gender guesses will be closed. Until then, guess away!

I'll add a hint: Robby was 6lbs, 11oz, 21 1/2in long when he was born.



Click the banner to visit our ExpectNet! game page.

Chocolate Zucchini Cake

I've noticed a lot of zucchini flying around my Facebook lately, so I thought I'd share one of my favorite zucchini recipes. The whole chocolate/zucchini combo may make your stomach churn at the thought, but you'll just have to trust me on this. It is SO moist and delicious, you'll forget you're eating veggies!

Chocolate Zucchini Cake

2 1/2 cup Flour
1/2 cup Cocoa Powder
1 1/2 tsp Baking Powder
1 tsp Baking Soda
1 tsp Cinnamon
3/4 tsp Salt

1 1/2 cups Sugar
3 EggWhites
1 Egg, whole
1/2 cup Applesauce unsweetened
1/3 cup Oil
2 Tsp Vanilla
2 cups packed grated Zucchini
1/2 cup Chocolate Chips

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. In large bowl combine first 6 ingredients.

3. In medium bowl whisk together sugar, eggs, apple sauce, oil and vanilla. Stir in Zucchini. Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients. Stir just until dry ingredients are moistened. Fold in Chocolate Chips.

4. Spread batter evenly in 2 8x4 inch oil sprayed loaf pans.

5. Bake for 50 minutes. Cool for 5 minutes in pans. Remove from pans and let cool on wire racks.

Makes 2 loaves, 8 big slices each.

The Battle of Wills

Matt entitled this time so perfectly last night as we were fighting with Robby during bedtime - the Ornery One's. Kind of like the Terrible Two's, but earlier.

We have come to the conclusion that Mr. Moody is testing his boundaries and limits. Now that we understand more about what's going on in Robby's head, we can deal and endure a little more. Still, we're struggling with staying strong and patient, yet loving, so we appreciate prayers for our family. Not to jinx anything, but today seems to be going better than the past few days.

Let the battle of the wills begin. Who will crack first?

Preparation

I won't lie - things are really rough right now. Robby has been crying seemly non-stop for days, now. We don't know why. I can assume teething, but I really don't know. He gets into things he knows he shouldn't and when we scold him, the world comes crashing to an end. We're trying so hard to be patient with him, but it's really wearing on all of us. We're trying to adjust to the idea of having another baby, think about all that needs to be done, and try to be happy and excited all the same time. I am so very tired. I've forgotten how draining the first trimester is, but then again, last time I didn't have another child to take care of. I can only hope that this is God stretching, growing, and preparing us for what's to come. If that be the case, I'll just have to press through, trusting He'll get us through this and we'll be ready and able for what awaits on the other side.

We may not be able to see the divine Author's writings right away, because all we can see is the current page we're on or remember past pages. All we can do is wait patiently for the page to turn and trust in His loving hand. Despite the plight of the characters or hopelessness of the plot, it is promised that the story will have a happy ending and all things will work to glorify the Creator.

Oh, Dear Pastor...

I hate to embarrass our dear pastor again about this, but it's just too funny not to share.

During service this morning, Pastor Bear announced our "big news" to the body. He went on to talk about much of a blessing this was because of this issues we had with getting Robby. Unfortunately, it all went very wrong when he said, "Ask the Marshalls sometime about how Robby was conceived." Matt and I, along with many other people, started to laugh. I said out loud, "No, let's not!" He looked confused at first, but soon his face changed to embarrassment as he said, "No. No we're not going to ask them about that..."

We love you, Pastor Bear! :)

God's Divine Hand

With yesterday's excitement starting to fade back into daily life, reality has started setting in. I won't lie and tell you that I'm not a little nervous about having another child. I realize the weight of our actions and the added responsibility of our choices. However, I also know that nothing worthwhile is easy and that God promises He will never give us more than He thinks we can handle. He blessed us with this gift for a reason and knew that we could handle it. It's going to be a huge adjustment for us, not only financially, but mentally and spiritually, too. Matt has the larger responsibility to provide for, guide, and lead this family - pressure I know he's more than willing to face whole-heartedly. And as for me - well, I have to take care of them! I just pray that God gives us the strength, patience, endurance, wisdom, guidance, and faith to raise and grow our family to God's standard and will. That has always been my prayer and probably always will be. You have to be good, godly parents in order to raise good, godly parents.

This whole experience, however, has been a testament to God's amazing grace, mercy, and love. Matt and I reflected yesterday on the five years we spent childless. We realize now that it was a blessing in disguise; we were so not ready to raise children when we still acted like ones ourselves! God spared us from so much and, although it was incredibly heartbreaking, I'm thankful for the time we had before Robby came into our lives. It gave us time to get saved, grow, and mature into who we are today. How quickly we were able to conceive with this child proves nothing short of God's hand in our infertility. He closed my womb for a reason. He made me barren for a reason. He broke our hearts for a reason. No one wants to admit that or think about that, but it's the truth. How else could you explain no medical reason why we couldn't conceive? Or why only after a month of getting saved we were all of a sudden pregnant? Why was it so easy to conceive this time? Because God had His divine hand in all of it. How fortunate am I to have such a loving and caring Creator in control of my life! He knows far more than I do and will always know exactly what is best for us - even when we'd like to think different. I pray I never doubt Him again and always trust in His gracious plan for our lives.

Please pray for us as we embark on this new journey and new chapter in our lives.

Surprise, Surprise!!

That's right. Here comes baby #2!

God has so graciously blessed us with the conception of another child, this time sparing us from the long heartache of infertility. We prayed, mulled-over, and sought godly council for the past few months and decided to stop preventing for one cycle just to see. Lo and behold - we ended up pregnant on the first try!

We're both still in complete shock. We're due on April 8th, 2010. Please pray for us, as it will be quite an adjustment for us. Also, please be praying that I don't have the blood pressure issues that I had with Robby and that I have a happy, healthy pregnancy that yields a happy, healthy baby!

God is so very good! Praise His high and holy name!

Trimester breakdown:
Your 1st trimester: July 02, 2009 to September 30, 2009. (0 - 12 weeks)
Your 2nd trimester: October 01, 2009 to January 13, 2010. (13 - 27 weeks)
Your 3rd trimester: January 14, 2010 to April 08, 2010. (28 - 40 weeks)

I'm an Aunt!!!

Chase Ernest Baxter Campbell was born on August 2nd at 8:16AM. He weighed 5lbs., 7oz., 18 1/2in. long. He was six weeks premature and is still at Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane, Washington, but is doing great and should be coming home within a week or two. Mom is doing very well and was discharged yesterday.

A note to those who don't know - this is my half-brother and his fiance's son. We get to see them all in October and I'm very excited to meet my very first nephew!! Welcome to the world little guy! I can't wait to spoil you rotten! =D

Family Prayer - Children

"We commend our young to Your tenderest care. How deep, how abiding are early impressions! While the soil is yet tender, may seeds of godliness be sown. Before Satan with his legion stealthily creeps in, before the world with its bewitching vanities allures, before corrupt examples beckon to destruction's way—do, O blessed Jesus, enter and win their first affections, and mold their pliant wills. Show them in life's dawn, Your beauty and Your glory, the peaceful charms of godly walk, and seal them by Your Spirit as Your own forever." - Henry Law (1797-1884)

Party Animal

Looks like someone was having a little too much fun at the wedding rehearsal dinner at the pastor's house last weekend...

I promise it's only an empty root beer bottle. =)
A special thanks to the groom's aunt for capturing this for us.