New Face Forward

This week Jeremy started his new job at Reliable. It is a lot of new. Since we have been married Jeremy has never worked in a non-ministry job. We've always eaten lunch together. Something we have really enjoyed. Now I am learning how to pack his lunch each day. And pretty much our entire relationship he has had his gottee. Well, one of the requirements of his job is a clean shaven face. We were all a little sad to see him have to shave... so the night he shaved it off we took some pictures. Grace especially is not a fan of him shaving off his "beard." She has informed God in her prayers, "I wanted you to give Daddy the other job, the one where he can have a beard." (we aren't exactly sure what job she is referring to) The girls are also missing having their daddy home all day. And I will admit I too have been spoiled by having my best friend home all day to spend time with. But, we are very thankful he has a job and we knew it would initially be an adjustment for everyone.

Our "one last picture" with Daddy's facial hair.

We had a "party" for daddy to celebrate his new job. We made a big meal and special treat for him. Doesn't he look younger with a clean shaven face?

We have also been dealing with the flu. Faith had it, then Grace got it, then Faith got it AGAIN. Then Jeremy got very sick and had to miss his 3rd day of work! Then I got the flu on Friday and had to survive a very difficult sick day while trying to take care of the girls. (Did I mention Grace started school on Thursday- more on that in another post...) And with a new baby on the way I'd say we are in for even more "new."

Despite the challenges and lots of changes we are excited for this new beginning. And it is interesting hearing all the things Jeremy is learning about pest control. He has got to see some very nice "HGTV" type homes, and some huge factories that remind him of the show "Unwrapped" on the Food Network. For someone who isn't a big fan of change I think God has brought me to a place of being ready for these changes. And I didn't think there was anything that would make me wish the baby would wait to come- but after this week I am VERY thankful the baby is still content to "cook" a little longer.

Adventures of a Two Year Old at Nap Time

As you can see from the picture above Grace & Faith don't exactly give in to sleep easily. So nap time is basically more like "quiet" rest time in their room. This has led to some interesting adventures.

Faith had her first injury that looked really rough. Her and her sister had a misunderstanding during rest time which resulted in her being shoved. She fell into her bedpost and ended up with a huge goose egg & cut on her forehead. (the picture doesn't really due the injury justice)

One day last week during rest time I heard Grace screaming. Jeremy rushed in to find their fish flopping on the floor. Faith had knocked over Grace's nightstand and the fish tank. It was a HUGE mess. A lot of their books were spread all over the floor resulting in wet books.

As you can see the tank was very green. Due to the holiday business we were really needing to clean the tank out. The girls' room smelled like algae water-lovely.

Luckily Jeremy scooped up the fish and we put them in a bowl with bottled water- they survived the trauma.

Humiston Family Favorites

Some of my girlfriends have decided to do a recipe exchange. We are posting five of our favorite recipes to share. I can't wait to get new recipes!! Here are a few of the easy things I make that my family loves.

Mini-Meatloafs

These are super easy and my kids LOVE them. Way faster and easier than traditional meatloaf.

Preheat oven to 375.

-Mix 1 lb. ground beef,1 pkg. (6 oz.) Stuffing Mix (any kind you like), and 1 tsp. garlic powder.

-Press evenly into 12 medium muffin cups sprayed with cooking spray. Make a whole in center of each.

-Fill the hole you made with ketchup or BBQ Sauce (I usually do a few of each)

-Bake 30 minutes or until meat loaves are cooked through. Top with shredded cheddar cheese & bake till cheese is melted.

-Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

You can also change it up with the following:

Italian- use italian seasoning, spaghetti sauce, & mozzarella cheese

Fiesta-us chili powder or taco seasoning, salsa, & mexican blend cheese

Super Easy Chicken Pot Pie

This is a very simple pot pie recipe, and you don't have to buy the expensive pre-made pie crust to put on top so you can make it with stuff you have on hand. Its not as fancy but we like it.

2 cups. chopped or shredded cooked chicken

2 cans cream of chicken soup

1/2 can of chicken broth

1 pkg. (16 oz.) frozen mixed vegetables

Mix & put in 9x13 pan. (sometimes I split and freeze half)

Crust:

1 c. flour

1 c. milk

Mix together. Add 1 stick melted margarine or butter. Can add flour if needed to thicken. Spoon and spread over above mixture.

Bake at 350 for an hour.

Crockpot Beef Stroganoff

This is a newer recipe. Jeremy doesn't like sour cream, so I've never made traditional stroganoff. This recipe calls for cream cheese so he likes it. Its a great way to use round steak which can be tough.

1 c. beef stock

1 can cream of mushroom soup

onion (i used dried minced onion)

garlic powder

1 T. worcestershire sauce

1 1/2-2 lbs. Round Steak, cut into strips (I've also used sirloin steak)

2 T. Oil

1 pkg. Cream Cheese (8 oz.)

Cooked Noodles ( I usually use fettuccine noodles, but anything will work)

Brown beef in oil in skillet. Put in crockpot and add stock, soup, onion, garlic, & worcestershire sauce. Cook and cover 7-8 hours on low. Before serving stir in cream cheese and heat till warm. (maybe 15 minutes). Serve over cooked noodles of your choice.

White Chicken Chili

I make A LOT of different types of soup in the winter, but I thought this one might be one less of you already make. You can adjust how "hot" it is by adding more red pepper.

2 c. water

1 c. chicken broth

1 t. lemon pepper

1 3/4 t. cumin

2 large chicken breasts

Bring water & broth to a boil. Add chicken & return to boil. Add seasonings. Turn to low and simmer 20 minutes.

Cut or shred chicken and return to pot.

1 1/2 t. garlic

2 T. minced onion

1 t. red pepper

1 1/2 t. seasoned salt

2 T. lime juice

2 cans white corn (or i use yellow when i don't have white)

2 cans green chilies

2 cans great northern beans

Add all and then cook another 45 minutes or longer till flavors combine.

Ranch Potatoes

These are very unhealthy, but super yummy. So we only have them occasionally. I make them with BBQ meatballs, porkchops, etc.

6-8 med. red potatoes (or I use regular if I don't have red)

1/2 c. ranch dressing

1/2 c. sour cream

1/4 c. bacon bits

2 T. minced parsley (optional)

1 c. shredded cheddar cheese

2 c. crushed cornflakes

1/4 c. butter

Boil and quarter potatoes. (If they aren't red ones I peel them) While potatoes are boiling mix together ranch, sour cream, bacon bits, parsley, and cheese. Potatoes don't have to be super done just soft. Place them in a 9x13 pan and toss lightly with mixture. Sprinkle additional 1/4 c. cheese on top if desired. Mix butter with cornflakes and sprinkle over all. (sometimes I skip this if I'm in a hurry) Bake 40 minutes at 350.

*Bonus*

Cooked Chicken for Casseroles

This is something I do sometimes after I go to the grocery store. Then I have cooked chicken ready for Enchiladas, chicken & noodles, casseroles, etc.

1 bag boneless skinless chicken breasts

2 t. garlic powder

4 cups. water

1 T. dried minced onion

2 -4 chicken bouillon cubes (optional)

Place all ingredients in Crock Pot. Cover and cook on high heat 3-4 hours or on low 6-8 hours. Remove chicken and shred or chop for use in casseroles, soups, etc. Can be frozen in individual freezer bags and used as needed. If I put in the bouillon I will use the liquid as "stock" for chicken & noodles or a recipe that calls for chicken stock.

As you can see I tend to be a "pantry shopper" versus a "menu shopper" so I substitute stuff in my recipes a lot to work with what I have on hand. So, if you have any questions just let me know!

Here are some of our family's other favorites: homemade macaroni & cheese, BBQ meatballs & cheesey potatoes, fettucini alfredo, lasagna, home made pizza (i use my bread maker), sausage casserole, chicken enchiladas, breakfast pizza, Italian beef, spaghetti, ranch chicken salad, cheesey vegetable soup, & taco bake.