Introducing...

Just want to introduce you to our little angel Genesis Faith Gooch.

We are so blessed to have this little princess in our lives. She was born on June 5th at 1:45 pm. She weighed a surprising 9 lbs 9 oz. and was 21 3/4 inches long. We were both a little surprised at how big this little one was!!

It ended up being a planned c-section which I was really scared and apprehensive about, but in the end we made the right decision and the doctor confirmed that for many reasons.

Everything so far is going pretty good. While the recovery after a c-section is really rough and emotional, so far it has been much better than my recovery with Zech. It is completely different having a planned c-section versus an emergency one. We are still super tired and of course it seems that I am an emotional train wreck (oh the joys of hormones), but we are coping and trying our best.

My sister-in-law flew up on Thursday night to help us out. It was perfect timing as she was able to take care of Zech while we were in the hospital. Zech had so much fun with his Aunty Missy and we are so thankful that she was able to help us out so much!

I am so blessed that my wonderful husband is home and does so much for our family. I don't know what I would do without him.

I think the hardest part right now is trying to explain to Zech that I can't pick him up and cuddle and play like we used to. He gets a little frustrated and upset. He has been really good with his little sister, but still thinks and insists that she needs to be able to play trains with him!

Digital Scrapping

So lately it seems that the only scrap time I get in is Digital. John and Zech bought me a Creating Keepsakes book for Mother's Day and in it they have a Digital section where they list a whole bunch of sites that you can go to for Digital scrapbooking information and goodies.

I am cheap, so I go for all of the "freebies" and there are lots! So I have been exploring some of these sites lately and I will have to share. I am not through them all and have been marking the ones that I like best so that I can return and share them with you.

Also I love the free tutorials that some offer. I must say that my favourite site for free tutorials is Jessica Sprague's! She has over 50 free tutoials for Photoshop. In fact I was having problems figuring out how to make my own collage and I found a tutorial on her website. I also learned how to change the colour of patterned paper and there are so many other features that I want to learn and can learn because of her awesome tutorials.

So here are a few digital layouts I have completed. The bad part about my downloading frenzy is that I never bothered to save the site that I downloaded the kits from and now I can't properly give credit. I will have to change my downloading methods and now I will have to go back and look for the site that I got these from! :o(

This is the one layout that I have no idea where I downloaded it from. It is a free template that I just plopped the pictures into and added my own journaling! Super easy! I will have to go back and search where I got it from though!

This is a letter template from Erica Hernandez from the two peas in a bucket website. My friend Heather had used them and I liked them, so this is the one purchase that I made (they are only 0.99 for one, or the value pack of 10 for 6.99)! Lots of fun and easy to use.

Last but not least, my WIDE EYES collage. This will be a two page layout, but I just need to figure out how I want to do the second page. I have the title (WIDE EYES) and I know what I want to say, just need to figure out if it will be on paper or digital. These pictures of Zech range from when he was two weeks old up until he was two months. Obviously as you can see, this kid never napped (like newborns are supposed to--so I was told) and he was always looking around and super inquisitive about EVERYTHING (and yes some things never change--he's still the same).

3 Years

It is three years today since Dad passed away. That is quite hard to believe! Some days it seems longer, other days it seems like just yesterday. I miss him, but am so grateful for all of the good memories I do have of him. I wish that our kids would have had a chance to meet him and know their grandpa, but all I can do is show them pictures and tell them all about him.

Zech looks at some of the scrapbook pages that I have done of him and he knows that he is his Grandpa. So now when we look at the pictures he will point to him and say "papa" and then tell me that "he's in heaven"! Smart little monkey--I am often dumbfounded as to the things he remembers me saying.

So here's to my Dad and all of the wonderful memories I have of him. This is one of my all time favourite pictues of him that was taken 4 years ago at our wedding.

Still here....no baby yet...but there is a plan

So yes, I am still here, as prego as ever, but we have a plan! Today I had a doctor's appointment and once again they were going to try and see if we could get things stirred up a bit, but once again nothing is happening! Erghhhh!

None the less, we have an action plan and I guess that eases my mind a little. I am swollen, extremely swollen and it won't go down now. I can't fit into my shoes, so the little saying "barefoot and pregnant" really resonates well with me. Usually once I sleep, take a nap, the swelling will go down, but it's not. The good news is that my blood pressure is really good. In fact it is lower than it has been for a while now--figure that one out.

Still, each appointment I seem to perplex my doctor as she wonders, ponders, what to do with me. She remembers Zech's birth well, as it was the first time she ever had to do an emergency c-section prior to even inducing me. So because of the isues we had with Zech, we are being cautious, but she is still willing to let me try and do the VBAC.

So the plan is to go to the hospital on Monday and have an ultra sound and monitor this little baby. If everything is good, she will allow me to wait a few more days to see if I can go into labour naturally on my own. However, by next Friday if nothing happens, we will have a scheduled c-section. If on Monday, they find that the baby is in distress, I imagine I will have the c-section right there immediately.

So that is the plan! Irregardless of what happens, we will welcome our bundle of joy into this world by next Friday.

How do I feel about all of this??? SCARED!! :o) Nah, I just want to make sure that my baby arrives safe and sound. Whatever God's will is, will be done. Of course I do not really want to go through another c-section because of the recovery and the fact that I have a two and a half year old to look after too, but whatever happens, happens.

I also know that the doctor is worried about the swelling. I have had headaches this morning too and that isn't the greatest sign. Also I am HUGE and she is worried that my uterus is getting to big and could cause some rupturing if something doesn't happen soon!

So please keep us in your prayers as we go through these last few days. Just prayers for a safe delivery and the peace of mind and strength to deal with whatever method of delivery that I will have to endure!

Thanks and soon I can post a wonderful Introduction to the newest member of my beautiful family! :o)

Recipes

A few favourites that I thought I would share.

1.) Mushroom Broccoli Chowder Recipe

I found this recipe a while back and did a bit of tweaking. This is a family favourite and one I often resort to when I can't decide what to make for supper or even lunch. I would suggest doubling the recipe too, so that you can have leftovers. Enjoy!

Ingredients:

1 can (14 oz.) chicken broth
1 cup chopped fresh or frozen (thawed) broccoli
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 medium sized potatoe thinly chopped (optional)
2 TBSP. Butter
2 TBSP. flour
1 1/4 cup milk
salt and pepper to taste
1 can (8 oz.) whole kernel corn
1 dash hot sauce
1 TBSP. chopped Pimento (optional)
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 1/2 cup sliced fresh mushrooms

Directions:

Cook the broccoli in broth. Set aside. Cook mushrooms and onion and finely chopped potatoe (I added the potatoe, so it is optional) in the butter. Add the flour, salt and pepper. Add the milk and cook until thickened.

I blend the broccoli and broth mixture in the blender (make sure it has cooled first--or you will have an explosion of soup everywhere). Then add the broccoli broth to the mushrooms, milk, etc. Add the corn, hot sauce and pimentos. Heat until hot and bubbling. Sprinkle cheese over top and serve.


2.) Sticky Chicken

I actually just found this recipe last week as I was sitting in the doctor's office waiting. It was a life saver as I didn't have a clue what I was going to do for supper and this is so EASY!

Ingedients:

3/4 cup ketchup
6 TBSP. Soya Sauce
6 TBSP. maple syrup
12 chicken thighs

Directions:

Combine ketchup, soya sauce and maple syrup in a bowl. Pour over chicken and bake at 350 until meat is cooked.

Super easy and really yummy! Zech actually ate--the true test these days! ;o)

3.) Carrot, Zucchini and Apple Muffins

These are just coming out of the oven as I sit here typing this. It is not a good day to have the oven on---I am melting, but at least we will have some yummy muffins to enjoy!

The one thing that I would change when I make them again is that I would use Blue Agave instead of the sugar. I tend to try and do most of my baking now using the Blue Agave (a natural sweetner that does not spike your insulin levels and has less calories), but for some strange reason it is quite hard to find here. In Kelowna I could get it at any Health Food Store and it was cheaper than what I have found here. I still have to check out some of the bigger stores like Planet Organic--they should carry it.

Ingredients:

2 c. flour
2 c. shredded carrots
1 c. shredded zucchini
1 lg. apple, peeled and cored (golden delicious or granny smith)
1 1/4 c. sugar
3/4 c. raisins
1/2 c. chopped walnuts
1 tbsp. cinnamon
2 tsp. baking soda
1 1/2 tsp. grated orange peel
1 tsp. vanilla
3 lg. eggs
1 c. vegetable oil
Sugar for sprinkling

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line 1/2 cup muffin cups with paper baking cups. Mix all ingredients except eggs and oil in a large bowl. Whisk eggs and oil in another large bowl to blend. Stir flour mixture into eggs. Sprinkle 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoons sugar over each. Bake until tester inserted in center comes out clean, about 22 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature.

GrEIGHTful!

I know I missed it last week, but I am back this week!

This week I am grateful for:

1.) Naps-yes once again I love that Zech still naps and that I can nap when he does! I hope this stays, but have a feeling that it may change as soon as the baby arrives. For now I will cherish it! :o)


2.) Lunch with Mrs. Shymanski and the Easter gift she brought home with her for Zech from the Vianello's! They are too good to us!

3.) Skype and the chance to chat with Mari!

4.) Lunch with my Aunty Elaine. She is down to her last 4 treatments of radiation and then she is done. It was great to meet up with her and to spend some time with her. She is a wonderful woman, with so much courage and spirit. We pray that her post treatment tests will show positive results!

5.) My wonderful husband who has been such a big help lately and brought me home the most beautiful bouquet of flowers the other day with the sweetest note! It was a rough day and a simple little gesture like that just made my day so much better! He is the greatest!

6.) My beautiful son and his personality--yes the good and the bad! This age is definitely trying, but also so hilarious. I love listening to his pretend play and him chatter away and have conversations with himself. His imagination is so incredibly fascinating!

7.) My baby that we are still waiting for, but is still healthy. I went to the hospital this week, because I wasn't feeling good and wasn't feeling the baby move as much as it normally does. I was monitored and everything was fine, but still I am just not going to take any chances. I really want the baby to come early, but so far nothing and they can't even get things going because there is nothing happening!

8.) This amazing post that our friend had on his blog and that I posted below. Yes it is long, but if you get a chance to watch it, do so! What a remarkable, inspiring woman and it is always so amazing to see how God uses people and works in people's lives when you least expect it.

Death is Not Dyeing: Rachel Barkey's Story

I had to post this Story on my blog after seeing it on our friend's blog. It is a long video (55 min.), but a real inspiration and a real tear jerker, and so worth watching!

I know it has deeply challenged me in so many areas of my life as a sinner and on my journey with the Lord --hence the reason I am sharing this on my blog. I don't usually talk openly about my faith in our Saviour Jesus Christ, but it is something that I know that I need to do more of. I also know that I need to "serve" more and "serve with joy"!

Visit Rachel's website

Thanks to Desiring God and Josh Harris for posting this story of faith in Christ alone.

After four and a half years of vigilantly fighting breast cancer, Rachel Barkey, a 37-year-old wife and mother of two was diagnosed with terminal cancer.

Rachel's story is not unlike what thousands of women around the world have experienced. A diagnosis that changes a woman's life and inevitably takes from her what we consider to be most precious.

But for Rachel the essence of life is found in her relationship with God through Jesus. And that's why Rachel is convinced that death is not dying.

Watch Rachel share her story of trusting God in the face of death. "Cancer does not define me," she says. "Neither does being a wife or a mother. All these things are part of who I am but they do not define me. What defines me is my relationship with Jesus."