A Very Blessed Evening

I guess that October is definitely the most popular month for birthdays in our family (on the Witzig side). I think we have 5 or something all from the 1st until today... we were counting them up tonight. Our evening was spent at Jake's grandparents house in Morton, IL, which is about a 6 minute drive from where we live. We all gathered to celebrate Great Grandma Witzig's 78th birthday. It was a beautiful evening, and picnic tables had been set up outside with a variety of pizzas on each table. We ate, chatted, and tried to figure out how to use an interesting contraption (a scooter of sorts) that a family member had brought for entertainment- we didn't have too much luck with that. Then after we had consumed every bite of pizza and most of the dessert, we headed indoors to warm up a bit. And then, after sitting for a while, Great Grandma said that she would love it if all of us could sing hymns together. This is a tradition on this side of the family, but it is one that I have never personally experienced.   I can tell you that it was a wonderful experience and blessed my heart greatly. Every time a hymn would end, somebody would call out another number and the pianist (Jake's cousin, Abi) would begin playing and we would join in and start singing again. Unfortunately we were not able to do this very long because people needed get home, but for the time that it lasted, it was wonderful. Thank you great Grandma!

Today is Sunday. Sundays, in my mind, have been "Stress-days" for me for a while. They didn't used to be like that, but I think that all changed when we added Genesis to the mix... you know, having a toddler to get ready and then a wee baby as well... but then it just didn't get any better even as Genesis got older and is now 13 months old- because of the fact that Genesis is a HUGE napper. She is still taking morning naps and afternoon naps as well, and sometimes a short evening nap. So, I would just dread Sunday morning. Getting breakfast, getting everyone ready, getting myself ready, trying to deal with a crabby baby who we'd just be taking to nursery right at her nap time. You get the idea. So I had been reading a friend's blog who was going through a similar situation, and realized that she and her husband were trading off every other Sunday. One would stay home with the sleeping baby while the other went to church and the next week they would switch. So I brought the idea before my husband, and told him I thought it would greatly diffuse my stress.. and he agreed! This is week four, I think, and I am loving my stress free Sundays! Genesis gets her 3-4 hour morning nap, one of us gets to go to church with Ivy and it is working great. I am trying to wean Genesis to more of an afternoon nap, like holding her out as long as possible till about noon or so, but it's going to take a while, and until then, we will continue to do our Sundays like this. Everyone is much happier.

We have a very busy week in front of us- Bible studies, Naomi's (my sis-in-law) baby shower, etc. Then on Saturday, Jake and I are taking off for 8 days of vacation- without the girls! My in-laws have been so gracious as to offer to care for Ivy and Genesis while we are gone. I think they know what they are getting themselves into! :) Jake and I are going up to northern Michigan (Sault Saint Marie area), and then making our way back home slowly, stopping in different towns every night or two. We'll be staying in several Bed and Breakfasts and hotels along with the way, and then finishing up our vacation in South Haven, with some friends of my parents who have invited us to stay in their home for two nights. We are so excited, beyond any words that I can use! This will be the first time we've had a vacation (that lasted longer than an overnight) alone since Ivy was born 3/2007.

And I need to get off of the computer now. So with all that being said, I leave you with another favorite recipe. It is yet again a recipe from my mother-in-law... and it is so yummy. Great for this time of year. It's awesome, served with corn bread.

Cheddar Ham Chowder:
2 c. water
2 c. cubed peeled potatoes
1/2 c. sliced carrots
1/2 c. sliced celery
1/4 c. chopped onion
1 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
1/4 c. butter or margarine
1/4 c. flour
2 c. milk
2 c. shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1 can (16oz) whole kernel corn, drained
1 1/2 c. cubed fully cooked ham

In a large saucepan, bring the water, potatoes, carrots, celery, onions, salt and pepper to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 8-10 minutes until vegetables are just tender. Remove from heat; do not drain. Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan, melt the butter. Blend in flour. Add the milk all at once; cook and stir until thickened and bubbly. Add cheese and stir until melted. Stir into the undrained veggies; return large saucepan to the heat. Add corn and ham; heat thoroughly, stirring occasionally.