The news of our pregnancy was a shock to me and Justin. We are just as thrilled as we ever were for our other two pregnancies, but this time it was completely unplanned and we've had to wrap our heads around three kids.  Right when we felt like we were getting life with two kids under control, God threw us this amazing curveball.

I'm not going to lie... when I first saw that bright blue line on the pregnancy test I had a moment of panic.  I couldn't have asked for a better reaction from Justin. He made my nerves calm and made me feel just plain old excited for an addition to our clan!  His reaction was priceless... giant grin with a resounding "YAY!!"

There was one night, not long after we found out that we would become a family of five that I was asking God how we would manage, and if we should buy a bigger house, and every other question you would think about after finding out you were surprisingly expanding your family. God answered all my prayers and calmed all my worries through Justin that night. As I was running through all these overwhelming scenarios in my head, I heard our two year old wake up in tears screaming for someone.  I clicked on our video monitor to decide if I should go calm him down or let him simmer on his own and as I looked at the screen I saw Justin just sitting down on the bed with him. Justin didn’t know it, but I watched the whole thing play out.  In watching Justin hug Ty and rub his head and tell him that he would be ok, God told me that everything would be ok.  That I have this awesome husband and father of my children to help me with our growing family. 

my handsome hubby with ty

and with elena

I had nothing to worry about because when I would grow slim in patience or energy, I had someone there to pick me up.  I have been at peace with the whole idea of having three children ever since that night. I am so grateful that God continually uses Justin to teach me about love, selflessness, and faith. I couldn’t be more excited to welcome our new little one in August with Justin by my side.

Linked up here and here today!

AHA! moment: pumpkin puree

If you are anything like me, when you look at a pumpkin, you see all the many things you can carve in it.  Honestly, until having babies, I never went to the pumpkin patch to buy a pumpkin to cook with.  The plan was always to take a million cute pictures with it, carve it into something creative, MAYBE roast the seeds, and let it sit on my front steps with my mums and festive wreath as decor for the season until it eventually rotted and I had Justin toss it in the dump. I cannot believe looking back that I wasted such a yummy, versatile squash!
This year, I have Elena who is in the baby food stage and loves almost anything pureed.  If I would have realized earlier how easy it was to make pumpkin puree (which isn't just for babies!) I would have started a LOT sooner! The price of canned pumpkin puree is crazy and one pumpkin makes so much!
Here's how I cooked mine:

1. Wash the squash!
2. Cut it in half from top to bottom.

3.  Scoop out the guts.

4. Rub the inside with olive oil and sprinkle with Kosher salt.

5. Place face down on a parchment-lined baking sheet.

6. Cover with foil and roast at 400*F until fork- tender (about 40 minutes).

7. Once cool, scoop out the 'meat' and puree on high until smooth. (I used my Ninja!)

Not only did Elena love this, but Ty did too.  I didn't even add anything to it.  You could also use it as you would the canned puree in savory sauces and soups or sweet desserts.  And it freezes beautifully! Oh, the possibilities...

Pumpkin isn't just for carving in our house any more!