The Wild, Wild West

We just came back from a really fun family trip to Moose, Wyoming.  We stayed at the Gros Ventre River Ranch, and enjoyed three gourmet home-cooked meals a day, fishing, horseback riding, outdoor cook-outs, fellowship with family and with new-found friends, and a fun, humidity-free-very-chilly-weather week!

See pictures below  (Warning, LOTS of pictures, in no particular order)   :)

 View from our cabin...Good Morning Teton Mountain Range!

 Uncle Jason really liked Jackson's cowboy hat

 Check out those bison

 Prairie Dog

 Loved our cabin

 Jackson's first time to touch a horse

 "Snuggling with the horse"

 Playing "peek a boo" with the wrangler

 Elk horns in Jackson Hole, Wyoming

Uncle Jason and Jackson toasting their drinks

Below, state flag of Wyoming

Pictures at Slide Lake

 July 4th
Sadly, no fireworks on the 4th due to the risk of starting wildfires, but we had a fun cook-out at the Ranch with 150+ locals from the surrounding areas

 Sunset over the Tetons

 Old Faithful

 The Grand Canyon of Yellowstone National Park

 Yep, that's snow "stuck" to the side of the canyon

 This bison was literally right outside my car window.  If I stuck my arm out, I could have touched him. Craziness

 Mama Moose outside our cabin (apparently baby moose had wandered into the horse corral, and the wranglers set her free so she could go find her mama)

Below: morning horseback ride, and eating breakfast by the river

 Outside Jackson Hole Lodge, with the Tetons behind us

 Hiking around part of Jackson Lake in Grand Teton National Park

 Aunt Margaret tampered with wildlife to entertain Jackson...sssshhh, don't tell

Heron Pond, in Teton National Park

First Popsicle

In trying to beat the heat, Jackson and I ventured over to Steel City Pops yesterday.  Everyone in Birmingham has been raving about these delicious, healthy popsicles.  And let me tell you, it really was delicious, and the place was packed!  My friend Caitlin recommended the Cucumber Lime, reassuring me it tastes like a margharita (which sounded oh-so-good to a pregnant woman on a hot day).

 First bite!

This picture doesn't do justice to the fact that Jackson ate half of this popsicle, and when he dropped a teeny piece on the floor, he had picked it up and shoved it in his mouth before I could stop him.  This boy isn't going to let that Cucumber Lime go to waste!

My First Ever iPhone Dump

I had a fear, a legitimate fear, of what would happen when I plugged my USB cord into my iPhone.  But with some encouragement from my friend Lacey, I did it, and easily, smoothly, and successfully transferred my beloved pictures onto my beloved Picasa storage.  Phew.  Fear conquered.  (Can you tell technology and Emily are not exactly compatible?)

So, I am going to copy every other soul in blogging world and do an iPhone dump.  Sort of a year in review of sweet Jackson's life.  Crazy how time flies. (Well, not really a year in review, since I've only had my iPhone since Christmas 2011.  But you get the idea.)

 Maybe a month old here?

 2 week pediatrician check up. So concerned. Taking in life.

 Touchdown!  With Uncle Robert.  New Year's Eve 2011.

 Celebrating Shelby's engagement New Year's Eve night. So fun we got to be there, and so fun that she's getting married in NYC in September!

Busybody.  Just realized he can help Momma "organize" the pantry.

 Checking out his friend Ford. They are fast friends. (And people say they look alike all the time...maybe it's the bald heads?)

 Fun in Memphis. December 2011.

 Happy 1st Birthday!  We love you Jackson!

 Chews.On.Everything.

Loves to swing at the Tot Lot.

 Busybody.

 Loves to eat

 Making a joyful noise!

 Cool dude in his car

 Date night with Mommy, GiGi, Pops, and Aunt Margaret at Chez FonFon

 Happy child. Love that smile.

 First time in Publix big boy cart. Loved it

 "This is what happens when you leave me with grandparents!"

 First Easter egg hunt 2012

 First encounter with the Easter bunny

 Second encounter with the (creepy?) Easter bunny

 Welcome to the Jungle

 Checking out my new car seat

 Stud in the H2 hummer

 Stud. 'Nough said

 Gearing up for our trip out West

Drew Brees' child...I mean, 1st time in the library sitting at the big boy computer

 And he loved it

 Daddy surprised us for a quick visit at the McWane Science Center. I love surprises like that.

 Our day today. Yes, Jackson thought Tucker needed floating, soggy dog food.  I lazily left it, and Tucker ate it (and oddly enough loved it). Sad.

 "Look Mom, it's Ford!  BABY!"

Snuggling (aka hugging) Ford, while Ford winks, his newest trick.

 Rare family picture

 Big Brother! (This was taken right after he fell and busted his lip and tongue, hence the unhappy face)

 Storm damage on our street from one month ago.

 Fun at the playground. "Mom, help me get down!"

 Tired boy, watching the DVD in my car. (I know, I know, I said I'd never do it, but I did)

 We love Daddy  :)

Pimento Cheese BLT Sandwich

I'll get to the recipe in a minute, but I wanted to first of all thank the many of you who sent texts, emails, and phone calls, encouraging me as a mother (and in my energy levels of pregnancy!).  It truly means so much, and I'm so blessed with a community of godly women who want to build me up and encourage me.  Thank you thank you thank you.  (And for the record, week 14 is thus far much better.  In fact, before 8 a.m. today, I had eaten breakfast, cleaned windows, baked banana bread, vacuumed the floors, scrubbed down one bathroom sink, and fed Jackson.  That's a record compared to how I've been all 1st trimester.)

Now, here's my inspiration for this delicious sandwich, inspired by Gilchrist, the local drug store eatery in town.

Check out that bad boy.   Yum-O!  (And made with fresh tomatoes from our garden, even better!)

Okay, so the recipe is from Southern Living's "Homestyle Cookbook," an excellent cookbook if you don't already own it. 

Spicy Roasted Red Bell Pepper Pimento Cheese

1 1/4 c mayo
1/2 (12 oz) jar roasted red bell peppers, drained and chopped
2 tsp finely grated onion
2 tsp coarse grained Dijon mustard
1/2 tsp ground red pepper
2 (10 oz) blocks sharp Cheddar cheese, grated
Freshly ground black pepper to taste

**Note, I use the whole jar of red bell peppers, but I'm not sure if my jar is 12 oz?  Also, I usually just use the 16 oz "bar" of Cheddar cheese.  It truly does taste best if you grate your own.  And I use just regular Dijon mustard.  I also omit the grated onion. And mine tastes just dandy.

1) Stir together first 5 ingredients until well blended; stir in cheese and black pepper to taste. Store in the refrigerator in an airtight container up to 4 days.

Southern Living has a lovely picture of the pimento cheese stuffed in celery stalks, and I have to say, it makes for a pretty presentation and tastes great.  The crispness of the celery buffers the slight spiciness of this recipe.

I, however, had some thick sliced bacon to use up, and some fresh tomatoes from our garden, so I opted for this beautiful and tasty sandwich above.

**Another note, can you believe I'm a pimento cheese lover of only about 2 years? Nabeel's pimento cheese won me over, and since then, I've been on the hunt (until now) for a good recipe!

Enjoy!

Today

Today was a great reminder of God's truth to me:

"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."  II Corinthians 12:9

I know blogs can, for the most part, feel cheery and happy and blissful.  Happy smiling couples who never fight or argue, happy smiling children who never whine or cry or grumble. Happy perfect homes with never a pillow out of place nor a crumb on the counter top.

While I would say I'm a fairly contented person with life, and with this life God has given me, today just wasn't those "full of contentment" days.

I now understand why women say that second pregnancies can make you really tired.  And I don't mean take a brief nap and then you'll have tons of energy.  I mean REALLY.TIRED.ALL.THE.TIME.  Maybe that's a combination of me working 2 jobs (NICU and now Lactation), trying to clean up our home, feed our family (cooking is low low low on my priority list these days), being a single mom while Andy is out of town for work (for what seems like every day, but it's not that often.  Just these past two weeks).  It can be hard and tiring, and today was just one of those plumb tired days.  A day where Jackson napped from 10-11:20 a.m.  That's it.  Our day then consisted of an overwhelming but fun visit to the McWane Science Center where I had to physically pry him away from the building because he didn't want to leave.  A loud trip to the library.  Chasing chasing chasing my fearless but fun runner.

YET...

God is faithful in reminding me of His truths.  Just now, because I was too tired to read to him while Jackson drank his milk before bed, I turned on the Christian television station, and God was so faithful in providing Chris Tomlin's lyrics to me:

"I Will Rise"

There's a peace I've come to know
Though my heart and flesh may fail
There's an anchor for my soul
I can say "It is well"

Jesus has overcome
And the grave is overwhelmed
The victory is won
He is risen from the dead

[Chorus:]
And I will rise when He calls my name
No more sorrow, no more pain
I will rise on eagles' wings
Before my God fall on my knees
And rise
I will rise

There's a day that's drawing near
When this darkness breaks to light
And the shadows disappear
And my faith shall be my eyes

And I hear the voice of many angels sing,
"Worthy is the Lamb"
And I hear the cry of every longing heart,
"Worthy is the Lamb"

With tears slightly streaming down this tired momma's face, I had my own quiet worship service, holding one hand up in praise and surrender, and the other arm holding a smiling toddler, content to be snuggled up with his mommy.  I wouldn't trade my "tiredness" or my long day for anything.  God has placed me on this earth right where I am, right now, and even when life seems overwhelming at times, if we just look up, He'll guide us, He'll give us encouragement, He'll strengthen us.

I apologize for what could appear to be a blog of complaining (for after all, I have nothing to complain about.  I have not vomited in this pregnancy; toddler #1 and baby #2 are healthy; I am healthy; I have a car with wonderfully working A/C to drive; I have a home over my head; a husband who works hard to provide; a job of my own that I enjoy; plenty of food to eat, etc.)...

I just wanted to have a moment of "real-ness."  Am I crazy?  Other moms...thoughts???

 "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."  II Corinthians 12:9

Jackson

 For my own memory record, I'm writing some things about Jackson that I don't want to forget at this stage in his life:

 1) Jackson is really into snuggling and giving hugs these past few months. You never know when he'll cozy up right next to you. Melts.my.heart.

2) He's really into taste and texture of food. If he likes a food he opens up his mouth for more like a little bird. If he doesn't like his food, he opens his mouth, propels out his tongue, and out drops the disliked food.

3) Jackson has always slept with his Wubbanub pacifier and two Loveys. His sweet bald head must like the feeling of soft things against it because he's often holding up both soft Loveys to either side of his head. And he loves his super soft bumper pads and frequently uses them as his pillow.

4) He loves Tucker and will often lay the side of his head on any part of Tucker's body, look up at you, and grin and giggle. Poor Tucker stands it because he's hoping for dropped food.

 Acting like a "big boy" at the computer station in the library.  Loves the headphones.

5) If you cant find Jackson there's a good change he's sprawled out hiding on Tucker's dog bed. Once you spot him, he grins and giggles and scampers off.

 Sprawled out sleeping little man. I love the video monitor.

6) He runs like a "fledgling duck."  That's right, arms bent up at elbow and wrists out, running full speed ahead.  Fast and fearless.

7) When you're putting Jackson down for nap or night night, he'll lay his head on your shoulder.  A sweet ending to my day.