Casey's First Father's Day

I am so excited for Casey on his first Father's Day! He is a great Dad to Josey.

There is so many things he wants to teach her! He can't wait to get her on her first dirt bike, teach her to fish, hunt, and be a tough little girl! While we were looking at baby names we loved to see Josey spelt the way it is, so she could have s-e-y at the end of her name like Casey.

Josey always lights up when Casey gets home. There is a lot of extra squealing and giggling for Daddy. She looks at him with such big bright eyes! Josey shows off her tricks she's been practicing all day and her whole face is saying, "Look at me!! Look at me Dad!", while she's bouncing around.

Josey has many similarities to Casey, in looks and personality. We so look forward to seeing what she'll be like, and do in life. I know Casey is so proud to be Josey's Dad, and looks forward to his first Father's Day!

Video, Pictures and a Recipe

Today I am feeling like I'm finally getting stuff done in the house.

Only after a few hours of procrastination of course.

If you are anything like me you are itching to see my house, inside and out. Which I will show, I mean it! I didn't really show the last place because I fell out of love with it QUICK, and didn't feel like sharing pics anymore. But this place is different... and I will show you.

This whole moving and thinking I'm going to organized with a baby is harder than I thought. But, Little Miss Josey is a welcome distraction most of the time. So you'll have to wait a little bit for pictures n stuff. In the mean time, enjoy Josey's baby pictures and video's without late 60's avocado green carpet. :)

Casey giggling in the background is also precious and priceless to me!

Josey helping me unpack

Oooooo and a little late afternoon pick-me-up!

At home Iced Mocha Latte!

Iced Mocha Latte

Leftover coffee from this morning
Milk
Chocolate Syrup
Ice

Fill glass a little under halfway with coffee. Add a handful of ice cubes. Then pour milk on top. Take the chocolate syrup and give it a few swirls over the glass, and stir. Taste test and add more of any ingredient if you want.

This is so simple. My family makes it a lot, maybe yours does to! I had forgotten about this until yesterday and I am loving a little afternoon caffeine!

Enjoy your drink! Have a great rest of the day!

My Heart Has Officially Melted

We moved last week so everything has been crazy!! Finally got internet! Couldn't wait to show everyone this video!

This was Josey's first time saying it! How exciting!!

Miss Josey in the month of May

It has been a fun few weeks!! My first Mother's Day, my parents came to visit me for 6 days, Josey started rolling over and she turned 5 months old!

Sadly I didn't take any pictures of when Opa and Oma came to visit, other than pictures of a stained table that my mom and I did together. Which is really cool, but that's a later post...

Photos of things that have been happening at the McCausland household :)

Mother's Day

One of very few family pictures. Awe! 

First Cabbage Patch Doll! 

Josey loves her doll! I'm thinking she will be like her Kohrs cousins, who are obsessed with babies! Jocelyn walks around with her doll calling for Josey saying, "Osey! Oooooosey!" So cute!

Rollin' Rollin' Rollin'

This was Josey's first time rolling over!!! I missed it. But found her like this and took a picture anyways. She's been showing off her new skill ever since! Still working on rolling from stomach to back, but it will come soon! This was right before she turned 5 months :)

Motorcycle Walker!

Josey has been scooting around in the kitchen ever since I first put her in this. She loves that she can move on her own, and keep a better eye on me while I'm making dinner or doing dishes. I think it is so cute! Also a great feature is the on/off switch and the volume control! Makes a happy household!

Found her reflection!

First solo feeding!

Aaahhh! For me and her! She can drink a bottle by herself! Well kind of by herself. While I really like to hold Josey and give her the bottle... I must admit I have been looking forward to this. I love how she did it all reclined and figured out how to put her chest higher so she wouldn't have to use her arms. That's the life! She looks pretty comfy huh?

What a crazy thing, being a parent. Love all the firsts and the good morning squeals in her crib each day. She is getting so big! We thank God every day that we have her. She is tearing our hearts out (in a good way) I hope she never stops!

Lead Me

I copy and pasted this from a lyric website. I heard/actually listened to this song for the first time this morning. 


WOW. So True!


I'm not posting this because I'm unhappy. Yes, some days are HARD and not what I "expected"... but I see this as the daily struggle, all the responsibility on my husbands shoulders... the cry for a leader in the home. A prayer somewhat similar that I've heard him pray, and together we continue to pray. 


Sanctus Real - “Lead Me”

I look around and see my wonderful life
Almost perfect from the outside
In picture frames I see my beautiful wife
Always smiling
But on the inside, I can hear her saying...

“Lead me with strong hands
Stand up when I can't
Don't leave me hungry for love
Chasing dreams, what about us?

Show me you're willing to fight
That I'm still the love of your life
I know we call this our home
But I still feel alone”

I see their faces, look in their innocent eyes
They're just children from the outside
I'm working hard, I tell myself they'll be fine
They're independent
But on the inside, I can hear them saying...

“Lead me with strong hands
Stand up when I can't
Don't leave me hungry for love
Chasing dreams, but what about us?

Show me you're willing to fight
That I'm still the love of your life
I know we call this our home
But I still feel alone”

So Father, give me the strength
To be everything I'm called to be
Oh, Father, show me the way
To lead them
Won't You lead me?

To lead them with strong hands
To stand up when they can't
Don't want to leave them hungry for love,
Chasing things that I could give up

I'll show them I'm willing to fight
And give them the best of my life
So we can call this our home
Lead me, 'cause I can't do this alone

Father, lead me, 'cause I can't do this alone


Click here - Music Video

Watch it! Listen to it! :) Have a good day!

The WHOLE Chicken

This was pretty intimidating to cook for me. I bought it in a moment of confidence and a sale at the grocery store. I didn't know what the heck to do with it. So I let the little chicken sit in the freezer waiting to be made, until last night.

This is what I did with it. And it was surprisingly easy!

Recipe:

1 (3-4 pound) whole chicken

1 tablespoon olive oil

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

1/4 teaspoon thyme

1/4 teaspoon paprika

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

1/8 teaspoon onion powder

1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Dash of country herb seasoning

1 tablespoon butter

Preheat oven to 500 degrees. Rinse chicken under cold running water, take out giblets. Pat dry with paper towels. Place chicken in smaller baking pan. Rub with olive oil. Mix together spices in separate bowl, and sprinkle on all sides. Put an extra dash of salt, pepper, and country herb seasoning on all sides. Put butter under the skin by the breasts. Before putting chicken in oven, flip it so it is breast side DOWN. I also added half an onion cut into wedges around the chicken. And gave it a few slaps, because that's what seemed like the right thing to do. 

Now roast the chicken in preheated oven for 20 minutes. Baste with drippings and lower temperature to 475 and cook for another 20 minutes. Flip the chicken over to breast side UP with tongs, baste, and lower the temperature on last time to 425 for 20 minutes. Chicken should be cooked to an internal temperature of 180 degrees. Take out of oven and let rest, covered, for 10-15 minutes. 

Came out awesome! We are using the leftovers on sandwiches, or by itself. You can also take it off the bone and freeze it for a quick dinner on a later date. Buying the whole chicken is cheaper than most other meats, 89 cents a pound, on sale, here! 

Glad I finally made my chicken, wasn't as painful as I thought it would be!

It's Raining... We're eating!

Food.

It's a necessary part of our day. So why don't we make it healthy and enjoy it?!

I know that things I put on here wouldn't be categorized as "healthy" in many people's eyes. Or even mine all the time. But if it's homemade, from scratch, REAL ingredients, it's healthy to me. Whole milk anyone? Real butter? Sour cream? Cream cheese? Making cookies, brownies etc. from scratch? Making your own mashed potatoes even?

I do indulge in the plastic container meal, or from the box... Duh, you need backup. Ooo and chinese take out!

So, eat this super quick and easy healthy food!

Bacon Wrapped Asparagus
- asparagus
- bacon
- toothpicks
In a deep skillet, put about 1/2 inch water, or enough to just cover asparagus. Cut the hard ends off of asparagus and put in pan. Let heat up in water just until fork tender. You don't want it to go longer than this. Empty pan of water, put back on stove for next step. Once asparagus is cool enough to handle, wrap a strip of bacon around two pieces of asparagus. Secure with toothpick on each end. Fry the bacon wrapped asparagus in pan until bacon is cooked.

Recipe credits to my sister Laura, except for the toothpicks part :)
We have eaten this 3 times in the past week or so and I am not sick of it yet!

Josey has been getting in on the eating action to!

How dare I stop feeding her to take a picture

Sweet potatoes and carrots are awesome!

By the way... This toy suctioned to her tray is awesome! It's a great distraction while I'm getting the next bite! If I would have known it makes noise every time it spins I wouldn't have gotten it, but of course Josey loves the noise. 

We had a good weekend. Looked at a house in town to rent and fell in love with it.

We are moving. 

Yay! The house we live in has charm.... but charm faded when we got our first months utility bill. Charm especially faded throughout the winter with bills that made me cringe, all the while still freezing my butt off. Every time the wind blows the curtains move. 

I am so excited to decorate and get all settled in a new home. The next house has TWO bathrooms! One connected to the master! Sweet! There is a dishwasher too! LAAA! We haven't had one yet, and this makes me very happy. I am excited to be in town close to the river, playgrounds, stores. It would be a long walk to the store, but worth saving on fuel these days! The lot that the house is on is very big. We are at the end of 2 roads, which created a loop around the house, so we have no neighbors touching our yard. I'm excited about that! So I'm going to get the ball rolling on everything it takes to move. Can't wait to be done and enjoying some central AC this summer!

Encouragement

Psalm 37: 1-9

'Do not fret because of evil men

or be envious of those who do wrong;

for like the grass they will soon wither,

like green plants they will soon die away.

Trust in the Lord and do good;

dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.

Delight yourself in the Lord

and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Commit your way to the Lord;

trust in him and he will do this:

He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn,

the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.

Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him;

do not fret when men succeed in their ways,

when they carry out their wicked schemes.

Refrain from anger and turn from wrath;

do not fret - it leads only to evil.

For evil men will be cut off,

but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land.'

I found this after I looked up anger... I am so very passionate about my whole family, and love each and every one so much. I find comfort that God sees it all. I can imagine how passionate God is about us. I am thankful that this passage says to refrain from anger. If you read on in the passage it is so encouraging. 

4 Month Appointment

She makes my day!

Josey had her 4 month appointment on Wednesday. They said she is thriving! Which is so nice to hear. I feel so blessed to have a happy healthy baby girl! Josey weighs 16.2 pounds, and is 26 inches long! She is in the 90th percentile for her height, weight, and head circumference. Big girl!!

I was so excited that the doctor said Josey could start eating solids! I have a few baby recipe books and want to make as much as I can for her. Her first dinner was potatoes! She loved it!! By the end of feeding her, she was screaming at me if I didn't feed her fast enough. Opening her mouth for the next bite and everything! Yaay! This little girl loves to eat! Josey can also drink 2-4 ounces of juice or water a day too! Probably get more water than juice, because I don't want her to have that much sugar. Unless I buy her expensive stuff that's actually real. Probably won't happen for awhile.

With all this eating I've been hoping that Josey would start sleeping through the night. I've been giving her a rice cereal bedtime bottle for the past month or so, and nothing has changed. So I started trying the enfamil restfull sleep formula at night, and there's still no change. I've tried a combo of the two with an evening bottle of rice cereal, and a bedtime bottle of the special enfamil and she's still hungry! Oh well, maybe she's just growing so much that's why she's hungry all the time... I'm pretty used to it now, but definitely looking forward to a full night's sleep sometime. Maybe I should just throw that out the window.

I mentioned earlier about starting planting season, and we've been rained out. We did get a couple fields done though. Hopefully everything starts to dry up soon! I hope that the fields planted aren't drowned out. Casey can't wait to get back out there and finish planting. It's so fun to watch it all grow! Both of us look forward to the day when Casey can just farm and not have a second job so far away. Someday he will!

Pizza Pizza!

Soooo good! Not to time consuming! Makes 2 pizza crusts. I wrap the second crust and freeze it.

Mom's Pizza Dough
Ingredients:
1/2 cup warm water
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon sugar
2 Tablespoons oil
2 1/2 - 3 cups flour
Yeast Mixture: (mix in measuring cup)
1/2 cup warm water
3/4 Tablespoon yeast
1/2 teaspoon sugar
- mix all this around with your finger a bit, let rise until at 1 cup mark to make sure you know the yeast is working
Method:
-First make your yeast mixture. In the mean time mix together sugar, salt and oil in separate bowl. Add yeast mixture to bowl. Add 1 1/2 cups flour. Beat until smooth and gradually add in additional 1 1/2 cups flour. Dough should be like biscuit dough. Turn on lightly floured board until smooth and elastic. Place in greased bowl and let stand 45 minutes, or until doubled in size. Punch down and divide into two.  Let rise 10 minutes. Then, roll out dough on lightly floured surface and place on greased cookie sheets sprinkled with cornmeal.

I was hungry so I didn't take to much time making the crust's look pretty :)

Let rise 10 minutes. Place in 400 degree oven for 7 minutes. After taking the dough out of the oven carefully flip over. Let set a few minutes and then add desired toppings. Bake again at 400 degrees for 12 minutes.

Topping Ideas:
Tomato sauce, oregano, mushroom, 1/2 green pepper, pineapple, tomato, olives, mozzarella cheese, pepperoni, beer or summer sausage.... etc.

Chicken Mixture

What I top it with.... via watching Mom
First I do a layer of cream cheese, then a chicken mixture that I've pre-cooked on the stove. Mixture has cubed chicken, mushrooms, oregano, italian spices, a lot of garlic, green onions and such. I don't measure or anything, just make sure it smells good! :) Okay so.... cream cheese, little sprinkle of mozzarella, chicken mixture, more mushrooms, parmesan cheese, then a little more mozzarella cheese and you're done!
DO NOT OVERLOAD IT! Gets all soggy in the middle. Ew!

Just a P.S. to my sister Laura.... let's not act like we're on allrecipes hahaha!