Thanksgiving

Jon wrote a blog entry that sums up our Thanksgiving, so I am going to steal it. Plus this is Jon and Alyssa's blog, and Jon has yet to write a blog entry.

harvestjrhigh.org/jrHighBlog

Enjoy!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

 While I wanted to say happy thanksgiving to everyone, I have to keep this post short. Currently I am getting the house ready for guests, and cooking the turkey. I am squeezing the Macy's Thanksgiving day parade in there too! Like I said we are having all the family over to our tiny little house. We are having 21 people come over! Our plan was to have everything outside and have a nice thanksgiving outside with tables set up. Well our plan was foiled due to the weather. I know it's not suppose to rain for most of the day, but everything outside is soaked from yesterday and last night. I have a funny story about that, but I will save it for another time.

 Some things that have been going on this week.

We went to an AMAZING Coldplay concert, and had AMAZING seats. They came and sis an acoustic set in the audience a section away from us. Adam and Jenni were 10 ft. away.

I am officially 20 weeks. which means I am halfway though my pregnancy!

We are having Thanksgiving at our house. 

Tomorrow is BLACK FRIDAY. My family takes full advantage of all the sales. Yes, I know we are CRAZY, but it has turned into more of a family tradition.

That's what has been going on. 

Have a GREAT Thanksgiving!

What a Night

Last night Jon and I were looking forward to a relaxing evening that had no agenda. Our whole week has been on a schedule with the Preach the Word conference, Jon has been working everyday from 6:45am to about 9:30pm. So needless to say we have been more busy than usual.

We went to California Pizza Kitchen for dinner, and then we went to Coldstone, and got the best ice cream concoctions ever, but that's a different post entirely. After that we went to see a fashion show in the parking lot of the plaza that my brother was in.

It was really turning out to be a great night. The food was great the company (Jon) was wonderful, and Jon and I were really blessed by how it was all turning out. We decided to rent a movie and watch it in bed.

Almost as soon as the movie was on I fell asleep, as usual. Halfway through the movie, we herd a horrific accident in front of our house that made spring out of bed when I was fast asleep. We didn't even need to look out the window to know that we needed to call 911. Jon ran outside, and I called 911. (On a side note, it took me about three times to dial because of these stupid acrylic nails!) When Jon went outside, he discovered a mom and her three kids. They were not injured other that a bloody nose. That by itself was a miracle considering the front end of her car was gone.

When they got out of the car, we had them come on our porch, and gave the cold kids blankets, and helped the mother with her bloody nose. While taking to her before the paramedic came, it was pretty evident that she was under the influence of something. We realized she hit a parked car in front of our house.

The police came, and the first officer on the scene, was a friend of ours, who on Tuesday, I was trying to tell him ware we lived. And, to top it off I was telling him that day that we haven't had any problems living on a busy street. He gets out of his car, sees Jon, and says, "Oh yeah, nice quiet street." :o) I was feeling really good that he was there because of what an awkward situation it was.

The women had her kids picked up by a family member, and she was arrested, and they all left. After we got into the house and turned the movie back on, we were both wide awake, and too wound up to fall asleep. Jon said something that stuck with me and I think it is true. He said, " ministry never takes a night off."

What he said got me thinking. The whole situation was really bad for the women involved, and I can only imagine what brought her to a place that she would think that it was okay for her to drive drunk with her kids in the car. But, Jon and I were tyring to be as helpful to her as we could. But as far as we know we could be one of the only examples of Christ's love that she comes into contact with. And it is on those situation that we need to look at her with the eye's the Christ would have. Not judging her for the monumentally bad choice that she made, but helping her as she is trying to pick up the pieces of what just happened. She knows what she is going to be facing, most likely, felony DUI.

That lead me to start thinking of how we, as Christians, need to have that attitude all the time. Not just those times that people are in dire need. This world is so lost and people are so caught up in their own lives that they have absolutely no hope.

That was our crazy night, that we will remember for a long time. Pray for the situation and for the women involved, and for her family. They defiantly need it.

Friend Soup, or Chicken Tortilla Soup...

Yum...

 Yesterday I made Chicken Tortilla Soup for my Koininia today. I turned out really good, but I almost ran out. So, next time I won't eat as much of it before as I did yesterday. 

 If you have tried the soup before you know I got the recipe from my mom, who got it from her friend Trish, who got it from her friend. The soup has been passed around from friend to friend, so I have appropriately named it Friend Soup. 

 The recipe I have received is for a large batch, but trust me, you will want a large batch because you can freeze it for another time or give it to a friend, (another reason it's a good name) or eat it all week, which I could easily do. Oh, and believe it or not, you can make it in a bigger batch. I have a special pot I call my chicken tortilla pot. But trust me, it is really good, and you'll campair all other chicken tortilla soups to it.

• 3 Quarts of water
  
• 1 Jar chicken base
• 2 cups shredded cooked chicken (you can use more)
• 10 Cloves finely chopped garlic
• 1 Chopped Bell pepper (you can use any color)
• 8 oz. diced green chillies
• 3 14.5 oz. cans of diced tomatoes in juice
• 1 bunch chopped cilantro
• 1/2 tsp. Cayenne pepper
• 1/2 tsp. White pepper
• 2 tsp. chili powder
• 2 Tbsp. Whole cumin seeds
• Small bag of frozen corn
• 2 Cans of black beans
• 2 Cans of white beans
• 8 Tbsp of vegetable oil ( you can use less, just enough to coat)
• 2 2/3 cups of chopped carrots
  

 Saute onions garlic, and cumin seeds in oil for 7 min. Mix water and chicken base. Add chicken and other ingredients. Bring to a boil. reduce heat and simmer until chicken and veggies are tender and flavors are full. Garnish with deep fried corn tortilla strips, cheese, and whatever else you like on chicken tortilla soup.

NOTE: The chicken base is a pasty base near the bouillon cubes in the store. It freezes well in freezer bags. 

Serves 20 6oz. servings.

The soup can be expensive with all the ingredient, but all of it you can find on sale. So if you know what to look for, you can plan ahead and stock up on the ingredient.

Finally!

 It really has not been that long since we started our "office project," but it feels like FOREVER! Mainly because we have had all the contents of the office scattered in the kitchen, (because the office is off the kitchen) and lately, I am having a hard time sleeping when the house is in disarray. But, thankfully it has taken us less than a week to re decorate the office. This includes: refinishing the floors, (Jon did that) painting new furniture, and all that fun organizational stuff. 

 I am thankful to announce that we are now (as of about 2 hours ago) using our office for an office, and not a storage room! All of our furniture we got from Ikea, and I am so happy with the way it looks. When we bought it, I thought that it would be too big for the space, but I actually think that it needs something else. I don't know what, but something. 

 Jon and I have our own workspace, on the same desk, but we both can do our work and not get in each others way. Before, I would have a corner in the office carved our from all the clutter, and he would have a spot at the dinning room table. We both got to a point ware it was silly for us to do that considering we have the space. 

 I would like the tank HGTV for giving me the inspiration, and the confidence that got us to do it. I would also like to thank Ikea, for providing low- cost furniture for those of us who want something budget friendly, yet trendy. And, last, but most important, I want to thank Jon how tirelessly worked on the floors and made sure it got done before my kioninea (sp?) this week. He, despite my doubts made the floors look really cool and unique to totally fit our contemporary vintage office. I love you babe!

 I will post pictures when we got all the stuff in the room. I am just ecstatic that Jon and I are both using the office for what it for, while at the same time spending time together.

 Now the only thing that needs to be in the office is my iMac that I'm going to get for Christmas. Oops! Did I just say that out loud? Don't tell Jon I said that!

Oh Boy... It's a Girl!

 Yep, I was laying on the table all but about 15 seconds, and the technician said, "well, you got you wish. It's a girl!"  I cant even begin to tell you how happy I was to hear that. Jon has said from the beginning that its going to be a girl, he never wavered. I, however was really thinking that it was going to be a boy, which I would have been thrilled about, but I am rally happy it's a girl. 

 The only bad thing is, since I thought it was going to be a boy, I planed out the baby room, and know exactly how it was going to be. Pirate themed. I had all the bedding picked out at babies r us, and I was going to have my father-in-law paint a mural ion the wall. But, I got exactly what I wanted, so it's time to start from scratch. The room is completely cleaned out! Just needs paint, and I trying to figure out the carpet thing right now.

 Any ideas? I don't want anything too girly, I don't mind pink, but not pink all over. 

Well, back to decorating. Not the babies room , but the office. Our idea is that if we won't do it before the baby comes, most likely we wont get it done!

 I leave you with a text message Jon got from Forrest Rickard, who has two daughters of his own. "Congrats! Now you need a shotgun, purity book, and chastity belt!"

Updated Baby News

  I had a dr. appointment this afternoon and everything is still going really well. I am exactly where I need to be as far as size of my belly, and all the normal stuff. I go the results from my AFP test, and everything is normal there. We went worried at all about it, but, as my aunt Paulette so wisely said, your not worried, but feel so relieved when you get the good news.

 I am set to have my ultrasound on Tuesday, and we will find out the sex of the baby. I am hearing about 100% from people that we are having a boy, which makes me sad because despite what I tell people, I REALLY want a girl!

 When we find out what the baby is I will tell everyone the name we picked out!

This Week

 It is going to be a crazy week! Not only is Adam and Jenni getting married on Saturday, but Jon, and I are poll workers, and that right there is a LONG day. We have done it a couple times this year, but this one will be a doozy. I am convinced that we will have people from the time we open (7 am) to the time we close (8 pm). Did I mention we have to be there at 6:30 am? Yeah, early, and we don't leave until all the ballots have been sorted, which most likely will be around 9:15 pm. It's a really long day. So needless to say Tuesday is all about the polls. We have really enjoyed doing it, and really are looking forward to it.

 On Thursday, I have bible study, and right after that we have a baby appointment. Then, we have Adam and Jenni's rehearsal dinner. That will be really fun! After the rehearsal part we're going to Carrinos for dinner. That we are really looking forward to.

 Friday we work, but I am preparing myself for anything that may come up for the wedding. 

 Saturday is the big day, it will be really fun!

 And that's our week, it will be a long one but a productive one. I am always praying that the Lord would make everyday a productive one, and this week will no doubt be one of those. Some may say that what I just listed isn't that bad, but add to that all of our ministry obligations and it make a normally bust week that much busier.

 Just pray for us this week. Pray that Adam, and Jenni's wedding will be everything that the Lord wants it to be, and everything they were hoping for. I have no doubt it will be just that, but the enemy always has a way of getting in their and trying to mess things up, even with the little things.

Pray for Jon, and I as week are looking down the barrel of a long week. I tend to get a little grumpy now days when things are off track, and I really don't want to be like that at all, so pray that we get the rest we need to stay focused.

 I am really looking forward to next week! We will find out the sex of the baby on November 11th. We can't wait!!!

Yes On Prop 8

 As I'm writing this I am really annoyed! I got one of those prop 8 signs to go in our lawn. This afternoon, Jon, being the great husband he is, put it in our lawn. Within 2 HOURS we went out to get some ice cream, and our sign had been pulled out and thrown on the ground across the lawn. I was kind of expecting this considering we live on a busy street, but not in that short about of time! 

 I am annoyed about this for a couple reasons. First, it's not like we are going out and pulling out no on prop 8 signs, (which by the way I have not seen too many) or steeling them all together. Working in the front office, so many people have come in and said that their signs have been stolen, and need to get a new one. 

 Second, these adds on TV are driving me CRAZY! They are making this whole thing out to be discrimination by comparing this to that of the civil rights movement, or the Japanese internment. I'm sorry, but you can't expect to gain the public attention by card stacking, it is untrue, and probably offensive to those who have lived through these events.

 Okay, I'm venting. My whole point is that we have (I feel) been very tolerant of our society, and the direction it's going. But it just floors me that we even have define that marriage should be between a man and a woman.

 We really need to be in prayer that the Lords will, will be done on Tuesday. I know that I am really nervous, but I have to keep telling myself that the Lords will, will be done, and he knows the outcome of Tuesday.

It's late, but Happy Halloween

I was really disappointed about our turnout for Halloween this year. We barely had any trick-or-treaters. It was kind of sad. My grandparents had NONE. She said in that has never happened in the 40 some odd years they have lived in their home. I guess people weary about letting their kids go to strangers houses to get candy. Know that I think about it, I don't know how I'm going to feel about it when our kids are old enough to go trick-or treating. We'll have to wait and see.
This has been a full week. I took my time doing my Monday stuff, and didn't get all that I wanted to get done done, and I forgot about the week at hand and all we had to do. So I played catch- up last night while the trick-or-treater came by.
Our anniversary was Wednesday, so Jon took the day off so we could go to Oak Glenn. It was really hot, and not very fall like, which was sad considering we were at the mecca of Fall. But we had a good time. To Jon's surprise, and delight, we discovered a place off the main road called snow line farms. The reason we stopped was because on their sign, they have advertised, "apple cider doughnuts." As soon as Jon saw that we pulled into their driveway (almost swerved), and said "we have to stop!" The place was really cute, but Jon had a mission. We got a dozen mini doughnuts, and they were really good, I had 3 Jon had 9. After that, we stopped at a few other palaces and then had lunch, and went home. It was really fun, other than the heat.
Jon is taking the boys out for Adam's bachelor party, so he is gone for the weekend. I know I am probably sounding really silly, but I hate it when Jon is gone. I always feel so uneasy about it. And, now especially that I'm pregnant. I usually stay with my mom, and dad, but they went to Vegas this weekend, so I am at our house. But, my sister is staying with me so I feel alot better than if I were by myself completely. We have a home alarm so that makes me feel better. The funny thing is when Jon is home I away think, why do we have this alarm that we have to pay for monthly, but when he's gone I am thankful for every penny we put towards it.
I have a first belly shot, thanks to my brother, Aaron. I made this shirt with a sharpie, and I thought it was clever, but you can be the judge of that.
Hope everyone had a good, safe Halloween this year!


Oh, and my lovely husband decided to turn his beard into an obnoxious mustache for halloween. I will post pictures soon. Or, maybe I wont for fear that he thinks that I am endorsing the caterpillar on his face. It hurts when I kiss him. He does it just to bug me. Gross!