Food Always Tastes Better When You Don't Have To Make It!!

My neighbors and I have started a cooking group. What that means is we each cook a meal for the group once a week. Since there are 4 of us, that means people cook for me 3 times a week! We do this Mon-Thurs. We pick up the food from the cook's house, and eat it at home. It is a big help to all of us, since we have busy lives. Today was the first day. My neighbor Emily Flinders made "fritters" (buns baked with lunch meat and cheese inside) and salad. It was sooo delicious!! I'm so excited to try different foods. It will be especially helpful when the baby comes, since I know that will be a very busy time. My only concern is that I won't know how to manage without my neighbor's cooking when we're done with school :)

We Support Our Troops!

Pregnancy has given more dreams than ever. Most are pretty crazy and lack meaning, like the one where my baby was a hot dog (ask me about it later). I just woke from a dream that was full of meaning. I couldn't help but relay it to you, so that you could be reminded of it's important message as well.

In the dream, I was serving in the U.S. Army overseas. I survived the experience with a severed left arm from the elbow down. As I came back to my family and friends, I wondered "will they accept me now?", "how will I be able to do what I love/need to do with just one hand?". I felt so angry that I had even volunteered to go in the first place, because if I hadn't I wouldn't have been in this condition. I drew near to others who once served, to gain comfort. I was impressed by their selfless attitude about their experience, while mine was so self-centered. Then I awoke.

Now I would like to make the disclaimer that this is not a political message. I know that everyone reading this feels different about our current and past wars. I don't intend to interfere with that. In fact, I don't feel that supporting troops has anything to do with political beliefs. Many servicemen don't even agree with "the greater good" they are trying to accomplish, but they are following through on their commitment and that is honorable. I just want everyone to share that deep respect I have for anyone willing to risk their life for someone else. I'm not sure I could do that for someone I love in a time of crisis, let alone volunteer to sacrifice my life for people I don't know or "the greater good". That's why whenever I have the opportunity to meet servicemen, including firemen, police, as well as military men/women, I try to express that deep respect the best I can. I hope you will do the same.

5 months along!

Everyone has been asking me if I'm showing yet. I'm definitely showing. This friday I'll be 5 mos. along. I can't believe it!

In fact, it's taking me awhile to get used to this belly. Last week I burnt my belly on a baking pan! I felt very embarrassed about it, until I talked with other women who said it happened to them while they were pregnant.

I've begun to feel the baby moving. Sometimes it's hard to tell if it's the baby or digestion.

I feel great! It seems pregnancy's given me an obsession with food. I've been cooking and baking a ton. I daydream about what I'm going to eat next.

It's a boy!

<- we have the proof!

The official due date is Christmas day. Coinsidentally, that was my mom's due date when she was preg. with me. I figure I have pretty good odds that he won't be born on Christmas, since only 5% of baby's are born on their due dates. Anyway, we are very excited to be expecting a boy. If you are wondering about names...it might be awhile before Brent and I can come to any agreement.

Wow, so much has happened since my last entry. I wish I had some pictures to describe it, alas, I can't figure out how to upload them... Oh, well, I'll do that once my "uploader" (aka "Brent") gets back. That's right! He's in WI visiting our friends and family. I miss him a ton!

Not sure if you heard about Brent's stressful board exams... In essence, he needed to pass them in order to continue dental school. We are relieved to learn that he indeed passed the boards!

Also, I'M PREGNANT!!!!! We are super excited, of course! Looks like it'll be a Christmas baby. I just can't seem to escape major milestones in my life from happening within 2 weeks of that holiday. Our ultrasound is scheduled for July 25th.

I had such high hopes of doing weekly postings when I started the blog. I'll try to keep it better updated from now on, but maybe that's just a high hope too.

Our Nature Sanctuary

This is a beautiful park we have next door. We love walking, biking, running, etc. here. I love the flowering trees. It contains old house built in the 1700's. It has many bird feeders, so it sounds beautiful as well!

Hard at Work

Here's Brent and his study buddy Dan taking a study break during finals. Brent had so many exams last week. He's done with the tests and is on to making dentures. That's what he's working on as I'm writing this post.

My Baking Buddy

This is my neighbor Jacob, who helped me make bread yesterday. He's so cute. He loves Brent...he always wants to do whatever Brent does. It's adorable.

Desperate Dental Wives Annonymous

I'm so thankful for my good girlfriends here. Their husbands are also dental students. It's fun to have each other, since our husbands are pretty busy with school. Some of them will be leaving us this year, as their husbands are graduating. We'll really miss them.

The Newest Neighbor

This is our adorable neighbor Brinley Ruth. She's so sweet. One of her favorite things in life are her hands. No wonder why...they're so cute. It will be so fun to watch her grow over the next couple of years.

Call John, and they all come swimmin'

Every fish of ours is named John. Our friend John Houdek said we should name our first child after him. We compromised by naming our first fish John. Now we're just too lazy to come up with other names. Besides, they don't stay in the tank long...but that's a different story.

An American Delicacy

As of late, I have been searching for good fried chicken. It's pretty hard to find, believe it or not. I'm always up for a challenge when it comes to cooking, so I gave it a try. It turned out great...wish you could have tried it.

What would I see if I visited Philly?

Here are a few of the typical sights we bring our WI guests to see. From top to bottom order: The art museum, the Rocky statue, the Liberty Bell, a Philly cheese steak restaurant, and the Hershey's chocolate factory.

Where do Brent and Elizabeth live?

We live in an apt just outside of Philly. We moved hear after living in a smaller apt, a year ago. I love it b/c it has a big kitchen. I'm glad Brent finally has his own office. He used to study in the center of our living room, when we lived in out old apt. In our apt. complex there are ~15 other dental student families. It's been great to have friends going through the same thing. We have a lot of fun together.

We have a blog folks!

So, I just started this blog. Thought it might be fun for some of you back home to see what we're up to out here in PA. Seems like all my friends have a blog...I feel so left out without one. lol.