What's For Breakfast?

This isn't a food blog. I don't spend hours cooking. I am very basic in the kitchen. My Mom was the same way. Usually I'd just grab a bowl of whatever-sugary-cereal we had on hand and that would be breakfast. Then I decided to eat a little better. Clean up my diet you might say. I used to eat a yogurt/cottage cheese blend once in a while. While being yummy it did have quite a few calories and no fiber. So here is what I have come up with. I use plain nonfat yogurt, granola (and more recently Kashi) craisins, walnuts and Chia seeds. This not only tastes good but keeps me full all morning.

1/2 cup plain, nonfat yogurt (53 calories, 6 grams protein)
1/4 cup craisins (98 calories, 1 1/2 grams fiber)
1/4 cup low fat granola (48 calories, 1.2 grams fiber, 1.5 grams protein)
1/8 cup walnuts (100 calories, 1.5 grams fiber, 2,5 grams protein)
1 TBS Chia seeds (47 caolorie, 3.3 grams fiber, 1.7 grams protein)
So for 346 calories I get a whopping 7.6 grams of fiber and 11.7 grams of protein. It is sweet enough with the craisins to curb and sugary cravings I have in the morning and keeps me full. I will say that using the Kashi (honey, almond and flax cereal changes the totals to 8.3 grams of fiber and 12.4 grams of protein with the same number for calories). 
Just something to think about....trying new things maybe isn't so bad ;)

(Almost) Wordless Wednesday

My latest project....

What is Better?

What is better than being 9 weeks old and finding out you have one hand??

I mean besides being 9 weeks old and being the most adorable baby ever??

Being 9 weeks old and finding out you have TWO hands. That is living right there!!

A Few Pictures

 I just had a few pictures I wanted to show you. Of course they are all about Michael. That baby has consumed my every thought. I just love him so much. He is growing and changing so fast. It is killing me to be so far away. We went to Utah to be there for his blessing. My Dad and Zeffie were gracious enough to open their home to my rowdy family. It was a wonderful trip. This grandpa made sure he got lots of snuggle time.

So did Auntie Jo. They have a special bond, these two.

He has grown and changed so much from the tiny new-born that he was when I was here in June. He is so beautiful. He talks an giggles. He is just heavenly.

This proud Daddy couldn't be happier. He loves Michael so completely. His whole face lights up when he holds his son. I love this more than I can say.

We wait in line to hold this little guy. He never gets put down for long. He is just too fun.

I got to see Jackie for a minute while we were in Utah. It was fun to see her and catch up. Friends like her are hard to come by.

Two sleepy boys. One with a hat and one with a binki. My loves...

Cylie was excited to hold the "tiny baby". Not sure she has been around many infants. She loved every minute she got.

Then there is me back in June. Look how small that boy is. Tiny baby, for sure. I am rocking him in my Mom's rocking chair. My Mom rocked her grandbabies in it. Now her first grandson can rock her first great-grandson in it. Priceless. I cannot wait to go back. This kid has my heart.

I Remember That Birthday

 Before I get started, I just want to give a shout out to my AMAZING friend and work out partner, Katrina. She made me the biggest candy bouquet EVER!! She is awesome and I love her. And this (see pic below) came via FedEx today. 16x20 isn't quite big enough. I love him so much...next time I'll do the whole wall. 

I called Kevin on his birthday Tuesday. We were talking and I told him that he will always remember this birthday because it is his first after becoming a Daddy. Just like 41 for me will be special, for the same reason. I started to reflect on some of my past birthdays. In the interest of keeping a record, I'll jot them down quick. (Feel free to skip any or all of them)
18-Kevin was born
20-Married the best man I know
22-Jo was born
23-Moved to Blackfoot and bought a house
29-Moved to Rigby
34-Mom was diagnosed
35-Moved to Minnesota (no regrets. At. All)
36-Mom died, Kevin graduated from high school
37-Kevin left to serve a 2 year mission
38-We moved to Nebraska
39-Kevin came home
40-Kevin got married, Jo graduated from high school
41-Michael was born
There has been a lot of stuff lately it seems. Lots of big mile stones. A whole lifetime of memories. I am so abundantly blessed.

MY Baby Boy

Here is MY baby boy. I have been lucky enough to be his Mama for the last 23 years. His birth was normal. Nothing exceptional about it at all. Except that his birth changed my whole life. It was the most important thing that happened to me. He changed me. He made me a Mama. I was so young. Up until that point I had focused solely on myself. This baby gave me something outside myself to focus on. He gave me a purpose. He loved me. And I loved him. Completely. We grew up together, this boy and I. Me into the Mama of two beautiful children and Kevin grew into an amazing father with a son of his own.

On this birthday, Kevin is a daddy. A papa bear to his own tiny person. I am so excited for him to be a daddy. He has ALWAYS been good with kids. I am SO proud of the man he has become. A daddy. That is special. I told Kevin this morning that he will always remember this birthday. It is his first birthday as daddy. It is special. He is special. I love him. Completely.

Happy Birthday my sweet boy. Have a wonderful day!

The New Grandma...er....New Baby

I am just going to tell you right now....there are a lot of pictures in this post. Our family has grown recently. Michael James was born on May 20th. He is so perfect. I can't talk about him enough. Folks at the gym, the cashier at the store, the guy on the opposite side of the gas pump all get to hear about my new little grandson.

He is beautiful and calm. He hardly ever fusses. Any he never squawks just because. He is snugly and sweet. Who on earth wouldn't want to hold this little guy??

He has so much personality already. He is definitely a morning baby, unlike his daddy. He has the cutest little expressions. I am totally in love.

This is Kevin at the same age (about a month old). They look a lot a like.

I did get to see The Sisters while I was in Utah. They are such good sports. They left their families and drove down to Ogden to see us.  We camped out in Kevin's apartment all together. Good times. I love them so much. Their support means so much to me. My dad took us all out to lunch before I had to fly home. It was fun to just listen to them all talk....while I loved on this sweet boy.

Kevin's childhood friend, Ashlee Parkinson, took some newborn pictures of Michael. They turned out so dang cute! He is so tiny. Of course he is growing so fast.

When we have our family pictures taken next month he will be so much bigger already. You really do forget how fast they grow and change. 

He was a little different every day that I was there. So precious. I can't even describe how different the feelings are being the grandma as opposed to being the mom. The tender, watchfulness is there...but it is more. It is so much more.

When I say he has my heart, it is not just an expression. I haven't felt this way about any other being on this planet. I am so proud and honored to get to be his Grandma Honey. I can't wait to watch him as he grows.