Rachael update

I got to spend the afternoon with Rachael yesterday :-)  Let me tell you, life is hard, huh.  This sweet little thing sleeping on my chest while I dozed on the couch as well.  Annie was able to shower and rest, which is a praise!

Overall things are going pretty good.  She's not gaining her weight back as quick as they'd like, but it's coming about a 1/2 oz per day.  They're having to watch her closely for the dairy allergy her brother had.  Unfortunately today she started showing some of the same signs.  Atleast mom and dad know what they're looking for this time.  Thanks for continued prayers for the Freeman 4!  (Annie, Robbie, Nathanael, & Rachael)

Rachael Leigh Freeman is here!

Rachael Leigh Freeman

Born 10/26/2010 3:14am

5lbs 15oz, 19in long

This is a picture I stole from my twin sister's twitter page.  It's Nathanael's first meeting with his new sister. 

I am so blessed by this family! 

I know Annie, Robbie, Nathanael, and Rachael would cherish any and all of your prayers as they begin this new chapter.

Robbie's b'day dinner

Warning:  rambling post below

Yesterday was my brother-in-law, Robbie's b'day.  HAPPY BIRTHDAY ROBERTO!  (if you didn't gather...that's my nickname for Robbie)  I spent the afternoon over at their house helping Annie (my twin sister) get things cleaned and ready for the big b'day dinner.  Annie is 9 months pregnant and having contractions on a regular basis, so it was great that it worked out for me to be able to come over and help.

Side note:  if you read this, pray for baby Rachael.  She's begun measuring small, which is causing some concern from the doctor.  Annie will be going back to see them on Monday to measure fluid levels and see if Rachael has grown at all.  If she hasn't this means the placenta isn't doing what it needs to be doing any more and they will most likely induce Annie on Monday.  So pray that Rachael grows and the fluid levels stay good.

Devon came over as soon as he was done with work.  He and I played outside with Nathanael while we all waited for Robbie's family to arrive for the celebration.  1st Nate wanted to drive his car.  Below is him (sporting his new favorite duck hat) parking his car between Aunt Mandy's and Uncle Devon's.

Then he wanted to ride his bike, but he ended up riding in circles around his yard and onto the street (i think he likes the bumps).  Devon decided to pull out the back seat of his jeep and sit while Nate rode in circles.  Of course Nate thought that was really cool, so the bike riding went to the wayside and he had to sit with Uncle Devon. 

At some point he lost interest in the seat and his bike helmet.  Devon decided to sport Nate's helmet and I relaxed on the seat.  Hence the below picture.

Side note:  I don't think I've posted on here the offical...WE'RE HAVING A BOY post!  We found out a couple weeks ago that baby raisch is a boy.  So far all is growing healthy, Praise the Lord.  We're half way along in the pregnancy.  I promise to post a pic or two of the growing baby bump.  We truly are blessed.

Girls Weekend in Roanoke, VA

You gotta love how you can steal pictures off facebook.  That's where I got this picture of some of my best friends in the world.  Thanks Tiff!  The four of us met up in Roanoke, VA this weekend for a girls weekend together.  It was a blessing beyond words.  What a gift to have friends like this where you come together and pick up where you left off, and never hesitate to be your complete self.  We talked, laughed, played some cards, walked around a couple towns, SNACKED, talked, and laughed some more. 

Tiffany and I realized this weekend that we have known eachother for amost 20 years...20 years!  My life is richer because of this girl...truly richer.

I've known Rosemary & Jeanett for well over 10 years now.  Before I moved to Shelby they were my family in Raleigh.  We lived together for 4 years, 4 great years.  I tell people often, the three of us had a roomate environment that is rare and special.  Like I already said...we were a family.  What a blessing these two are to me.

Rosemary, Jeanett, & Tiffany.  Oh how I love you ladies!  Thank you for such a wonderful weekend together!!!  I can't wait till girls weekend 2011 :-)  Phil 1:3

Recipe

I know this isn't going to be an exciting blog post...but I get giddy when I make this Lentil soup recipe and I thought I'd put it on here.  I made this last night, and am having it for lunch...and I'm counting down the minutes till my lunch hour.

This is my mom's Lentil & Sausage soup.

1 onion
2-3 cloves of garlic
2-3 stalks of celery
1 bag of lentils
1 package of Kielbasa sausage (I use Turkey Kielbasa)
2 cartons of chicken broth
1 bag of baby spinach


-Rinse & check your lentils for any dirt or rocks
-Saute up your onions, garlic, and celery in a little olive oil
-Add both cartons of chicken broth
-Add rinsed lentils
-Add cut up Kielbasa
-Bring all of this to a boil and then reduce heat, cover, and simmer until lentils are done (+/-1.5hrs)
-Sometimes I'll add some extra water cause I know it's going to lose some juice through this cooking time, that's up to you
-Right before you're about to eat, add the bag of spinach and let it cook for a few more minutes
-serve and enjoy!

unexpected blessing

I woke up this morning knowing that one of my main priorities for the day was getting to the grocery store to buy laundry detergent.  I had let mine run out and didn't want to just go anywhere to buys some.  You see, I REALLY want to use my coupons, but I've gotten a few weeks behind on cutting them.  Over the past several days I've been meaning to get my coupons up to date and then look and see who had detergent on sale and then go use my coupon there.

Well...I had waited to long, and had resolved to just going to the nearest grocery store this morning and buying detergent without a coupon.  I went to Food Lion at 8am this morning and headed directly to the laundry isle.  There were several brands on Food Lion special, so I was happy that I was going to save aleast a few dollars.  I ended up getting the Arm&Hammer brand (never got it, but how can you go wrong with A&H?).  I found a good deal on razors and honey nut cheerios.  I was quite happy with my belongings and headed to the checkout.  The sweet sweet lady behind the register saw that my laundry detergent was on a good sale as well (made me feel good).  She then said something about there being a coupon???  huh?  She pulled out an envelope with several pages of coupons printed off the internet.  She found one for my detergent and cut it out and scanned it.  I saved another $1.00 on it!  I was so thankful.  I then asked her, "do you just keep these up here?"  She then told me those were her own personal coupons!  She was giving me that one.  I didn't know what to say.  How kind of her!  I told her thank you many many times and that I didn't deserve it, but she assured me that I did. 

What a sweet blessing from this lady.  I walked out thinking about making her some cookies or brownies and bringing them back to her to show my appreciation.  Over the top?  maybe?   But still, I was so blessed by this small act.  I've got my 2nd load of laundry going already :-)

buying and selling

Does it seem to anyone else that buying goes in spurts???  It kinda seems that way to Devon and me.

this week Devon purchased this

we are trying to sell this

and this

and this

Oh, and last weekend we drove down to Greenville, SC cause we found a great deal on Craigslist for this

baby furniture

Cause God is blessing us with this come sometime around March 5th

1st pic of Baby Raisch