Everyone Jump On The Peace Train

My heart rate is gradually slowing, now that I've sat down to write a little. Nothing beats a nice dance break in the middle of the living room with the love of your life on a Friday afternoon. The gray, cold day has taken us indoors and put a warm cup of hot chocolate in our hands. We're feeling musical today, so AOL radio is gracing our environment with some party hits. I love days like today. Nothing in life is really in place, and we're feeling quite lost. But smiles are showing upon our faces and there's a twinkle in our eyes. Nothing will get us down today...we have love and life and a little life on the way. God has blessed us and we will not ignore that. Our heater will warm our quaint home for now, but tonight we'll be warming our chilly toes by the fireplace, and I am in love with that idea. I have to break in on this thought and share that our baby is going crazy in my belly right now. This laptop on my lap playing music must be encouraging him/her to get his/her jiggy on in there...which is exciting. Maybe it'll be a music fan...or even better maybe he/she will inherit Eric's dance moves (and prayerfully, not mine! haha). I just get lost thinking about how our little one is going to blossom. Will it be a boy or a girl? Will it have Eric's hypnotizing blue eyes and crazy, curly hair? Will it have chocolate eyes and long, straight hair? Will it have Eric's gate, or mine? Whose smile, teeth, nose, and feet will it have? What a thing to think about...I could daydream for weeks imagining how he or she will turn out! It will be another of God's beautiful creations and I cannot wait to lay my eyes on it.

I want to raise our child to dance in the streets barefoot and love everyone they meet. A little hippie, perhaps? To feel free to explore trees and nature, to love those who are different than us. A child who loves music and friends and family and food. To eat dinner as a family, and then dance off our dessert in the backyard when we're done. One who gives more hugs in one day than most families do in a week. Who loves Jesus and talks to his or her little friends about Him. A child who doesn't know or think about money and chooses fun over material possessions. Whose kindness shines like the sun. I think we can have an amazing child and an amazing family if we set our eyes on these goals. Keeping our relationships number one and love in our hearts, life will be good.

I dug out an old recipe card of Mom's Homemade Brownies last night, cranked up the oven, and broke out my new cookware that I got for graduation. These brownies make me gleam, for they remind me of childhood. They aren't like the boxed brownies, or most any other brownies I've ever had. They are thick, light, and cakey. Not thin and chewy and gooey, like most are today. These are tasty and delightful. I particularly love these because I can eat one or two and not feel sick. Unlike most other brownies, they are not overwhelming. Rather, simply delicious and fulfilling. The top bakes into a crunchy, cracked treat while the inside is soft and chocolaty. I will happily admit that my belly and baby were both greeted by one of these first thing this morning (however, it was accompanied by a banana, haha). Don't worry, this is not my normal diet. I don't usually feed the little one this way first thing in the morning! But today was a special occasion (I slept well last night and felt great when I woke) so I celebrated.

We've found our spots on the sofa and we're sharing warmth under grandma's quilt. I'm practicing patience and trying to wait a few hours to start the fireplace, as we will be using the last of our supply of wood tonight and I don't want it to go out early in the night. It's New Year's Eve and I'm celebrating by being thankful. No parties or large groups of people. Just us. Enjoying the night in our home. Together. Frequently sitting still so I can feel our precious blessing kicking and moving around in my belly. I hope to spend the majority of the evening in conversation with the Lord, remembering where we've been this past year and what He's given us and taken from us. I believe that 2011 is going to be a great year. Our world is going to change forever and we are so very excited about it. Life as we know it will no longer be, and we will be starting our own family. I think it's going to be one of those years that we'll remember and talk about when we're old and gray. 2011...I can't wait for this year full of blessings and teachings.


"The steps of a man are directed and established by the Lord when He delights in his way. Though he falls, he shall not be utterly cast down, for the Lord grasps his hand in support and upholds him."
-Psalm 37: 23-24


All Our Love,
JenEric


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Mom's Homemade Brownies
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1 c. butter            
2 c. sugar
4 eggs
1 1/2 c. flour
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 c. cocoa
1 tsp. vanilla
1 c. chopped pecans

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Cream butter and sugar. Add well-beaten eggs. Sift the dry ingredients together and blend together the entire mixture. Spread thin in a greased 13x9 dish. Bake at 400 degrees for about 20 minutes, or until top is cracked and and an inserted toothpick comes out clean.