A Trip to the Zoo

For myself and Doodle, this wasn't just another trip to the zoo.

We have been to the zoo together more times than I went my entire childhood.

But this time, we went with my parents. And it was my dad's first time to a zoo.

I continue to be humbled by all that my parents have done for me. They grew up, literally, dirt poor and worked SO HARD and LONG to provide much better for their kids. Being the youngest of 3 and more than a decade younger than the older 2 kids, I was certainly more spoiled than the others. I continue to be so thankful for my parents and all they did for me. I will never know why God blessed me to be their daughter.

The weather that day was gorgeous! I loved seeing Doodle run place to place with PaPaw and my dad laughing at all his antics! This day was certainly a day I will always remember!

Maw Nana helping Doddle see the swimming penguin

PaPaw's boy

Of course he is saying, "Cheeeeese!"

It was so nice to have help wrangling that boy!

This makes my heart smile :]

Halloween 2012

HALLOWEEN 2012

-------------------------------

Farmer and his John Deere tractor!

 and yes, I did make the tractor myself

and I am quite proud of it :]

 Trick-or-Treating with Daddy

 And this is what I get when I ask for a smile,

"Cheeeeeeeese", complete with nose scrunch.

Farmer J with his harvested crop

Whose house is it?

Doodle and I are in the vehicle driving down the road behind our house.

He says, "Where my house at, Mommy? Oh! There it is!"

I say, "That's my house," just to get a rise out of him.

"No. It's MINE!"

"Ok. It's Daddy's."

"No. Mine."

"Well, actually it's Mommy's and Daddy's house," I say. "We lived there before you."

Immediately I hear, "It's MY house. I let Mommy and Daddy live in it."

The kid may be smarter than we realize.

These are the little things I don't want to forget. 

Doodle says stuff all the time that just blow us away! 

OR make us laugh until we cry!

I want to sit down one day when my house is way too quiet and clean and read about all the little things that have slipped my mind far too quickly.

I'm baaaaack!

"Heeeeeeeeere's Johnny!!!!"

Oh. No, no. Wait. No J's here are named Johnny. 

But it is Halloween week and we did watch Halloween (the movie) last week. No The Shining...yet.

We chose to watch Halloween instead of the last Presidential candidate debate. Call us un-American. We are anything but. I think I made a Facebook comment to the effect of, "We just chose to watch something a little less scary." We just chose NOT to watch grown men act like fools.

Anywho. We've been WAAAAAAAY busy since the last post...over 6 months ago. Uh-hum.

And we were WAAAAAAAY busy before that post too. 2012 has been a crazy-busy-fun year for the J's Raker! I'm going to do my best to actually blog again and stay caught up. Baby J (who is anything but a baby and will henceforth be called "Doodle") has said so many funny things lately that I need to document them. I want to have them forever. Daily laughter is a guarantee these days!

I'll leave you with one. We recently visited The Knoxville Zoo. We were observing the wolves inside their fenced enclosure. Inside was a small structure resembling a dog house but made of, what appeared to be, dried leaves and sticks. As we were standing there one of the wolves looked at the 3 of us. I asked Doodle, "What's that wolf doing?"

He replies, "He's gonna blow that house down." So matter of factly, like it happens everyday.

Daddy J and I CRACKED UP. I love how the mind of an almost 3 year old works.

Have a great week, y'all!

Making Memories

We thought it was a great day for a family hike. 

Rain was a possibility in the forecast but Daddy J likes to pretend meteorologist and said it wasn't going to rain, "It's going to miss us," he said. 

So, we loaded up and off we went to a local park that includes trails Doodle can easily navigate. 

What 2 year old doesn't need to burn off energy on a dreary afternoon?

Doodle LOVES being with his Daddy.

Daddy loves it too.

This apparatus is no match for this boy.

He's been a climber long before he could walk.

Daddy J was once given the nickname "Spidey"; 

And now there is "Baby Spidey" or "Spider Monkey".

The day was a beautiful autumn day: warm and breezy, leaves fallen to the ground.

We threw rocks in the creek for a bit and then moved on with our hike.

We stopped a moment to gaze at the creek...and take shelter from the ever increasing sprinkles. Then came the rain. The sounds were so relaxing, the feeling serene, until we began shivering. After a little discussion, Daddy J took off running to get the car. Doodle and Mommy J stayed under the shelter of the trees for several more minutes before we started quickly walking to where Daddy was meeting us...

Actually only one of us was walking, the other was being carried.

Instead of being glum about the situation and voicing displeasure, 

we decided to chalk the experience up to "making memories".

  

We were all SOAKING wet by the time we scurried into the car. 

Poor Doodle's teeth were chattering!

The best means to warm him up was to strip him to his skivvies and crank the heater to the max. After hot showers we were all finally warm again.

It certainly was a day we made family memories. 

Wordless Wednesday

Graduation Day

Sunday, May 27, 2012, was a day I was full of nothing but pride.

It was the day my oldest nephew (who was born when I was in 8th grade) graduated high school.

Kaleb graduated with honors and has earned and been awarded enough scholarship money to have his first year of college paid for.

He is enrolled as a freshman at University of Louisville's prestigious Speed School of Engineering and will major in mechanical engineering.

THAT is why I am full of so much pride.

And why I love to brag on this awesome young man.

Congratulations, Kaleb!

We pray Doodle will grow up to be like you!



The Year 2012...so far

Have you been wondering what has happened to The Raker's in the year 2012?

Well, sit back and relax and enjoy your short tour.

Doodle turned 2 and celebrated at 2 birthday parties!

On his actual birthday we enjoyed a family day at Explorium of Lexington, formerly known as The Lexington Children's Museum. Explorium is a great day of fun for little ones!

 

We did a little of this

(another family day-Doodle's 1st time playing in snow):

A LOT of this

(two of Doodle's favorite past times lately):

 

A WHOLE lot of wishing we were still doing this:

With scenes like this



 and this

Someone made an extremely smooth transition to his

"b-b-b-b-b-b big boy bed"

(for some reason he always gets stuck on that first 'B')

after he learned how to climb out of his pack-n-play on vacation.

He carried that skill home and was climbing out of his crib;

3 days later he had his "b-b-b-b-b-b big boy bed".

We've enjoyed celebrating this:

(a NIECE due in early September)

and this:

UK's 8th National Championship!!!!!!!!

And wondering how we made and

God blessed us with someone

this stinkin' cute!

Now you're up-to-date on the (major) happenings of the J's Raker!



Photo Book

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Soups

It's been over a month since I last wrote a blog post. And if you read my last blog post, you know I now have a 2 year old. Who has time for anything else? And I wouldn't have it any other way!

Since then we have visited the Explorium (formerly known as Lexington Children's Museum), visited the zoo, threw a birthday celebration, attended a couple birthday celebrations, played outside (! in January and February, I know!), joined the FAC and fell in love with Zumba (well, just me on that actually, ha!), been to a UK game, and yadayadayada.

At the birthday celebration we hosted, I fixed two large pots of soups for our peeps to devour. After some begging from a couple of those peeps, I am finally posting those recipes for you ladies! ENJOY!

Cream of Potato Soup

6-7 medium potatoes, peeled and diced

1 medium onion, finely chopped

1/2 to 3/4 stick margarine

1 can cream of mushroom soup

1 can cream of celery soup

1 8oz package cream cheese, cubed

1 tsp. garlic salt

1 1/2 cups milk

salt and pepper to taste

In a large saucepan cook diced potatoes and onions in enough water to cover potatoes.

Cook over medium-high heat until tender.

Add cream cheese; remove from heat. Stir until cheese is melted.

Add soups and margarine.

Add garlic salt, milk, salt and pepper. Stir. Serve hot.

Top with crumbled bacon and/or shredded cheese, if desired.

**Like most soups, this is excellent leftover.**

Taco Soup

2 lbs ground beef

2 cups diced onions

2 (15 1/2 ounce) cans pinto beans

1 (15 1/2 ounce) can pink kidney beans

I ma1 (15 1/4 ounce) can whole kernel corn, drained

1 (14 1/2 ounce) can Mexican-style stewed tomotoes

1 (14 1/2 ounce) can diced tomatoes

1 (14 1/2 ounce) can tomatoes with chiles

2 (4 1/2 ounce) cans diced green chiles

1 (4.6 ounce) can black olives, drained and sliced, optional

1/2 cup green olives, sliced, optional

1 (1 1/4 ounce) package taco seasoning mix

1 (1 ounce) package ranch salad dressing mix

corn chips for serving

 sour cream for garnish

grated cheese for garnish

chopped green onions for garnish

pickled jalapenos for garnish

Brown the ground beef and onions in a large skillet; drain the excess fat, then transfer the browned beef and onions to a large slow cooker or a stockpot.

Add the beans, corn, tomatoes, green chiles, black olives, green olives, taco seasoning, and ranch dressing mix, and cook in a slow cooker on low for 6-8 hours or simmer over low heat for about 1 hour in a stockpot on the stove.

To serve, place a few corn chips in each bowl and ladle soup over them. Top woth sour cream, cheese, green onions, and jalapenos.

***I make a few substitutions with this recipe just for convenience sake and personal preference. First instead of the diced tomatoes, tomatoes with chiles, and gren chiles, I use 3 cans of Rotel tomatoes. I also leave out the olives. I have been known to substitute black beans for one of the cans of pinto beans. There is a lot of room to play with this recipe!***

If you give them a try, let me know what you think!

God's Timing: James 1:17

Every good and perfect gift is from above, James 1:17

We struggled with infertility. There. I said it. This was one of the hardest things I have EVER dealt with and my heart breaks for others who face it. The medical interventions we resorted to in order to conceive were NOTHING compared to what some couples go through. But it was still painful: emotionally and psychologically more than anything. If you have no problems conceiving, be thankful-very thankful. It is a blessing.

Doodle is a miracle. I've mentioned before (Miracles) that he would not exist without God's intervention. I have decided that I will share his story of existence in honor of his 2nd birthday...tomorrow! But it requires a little backstory so here goes:

When I was 13 I was diagnosed with endometriosis, a young age to be diagnosed but at the time it was already interfering with my life so a diagnosis had to be determined. After the pain I endured for 2 years (and a doctor even wanting to put me on Prozac!), it was great to finally have a name to tag onto the pain. I was told at that time it may be difficult to have children. Then, at 13, I was disappointed and a little concerned. It was not until I was ready to have a baby (more than 13 years later) that it really hit me, my body-me, myself, and I- may be the reason I will not be able to fulfill my dream of being a mommy. That is the most devastating and disheartening thought to ponder...for months and months and months then 1 year plus of "working" to become pregnant. It literally becomes a task. And unless you have lived it, you will not understand.

Here comes "coincidence" numero uno: I learn that the doctor that diagnosed me at 13 with endometriosis is the WIFE of my gynecologist. And THEY experienced infertility. I did not know this until I was an established patient with him. (Many women are schizo about the gender of their ob/gyn. I think mine is fantabulous [he even delivered Kameron])! After we "hung out" (in the words of Dr. R) for a year trying to get pregnant, we went back to see him for an infertility consultation. It was then that I was prescribed Clomid. Dr. R told us that he and his wife conceived with the use of Clomid. He also told us about the side effects. Wow. Not bad at first but then, BAM! Crazy lady, here! I was a disaster! So much so that I am reluctant to use Clomid again unless I HAVE to. Clomid's purpose is to cause ovulation establishing a regular (28-30 day) cycle. Um. Nothing about me is normal. That wasn't the case for me; try 41 days. Yeah. With each cycle of Clomid, I continued to become crazier: irritable,  VERY EMOTIONAL, irritable. Oh. Did I mention irritable? I am surprised Jason and I are still married, actually. Three cycles of Clomid for someone normal would take 3 months, I was working on 5 months, and becoming very disgruntled (on top of the irritability and the very strong emotions). I tried to endure weeks and weeks and weeks and months and months of friends having babies, announcing pregnancies, and complaining of pregnancy discomforts, newborns, toddlers. What I wouldn't give to suffer all that 10 times over. Heartwrenching at it's worst.

With another pregnancy announcement from friends, I lost it. I strongly held myself together in the presence of that couple and others around me, but when I was home I literally fell on my face before God and gave Him the heavy burden I carried for so long. It was such a release. I am so thankful my God can handle what I cannot; I hate that I am so stubborn that I choose to endure so much pain when I could just give my burdens to him, so much sooner than I usually do.

"Coincidence" 2: The very day I was to start the 4th cycle of Clomid, I was nauseated from noon on and into the next day. I did not want to start Clomid in case I was pregnant. Three days later (not sure why I waited extra days) I had a negative pregnancy test and began the 4th Clomid cycle on day 8 instead of day 5. There is no explanation for the nausea. It was over in 36 hours. I believe God was at work in the delay. It was with this cycle of Clomid that Baby J was conceived. We had a positive pregnancy test on June 21, 2009...Father's Day.

The Miracle of It All

On our 8 week OB visit to see Dr. R, he wanted to do an ultrasound to make sure everything was where it needed to be; He was concerned after his examination that I felt 6 weeks pregnant, not 8 weeks that I had calculated.

The ultrasound revealed:

1) My uterus is tilted backward. According to Dr. R, this can cause difficulties with conception.

2) My uterus is "heart-shaped", nearly divided in half by a septum in the middle.

3) My right ovary is non-functional. It was likely a birth defect.

Fast Forward:

Doodle was born 5 weeks premature: 5lbs, 3oz. He literally came out kicking, screaming, and peeing :) Despite his prematurity, he only needed a little extra oxygen immediately upon delivery. And a hat constantly on his head and bundled in blankets as he was not able to regulate his body temperature at all.

I should have known then that he would be so stubborn. He had to overcome a mother who has one withered ovary, one that did not ovulate as it should, a backward tilting womb that was so cramped he had to kick himself out 5 weeks too soon to have any room, born kickingscreamingpeeing. Yep. That's my boy. Still loving to be kickingscreamingpeeing 2 years later!

I never want to discount the miracle Doodle is. I never want to discount that God intervened on my behalf; that He knew my heart was shattered and broken, that even though I am so stubborn to carry burdens for so long he still takes them when I am ready and graciously works in His timing...despite me. I love to think about the miracles God handles in my life; they are like butterfly kisses from Him. Do not stop looking for miracles, they are everywhere. You just have to look.

My Old Kentucky Home

We are Kentucky born and raised.

And proud of it.

When I hear our state song, tears come to my eyes.

When I saw a deal on Groupon to visit Federal Hill, I jumped on it.

Especially knowing it would be decorated for Christmas!

Photos are not allowed inside the home, but we took plenty outside.

 

If you have never been to My Old Kentucky Home, go. You won't regret it.

CHRISTmas Fun

Our Christmas looked a lot like this...

Christmas Eve:

Concentration and Determination

A blurry picture because once he saw his gift was a tractor,
 he was non-stop the rest of the evening.

Popcorn and water from a big-boy glass at
his great-grandmother's house.

Santa came! He brought a choo-choo!

 Christmas Day:

Another tractor; this one is a flashlight

Watching Thomas with Daddy before more traveling.
No time/sanity for pictures the rest of the day!

We hope your Christmas was Blessed beyond words!