It's getting close!

It happens every year; the insane heat and humidity starts to diminish, and makes way for cooler weather. One sure sign that fall is approaching is pre-season football. Football baby!! I can not wait for fall, and winter that follows it.

I love everything about fall. The leaves changing colors, the cooler temps, football, the warm candle scents of apple and cinnamon, and all the decorations. I also celebrate my birthday and wedding anniversary in October which is another reason why I love the season.

We also love to go camping at least once during the autumn season. One place we are planning on going to this year is "Little Nashville." Nashville, Indiana is a quaint little town with lots of pretty scenery, antiques, and little shops. It's like a mini Gatlinburg. We camped there in October 2009, and that's when we're planning on going back this year. They have an annual event the first weekend of October called Farm Fest where you can pick out pumpkins, feed animals at the petting zoo, and other fun things that are family and kid friendly. This is Shayna there in 2009.
I can't believe how little she looks right there! I am so ready to see her there again. Hoodies, fall decor, and campfires, here we come!

Parenting an only child

I'd like to introduce you to my pride and joy. She is the child that God blessed David and me with, and will be our only child. Over the past 4 1/2 years, we have watched her grow from an infant who relied on us for her every need, to an independent preschooler with her own emotions, thoughts, and vocabulary, and her vocabulary is something else. I have spent a lot of time around children her age, and she speaks exceptionally well for someone of that age. However, along with her new found sense of independence, has also came an attitude when she doesn't get her way. Imagine that- a 4-year-old with an attitude.
I remember the day I gave birth to her. She was 7 pounds 11oz and 20 1/4 inches long. Absolutely perfect in every way.

So, it's no surprise that we get the age old question of when we are going to have more children, and while it seems like an innocent enough question, some people don't know when to leave well enough alone. The simple answer is never. We have accepted the fact that she is the only one God will give to us, and we have made our peace with that.

Please do not tell me that she will be lonely, spoiled, or selfish because she is an only. She is far from any of the three, and it's our job as parents to teach children to not be any of those things regardless if we have one child or ten children. We are teaching her to be selfless and to appreciate the things she has, just the same as anyone with 2+ children would do. She is going to start her second year of preschool in 2 weeks, and she is a social butterfly. She has absolutely no lack of social interaction with her peers, and she tells me about her friends on a daily basis.

The bottom line is that I am trying to dispel the only child myth. It is not wise to bring another child into this world based solely on the fact that they "need a playmate." I have heard this an insane amount of times, and the thought is asinine. For one, there is no guarantee the children will get along or have that ideal image of closeness when they enter adulthood. Not to mention, it's also not a wise thing to bring another child into the world if you are struggling to provide for just one financially. Babies cost a lot of money, kids cost even more, and teenagers cost a small fortune.
I am almost 29-years-old, the oldest of 3 children. I can count on one hand how many times I have seen my half brother and half sister in the past six years. We just are not close. The same goes for my husband. He is the baby. He has 5 (I think) half siblings and one full brother. The only one he is close to is his half sister, and she is thousands of miles away in Texas.

Multiple children are great- if you can afford them, but with our economy being in the state that it's in, people should not be having children just for the sake of having children. I can assure you, with the proper guidance and parenting, an only child can grow up to be a well rounded individual just the same as a child with siblings can.

Chicken gumbo

As part of a "Teach me Tuesdays" link up from http://www.richandsarahchristensen.blogspot.com/, I will be sharing my chicken gumbo recipe that my husband and I absolutely love. Thanks Sarah, for giving me something else to link-up to.

The wonderful thing about this recipe is that you can alter the spiciness simply by using less or more hot sauce than what it calls for. I use just the recommended amount for a little kick that is not too overpowering.

For this recipe you will need:

1/4 cup oil for frying
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 green bell pepper, chopped
1 onion, chopped
2 cups cooked, chopped chicken breast meat
1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes with green chile peppers, with liquid
1 (4.5 ounce) can sliced mushrooms, drained
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon soy sauce
1 teaspoon white sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
3 dashes hot sauce

I omit the parsley and mushrooms every time I make it, and it's still fabulous. My hubby doesn't even know it calls for mushrooms, or I would have to put them in there, lol.

Note: If you are a family of more than 3, I recommend doubling this recipe. Our daughter will not eat this, so it's just David and I who do, but I still double it for leftovers.

Directions are as follows:

1.Heat oil in a large skillet over high heat. Stir in flour and cook, stirring constantly, for 5 minutes or until mixture is the color of a copper penny. Reduce heat to low and stir in bell pepper and onion. Cook 10 to 15 minutes, or until tender, stirring occasionally.
2.Add chicken, tomatoes with green chile peppers, mushrooms, parsley, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, soy sauce, sugar, salt, pepper and hot sauce. Stir together, cover and simmer for 20 minutes.