Who you are.

I saw this quote today flash across the screen of the television while I running on the treadmill.

It said, What I wished I’d known:

…and I thought, “YES!! Yes!! Yes!!”

This is me.

When I was younger, I wished so badly that I would fit in.

Now, it’s my favorite thing about myself.  I love that I don’t fit in.

I pride myself on being different.

This is what I want my kids to know.  I want them to relish in being different.

I don’t want them to worry about what people think.

I hope they will be true to who they are.

This picture says it all:

We were having family pictures, and before you know it Tess breaks out in the Whip.

She just couldn’t help herself.  She had to be true to herself.

Then the other kids jumped right in too.

Be yourself kiddos, because I love you just the way you are.

(photos taken by Emily Chadwick)

Mountains to Climb.

I know I have been MIA lately.

We have had a lot going on around here. 

I will be back to share little snippets of what has been happening in the JandA&Co. household as of late.

For now, I share with you the message my father sent to me this morning.

As we all have mountains to climb; I hope this brings you strength, and the courage you need to climb them.

For those of you who don’t know, our church puts together these videos as messages of encouragement and hope.

The thoughts come from the leaders of our church.

The messages where shared during one of our bi-yearly conferences which we get the privilege to listen to via satellite, internet, television or radio.  These talks are heard all over the world.

Then these small videos are put together as a reminder of some of the most poignant thoughts shared; as a way to share them with others.

This talk is poignant to me at this time; so I am sharing it with YOU.

Thanks Dad for sharing it with me.

Autumn

I love this time of year. 

I also love the word Autumn.  I like it so much, I could even name a daughter Autumn.  …but that book is closed.  No more beautiful daughters to name Autumn.  Instead, I will just enjoy the season and saying “welcome” to my favorite time of year.

Some of the Autumn happenings around here:

Autumn mantel:

Autumn details:

I just love these itty bitty pumpkins you can buy. I love them so much I want to buy more and more, but my budget doesn’t allow that.

Autumn food:

Sweet Chili and Homemade Bread. (recipe located at the bottom of this post)

I have enjoyed being in my kitchen again.  After our long drawn out move, it is nice to be back.  I think I am cooking more than I have in a long time.  I am proud to say that I have a meal ready for my family most nights.  Jonathan is consistently home around the same time now, and never takes call.  It makes meal planning so. much. easier.  YEAH!!!

I have realized how important family meal time is.  I knew that, I am just reminded of it every time we sit down together.  I am thankful for my family all gathered round.

…and so we must have an Autumn table:

…and more Autumn food:

Ginger Snaps: (recipe also located at the bottom of this post)

and Pumpkin Chocolate Chip pancakes with Buttermilk Syrup

and last but not least Autumn decisions:

After a lot of thought, I have come to a very difficult decision.  I am going to take a break from my photography business for a while.  I have had moments during our whole transition without sessions looming over me to be edited.  It is in these times that I feel the peace.  I think these moments helped with bringing back ME.  Although I love it, and I have a passion for it; I have decided that I am going to love it for me for a while.  I am going to love taking pictures of my kids.  I am going to love capturing the moments in our home.  I am going to take this year to learn and grow some in my photography for myself.  At the end of one year, I will take a step back, revaluate and decide where I am going from there.  I love the creative outlet that photography allows me, I just can’t afford to take anymore time from my kids.  Thank you to everyone who has supported me on my photography journey.  It has been a wonderful learning and growing experience for me.  I hope that when my kids are bigger that I can return to it with a more dedicated effort.

I recently finished posting my last 3 photo sessions that I haven’t shared with you yet.  If you would like to check them out, click on the picture to take you to each post found on my photography blog.

The Posey Family: my last photo session in AR

London: A great photo session of my niece in UT.  You should see the beautiful cherry orchards in these shots.

And this is my last session done here in PA of my sweet friend Kenna, her family, and their new addition.

I am thankful for this time of year.  I just love it.  I found this quote and it describes exactly how I feel.

Ok, now that I have overloaded you with all that we have had going on, here are those recipes if you are interested:

Sweet Chili

This recipe was given to me by my friend Krysta.  It is a family favorite this time of year.

1# ground beef

1 onion chopped

2 cloves garlic

2 t. salt

1 t. black pepper

1 t. cumin

1 t. dried oregano

1 28oz. can diced tomatoes

1 20oz. can tomato sauce

1 16oz. can kidney beans(drained and rinsed) (I usually use 2)

1/2 C. brown sugar

1 can water

2 C. macaroni

Sour cream and shredded cheese

Brown beef, onion and garlic for ten minutes.  Drain and add spices.  Cook for 2 minutes until fragrant.  add tomatoes, sauce and one can of water.  Add beans and brown sugar.  Boil and then simmer for 30-35 minutes.  Let stand for 10 minutes.  Add cooked macaroni.  Top with cheese and sour cream.

My changes:  I cook the ground beef with all seasonings just like the recipe says.  Then I add it all to the crockpot minus the noodles.  I let cook until one hour before we are ready to eat.  I add 1 cup of water and a couple handfuls of noodles.  The noodles cook in the crockpot in the hour.

Gingersnaps

Pumpkin Pancakes with apple Cider Syrup:

Beat 2 eggs, and stir in ¾ C. pumpkin then add:

2 T. sugar

½ t each: cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger bk soda, and salt

1 ½ t. bk powder

¼ oil

1 ½ C. flour(can use whole wheat)

Stir in 1 ½ cups milk

Cook on griddle

I like to dump a few chocolate chips on each pancake.

Syrup:

Mix in saucepan:

1 C. sugar

2 T. corn startch

Add:

2 C. apple cider or juice

2 T lemon juice

Boil for one minute and serve over pancakes.

on this particular day, I used this syrup instead:

Buttermilk Syrup:

1 C. sugar

1/2 C. buttermilk

1 cube butter

Boil and remove from heat.

Add:

1/2 t. soda

1 t. vanilla

Stir together.  It will get bubbly.

Not healthy in the least, but oh so divine.

HOME… finally

We finally made it to our new home in PA.

It was crazy to see signs pointing to NYC on the freeway. 

Are we really that close?

It has been a long two months, since we moved out of our old house.  We have done so much since that time that it really does feel like a lifetime ago.

I am really tired…. but

happy to say we are finally settled.

As a mother, there is not a better feeling then having a home to raise your children in.  A place that feels familiar to them.  A place full of routines and continuity.

Jonathan picked out our house mid-June.  It couldn’t be more perfect.  I love this house, the area, and our neighborhood.

Jonathan you did a great job.

We moved in last Wednesday, the 11th of July.

We are finally settled, with every thing put away and where I want it for the time being. 

I am ready to get back to our summer. This summer has been so different.  I think summer should be memorable.  Kids only get a handful of summers.  This one has definitely been memorable.

Many of you have asked for a peak of our new home. 

I took a few pictures today, and want to document this time in our life as well.

I love this house.  We are renting it since we will only be here for a year. 

The home was built in 1940.

 

It is a cute cottage style kind of a home, with fun character.  It is located in one of those neat old established neighborhoods that never seems to loose it’s charm. You can tell it is rich with heritage.  A neighborhood with trees that line the streets.  I love that.

The owners have worked very hard to update and restore this home.

They also chose some very bright paint colors for the walls, but we are working with them.  The colors in this house are very rich.

 

They have done a very good job on the yard.

I love this yard.  We already have a garden.

…and I finally have that hydrangea bush that I wanted.

The yard is covered in flowers.

It also has a nice place for the kids to play with a great gazebo for me to chill under.  Now we need to get some great outdoor furniture.

We also have a nice screened in porch.

Here is a peak of the inside(BEWARE: PICTURE OVERLOAD):

The Den

this room is missing the railing on the stairs. They took it down so we could get our furniture up the stairs. We are waiting on the handy man to come put it back up.

The living room

The kitchen

The dining room

Main level bath

Upstairs bath

Master bedroom

Do you see some of the paint choices I am working with here? I am actually pretty proud of how well I have made things work against such rich paint colors.  

The girls room

The office

The boys room

The play room

 

Yes, you see it right.  Four colors on the wall in this room. I knew this room just had to be the playroom, and I actually like the way it turned out.  I think I might like it better with a more neutral color, but I am not complaining.

It’s amazing how all the things we had in our other house can look different and similar all at the same time in this house.

Visit our old house here.

I am so thankful for the blessing of a house.

I have already jumped in to making meals again, and spending time being with the kids.  I am in heaven.  I am beginning to feel more like myself again. I have already thrown a birthday party for my sweet husband.

 

Yes, he did turn one year older this week.  Happy Happy baby. We love you.

 

We love him so much, we put together this ice cream bar and made a homemade dinner. I am thankful for him and all his hard work. Throwing him a party brought the ME back.  I am feeling even more like myself then ever before.

The kids have made numerous friends, have enjoyed a few outings, and love the neighborhood. They are also so thankful to be reunited with their toys and bikes.

…and Jex has already spent this whole week at Cub scout camp.  I think we have settled in.

I think it’s safe to say that we love Pennsylvania, and we are happy to be home.

Thanks to everyone who has helped us the last two months.  Thanks for your prayers, thoughts and concerns.