Beans, Beans, Beans

We could not believe how many green beans and wax beans appeared overnight in the garden. The family all showed up on Friday night to pick and then again on Monday and Tuesday to pick and can. It's amazing!!! And so fun to see how much our garden can produce. I couldn't resist taking a three generation gardening picture.

Our niece, Lydia was a big help in the garden. Once she overcame her fear of the towering plants around her she found the red cherry tomatoes. She made sure her mommy got a taste.

This was my first time actually canning. I remember my mother always canning, but I never paid much attention. Apparently I really paid no attention at all, because the sock method took me a little by surprise. We packed the socks in between the jars to make sure that they don't hit against each other and bust in the pressure cooker. This is an old family method. It was definately a learning experience and I really enjoyed canning with my parents.

Check out our new pressure cooker. Sam and I were excited to join in on the gardening thing and the canning thing this year. The first day we canned almost 40 pints of beans...our own home grown beans.

Aren't they beautiful?!

Getting Ready for the Little One

We have been working so hard to get ready for our little one to come, but apparently she is chosing to stay hidden from the world a little while longer. She just wants the anticipation to build a little more, I guess. Perhaps she has so much to bring to the world that she thinks we need a little more preparation time. Either way, she is still in hiding.

Sam and I spent the Monday evening following the baby shower organizing our home for all of her new things. Things like mounds of diapers and clothes and blankets that were given to us so generously!!!! There were/are tons. We were exhausted by the end of the evening, but we had accomplished our goal. We somehow managed to condense our many closet and cabinet items quite a bit and found that we had almost an entire closet and cabinet available for more "Ruby items." How can one little person need so many things? She already has a wardrobe that is far better than her father's or mine and her shoe collection is something that I can only dream of. So, now she has plenty of space for her new things, although all she will really end up caring about is the toy corner and her bed.

Oh, check it out! These bows and headbands are from Samantha Shumard Berry from Utah. She makes them for a living. They are so cute. I ordered a couple and she sent a couple extra as a gift to Ruby. Samantha's daughter, Jovie, told her mommy that the new baby needed something from her as well, so she sewed the button to the lace headband and sent it with the others. I am so excited and I think they are so adorable!!!! Ruby will have her very own Samantha and Jovie design.

Our Jungle

We planted a garden for the first time this year. We had hoped to plant one last summer, but we were newlyweds and we just never seemed to find the time or energy for planting a garden. So, we were determined to actually have a garden this year. My parents, Sarah's family, Mindy and my parents' neighbor and Sam and I all decided to plant a massive garden out at my parents' house. There is such a variety of vegetables and we have been so proud of the progress our garden has made. The peas were the first thing to come in and they seem to be unending. Soon, our forty-some tomato plants will be all set to go as well. We are crazy, I know. We got a little carried away with the tomatoes. We plan on making all kinds of things like salsa and spaghetti sauce. Anyway, I just thought I would brag a little abou our beautiful garden. At first glance it just looks like a massive jungle of green vines and tall green plants.

Whole New World

I have been putting this blogging thing off for a long while yet because I didn't think I had the time. Well, here I am on my first day of being a housewife. My last day at my job of almost two years was last Thursday. It was a little bittersweet. I will miss all of my coworkers and a few of the clients.

I've decided I really need to make a "to do" list. I need some projects to focus on here at home because all I can keep thinking about is what I need to do at the office. Oops, I don't work there anymore. It really is a free feeling, that is until the bank account starts running low. Oh well. I'm excited for this new adventure. Pardon me for going back and forth on this one. I'm still sorting through the emotions of it all. Being pregnant and all adds a whole new complicated twist to the world of emotions.

Our blog title will be changing soon. We will be adding another girl to the title. Ruby is coming soon and I am so excited. Excited to meet my little girl and finally see who she looks like. Excited to reclaim my body and make some improvements. And excited to hold her. I read a really funny article in the Parents magazine at the doctor's office the other day. It was a new mom writing an apology letter. The letter is written to her parts of her body that had to change and altar and also to her husband. My favorite line was "I apologize to my husband. These boobs are working boobs now. They are not exclusively for you anymore." If I ever find the article I will post it. It was halarious. I'm sure we will have many stories to tell in the coming months.