Sweet Goodness

If there is one cookie recipe that I will not turn my back on, it's Better Homes and Gardens Peanut Butter Cookies.

Hopefully someday my food photography will be as beautiful as that from Smitten Kitchen.

Chicken Chilaquiles

I feel as though I have been in such a rut these last few weeks when it comes to meals. Poor Søren, I don't know how many times he's had chicken, applesauce and broccoli for dinner. It was time for some inspiration. Yesterday I got out my favorite cookbooks and did some searching. Out of 3 cookbooks, I came away with 20 new recipes I want to try. I, of course, had to make something new for dinner last night. Chicken Chilaquiles was the winner. It was DELICIOUS! This is a definite keeper in our home. We have enough leftover for lunch. We didn't know whether to eat it with our hands or a fork, so I think we are going to try to put it in tortillas next time around. I did substitute the feta cheese for cotija cheese.

Johnny Cash comes to Forza

Sam played at Forza (our local coffee shop) last Tuesday to help raise money for Cystic Fibrosis. He did such a great job, and I must say, I am very proud. :)

Thank you to everyone who came and showed your support. If you would like to continue your support for Cystic Fibrosis there is a walk in Gig Harbor on May 9th. For more information you can go here.

Maybe, with enough convincing, Sam will let me post the video of him singing his opening song "A Boy Named Sue" by Johnny Cash.

Spring is in the air

Spring is in the air and there a lot of pictures to show for it!

To see them, go here. http://www.samandlinnea.com/

Graeters in Gig Harbor

My father-in-law took a business trip to Cincinnati last week. He carried on the plane with him, packed in dry ice, 6 pints of Graeter's ice cream. I think all 6 pints have already been consumed! He also brought back a can of Skyline. That too is also gone and was eaten the same day as the ice cream. What can I say, I'm a happy girl when I have Skyline and Graeter's both in the same day!

14 months

14 months! Really?
My baby is 14 months old.


This last month continues to be filled with firsts for Søren.

He had his first extended stay at Grandma and Grandpa Bergstrom's while Sam and I spent a week in San Diego.

He has added new signs to his repertoire: He can sign please, thank you, excuse me, more, and milk.
All of these need promting, except for milk. Thankfully he can do that on his own. That has helped big time!

We are working on the sign for help. The grunting and whining is getting a bit old.

He can FINALLY say momma! This melts me every time. He sees me and says it. Sam said he heard Søren saying it in his crib this morning.

He knows now that when we put his shoes, socks and sweatshirt on it means we are going outside. So, he will patiently wait by the door until we leave.

Good Friday

*The picture above is at the believed (maybe there are many) tomb that Jesus was burried in. This was from a trip I took to Israel with my family and our church when I was in first grade. I can't believe I didn't appreciate all that we saw. I hope to go back someday. Pretty funny picture, I know!


I decided not to attend a Good Friday service this evening. Instead, after Søren went to bed I spent some time reading the Gospels (Matthew, Mark Luke and John in the Bible). I am overwhelmed by all of the new things I learned and thoughts I had. I was so quick to think I knew it all, having heard the Easter story every year of my life. I have so many thoughts, I don't even know where to start.

*I'm curious about the dream Pilate's wife had. (Matthew 27:19)
*Why does Mark mention the man in the linen garment? (Mark 14:51-52)
*Pilate and Herod became friends (Luke 23:12)
*The people were so quick to release Barabbas, a murderer, back into their community. How often do we allow evil into our lives in place of Goodness?
*Jesus' disciples fell asleep 3 different times when asked to keep watch. It's amazing to me that Jesus' closest friends couldn't even stay awake the night he was betrayed, yet Jesus still, not only died for them, but for those who hated him.

Just some random thoughts I wanted to share.

New Blog in Town

There's a new blog in town. Well, not really. I have moved my blog from SamandLinnea.com. It was getting too crowded and overwhelming at our family website. That is still up and running, but it will be used mainly for pictures. Enjoy and please bear with me as I get used to this new format. :)

Secret Lives of Moms

I wouldn’t say I am Oprah’s biggest fan, but if an interesting topic is being aired, I’ll tune in. Monday’s show was titled “Secret Lives of Moms.” My mom, watching on east coast time, emailed me suggesting I should watch and asked me to share what my thoughts were on the show.
If you didn’t see the show, here is a recap. Oprah’s guests were two friends who wrote a few books, one being “I Was a Really Good Mom Before I Had Kids.” The other guest was one of the actresses from the TV show “In the Motherhood.” She also had Skype guests who shared from their homes, their “secret confessions of being a mom.” I can’t say too many of the confessions really surprised me, except for the mom who said she peed in an extra diaper while driving so she wouldn’t wake her kids sleeping in the back seat.
I really appreciated these confessions because I feel like that is what motherhood needs to be more about. We don’t need to reveal all, but we don’t need to appear as though we have EVERYTHING together. Today in our moms group a mom shared that she feels as though she’s not relating well with her husband. This opened a floodgate of emotions and thoughts from other moms who were feeling the same way. The mom who first confessed this said to the group later. “Thank you for sharing, I felt as if I was the only one feeling this way.” She and others now have good tools as to how to better connect with their husbands.
Another reason I appreciated the show is because the women talked about expectations. What expectations do we place on ourselves as moms? Do we feel like we have to have another job to fit in with the working moms, do we have to have the laundry done all the time, what will my friends think if they see how dusty it is under my couch, or do we feel as though we have failed if we didn’t get a shower in that day? What messages are we sending to other moms by our questions and responses to things. Someone asked me what I do all day and I said, “I’m a stay at home mom and raise my little boy.” She responded by saying. “Ok, well what else do you do?.” Is it not enough anymore to “simply” raise children? As if feeding 12x a day, changing 25 diapers, going to dr.’s appointments and school and sporting events and PTA meetings, and cleaning, etc...isn’t busy enough. Now please don’t get me wrong, I understand that some women have to work or want to work. But, no wonder woman are feeling the need to pee in a diaper as they drive, go without showering for 5 days, forgetting to feed their kid dinner...there is pressure from all around us to do more, do more, do more.
Moms, whether working or single or staying at home, you are doing a great job! Its ok if dinner is late to the table or pizza needs to be called in, it’s ok if the laundry doesn’t get done, it’s ok if their are dust bunnies, as long as you are fully engaged in loving your children. Take some time to ask yourself what your expectations are. Are they realistic? Who is setting them...the world? If your married, talk to your spouse about their expectations of you as a mom. Be on the same page with them!
That was really long, but I couldn’t go without sharing that. Please share your thoughts, even if you disagree on something. I would love to know what you have to say.

Scary Bunny

Thankfully the Bunny is NOT the reason for Easter!

Gig Harbor held an easter egg hunt at the new shopping center yesterday. I found out at 7am that morning and let my friends know. It was great that so last minute Søren’s buddies, Finn and Ryan were able to join us. Needless to say, Finn and Ryan had the same reaction towards the bunny.
Søren is still too young to understand the idea of “hunting” for eggs. However, he did enjoy carrying around a basket and shaking the eggs. I, of course, enjoyed eating the candy that Søren isn’t allowed to have. :)
It was interesting to me to watch some of the parents with their children. They were so serious about getting eggs for their kids. One parent even cut off Søren to get her kid an egg. Seriously!
As much fun as it is to hunt for eggs and be scared by the easter bunny, I am very thankful these are not the reasons for Easter. I am thankful for the forgiveness Christ has given to us and I am thankful for this time of hope and new life.

13 months

I am loving this stage of Søren’s life! Here are some of his new developments that make this stage so fun.

Walking
Many people told us this would be a hard adjustment, but I love it and find it really helpful. And Søren seems to be happier.

Talking a bit
He says:
“Uh-Oh”
“Wuzat” -What’s That
“Dis” - This
“Da Da”
Loves animal noises and can now see some animals and make its noise
Dog
Cat- we hate to admit it, but this is our favorite sound
Cow
Elephant
Snake
Owl
Gorilla- he taps his chest

Can understand what we are saying and will do it.
“Give to Mommy”
“Put your shoe on your foot.”
“Where’s the book?”
“Let’s go upstairs.”
“Go night-night.”
“Where’s Porky?” (his stuffed Porcupine)

Is such a little comedian
I don’t know how to explain this one and I don’t feel as though many people see this side of him. He will do something, look at us and just start giggling. He tries to make us laugh.

I can’t imagine what it’s going to be like when he REALLY starts to talk. I feel as though I am finally at a point where I am not wishing him to be in the next phase.