Boaz hit the 4 month mark several days ago. I know. I know. Who cares right? Well, I do. This is absolutely for me in every selfish way. Life with little ones can get so busy! It's a treat to stop, reflect, be thankful, and simply cherish what I've been given today in a healthy happy baby boy.

Even though he's number 4, I'm just as amazed how fast it is going. I wish I could slow down time, or make it stop at times altogether. That's when we nurse a little longer. I don't hurry to lay him down in his basket long after he's asleep. We linger. I carry him around during the day as long as I can stand for it. And I love it!

This baby is such a gift here. He is completely and utterly adored from sun up until sun down. It's touching as a mother to see I'm not the only one who thinks the world of him.

I say this of each baby (as if I'm really stating anything new!) but God really knew what He was doing when he made our Boaz!

What's not to love ~ curled toes and a couple chins! Nearly 20 pounds of love I get to hug every day.

Remember these?

So what the 6-12 month Easter shirt had to be returned! We might be in 12-18 months instead, and fitting more nicely in Liam's size 5 diapers then I ever thought possible, but that's OK. I love my big mushy CHUB!

Boys! I have LOTS of them! And I'm totally in love! What lucky girls Sophia and I are.

Bigger brothers

Fun. We have fun when we're together.

This is an absolute FAVORITE around here (it made it into Asher's choice for birthday dinner picks this past year). Apparently it was also a favorite for those of you who got to try some at the surprise gathering for Pastor Rick after the service this past Sunday. For those of you who have asked (I was told there were MANY, too many to count, so PLEASE pass it along as I was busy keeping tabs on and feeding my kids to notice this was such a hit) here it is. And if you're just someone who stumbles upon my blog you'll want to make it too!

1 pound bacon cooked and crumbled up
1/2 cup red onion diced
1 1/2 quarts 1/2 and 1/2
8 oz EXTRA SHARP cheddar cheese
3-4 garlic cloves minced
potatoes (I've used red and russet. Depending on how potatoey you like it will determine how many you use. I like lots. 6-7? I like skins. Peel if you wish. Cut into little cubes.
Box of Uncle Ben's original recipe long grain and wild rice
pepper (I LOVE pepper) at your discretion

I have a nice big griddle that I cook the bacon on first. While that's frying I follow instructions (minus adding the butter or whatever it calls for ''extra", and I'm not sure why I do this. I certainly love butter. I just always have done it this way! Old habits die hard!) for the rice on stove top and cook that separately as well as cut up my potatoes and add to 1 quart of the 1/2 and 1/2 on the stove top  in a bigger soup pot on low-medium heat.

When bacon is done and off the griddle I saute up the diced onion and garlic in some of the bacon juice aka GREASE/FAT for a few minutes because it's just SO good! and then add to soup pot.

When rice is done I add to soup pot along with 8 oz grated cheese.

For bacon: soak up as much grease with napkins before crumbling up. I've done the crumbling by hand and it's just messy! Use a sharp knife. Works much better. And you can do a lot at once.

It tends to be a thicker chunkier soup so I save that 1/2 quart of 1/2 and 1/2 (I've even used milk) to add along the way once everything is cooked and combined. Don't be afraid to add more as well when heating up for left overs. Again milk will suffice.

By the time rice and bacon are done, potatoes are cooked enough to just simmer on low a bit or keep warm in a crock pot if you use that.

And now just because when I make things like this (or pretty much anything for dinner) I have such an amazing helper to entertain a certain someone... and I love it!

Enjoy!

I have a WONDERFUL no knead bread recipe to share at some point as well. Yes, I said NO KNEAD. It's every housewife's/mother's/one's dream COME TRUE who loves delicious homemade bread. And it's to die for...

Stay tuned.

But you might have to remind me! But DO because you will love it!