New stolen recipe

Laney sent me this recipe and it was so easy that I can't not make it again. The pictures aren't the most appetizing and I don't love lasagna- but this was pretty darn tasty and SO fast and easy.

Stovetop Lasagna

1/2-1 lb ground turkey, beef, or Italian Sausage (whichever you like most)
lasagna noodles
1 container low fat ricotta cheese
1 c mozarella cheese
1/4 c parm (I used parm/romano/asiago blend)
1 jar marinara (spaghetti) sauce
1 zucchini chopped
1 squash chopped
1 onion
1 tsp garlic salt
seasonings

Cook up your meat along with the diced onions and seasonings to taste. Cook until brown and then add half your sauce and your veggies. Cover meat with layer of UNCOOKED lasagna noodles. Add your combined ricotta, 1/2 c mozarella, other cheeses, and garlic salt to next layer. Top with final layer of uncooked lasagna noodles. Pour rest of sauce on top and sprinkle with you remaining cheese. Cover and let simmer medium-low heat for twenty five minutes. Don't let it simmer at too high a temp or the bottom layer will burn.

We used whole wheat noodles and therefore added an extra five minutes to cook time.

my two favorites today

1. Gas Prices. I keep thinking that I'm dreaming when I drive past the pump and read 3.19 as the price point. Seeing the price that low (pathetic, huh?) almost makes me giddy- but then I start to strategize and get almost more anxious than with the higher prices. Am I the only one that does it? I try to hold out for as long as humanly possible to see if prices drop more just hoping that they don't climb forty cents over night. It makes me crazy. update: Ah-hah! this morning it's 3.05. Good thing I waited

2. Zeb is the coolest age ever. This kid is so much fun right now. He's learning to communicate and can keep himself entertained for HOURS on end as long as he's got his trains, trucks, and his few choice books. He's hysterical.

forgotten details

Since Kent forgot to add some of the more important details about the rugrat to be- I'll create my own little post. I am not a girl who loves to announce pregnancy (although I will announce just about anything and everything else)-and therefore let Kent do the honors. I do have to say, however, that I was surprised to see his post this morning with no warning :) If I had my way I would simply post a picture of the newly born and announce it in that manner. Maybe with our next I'll finally get my way.

I am about 5 and half months along (24weekish) and due Feb. 2. And, yes, for all you counters out there- this child does belong to Kent although he didn't find out about it until I sent him the results via package while he was in Alabama at officer training.
I never wanted children this close together but other forces decided otherwise. I am very pleased and feel quite blessed. Excited is not a word I use to describe my feelings about babies and pregnancy- but I am happy.
I am ridiculously lucky to have perfect health and an easy pregnancy. I have yet to feel any side effects (besides the expanding uterus) of the little growing thing. No tiredness, no nausea, no sickness.
Oh, and I have to agree with Michelle- even though I have always been one to scoff at those who claimed to think their ultrasound fetal images looked cute (or like ANYthing besides an alien for that matter) I actually think the profile looks like a mini Zeb (who is rather androgynous looking anyway-remember that cute dress I put him in?).

Cletus' debut

Here is Cletus (it's a fetus)! We are on round two and Zeb is going to be a big brother. I think I'm a little more excited to be having another baby. The thought of having to start all over again with the night time feedings, burpings, dirty spit-up rags, crying for no reason buisness is a little much for Leisy. She would much rather it be in than out, but give Cletus a sex, a name and maybe three or four months and Leisy will be good to go! We are not finding out what we are having (it's so much more fun that way)!

(Sidenote: I had strep throat. Dang those quick strep tests that only work 30% of the time! I'm feeling much better after the antibiotic.)

A Random Shout-out

I just wanted to thank a few people for helping me get through this crazy weekend:

• The makers of Excedrin, Advil and Tylenol. I couldn't have done it without you guys.
• A competent physician who prescribed an antibiotic when the "virus" kept getting worse. (This was the worst sore throat I've yet experienced. I would wake up at night not being able to swallow! My tonsils look ridiculously huge with white spots all over them and red spots all over my palate - I took a picture but I don't want to subject you all to a look down my throat. I think my mother-in-law would stop reading our blog).
• My family for all the prayers they made to help get me through my test.
• The makers of this CVS pharmacy commercial that Zeb will stop whatever he's doing to watch. It helped with a few breathing treatments this week.
• My incredibly patient wife who loves me even when I am completely miserable and mean. Zeb was not a good sleeper this weekend and I couldn't (wouldn't) get up with him! Leisy is extraordinary and does so much everyday it amazes me. She's carrying Cletus the fetus, not sleeping at night, teaching early morning seminary, and still finds time to train for and run a 5k!! She makes me dinner and always reminds me to eat (when I'm stressed I forget), she keeps the boy entertained and teaches him new tricks everyday. She is the best wife I've ever had! Probably the best I'll ever have, and definitely the best in the world! Thank you Leis - I LOVE you!!

Halloween

We're trying to decide what Zeb should be for Halloween - I'm guessing it won't be the pumpkin. Leisy thinks if she tries it on him everyday this month he will love it come Oct. 31; I'm thinking we need to look for a new costume. What do you think?

Happy General Conference Saturday. I love conference weekend! although it is one of the few times during the year that gets me a little homesick. This morning's (afternoon for us) session was wonderful. I must say, however, that Zeb has a lot to work on during sacrament meetings to reach Elder Oaks' standard.

And speaking of the rugrat being inappropriate, he did NOT sleep well again last night. At least he got up at five instead of three. And I guess I cannot complain because he is very healthy besides the coughing attacks and subsequent vomiting sessions. His breathing is still wonderful and he's running around like usual. I cannot say enough how grateful I am that he's on his daily steroids and that they are working so well.

Kent is the best husband ever and, even though he's still ill and has a giant test Monday, got up to run our race this morning with me :) We ran the "Race for Victory 5k". We didn't get a picture of all three of us- and this one is ridiculous of me- but I had just 30 seconds prior come across the finish line. It's the only one we got with Zeb's eyes open too.






It was perfect running weather (48 degrees with ample sunshine) and Zeb even got to play around at the park for awhile afterwards.