Heard in Room 3

While talking about our favorite fruit...
A: My dad and I sit on the couch, eat oranges, and watch Bill O'Reilly.

N: At recess today, I ran like the dickens!

N: [When I run] Bobby is the only person that can rival me in speed and maneuverability.

Help for Haiti

I'll be honest. I don't even remember how I heard about the horrible earthquake in Haiti and it was only days ago. I do remember thinking, "How sad," and going about whatever I was doing. I am ashamed that that was my initial reaction, but soon after I realized how devastating the earthquake truly was, I couldn't think about much else.

I had little knowledge of Haiti before this earthquake. In high school, my family went on a cruise and one of the stops was on the cruise line's private island. This island was in Haiti. We went on a jet ski trip around the island and stopped at a few different places to listen to the guide tell us some facts about the island. During one of our stops on the other side of the island, we saw a group of young Haitian children on the shoreline with some adults (assumed to be their parents). As we were sitting on our jet skis listening to the guide, the children paddled out in makeshift boats to us and began to beg. The guide instructed us to not look them in the eye because if we did, they would try to climb atop our jet skis. We went on our way soon after, leaving young, poverty stricken children in the choppy ocean in boats that were most likely made of trash and quite dangerous.

I haven't stopped thinking about those kids for the past few days. Where are they now? Are they alive? Are they orphans or trapped in a pile of rubble? I also can't stop thinking about being told to not even give these children eye contact. Were they not human? SO WHAT if they climbed on our jet ski? I can think about particularly rough days I've had where some eye contact and a smile from a stranger lightens my load or some physical contact from a loved one soothes my soul. What if that's all those children needed? At the time, I didn't think much of it, but now, I can't stop.

The people in Haiti had nothing to begin with and are now left with even less. For many of these Haitians, the only thing they had was family and even that has been ripped away. My heart aches, my eyes cloud with tears, and my face floods with embarrassment when I think of my petty worries and anxieties. We have so much and they have next to nothing. I complain that my pants are too tight when most of these people don't have the luxury of "too much food" or even clean water. I go on and on about what else I'd like to do to my house while home to these people is the street. I feel sorry for myself because I don't live close to my family and many of these people have lost their families for good. When things like this are put in perspective, you can't help but feel humbled, sick and thankful all at once. It makes me long to introduce these hurting people to the One who will always be consistent no matter what our circumstances. The One that allows us to have everything that we truly need-- if only I could remember that on a daily basis.

I have a friend (who is actually more like a cousin), Kristin, who is a missionary with her husband (Dave) in the Dominican Republic. Her husband's brother and sister-in-law (Tim & Paola-- Paola is 8 months pregnant) are actually missionaries in Port-au-Prince. They are safe, praise the Lord. Kristin is raising whatever money she can to help the effort to find the missing and keep those who are alive healthy and safe. Kristin has been very involved with Haitian orphans and she is experiencing the pain and loss as some of her close friends have been missing since the earthquake. Please pray for Tim, Paola, Dave, Kristin, and all of the others involved in their current nightmare.

Last night, Tyler and I decided to participate with Crystal at Money Saving Mom and her quest to help those who are in such need. We want to know-- how have you helped? Have you prayed, gotten things together to donate, texted the Red Cross to donate $10 on your next phone bill? The little things most certainly count and it doesn't matter what you can give as long as you do give in someway, whether that is through prayer, fasting, monetary gifts, goods, etc. Would you write a blog post about whatever you have done to help Haiti? After doing so, come back and link up below. If you don't have a blog, feel free to simply leave a comment. For every comment and/or link I receive in the next 24 hours, Ty and I will donate $0.25 to Kristin and Dave to help the Haitian people. This may not seem like much, but it's what we can do right now and still be financially responsible. :)

Thank you in advance for all that you are doing to help those in Haiti, whether or not you choose to blog or comment. My prayer for the Haitian people is an echo of Psalm 9:9-- "The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble."

Come quickly, Lord Jesus.

I'm going to have to start begging on the street if we want to eat like this.

Today, I want to write on the blog. Really, I do. However, I feel as if I have nothing blog worthy for a post. Then, I realized, "It's MY blog so if I want to write on it, I CAN!" So, here I am.

Don't you just love the blog world? I do. I love it so much. It has enabled me to meet sweet new friends, reconnect with dear old friends, stay in touch with sister friends, and get to know far away friends in a completely new way. It is so lovely and I appreciate each one of you who read my blog and allow me to read yours. Delightful, I say!

On a completely different and unrelated note, the meal plan for the week has changed slightly due to some unforeseen circumstances (albeit, mostly pleasant unforeseen circumstances). The first glitch was last night when we decided to go out for Mexican food with Grant and Emily. What a delight, other than the fact that the restaurant was in Kentucky which still has yet to ban smoking from restaurants. How someone can smoke and eat at the same time is way beyond me. Not judging, just saying. Anyway, it is safe to say that every article of clothing that I wore last night reeked of smoke and went straight into the hamper. HOWEVER, the food was SO WORTH EVERY CLOUD OF SMOKE and the place was packed (read: we went on a Wednesday night and waited 20 minutes!). We knew then that we had found a gem. We also only waited 5 minutes for our food (I'm not exaggerating!) when we gave the waitress our order. The food was delicious, the company was better, and good times were had by all.

Afterwards, we went back to Grant and Em's house for a while and Emily and I looked through all of Foxy LB's clothes. Foxy LB is what I have nicknamed their baby girl (arriving in March) and no, you do not need an explanation. I am so pumped for Em to have this baby. Can't even wait. MMM, love me some baby girl!

In other news, we were going to have the Red Snapper Veracruzana. Well, PLANS HAVE CHANGED MY FRIENDS, AND DO YOU WANT TO KNOW WHY? Because A) there is not a blessed market in Cincinnati that carries red snapper and B) the comparable CHEAPER piece of fish to red snapper is a sea bass, which was being sold at my market for a whopping TWENTY FOUR DOLLARS PER POUND. I'm sorry, but if I wanted gold for dinner, I would just eat some and not spend it on FISH. Maybe, say, if the queen were coming for supper, but I'm not even sure that she likes fish. Just for the two of us though? Holy not a chance.

I do hear you saying though, "Rachel! You went out for supper last night! That is perfect! Now, you can just carry on with your meal plan and omit that one day." My friend, you would be correct. But say a certain person got home about 20 minutes past their bed time last night and that person was extra tired this morning so said person hit their alarm causing them to be a little bit late for work? Well, if that had happened, that person would have had no time to throw the Broccoli Beef in the crockpot for tonight's dinner. Not a moment to spare, I tell you!

Although that person is not me, I have a good suggestion for her. Grilled cheese and vegetable soup might be an easy and delicious meal. As a general rule, I prefer my grilled cheese to be made with diamonds which are real easy on the stomach, if not on the wallet. I prefer my food to sparkle and if I'm going to buy ANYTHING for $24 per pound, it had better be beautiful and not fish-like.

TWENTY FOUR BIG ONES. FOR FISH.

Okay, I'm done now.

BUT FISH? I WOULDN'T EVEN SPEND THAT ON A FISHING POLE.

Alright, seriously, done.

Meal Plan Monday

Hey-- I actually got this posted on Monday this week! I am ahead of the game... for once. Something I have realized is that I haven't a blessed clue how working moms do life. I am in awe of them-- super women, really. I can barely take care of myself and my husband. If you are a working mom-- I commend you on about 5 different levels. You are my hero.

Now, onto the food. Yum.

Last week, my friend Hayley (check out her new blog endeavor-- you won't be sorry!) left a comment saying that she also meal plans, but doesn't plan on a specific meal for a specific night. I am going to put that into practice this week and just cook whatever strikes my fancy within the meals I have already planned. I am excited for the new recipes this week!

Meal 1: PW's Meatballs and Sweet Potato Fries (recipe to follow)

Meal 2: Broccoli Beef with Brown Rice

Meal 3: PW's Linguine with Clam Sauce (recipe in her cookbook) and Green Salad

Meal 4: Katie Lee's Red Snapper Veracruzana with Green Salad

Meal 5: Leftovers or go out to eat

The meatballs just came out of the oven and my sweet potato fries are just finishing up. Everything smells amazing! The meatballs were a little labor intensive, but not terrible. My sweet potato fries are very easy and delicious. I got the recipe from my aunt and we love eating them with meat dishes.

Sweet Potato Fries

4 lbs sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into wedges
2 T. olive oil
3 T. brown sugar
1/4 tsp. nutmeg

Heat oven to 400 degrees.

Combine potato wedges with the olive oil, brown sugar, and nutmeg in a plastic Ziploc bag. Shake to coat. Spread on a cookie sheet.

Bake for 20 minutes. Turn and bake for about 20 more minutes. Keep an eye on them so that they don't burn. Sprinkle with salt and pepper when they come out.

Mmmm. Can't wait to eat these! They are soooo yum. Oh, and before I say goodbye for the evening, let me just say that the gumbo from last week was AMAZING. If you like gumbo, I would strongly recommend trying the recipe that I listed last week. If you haven't ever tried gumbo, this is the time.

And this final bit has nothing to do with food, but it does have to do with one of my other loves: reading. Oh, boy, do I love to read and spend time in libraries, but if you've read this blog for any length of time, that comes as no surprise.

I thought it might be fun to use the blog to chronicle my eclectic reading tastes in 2010. Currently, the first book I am slated to finish in 2010 is The Real Real by the authors of one of my favorite novels, The Nanny Diaries. I am just about half-way through, but I have to say that I'm not loving it as I thought I would. Next up is Witch & Wizard by James Patterson. Sometimes, his stuff can get a little weird, so I am prepared to put down the book if I need to. I'd love book recommendations, too!

Alright, I've got a hungry man who wants some food. Later, ya'll.

I. Love. Weekends.

I think I love weekends more and more as I get older, especially after a full and stressful week at work. Even though I had a snow day this week, it was still the ever-dreaded report card week, so a lot of my energy was spent on that. Combine that with the fact that it was my first week back to work since before Christmas and you have a recipe for a very tired and potentially upset Rachel.

Tired and upset Rachel came out in full force on Friday and unfortunately my poor sweet husband bore the brunt of it. I can get mighty ugly mighty fast when I'm tired and that made for a very unpleasant Friday evening. I am just thankful for a husband who doesn't tuck tail and run when I have freaky days. Make no mistake, there are freaky moments and there are freaky days. Friday was a DAY. Glad it's over and that I am taking steps to be sure that those days don't show up anymore.

Yesterday, much of my day was spent on the couch in my pajamas grading papers that I had neglected during report card week. I am all caught up and feeling good! I went over to my friend Emily's house last night and she helped me with my first sewing project on my new machine-- throw pillows! I am thrilled with how they turned out and they look perfect on our couch. I may make a quick run to Joann's today and see if they have the same fabric so that I can make a pillow for our family room chair! I finally have the confidence to attempt something on my own. Emily was kind enough to take pictures because I forgot my camera, so I will be blogging about it later this week! Thanks again, Em!!

I have a very thrilling day ahead of me today. I am going to tidy the house, meal plan for the week, put away the Christmas decorations (hey, they're down-- just not put away!!), and use my new Shark Steam Mop! I am actually pretty pumped. I also may venture out to the Walmarts to look for some candles for my non-working fireplace.

Speaking of fireplace, I need some serious help, ladies. Serious. I have three fireplaces in my house which means that I have three mantles. I enjoy decorating but that doesn't mean I'm good at it. I need some practical suggestions for what to do with my mantles. Currently, they all three have mirrors, so I don't need anything for the focal point, but what I do need is suggestions as to what I should put on the mantles. I figured, where else to go but to you all? I'm counting on you!

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

The Last Ten Years!

Considering the fact that I barely sat still over Christmas break, my recap of the last decade is a little bit late. This will be quite the trip down memory lane that I hope you will all enjoy. Maybe you're even a part of it!


2000-- I ring in the new year at my aunt and uncles house. My mom makes us fill up the bathtub in case there is a Y2K water shortage. Nothing happens. I am put in a class with my favorite high school teacher (Mr. Stanton) and my affection for him grows when he finds out who my crush is and sits me by him for the rest of the year. Ha! I finish my freshman year of high school and have major jaw restructuring surgery. After much testing to be sure I don't have (another) bad reaction to the anesthetic, I do. My jaw is banded shut and I lose upwards of 10 pounds in less than a week and continue to lose weight. My parents take great care of me and bring me lots of KFC mashed potatoes. I heal over the next six months, but my face and nose look very different-- so different that my uncle doesn't recognize me at Christmas.


2001-- I play my first year of soccer at my high school. I love it and the friendships I make. I run for Junior Class President against one of my close friends. It is hard and sad and after a lot of thought and prayer, I back out of the race the morning of the election. I get an in-school suspension for talking in class, then chucking a highlighter at my principal in frustration-- BAD! I go on two mission trips that summer and fall fast for a guy I swore I never would like. Drama ensues for the rest of the summer and into my junior year of high school. I get my driver's license on my 16th birthday in August. The first place I go as an independent driver is to my grandma & papa's apartment, then to see The Princess Diaries. The first song I hear as an independent driver is something by J Lo. I begin attending a different church than my family and love it. I develop a crazy crush on a guy from youth group who never knows it. I hear about September 11 (Picture Day) from Mr. Howard during AP History. We watch the coverage for the rest of the school day. I don't cry until we see the second tower fall. Life for my family changes since my dad is an airline pilot. I learn to have a lot more faith in the Lord.

2002-- I run for Senior Class Vice President and win. I finish a very unremarkable but enjoyable junior year of high school, although it was replete with boy drama. During the summer, my grandpa's Alzheimer's Disease progresses. I start my senior year of high school and love being a class officer. I spend most of my time with friends from church or my core group of friends from school. I go to Senior Homecoming with one of my best guy friends who is also my co-VP. We make fun of Kate and her boyfriend constantly and we know they love it. I have an amazing group of friends. I play Rachel Lynde in our school's production of Anne of Green Gables and I love every minute of it.


2003-- I am a captain of the soccer team with two of my closest friends. On the second day of practice, I tear through the ligaments on my right ankle and am casted. I don't play much that season. We go on our Senior Trip to Florida where I get to ride in a wheelchair through the amusement parks and skip to the front of the line. I meet my future husband on a college visit day and think he's cute. My extended family goes through a horrible situation that is not truly resolved until 2007. My Papa Berdan dies in May and it's the first time I see my dad cry. I graduate from high school standing next to my friend Josh who I sat next to on the first day of kindergarten. I have my first nanny job that summer for a 3 month old named Hunter. In the fall, I leave for Indiana Wesleyan University in Marion, Indiana knowing that I will major in Elementary Education. I room with my three best friends from high school. I meet the guy that will cause me much heartache, strife and drama for the next few years (not Ty!!!). I see Ty around but don't know him well enough to ever talk to him.


2004-- I begin dating this guy and get my first kiss from him-- ew. I become close with my freshman RD who becomes like a big sister to me. I go to South Carolina for spring break with a group of my girlfriends. I break up with my boyfriend that summer after he comes for a visit and everyone tells me he's not good for me. I nanny for Hunter again and work in his mom's law office. I see Tyler over the summer when mutual friends get married and we become friends. My Gramma Petri dies on my birthday-- worst birthday ever. I date two great guys but break up with the last one when I go back to IWU in the fall and connect with bad ex-boyfriend. I date him secretly for about 4 months-- AGAIN, BAD. My best friend from college, Elisabeth, and I have all our classes together and do everything together,which earns us the name "Rachabeth". I pass out in a bathroom in the middle of the library and get transported to Marion General Hospital via ambulance. I get mono in November and end up in the ICU with internal bleeding from my spleen. I miss several weeks of school due to my illness and hospitalization.


2005-- I go back to school and tell bad ex-boyfriend it's over for good. After a very scary incident that included a hand print shaped bruise on my arm, it is over permanently. Ty comes into my life as a friend only (HA!) and we start hanging out. After scary ex-boyfriend finds out, he and his friends vandalize my car earning themselves a campus restraining order. Tyler and I start dating on February 10 and our first date is at Chipotle. That summer, I begin nannying for a new little one named MacKenzi. It is an amazing job. Tyler and I visit each other over the summer and keep going strong. I start my junior year at IWU and room with Elisabeth. We laugh all the time and people still think we're nuts. Tyler and I keep dating but go through some ups and downs.


2006-- Tyler starts the new year by dropping the "L-bomb" (love). I am thrilled. When we get back to school, we go through another rough patch but make it through. I have an emotional breakdown that spring and finally get on the path to some healing. It is not easy. Tyler graduates and moves to Columbus, Ohio for his job. We start a long distance relationship. I nanny for Mackenzi again. I go back early for my senior year of college and start my student teaching in a kindergarten classroom. I discover how much I love kindergartners and I have an incredible cooperating teacher. Through my school corporation, I am hired for a long term sub job for kindergarten at another school starting at the beginning of 2007. I graduate from college a semester early.


2007-- I attend Passion in Atlanta and my relationship with Christ is never the same. I get engaged to Tyler in February! We have dinner at the top of the John Hancock Building and then see Wicked. I call my parents, then my grandma, then my cousin/sister/maid of honor. I show my ring to everyone sitting around us at Wicked, whether they wanted to see it or not. :) I teach kindergarten in Marion, Indiana and live with a wonderful family that I met through student teaching. I get a job teaching sixth grade at CCS. I plan a wedding in six months and we get married on my 22nd birthday. Best. Day. Ever. We move to Cincinnati where I really struggle from homesickness for the rest of the year and beyond. We attend a very small local church that we really enjoy. I meet one of my best friends, Dana. I start a blog.


2008-- My sweet Grandma Berdan dies very unexpectedly in February. It is devastating to me and it takes me several months to truly recover. I am asked to teach third grade for the next school year and I happily accept. We switch churches and join a small group. We move to a new apartment. I nanny for a lovely family in Cincinnati with two young children. Malia is born in July. We celebrate our anniversary by going to Boston for a week. I start teaching third grade and really enjoy it.


2009-- Dana gets pregnant again. I come down with a bad case of pneumonia that takes me away from work for 2 weeks. We take a vacation to Florida with our friends Meg and Chad. I train for and complete my first half marathon. I finish teaching my first year of third grade and say goodbye to a student who made my life miserable. We take a vacation to New York City with Tyler's family. I take a missions trip to Poland with my mom and my home church and meet a new friend. I begin my third year of teaching. Tyler and I work in the infant room at church during the fall. Malachi is born nearly two weeks late in October. We buy our first home and move in. We ring in the New Year with Dana, Corey, Chad, and Meg.


I can't help thinking about what the next ten years will bring! Hopefully some kiddos and maybe even a move back to Michigan-- hey, I can hope and dream!! ;)

Happy, happy belated new year! I am so thankful for all of you who read my blog. It makes it so much more fun to write!

Meal Plan Monday (on Tuesday... ha!)

Well, I'm no Mandy, but I do have my meal plan for the week. I'm going to try to do this weekly... emphasis on the word try. I find that I save a lot more money and time if I plan what I'm making each week and shop for it on Sunday, save a few of the fresh items. Tyler and I have also started this new game where we decide at the end of the meal if it is "recipe card worthy" or not. At the end of 2010, I want to make a book of our favorite recipes so far. I'm excited for this! I am also taking recipe suggestions and if you know of a good place online to "make" a cookbook, I would appreciate the information! I will try to let you know each week how things worked out and whether I am going to put the recipe in my book.

Sunday-- Crockpot Tilapia in Foil Packets (adapted for the oven), Wild Rice, and Salad with Homemade Dressing & Croutons-- We didn't love this, but we did like it. Before putting it on a card, I am going to try it in the slow cooker. There was a lot of lemon juice.

Monday-- Pioneer Woman's Pot Roast with Mashed Potatoes and Salad-- Amazing. Simply amazing. Definitely going on a card.

Tuesday-- Taco Soup (recipe below) and Refried Beans-- Already on a card!

Wednesday-- Chili with Homemade Cornbread (recipe to come-- SOOO good!)-- Both the soup and cornbread are already card worthy!

Thursday-- Crockpot Gumbo with Brown Rice and Salad

Friday-- To be determined aka probably eat out with friends


I have Taco Soup in my crockpot at home today. This stuff is so delicious and I especially love it on a cold winter day. I got the recipe from my sweet friend, Caitlin, and thought you all might like it too!

Taco Soup

1 can black beans, with juice
1 can pinto beans, with juice
1 can corn, with juice
1 can Ro-Tel
1 packet taco seasoning
1 packet dry ranch dressing
2 1/2 cups water
1 lb ground beef, browned with chopped onion and garlic

Throw it all in your crockpot and cook on low for 4-5 hours. Serve with blue corn chips, Fritos, shredded cheese, sour cream, etc.

That's it! It is sooooo good; I promise you'll love it! And if you don't know what Ro-Tel is, then I pity you. Go find some at your grocery store today. That is a command, not a suggestion.

Most of the other recipes are found in PW's cookbook and the Crockpot 365 cookbook. I got both for Christmas and have already marked my "to try" recipes in both. I would recommend both of these books if you like to cook! You can also follow their blogs here and here.

Bon Appetit! Sometimes, I remind myself so much of Julia Child... or not.