It's A Keeper- February

So, I cannot promise how long this will last, but I am going to try to post a recipe a month that is a "keeper" for our family.
February's recipe is one I recently took to our ladies' Bible study potluck, and it got rave reviews. It is an attempt at On the Border's Chicken Tortilla Soup with a few modifications based on things I like! Hope you enjoy!!!
I am sure there are a lot of modifications that you could make based on what you have on hand or family preferences, but I just noted exactly what I used.

Chicken Tortilla Soup
2 large chicken breasts
14 cups water
2 tsp salt
5 chicken bouillon cubes
1 bag of boil in bag brown rice
10 oz can rotel
1 cup salsa
2 tsp ground cumin
2 tsp paprika
8 oz frozen corn (1/2 bag)
juice of 1 lime
1/4 cup chopped cilantro
1 can black beans rinsed and drained
½ onion chopped
1 zucchini squash, sliced thin and quartered

8 oz Monterrey Jack cheese, shredded
Crumbled tortilla chips

Boil Chicken in 8 cups water with salt and 2 bouillon cubes for one hour. Meanwhile, boil the rice according to the directions and do any necessary chopping, rinsing, etc. Remove cooked chicken from water and cut or tear into bite sized pieces; return to broth with remaining ingredients including 6 additional cups water and 3 bouillon cubes. Simmer for one hour. Top with cheese and tortilla chips and serve.

Where Does She Come Up With This Stuff?!?

Elizabeth is becoming quite the conversationalist! It is adorable to listen in as she has purposeful conversations with her little girl friends or asks and answers appropriate questions on the phone. As we talk, I am getting a better snapshot of her little brain and it is incredible what is going on in there! She is so astute and is always taking things in and contemplating relationships. Here are a couple of her most recent quotes that made me smile and say, "Seriously?"
About a week ago, we were sitting at the table for lunch, and I decided to cut an apple cross ways to show her the star inside. Here is how this chat went.
Me: Look Lizzie!
Elizabeth: Wow! It says Wal Mart!
Me: Huh? (Looking for a sticker or something stuck on the apple) What do you mean sweetie?
Elizabeth: Right there Mommy, it says Wal Mart. (pointing directly to the star)
Me: The star? (Long pause to contemplate) OH! The star looks like the symbol on the Wal Mart bags!
Elizabeth: Yes Mommy! It says Wal Mart!
Me: You are so smart Lizzie Grace!

Two weeks ago we had arrived at church early, so I could get some work done in the office. Elizabeth has made herself at home at CityView's new building, and she just goes her own way as soon as we walk through the doors. Our friends Scott and Rebecca were there too, and according to Scott, this is how his conversation with Elizabeth went.
Scott: Hi Elizabeth! What do you have there?
Elizabeth: (waving an American flag) It's mommy's flag.
Scott: Oh, what is mommy's flag doing?
Elizabeth: I am waving it for Barak Obama!
(She has an obsession with saying his name. I am guessing she equated the flag with all of the recent inauguration events, but really, who knows!!)
We love Elizabeth so very much! I pray that we are able to steer this precious mind in such a way that she honors Jesus with everything in her.
Current Favorites:
Candy Lane (aka Candy Land)- somehow she always wins!!
Teaching Elaine new words:)
Cinderella- we have multiple versions of the book. we get to read them all often!
Clifford books- they are easy readers, so she "reads" them quite well!
Spelling- S-T-O-P stop! G-O go! R-E-D red! she asks how to spell just about every word she sees/hears
Waking up at 7:00!- What happened to our 13 hour a night sleeper? Something flipped, and regardless of how long her nap is or what time she goes down, between 7 and 7:30 a sweet little muchkin hops into our room saying "Good MORNING!"

8 Months

Once again, I am saying how in the world has another month already passed?! Elaine has had many milestones this month and her personality is blossoming! During last week's struggle with a nasty cold turned into double ear infection we did a lot of snuggling, and she was pretty pitiful. However, when her personality was lacking, it caused me to realize how much personality she really has! I am still trying to figure her out in so many ways. She loves to be held and rocked when she is tired; Elizabeth did not! With Elizabeth, we never had to really watch her on the changing table; Elaine is WILD on the changing table! She is super determined! Some "favorites" are surfacing, including the good ol' stacking rings, the sing and play stage, music, Elizabeth, anything Elizabeth is playing with, and tickles! Her dislikes include bananas (still), taking her medicine (until my genius hubby put it in the nipple of a bottle!), any obstacle that gets in her way, and being in the carseat without Elizabeth to talk to. We have been working on a couple of baby signs, and right now, she will say "ah da" and do both of her hands like she is waving at herself for all done. She is babbling all the time saying "da da, ba ba," and an occasional "ma ma" and "na na." Firsts this month include- sitting in a high chair at a restaurant, sitting up in the shopping cart, pulling up to her knees, crawling, big girl bath, and eating a girl scout cookie!
We love our Lainie K!