hellloooooooooooooo monday!

Monday-def: (n) the second day of the week; first day of the working week

You know how this day rolls around after a seemingly too short of a weekend? Mondays have the ability of creating a loom over Sunday evenings, upon accepting their eventual return in the morning. It has been known as "Manic Monday"," Monday Morning Madness", and "Moody Mondays". One can get the "Case of the Mondays" or have "Monday Morning Blues".

For instance, when I typed in "Monday" in teh Google search Box, these are the images that appeared:







(and that was just the beginning!)

What is with Mondays of all days that has caused this sort of reputation?

I would like to have a different outlook on Mondays, and today I am proud to say I do! Maybe it has to do with the fact that I return to work Sunday nights instead and work through the dawn and coming of Monday morning. Or maybe it has to do with something small and wonderful happening to me this morning. You are more than welcome to stay a short while and hear what happened.
It goes something like this.....

8am has rolled around. The boys are fed, diapers changed, and the morning nanny has arrived and my duties as the night nanny have come to an end for the next 15hours. As I am on my way home, I feel the lack of sleep begin to hit me. So I decide to stop by starbucks on my home to get a little overpriced-but-oh-so-delicious-caffeinated-beverage to help me complete my hour-long commute home. I ordered my Mocha Frap lite, pulled around the side of starbucks and waited for the two cars ahead of me to obtain their orders. Soon I'm one car (or Hummer to be precise) away from getting my 'Cup of Joe' and hitting the road again on my way to a wonderful home, husband, and bed! But the Hummer is taking a bit longer to get its order than usual. I start to get impatient (I admit) and rethink my decision to stop by starbucks and spend the extra $$ on a drink I could really bare to be without. After 8 minutes (which feels like 25min in drive-thru time), the Hummer drives away. I pull up to the window, debit card in hand, ready to pay for my drink. But before I could even get my card to the Barista, he hands me my drink and says it's already been paid for!

Me: "What?!"
Barista: " Yeah, the lady ahead of you paid for your drink! We mixed up her order, tried to give it to her free, but she insisted we give you your drink for free."
Me: (delightfully in disbelief) "WOW! THANK you!!"
Barista: "yeah, that's Mrs. Kim. She loves people"

So off I drive, Mocha Frap Lite in my hand, HUGE smile on my face at the kindness and generosity that was just shown to me. Two things stuck with me after that amazing-surprise-morning blessing:

1) Mrs. Kim: She loves people. what a powerful statement the Barista made about that lady. He most likely has only interacted with Mrs. Kim through the window of a Starbucks Drive-Thru or maybe occasionally inside the store, but even through those limited interactions, she has left the mark on them, that she loves people and has a heart for people. That's amazing! I want to be known as "Ruth, she loves people"...and not only that, but even more so: "That's Ruth, she loves the Lord." Simply and deeply I want that to be able to be said of me. It was a good to be reminded of, challenged and encouraged in that. Who would've thought it would have happened at the Starburcks on E. Main St? :)

2) Even though it was Mrs. Kim that got me the Starbucks, I really believe this blessing and gift was from God through Mrs. Kim. Whenever anything like this happens, a seemingly small blessing that completely brightens my day, I know it's God taking an opportunity to show me that He takes GREAT delight in me. This aspect of who He is really blows me away. I mean, the Almighty God and Creator of the universe is big enough to take note in the little things of my life...He is that big to speak to me through the little blessings. It's amazing! I pray that this day, this Monday, God would open your eyes to the little things He is doing in order to show you that He takes great delight in you! Whether it's a Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday or any day of the week, know that the Lord eagerly awaits to meet you, reveal himself to you and take delight in you. That truth should blow the "Case of the Mondays" right out of the water if you ask me.

Isaiah 30:18
"Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you;
he rises to show you compassion.
For the LORD is a God of justice.
Blessed are all who wait for him."

Psalm 139:17-18
"How precious and weighty also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How vast is the sum of them! If I could count them, they would be more in number than the sand. When I awoke, I would still be with You."

Have a GREAT MONDAY!!!!!
-Mrs. B

and the Winner is..............

I'm not sure if the readers of this blog remember, but there was a contest held quite a long time ago on this blog. You were suppose to tell me the meaning (or make up your own meaning) of the following "Rutherbs".

1) Don't pout before the horse is drawn
and
2) Like lima beans on a chicken

The one that was the most accurate or creative (it was a very subjective contest) would be named the winner.
*if you are completely lost, read more about it here *

After a week of waiting, and re-posting the contest, I had an entry....the ONLY entry. That lone contestant is now the RUTHERB WINNER and it is none other than

SHELBY BERNARD!!!! (picture below-hope you don't mind Shelby:))

isn't she beautiful!?!

Because of her participation, she has won a scrumptious batch of banana bread that will be mailed to the lovely state of Colorado where she lives. Now for the rest of you, let this be a reminder...you do get prizes when you participate in my contests...I'm not quite sure how many or what will be the next one, but I guarantee you, a prize will be rewarded to the winner of said contest.

Here are Shelby's entries for the "Rutherbs" (good job Shelby!)

"Don't pout before the horse is drawn" means either: Don't get upset until you can see the big picture. (The twins I nannied for used to be annoyed at my drawings until they saw the final product and understood why I made the lines and shapes I did) or
Don't be frustrated and impatient if you're not actually ready to move forward. (You can't get on your horse-drawn carriage until everything is hooked up and ready to go)

2. "Like lima beans on chicken" means: Some things don't really make sense together, but somehow work.

My definitions, for those that are interested:)
1) "Don't Pout before the horse is drawn" means: don't complain, get yourself worked up or worry about something that has yet to happen.
2)"Like lima beans on a chicken" means: it doesn't really make a difference and/or matter. Such as having lima beans on a chicken. It doesn't change the fact that the chicken is a chicken or really affect that chicken....unless he is to be covered in 20 tons of lima beans, then he would be a bit affected...just a bit.

Here is the recipe for the Banana Bread that Shelby won. It's soooo yummmy!
Ingredients:

- 1 and 3/4cp Flour *or whole wheat*
- 1/2tsp Baking Soda
- 1/4tsp Baking Powder
- 3/4tsp Salt
- 1 pkg. of Vanilla Instant Pudding Mix (3oz box)
- 2/3cp Sugar
- 1/2cp Butter *or apple sauce! we use this because it's healthier*
- 2 Eggs
- 2T Milk
- 1-1/3 Ripe Bananas, Mashed
- 1cp Semi-sweet choc. chips

Directions:
1) preheat oven to 350degrees and grease a bread pan.
2) combine all the dry ingredients together until well blended.
3) in a separate bowl, mix together apple sauce, eggs, milk, and mashed bananas.
4) Add in the dry mixture until completed mixed together.
5) Add Chocolate chips, mix.

(mmmmmmm)
6) Pour batter into greased bread pan. Bake for 40 minutes uncovered. Bake for remaining 10-15 *covered* with tin foil, or until golden brown.

This Banana bread has been a hit with my husband, family and friends. I HIGHLY recommend using Whole wheat flower. It gives such a wonderful taste and texture that isn't found in plain white flour. Plus it's healthier for you! Also, including pudding mix in the recipes, gives it an added sweetness and slight hint of vanilla. It's like they say:

"The Proof is in the pudding"


Congrats Shelby for winning the contest! This bread is on it's way to you!


-Signing out,
Mrs. B

*up this week: Funny happening at Panera and we were "parents" for a weekend. stay tuned!!*

What's in a name?!

The other day, I was buying an iced chai tea latte at panera (which, by the way, are amamamamamazzzing!),and while the cashier man was ringing up my order, he looked at my receipt and asked, "Uh, Is your name Ruth? Please, don't tell me it's Ruth." I reply a bit baffled, "uh, yeah, that's my name." He then proceeds to say with a sense of discouragement or concern, "Oh, no! Oh no!" (I am currently at a loss, and am wondering what's the matter with him and in him finding out that my name is Ruth...it wasn't like it was Goliath or something). He, seemingly disappointed, has the guts to say "You can't be named Ruth! That's an old person's name!!" ( I am not kidding. Those were his EXACT words)

nice, mister. Let's take a look at some things that I believe would be good to avoid doing for the sake of common courtesy...When in doubt--don't do the following:
1) ask when someone's baby is due if you don't know for certain that they are preggers
2) ask if someone is sick upon first greeting them
3) tell someone they shouldn't be named their name...just saying

I told him, obviously it's not just for old people, since I was named it (and btw i love my name and wouldn't change it). He then suggested that we could call me "Ruthie" so that it would be more "hip".

oh man....whatever floats your boat buddy...whatever floats your boat.




I'm guessing this is what he had in mind of what someone named "Ruth" looked like....maybe this is Faith and I in 60 years:)

BABIES: "Bebes"

It's getting dangerous...

Baby Fever, I mean. (don't worry, no bun in the oven)

Many of you know I have worked with children (babysitting, vacation Bible school, Sunday school, nannying, etc) since I was 10 years old: we are going on 12 years now people! Over these 12 years, my heart has grown to adore, cherish and love children deeply. I love how each child is unique, expresses themselves differently, have specific likes and dislikes, and are one of a kind! No one child is exactly the same as another. It's amazing...I love to simply observe children or ask them questions, curious as to how they are going to respond and in what ways they are going to break my logical thoughts with their new and untainted perspective on life and the things of this world. It's beautiful and refreshing.

Each time I would nanny or take care of someones kids, I ALWAYS, ALWAYS had at least one funny story to tell upon my return home; I love having the guarantee :) They never cease to amaze me.....or make me laugh

With all that said, (and to my mother's slight worry) I have been ready to be a mom since I was 15. (heart-wise: I still needed to find a husband of course and all that, but heart-wise I was more than ready.). I mean, it's bad. Movies such as Step Mom and Father of the Bride (1 + 2) would cause me to cry at the interactions and sweet moments between mother and child, or the birth of a precious baby....it's slightly pitiful.

Needless to say, taking care of infant twins has not helped the Baby Fever die down, but only increase the flames. I know our time to have children is not just yet. We still want to have this time to grow closer together, form the foundation of our marriage and spend quality one on one time with one another, uninterrupted by the constant demands of having a baby can bring. But I can tell you one thing: I long and eagerly wait for their arrival! Though I do not know them and they have yet to enter into the world, I've been praying for them. I can't wait to see what their personalities are, in what ways they will resemble Adam + me, how they will add to the forming of our family, and the gifts and passions God will place in their hearts! (sorry if this too far into "mushy" zone)

So yeah. I'm beyond excited. As if taking care of kids for going on 12 years, and currently caring for infant twins wasn't enough...they just had to go and make this movie.

entitled: "Babies" seriously?! you're killing me! you're killing me!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7aCZUb_dUGA&feature=related

but let's be real, I'm definitely going to see it :)


Up Next on "The Marvelous Misadventures of Mr. and Mrs. Bethany": The Winner of the "Rutherb" contest as well as pictures of and the recipe for scrumptious banana bread!

until then,

Baby-Fevering Mrs. B

Rapid FIRE

okay....so ALOT has happened in which I ought to document right here in this blog. So much so that this will be what I'd like to call a "rapid FIRE" post. One is a bit longer than the others...but that is because it's about an adventure tha twas a first for us! So buckle your seat belts, keep your arms inside the vehicle at all times , hold on tight, put your thinking cap on, spin around twice and hop on one foot while carrying a watermelon..... Okay okay okay...got a little carried away

HERE WE GOOOOOO:

1) contest: no one guessed the meanings or made up any meanings for "rutherbs" by monday...I am exteneding this deadline until at least ONE person tells me what they think "Don't pout before the horse is drawn" or "like lima beans on chicken" means. Seriously guys, you could get a loaf of banana bread (with choc chips...it's also husband approved)! Just leave a comment on this post or facebook message me!

2) Trip to the ER: I spent from 5am-9:45am in the ER WEdnesday morning. not something I was expecting. I was at work, napping while the babie slept and woke up to sever pain on the right side of my abdomin. Hurt so badly that I collapsed at one point and started crying (i'm not a cryer when it comes to pain...i'm kinda a "suck it up" kinda girl) I called adam, asking him if the apendix was located on the right, lower side...he said it was...so thinking it burst or something, I woke up the parents and they (being doctors) told me i needed to go straight to the hospital, it could be apendicitis or something to do with my ovaries. The pain (felt like knives in my side) lasted for almost 2 hours and then subsided.Adam drove all the way to Roanoke to be with me, which meant so much to me! They ran blood tests, did exams as well as an ultrasound to find out what was wrong. It turns out it wasn't my apendix, but rather I had cysts on my both my ovaries (lovely) and they thought one may have rupture, causing the severe pain. I was dischrage, and on my way come 9:45am...looking forward to eating and sleeping...I praise the Lord it was nothing more serious!

3) GIRLS NIGHT: I LOVE..LOVE...LOVE time with my girls! God has GREALTY blessed me with wonderful women (of all ages) in my life. I was finally able to have them all over to our house for a get together. It was B.Y.O.D (bring your own dinner) and I provided chips and dip and DESSERT! (icecream, cookies, and the option of making your own ice cream sandwiches). We got to hang out, talk, sit ont our roof, play "things", laugh and at the end danced unil we sweated...or at least I was sweating haha. It was such a wonderful night and I am SO thankful for them all and look forward to the next one:)

4) we have a MOUSE in the HOUSE!!!! It made itself known to me while I was cleaning and preparing for Girls Night. Came out of the bathroom and ran underneath the laundry room...I in utter shock/excitement yelled up to Adam (who was currently in the process of taking a shower)

R: "ADDDDDDAMMMMM!!!!!!! AAAAAAAADDAAAAMMMMM!!!!!"
A: WHAT?!?!?!?"
R: OH MY GOODNESS! THERE IS A MOUSE IN THE HOUSE! a MOUSE!!!!!!! AHHHHHHHHHHH!!!"
A: well, I can't do anything about it now"

So I proceeded to be excited, no quite knowing what to do with myself...for this is a first in The Bethany household. But since the girls would soon be arriving, I put my new found excitement into my cleaning...stillwondering, how we are going to get this mouse.
The house was clean and the girls started arriving at the house. I for sure thought that they mouse would make himself known during the party...but thankfully he did not. I left for work, still having not seen the mouse, but once at work, I got a phone call from husband (a.k.a Adam Bethany) saying the mouse kept poking his head out from under the laundry room door and looking at him. I got so excited and told adam he MUST keep me updated during the night since I wasn't there to experience this myself.

Shortly after that phone call (maybe 2minutes had passed) my phone startes buzzing and I have an incoming call from "Husband". I answer quickly and Adam says that mouse has ventured out from the laundry room and was in the family room behind our t.v. He then proceeded to scurry across the room until he was behind futon (*note: while ADam is telling me these updates...I am repeatedly saying "oh my goodness! oh my goodness!)
I told adam he MUST block the stairs someway cause I didn't want that mouse getting upstairs in into our room. He informed me that mouse would not/could not climb up the stairs and we need not worry.

R: "oh yes he can!! You have to block the stairs!!"
A: "wait, wait. He's on the windowsill now!" (which is 2.5f from the floor)
R: "can't climb, huh?"

The mouse ended up going inside the opened window which allowed Adam to close it and trap the mouse. (pretty smooth and easy if you ask me!)The mouse proved to be acrobatic and climbed all the way to the top of the screen, and proceeded to hang upside down from his feet. Adam left him in his "cage" for a little while and when he returned the mouse was gone!! Adam found a mouse sized whole bitten in the screen of the window. The mouse had let himself out and we didn't even have to buy traps!

It made for quite an eventful night. I felt like I was able to experience a little bit of the excitement and the need to keep informed that guys experience when keeping up with the latest scores of March Madness games or any sporting event. I used to think it was at times a little out of hand and/or ridiculous, but there I was getting, asking...maybe at times demanding play-by-play updates on the mouse situation at home since I couldn't be there haha. So fellas, I now can relate.

Here is a picture of our little friend "cheezus"...the mouse's name given to him by Adam



him at the top of the window....look how chunky he is!!

that is all for now!
Mrs. B

mmmm Whatcha say?!

"Class Participation" Did you ever CRINGE upon hearing that saying in school? Any sort of event that involved making one get out of their chair to "participiate" and for heaven's sake, move seems to have a negative feeling that corresponds with it. I am guilty of having such an outlook. (unless it involves weird and silly church or Campus Crusade games/contests such as: relay races involving chugging rootbeer, or three-legged races while blindfolded, etc)

I wonder why it is? What causes this apprehension towards participation...are we lazy? apathetic? content with simply sitting and observing? or possibly fearful? It's funny how once we begin to participate, after crossing the bridge of apprehension and hesitation, we enjoy it and it's not that bad Like the 7th inning stretch at baseball games, or doing the Hokie Pokie at a Virginia Tech football game. In the end, you're still alive and all is good

Following that introduction...I ask, nay CHALLENGE you readers to participate (*everyone gasps!*) in this blog post.....yes. P.A.R.T.I.C.I.P.A.T.E

do not be fooled into thinking you will get nothing out of it. The winner will receive DELICIOUS, dare I say, succulent Banana Bread, made by yours truly. (chocolate chips are included)

Here is the contest:
Make up or figure out the meaning to these "Rutherbs" (Ruth proverbs). The most accurate or creative entry will win. I will post all the entires in a blog leading up to the FINALE post which will announce the winner.

F.A.Q

-What is a Rutherb?
A Rutherb is a "wise" saying that Ruth Bethany recently made up in a conversation she was having with her husband, Mr. Bethany. Their meanings have yet to be determined.

-What if I win, but I do not live in Blacksburg and live in a different state, will I still recieve the Banana Bread?
Oh. YES. you most certinaly will!

-What is the duration of this contest?
Final entries will be received up until Monday, April 12th at 3:33pm

SO without further ado here are the two "Rutherbs" :

1) "Don't pout before the horse is drawn"
2) "Just like lima beans on a chicken"

Good Luck!!
Mrs. B

* may these pictures help serve as inspiration, grant you clarity and provide mental simulation*

oh no you didnt!

I was starting to wonder when the next mishap or misadventure would occur. Or what I might write about while waiting until something in the form of a misadventure happened that I could in turn document in our blog.
Thankfully, (though Im not quite sure how thankful I am about this one) an event occurred last night. Obviously, I am now going to tell you about it. So without further ado... **oh and don't get your hopes up too high, this is no GINORMOUS meatball story, but definitely.....definitely a mishap of sorts.**

If you didn't know, I am currently a "night nanny" for 10 week old twin boys (sooooooooo cute!!!). I absolutely love children and babies are no exception! Though the hours can be rough (11pm-8am) I am extremely thankful to God for providing me with a job doing something that I L.O.V.E. It's AMAZING to see how much they've grown since when I first started working with them (at 4 weeks) and even at this young age, how they already have differen personalities, likes and dislikes.

Let me introduce you to the boys:

Adam Walker: is the smaller of the twins and really looks like a little "peanut":) he loves to be cuddled, rocked, patted and has troubles getting up in the morning (it takes him awhile...just like another adam I know ha) he does little grunts as he falls asleep and is into intense strentching when he does wake up. He likes to smile and laugh when he drifts off into sleep...which is beyond adorable.

Ryan Brooks: Ryan mean "little king". HE is bigger than Adam and does not appreciate being rocked or rubbed...he only likes being held stationarily. He does not like to be left out of things that are going on (being fed, burped, sleep, etc) and will let you know if he wants to join:) He is a MORNING baby for sure! Like clockwork at 6:45 or 7am he is awake in his crib, asking to come downstairs. He loves his mornings and is an extermely happy baby once he is downstairs, where all the action is. He laughs and is extremely alert, happy just to be a part of he morning hub-bub.

now that you know a little bit about them, I won't hesitate to share the mishap. I was feeding Adam at 1am. He was hungry and drank the enire bottle. After burping him for awhile, I set him down on his "Boppie" (large, incliced pillow) so I could burp ryan (feeding/burping two babies at once can get tricky..especially if they both want to be held and have your full, undivided attention). Once Ryan was burped and put into his crib, Adam began fussing and fidgeting (which usually means he still has air that needs to be burped or gas).

So I began burping him...he seemed to find a little relief in that, but soon he started squirming like crazy and before I knew it, he was facing me, mouth fully opened, releasing ALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL the formula he had just consumed right in my face.

Warm regurgitated formula engulfed my face. (thankfully I wasn't making faces or talking with Adam, so my mouth was closed) He kept throwing up until my shirt, hair, and short were heavily coated in used formula.

I didn't move for awhile, due to shock I guess. But after assessing what had just happened, I laughed and began the process of cleaning Adam and myself up after that ordeal....what an ordeal! I continued to smell of old formula+bile for the rest of the night. Adam, on the other hand, after having done his thing, was SO happy! I mean who could blame him....he was feeling gross and then BOOM!! all that grossness leaves his system (lands on me) but leaves his system!

So in the end...I guess I was kinda thankful, because seeing him laugh and smile for over 30minutes made my night.

I mean come on....who could ever get mad at this little guy?!?!?!




Ciao,
Mrs. Bethany