Brad and Shea Visit AZ

Shea and Brad traveled home for the Fourth of July weekend. We surprised Pa with their homecoming and have soaked every minute of their short visit. It's so weird for them to be visiting and have them not live here anymore. We are also all still adjusting to Shea having a husband! It has been so much fun catching up but it has also felt like our sister has never left. Hopefully, next time we see the newlywed Palmers, we will get to visit their home in Georgia! 

Redecorated Master Bedroom

For Mother's Day, Andrew gave me money to redecorate our bedroom. Which goes to prove if you nag long enough about something they get the hint :) 

Everything I got was from HomeGoods! Of course, not in one trip...I am my mother's daughter and it took at least 5 trips. HomeGoods is my new favorite store. I got the comforter, shams and white pillows as a set for $89. We already had aqua pillows and throw so we are just using it for now. The white brightened the room up so much. And I actually like my grey paint now. I also got a set of long white curtains. I probably need a set for both windows but I was being cost efficient, aka cheap. 

I also got the big white mirror on clearance for $22. It's not great but it is the size I wanted for over our "free found on the sidewalk" dresser. We will paint both eventually. 

We also got the two black side tables from HomeGoods, they have a lot of cute accent furniture for great prices. We got home and I decorated mine so cute and Andrew put his 20 year old alarm clock, the monitor and a rag that he puts his phone on at night on his! Ugly it up much!! So I hid those things with a picture frame. 

I want to add some coral accessories for a pop of color. And need to get a white bed skirt which seem to be hard to find! Someday I want a cute accent chair in a cute fabric for the corner by the book shelf. 

Above the bed a want to print out new family photo, the colors will look great. Also want to work on a DIY headboard idea. 

Anyways love it for now. Feels clean and fresh with white not to mention all the junk we took out :) 

Where's Matty?

I think we have an entertainer on our hands. He did this for at least ten minutes and thought it was just as funny at the end as at the beginning.

Shea & Brad's Honeymoon Baby...

You know how sometimes right after a wedding there is a surprise pregnancy announcement from a shocked couple. Well this is that announcement ... But the stork couldn't find Shea and Brad in Georgia so it just landed at our house! 

Baby #3 expected to land mid December. 

How Matthew Really Feels About the News!

Luke wants the baby to be another boy and name it either Matthew or Foot, which he thinks is so funny! Of course Mommy is hoping for pink! 

Baby Timeline So Far:

• Found out we were pregnant 4/16
• First Appointment 4/29, 7 weeks, 1st Ultrasound
• Second Appointment 5/28, 11 weeks, 159 heart rate (that means girl!!)

1st Appointment Ultrasound 7 weeks, 4/29

Saying "See You Later" & Starting a New Adventure as "The Palmers"

A hard day to face as we had to say "see you later" until next time but excitement of the adventures ahead for the new Palmers. Brad and Shea left for a five day road trip to their new home in Georgia on Monday, April 8th. They will arrive in Georgia mid-day Friday and hopefully quickly find and settle into an apartment. 

We love you Palmers and will miss you in "our everyday" EVERYDAY but know that God's will has you in Georgia now and now we know why God created FaceTime!!

Family Facebook Posts:

Shellie Palmer: Saying "see you later" to my brother and his wife and driving back to Tucson tonight was one of the most difficult things I've ever had to do. Words can not describe how much I will miss you two as you begin your lives together in Georgia....But I find peace in the thought that the greatest journeys are not the ones that are easy, simple, and unchanging, but the ones that have some bends in the road where the characters are transformed. The greatest stories are the ones where people move, live into new experiences, and face conflict and change with courage.

I'm looking forward to seeing how this beautiful story unfolds. Love you two.— with Shea Nicole Palmer and Brad Palmer.

Summer Lien: Watching my little sister drive away, heading to GA, was so bittersweet! My heart is so sad knowing how much I will miss her but yet so happy for her as she begins this new journey with her amazing new husband. God has orchestrated this whole thing and I know He has great plans for the two of them!!...missing you already and love you both so much Shea Nicole Palmerand Brad Palmer xo

Terra Beyeler: Experiencing Shea meet, date and marry the love of her life has been an adventure already.. But watching Shea Nicole Palmer and Brad Palmer drive away in the Penske truck I know her adventures are just beginning. And I am trusting in God's will, good, right, and perfect will, for my little sister and all of us left behind. Thanking God for iPhones, FaceTime, blogging and Facebook! We love you Shea Nicole Palmer and Brad Palmer , have a fun road trip!

Taylor Wheeler: Hardest "see you later" I have ever said. I love you @sheaw and this is going to be the greatest journey and I know you have the greatest man! Have fun! And we will see you soon #georgiabound #newlyweds

Shea Palmer: Best sisters in the world... Leaving pieces of me in AZ

 

Easy & Fresh Quinoa Nachos

Quinoa Nachos

Make as much as you want to serve. 

Quinoa: Prepared per package and add...
yellow pepper - chopped
black beans - rinsed
sweet corn 

Pico de Gallo: Combine all ingredients
fresh grape tomatoes - chopped
green onion - chopped
cilantro - chopped
jalepeno - chopped
extra virgin olive oil
lime juice

Serve over chips with fresh avacado and feta cheese! 

Recipe adapted from here.

Creamy Chicken & Cranberry Almond Rice

Creamy Chicken & Cranberry Almond Rice

Ingredients:
2 Tbsp. flour
1/2 tsp. dried thyme leaves  
1/2 tsp. black pepper
3 chicken breasts, cut into small strips and pounded out
2 Tbsp. olive oil
1/2 c. dried cranberries
1/2 c. sliced almonds
3 green onions, sliced
1 package (6 oz.) long grain and wild rice, prepared as directed (or any kind of rice)
1 c. chicken broth
6 oz. cream cheese 

Directions:
Combine flour, thyme, and pepper in a ziploc baggie. Coat chicken in baggie. Heat oil in large skillet on medium heat. Place chicken in heated oil, cook 5 minutes each side until chicken cooked through and browned.  

Prepare rice. Combine prepared rice with cranberries, almonds, and green onion. Place in dish with lid to keep warm. Place cooked chicken over rice in covered dish. Reserve drippings in skillet. 

Add broth to skillet and stir with silicone whisk to break up browned bits on skillet. Add cream cheese, cook until melted and sauces thickens, stir constantly. Spoon sauce over chicken & rice. 

6 small servings - perfect for 4 adults

Beyeler Review:
This is a favorite recipe of ours and another great one for company. 

Recipe adapted from Kraft Foods.