Pictures

Here's some pictures that we got not too long ago. I've been waiting forever for a certain talented, awesome friend take our family pictures. Yes Carrie, I'm talking to you! But unfortunately, cosmic forces are determined to keep us apart so I had to move on.

But through a friend I found April. She is so sweet and super talented!

I love these pictures! So take a gander and the Witbeck crew of 2010!

Friends

While in Portland, we had the great blessing of making some friends who lived just down the road from us. They became our friends in spite of my quiet, shy, awkwardness. Tom and Betsy became people that we could count on if we ever needed them and when Erik was gone for 2 months they became my salvation. Watching the kids when I needed to go out, me borrowing Betsy for the night, etc. Their son Logan is Bryce's age and both our boys loved him. When we told them we were moving, they asked if Logan was coming along. Bryce still asks to walk down the road to see Logan. We miss you Sass family!

Here is a quick message for Logan.

Untitled from Rachel Witbeck on Vimeo.

Holy Cow

When Erik left us behind to start his new job I didn't realize how much things would change. I mean it's a huge change to move from Oregon to Arizona and start all over again and remodel a house and play grown ups and all that stuff but there was an even bigger shock then all that.

Erik met some people while staying with his sister Kirsten. Especially one person in particular. They talked a lot. Erik became very interested in this person's point of view on items. He started reading books from this person and that's when things started changing.

Erik started giving me little hints that things were changing. He was feeling very different about some things. I nodded and said "uh-huh" when appropriate but didn't really think he was serious about any of it.

Little did I know that he was totally serious. He had decided that he wanted to become a.....


VEGETARIAN!!!!

He leaves for 2 months. I finally get my husband back and he's a vegetarian. Now I have to figure out how to cook vegetarian meals that I would actually eat as well. I already hate making dinner now this???? And coming from Oregon, I just view this whole thing as some hippies poisoning my husbands mind. *cyber snort* Tree huggers.

He informed me that becoming a vegetarian had nothing to do with animal cruelty or anything like that (if you know anything about Erik you'll know that he doesn't really care how animals are treated so this wasn't a real shock). He told me it had to do with the way the animals were fed, the chemicals injected into the meat, hormones in the meat, etc.

I have to admit, it was convincing to me. I don't like any of that stuff either but I don't want to be vegetarian. I like meat. I love hamburgers, and pepperoni pizza, and tacos, and shredded beef burritos. It goes on and on. I don't really want to be a vegetarian. But when it comes to eating something I see as harmful or being a veggie head......I'll give in and be a veggie head.

So for months we've been eating rice, beans, pasta, and vegetables. (and so you know a little about me, I don't like vegetables. Yes, I'm like the children and I prefer to not eat veggies. Sue me.) It hasn't been all that bad. Some getting used to but not too bad.

Then Erik comes home from work one day. He's been talking to someone else. Uh-oh. I'm digging in my heels if he wants to be vegan. I've given up meat I'm not giving up all things animal.

But no that's not it. He wants to buy a cow. Well, half a cow. We know what it's fed, no injections of any kind, and no hormones added. Plus it's all lean meat.

I'm so confused. But you know what, we haven't had any meat in the house for months. I'm not going to try and change his mind on this one. I sat there and asked questions about cost and "are you sure you want to do this?" like I should while leaping around in my head with joy. Meat! We can have meat!

So we did it. And this meat is waaaay better than anything bought in a store. I've put in my dues as a vegetarian and have been rewarded!

A stocked freezer brings tears to my eyes.

Tacos are definitely on the menu! :)