...I really have it so easy with such a teammate husband

I think sometimes I take it for granted what a truly giving and concerned husband I have. He is a true teammate. Caroline isn't just my job or just his job... She's our job and we help each other. Neither of us feels "stuck" (at least I don't... I hope he doesn't!). When the going gets rough, we trade or double-team, and I appreciate that so much.

Tonight, Caroline poo-pooed in the bathtub for the first time, lol. :) Pete called to me, I rushed in like a pit stop worker with a diaper, he took her and the fresh diaper into the bedroom to keep dry and warm and happy while I cleaned up the bathtub, and then he came back in to continue Caroline's bath. Easy as pie with two people working together!

So Pete, if you ever read this, thanks again. And if you don't read this, I'll just make sure I remember to keep telling you in person.

...how to make Pete's jambalaya

Pete and I cooked together this afternoon and he taught me how to make his fabulous jambalaya. Mmmmm.... so good! Here's what I remember:

• 1 package of Andouille sausage, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1/2 lb. of bacon, cut into small pieces
• 3 carrots
• 3 celery stalks
• 2 red peppers
• 4 cloves of garlic
• 2 onions
• some spices, like Cajun seasoning, Old Bay, Lawry's seasoning salt, and some other stuff to make it nice and spicy
• 3 cups of rice
• 6 cups of water

We let the meat sautee in our big pot first for a little while, as we chopped up all the veggies. Then we added the veggies and let those sautee a bit. Then we added the rice and water, brought it to a boil, let it boil for the appropriate amount of time for the rice to cook, and voila! So very, very good!

I don't really enjoy chopping vegetables, but it was fun to spend time in the kitchen with Pete.

...I miss my brother quite a lot

Each time I hang out with Austin, I realize how much I miss that kid. It may be true that most of our comradery is based on video games, but that doesn't dilute the comradery itself. We love playing video games together. Period. And we laugh and laugh... I miss the days of non-stop laughing, but I also value our occasional day visits and slumber parties even more now.

I think it's time to schedule another video game night. :)