Table for Five

PF Changs

2012-01-10T21:50:00.001-06:00

PF Changs is one of our favorite nice restaurants around here, but we don't go very often because its not that close to us and we are stinking to our budget!

Tonight right before I started in on preparing our dinner, I had a thought about PF Changs Mongolian Beef and I couldn't get it out of my head. So I changed my whole meal plan and in an hour we were feasting on some pretty delish close-seconds to eating right in the restaurant.

Here are the recipes I used and I recommend you try them!

http://www.food.com/recipe/p-f-changs-mongolian-beef-66121

http://thaifood.about.com/od/quickeasythairecipes/r/stirfriedveggie.htm

I also made some brown fried rice with egg in it.

Barely keeping my eyes open

2012-01-03T19:10:00.000-06:00

W-O-W

Today whooped me. After taking 5 days off of my workout (http://www.liftstrongrunfast.com/) because I was fighting my yearly winter sinus cold, I returned today and felt like it was my first day. Plus that 3:50am wakeup call never feels good. Kiddos are back to school today and hopefully our routines will resume and I can find some order somewhere at my crazy house!

I started my yearly Bible reading plan again and hope to make it through all of it this year. I did well last year, but didn't make it through the whole thing. I'm loving the read-aloud function, especially for those long geneology passages! If you are looking for a great Bible reading app check out YouVversion. I love the NLT (new living testament) because it reads like we speak, without all the thou's and thus'.

I leave you with a new recipe that we are trying today along with a bag of Archer Farms cilantro lime rice that I grabbed at Target today. I'm a huge fan of the vegetarian burrito at Taco Bueno due to the lime rice so I'm hoping this will be similar.

Enjoy!

http://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/fish-tacos-with-creamy-lime-guacamole-and-cabbage-slaw

2011- A quick look back

2012-01-02T20:57:00.001-06:00

2011 was a doozy of a year. It was fabulous, it stretched me in ways I never wanted to be stretched, it opened opportunities that have been amazing, it brought people into my life that sharpened me, and so many more things. I think if life is like an advent calendar, then 2011 was a window that we opened to see one more small piece to the whole puzzle.

As far as accomplishing what I set out to do, I did ok. I didn't do all the things I "listed", but I did so many things that I never knew would be on my list. I feel like 2011 was a year that I will never forget and that pushed me further down the path of who God created me to be.

I'm still praying and thinking about what I want to strive for this year but here's a look at what I started out to do last year.

http://munsons.blogspot.com/2011/01/for-2011-i-will.html

I know I didn't do everything perfect. But hopefully I learned the lessons that God put in front of me and will make adjustments in the coming year. I have my eyes on Him and I know that He has a huge plan for me.

A Frame a Day - 2012

2012-01-02T20:40:00.001-06:00

Another year has come and gone and a few months ago I came across a great idea, probably on Pinterest, to take a photo a day and blog it. Then at the end of the year you have one year of photos describing your year. I thought it might be better for me for the days when I can't blog. So, I'm going to give it a shot and see how things go.

the link is http://www.munsonframeaday.blogspot.com/

Cheer me on!!!

December

2011-12-01T11:05:00.000-06:00

Well November FLEW by. It was basically a blur of events just packed in one after the other. I started an intense workout "class" that meets in the mornings at 5am about 30 minutes from the house. So I've been waking up at 4am every morning during the week and going to it. Its called lift strong run fast. Its sort of like crossfit. It has been kicking my REAR and everything else connected to my body into shape. But it has also been wiping me out! I'm constantly exhausted. But I know it is so good for me and my family (dad, mom, paw paw , brother and sister in law) are doing it with me.

We celebrated my mom's 50th birthday with a surprise party. It was so great to see her face. It was very fun to plan and I just love her so much! So many people came and showed how much she means to them. What a gal!

I went to the Joyce Meyer convention downtown. Stayed overnight in the hotel with a bunch of women from church. Ate and ate and ate and shopped and got to know each other better. Overall I had a fabulous time. Joyce was awesome. I really loved the things she spoke on and really came away with a new perspective on love and how to show that to others in ALL things we do.

Thanksgiving was great. We had to days of celebrations. One with his family the week before and then mine the day of. I always love Thanksgiving because it is so relaxing, so warm and fun and there is nothing on the agenda but to be together as a family. The food was amazing and the company equally amazing.

I shopped black friday for the first time ever. It was definitely a crazy experience. Probably would have had more fun if I had a shopping buddy but I still enjoyed being able to get so many things checked off our list. We made huge headway on our Christmas shopping to do list, and I'm SOOOO close to being finished.

We also decorated the outside of the house for the first time by ourselves. BJ is deathly afraid of heights and dreads the yearly christmas lights tradition. Usually he gets his brother, dad, or my brother to help him (aka, he hands them the lights while they scale the roof ). This year we attempted the job alone, with the help of our forklift and extremely dangerous metal box. Oh it was grand. Bj made it to the first point of the roof and then passed the job off to me. Gee thanks! We still have some more to add, but for now it looks cute :)

Day 30- Total Thanks

2011-11-30T10:46:00.001-06:00

I'm thankful for the cool weather. This summer and the drought were just brutal. So glad for several days of rain and 30 degree mornings. Couldn't be any more beautiful. I love all the colors that are in the trees right now and the smell of fires burning in fire places.

Day 29- Total Thanks

2011-11-29T10:48:00.000-06:00

I'm thankful for the small things that make me smile and brighten my day

Calls from friends

Starbucks coffee and hot chocolate

Thimbles

Birds

Fire in the fireplace

twinkle lights

baths

cozy socks

creamy nude nail polishes

a clean house

a yummy new recipe

finishing the last load of laundry

the moment I finish a workout

Sunday afternoon naps

game night

chick flicks

fluffy-headed, sleepy-eyed babes in my bed

new shampoo

vanilla candles

Day 28- Total Thanks

2011-11-28T10:55:00.000-06:00

I'm so thankful for for songwriters and singers who put their feelings of worship to song. I LOVE finding a song that so perfectly says the things that I would say to God if I had the chance face to face. That describe the things I am feeling in my heart and spirit. It overwhelms me.

Day 27 - Total Thanks

2011-11-27T11:24:00.000-06:00

I am thankful for my Grandad. He is the textbook definition of compassion. Being around him makes me want to be better. To take life a lot slower. To see the things being orchestrated around me. To love unconditionally. He may be the closest thing to an example of Jesus that I have ever seen. I love him so much!

Day 26 - Total Thanks

2011-11-26T11:23:00.000-06:00

I am thankful for my husband. He knows me SO well and even then, still chooses to love me and be married to me :)

Day 25 - Total Thanks

2011-11-25T11:22:00.000-06:00

I am thankful for days that my hubby has off work. He doesn't get many and I love spending time doing fun stuff with our kiddos or just relaxing all together.

Day 24- Total Thanks

2011-11-24T11:19:00.000-06:00

I am thankful that I have many options of happy, festive, celebrations that I can choose to go to. I wish they all lived within the same block so we could hit every single one of them yearly. Unfortunately we have to rotate and miss out on some each year, but I am thankful that each place is loving and wonderful to attend. There is never crazy drama, fights, etc. to worry about and I know that is not the case in every family. So for that I am truly thankful.

Day 23- Total Thanks

2011-11-23T11:18:00.000-06:00

I am really thankful for ham. I dislike most turkey and have tried it every way possible. Occassionally I will like enough to put a helping on my plate but I can guarantee I will never be willingly going back for seconds. On the other hand, a nice honey ham never disappoints.

Day 22 - Total Thanks

2011-11-22T22:08:00.000-06:00

I'm thankful that we are all under one roof this year. I will never forget the year that the twins were in the hospital for thanksgiving and we were so nervous to even go as far as college station.

Day 21 - Total Thanks

2011-11-21T22:07:00.000-06:00

I'm thankful for our cars. They get us where we need to go. They are very reliable and I'm so thankful for them.

Day 20- Total Thanks

2011-11-20T13:26:00.000-06:00

I'm thankful for my brother and his beautiful wife. I can't imagine growing up without that little punk in my life ;) He has the hugest heart I have ever seen and though he is extremely tough and strong he is an amazing mush, muffin underneath. I'm so proud fo him and the things he has accomplished. I'm proud to support him going into the national guard and I will miss him SO much when he moves to California in a few months to become a sheriff. I love you little brother.

Day 19- Total Thanks

2011-11-19T23:30:00.000-06:00

I was out of town all weekend so I got a little behind....

I am so thankful for rain. Wow, what a summer we had with the biggest drought of my entire life. It is raining right now and I am so so glad for that!

Day 18- Total Thanks

2011-11-18T23:34:00.000-06:00

I am really thankful for Lift Strong Run Fast . This last month of working out there has really pushed me to work harder than I have in a long time. I want to take care of my body so that I can live la long healthy life for my children and future. It is a small sacrifice to pay but it is well worth the priceless results.

Day 17- Total Thanks

2011-11-17T13:21:00.000-06:00

I am thankful for technology. Although sometimes it drives me crazy and I would much rather have a personal call or lunch date, it is nice to be able to keep in touch with email and texting. Because it is honestly easier to do that than it used to be. I am thankful that I can get online and find great meal ideas for my family, devotions for my children, craft ideas, shop online instead of wrestling crowds and my children and learn just about anything I'd ever want to learn about. The internet is just rich with knowledge. I'm thankful to have it at my fingertips.

Day 16 - Total Thanks

2011-11-16T13:19:00.000-06:00

I am thankful for the leadership in our church. Specifically the women that I have been able to learn from lately and be surrounded by. These women are down to earth and show the love of God to others in a way that makes me want to be a better wife, mother, leader and friend. I am thankful for Godly examples all around me.

Day 15- Total Thanks

2011-11-15T09:54:00.000-06:00

Today is my mother's 50th birthday and this post goes to her.

I'm so thankful that God gave me a mother who loves me so much. She has loved me when I was rude back to her, when I pushed her away, when I hurt her. She helped me when I needed her. She encourages me and lifts me up daily. She is my backbone when I have a moment of weakness. She can see through my "everything's ok" face and knows when its not. I couldn't have asked for a better mom. She raised me to take care of my family and myself. To be self sufficient and independent. To be strong and hard working. Never to give up. To make do and not "need" things, but instead to be happy with what I have. To make a dollar stretch as far as it would go. To be efficient. To shine for Jesus. To root for the underdog. To strive for the best. She is a warrior. She is a peacemaker. She is a nut :) And I love her to the end of the world and back.

She helped form me into the woman I am today and I hope that when I'm 50 my children can look at me and feel the same way that I do about her.

Day 14- Total Thanks

2011-11-14T09:50:00.000-06:00

Today I am thankful that I am not in the hospital. Those weeks spent cooped up were MISERY. The only thing that kept me from losing my mind was that my two babies would be alive because of it. Any time I feel a grumpy day creeping up, I think of how I felt during that time of my life and realize how much I have to be thankful for.

Which bring me also to, I am so thankful that I do not have diabetes. That was also very hard to deal with during then. Some women that come down with gestational diabetes do not ever get rid of it once they deliver and I am thankful that my body returned to a non-diabetic state and I am free of that disease.

Day 13- Total Thanks

2011-11-13T09:44:00.000-06:00

I am thankful for the teachers that I had that taught me things then, that I didn't even realize until now. I never realized the things that were being instilled into me until I had my own children and realized where certain things came from. My parents provided a great foundation and then all of my teachers reinforced and stacked on top of that foundation.

Mrs. & Mrs. G
Mrs. Davidson
Mr. Goodman
Mrs. Broun
Regina Johnson
Mrs. Massie
Ms. Fraaaaazier (Ray)
Mr. Crouse
Ms. Hughes
Mrs. Choate

Just to name a few.

Day 12- Total Thanks

2011-11-12T09:36:00.000-06:00

I'm thankful for my grandparents. Each one of them has been so influential in my life. I have so many memories with all of them and those times have really instilled some core values in me that I know will never waiver. I hope that I can pass them to my children in the loving and amazing way that they were passed to me. They each made me feel so special and loved and important. They loved me unconditionally, even when I was going through things or times in my life that were really difficult. I always knew I could count on them for anything at anytime even if it were just a hug or a word of encouragement. They always delivered in the appropriate manner.

I'm so thankful that I have you all in my life and Granny, I miss you every second of every day.

Day 11- Total Thanks

2011-11-11T09:33:00.000-06:00

I'm thankful for my Hayden's school. I was so nervous about her starting K5 this year. I wanted her to be in the right place, have the right teacher, have the greatest friends and thrive. God lead us to a place we had never considered and never knew about. It has been the perfect fit for her, our family, our finances and I know without a doubt that she was meant to be there. That makes sending her off each day so much easier.

Day 10- Total Thanks

2011-11-10T09:28:00.000-06:00

I am thankful for my feet. Even though they are constantly hurting and driving me crazy I'm thankful that I have them both. I'm glad I can go out and run and exercise and burn off stress.

Day 9 - Total Thanks

2011-11-09T17:48:00.002-06:00

My college education. College was so hard for me at times. But I am so thankful that I was able to go and that God provided a way for me to be able to attend the college of my choice. I met so many amazing friends, found an amazing church and gained life experience. Sic'em Bears!

Day -8 Total Thanks

2011-11-08T17:45:00.000-06:00

I'm really thankful for my sight. When I was born I was on oxygen for a while, which can have ill effects on your sight in the long run. I have had perfect sight up until I got pregnant with Hayden, and even then I've only had to start using reading glasses. I know that I am fortunate and I never want to take that for granted.

Day 7- Total Thanks- Happy birthday Preslyn & Ella

2011-11-07T18:11:00.001-06:00

15. Today I am thankful for modern medicine. I am thankful for specialists and doctors who spend years of their lives preparing to save people's lives and help them get well. I am thankful for Dr. Jane Reed who diagnosed me at 9 weeks as a high risk, MOMO twin pregnancy. I am thankful for Dr. Moise and Dr. Johnson our MFE specialists that watched over my babies my whole pregnancy. I am thankful for the fabulous nurses that took care of me for 47 days while I waited for my babies to grow as big as they could inside of me. They became some of my closest friends during that time of my life. I'm thankful for the group of doctors who met about our case weekly and daily, near the end, to ensure the safe delivery of my girls. I'm thankful for the nurse on call the night that things went south and thankful for the doctor and resident who safely brought my two jewels into this world on this day 4 years ago. I know a huge hole would have been left in my heart had things not worked out the way they did. I am blessed daily for their two smiling faces and the joy they bring to our family. I am thankful for the support, before, during and after our hospital stay. For the prayers, the food, the people who came to help feed, those that got flu shots for the first time in their lives so they could be around us. We could not have made it through those times without you all. And most of all I'm so thankful to God for hearing our prayers and giving us the end result that we so desperately prayed for.

Happy 4th Birthday baby girls!

The Twins arrive

First Pictures of my miracles

day 6 - total thanks

2011-11-06T22:22:00.002-06:00

14. I am thankful for my children's teachers and nursery workers . It is such a comfort to know they are being taught the things of God, loved and cared for and I can rest knowing that my children are safe and secure and in a wonderful place.

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Day 5 - Total Thanks

2011-11-05T21:59:00.000-05:00

12. I'm very thankful for my husband's job. It allows us to live comfortably, provides our needs, allows me to stay at home with our girls and work only because I want to and gives him freedom to be a part of our lives more than most. He gets to come home for lunch every day. Help out at home in a pinch or if I'm sick. We get to swing by and see him every day on the way home from school and this year it has allowed him to take Hayden to school every day. 13. Thankful for this year. I feel like it has been a year of growth and understanding. Sometimes I have not appreciated the peace that God has brought to us this year but when I stand back and look at the year as a whole it has been great for our family. I've learned so much about myself and my relationship with my husband and God has changed and matured in many ways.

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day4- total thanks

2011-11-04T23:17:00.000-05:00

11. Today I am thankful for my home. For the comforts it gives us. We are so fortunate and I never want to take that for granted. I have a sign that I sell in my shop that says "A house is made of bricks and stone, but only love can make a home." So true.

Day 3 -Total Thanks

2011-11-03T16:04:00.002-05:00

8. My health and the ability to function mentally and physically. May i never take these for granted and may i use my body to fulfill God's plan for me and treat it as His temple.

9. For my heritage. My parents and grandparents and in laws. As I was growing up I did not realize how fortunate and blessed I was to have both sets of my grandparents, still living and still married to their original spouses. My parents and BJ's parents are the same way. Now that I am married, I realize what a sacrifice and choice and commitment it is. I am so blessed to come from a family who has laid the foundation for successful marriage. I am also blessed to have married into the most amazing family. Who welcomed me in as a daughter. Who raised their son to be a Godly husband and father. I am so so grateful for this heritage.

10. My friends. I never had a sister. My brother was and is still an amazing sibling and I love him dearly, but God has allowed some amazing girls/women to come into my life and fill that "sister" slot for me. I am so thankful for them. They can see through my "fakeness" if I'm being fake, they can see when I'm hurting, even when I put on a good front, they love my children like they are their own and they keep me sane and grounded when things seem insane and disheveled. They give me encouragement when I am at a loss. They pray for me, when God directs. They are truly sent from God to be in my life and I am so thankful that our paths crossed when they did and have continued to intertwine through the years.

Day 2 - Total Thanks

2011-11-02T12:08:00.001-05:00

4. My children
Hayden, Preslyn and Ella
You have shown me just a glimpse of how God loves me. I never knew I could love three little people so much

5. My business
Lindentree Boutique
The little business that could. This business showed me so many things about myself that I never knew. It gave me courage, inspiration, and drive.

6. My church
Family Faith Willis and the extending campuses Coldspring and Huntsville. The church body swept us in like a true family and we haven't been the same since. It is amazing to see the things God has done in one year for our family and we love serving and living life with all of you FFC'ers!

7. Mexican food. Enough said. I LOVE IT!

30 days of total thanks

2011-11-01T22:42:00.001-05:00

"Every day may not be good, but in every day there is always something good"- Unknown

I am thankful for

1. my Saviour- can't imagine my life without Him.

2. my husband-completely and totally made for me.

I love him more than the words in every language, including sign.

3. the ability and freedom to worship - it allows me to do and be what I was created for

Changeroo hairdoo

2011-11-01T05:20:00.000-05:00

I've been a brunette now for about a year and have tried several shades. My favorites were the ones with a hint of maroon or burgandy in them...almost translated into a purple hue a couple of times against the dark brown. I never went totally black just really dark and I enjoyed it!

BUT

now...i'm back to the blonde and getting used to my natural colors again

Hallelujah Extravaganza

2011-10-31T23:12:00.003-05:00

You should all feel safe this year...the super twins are here to save the day!

Super Preslyn

Wonder Woman Ella

and Panda-mania Hayden

The Plan: Make it, then Eat it

2011-10-31T17:11:00.002-05:00

Main Meals

1. Cheesy Enchilada Casserole http://www.justgetoffyourbuttandbake.com/?p=3352
2. Crispy Cheddar Chicken http://jamiecooksitup.blogspot.com/2011/10/crispy-cheddar-chicken.html
3.Baked Risotto with Butternut Squash http://simply-delicious.co.za/2011/07/26/baked-risotto-with-butternut-pine-nuts-sage/
4. Orange Chicken- Crockpot http://www.examiner.com/frugal-living-in-buffalo/orange-chicken-the-crockpot

Baking
5. Banana Coconut Bread http://fatgirltrappedinaskinnybody.blogspot.com/2011/10/coconut-banana-bread.html
6.We are on snack duty this week for Hayden's class so I'm trying to come up with some yummy snacks to take. Pumpkin Raisinette Cookies http://mylitter.com/recipes/walmart-deal-raisinets-2-28/

Losth another tooth

2011-10-22T23:07:00.000-05:00

hayden's birthday weekend

2011-10-10T16:55:00.000-05:00

We had so much fun celebrating Hayden turning 6 years old. I still fumble when I try to say that she is 6. That sounds so foreign and old. Yuck!

We hung crepe paper so she would have to bust through it to get out of her door the morning of her birthday. She loved it and it was the perfect way to kick off her birthday.

She lucked out this year with her birthday falling on a school day. (I never had a birthday fall on a school day and always wondered what that would be like.) I whipped up some yummy ice cream cupcakes (thank you Pinterest) for her school friends and ate lunch with her. She requested McDonalds.

Her sisters had picked out a tiara and necklace for her to wear that day and we gave her a Barbie fashion sketch pad. Super fun for our little artist.

While she was at school that day her dad and I were furiously racing to finish assembling the birthday gift we had gotten her (and her sisters). A trampoline! It came down to the wire but we finished it and her surprised face as we pulled up to the house made it all worth it!

After we all bounced our guts out, she wanted to celebrate at Incredible Pizza.

Sunday rolled around and Hayden was so excited to finally get to go to church. Our church has its own happy birthday song that we sing to everyone and she had been talking about it all week. She was smiling the biggest smile while everyone sang...wish I had a picture of that one.

Then we finished up her weekend celebration with a lunch at Red Lobster and of course.....they sang to her there too.

This picture shows exactly how amazing the weekend was. They were plumb tuckered out!

Weekly Eatzerria

2011-10-10T14:35:00.000-05:00

This week I'm using my Everyday Food Magazine Issue #2 From Martha Stewart Living along with some online recipes. Let me know if you try any of the recipes!!!

Monday- Kroger Deli Rotisserie Chicken

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ree-drummond/fresh-corn-casserole-with-red-bell-peppers-and-jalapenos-recipe/index.html

blackberry cobbler

http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2009/05/the-bread-in-his-words/

smashed potatos pg. 132 everyday food mag

Tuesday-~~honey ham with leftover veggies~~ that was the plan but I wasn't feeling it, so I pulled out a Pinterest recipe and it didn't disappoint! Lasagna Soup! YUM! http://pinterest.com/pin/225665609/

Wednesday- lunch http://mylitter.com/recipes/broccoli-salad-my-favorite-salad-ever/

Dinner pg. 74 everyday food mag. – gemelli with sausage,swiss chard & pine nuts

Thursday-Leftover ham and bean soup pg. 136 everyday food mag.

Friday-http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Eggplant-Parmesan-109739

with lentils and spinach pg. 102 everyday food

Sunday-http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2011/09/ravioli-three-ways/

Monday-

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/mustard-roasted-salmon-recipe/index.html
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/herbed-basmati-rice-recipe/index.html

6 = old.

2011-10-07T03:44:00.000-05:00

It's 3:44 a.m. and you are officially six. Wow. A 6 year old??? How did this happen??? I really feel like yesterday we were roller skating around the rink celebrating her being 5. I was just as in shock at how that felt, then, and now I have to say, "six year old"???? What in the world!? That sounds CRAZY! I feel the same way I did when I first had to say my new married name. Like my mouth won't even properly form the word.

Hayden, slow down!! You are the most amazing child. I never could have imagined that my child would one day be YOU. You have taken every vision that I ever had of what being a mom would be or what my child would be like and thrown them out the window, and then exceeded every expectation I could have ever had. You embrace every single moment and make it as amazing as anyone could ever imagine. You see things in a way that some adults can't even see. You comprehend things that I don't even sometimes comprehend. You are like girl genius embodied. I feel like I have to give people a warning label before they meet you because you are so unique and amazing and unlike any other person I have ever known. And people immediately love you. How could they not?? That fabulous smile and those warm brown eyes just wrap theirselves around our hearts. I love you in a way that I never knew could exist.

Thank you for making me a Mother. I didn't have a clue what I was missing and cannot imagine a second without your little life entangled into mine.

Shoot for the moon, little wonder...and then keep going and never stop.

This seems so long ago http://munsons.blogspot.com/2005/10/she-is-finally-here.html

5 bucks

2011-10-05T09:10:00.004-05:00

Hayden has been enjoying her last few days as a five year old and I'm stockpiling on kleenex boxes. I cannot believe I'm about to have a SIX YEAR OLD. I cannot even comprehend that.

On Sunday, right before bed Hayden came in and was complaining about her loose tooth. Its been "on the verge" for a while now and we had made a couple of lousy attempts at pulling it, but never could get that sucker to pop out. ~~I always chickened out~~ She would always say it hurt and we'd say ok, we'll try again when it gets a little more loose.

So, I felt the tooth and thought, wow, I really think this could actually come out. But also wondered how we'd get it out without her freaking out and it hurting her. I knew we'd probably only have one shot at it.

The situation could go down one of two ways:
1. It fly out on the first shot and it be a great experience, pain free and happy!

2. I could pull it, it not come out and Hayden punch me in the face from pain and be terrified of losing tooth from now until forever.

Oh the pressure.

Thank goodness for technology. I had the bright idea to let her play a game on my phone to distract her from what was going on. So we got our supplies. Washcloth, dental floss and the phone. I was terrified. To purposefully, potentially inflict pain on your child by means of pulling out a tooth suddenly felt like some sick torture ritual. Ughhhhh.

I prepared. I tied the floss on while she logged on to her game and asked her to keep her mouth open so I could see it. I slowly moved the floss lower into the gum and kind of back and forth to see what progress we could make without her realizing. I had my washcloth ready. I held onto the floss with washcloth in hand and closed my eyes and pulled as hard as I could. I heard Hayden gasp. I opened my eyes and saw the empty spot! I screamed. She screamed. I looked at the floss. The tooth was gone. (Uh oh.) I found it close by on the bed and then Hayden started crying. She had immediately tasted the blood and was freaking out. Then she saw the tooth and got so happy.

So she rinsed her mouth out with salt water and showed off her new smile!

She told us that tooth fairies bring you 5 bucks! WOW! What a high roller! I told her that was probably her initiation fee and the rest of the teeth might be less valuable.

So Hayden finally lost her first tooth. She was so happy and kept telling us all the tricks she was going to do with her gap. Drinking with a straw through it, keeping her mouth closed at the water fountain and slurping the water in through it..on and on.

Of course we cross another milestone right before her birthday...just kick me when I'm down why don't ya ;) Can this mama get an emotional break once in a while, please!

The Secret to a Lasting Marriage

2011-09-26T12:21:00.000-05:00

Disclaimer: I did not write this, but came across it today and thought it would be a good post. Sometimes marriages go through lulls that may last a while. That doesn't have to mean your marriage is over.
http://www.simplemarriage.net/the-secret-to-a-lasting-marriage.html

Written by Corey

The divorce rate continues to hover around 50%. There is even a belief among some that if marriage becomes too much work or is too difficult or if you are not happy enough, get a divorce.

My opinion of this idea: why take the easy way out?

Marriage is work. Marriage is struggle. But then again, any close relationship is. And for that matter, so is anything of value in life.

There are times I have been asked,
“What makes a marriage last?”

“What’s the secret to a lasting marriage?”

The answer is actually simple (simple is not to be confused with easy).

Before I divulge the answer, let’s tackle a few marriage myths.

Thanks to popular press and Hollywood, the work involved in marriage is poorly displayed. Many people seem to think that marriage will be a lifelong romantic escapade along the shore at sunset before returning home for the nightly passionate adventure enveloped in silk sheets with your lover. I know you’ve bought into this idea somewhat if you can easily complete this phrase: “and they all lived…”

The honeymoon is over, morning breath has set in, your partner sees you for who you are, plus you see your partner more for who they are. You realize that marriage requires more of you. The dream of marriage has been replaced with the reality of marriage. You and your spouse don’t see eye to eye on everything. You’ve slept on the couch at least once in your married life. There has been a roller coaster of feelings. Close. Distant. Passion. Boredom. Joy. Sadness.

When you get right down to it, marriage is not about happiness. Marriage is about two people growing up and becoming better humans.

Nowhere else are we faced with the task of growth more than marriage.
So what’s the secret to making marriage last?

Two people who choose to stay married. That’s it.

Marriage is choice. Choice of partner, choice of self, choice of growth, even choice of passion and adventure.
While this may at first appear simplistic, it should be.

When you view what’s going on in your marriage as a process for growth and experiencing more in life, it makes the choice simple.

Most of the time, we focus on our partner and our desire for them to change or do something different. This is focusing on something we can’t control. If we decide to grow, do something different, change the things we don’t like about ourselves, we take charge of our own life as well as our relationship.

With everything that happens to us in life and love, how you view it will determine the outcome. When you have times of disagreement, could it really be a time to grow closer? Or a time to understand more about your spouse? When you feel your partner pulling away, maybe it’s an opportunity to engage your partner in a better way.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I would like to add to the article that those of us who have entered into this covenant with God involved also have Him to rely on during these times. He can restore joy, hope and growth and rekindle love, even when it seems that there is no other option but to separate. If you feel like you are alone in your marriage, always remember that God is there too. Its a three part commitment, and He will never be the one to back out of His part.

I do believe that physical abuse and infidelity are definite grounds for reconsideration but I do believe God can heal even those wounds if both parties are in total humility and allow God to do a work. There is so much more to this than I want to blog about and I'm not trying to open up a huge battle ground topic.

I hope you are encouraged if you needed this! Its always a good reminder, even if everything is going swimmingly in your marriage.
Hugs,

Bite me, deadlines

2011-09-21T09:55:00.000-05:00

Deadlines. The funny thing about deadlines is that they bring out the most crazy urges. When I have a deadline, suddenly I want to rearrange my closet, cook gourmet meals, go through old photos, repaint my bathroom. I feel the need to sort and catagorize my kiddos messy rooms, make them clothes, learn how to use Photoshop.

But really I should be locking myself into my office and chaining my arm to my desk, disconnecting my internet and doing my taxes.

Yeah, taxes that are due in October. The ones that were due in April and we deferred.

And for those four of you who actually still read my sad, sad blog, (hi Mom & Dad, hi BJ, hi Paw Paw) I leave you with my most favorite meal. Its super easy and quick and one of those that can help clear out your produce drawers when you have half an onion, a smidge of parsley, half a tomato, etc. and you need something to put them all in.

~Lemony Orzo Salad~

Cook 1 cup of orzo according to package. Drain and add to a bowl. Mix in a diced tomato, 1/3 cup purple onion, a handful of parsley, sprinkle of dried basil (or fresh if you have it), a pinch of salt and pepper, 1 tsp. olive oil, 3 tbsp lemon juice, 1/2 cup of feta cheese crumbles, and chopped kalamata olives . Stir it up and eat. Can be eaten hot or cold.

And have no fear...I'm sure I'll be blogging like crazy now since I have a deadline staring me straight in the face!

All the children of the world

2011-09-20T09:23:00.000-05:00

The other day lunch went something like this:

Hayden: Preslyn and Ella, you know its really great that we have lots of friends that are all different than us. We can always ben friends with people no matter what color their skin is or what they look like.

Mom: That so right Hayden! Great job telling your sisters that. Because in God's eyes what do we all look like???

(thinking to myself, we all look the same, He loves us all the same and created us equally and wanted us to all love each other equally)

Ella: (screams out) MEXICANS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Stretchy like Gumby

2011-09-19T11:10:00.000-05:00

"Don't be afraid, I've redeemed you.
I've called your name. You're mine.
When you're in over your head, I'll be there with you.
When you're in rough waters, you will not go down.
When you're between a rock and a hard place,
... ... it won't be a dead end—
Because I am God, your personal God...
I paid a huge price for you...
That's how much you mean to me!
That's how much I love you!
I'd sell off the whole world to get you back,
trade the creation just for you.
Isaiah 43:1-4 MSG

Lately I feel like God has stretched me to fullest I have ever been stretched. In ever single aspect of my life I have been stretched. But the great thing about God stretching is that just like jeans, rubber bands, elastic...you never go back to the same way you were. I know that the things I have learned in these past few months have made me into a new, better version of who God wants me to be. I've learned to keep quiet, when my opinion was not needed...to pray, when all I could do was that, to fully rely on God in a capacity that I had never done before and to experience freedom when He orchestrated a solution without me doing a thing. It has been a very hard time for me, but one that I know I will look back on and see a turning point. A specific time when I turned from one direction and took a step towards a new me. A better me. One that has experienced the love of God in a new way. He has shown me a side of Him that I had never before been ready to see. My heart has been set on fire for Him. I crave my time with Him daily. I want to scream from the mountaintops so that everyone else can experience this with me.

If you are in a valley, don't let it overwhelm you. Look for the way out. Look for what God wants to show you while your down there. Then get ready for victory. Because if He is for YOU...then what can stand against you? Rom. 8:31

Weekly Eatzzeria

2011-09-19T07:08:00.000-05:00

Hi Mom :)

Monday-
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/mustard-roasted-salmon-recipe/index.html
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/herbed-basmati-rice-recipe/index.html

Tuesday-

http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2011/05/beef-noodle-salad-bowls/

Wednesday
Lunch
http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2011/08/chipotle-steak-salad/
Dinner
http://www.food.com/recipe/outback-steakhouses-alice-springs-chicken-26350
along with a delish family recipe for Broccoli & Rice casserole.

Thursday
Lunch
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/corn-and-pasta-salad-with-homemade-ranch-dressing-recipe/index.html
Dinner
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/parisian-tuna-sandwiches-recipe/index.html

Friday- Leftovers

Saturday- Leftovers

Sunday- http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2009/11/quick-recipe-leftover-turkey-pot-pie/

Hayden gets baptized and Graduates preschool

2011-08-01T23:14:00.000-05:00

The last weeks of May were quite the emotional rollercoaster for us because Hayden knocked two big life events out in the same week. Sheesh! I was so emotional and put my anxiety to good use by staying busy and whipping her up a graduation dress hours before the big event.

So the first event was the baptism. Hayden had been really interested in baptism at the beginning of the year when BJ and I did the Daniel Fast. One of the suggested childrens passages that we read with the kids was about Jesus being baptised. Of course she was very curious and asked lots of questions and then at the end said that she would like to be baptized. Of course our hearts swelled with joy and excitement, knowing what a big step in her faith this would be.

When the time finally came, Hayden was so thrilled. We had all our immediate relatives there with us as she followed in Jesus' footsteps and was water baptized.

Here is Hayden with her two baptism buddies, Corie and Callie.

Then the very next day was her Pre-K graduation. Oh was I a mess!! I felt like I had a lump in my throat for a week. I cried saying thank you to her teacher at the end of the day. She started crying. She was probably so glad to be finished with the year, but I was so thankful for what an amazing teacher she had been for Hayden. How well she had understood her needs as a first-born, strong willed, genius child. I pray Kindergarten is the same way and her teacher just as amazing.

Anyway, I wisked her home from her last day to get her changed and ready for graduation. This is when I decided making her a new dress was a must. Me and my crazy ways. It turned out pretty good, with a few snags along the way but nothing major. Then we headed back to see our little graduate. The program was so cute. Hayden sang her little guts out and did all her hand motions perfectly. I was so thrilled that tears welled up in my eyes. SHOCKER. I was just so proud of my little child. She has the worst stagefright and I was so panicked that she would run off the stage screaming as she had done in the past. But she didn't. She did exactly what she had practiced. She was so proud of her little medal that she got to wear and getting her diploma as they announced that she had told them, that when she grew up, she wanted to be a cotton candy person. That's my little girl! :) I felt like my heart would explode with pride and love for her.

She chose her celebration spot and asked immediatly for sushi. Mama did NOT complain on that decision! :) So we went and celebrated and enjoyed the amazing little girl that God has blessed us with.

Hayden we cannot wait to see the things waiting for you in Kindergarten!!! You are such an amazing child and so thankful that you have been placed in our family!

This is my most favorite picture ever! What excitement!!

8 years ago

2011-06-14T17:01:00.000-05:00

Today is our 8 year anniversary! Wow! I have really enjoyed this past year. It seems like our life has taken on a new rhythm and we've moved into a new stage of our marriage. I really enjoy it. God is so faithful. Marriage is really hard and I don't think many people realize that before they get married. That even when you do choose the right one it is still filled with ups and downs and growing pains. But I am so blessed to know I have the man by my side that God created just for me. We have a beautiful family together and I am so thankful for that. I'm so thankful that we support each other and learn from each other. That God has really taken our family and done some amazing things in the past year.

Not a day goes by that I don't thank God for my husband. Even in the days that I may feel like strangling him :) Even then I'm still thankful that I'm not wandering out there lonely and waiting for him to come along. He is perfect for me and I'm so thankful our lives are joined forever.

here's to 88 more!

New post coming soon!!

2011-06-14T16:55:00.001-05:00

Summer is here and we are wasting NO time! We have been running like crazy and having so much fun. But I have a lot of things that I need to get recorded so I will be updating soon! Promise!

In the mean time I have posted our reading lists on the right, that we have done so far this summer for me and the girls. We love summer reading programs and try to join one every year through the library.

Coming soon:

Hayden Graduates from PreK
Hayden Gets Baptised
Easter
Loose Tooth
VBS
Sea World

That time I met P-Dub!

2011-05-17T15:56:00.000-05:00

I have never been to a book signing before. Much less one that I really adore the author, even moreso than the book! I got word that the Pioneer Woman, Ree Drummond was going to be in my neck of the woods, and so I wrangled my mom into going with me and off we went. The girls were with us, since it was early in the day that we had to leave. In hindsight we probably should have waited the extra 30 minutes until BJ got off work, but we didn't know what the book signing would be like and we didn't want to miss her!

So we headed out and pulled into the cutest little bookstore ever! It was so much like the "Shop around the corner" on "You've Got Mail". Everyone was so excited, chatting over recipes and the book, and of course Charlie (the ranch dog) and star of her newest childrens book. It was like we were one big happy family and it didn't matter how long we had to wait to meet her! So we we waited and waited and went and got dinner at Pei Wei and then came back and waited some more. But finally it was our turn. I was so nervous and hoped I wouldn't say something awkward or nothing at all!

Of course Ree was fantastic. So warm and lovely and easy to talk to. Even if our conversation was only 2 minutes long and mostly about my twins and the fantastic food that we had been cooking from her website. I was so excited to meet her and she autographed my books for me. Her new Charlie book is super cute and an easy read. Hayden even made it through several pages of words, sounding out each one.

I'm glad my mom got to share the moment with all of us. It was a fun first for all of us!

Thank you P-Dub for gracing Houston with your presence and being so kind to stay for all of us to meet you!

Mothers Day 2011

2011-05-08T14:10:00.000-05:00

Mothers Day this year was so enjoyable! It happened to fall on BJ's birthday so we decided to have lunch at our house to celebrate his birthday with our family and mother's day. The last several years we have gone out to eat on Mother's Day and it always seems to be more stressful than relaxing. I wanted to cook for everyone this year and just have a nice day at home with everyone.

It turned out so nice and I loved having all of my family there to enjoy the day with. (BJ's parents were on vacation celebrating his dad's birthday) May is a big year for us with 4 birthdays in our immediate family! Its interesting how you can put so much effort into some things and they turn out to be more stressful and then something easy just turns out to be so rewarding and relaxing.

I know this is definitely a mother's day I will remember forever. Just sitting around laughing and talking and making memories together.

My little family gave me some beautiful pink roses for my table. Then they surprised me with some new perfume, some bubble bath and a pool coverup (hubby used a coupon AND got a free gift with purchase!! YAY!)

I made my mom a necklace that I've been wanting to make her for a while and it turned out pretty good! There's even room for a couple more grandbabies, once my brother and sister in law pitch in ;)

Weekly Eatzerria

2011-05-07T17:34:00.000-05:00

Hurry hurry hurry

2011-04-20T17:17:00.000-05:00

I'm in a contest for my business and I'd love your help getting votes!!! It takes two seconds! Won't sign you up for anything and won't ask you to buy anything! If you do vote, you can vote once per day and then come over and post on our Facebook wall or send an email to info@lindentreeboutique.com to be entered in a drawing for a $25 gift certificate! Everytime you vote you can be entered again! More votes=more entries!!!

Thank you so much!!! The link to vote is on the left of my blog :)

And there He was

2011-04-17T17:53:00.000-05:00

Lately, I feel like every time I turn a corner, God is blowing my socks off. I mean seriously, I'm like a ball of mush! As Easter approaches and I think about the things going on some 2000 years ago at this time and how those events have created the world that we live in and the person that I am today, it just takes my breath away.

My verse that I have chosen for the year for myself personally is

" My determined purpose is that I may know Him, that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His person. " Philippians 3:10

When I started the year off with the Daniel fast, I knew God had big things for me and I guess I took a naive approach to the road toward those "good things". Just like in the Bible when Solomon prayed for Wisdom and was then given situations like two women fighting over a baby and asking them if he should cut it in half. I'm sure that's not what he had in mind when he prayed for wisdom. But sometimes, most times, when we pray for things, the situations that arise so we can master those gifts are not ever easy.

I guess I figured, oh yeah, lets do this fast, that will be me showing God I'm for real and then BOOM, all will be right in my world and I will awaken to the smell of sunshine and feel like skipping in fields.
Wrong!

What did happen was I gained a new perspective on myself and the things I need to change and how to focus more on Him and how to raise my children and how to love my husband. How to not be complacent in certain ways but to be an example of Christ. I'm far from where I should be but I want to be an example to my children, to my unsaved friends, to my family. I want to be an encouragement to other believers who may be wavering or in a "valley" . I want those around me to know without a shadow of a doubt that I am on this planet for one reason, to show God's love to everyone around me and bring as many of them with me to eternity.

Some of the decisions I've made haven't been easy. I've thrown myself a pity party or two even. But I keep coming back around to knowing that this path won't be easy. Sometimes it will feel lonely. Sometimes it will feel hard. But it will be worth it to see my three beautiful daughters standing next to us in heaven and I pray that I have a whole host of others that are there because of the light they saw in us.

So after my last pity party...last Sunday happened. It was a normal service. Nothing out of the ordinary or overly emotional happening. Just coming to church to have my spirit united with others and receive something amazing from God. I was thinking some spiritual nugget, something I had never seen in that way. Something I could mull over and talk with Bj about. You know, something normal sized. Well, He had other things in mind. More like a landslide. Because BAM, it was like a tornado hit. I was completely engulfed in His Love. You may be thinking this is a freaky, holy-roller kind of story, but just stick with me. Out of no where I felt like I couldn't even breathe. Could barely stand. Tears started streaming out of my eyes. I have never been slain in the spirit, but I felt like that was what was happening. I was just just overwhelmed by the presence of God, and it was like no one else was even in the room except for me and Him. It was all I could do to hold my body up and just let Him love on me. It was the most confirming, energizing experience of my entire life. I didn't receive a message, didn't hear anything prophetic, didn't feel enlightened or that something profound had been unveiled to me. No, all I received was what my heart needed. That was to know that God loved ME. And instead of leaving me being able to mull, and talk about it to others, He left me completely speechless. Words were not good enough. I tried to explain it to my dad and Bj and others but I couldn't describe to them what was going on inside me.

It was so reaffirming to know that if I will take a step toward Him, He is waiting there with open arms. I know that is a beaten to death phrase and maybe many have not ever allowed themselves to be open to being in His presence. Not expecting anything, not going with a list of demands, just being silent and letting God sweep them away. I feel like my life has been on the right path, moving toward God and what He has for me, but I feel like sometimes I'm on the path with a bag over my head. Just blindly heading towards Him, but not searching along the way for new routes, new things He wants to show me, for people along the way that maybe just need me to reach out and grab their hand for that part of their journey. I don't want to make it to heaven and just be like "whooowhee, I made it." take my bag off my head and shout hooray. I want to finish it the way He wants me to. To get all the Bonus points along the way, bring everyone I come in contact with, with me and discover as much as is humanly possible about Him while I'm at it.

I hope that by reading this that you get one thing, if not others. That when you go to church, don't let it be a ritual. God is real! He can meet you, in a hallway, at the altar, on the platform, at your seat. He can meet you during worship. During the service, in the parking lot. When you are ready to receive, He is ready to Give.

I know I don't usually post stuff like this, but this day was very profound to me. And I hope I never forget it and I pray there are many more just like it.God is doing things in me and my family that I can't even describe. He is fulfilling desires that I didn't even realize existed in me. He is answering prayers that I prayed and didn't fully believe could happen. He is testing my faith and showing me, that if I actually whole-heartedly believe in Him, that He CAN move mountains. He is showing me sides of Himself that I have never allowed myself to see. I want to allow God to be real in my everyday life. To shut my world down and it just be me and Him. And I hope you will have those intimate moments with Him too. Just be ready. Its something you will never be able to put into words but that your spirit will long for.

switching back

2011-04-13T16:09:00.001-05:00

i'm switching my blog url back to munsons.blogspot.com because the new one is causing some problems and i don't know how to fix them :)

Sorry about the confusion!

Hayden starts T-ball

2011-04-13T15:53:00.000-05:00

This spring, I gave Hayden the option to play Tball or Soccer. She is 5 now so she doesn't have to play Mighty Mites anymore, which is kind of like a skills and drills free-for-all league. They have a 30 min. practice and then their game is right after that practice. It was great in that aspect. I didn't have to carve out another night of the week for a practice.

This year, is the big stuff. They have practices during the week, games that aren't at the crack of dawn on Saturdays (instead we get the crack of HOT) Not sure which I'd rather. Anyway, the first practice was so funny. Hayden has never played tball before, so for Valentines day we got her a little T to start practicing on. She did awesome and we discovered that she naturally felt comfortable hitting left handed. She writes right-handed, but we have noticed several things during her life that she did left handed.

We bought her a glove a couple of years ago and it has pretty much just sat in her room and gone unused. So for the first practice we were all psyched. Especially me. I grew up playing softball and had so much fun. Definitely my favorite sport, along with track. So naturally, I had hoped that she would one day follow in my footsteps and want to play.

A couple of hours before the practice Hayden started getting antsy and wanted to go ahead and get dressed. So she put on a girly baseball tshirt that was a hand-me-down from cousin Chloe. She had also sent some high top cleats. I rummaged through my old socks and found a pair that must not have ever been used when I was playing because they were stark white. So she suited up and then paced around waiting and waiting.

Finally it was time to go. The practice went good. Several of the kiddos were lined up throwing back and forth when we arrived and Hayden found a little boy to throw with and they started throwing the ball and trying to catch it. Neither one of them were doing very well at aiming or catching but they sure looked like they were having fun. I began to notice that Hayden was throwing "like a girl". This surprised me because when we had practiced throwing balls at home I had never realized this before. She always seemed to have a natural athletic throw. Hmmm .... so I kept watching and then started wondering...maybe she needs to throw with her left hand too?? When we bought her the glove, she had been coloring with her right hand so naturally I thought she was right handed. She had never used the glove really and so I started thinking, maybe when we throw at home, she has been using her left hand?!

I called BJ and asked him what he thought and we couldn't decide for sure if we knew if she threw right-handed or left-handed. While I was on the phone, I look up and realize Hayden has taken her glove off her left hand, shoved it on her right hand upside down and is now throwing "non girly" with her left hand. Poor girl! Parents don't even know what hand she throws with. She started throwing alot better after that and even caught a few.

Then on to batting. She was first up to bat and on her first swing hit the ball into right field. :D THAT's MY GIRL!!!! She hit several times and did well each time. At the end of the practice they all huddled up to do a team cheer. We didn't know what team she was on yet or what color they were. Usually they assign professional team names to the teams. So they broke the huddle and Hayden turns and runs as fast as she can, screaming all the way to me, "MOM!!!! I'm on the OREOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

(Baltimore Orioles, but Oreos sounds so much fun-ner ;)

First game was last weekend and she had SO much fun! She told me in the car after that this was the best sport she had ever played! (YAY!!!)

Shopping day complete

2011-04-12T18:57:00.002-05:00

1 gallon milk
2- half gallons Silk Milk
5-Oscar Meyer Lunchables
Private Selection Ice Cream
1 Pint Blue Bell Ice Cream (free)
Purina one Cat Food (free)
Mushrooms
Ravioli
Pull-ups
3-Shredded Cheese
Peanut Butter
Brownie Mix
2-Diced Tomatos
2-Sara Lee Bread
2- Rotisserie Chickens
4- Condensed Cooking Soups
Bertolli Chicken Parmigiana
Fiber One 4 pack Yogurt
Kids 4 pack yogurt
Sara Lee Cheesecake (free)
State Fair Beef Corndogs
Tyson Crispy Chicken Stips
Uncle Bens Ready Rice
6-Pillsbury toaster Strudels
2-Oscar Meyer Hot Dogs
Degree Deoderant Men
2- Bic Flex 4- pack of 4 Razors
2-McCormick Parsley Flakes
Quick Oatmeal
2-Fly Paper
Operation Game
Candy Land Game
3 Snickers Cream Eggs
1 Hersey Eggs 8oz
2- Apple Jacks
3- Gimbals Jelly Beans Packs
Pack of stuffable eggs
dr pepper 20oz.
antibacterial hand soap
welches grape jelly
Carefree panty liners
Luster Whitening toothpaste
egg dying cups
gatorade 1, 2 and 3 formula (drink, flax bar, protein drink)
carmel candy
pack of gum

Not pictured is the toaster strudels, parsley flakes, oatmeal, uncle bens rice...I had already put them away and forgot to pull them out.

Grand total before coupons:

$215.62

Coupon Savings:

$123.12

Out of pocket:

$102.30 57% savings for 6 stores

Add to that I have two rebates for two free tombstone pizzas with my two Hasbro Games that I bought. These were both on rollback at walmart for $5 and I had a $3 coupon for one and $2 coupon for the other. So I came out with two pizzas and two games for $5. Can't beat that. These will make great gifts and I dont' have to spend a fortune!!

Whoooo's There?

2011-04-05T13:58:00.001-05:00

In the country, you never know who'll show up on your door step!

Let the one liners roll!

Weekly Eatzerria

2011-04-04T16:27:00.000-05:00

Weekly Eatzerria

2011-03-21T17:38:00.000-05:00

New URL

2011-03-18T19:18:00.001-05:00

I don't know enough about these things to know whether or not YOU need to know, but I changed my url so you may need to update your saved favorites to see this......my web address is now http://www.tableforfiveplease.blogspot.com/ :)

Thanks to both of you who read! ;)

Need I say more??

2011-03-16T07:03:00.001-05:00

Thank you Pioneer Woman!

2011-03-15T11:53:00.000-05:00

When I woke up yesterday I knew immediately that the weather had changed. My mom told me I should have gone into meteorology because my sinuses are never wrong! My scratchy throat lead to this morning waking up with nasal congestion and a headache from pressure.

It also lead to my tummy desiring something substantial for breakfast. Southern comfort food at its best. I mentally went through the ingredients in my pantry thinking what can I make that we don't usually make? Maybe something new that the girls will love....what could it be?

I googled oatmeal recipes...I've had a tube of quaker oats ready to be finished out. Nothing really sparked my interest. Then Pioneer Woman Cooks popped in my head. She has some fabo recipes and I regularly find myself drooling on my keyboard while looking at some of them. The first thing I found was a recipe for some Pumpkin Spice Muffins. Perfect! That sounded delish. But, I was fresh out of pumpkin puree. After all, it is spring now. Pumpkin is a stapel that I keep on hand through the fall and winter and then forget about until that time again the next year. ( I added it to my grocery list so we can have some pumpkin deliciousness tomorrow)

I browsed her recipes some more and then, I found it. The perfect comfort food breakfast that wouldn't take and hour to prepare and I was pretty sure my kiddos would love it and think it was fun. So I whipped up some Egg-in-the-holes and they were EGGcelent! New family fave! And it also helped that I had a super cute "Little Chef" to help. She called out each time I cracked the egg into the toast "Egg in da hole"

"Egg-in-my-heart" as the girls nicknamed them

Weekly Eatzerria

2011-03-14T17:47:00.001-05:00

Monday: Finally making the beef stew that was supposed to be last week! Along with some cornbread and buttermilk pie http://orgjunkie.com/2006/09/slow-cooking-thursday-sept-28th.html

Tuesday: http://www.stockpilingmoms.com/2011/02/bacon-cheese-pull-aparts.html

Wednesday:
Breakfast: Pumpkin Muffins http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2009/10/moist-pumpkin-spice-muffins-with-cream-cheese-frosting/
Dinner: Budget Stretcher Chicken Thighs, Uncle Bens Rice, Potato Salad http://www.home-ec101.com/budget-stretcher-garlic-and-soy-chickenthighs/ http://www.hellmanns.us/recipe_detail.aspx?RecipeID=11692&Version=1

Thursday: http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2010/07/brown-hot-and-plenty-of-it-vol-i/

Friday: Baked Ziti http://joyinmykitchen.blogspot.com/2008/12/three-cheese-ziti.html

Saturday: we have the Warrior Dash and a baby shower so I won't be cooking....just leftovers for that day and maybe these for a light dinner http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2011/01/the-mm-sandwich-pw-style/

Sunday: Island Chicken, Mashed Potatos and Salad http://rachelvsthekitchen.blogspot.com/2011/02/island-chicken.html

and then there was an ocean

2011-03-14T14:57:00.001-05:00

So the title was originally going to read! Hip hip horray, we have two more potty trained!!!

Technically, they basically are...we haven't gotten super brave and went anywhere with them in panties yet, but they are going the whole day at home without accidents now. Yesterday I had several errands to run after church and then off to a birthday party. Preslyn and Hayden were still under the weather so Ella and I were going by ourselves. We got out of the car at the first stop and Ella's skirt was tucked in her waistband.

That's when I realized she had taken off her pullup at home and switched to panties without telling me. I got really nervous.

She made it through all the errands and the party without an accident. We did have about 5 trips to the bathroom, but that was better than soaked clothes!

As soon as we pulled back in at home I got her out of the car and she took off to the bathroom.....

she didn't quite make it.

Anyway, hip hip horray, we are nearly potty trained!!!!

My budget is going to LOVE not having to buy diapers anymore!

Fabulous Finals from Last week

2011-03-08T20:44:00.000-06:00

Last week shopping trip finals are:

Walgreens

Transaction1:
Total before Coupons $8.98
Coupon Savings: $6.00
Total OOP: $2.98
Register Rewards: $6.00

Transaction2:
Total before coupons: $55.34
Coupon savings: $24.93
OOP: $30.41
Register Rewards Back: $24

Kroger:
I had a bunch of Mega Sale Rewards to use up before they expired and you can only use one per order so I spaced out my orders so I could get them all in

#1-

Total before coupons $9.87

Coupon savings: $4.10

Total OOP: $5.88

41% savings

#2-

Total before coupons $12.84

Coupon Savings: $8.42

Total OOP: $4.42

64% savings

#3-

Total before coupons $24.19

Coupon Savings: $7.42

Total OOP: $16.77

30% savings

#4-

Total before coupons $6.21

Coupon savings: $5.65

Total OOP: $ . 56

90% Savings

Total at Kroger:

$53.11 Total Bill

$25.48 Saved

$27.63 Out of Pocket

(this included meat and olive oil which are both pricey and I didn't have coupons for.)

50% savings overall

CVS

Total before Coupons: $104.58
Coupons: $66.72
OOP: $37.86
64% Savings
$30.57 ECB Returned

Not pictured : one extra welches grape jelly

Target

Transaction #1

Total before Coupons: $6.14

Coupons: $7.00

OOP: -.86 (I used this toward easter shoes for the girls that I'd been waiting to go on sale!)

114% savings

Transaction #2

Not included in picture is a box of 20ct. Ibuprofin.

This includes another free pair of jeans!!!!! Whoohoo!!!
Total before coupons: $7.19
Coupons: $6.47
OOP: $.72
90% Savings

And these mega savings allowed for a necessary purchase that we had been planning...an updated booster car seat for Hayden so Ella can start using her upright booster.

Weekly Eatzerria - March 7

2011-03-07T10:35:00.000-06:00

This week I have a few recipes to pull from the last menu plan that we didn't use. Instead I used up some food that we needed to eat or we ate leftovers or a frozen pizza. We did good not going out to eat though, and that is the main goal!

Monday: Potato Kielbasa Skillet http://recipeshoebox.blogspot.com/2009/04/potato-kielbasa-skillet.html

Tuesday: "Meaty " Barley Suffed Cabbage Rolls http://find.myrecipes.com/recipes/recipefinder.dyn?action=displayRecipe&recipe_id=10000000701092 adding 1 cup frozen meatless crumbls instead of the feta.

Wednesday: Lasagna

Thursday: Beef Stew and Cornbread http://orgjunkie.com/2006/09/slow-cooking-thursday-sept-28th.html

Friday: Budget Stretcher Chicken Thighs, Uncle Bens Rice, Potato Salad http://www.home-ec101.com/budget-stretcher-garlic-and-soy-chickenthighs/ http://www.hellmanns.us/recipe_detail.aspx?RecipeID=11692&Version=1

Saturday: http://joyinmykitchen.blogspot.com/2010/07/blueberry-cinnamon-rolls.html Leftovers for the rest of the day

Sunday: Hamburgers on the Grill and french fries

Monday:Three Cheese Baked Ziti http://joyinmykitchen.blogspot.com/2008/12/three-cheese-ziti.html

Tuesday: Island Chicken, Mashed Potatos and Salad http://rachelvsthekitchen.blogspot.com/2011/02/island-chicken.html

Do you like going to the movies????

2011-03-02T11:38:00.000-06:00

We like getting out here and there, but lately have been taken back at how expensive it is for us to go as a family. It is better for us to just get it at redbox.com or buy the movie if we think we will like it.

Today I purchased one of these vouchers for the movies.We can use it sometime when we go out for a date night and one of us will get a movie for free!

Get yours today! 2 Movie tickets from Fandano for $9. That is a steal, but it only lasts today so hurry!!!

https://livingsocial.com/deals/28498?ref=personalized-link-box-6859777&rpi=6859777

being sick is ridonkulous

2011-02-24T07:11:00.001-06:00

A reality of what happens when Mom gets sick.

I feel like I have been sick this entire year. I know this is a slight exaggeration because the whole month of January we were on our Daniel Fast. Two days from the end is when our entire family got the stomach flu. THAT was fun. Then February started and I spent the first two weeks regaining my appetite from being sick for 10 days. Got over that, had a week of church every night which was amazing but left us exhausted, Sunday night Ella threw up all night. I woke up Monday exhausted and by Monday night I had scratchy throat. I first figured that it was just from singing so much lately. But also knew with the lack of sleep issue this could be symptom #1 that my body was about to crater. Through the evening I could feel the heaviness slowly welling up in my head and eyes as the mucus must have started multiplying by a thousand pounds per minute.

:::results of last night's comfort food dinner grocery store run,

non-perishables still waiting to be put away:::

I woke up Tuesday and there it was.

Full on sickness staring me in the face. One side of my sinuses were totally clogged from laying there for hours. Niiiiice. So it begins.

I usually live in denial the first day. Thinking to myself, I can beat this. Just get some vitamin C. Don't give in. Continue on as usual. Don't look the sickness in the eyes.

By nightfall, it has overtaken me. I am dragging. This is when I start my meds. Hoping to wake up in the morning a new person. Totally recovered.

WRONG.

Instead I feel worse. Throat is glue. Now both sides of my sinuses

And then..........the kicker.

My lungs have joined the party. Oh they hurt. I have decided to invent a suction that I can stick down my throat on mornings like these and suck out all the junk to relieve my aching lungs. Oh the agony.

:::the BEST medicine a girl can get!:::

I want to be in bed for days. I want to bury myself under my heavy comforter and melt into my fluffy pillow that may or may not have a pillow case on it. I don't even know. I'm living in a fog. My days are run-on sentences as my mom would say. I want to only resurface to gulp down the cure-all for all sickness, wonton soup.

And just as a sidenote.....why is it that every time I get sick, is also the time when I suddenly become completely bothered that nothing is getting done and everything in the house is falling behind? Yet I have no energy to do anything about it. So here I am, once again, sick.

The chores that are piling up, the products of my errands laying scattered around the house. The loads of laundry that need to be done and the ones that are done that need to be put away. The bathroom floors.....oh the bathroom floors. Don't even get me started on the floors.

:::two clean baskets of laundry:::

(there are a few more of these laying around here somewhere)

:::dinner table with last night's dessert bowls still in place

as well as the crumbs and school Valentines party leftovers:::

:::half cleaned bathroom:::

toilet, tub and left counters cleaned during Ella's throwup marathon

and left unfinished once she finally fell asleep at 2am and I followed immediately behind

:::my poor children wearing the same clothes from yesterday:::

i.e. Chocolate stain from aforementioned dessert last night

After dropping Hayden off at school, I went to pick up a book that was on hold for me at the library. I didn't WANT to go get the book today, nor felt like doing anything except breathe and sleep, but I have been on the waiting list for this book for 2 months, 54 people deep in the waiting list and this is the last day they will hold it for me.

I decided I would swing in, park under the carport at the door. Lock the car, grab my book on the shelves by the door, use the auto check out and leaving immediately. I didn't even plan on getting the twins out of the car. I was sure that I could convince the twins that Max and Ruby movie day would be sooooo much fun and we'd come back to the library for a longer visit another day. Or my Mom suggested I tell them it was a "boat day". My brother and I used to do that on rainy days. I figured with all the sick days and freezing cold can't-play-outside-today days lately they would declare mutiny and sink the "boat".

Instead, at the first sighting of the beloved library, they begged for me to let the lady read them books at the library. Toddler Storytime. Immediately my mind starts thinking of ways to let them down gently with promises of going as soon as I felt better. But we drove in right at 10:40 and it had just started at 10:30. So in we go. Hand in hand.

We joined in for storytime and were then informed that the YMCAwould be there for childrens excercise day immediately following storytime.

Well, we were already there so why not. The twins had so much fun, running relay races and doing their "work out". They told me at the end they were "SO tired" and "really needed a drink!"

When we got back in the car and buckled up, Preslyn said "Mom, that was SO much fun." I'm so glad I sucked it up and let them participate. Who wants to play "boat" when you get the one chance ever to break the holy rule of silence at the library. And on top of that you get to squeal and run and excersise at the same time! Every three-year-olds dream come true!

So now maybe I won't feel so bad about the Max and Ruby marathon to follow.

random delirium

2011-02-23T06:14:00.005-06:00

I really want one of these

AND

I want to record a song that people roll their windows down and crank up the volume on a summer day

(did I just say that outloud???)

and

this is what we ate for dinner last night! SO delish!

( I used quinoa instead of barley and it cooks much faster, more like 12minutes. )

Weekly Eatzzeria

2011-02-22T19:37:00.003-06:00

Tuesday: http://smittenkitchen.com/2007/03/recipe-liberation-day/#comment-591172

Wednesday: http://afewshortcuts.com/2009/10/weekly-meal-deal-caramel-apple-pork-chops/

Thursday: leftover buffet or eat out (church night)

Friday: http://orgjunkie.com/2006/09/slow-cooking-thursday-sept-28th.html SAVING this for next week. Instead made fajitas out of the beef we were given. Soooo good!!!

Saturday: http://joyinmykitchen.blogspot.com/2011/01/waffles-of-insane-greatness.html Made with the recipe published for blueberry syrup.

Sunday: http://joyinmykitchen.blogspot.com/2010/07/blueberry-cinnamon-rolls.html Make the night before.

Monday: http://recipeshoebox.blogspot.com/2009/04/potato-kielbasa-skillet.html

Tuesday: http://www.home-ec101.com/budget-stretcher-garlic-and-soy-chickenthighs/

UPDATE:
Tuesday meal was Fabulous!! I substituted quinoa for the barley because I had it on hand. It also reduced the cook time significantly. The quinoa cooks in about 12 minutes as opposed to 40.
Wednesday meal was delish as well. Kids scarfed the first helpings down so quickly and asked for seconds. I served it with scalloped potatos (out of a box, i was very skeptical, but they were surprisingly really good!) Also some green beans, sauted with garlic, red onion and a little pepper.)

Hello, My name is Lindsay, and I'm a coupon-a-haulic!!!!

2011-02-21T23:26:00.001-06:00

Well I promised pictures last time and here they are.

Only hit up two stores tonight because I'm am seriously lacking in sleep after taking care of my sweet Ella last night as she got sick over and over from 7pm - 2:30 am and finally passed out of exhaustion.

She is much better today and you'd never know she had been so sick just 24hrs ago. Thank God for a quick recovery!

I went to Walgreens first because I had some bucks back that were expiring tomorrow and I wanted to make sure they didn't go to waste.

Transaction #1 --

Total before Coupons: $68.85

Store Savings: $21.03

Coupon Savings: $20.50

Out of Pocket: $27.32

60% Savings

Earned $12 Register Rewards

Transaction #2--

Total before Coupons: $10.21

Store Savings: $.67

Used register rewards from first transaction: $10.00

Out of pocket: .$23

98% Savings

Then I headed to Target. Now the rumor was that they had Mossimo Jeans for women on clearance for $4.98 and I happened to have a $5 coupon off any womens denim. So I went with the coupon, fully expecting to:

1. Not find jeans at all ( our store is under renovation as they add a produce section)

2. Find jeans, garage sale styles--Tossed and turned and I didn't want to have to dig for an hour to find a pair of jeans

3. Not find any in my size or style that I needed/liked. I'm pretty short and require a Short size in jeans which is hard to come by and I didn't expect Target to carry any.

Well, was I ever wrong! There were a ton of styles, sizes, colors, varied lengths and they were, for the most part, in fairly good order. I picked through a little bit and then found 6 pair to go try on in various colors and sizes. The second pair fit, I liked them and I wanted to squeal in the dressing room, thinking that I was going to get these for Free. (have you seen Bedtime stories with Adam Sandler. Yes, that was me, asking for a pair of jeans, for freeeeee?!?!?!?! just like he asked for a red ferrari.)

Anyway, Target has some great deals this week. My store didn't have everything I was looking for so I'm going to another one in the morning while BJ has his back adjusted at the Chiropractor.

My trip went like this--

Total before coupons: $21.47

Coupon savings: $16.61

Out of pocket: $4.86

77% savings

Not a bad night I have to say!

Total spent -- $32.41

Total Saved--$68.61

If you love Incredible Pizza like my kids do then you must read this!!!

2011-02-21T16:49:00.000-06:00

I just got 4 $25 gift certificates to Incredible Pizza for $12.

$88 of savings!!!

The discount is automatically applied at checkout. My kids ask to go here at least once a week it seems. We try to save this spot for special outings or rewards for good behavior or school. This just makes going there so much sweeter.

If you are local, get on over and save a ton of money :)

http://www.restaurant.com/rdc/incredible-pizza-company-conroe-pizza-restaurant-rid=363617?&prti=4661

Disney in the horizon

2011-02-19T18:37:00.000-06:00

We've been planning Hayden's 6th Birthday Disney trip for years it seems! This is it. The big year. Don't even get me started on how weird it is that I will have a 6 year old and a full time Kindergardener in just a few short months. Man, oh man.

Anyway, a few months back I started doing the grocery game http://www.grocerygame.com/ and have been figuring it out little by little. It makes it super easy on you and all you do is print the list and buy what it tells you to buy and save GILLIONS. :) I always get so excited to see the savings at the bottom because it is just free money out there waiting to be saved! So, I have really buckled down and gotten tight on my grocery spending. Sticking to the list and getting the family involved. I also recently added http://www.stockpilingmoms.com/ to my helpful tips list. Combining the two has been really great and the savings are getting better. I'm still learning and need to get more organized but its fun to know that the money we save can go to the trip we are all eagerly waiting for.

So, for this week my totals are:

Ulta (this was a frivilous trip for me because I really was in need of a bigger makeup bag. My bag that I've been using is a tiny one and can't stay zipped and I can't even tell you the times it has spilled all over the car and eyeliners are lost in the depths of the under-the-seat zone. I never buy makeup unless it is for a silly event that I don't have the right stuff for, but Ulta had a super cute free gift bag set and I figured I would buy some staples and get the bag. Plus, I had a 20% off coupon.

Bronzer -$14 (instore it was on sale for $10)
Lip Gloss - $3.99
20% coupon - $2 off the bronzer
Free gift was $88 value (loaded with 15 fun products)

Total Spent: $12.98
Total Saved: $90

Second Stop Walgreens. I am a new to walgreens shopper. I only go for the things that are totally free because usually I can pick them up somewhere else that I shop regularly if I need them.

This week totals
We picked out a fun toothbrush and a bag of Kettle Chips. They were out of one of the items we went for but we still got out of their with no money out of pocket!
Total Spent: $0
Total Saved: $6.39
Register Rewards(Can be used like cash for next order) : $14

On to CVS
making a mental note. I should take pictures of the items I get so it can show the amount of stuff I get for the price I pay.

Total: $33.62
CVS giftcard balance: $14.48
Out of pocket Spent: $19.14
Amount Saved: 28.43
Extra care bucks back: $16

Target
Total with tax before Coupons: $12.39
Coupon savings: $10
Reusable bag savings: .10

Total out of pocket: $2.29

Kroger
Total before Coupons: $217.43
Total Saved: $91.11
Amounts Spent: $126.32
MEGA Sale Bonus Back Bucks: $17

Grand total savings: $225.93

Valentines Day Upcycled Blowing Kisses Skirt

2011-02-10T10:32:00.000-06:00

This Valentines I had made a commitment to myself that I would NOT buy my girls new clothes to wear for Valentines. But I did want Hayden to have something cute to wear for her school party. I found this idea a while back and made a mental note that it would be the perfect little outfit for her party. Not too fancy for school. Easy to move in (its made out of an old T-shirt) and super cute. Hayden loves wearing skirts so I thought NO problem.

Last week while I was sick, I was pulling all of my big tshirts out day after day to wear. When I pulled out my old great AmeriMcCAIN Hero tshirt, I thought, this is a perfect red for that skirt and I can do without one less giant shirt to sleep or be sick in. Then the days passed and we had church every night this week and the time just got away from me.

Well just like many of the wishful-thinking crafts in my to-do list, I figured this one would go to the "don't have enough time for it" box. I hate when I find cute ideas, have a reason for them and then don't have 39 hours in my day to get them done. So last night when we returned from church, we started gathering all the things we needed for the party.

Strike 1: Found a box of leftover valentines from last year (once again,I found a super-cute idea for v-day favors too late, We'll be ready next year though!)
Strike 2: realized that the roll of cookie dough in my freezer that I had written off buying a replacement for, was indeed gingerbread dough instead of cookie dough .So, I had to whip up a batch of homemade sugar cookies at 12:30am.

So apparently the way my brain works is when things go wrong, that's when I need to make things harder on myself instead of just saying, "Eh, wear something red to school. " That would have been strike 3, and striking out is not an option for this Mamma . It was after the last pan of cookies came out of the oven that I decided..."that skirt can't be too hard!?" Plus, I've already got the t-shirt washed and ready. So up to the sewing machine I went. The tutorial said it would take about 30 minutes. AWESOME!

Well it didn't take 30 minutes, BUT, I'm very pleased with the result and so glad that I stuck to my guns and didn't buy anything "Valentines-y" and now my little Hayden gets to wear something special made by me on this day of celebrating Love. And to top it off, the white hearts that are reverse appliqued (sewed underneath the skirt) are from my PawPaw's old tshirt. When my Granny died, I inherited her sewing machine and much of her sewing supplies. In her stash was a stack of tshirts that she had cut up from his track meets. I'm glad I finally found a purpose for one of them. I think she would be proud to see how I was able to make use of them.

Hayden was very excited to see her new skirt and get to wear it to her Valentines party. I finished a new design of a hairbow I had been working on. It went well with the colors for today.

XOXO,

crashing and burning

2011-01-31T13:21:00.000-06:00

Last week was excessive, to say the least. Excessive laundry, excessive whining, excessive exhaustion, excessive baths, excessive puking, excessive mommy-is-flatout-whooped days. The one good thing that was excessive was the extra cuddles that I got from all my babies dropping like flies to the nasty stomach flu. Oh it was bad. It was beyond bad.

So since my last post, we had a major recovery day on Monday. Tuesday I decided to keep Hayden home from school because I figured she would just mope around and not eat and just be more of a hassel than a benefit. Plus I didn't want her picking anything up at school, with her lowered immunities. Wednesday she was feeling awesome. Ready to go back to school. She woke up, had a little toast, got dressed, I got dressed. The twins, who up until now we thought were still sleeping, started calling for me with tearful cries. This did not alarm me because they do that nearly every morning. So I hurried upstairs to do a quick change of clothes, pullup, and off to school and opened their door.........

A quick glance around the room and I knew my morning and most of my day just flew out the window. Preslyn and Ella both had what looked like shoulder pads of puke all over them, in their hair, and all in their beds and carpet. I immediatly felt so sad for them, because we never heard them throwing up in the night, or calling out for us. They must have just thrown up in their sleep and then waited. I felt terrible. So a quick call to Bj and he found a new ride for Hayden to school and my deep cleaning/disenfecting began. First with baths, then some cuddles, then more puke, then the first of 7 loads of laundry, then movies for the girls while i began the massive cleanup. More movies, a few crackers and gatorade, a little nap (instigated by them, not even me--they both came whining to me to turn off their movie because they were soooo tired and wanted to sleep) , more laundry, got a ride for Hayden, more cleaning...PawPaw arrived with carpet steamer and solution, chicken noodle soup and more gatorade. Then I steamed the carpets.

I must admit. I am kind of addicted to steaming my carpets. Watching the dirty water pour out into the sink is so wonderful! My carpets look and smell refreshed and I love it. Its encouraging me to get the last of our boxes sorted and unpacked so that I can free up the remaining carpets and steam those as well before I have to give the steamer back to my Uncle and Aunt. Maybe I'll even take down my Christmas stuff while I'm at it ;) (hush! January has been hectic)

Anyway, the week was spent cleaning, laundering and cuddling. I kept thinking I was going to survive without catching it. No such luck. Friday night it hit me like a ton of bricks. I was in bed all day Friday leading up to the "crash". I felt lousy and was hoping by laying low I'd keep it at bay. WRONG. Sadly, that day was also a juicing day for my fast so I had little to nothing inside me and the "crash" left me severely dehydrated. BJ and I had a miserable night of sleep with me tossing and turning and moaning of achy legs and a rolling stomach. I stayed in bed all day Saturday and Sunday morning. Then we went to a quarterly prayer meeting for our church and helped lead worship. It was fantastic. Just what this sick body needed. It was also the last day of our fast and I perfect way to close it out.

This morning we all woke up for our typical Monday morning and found out that Dad now had joined in on the fun. Thus the sickness is complete. It has made its full circle with all of us.

Here's hoping February starts off with less action! I'm off to steam something.

rain on a green tin roof

2011-01-24T22:48:00.001-06:00

Last night around 6pm is when it started. The first of 10-12 episodes of hurling. My poor Hayden. It hit her like a ton of bricks and wouldn't let up until the wee hours of the morning. I slept on the couch so I could hear her when she needed me.

Let me tell ya, bolting awake to the sound of your child calling for you or already throwing up is not the number one way I prefer to be awoken...and not once but multiple times. My heart hurt for her as I watched her whole body turn red as the blood rushed through her pale skin. I held her hair and rubbed her and felt horrible. Every time she finished she would raise her head up and tears were just rolling down her bright red cheeks. My heart ached to take the pain from her.

So this morning, came and went and we slept in. The rain falling softly on our tin roof was just what the doctor ordered. I heard the twins wake up and start their gymnastics match in their room that quickly had to come to a halt. Those monkeys! They were starting to rearrange the furniture and had literally ever single toy they owned out and scattered all over the room.

I dragged myself off the couch and up to find out what awaited me. A limp little Hayden, still in her bed. Poor girl. That is a sign right there, because she is normally the first to wake up every day, rain or shine, school day or not.

So the toast was made, the juice started, Leapster to the rescue, along with magnet dolls and a couple of books. Sick day had begun. Once I had her settled for a bit, on to the disaster that awaited. At least it had bought me a few extra winks of much needed sleep!

I decided instead of just cleaning up, it would be a reorganizing and purging day. So we spent the greater part of the day sorting toys in to piles, finding missing pieces, rearranging, putting toys in the attic that were no longer age appropriate and boxing up others that were going to be given away.

The girls were on board with the concept. Most of the time. Ella kept asking me why we were giving some toys away. I told her they had too many and couldn't even play with all of them. Some little girls would love to have some of their toys that they no longer played with. So she replied in a worried voice, "But how do you know we are giving us toys away???" It totally caught me by surprise and made me laugh and reply, " Well, because I'm the one giving them away."

I have also been wanting to shorten their curtains for months now. Our windows in this house are a strange size and nearly impossible to find curtains that fit. I didn't want to buy new ones, since they had only been used for the year we were at our past home. Instead they have just been hanging, not looking "right" but just serving their purpose to darken the room. So today seemed like a good day to get that type of project done, since it had been a declared sick day and I didn't have any pressing work to get done. (I had done all that in between Hayden's episodes last night, before I finally crashed around 2am, thinking the worst was behind us.)

So, my rainy day/sick day project is now complete! The room is reorganized, lighter on the toy-front, cleaned and vacuumed.

Before

After

I put together my own recipe for spaghetti sauce and it was delish (recipe to come later), served it with a fabulous salad, loaded with veggies, homemade dressing (also to come later)and wheat pasta. Kids are bathed and tucked in their beds and now the sick day is officially over.

Check our our left sidebar!!!

2011-01-24T11:50:00.000-06:00

You can click each link and VOTE!!!

Thank you ;)

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Day 4- Daniel Fast

2011-01-13T11:09:00.001-06:00

Yesterday was really hard. I did a lot of stuff, run a bunch of errands with the twins, so I could feel the fatigue on my body and mind by the middle of the day. By the time dinner rolled around i had a killer headache, that was basically immobilizing. I took a tylenol and my bible to the bath and soaked while I waited for it to pass. I found myself very frusterated because I couldn't believe that after 3 days even with eating, that my body NEEDED those foods that are so "fulfilling" that I wasn't eating. I kept praying that what my body was lacking, God would replenish with himself. I was frustrated that detoxing was stealing my joy, my attitude, my family time. As soon as I got all those emotions under control, the headache went away and I felt like I had overcome an obstacle. It was so liberating.

The Bible reading has been wonderful as well. I keep finding myself wanting to read more and do more research and digging. Instead of it feeling like something to check off my to-do list, I feel like it is exhilerating and liberating. And I get excited to see what God is going to show me next and what I am going to learn. When I find myself getting restless during the day or "crashing" I have been putting on different types of praise and worship and just letting myself soak in God's presence.

Today I feel much better, my legs are feeling achy and fatigued and I'm focusing on not overduing myself physically. We have worship practice tonight and I want to be functioning by then :) We are doing juices only today so praying for strength and endurance. I know that God is doing something in me because I typically let the stress of the day really bog me down and let it exhaust me. But yesterday when I picked Hayden up from school she asked me when we got in the car why I was so happy? I was a little taken back because I didn't "feel" happy, but I must have been giving that off. And that was something I was really excited about. Instead of letting her see my tiredness, God was radiating through me, because I don't really feel like I was outwardly happy, but my heart was. Today when I dropped her off she told me "I'm really happy today." What a testimony of God through me and being mirrored in my child. I know that that is not me at all and is completely 100% God.

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2011-01-10T22:44:00.000-06:00

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Day 1- Daniel Fast

2011-01-10T11:20:00.000-06:00

Today was the start of our 21 day fast. It was exciting to start something as a family like this. The girls were fasting movies, tv and video games today. All favorites of Hayden. She asked me several times to watch a movie or play her Leapster and then when I reminded her about her fast she quickly remembered and we would do a devotional or talk about God or say a prayer together. Her devotion for the day was reading verses about John baptising Jesus. (Matthew 3:13-17) She questioned me about baptism and we talked about it and its importance.

After we talked a while, she told us that she wanted to be baptised just like Jesus. I was so happy to hear this because it was her own prompting and nothing from us. Hayden has such a tender heart and I know God has great things in store for her even as a child.

Our reading was in Genesis 7 and I guess I have never read this closely enough to grasp that they brought on more than just one pair of every animal onto the ark. But for the animals that were clean (for eating) and sacrificing they brought 7 pairs. Interesting factoid.

Approaching the starting gate

2011-01-10T01:39:00.001-06:00

I feel like I have game day jitters. Like I would as I'd line up in my lane for a race at a track meet. I'm PUMPED! I am literally on pins and needles.

Bj and I have been feeling the urgency to participate in a 21 day fast that many churches are participating in starting today and running through Jan. 30. I have been reading up on different types of fasting and ways to participate as a family and have found a really great plan that I think will work for us. We are expecting big things this year and I feel like this is an amazing way to kick off this year. This is the first time that either of us have fasted together since we have been married. Already we have seen God opening a door that we have been believing for, almost a year now. I feel like it is God confirming to us that if we will step out in Faith, He is right there waiting for us. I can only imagine the things He is going to reveal to us and our family during this time and from here on out.

We are going to be doing a version of the daniel fast, alternating between days with food and days without any. The girls are doing a modified fast since they are too young to do completely without food. They are doing a schedule that I found at the awake21.org website under the resources for children. Their diet will be altered as far as no sugar, sweets, etc. But their main fasting will be from movies, tv, video games, etc. It is amazing what I found at that website! Bible reading schedules during the fast, worksheets for children, suggested fasting methods, etc. Check it out if you have any questions about fasting.
We are also doing a social media fast. So I will not be posting on facebook during this time. I have decided to blog through our fast, but have not decided whether to post the blogs while it is ongoing on to post them after. I want to document this time in our lives for sure.

If you think of us during this time, just be in prayer with us. We are really excited to experience what God has for us and look forward to sharing with you the experiences that we have!

Here is an amazing quote that was in some of the fasting literature I've been reading....I love it!

The tendency of fire is to go out;
watch the fire on the altar of your heart.
Anyone who has tended a fireplace knows
that it needs to be stirred up occasionally.
– William Booth

Food Network

2011-01-07T13:52:00.000-06:00

The other day my mom called and told me to turn on my Food Network channel quickly, I did and saw a fabulous Roasted artichoke salad being prepared. My taste buds literally started watering, so I went online and checked out the recipe from the Barefoot Contessa and made it today for lunch. BJ is not a fan of artichokes so he picked something else for lunch and I figured that was a good time to try out this recipe.

The girls and I loved it!! So great for a light lunch, plus it had so many hidden healthy veggies in it. I also added some sun-dried tomatos. It was a hit! I think it would be great as a salad at a party or shower.

Try it and let me know what you think!

Breakfast Time

2011-01-06T21:49:00.000-06:00

Good thing I have worked out 4 days in a row this week (definitely patting myself on the back!) because I just made this for breakfast in the morning

Baked French Toast Casserole with Maple Syrup

Eatzerria Week 3

2011-01-04T19:59:00.000-06:00

Okey doke...In case you need some ideas for dinners this week...here's what we'll be eating!

Monday---leftovers from the weekend...making room for the groceries coming in Monday night
Tuesday- Ragu-Stuffed Peppers and some hushpuppies that looked divine in the frozen section. ( i used my own ragu, because I had two opened bottles in the fridge and threw in some lightly seasoned ground beef that we had leftover from taco night)
Wednesday- Sweet Potato and Gruyere turnovers This is a great way to sneak in a veggie if you have picky kiddos. Mine LOVED it and thought I was feeding them pie!
also serving with Chicken and Egg Soup with Pastina
Thursday- Tex-Mex Lasagna
Friday- PIZZA NIGHT (just a thought...what's your favorite frozen pizza ??? we love Red Baron Special Deluxe and Four Cheese)
Saturday- Lemon Garlic Shrimp & Grits and Cranberry Pear Chutney ( I made this for Christmas and its the only cranberry dish I have ever liked! Sooooo good!)
Sunday- Wild Mushroom Risotto & Cranberry Orange Broccoli

I have a few breakfast foods up my sleeve too, but I will post those later! As well as the two recipes for the chutney and the broccoli.

Enjoy!

For 2011 I will.....

2011-01-03T15:35:00.003-06:00

1. Go to sleep earlier
2. Wake up earlier....therefor I MUST master #1.
3. Read through the entire Bible
4. Work on speaking in a peaceful voice at all times so that my children can learn to do the same
5. Be kind to all, even if it hurts. Practice Grace, grace and more grace.
6. Cook even more than I already do. I'm raising three little women and I want them to be the best they can be!
7. Lose 20lbs.
8. Run a half marathon
9. Nurture my friendships.
10. Read more books
11. Spend more time with my extended family
12. Stop biting my cuticles...its a terrible habbit.

If you blog and have done a resolution list...post the link here so I can see what you have in mind for 2011

A Huge Recap of December

2011-01-03T14:33:00.004-06:00

::: Hayden was in the Willis parade as Lucy from Charlie Brown Christmas:::

We took the girls to the Polar Express Train Ride in Palestine....had a flat tire on the way there, but we made it!

The girls with Santa (Hayden, Preslyn, Ella)

Hayden: "Mom, why did Santa shake my hand??"

Me: "Well he was just introducing himself to you and being friendly."

Hayden: "But Mom, I already met him LAST year."

~Ella is giddy with excitement~

:::BJ and I cranked out a few homemade Christmas gifts this year:::

:::Hayden finished her first semester of Pre-K with a Christmas Program:::

She was a crow

:::We shopped and cooked a TON:::

Then we ate and ate and ate and ate........and I worked out NOT ONCE. (JOY OH JOY)

:::We celebrated with Jordan and Brad at their "Gotcha Party" for Hallie's adoption being finalized:::

:::We helped decorate PawPaw's Christmas tree:::

:::We had our first Christmas eve without Granny. We missed her SOOOO but I felt like all of her traditions lived on through us. We also found out there will be a new cousin in the family this summer! (Not by us!) :::

:::We had screams and squeals on Christmas morning:::

(Ella *Preslyn)

:::The girls got a puppy for Christmas and named her Nina Grey :::

:::BJ and I hosted my mom's side of the family Christmas dinner here at our house:::

:::I celebrated my 28th birthday:::

:::I had my last day at my part time job and am now a fulltime stay at home/work at home mom again:::

:::We celebrated with parties and parties and more parties for BJ's brother graduating from college and then getting married!:::

:::Funny Twirl Convos:::

Ella: "Webbie, I'm gonna dance you at the wedding"

Preslyn: "But Ella, I'm so small and you sooooo big"

Ella: "It's ok, I still reach your hands"

*******
Driving in the car and Preslyn gets in a bad mood for one reason or another
Ella: "Mommy, my Presthus not talk to me"
(I am trying to think through what she just called Preslyn and realize I've never heard that nickname before...Preslyn has many many nicknames.)
Me: "What did you say Ella??"
Ella: "My Presthus not talk to me"
I realize she is calling Preslyn her "Precious"

(How sweet!)
Me: "Preslyn, you are not being very nice to your sister. Why aren't you talking to Ella?"
Preslyn:(to Ella) "Oh, I so sorry your majesty, I not mad at you. I will talk to you.

No idea why the sudden use of Precious and your Majesty, but it was adorable!

**********

:::Hayden was a dollface of a flower girl:::

::: We started potty training x 3:::

The dog is doing the best....by far

Potty training story #1

The other day I heard the front door open. (Now for those of you who are not familiar with our home. We live on private property and can't see any other homes from our home. We are surrounded by trees all the way around. ) So I go to see who must be going out because we were all home. The door is wide open and the twins are making their way back in both saying,

"It's ok mommy, we just going pee-pee outside"

Maybe potty training two toddlers and a puppy at the same time was not the greatest idea.

December was a REALLY busy month for us. The first 3 days of this year have sort of been a fog of recovery. We are pumped for 2011! We have so many goals and things we want to do. We are blessed with

a fabulous family, health and salvation. We are expecting GREAT things for this year for ourselves and for all of you.

2nd Homeade Christmas To-Do is DONE!

2010-12-22T00:29:00.000-06:00

This is a project that i have been wanting to do for months! I had it on my crafty to-do list and even enlisted the help of the hubby. I really wanted something for the girls to play with that I wouldn't have to worry about them breaking.

My part was easy....he says he is lucky to have all of this fingers. I am very please and hope that our little cousins will enjoy their block nativity set for years to come!

Butt, Mom!!!!

2010-12-16T17:22:00.000-06:00

I feel a little sheepish with my title, because it isn't a term we freely use in the Munson fam-il-y, but it very much suits this post.

I can't tell you how many times a day I hear "but MO-om" as my children whine about how starVING they are or how much they want to watch a movie or some other trivial thing. Seriously, my children as for food so many times per day you would seriously think I never feed them. On the other hand, I feel like all I do is feed them and wipe their "boonies". The term that we have endearingly used since Hayden could speak and couldn't get the "t" sound for bootie.

Anyway, so today I dropped off Hayden at school and decided to do one errand that I didn't want to put off too much longer due to the long lines that I am sure will start forming in the customer service booths across America. I needed to return two things. Errands like these usually give me the hives just thinking of them, and what MAY occur during the meant-to-be-quick errand. Throw in two antsy 3 year olds and you must be prepared for anything.

So we pull up to Walmart. That in itself can gives me hives. Not that there is anything particularly wrong with Walmart. It just always seems overcrowded with people in a panic or those who are past the panic and are now in the "bulldoze anyone in my way" mode. It's quite frightening. And that is just if you make it in the door without being run-over by any of the said panickers in their vehicles.

Sidenote: At one point during our trip they announced on the overhead that a small child, three years old, was missing. Please come to the front to claim her. Seconds later I see a woman and man talking frantically and the woman had that " I just lost my child and need her back RIGHT NOW" look on her face. I also heard her mention three years old. I'm thinking Woman! Did you not just hear!?? So I say, " Are you missing a child, three years old? They have her at the front. Did you hear the overhead?" She looks at me now panicked AND confused and says, "No, I'm looking for size 3 Tights." Sorry, can't help ya there, unless Ella, do you want to donate yours that you are wearing?? I was a bit shocked at the urgency she had on her face for tights. Hopefully the other mom that is missing the child isn't wondering around the store calmly browsing through the light bulb section.

ANYWAY, back to the beginning......We walk in and since the return items are small I opt to forgo the cart until we are finished with the return. The twins each picked a small toy from our treasure toy box/extend-o closet, i.e. THE CAR. , to bring with them into the store. So we make the return, after waiting for about 10 minutes. The girls dropping and picking up the toys, stuffing them and unstuffing them into my purse, making friends with a man in line, hugging his legs, me being horrified, giving them the stranger danger talk , and of course, every person in the line asking if they were twins. Sigh.

You'd think that was enough, but NO! I thought, lets browse the store. Maybe we can finish up some shopping we haven't gotten to yet. I grab us a cart, Ella picks the front seat and Preslyn picks the basket. I figured this was a bad idea because Preslyn is a notorious basket-riding-stander-upper. But I didn't feel like arguing with them if I tried to switch or deal with the flood of tears waiting to pour. So we slowly wandered up the center aisles where all the impulse Christmas gifts were. I stop at this one bin to look at something for Hayden and am looking at it and reading and Preslyn calls to me, "Mom, do I have a pullup on?" I look over and Preslyn is standing in the basket, with her jeans and diaper around her knees. Her "Boonie" just glowing in the florescent Walmart lights. I was so tickled I could barely scold her. It was so shocking and hilarious.

Like I said. I have to be prepared for anything. And I am never prepared for the crazy things these girls pull.

Weekly Eatzerria- Week 2

2010-12-06T17:38:00.001-06:00

Hopefully you are finished with all your leftovers and ready for some new tastes besides Turkey. This week I am getting most of my recipes from my fellow blogger and college friend Elaine. You should totally check out her blog because she has got great posts, good recipes and lots more!
So the meal plan goes like this

Monday

Roasted Cherry Tomatos with angel hair
Panko Chicken- Recipe off the box of Private Selection Parmesan Panko
Broccoli

Tuesday
Peppery Flank
Mac n cheese from a box
Salad
Crescent rolls

Wednesday
Chicken Tagine
Couscous

Thursday
Wild Mushroom Risotto
Asparagus (I pour olive oil and soy sauce over them and broil)
Cornbread (nothing fancy, just the recipe on the cornmeal)

Friday
Sweet Potato & Gruyere Turnovers
Warm winter lentil soup

Thanks Elaine for all the yummy recipes! I can't wait to cook them up!

Turkey Shirts for the Girls

2010-12-01T01:07:00.000-06:00

For thanksgiving I got inspired when I saw my friend Leslie's little turkey shirt she handmade for her little Brenley. Why didn't I think of that sooner!?!?!? I thought as I picked up Hayden from her Thanksgiving Day Celebration at school. I figured it was Thursday, I had until Saturday until we had our first family T-day event. Plenty of time to crank out not 1, but 3 turkey shirts....how hard could it be????? Oh did I mention that Sunday was also going to be the twins 3rd birthday bash. Not like I didn't have anything else I needed to be doing. (Total sarcasm intended)

So the turkey shirt-a-palooza began. I wrestled and fought and maybe even growled at my sewing machine. It hated me at times. I was sure it was purposefully holding out on its magical powers, on purpose, because HELLO! doesn't it know that I am on a strict timeline of, I'm-already-crunched-for-time-and-now-I-want-to-throw-in-one-more-MUST-complete-task-before-said-deadline!?! COME ON! work with me machine.

Needless to say that I worked hard, stitched and unstitched. Taught myself new things, even read the sewing manual! All of my skills are totally self-taught since I was not properly schooled in the ways of the sewing machine. Instead I inherited a sewing room of supplies with high aspirations that I would easily "catch on". Well it wasn't easy, but I did enjoy when I finally started "catching on".

So , I will show you some shots of my finished product. I only managed to finish Hayden's for the first family Thanksgiving. Which was a week early, so technically, I didn't miss the holiday . I finished Preslyn and Ella's by the actual day of Thanks.

Here are the photos.

Ella was so thrilled to get a matching shirt like Hayden and proceeded to walk around waiting for her's to be complete saying, " Mommy making us Tuwkey shuwts" .

Here you can see what I see on a daily basis. Ella has really taken the role of Hayden Jr. to a whole new level. She and Hayden are more like twins than Preslyn and her. Its very interesting to see it all play out. Preslyn is in her own little world. She is going to be an interesting little girl to watch.

First handmade stocking stuffer is DONE!

2010-11-30T17:53:00.000-06:00

I have had this on my Christmas to-do list since this summer and I finally had a chance to make it and am very pleased. This little crayon rollup will be great for Hayden because she is very into drawing and coloring. It will be great for grabbing when we go to restaurants or dr. offices so she can bring her colors with her! I think she will like it and I'm proud that I got it done early :)

I may list these in my etsy shop, but if you want one, just message me at LSSMUNSON@gmail.com and I can get your fabric requests. They will be $12.

Giving Thanks

2010-11-26T18:42:00.000-06:00

We have so much to be thankful for this year and I am so excited to start off the festivities of the holidays. I think it's very perfect that Thanksgiving comes before Christmas. To keep us reminded that we have so much in this world and that the meaning of the season is not what we GET but what we give and what we already HAVE. Most importantly our salvation and grace. Without those, nothing else really matters.

I'm so thankful to be healthy and alive. To be living my life daily, raising these three little blessings that I have. Even when I want to pull my hair out because of them, I am trying to learn to stop and be greatful that I have been blessed to be a mother and that they are healthy and strong and growing to be wonderful little girls. I'm thankful for a hardworking husband who does anything for me. He is amazing and talented and a looker, if i've ever seen one :)

I'm thankful for my extended family that is growing and expanding constantly. For our jobs that provide the income we need to survive. I'm thankful for the hard times we have gone through because they have taught us so much about what is important and what really matters. I'm thankful for old friends and new friends. God has brought some really amazing people into our life over the years and each one is so important to us and who we are as individuals and as a family.

I'm thankful for a church body with hearts that are wanting more of God. Hearts for their community. Hearts of worship and prayer. They have swept us in with open arms and it has been amazing. God's timing is Always perfect.

Today I am looking toward the new year as a fresh start, a clean slate and a time to do things better than we did this year. To try harder, love more, laugh all the time and learn to see the good in all things.

Weekly Eatzzeria - Week 1

2010-11-04T16:04:00.006-05:00

Ok, so I came across this idea on a website that I browse and thought it would be a good idea and might be helpful to some of you. I love cooking and have been making meal plans for a while and gathering recipes weekly and thought it might be good to share them all at once for those of you who may need the help to get your family some yummy meals all at home!

Let's face it we all need a little help in this world....as my friend Erin said when we were talking of our kiddos (she has three boys around the ages of my three girls)...."Dude, it takes a village!" And that it does!

I hope this will be helpful to you and if not :) sorry!

I shop, organize and plan on Monday's so those days are either, eat leftovers from the weekend or "wing it" meals...you know just find something at home and whip it up.

Some things are left blank...i use fill in things for those. Like cereal, muffins that I've made the day before, toster streudles, waffles...whatever i have on hand.

so here you go, meals for the whole week! Go to the grocery store and get ready to eat !

Here's the plan for the week....

Monday

D- Turkey Burgers, French Fries, Potato Salad and Fruit salad for dessert

Turkery Burgers
1lb. ground turkey breast
1/4 onion, shredded, on the large holes of hand grater or in a food processor
1/4 cup finely chopped green onion (scallion)
2 slices whole wheat bread, toasted and processed in a food processor for 1 minute to make crumbs
1/4 cup liquid eggs

2 cloves garlic, finely chopped

1/8 teaspoon ground mustard

Black pepper to taste

vegetable oil cooking spray

4 whole weat hamburger burns ( i used the potato bread kind)

1 tablespoon mustard

8 leaves romaine
8 thick slices of tomato
4 slices red onion
( i cheated and bought a ready sliced pack in the deli section, by the bagged salad, it had sliced onions, lettuce and tomato)

Thoroughly mix the turkey, onion, green onion, bread crumbs, egg, garlic, mustard and pepper to taste in a large bowl. Form the mixture into 4 patties. heat a large, heavy-bottomed skillet over medium heat. Lightly coat the pan with cooking spray and place the patties in the pan. Cook until the pink just disappears in the center, about 4 minutes on each side, or until a thermometer inserted in the center of the burger reads 160 degreesF. Slice the buns. I toasted ours. Spread each top with mustard. Place the lettuce, tomato, onion and burger on the bottom bun and cover with the top and serve.

*We used honey mustard instead of regular mustard and added some dill hamburger pickles as well.

French Fries were just a bag of the Ore-Ida shoestring fries...baked them and sprinkled w salt.

Potato Salad was a small premade one that I got free with a meal deal that the grocery store.
Fruit Salad

I used what I had on hand. Mix 1 can extra cherry pie filling, 1 can pineapple chunks, 1 can mandarin oranges, 1 package fronzen strawberries (thawed). Drain juice from all the cans first! Mix, chill and serve. I have made this adding coconut and pecans and mini marshmellows and also by trying different pie fillings. Also you can add a can of fruit cocktail! You can't go wrong, its good any way you make it!

Tuesday
B-Classic Banana Bread
L-Dripping Roast beef sandwiches
D-Turkey w Wild Rice Dressing

Classic Banana Bread
2 cups all purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup butter, softened
2 large eggs
1 1/2 cups mashed ripe banana (about 3)
1/3 cup plain low fat yogurt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
cooking spray

preheat oven to 350 degrees F. lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine flour, baking soda, and salt, stirring with a whisk. Place sugar and butter in a large bowl, and beat with a mixer at med. speed until blended. (about 1 min.) Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Add banana, yogurt, and vanilla; beat until blended. Add flour mixture, beat at low speed just until moist. Spoon batter into a 8x4-inch loaf pan coated with cooking spray. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool for 10 min. in a pan on a wire rack; remove from pan. Cool completely on wire rack. Makes 14 servings.

Dripping Roast Beef Sandwich

1 can (10 1/2 oz.) Cambells Condensed French Onion soup

1 tbsp. reduced sodium Worcestershire sauce

3/4lb. thinly sliced deli roast beef

4 hoagie Rolls w sesame seeds

4 slices deli provolone cheese cut in half

1/4 cup drained hot or mild pickled banana pepper strips

Heat oven to 400. Heat soup and worchestershire sauce in 2 qt. saucepan over med-high heat to a boil. Add beef and heat through, stirring occassionally. Divide beef mixture among rolls. Top beef mixture with cheese slices and place sandwiches onto baking sheet. Bake 3 min. or until sandwiches are toasted and cheese is melted. Top each sandwich w 1 tbsp. pepper rings.

Turkey-- Just bought a small frozen precooked turkey and warmed it up and sliced it.

Wild Rice Dressing- This is my uncle Rob's recipe and its YUM!
1 Cup chopped onion
1 cup chopped bell pepper
1 lb. owens sausage (the kind that is in a roll not the links)
1 box long grain & wild rice
1 Can cream of mushroom soup
1 small jar sliced mushrooms (optional) **Bj isn't a fan so we left these off....I must also add...Bj whipped up this recipe singlehandedly and it was divine!*

Saute onion & pepper in small amt of butter; add sausage and cook until done. Crumble with fork as it cooks; drain. In separate pans cook rice as directed on package. Combine both rice with sausage mixture and add soup and mushrooms. Bake @350 degrees until bubbly hot.

Wednesday
B
L- Crepe Rolls & leftover fruit salad
D-Grilled Pork Tenderloin & Peaches

Crepe Rolls

Whisk together the balsamic ving. ingredients until blended. Toss Salad w. balsamic vinaigrette in large bowl, to taste. Stir together goat cheese, mayo & sundtried tomatoes. Spread each crepe w. small amount of cheese mixture; top w chicken and salad mixture. Roll loosely up.

Balsamic Vinaigrette

3/4 cup olive oil

1/4 cup balsamic vinegar

1 Tbsp. lemon juice
2 tsp. lemon peel, grated

2 cloves garlic, minced

Crepes

1 log (4oz. goat cheese, softened) I used the sundried tomato flavored one
3 Tbsp. mayonnaise
2 Tbsp. sun-dried tomatoes, drained and chopped
1 pkg. 5oz. Dole Spring mix salad blend
10 (8in.) prepared crepes
2 cups rotisserie chicken, shredded

Grilled Pork Tenderloin & Peaches
3 Tbsp canola oil
2 Tbsp fresh rosemary, finely chopped
1/2 tsp coarse black pepper
1 1/2 lbs. pork tenderloin, fat trimmed
Kosher salt
Reserved peach glaze (from below recipe)
Rosemary sprigs, for garnish

Whisk the oil, rosemary and pepper in a baking dish. Add the pork; coat. Cover and refrigerate 1-8 hours. Heat grill to high. Remove pork from the refrigerator 20 min. before grilling. Season tenderloin liberally with salt and grill on all sides until golden brown and slightly charred, 2 min. per side. Brush with peach glaze, cover, and continue grilling 5 minutes or until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center of the pork reads 145 degrees. Remove to a cutting board, tent with foil, and let rest 10 min. Slice into 1/2 inch thick pieces. Place on a platter with the peaches; drizzle with remaining glaze. Garnish with rosemary springs.

Peach Glaze (Peaches Agrodolce)
1 cup red-wine vinegar
1/4 cup water
1/2 cup honey
salt and fresh black pepper
3 slightly under-ripe peaches, halved, pitted and each half sliced into quarters
Bring the vinegar, water, honey, salt and pepper to a simmer in a large high-sided saute pan over medium heat. Add the peaches and cook, stirring once or twice until slightly soft, about 5 min. Remove the peaches to a plate; continue cooking the liquid until slightly reduced, 5 min. Transfer half of the glaze to a small bowl.

Thursday

B-

L- Pasta con Aglio E Olio

D-Cornflake Crusted Fish, Bunny Pasta & Cheese, Croissants

Pasta Con Aglio E Olio
1 pkg thin spaghetti
6 tbsp olive or veg. oil or butter (choose olive!!)
4 tsp finely chopped fresh garlic or 1/2 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp dried oregano leaves

Cook pasta according to package directions. In small saucepan over medium heat, heat oil; add garlic, salt and oregano. Cook 1 minute or until garlic is lightly browned; do not burn. Toss hot pasta w oil mixture; season w salt and pepper, if desired. Serve immediately. I mixed in some chopped fresh tomatoes and 1/4 red bell pepper. Use whatever veggies you have on hand or add chicken, beef or seafood.

Serve with a chopped salad.

Corn Flake Crusted Fish Fillets with Dilled Tartar Sauce

1/2 cup mayo (do not use salad dressing)
1 tablespoon finely chopped onion
2 tablespoons dill pickle relish
1/2 cup Gold Medal all purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
3 tablespoons water
3 cups corn flakes cereal, crushed (about 1 2/3 cups)
4 cod fillets (i like to use the orange roughy instead that come in the kroger prepacks)
1/2 cup vegetable oil
In small bowl, mix mayo, onion and pickle relish. Cover. Refrigerate. Meanwhile, in a shallow dish, beat eggs and water with fork. Place crushed cereal in third shallow dish. Dip fish in flour, coating well; shake off excess. Dip floured fish in egg mixture, then in cereal, coating all sides completely. Place coated fish on ungreased cookie sheet. In 12 in. skillet, heat oil over medium heat until hot. Keeping at least 1 in. between fish fillets and cooking in bathes if needed, cook fish in oil 3-4 min. each side, turning once, until well browned and fish flakes easily with fork. Serve fish topped with sauce.

Friday

B- Lemon Glazed Zucchini Bread
L- Parmesan Orzo & Meatballs

D-Frozen Pizza and Salad

Lemon Glazed Zucchini Quick Bread
2 1/3 cups all purpose flour
3/4 cup granulated sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 cup finely shredded zucchini
1/2 cup 1% low fat milk
1/4 cup canola oil
2 tablespoons grated lemon rind
1 large egg
cooking spray
1 cup sifted powdered sugar
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine flour and next 6 ingredients in a a large bowl; make a well in center of mixture. Combine zucchini, milk, oil, rind, and egg in a bowl; add to flour mixture. Stir just until moist. Spoon batter into a 8x4 inch loaf pan coated with cooking spray. Bake at 350degrees for 55 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool loaf 10 min. in a pan on a wire rack; remove loaf from pan. Cool completely on wire rack. Combine powdered sugar and lemon juice; stir with a whisk. Drizzle over loaf. Makes 14 servings.

Parmesan Orzo & Meatballs
1 1/2 cups frozen bell pepper and onion stir-fry (1lb bag)
2 tablespoons intalian dressing
1 can (14 oz.) beef broth
1 cup uncooked orzo
16 frozen cooked italian style meatballs (from 16 oz. bag)
1 large tomato, chopped
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
1/4 cup shredded parmesan cheese

In 12 in. skillet, cook stir fry veggies and dressing over med. high heat 2 min. Stir in broth; heat to boiling. Stir in pasta and meatballs. Heat to boiling;reduce heat to low. Cover; cook 10 min, stirring occassionally. Stir in tomato. Cover; cook 3-5 min or until most of the liquid has been absorbed and pasta is tender. Stir in parsley. Sprinkle with cheese.

Saturday

B-

L- LEFTOVERS

D-Chicken Enchiladas, Mexican Rice, Chips and Salsa

Chicken Enchiladas
1/4 cup slivered almonds
1/4 cup chopped onion
2 tablespoons butter or margerine
1 4 oz. can diced green chile peppers, drained
1 3 oz. package cream cheese, softened
1 tablespoon milk
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
2 cups chopped cooked chicken
12 7 inch flour tortillas or 6 inch corn tortillas (i'm using corn)
1 10 3/4 oz. can condensed cream of chkn. or cream of mush. soup
1 8oz carton dairy sour cream
1 cup milk
3/4 cup shredded Monterey Jack or cheddar cheese (3 oz. )

In a medium skillet cook the 1/4 cup almonds and the onion in hot butter over medium heat until onion is tender and nuts are lightly toasted. Remove skillet from heat. Stir in 1 tablespoon of the green chile peppers; reserve remaining peppers for sauce. In a medium bowl combine cream cheese, the 1 tablespoon milk, and cumin; add nut mixtrue and chicken. Stir until combined. Spoon about 3 tablespoons of the chicken mixture onto each tortilla near one edge; roll up. Place filled tortillas, seam side down, in a greased 3 qt. rectangular baking dish. Set aside. For sauce, in a medium bowl combine the reserved chile peppers, soup, sour cream and the 1 cup milk. Pour evenly over the tortillas in the baking dish. Cover with foil. Bake in a 350 degree oven about 35 minutes or until heated through. Remove foil. Sprinkle enchiladas with cheese and tthe 2 tablespoons almonds. Return to oven; bake about 5 minutes more or until cheese melts.

My Mom's Recipe for Spanish Rice!
1 cup rice
2 tablespoons oil
16 oz. can stewed tomatoes (you can sub. diced tomatoes or canned diced tomatoes if you have them)
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 medium onion, chopped
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 1/2 cups water

Fry rice in oil until browned. Add onion and garlic (even some green pepper if you like) and saute with rice for 1 minute. Add remaining ingredients, cover and simmer until tender. approx. 20 min. DO NOT LIFT LID!

Sunday

B-Apricot Almond Muffins

L-Crunchy Baked Ckn, deviled eggs, spinach and strawberry salad

D-pasta and veggie stew, cornbread

Apricot-Almond Muffins

Crunchy Baked Chicken
1 egg
1 tbsp. milk
1 can french fried onion, crumbled
3/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
1/3 cup dry bread crumbs
1 tsp. paprika
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. ground pepper
1 (3-4 lb.) chicken, cut up
2 tbsp. butter, melted

Combine egg and milk in a shallow dish and whisk until blended. Combine the onions, cheese, bread crumbs, paprika, salt and pepper in a shallow dish and mix well. Dip the chicken in the egg mixture. Roll in the bread crumb mixture to coat.
Arrange the chkn. in a 9x12in. baking dish and drizzle with the butter. Bake at 350degrees for 55-60 min. or until the chkn. registers 165degrees. with a thermometer. Refrigerate any leftovers.

Deviled Eggs
6 hard cooked eggs
1/2 cup mayo
1 teaspoon prepared mustard
1 teaspoon vinegar
paprika or parsley sprigs

Halve hard cooked eggs lengthwise and remove yolks. Set whites aside. Place yolks in a bowl. Mash with a fork. Add may, mustard, and vinegar. mix well. If desired, season with salt and black pepper. Stuff egg white halves with yolk mixture. If desired, garnish with paprika or parsley.

Spinach and Strawberry Salad
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
3 Tbsp. honey mustard
1/4 cup olive oil
1 pkg. 10oz. fresh spinach leaves, cleaned, stems removed
1qt. (4oz) fresh strawberries, sliced
1/3 cup green onions, sliced
1 package (4oz. Athenos traditional crumbled feta cheese
1 Tbsp. poppy seeds

Beat vinegar and mustard in a small bowl with wire whisk. Gradually add oil, beating with wire whisk until well blended. Toss spinach with strawberries, onions, cheese and poppy seeds in a large salad bowl. Add mustard dressing; mix lightly. Serve immediately. Refrigerate leftovers. Serves 6.

Enjoy :) Comment below if you try any of the recipes!!

2010-10-31T15:49:00.001-05:00

just posted hayden's 5 year update but i changed the date so its further down, in case you haven't read it yet :)

Because we got a smaller table that's why

2010-10-14T09:40:00.000-05:00

Tonight at dinner the conversation started about what the girls were dressing up as for the harvest fest at our church. We have a no tolerance policy for anything scary, evil, witchy, etc. Nope. Not gonna happen.

So Hayden calls out "Mom, I wanna be an ice cream truck. " (Giggles all around and me thinking, How in the world??" )
Ella chimes in "I want to be a sandcastle!" (again, I'm thinking....how could we do that?"

and then Preslyn, in the sweetest, smallest voice politely and quietly asks "Can I be a man?"

I thought Bj and I were going to need to be rescucitated we were laughing so hard.

5 year olds can swing themselves!

2010-10-07T15:23:00.001-05:00

I still cannot believe I have a 5 year old child. I remember being pregnant with her and thinking, Wow, I cannot imagine what it is going to be like to have a tiny little baby. I would also think what will it be like to have a 5 year old, a teenager, a woman!? SHEESH!

Jelly 5 a la Dad

The time has gone too quickly because here we are 5 years later and we have a 5 year old. She constantly amazes us by her knowledge of things around her and her vocabulary is astounding. This year she started Pre-K and has been moving towards reading every day.

Two days ago, we pulled up to the post office and Hayden shouts out, "Hey Mom, look that door says P-u-l-l, that says Pull!" I was in the midst of organizing to go inside so I acknowledged her with a "uh huh" and went on with what I was doing.

She calls out, "Mom, the other door says P-u-s-h, Push! "

It was then that I put two and two together and realized for the first time Hayden had read a word all by herself. I whipped around with a huge smile on my face, screaming, Hayden! You just READ! You did it!! See how you did that!?!? She was BEAMING! I was so stinking excited for her. What an exciting moment to share with her.

Another think Hayden has been working on is learning the concept of swinging herself on a swingset. We always walk out and push her and tell her how to do it herself but she just hasn't figured it out yet.

Hayden at her Owl Skating Party

Hayden and Ella & Preslyn getting ready to skate it up!

Getting ready to go to school on her birthday

So the night after her birthday we went to her grandparents house and she ran out to the swingset ahead of everyone else. She got one starting push and as I walked out the door I hear excited squeels coming from the playset, "MOM, DAD, FIVE YEAR OLDS CAN SWING THEMSELVES!!!" She was pumping her legs back and forth and swinging all by herself.

What a cute little milestone that kicked in right as she turned five! Perfect timing since BJ and I had acquired a hand me down swingset for her, for her birthday, to be given to her the following day.

Hayden Jadie-Elisabeth...oh how you rocked our world at 3:44am, 5 years ago! You are a genius & make the world better. I love everything about you and who you are.You are so full of energy & zest for life. When I grow up I want to be just like you ;) Have the BEST day ever little boo-boo. We love you for ever, we'll like you for always, as long as we're living, our baby you'll be.

Free set of double old fashioned drinking glasses

2010-09-17T01:04:00.000-05:00

Well guess what One Kings Lane is still running the promotion that if you are signing up as a new customer you will get $15 free instantly. Which would mean these glasses FREE (just pay shipping) SWEET!

Also for a limited time One Kings Lane is running a deal that if you refer a friend you both get $15 put into your account!

So after your new customer credit they will be FREE! One Kings Lane There are several other things on the site for $15 (meaning they would be free with your credit!)