Still no time

I can't believe it has been over a month! For me, there truly is not enough time in a day. Life is a lot busier here for me than in VA. My schedule is usually pretty much booked as much as I want it to be booked. Constantly trying to keep up w/ bills, cleaning, laundry, and such. The holidays are making that even harder right now, as usual. Oh and yeah, our newest addition to the family! She's cute, brown, furry, and has 4 legs. Yes, that would be a little 9week chocolate lab, Barley!! It is like having a 3rd kid, yes probably easier than really having a 3rd, but still. I can't get anything done. Potty training! Yeah. I should be potty training my son, but can't put full attention on that, I don't fully trust lil' Barley just yet. I'm not completely ignoring my son's potty training, we are trying, just not pure, uninterrupted attention. Oh yeah, after his bath last night I asked him if he needed to go and he got his stuff on the toilet and went pee! Awesome!! He was pretty excited and so were we. Can't wait to drop that expense. Anyway, got stuff to do while Barley is in her kennel for trying to eat a christmas ball ornament, that could have ended badly. A picture of her will follow here sometime, hopefully sooner than later.

I'm baaaaack!

Quick run down since last post. Moved to ID summer '07, lived w/ in-laws for 4 months, and now, we finally have moved into our new home. Life has been crazy, feels like we went from 0mph to 100mph since moving to ID. I couldn't be happier though. This post is short and sweet, I promise I will start to make this a daily ritual again, but for right now I have some more "organizing" to do in my new home. It seems like it never ends!

Faux Hawk

Last week we decided to cut my son's lovely locks off and gave him a faux hawk. He looks like a grown up boy now and I love it.

CHAOS, we know each other

Okay, so yeah, still here, barely!!! 2 months have gone by. I have incredible reasons. Won't go into that though. Anyway, with what little time I have to be goofing off right now, HOUSE IS SOLD!!! Pray for home inspection and appraisal, but all is good. We leave the 21st so I'll be seeing you sometime the week of the 25th from my new home, Boise. Phil has to fly back on the 27th and sign at the closing on the 28th, then works one more shift and drives, again, that first Monday in July. I have to say I have gotten to know "CHAOS" very well, we're buddies right now. My kids are still alive, even though they may hate me right now, but there is light at the end of the tunnel and we're running toward it. This ordeal is almost over! Thank you Lord for guidance, stamina to keep moving forward when chaos and stress hit the fan, and the open doors!

Still here

I don't know if anyone even checks my blog anymore. I wouldn't blame you. It has been quite awhile since I've posted. This is just a quick note to let everyone know I'm still here, but very busy. We're in the middle of trying to sell our house by owner, looking for homes in ID, finishing a basement, all the while, taking care of 2 little ones and working jobs. Sorry I haven't posted, but I just haven't had the time. Will update everyone on the news here, when there is any new news to share. Just pray for a quick sale, this is very hard on the kids and stressful for us all. Trying to keep a clean house at all times is almost impossible and they just don't understand why it is so important.

Salsa Chicken over Rice

Prep time = 15min
Cook time = 15min
Stand time = 5min

2 C cooked white rice, kept warm
1 Tbs Vegetable oil
1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast halves, cut into strips
1 medium onion, chopped
1 sm red bell pepper, sliced
1 jar (16oz) salsa
1/2 C (2oz) shredded Mexican-blend cheese
Sour cream (optional)
Chopped fresh cilantro (optional)

Heat oil in large skillet over medium-heat. Add chicken, onion, & bell pepper; cook, stirring occasionally, for 10-12 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink.

Stir in salsa; bring to a boil. Remove from heat; sprinkle w/ cheese. Cover; let stand for 5 minutes or until cheese is melted.

Serve over rice. Garnish w/ sour cream & cilantro. Makes 4 servings.

Per serving: 363 calories, 10g total fat (3g sat fat), 78mg chol, 986mg sodium, 34g total carb, 1g fiber, 5g sugars, 32g protein.

What sustains me at this moment in my life

Isaiah 55:9

"For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
So are My ways higher than your ways
And My thoughts than you thoughts."

Life is crazy at this very moment and it all began several weeks ago. Ironically it began on a day in which I didn't feel settled inside (a good unsettled), I felt like something big was going to be taking place and God was saying "HOLD ON". So much had happened the weeks prior and my husband and I were wondering what was going on. One day, I happened to read my home page when I sign on to the internet and this was the bible verse. I looked the verse up in my Charles Stanley Life Principles bible and re-read the verse. My fingers happened to to be holding some other pages and when I turned to them it was on his Life Principle #14 God acts on behalf of those who wait for Him. I sat in awe, it is what I needed to read. It was days before I knew what the unsettled excitement ("Sit down and hold on" feeling) was all about. Here we are now, just a few weeks from those moments, in the process of finishing our basement to sell it quickly and move back home to ID by July. Crazy!!! It is every day that my husband and I are taking steps of faith for this move. I won't lie, there are days where we just don't understand what is going on and how it's all going to work (there are many details in this decision). But there is never a day where there is no peace with the decision to still go at this time. That brings me back to why Isaiah 55:9 is what I hold onto everyday. I don't know what the details are and what God is doing right now, but I trust Him. And just to add, never in my heart, did I think that the changes that have taken place within my husband (wanting to move back, etc.)would take place. God is amazing and He has done some unbelievable work within my husband in several areas, including me. That is my thought for today!

Literally, 1 dish meal

From the kitchen of my bro's wife

Don't know if there is a name for this, she likes to experiment.

Ingredients:
4-5 Chicken breasts (thawed or frozen if you're really lazy-like us:) )
Garlic Salt
Pepper
Ground Sage
Shredded Cheese
1 Can Cream of Chicken Soup
1 box Low-Sodium Chicken Stove Top Stuffing
1 Can Chicken broth

Place chicken breasts in baking dish, season to your liking. Sprinkle shredded cheese on top of chicken breasts, amount depends on you. Spoon entire can of cream of chicken soup on top of chicken breasts, straight from can. Meanwhile, in separate bowl add stuffing and 1 can of chicken broth, microwave for 2 minutes. Spoon stove top mix on top of chicken mixture and place in oven on 375 degrees for an hour, or until chicken is cooked. I start with frozen breasts and cook in 390 degree oven for approx an hour and 15-20 minutes. Then I serve it next to steamed broccoli. Enjoy.

1 Fish 2 Fish

A few days ago we mourned the loss of the family's first pet. Yes, Nemo passed away late one night after a long day of struggling to stay alive. There was no question that he would be replaced, and quickly! The following morning I sat my daughter down and explained. I decided not to lie and gave her the whole truth. She took it quite well and was more than excited to get a new fish (Nemo's memory was already gone). So now we have Nemo Jr. Both kids are happy and that's what matters.

Italian Baked Chicken and Pastina

Courtesy Giada De Laurentiis "Everyday Italian"





Ingredients:
1 C pastina pasta (or any small pasta)
2 Tbs olive oil
1/2 C cubed chicken breast (1" cubes)
1/2 C diced onion (abt 1/2 a sm onion)
1 clove garlic, minced
1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes w/ juice
1 C shredded mozzarella
1/4 C chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
1/4 tsp kosher salt
1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
1/4 C bread crumbs
1/4 C grated Parmesan
1 Tbs butter, plus more for buttering the baking dish

Instructions:
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

Bring a medium pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook until just tender, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes. Drain pasta into a large mixing bowl.

Meanwhile, put the olive oil in a medium saute pan over medium heat. Add the chicken and cook for 3 minutes. Add the onions and garlic, stirring to combine, and cook until the onions are soft and the chicken is cooked through, about 5 minutes more. Put the chicken mixture into the bowl with the cooked pasta. Add the canned tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, parsley, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine. Place the mixture in a buttered 8x8x2" baking dish. In a small bowl mix together the bread crumbs and the Parmesan cheese. Sprinkle over the top of the pasta mixture. Dot the top w/ small bits of butter. Bake until the top is golden brown, about 30 minutes.

Broiled Zucchini & Potatoes w/ Parmesan Crust

Courtesy Giada De Laurentiis "Everyday Italian"





Ingredients:
4 sm new potatoes (red or white, about 1.5" diameter)
2 Tbs butter
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tsp chopped fresh thyme leaves (I used dried, cut amt in half)
1 tsp chopped fresh rosemary leaves (used dried, cut amt in half)
2 sm zucchini, cut in 1/2 lengthwise (abt 1" wide x 5" long)
Pinch kosher salt & freshly ground black pepper
1/4 C grated Parmesan

Instructions:
Bring a medium pot of water to a boil over high heat. Add the potatoes and cook until just tender, about 8-10 minutes. Drain the potatoes and let cool. When cool, cut the potatoes in half.

Place a medium saute pan over medium heat. Add the butter, garlic, thyme & rosemary and let cook until the butter melts, about 2 minutes. Meanwhile, season the cut sides of the zucchini and potatoes w/ salt and pepper. Carefully place the zucchini and potatoes cut side down in the melted butter. Let them cook until golden brown, about 12-15 minutes.

Preheat the broiler. Line a baking sheet w/ foil. Place the browned zucchini & potatoes on the baking sheet cut side up. Sprinkle the tops w/ the Parmesan. Place in the broiler until the cheese is golden brown, about 4 minutes. Transfer to a plate and serve.

Yesterday

Okay, I have to write about this. I can laugh about it today, but yesterday I wasn't. This is a short version of my day yesterday. Woke up, getting ready, my daughter comes upstairs telling me she was sorry for the accident in the kitchen. So I proceeded downstairs to find orange juice all over the floor, my kitchen mat, fridge, and cupboards. Later that day I go and get my son from his nap. Walk into his room and he's sitting in his crib with his legs hanging out over the edge. I can tell he has a poopy diaper the moment the door opens. I notice the rocking chair moved and his crib, while fixing those I look at him and realize he has no diaper on. The poopy diaper is in the middle of the floor and he's sitting on his freshly cleaned crib sheet with a poopy bum (removing own diaper, sure sign it's time to potty train-officially). So I clean that up,throw bedding into laundry and him in the tub. Thankfully it didn't get anywhere else. After that ordeal, I decide to work out. The kids are working out with me and the next thing I notice my son is crying and my daughter is saying sorry. He calms down and I proceed to work out. Then I notice a spot on my couch pillow, upon turning the lights on, I realize it's blood. My daughter accidentally ran into my son giving him a bloody nose. Blood on my couch, blood on his clean shirt, blood on his freshly cleaned Tonton (stuffed bear). So I had to take care of that. Then finally it was dinner time. My hubby showed up with 2 of his boys from the home while I was getting dinner for the kids. Gave my daughter her plate, next thing I hear is "Oops, Sorry." I turn to look and she had spilled her green applesauce all over the floor (carpet). Nice. My hubby took care of that thankfully. So that was my day. Never ending accidents. Those types of days are few and far between. They're no fun in the midst of it, but looking back, I can't help but laugh. Kids!

Good Morning

Woke up this morning with the light coming in the window nice and bright. You can feel spring! I love it. I looked at my clock and thought 830am, not too bad, kids aren't even awake. Then I realized it was actually 930am, I completely forgot to set my clocks ahead. Whoops! Still a good morning though. Today should be in the 60s, a great day to finally whip out the scented bubbles my daughter wanted and go outside and blow them. We've had a lot of wind and not so warm temps for awhile. Things are finally taking a turn. Now if only I could muster up the energy to finally wash my car. Garages aren't too popular around here in VA so your car is exposed all year long, and with the amount of rain we get, it's impossible to keep your car clean. Needless to say, my cars paint in chipping. If we decide to keep the thing, that will definitely be a paint job for the future. Well, tune in for tomorrow. I tried out a new recipe from Everyday Italian (Food Network) and it was awesome! Easy to make, cheap, and great tasting. I'll post it tomorrow.

Stromboli

Recipe given from close friends w/ Italian background.

2 frozen loaves of Rhodes bread (white), or pizza dough recipe (enough for 2) or pre-made dough you can buy at the store
10 thin slices of VA Baked ham (or equivalent)
10 thin slices of hard salami
10 thin slices of provolone cheese
10 thin slices of mozzarella cheese
Mustard
Oregano
Butter-room temp.

Roll each loaf or each pizza dough out to form long rectangle (usually the length of a cookie sheet) and wide enough to fold top over ingredients (usually ends up the width of a loaf of french bread). Spread thin layer of mustard on bottom half of dough and sprinkle oregano over mustard. Lay down a layer of 5 pieces of VA ham over mustard/oregano, then provolone, then hard salami, followed by mozzarella. Fold top over and roll bottom dough over top to form a lip and pinch shut. Spread thin layer of butter on top and place on lightly greased cookie sheet. Bake at 375 degrees for approx 15 min or until lightly golden brown. Remove from oven and cut width wise (usually can get approx 6 good size pieces). Recipe makes 2 long loaves of Stromboli.

I've added green peppers, onions, and olives to mine before. You can add whatever you like or just keep to original recipe, all is good. Marinara is a good dipping sauce also. Enjoy.

A glimpse of my morning

Sorry this seems so choppy, but have you ever noticed that when your busy or concentrating, your kids love distracting you? I've been bombarded this whole time. Today is my daughter's 5th birthday and all morning she's been asking to buy a stuffed snake toy. Why? I have no idea. I have a daughter who is more interested in dinosaurs and reptiles than girly things (not that I'm complaining-in fact I was the same, not girly in any way). My son, straight up CLOWN who loves cars! He just turned 2 about a week ago and I can't believe how much of his personality is coming out. He's hilarious. I think he's going to take after his father's personality. I love my kids, their both goof balls with a lot of spunk. They can be very frustrating and draining too, but their mine and I wouldn't have it any other way! Sadly my hubby is working today and can't be with us on our daughter's birthday, so we will officially celebrate it tomorrow. I will be treating her to something today though. Not sure what, but I will. I guess that means I should probably finish getting ready. Some days I wish I had someone to do my makeup and hair. Wouldn't that be nice! Then I could just sit back and enjoy my cup of coffee without it getting cold and me having to reheat it about 3 times. By that time I forget to finish it, brush my teeth, then when I realize my cup is still half full with a "good" cup of coffee, I dump it. What a waste. Well, hope today is a beautiful day for everyone. I'm off to the factory to make myself over.

Chicken Crescent Pockets

These have been a hit for everyone I've made them for. Recipe was given to me from a family here in VA.

3 oz cream cheese, softened
2 Tbs butter, softened
Cooked chicken, diced (for this recipe I use 2 chkn breasts, boiled in chkn bouillon & spices)
1 Tbs milk
Salt, Pepper
1 Tbs chopped onion
1 (8oz) can refrigerated crescent rolls
1 Tbs butter (melted)
Seasoned bread crumbs

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Blend cream cheese & 2 Tbs softened butter. Add diced chicken, milk, salt, pepper, & onion. Mix well. Separate crescent rolls into 4 rectangles, pressing seams together so that it won't split down the middle. Put chicken mixture in center of each rectangle. Fold rectangle in half and seal edges to make pocket. Brush each pocket with the melted butter and then top with seasoned bread crumbs. Bake at 350 degrees on ungreased cookie sheet for 20-25 minutes.

Makes 4 chicken pockets.

Still here

Sorry for such the long delays in posting. It's been very hard getting back into the swing of things since returning home last week, on top of still being sick and my son. Plus I've had nothing positive and uplifting to talk about this past week. Anyway, above I thought I'd post a really good recipe that I was asked to share. Enjoy.

It's been a long time

Okay, it has been about a month since I've posted. I took a trip w/ my kids for 3 weeks and just returned this last Tues. I'm still trying to recoup, it's taking much longer since I've been really sick. In fact my 2 kids are also sick. Just wanted to let everyone know we made it home safely, now we just need to get over our colds, which is taking too long. I'll be back when I have more energy. Love to all and thank you for a wonderful time in ID.

Here we go!

This will be very very short, for I don't have a lot of time. My anxiety is building and I'm trying to keep my breaths long and deep. I can feel my pulse increase. Tomorrow I leave for ID w/ my 2 little ones, no help. I don't know why I'm so anxious about the whole thing. I know God will be there tomorrow the whole way and I know that I'll bear down and just do it. It's almost like survival mode, the stronger part of me just takes over with out even being asked. Anyway, I'm just looking forward to getting there and seeing everyone. Pray for me and my little ones and we'll see you soon. Now I have to go and start packing.

Mirror Mirror

I just finished watching Dr. Phil today and the topic of young mothers who want questions asked about baby. On the show today were mothers who had bonding issues with their child and the anger they felt toward them when they threw tantrums to when to feed your child solids. Also on the show to help were a series of Dr's. The "Sears" family of doctors. At the end of the show, it turned out the only story I was interested in was the first. A mother who went through post-partum but wasn't advised on it, had bonding problems with her child and feelings of anger and resentment toward them (the child being 3 now). The daughter is constantly throwing a tantrum or screaming. A high stress situation for any parent. In the few moments that this mother was on, the doctors advice was "mirror" to your daughter. In other words, don't get angry and frustrated, that only brings out more frustration with your child. Try looking through your child's eyes and how they would want to see you react. It doesn't mean giving in, it just means keeping your cool and portraying positive behaviors and letting them know that they are fine and so on and so on. That is one thing I really struggle with especially w/ my daughter. I'm quick to anger and the funny thing is, it makes matters worse. Spanking doesn't work on her either(Dr's also said spanking doesn't usually make a difference w/ strong willed children-which I'm so "blessed" to have a very strong willed child who I'm still trying to figure out). I have to constanty work on keeping my cool and allowing my daughter to not push my buttons. Stay calm and collected. It's very hard to do, but very necessary. The rest of the show, I didn't agree w/ a thing the Dr's said, but hey, that's my opinion. The stategies my husband and I have used with our children in certain areas worked for us. Anyway, after watching this show, I then see my son crawling into the dryer. Of course I'm on it and tell him no, then my cell rings and I'm speaking with a friend. In the back ground I hear a muffled scream. I come out of the kitchen to see my son in the dryer and my daugher sitting in front of it after shutting the door behind him. Perfect time to not jump to shear anger and calmly explain why we don't close the dryer door and what she should do if baby brother goes near the dryer again. Lovely day.

Busy Busy

My posts are so sporadic. I have a really good excuse for this last week. I've been sick, thanks to the little people! I'm doing much better today, thanks to lots of praying, zycam, airborne, green tea, sudafed, echinacea, advil, lemon & honey drink, I think that's all. So yeah. Now comes the part of my week where I have to get a lot done before this coming Tues. It's a lot of work to get ready to leave for 3 weeks w/ 2 kids. Not only do I have to get things ready for the 3 of us, but I also have to have certain things prepared for my husband who is staying home. I'm getting more nervous each day thinking about flying alone w/ my 2 kids. I pray they are little angels for the whole day. It's going to be a very long one. I'm very excited to see family, at the same time I'm saddened about being apart from my husband for 3 weeks. Bitter-sweet I guess. Well, when I have more time today and have access again to our 1 computer, I'll post again.

School

Okay, this is the only thing so far that I can't stand about my daughter being in school. We're constantly getting sick! Less than 2 mo ago we all just got over being sick and now we have it again. It's funny, Anneliese always is the first, then Peyton, then me. My husband hardly ever gets it, he says it's because he's not afraid of getting dirty and having to sanitize all the time. Whatever. My routine, zycam and airborne (& a vitamin) everyday all day. I leave in 1 week and the last thing I need is to be sick w/ 2 sick kids on an airplane w/ no help. Dropping my daughter off this morning, a little reminder was waiting for me in her cubby. Kindergarten pre-registration next month. 5 years, where did they go? I cannot believe that she will be in school next fall. My first born is beginning her school career. I'm a little saddened, but at the same time excited for her. She'll love it. She may only just be entering kindergarten and I still have 13 yrs with her before college, but time is flying by and it's scary. The first 5 years of her life seem to almost be a blur. All those parents before me, I fully understand what you meant. I plan on making a ton of memories and enjoying every minute. Well, I just read my sister-in-law's latest blog and now I need a coffee. Time to go.

Jumping on the band-wagon

This is a quick post to let you all know that my husband has joined the bloggers! You can read him at www.myowntrivialpursuit.blogspot.com

Vonage-SO COOL

Okay, so for the first time, we went over our cell minutes. Only reason, my hubby's new software job. Not only does he do a lot of sales calls, but he also does training and meetings via the internet and phone. Vonage. That's all I have to say. We just got it Friday. We don't have a land line nor do we want one. Best Buy was running a special on the start up kit which included the phone base router and a phone by V-tech which was $99 with a $100 mail in rebate. So we got it for free. Plus we got a $50 Best Buy gift card. So cool! Then we signed up for the unlimited local & long dist. plan for $24.99/mo and we get the 1st mo free. You get all the cool features for call waiting, call forward, conference, etc..............(list goes on) and we can call several European countries for free! This is beginning to sound like a sales pitch. Oh well, I would definitely recommend this to anyone who hates local phone co and the price you pay. You can also travel w/ your vonage system. My hubby's already used it for a meeting and it worked great! Those he was in a meeting with said they could hear him better than when he's on his cell. Why we didn't get this earlier, I don't know. But the timing worked out great!

A week from you know where...

Talk about a week that I'd like to forget about. I think this last week has been the toughest week that I can remember ever having. Unfortunate things just piling up on each other. What in the world?!!!! First my stupid computer fails me and won't even boot (Lord please let me hard-drive be fine and all my digital photos), then cars are breaking down, then cell phones are way over limit... I couldn't take anymore. Add on monthly mood swings and disagreements with my husband and it was the icing on the cake! On the positive, the "disagreements" have been taken care of, love you Hun. Likewise, cell phone overage charges, taken care of, thank you LORD and someone else on our side. Computer, still no word, will be taking the hard-drive with me on my trip and praying that a friend can extract our data safe and sound. Oh please oh please, my entire digital memory is on that and not all of it was backed up. Lesson learned, again. You think it would only take once, but no. Thankfully I have some of it backed up, my main concern is my son's entire life is on digital and I can't remember backing it up, I ran out of space on my flash drive. The cars, who knows, I don't really want to go there right now. Anyway, I'm trying my hardest to keep my head up and trust that God will handle it.