Back Breaking Work

Our yard is almost complete. Thanks to a lot of help from family and friends, our fence was completed in 1 day last weekend. Since then, my husband and I have been quite busy w/ our yard (front/back). The front is done (shrubs, rock, fixing grass thanks to the "Evil One" aka Barley) and now we have some rock hauling and french drains to do in the back, and we'll be done! I don't know if any of you have tried shoveling and hauling rock, let me just say it's tough work. It would be nice to just pay someone to do it, but from my experience (I did the front myself!), when the job is complete, there is a bit of pride in it. Anyway, that has been my week. It will be so nice to finally be done and then relax and enjoy the privacy of our new back yard. My next venture, painting! It never ends :) After asking if it was okay to purchase some paint here some time, my husband was quite nice in telling me that he absolutely will NOT be picking up a paint brush. That's okay, the projects are small anyways. Well, my back flower beds are calling my name, they're covered with weed barrier and waiting for rock! One quick side note of good news. I believe that something finally clicked in my son and he is finally fully potty trained! This will be his 3rd day of being dry. He has been doing it all himself, no help from mommy. Today is his first official day in underwear. I am so proud of him! He gets a little hot wheel everyday that he stays dry and once it's consistent (which I believe he pretty much is), he gets to go and pick out a big hot wheel set!

EVILNESS!!!!

Yes, that is my new nickname for our chocolate lab! She's on my black list right now and hasn't quite worked herself off of it. Let me preface this with how things have gone since Friday. My son hasn't quite gotten over some weird cough, the kind that if you get a coughing spell you throw up. Well, Friday after dinner we gave the kids some ice cream in "pink" ice cream cones. They started running around the house w/ daddy and yes, my son threw up all over the carpet in my front room. "PINK" ice cream cone, mind you, stains quickly. So I whipped out the steam cleaner and saved the carpet. Well, Saturday morning rolls around and my daughter is heading out w/ my husband to a teen focus car wash and can't find her sun hat. So I head up stairs to find it and hear something that just doesn't sound right. I came running downstairs and wished I wasn't seeing what I saw. I came closer and my fears were confirmed, Barley had decided to chew 2 holes in my carpet!!!! This house isn't even a year old. She even decided to eat the carpet fibers. It took me a while to realize that she was getting the carpet in the exact same spot that my son got sick on. She is lucky to be alive right now! Thankfully we have plenty of carpet left over from construction, but I haven't found any carpet adhesive yet and haven't mustered up the energy to fix it. PURE EVILNESS! She's seems to be on a streak for some reason. Well, my weekend didn't stop there, but I won't go on a complaining spree. So I'll leave it at that. Let me end with this, Barley, you are lucky you are so cute and have been for the most part a good dog!

Liar Liar Pants on Fire!

I was trying to think of something to write on all day and thanks to my lovely daughter, she provided it for me! So my 2 kids got these huge lolly pops at a birthday party. This is only the second time I've allowed them to take some licks off of them. My daughter chose the blueberry one, as you can clearly see in the picture. I need to add a quick fact here, it has been quite some time that I have stopped my kids from sucking their fingers. Took 1 day! It has just been this last week or so that I have on rare occasions caught my daughter sucking hers again. I am very quick to threaten adding that nasty polish on her fingers again, to which she quickly pulls them from her mouth. Well, back to today. After playing upstairs for a bit, my daughter came down stairs to sit next to me on the couch. She started to ask for some cereal when I quickly noticed "BLUE" fingers. I also noticed that they were the 2 fingers she would suck on. I asked her point blank if she had been sucking on them and of course it was a no. I started laughing and held up her hand. There was no denying it anymore. She gave a me little smirk and then I pulled the camera out, now I have proof! Thanks sweetie for such a great picture!

Much Ado About Nothing

I don't have time to really write anything, but thought I'd drop a quick note on my weekend. There seems to be so much going on that my mind is forgetting simple things. Crazy. Friday we had some new friends over for a BBQ. Really cute couple and a lot of fun. They are recently married and moved here from Lynchburg, VA. Hey what do you know. Anyway, their happy to meet a couple that has something in common and "knows" the Boise area. It will be fun getting to know them. Saturday was a blur. From stopping by a Teen Focus car wash that my husband helped at, to a trip to Barnes and Noble (we messed up the times for the school book fair for my daughter, so to make it up we went to BN and bought her a book, dragons, who would have guessed). Then we had to get home because sod was being laid out back. Sunday, Mothers Day. I'll leave it at that. So here we are again, starting the crazy cycle for the week. Monday. Is it Friday yet? There are some things on the up and up. Yeah! For now I must go back to life as a stay at home mom and clean a few bathrooms, cook some cookies and lemon ricotta muffins and clean a downstairs so that we can host home teams tonight. Adios.

Just call me Mrs. Handywoman!

I don't doubt myself very often when it comes to my abilities, although deep down there does lie a little doubt. There are some things I just don't attempt for fear of messing up, could be costly depending on the job. Although, yesterday I was quite pleased with myself. In fact, I even had to call my folks up and brag about it. I have been putting off a lot of things that needed to be done with my house not for fear of doing it, more than likely because of laziness. I don't know what got into me yesterday, but I am still amazed at myself. Without any help, I assembled and installed 2 ceiling fans! Some may say, that isn't a feat, but have you ever tried to install a ceiling fan? They are a pain in the you know what! I can see why some just pay to have someone else do it. My first attempt at such a job and successful. The kids are still excited over their new fans. Don't tell my husband, but the tools in the garage are truly mine. :) Well, I'm off to start on my next ceiling fan and bathroom fixture.

FREEDOM!

In all my married years, almost 8 to be exact, I have never had a backyard. Yes, I have lived in 2 previous homes that had yards, but let me clarify. Virginia doesn't know how to grow GRASS!! A very missed "luxury" while living there. Our yards were pretty much made up of crabgrass, weeds, rock, and clay. My poor kids! Anyway, with some unexpected funds helping, we are finally putting in our back yard in our new home. Today, they are clearing the field of weeds, leveling with top soil, and who knows what else. I can't wait! Soon there will be sprinklers, grass, a fence, and yes, FREEDOM and SANITY. My children are thrilled and even our dog peers out back with yearning eyes. Maybe when it's finished I'll post a picture of our first true backyard. I can see much BBQing, playing, planting, and a fire pit in our near future.

Color!

Okay, it has been decided that we will not be switching homes anytime soon. Thank the Lord for that on many many levels. My track record of moving is quite impressive, and I'm just thinking of my married years. You should hear about all the moves growing up. Anyway, we are currently undergoing a refinance which is huge for us. Opens up some breathing room. Since there is no move in the near future of a year or so, I am desperately wanting to make my home my own. I need COLOR! Right now it's the cheapest decorating tool and does so much for a room. But, I have a problem. My last endeavour of painting my old house in VA left a bad taste in my mouth. It was the whole idea of finishing a basement, won't go into too much detail. I'll just say it was a time I'd rather not look back on, too stressful. Anyway, now I cringe at the sight of a paint brush and roller. I'm really good at it, that's not the problem. I seem to have a block now, no motivation. Maybe I just need to buck up and do it. Start off small and maybe it won't be a problem. Who knows. Now that we're starting on our yard, yeah!!!!, I would like to add a little something to the inside. Maybe a visit to the good 'ole Home Depot and some color swatches might jump start a decorating job.

"I'm Superman, Mommy!"

Gone are the days of my "baby!" He is a true little boy now and finding his own interests, no longer his sisters. Not leaving behind Hot Wheels by any means, his new adventure, SUPERMAN. He could watch a superman dvd over and over and not get bored with it. But he's graduated from just watching it to "becoming" superman. My couch cushions go flying and he rips off his shirt and starts to fly and flex his little muscles! Apart from getting annoyed by constantly putting my couch back together 5+ times a day, I can't help but laugh. When he's in the moment and I ask him to do something, he always replies with, "I'm not P*****, I'm Superman!" I miss my little baby, but I'm enjoying seeing him grow up and become the boy that he is. Now that he's starting to separate himself from his sister's interests, I am so amazed at how different the two of them are and how their little minds work. They each have "their own" way about them. It keeps my life interesting!

Stained buns?!

Okay, so I haven't blogged in awhile. Not really anything interesting going on lately, but today, stained buns. Yesterday my mother-in-law took my kiddos and I out to lunch and then onto TCBY. It's spring break and she wanted to spend some time with the kids. Anyway, my son decided to pick the most interesting and the brightest colored yogurt there was. Just looking at it disgusted me, but he liked it. Of course, this is the one day I don't have my camera in my purse. His mouth was every shade of the yogurt. He looked like a clown. It was quite cute, especially when I looked in the back seat to see him sleeping (while we waited for my mom to finish w/ a dr's appt). Here he is, sound asleep, stained mouth, and holding a green balloon that he got from Red Robbin. Classic! Anyways, just moments ago he came to me wanting his pants changed because he pooped in them, failing to go to the potty like we've been practicing. I couldn't believe my eyes when I pulled the diaper back to check to see if he was telling me the truth. Greenish/blue!!! Not only was that weird, but his little buns are stained blue. It took me awhile to run through my head what he'd eaten and then it donned on me, TCBY!! It may have taken a full 24hrs to process, but it showed up in all it's glory! They should ban that yogurt. To stain my child's buns, I don't even want to know what kind of dye was used to achieve such a feat!

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.