My Ornaments Dec 1- Dec5

Oh boy, you're going to be so proud of me!  I've actually planned something... while I was decorating my Christmas tree (which is one of my favorite things to do all year), I kept reminiscing on the memories my favorite ornaments hold.  I decided I'd showcase an ornament each day in December until Christmas, and tell you why I love it so much, or the memory behind it.  I also wanted to highly suggest giving ornaments as gifts or getting them when you take a vacation!

Obviously I'm a few days behind so I'll get all caught up in this first post :)

December 1- Merry Merry polka dot ornament
This ornament was given to me on my birthday three years ago, by one of my favorite people, Candice!  It's been on the front of my tree since I got it, and it is the first ornament to catch your eye when you look at my tree.  I was also 4 weeks pregnant with Allie on that birthday (which I didn't know at the time).  It's just an all around happy ornament with lots of happy memories! :)

December 2:  Hand painted tree ornament
Back in 2004 when Kevin and I were dating, and he was trying to woo me, he painted this ornament for me at FiredUp!  Kevin is not into things like this (like at all), but he knew I was and he took the time to make it for me.  Ever since he gave it to me, it's been one of my favorites!  I think this is one of those ornaments when Kevin and I are dead and gone, the kids will fight over who gets it!

December 3:  Dumbo Ornament
Every vacation I've ever taken, I've bought an ornament to remember that vacation.  This one was bought (I think in 1999) when my family drove across the country to visit family in California. One of the biggest highlights of the trip was going to Disney Land.  I was so excited to ride the Dumbo ride, and that's why I bought the Dumbo ornament. 

December 4:  Sweet stuff ornament
Back in 1986, I was 3 years old, and I colored this ornament!  My mom (or sis) will have to correct me if I'm wrong (or if anyone even remembers) but I think this came in a kids meal, I want to say Long John Silvers, and you colored it, then baked it, and it shrunk.  That's the story I have in my head (who knows if it's right?!), but this ornament has been on my tree for as long as I can remember, which makes it one of my favorites!

December 5:  Canadian Soldier ornament
In 1995, my family drove East to visit my cousin in New York.  It was our first big family vacation.  I still have several souvenirs from that trip, but this guy happens to be my favorite.  We were close to the Canadian border and decided to drive across and see Niagara Falls.   It was amazing, the trip was great, and this cute little ornament reminds me of that whole fun trip!  This happens to be one of my kids favorite ornaments at the moment too!

What's Been Going On...

My blog has been put on the back burner since Krissy has arrived.  Adjusting to life with three little ones has been/was quite a challenge for me!  I struggled with post partum issues as much as I did with Hayden.  Things really started to turn around, for the better, when Krissy was 7/8 weeks old.  Since the beginning of November, Krissy has slept all night (going about 11 hours between bottles).  She is the most consistent sleeper and it's been such a blessing!  Keep it up Krissy!

I'm not trying any new recipes - and to be honest - it's an accomplishment just to get a meal on the table!  I haven't sat down and really browsed Pinterest in months, so I haven't had any fun projects to post.  Those two reasons, plus having very little down time, are the biggest reasons I haven't blogged much lately. 

Here's what has been going on:

• We spent the night at Christmas Lake after Thanksgiving.  It was our first overnight trip as a family of 5.  We got to see Santa and I was able to take Christmas card pictures of the kids.   I had a really hard time choosing a picture because I had too many cute ones!
• Any spare minute I get, I'm trying to get my Christmas cards ready to mail!  I am planning on mailing them from Santa Claus, IN at the end of the week!  It seems like there is always some little task, whether it be laundry, dishes, picking up, decorating for Christmas, ect. that is keeping me from blogging. 
• For months, I have felt torn about whether or not to send Hayden to public school, a Christian school, or home school.  Just in the last couple weeks, I've really felt led to home school.  It's not written in stone, but that's the option I'm pursuing the most.  I may post more on that later since 95% of the people I know aren't supportive of the decision.  Right now, I'll leave it at I think it's the best decision for Hayden and our family. 
• We installed new blinds in our house and I LOVE them!  I need to dedicate a blog post to them because they are that wonderful :)
• Have I mentioned that we temporarily got cable back.  I am staying up later than normal and the oldest two kids are going to bed about 7pm and I was just getting bored... with that being said, one night I saw New Moon was on.  I haven't watched any movies in the Twilight saga or read any of the books, but I decided to watch the movie.  I was so into it and I never thought in a million years I'd be so hooked on vampire movies!  Twilight came on the next night and I watched that too.  Then, I rented Eclipse and Breaking Dawn part 1.  I think I got Kevin interested too!  I need to go see part 2 while it's in theaters!  Definitely on Team Edward... I agree with Bella - I love Jacob, just not as much. 
• ALAMABA won the SEC Championship (WHAT A GAME!) - which obviously I'm thrilled about - but I can not wait for the BCS Championship game!!!!  Alabama VS Notre Dame.  Any unbiased predictions (which means my sister, a huge ND fan, isn't allowed to comment!) on who will win???  Roll Tide Roll~!
• I've decided next year, and probably two more years after that, I'm not putting ornaments on my Christmas tree.  I've already had 4 ornaments broken this year, either by the kids or dog, and I just have so many favorite/irreplaceable ones that I don't want to risk them getting broken too.  
• My house stinks like beef/deer jerky.  Kevin got a dehydrator and jerky canon for his birthday and he's already made 15lbs of jerky in the last two weeks!  Everyone that has tried it, and likes jerky, thinks it is great.  I'm glad he's found something he likes to make - just wish it wasn't so stinky!

Do you feel caught up on my life now? :)  Maybe, just maybe, I can try to squeeze in a post or two every week so I don't have to do another one of these lame generic posts!  I'll leave you with the second runner up for my Christmas card picture...

Happy Thanksgiving

 Happy Thanksgiving from my wild bunch of turkeys!

Thankful for 2012 Edition

Faith:
I am thankful for Proverbs 31 Ministry.  I have mentioned on my blog several times that I get their daily emails and it's jut a great way to start my day. 

Kevin:
I have become a very practical person since getting married and having kids, so Kevin helps bring fun into daily life.  I tend to want to do dishes or laundry or clean something (sometimes you just don't have time for fun!), but Kevin makes me stop what I'm doing and have fun with the family.  It's a good balance :)

My Little People:
Im thankful for one on one time with the kids.  Kevin and I have tried to make that important, especially since Krissy got here.  The kids love it and the parents love it.   

Things that Make me Happy:
Chocolate.  Chocolate makes me happy.  I wish it didn't; I wish I could take it or leave it.  Anything from Stephen Libs is my favorite.  I think I need to go get some chocolate Santa's now that I think about it. 

Conveniences:
We ended up getting our cable tv back.  I told Kevin I think it should be just temporary because I loved not having it.  I agreed to get it back because I was staying up late with Krissy and I was having a hard time staying awake.  I enjoy the entertainment (especially all the movies they play on the weekends).

November's Mid Month Update

Outside my window . . .It's a sunny, beautiful, fall day with temps in the high 40s

I am thinking . . . every year since I can remember, my Christmas decorations get put up the first week of November.  This year, I just realized I'm half way through the month and decorating my house wasn't even on my radar!  I'm hoping this weekend to get them up... we'll see how that goes!

I am thankful for . . .nap time.  Usually the girls will both nap at the same time in the afternoon, and I can occupy Hayden with the tv, so I have some time to read, do dishes, get dinner ready, or nap if I have to.

In the kitchen . . .we have a section on the counter designated for clean bottles and all their pieces.  We let them air dry there.  I have 10 more months of sharing my counter with the bottles, and that doesn't excite me.

I am wearing . . . jeans, uggs, a button up shirt, and a white scarf.  It's the most put together I've been in a while.  (Hayden had a Thanksgiving program today that I went to.)

I am creating . . .several little sewing projects!  I have most of the things cut and pinned and sitting on my counter ready to be sewn.... now if I could just find the time.

I am going . . .to be in birthday mode this weekend.  My sister's birthday is tomorrow and Kevin's is Saturday!

I am wondering . . .why Krissy is spitting up so much!  I've read up on the issue and I'm trying some different things, but nothing really seems to be working.  I guess she is just going to be a baby that spits up a lot?  Also, I'm considering rejoining Weight Watchers.  I'm not sure if I'll be able to stick to it without joining.  I also don't know that I'll stick with the plan if I'm still not sleeping consistently at night.  I'm ready to lose this last 20 some pounds though.

I am reading . . . Sacred Marriage - it's a great book!

I am hoping . . .Kevin gets a deer asap.  I know he is wanting the meat this year, and I'm wanting him back home on the weekends to take care of Krissy so I can sleep.  I'm selfish, I know. 

I am looking forward to . . .the month of December.  I'm excited to bake, have the kids open gifts, see family, etc.

I am hearing . . .the tv and baby's swing.  I'm extra tired today so I think I'll be taking a nap once I'm done typing! (Allie was up more than Krissy last night - apparently her sippy cup leaked all in her bed and I didn't realize that had happened until the 3rd time she woke up!)

Around the house . . .I'd love to get more pictures hung up.  I need to move several too. 

One of my favorite things . . .are pecans.. I'm really looking forward to pecan pie this thanksgiving!

A few plans for the rest of the week . . . make Kevin's birthday cake, celebrate birthdays, clean the house, decorate the house for Christmas, church, grocery shop, and sew if I get any time!

Thankful For 2012 Edition

Faith:
I'm thankful for things being temporary.  Stress, conflict, friction, heartache, newborns that keep you up all night - it doesn't last.  I have to keep reminding myself that.  Romans 8:18 "I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us." (A verse Sarah reminded me of this week at DOK)

Kevin: 
I am thankful for Kevin's job.  It pays the bills and it isn't a horrible, demanding job.  He enjoys the people he works with.  Most importantly, he is the only financial provider for our family and he takes on that extra stress so I can be at home with our children, which is so important to both of us. 

My Little People:
My kids genuinely love each other.  Of course they argue and fight like brother and sister, but they also snuggle together on the couch, the older two ask to hold the baby almost daily, and they make each other laugh all the time.  They tend to be partners in crime, which sometimes drives me bonkers (b/c I want Hayden realize what Allie is doing is wrong then tell her that instead of participating) but I'm thankful for their closeness.

Things That make me Happy:
Taking pictures.  I'm so thankful for my camera, so that I can capture these events and expressions and stages.  My kids have literally grown up in a blink of an eye and I love love love going back and looking at pictures of them. 

Conveniences:
I really am thankful for my phone.  Lame, I know, but it's how I stay in contact with so many friends and it helps keep me awake during those night feedings!  Plus I can facetime with my sis and that's pretty cool in itself!

Thankful For 2012 edition

My Facebook news feed is literally blowing up with people posting daily what they are thankful for.  It's definitely not a bad thing, but instead of following the trend, I decided once a week, every week of November, I'd write a post highlighting some things I'm thankful for in certain areas of my life.  

Spiritual Walk:
Crossroads is blessed to have an amazing senior pastor, Ken Idleman.  He is overflowing with wisdom and is able to present solid biblical truth in a loving way.  His messages every weekend are so convicting/challenging.  I truly look forward to church every weekend.  I believe behind every strong man is a wonderful wife, and Ken's wife, Kaylene, is no exception.  She teaches my bible study class on Wednesdays and her class is the highlight of my week.  She gives the entire class so much encouragement on being a wife and mother.  These two people have impacted my life so much.

Kevin:
I'm thankful for our marriage.  We have our ups and downs just like everyone else, but it's reassuring to know the "D" word will never be an option for us, and he'll always be here.  We are both 100% committed.  I know it's a little gaggy, but I like stability, and I know I've found that in our marriage.  We can give our parents credit for being good examples!

My little people:
My kids are busy, mischievous, loud, non-stop, and full of life.  I can't imagine having a child any other way.  Are there really such thing as calm, quiet kids that actually listen to their parents?  I'm thankful for them being wired this way because it's challenged me to become more patient.

Things that make me happy:
My furry babies.  I am thankful for them.  Especially Harry (aka The Best Cat in the World!).  >^..^<

Conveniences:
I am thankful for our home.  I love having a big yard the kids and dog can play in.  I like that our rooms are so close together that I don't need to use baby monitors.  I love my kitchen and the big window in it.  We have great neighbors that are always looking out for us.  I also like that I'm two minutes away from Walmart, and since I'm there daily, that's a big perk!

Mexican Lasagna

I meant to post this recipe last week, but clearly I didn't post anything last week!  I make this meal every couple months.  The recipe came out of one of my favorite cookbooks.  We get multiple meals out of it, which is always a huge plus in my book, and probably a reason I love it so much.  It also reheats great!  Don't get thrown off by the cottage cheese.  Neither of my kids eat cottage cheese (I think it's a consistency thing) but they both eat this meal. 

Ingredients:
2lbs ground beef
1/4 C taco seasoning
1 can refried beans
4+ soft tacos shells, cut in half (I only use 4, but you can use more if you want)
1 C mozzarella cheese
2 C small curd cottage cheese
1 egg
Optional Toppings:  Ortega taco sauce, lettuce, jalapenos, tomatoes

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350*
Brown ground beef.  While beef is cooking, mix the mozzarella cheese, cottage cheese, and egg and set aside. Drain fat off the beef.  Put beef back in the pan and add refried beans and taco seasoning.  Mix well. 
For the bottom layer, I take two taco shells and cut in half and place the straight sides along the sides of the pan.  All the curved parts of the taco shell will face the inside.  (Let me know if that doesn't make sense.. I can take a picture).  Place all of the ground beef mixture on top of the shells.  Add another layer of taco shells (cut in half just like you did on the bottom.)  Add the cheese mixture to the top of the shells.  Bake for 30 minutes. 

It's a great Mexican meal if you are wanting to try something new!  Enjoy :)

Looking Forward To - November Edition

I really can't believe it's November.  I mean Christmas will be here in just a couple weeks and then we'll be starting a new year.  Time flies!  Here are some fun things (in no particular order) I'm looking forward to this month...

• Kevin turns 29!
• Thanksgiving!  I love the family time and food.
• Decorating for Christmas.  I usually put my Christmas tree up the first week of November, but I think I'll shoot for the second week this year!  Too many little hands like to take apart decorations...
• I'm hoping to get some sewing done this month.  Krissy needs a car seat blanket and it's on the top of my sewing list.  
• We'll have our routine even more figured out.  I feel like things have really started to settle down and my days are becoming more predictable, which I appreciate!
• I'm so excited for the election - and to watch the results come in.  I'm hoping to have nails left by the end of the night.
• I'm hoping to start blogging more regularly.  It's my biggest goal of the month! 

Halloween 2012

We had a great Halloween!  When your kids are really excited about a holiday, it makes it twice as much fun for the parents!  And when you have two kids trick-or-treating, you get twice the candy, another perk for us parents! :)  Here are some pictures from Halloween.

Allie painting her pumpkin.

Hayden painting his pumpkin.

 The end results.  Hayden thought of painting his stem all by himself!

Getting ready to trick-or-treat!  Red is Hayden's favorite color, and orange is Allie's favorite color, so they both loved their costumes!

They scored big time on our street!  Most of the neighbors said we were the only trick-or-treaters.

Nothing better than trick-or-treating with your cousins!

We have enough candy to last us till next Halloween :)