Knitting projects

I've been working hard to finish up a hat for baby boy before he gets here. Here is the finished hat.



I was hoping he would be able to wear it while he is little. Even though the pattern said 6 months. It fits my 1yr old. So I believe I'm going to make another and try to make it smaller.

I also have been working on a girls hat for my 1 year old. I made it to fit 24 month old because my children tend to have big heads. I say that out of love:) Well here's the hat.



Here it is on my 6yr old. With the brim rolled.


Here it is on my 4yr old. With the brim unrolled.


I believe the pattern runs big! What do you think??

Breakfast Bake

It's so yummy, and was a huge hit at my house.

What you need

1 can of crescent dinner rolls (I used the crescent sheet)
1 pkg (8oz) Smoked Ham, chopped
6 eggs
1/2 cup cold milk
1/2 tsp. pepper
1 cup Shredded Cheddar cheese
1 cup Mozzarella cheese

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Unroll crescent into 13x9 baking dish; press to cover bottom of the dish, make sure there are no holes. Sprinkle chopped ham over crust. Beat eggs, milk, and pepper together until blended; pour over ham. Top with cheeses.

Bake for 25 minutes, or until center is set.

My crochet projects

I just started crocheting the beginning of August I believe (or maybe the middle). Here are a couple of the projects I have going on.

My 6yr old's blanket and close up





My 5yr old's blanket and close up



My 3yr old's blanket and close up.



Avery's blanket (well a close up)


Michael's baby blanket (close up)


Close up of the blanket I'm making for the couch (which will actually be mine)

Menu Monday

Ok so I wrote the menu up on Saturday, but I'm just getting around to posting it.

S~Taco's
S~Porkchops, homemade mac n cheese, veggies
M~Crockpot BBQ pulled pork sandwiches, tater tots, and mac. (yeah I know no veggie)
T~Chicken Alfredo
W~Hot Dogs, baked beans and FF
Th~Roast, carrots, and potatoes
FR~Leftovers or eat out

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

Ingredients
1 cup shortening
2 cups white sugar
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 (15oz) can pumpkin puree
4 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 pinch ground nutmeg
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
Directions
1) Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Grease cookie sheets.
2) In a large bowl, cream together the shortening and white sugar until smooth. Beat in the eggs one at a time. Stir in vanilla and pumpkin until well blended. Combine the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg, stir into pumpkin mixture. Mix in the chocolate chips. Stir in walnuts if desired. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto the prepared cookie sheets.
3) Bake for 12-15 minutes in the preheated oven, until edges begin to brown. Allow to cool for a few minutes on the baking sheets before removing to wire racks to cool completely.
I actually did tablespoon drop cookies not teaspoon

Having a hard time

I'm having a really hard time coming to terms with this being our last child. Hubby says he thinks this should be our last. I'm not so sure. I just go back and forth a lot. Some days when the kids are really driving me nuts or I have to do something like taking them all to an event by myself I don't want to have more. Then again like this morning I had to take the 4 little girls to a soccer game. They did great other than the 3 (almost 4)yr old having a fit twice. If I have my oldest with me it's a lot easier.

I just can't wrap my mind around this one being our last. I just don't feel it. I cry almost every time I go through the baby clothes to try to pull things out for a friend that is having a girl. I mean I know at some point and time there will be a "last baby", but I just don't feel that this little one is it. Does that make sense?

I know others think I'm nuts because I already have 5 and this is our 6th. I get the "I don't know how you do it", "Man your hands are full", "You know what causes that" and even "This one should be your last you need to give your body a rest". I just feel like maybe I should just put it in God's hands. If he doesn't want us to have more then he won't bless us with more. Right??

Rethinking Baby's Name

We have Michael James picked out. BUT, I love the name Benjamin. So now I'm going back and forth. Michael is the name of a little boy I baby sat as a teenager. He was such a sweet boy, his father's name was also Michael and I was so close to the family. Benjamin I just LOVE! Hubby didn't like it, but now says he will think about it.

I can't name him Benjamin Michael because our last name starts with an S and I don't want his intials to be BMS. I don't care much for the way Benjamin James flows.

Hubby is worried people will call him Ben (which I like), don't know why that bothers him.

Parenting

I'm in no way shape of form the best at parenting! I'll admit it, but some people's parenting really ticks me off. The things I sometimes see just amaze me!

I've seen parents let their children run wild at a wedding while they sit outside and get wasted and then load their kids up in the car to head on down the road! WHAT? Yeah I know that's what you are thinking (or at least any good parent would be thinking). Even after being stopped and asked to please let you take the kids and follow you to where ever it is your going.

Pawning your kids off on someone else to go do whatever else it is that you want to do and then wonder why your kid(s) don't want to "hang out" with you. Maybe because you've pawned them off too many times.

Here's the kicker this morning while taking my kids to school. Walking my 1st grader to class I hear a father tell his daughter "We don't have time for hugs and kisses every day, now come on and stop crying". Made me want to go hug that little girl! Who doesn't have time to hug and kiss their child/children every day?!

Do people not realize that children are a blessing, and that blessing can be taken away from you so easily! They need to thank God that they have that child to love every day. Even if you are running behind it takes 30 seconds to give your child a hug and a kiss. Hug and kiss your child every single time you can!

Now to make my morning better after hearing this father I get to my 1st graders class and her teacher hugs her and kisses her on the head...which she's done every day since the first day! Melts my heart that she loves her students so much!

Now my funny for the day! When walking my Kindergartner to class I hear "Natalie's here"! (melts my heart again). Then a little boy says to me "Have a good day at work":) I have the best job, so how could I not have a good day? Thanks little guy!

New Hobby!

Well I've gotten into a new hobby! Knitting and crocheting! My oldest daughter Bella and I have been taking a class once a week at our library. We love the class, love the teacher, and love that we are making things. I started out knitting a scarf for my 6 year old. But Bella need the size needles I was using to knit a shrug, so I gave them up. I started crocheting a blanket for my 5yr old though. Below are pictures of what I've gotten done in 4 days. Not working on it all day, maybe an hour or so each day. I had to stop though, cause I ran out of yarn!

Far away pic to show the length.



Close up

Grocery savings:)

That's what $400.45 worth of groceries look like! Did I pay $400.45? HECK no! I only paid $172.62. There is 2 loaves of bread and one thing of hamburger meat that isn't pictured.

Here's a list of things that are on the table.

3 12 double rolls of TP
5 female items
16 cans of Progresso soup
4 cans of peaches
4 bags of Chex mix
Lysol No touch starter kit
4 boxes Golden Graham snack bars
4 boxes fruit snacks
2 boxes sensative tooth paste
1 Sick Hydro razor (FREE)
2 bags of salad mix
2 packs of low carb tortillas
1 can coffee
2 taco dinner kits
2 bags of apples
2 packs of chicken
2 boxes granola bars
1 bag Cheetos
1 18 count eggs
6 packs of break and bake cookies
2 packs of cheese
2 32 oz bottle ketchup
2 boxes freezer bags
4 bags of bagels
3 hamburger helpers
2 boxes potatoes
4 bottles water
4 yoplait delights (4 packs in each)
4 yoplus yogurt (4 packs in each)
2 jello snack cups
2 jello pudding snack cups
16 low carb yogurt
8 cinnamon rolls (10 rolls each)
8 Grands biscuits
4 cream cheese snack packs
2 bags Pizza rolls (40 count bags)
2 boxes Go gurt
4 bags Sweet Moments
1 milk
4 Sunny D
2 Loaves of bread

I think that's pretty much everything! I LOVE sales and coupons!

Love of books!

I LOVE books! I'm always reading one if not more books. At any given time you could ask me what I'm reading and I could at least tell you the title of a book. I have over 1,000 books that I want to read. I own over 400 books, I always have a ton of books checked out from the library, and a hold list of books I want to read at the library.

I'd like to think my Grandmother for my love of reading. My Aunt also loves to read and I would like to think her for my first set of books that I can remember getting and that's the Little House series! I still have them and will not part with them.

I really hope that my children and one day grandchild pick up my love of reading! There is really nothing better than curling up somewhere with a good book.

Although I'm a tiny bit addicted. I've cooked dinner while reading, sat in traffic jams and read, and even read in the bath tub. I go through the lists of books to be released by weeks and write down the new books coming out that I want to read. Then I stalk the library website until they get the book, and also put it on my Paper Back Swap wish list. I'm awful!

Ok enough is enough, I just had to share my love(sickness) of reading:)

Keurig Special Edition Giveaway

Stretching a Buck Blog is giving away a Keurig Special Edition Brewing System check it out!

http://www.stretchingabuckblog.com/2010/08/giveaway-keurig-special-edition-brewing-system.html#comment-15793

When is enough actually enough?

How did you know that the number of children you had was the right amount? How did you know when you were done having children? When is enough actually enough?

I'm really struggling with the fact that this might be our last child. When hubby and I were dating I always said I wanted 4 children. We got to 4 and I decided that I wanted 2 more. I have a dislike for odd numbers (yes, I know I'm strange, maybe a bit OCD about numbers).

A few weeks ago I was cleaning up the baby room and it hurt me to know that I wouldn't have another girl to put in the girls clothes that I have left from having 5 girls. It hurts me to know that this might be our last child. My last pregnancy.

How did you know when you were done having children? Am I just having this feelings because I think/know this is the last baby?

Rambling

Yes, I know that I haven't blogged in forever! I'm a busy, busy mommy! So I'll play catch up.

The kids are out of school! I thought I would be really happy about this, but they are trying to see just how tired they can make mommy. They are trying to see who can stay up the latest, which usually is somewhere between 12-1. Then of course the baby gets up anywhere from 6-8. I'm beat! I'm trying my best to change this, but it's not working very well. Although next week we have VBS which is from 9-12. That should do it!

Pregnancy is still going well. I get to go in 2 weeks for another ultrasound, in which I hope to confirm once again that this little one is a boy. My hubby said the other day "Watch us go and that picture from before turn out to be just a shadow". I asked him "A shadow of what"?

My oldest went to church camp the last week of June. We've been to the pool, and the lake. One week we went swimming every day sometimes twice a day. I think my kids are seeing enough water this summer. I'm trying my best to get them good and tired during they day in hopes of early bedtime. It's not working though.

After many HOURS of cleaning on Friday and Saturday. I've decided that I've got to start back on the 15 minute challenges EVERY day! Not only that, but I've got to get a chore chart back up and going for the kids and hubby. I'm not kidding it took me HOURS to clean the living room, and kitchen. I've got a mountain of laundry in the kitchen (as that's where our washer/dryer are located), and clothes all over everyone's bedrooms. It's awful! We moved my 3yr old's bed into my 5 & 6 yr olds room (per her request).

Here is what they (meaning the little kids) did to her room.



After a 15 minute challenge



I will finish it up today. No matter how long it takes. I'm trying to turn that room into a laundry room. Where everyone's clothes are kept in one place. Although not sure how that will work since we have a little boy on the way who will need a place to sleep.

Anyway, that's the run down. Now I must get my booty back to work.

Boy names...Help!

I need some help naming this little boy. I thought it would be easy seeing how we don't have any little boys, but it's really not. I can't have anymore names that start with A for a first name, it's confusing enough already As a middle name is fine, but not a first. I LOVE the name Jack but can't use it or Jackson because of our last name it sounds too much like Jack Sprout. Oh and here are my nephew's names already that I CAN'T use.

Joshua
Cameron
Ryan
Tanner
Patton
Tyler
Elijah

Here are my daughter's name if you want to pick a name you think sounds good with their names.

Isabella
Kaelyn
Natalie
Addison
Avery

Exciting Friday!

Friday I went in for my 12 week ultrasound (actually closer to 13 weeks). I was really excited about seeing my little bean on the screen. The tech did her normal measurements etc. My oldest daughter was with me and asked if she could take a look "down there" and see anything. The tech said she looked, but I don't recall seeing her look.

Anyway, the Dr came in and was super sweet, and friendly. She looked over everything and was talking to a medical student about how all mother's like to see their babies etc. I was saying that I thought it would be another girl seeing how I have 5 already. I told her that I had told my mom I would fall off the ultrasound table if they told me it was a boy. So she says "Then I'm not going to tell you anything cause I don't want you to hurt yourself".

Me: What??

Dr: Well I've never seen that on a girl ultrasound before, and it's not the cord because right here is the cord (lights it up so you can see the blood flow)

Me: Are you kidding me?

Dr: Well the legs are closed so lets see if we can get it to open it's legs. (wiggle the ultrasound thing)BAMM legs wide open that it's a BOY!

So here are the ultrasound pictures (well a few) from my ultrasound.

Laundry strike!

Why on earth did I go on laundry strike last week? To see just how many pairs of underwear everyone had? To see if hubby would wash any clothes, other than his own? I have no idea why I did no laundry (other than a load of towels) last week. Boy oh boy and I'm wishing I did laundry last week. I'm up to my eye balls in laundry this week.

I've got to wash at least enough for the kids to were to school for 3 days and at least enough for our trip. I think my Grandparents would be a little upset if the kids showed up naked. Although they know that a few of mine like to run around in panties, as they witnessed this on their last visit here.

Why is laundry my least favorite job in the house? I have no idea, I mean it's really not too hard. You run the washer, put them in the drier, and then fold them and put them away. Oh there, that's the part I hate folding and putting them away. I swear when we move into the next house, I'm going to have a huge laundry room/closet. We are just going to keep all of our clothes in the one room. Just like the Duggars!

Wouldn't that just be so much easier. You fold it and right there is the place you need to put it away. Oh that would be heaven to me!

Survey #2

Here is Kaelyn's (6yr old) survey for Mother's Day:)

How old is your mom? 34 (1 yr off)

What is your Mom's favorite color? Blue

What is your Mom's job? Babysit

What is your Mom's favorite TV show? Survivor (one of them)

What is your favorite thing to do with your mom? Go outside

What does your Mom do all day? Read (don't I wish)

What is your Mom's favorite restaurant? Applebee's

What does your Mom teach you to do? Read (she loves our reading time)

What present do you think your MOm will want for Mother's Day? Chocolate (does she know me or what)

A Funny!

Natalie (my 5yr old) filled out a survey about me for school. Here's how it went!

What is your Mom's favorite color? Blue

How old is your Mom? 6

What is your Mom's job? Washing dishes

What is your Mom's favorite TV show? The baby one

What is your favorite thing to do with your Mom? Take a nap (she is my nap buddy)

What does your Mom do all day? Just hang out

Where does you Mom like to go out to eat? McDonald's & Burger King (not so much)

What does you Mom teach you? Write my name

What would you like to get for your Mom on Mother's Day? A monkey board game

Do you love your Mom? Yes, she makes me muffins

What a day!

My day didn't start off the greatest. I found out this morning that my best friends Granny passed away. She had a massive stroke the night before and passed this morning. Such a wonderful woman! I've been thinking of my best friend and her family all day long and it's just so heart breaking. I remember her yummy food, how she always kept us laughing and how she told it how it was. She is going to be really missed! Last time I saw her was 3 years ago and she was in the hospital, but still looked great and still didn't miss a beat baby. Granny you will be missed, even though you are in a better place and we will see you again in the future.

One exciting thing that happen today is that my baby girl Avery got her first tooth. She's really mean about showing it to you though. She's so stinkin cute running her tongue over the spot where the tooth has come through.

Last but not least. To Bella's soccer coach who had me wake up early from a nap, get 5 kids ready, diaper bag packed and everyone loaded up in the van. Only to get to the field to see that you aren't there! We get there 30 minutes early (like you asked) to practice some before the game. I'm finding it a little odd that only my child and another from the team are there. We wait, cause you've been late before so maybe you are running behind. The other team is warming up. I'm sitting and waiting for the rest of our team to show up. The OTHER teams coach comes over to tell me that you call and cancelled the game and he is guessing that you didn't call me. HELL NO, you didn't call me. Thanks a whole freaking lot for calling me to tell me that you planned of rescheduling this game once AGAIN! The other parent you didn't call was pretty pissed also. Seeing how his daughter is on crutches, and showed up to support the team for the game that you rescheduling for the 2nd time. NO, I will not be coming to anymore games you schedule on a Sunday! I'm also really thinking about not showing up for anymore games in which I have to load up my five children and bring them with me. Since you can't call to tell me when a game has been rescheduled I won't be calling you to tell you that we aren't coming either. This is the second time you've called everyone and let them know that a game has been rescheduled and not bothered to call me! So BITE ME!

Just rambling on

I'm just rambling today!

I was sitting at the computer this morning just thinking of things like our budget, my sisters wedding, grocery shopping etc. When it hit me that I really LOVE the Grocery Game! I mean I knew this from the start, but it hit me how much today. I haven't bought a single pack of diapers since Avery was born. She's turning 7 months old on Saturday! Can you believe it! I've had to exchange sizes on two packs, but I haven't bought a single pack. How awesome is that! I guess I'll start stocking up for this new little one.

Not much time for blogging lately! I hurt my back on Monday! Just the left side. I wasn't on the computer much until Wednesday when it didn't kill my back to actually sit in the chair at my desk!

We've had Gymnastics, and ball practice this week. Oh and I get on a field trip with Natalie's class. Awesome! We went to the Safari Park Zoo! Had a blast!

Tonight's crazy schedule! Girl Scouts, Spaghetti Dinner, and ball game! It's going to be Kaelyn's last Girl Scout "meeting" until September. We are planting flowers and picking up trash from around her school today! I don't have to cook dinner tonight what more could I ask for? Spaghetti dinner at Natalie's school with a Basket Raffle. Then off to Isabella's ball game which will have us at the field until about 9pm. Home to crash after that!

White bean chili with chicken

I made this up as I went along because I couldn't find the original recipe I wanted to make. It was very yummy and will be served again in the house.

Ingredients

2 cups shredded chicken (I had leftover chicken that I had boiled)
2 (14.5 ounce) cans of chicken broth
2 cans of Navy beans
1 7 ounce can of chopped green chile peppers
1 package of McCormick White Chicken Chili seasoning mix

1) In a large pot over medium heat, I added the already cooked chicken (I boiled mine and shredded it), 2 cans of chicken broth, 2 cans of Navy beans (do not drain), can of chopped green chile peppers (not drained), and seasoning mix. Mix well.

2) Cover and let cook for 15 minutes.

You can add shredded cheese or tortilla strips (or both).

Dr.Appt

Yesterday I had my first OB appointment for this pregnancy. I went a week ago and did the paperwork and blood work.

I just love my OB he cracks me up! That's the only reason I drive 30 minutes to see him and to have my babies! After cracking a few jokes he got down to business. I got to see our tiny little beans heart just going nuts on that screen.

That's one of the best feeling in the world. I had been so excited for the visit knowing he would do an ultrasound, but to see that little bean just put me over the top.

I would post a picture of our newest little one, but the one I got wasn't that great and it's got all kinds of personal info on the picture, so I'll post another one later. I have another ultrasound scheduled for a little after 12 weeks.

I know I'm still not out of the time frame that something could happen, but after having 3 losses being past my loss dates (week wise), and seeing that heartbeat just made my day. We are so blessed!

Routines

I need some help with rountines. Cause let just say what we are doing now it's working. Which is....NOTHING! I start off with all these wonderful plans. I've even put some into action. Then slowly (ok sometimes quickly) we just get out of the rountine.

I said last year that I was going to have a morning routine, and an evening routine. I made chore charts I made charts that told everyone what they should be doing at what time of day etc. What happen?? I don't know. I've got chore charts from December hanging on the fridge.

I need some ideas! I need ideas or advice on how to stick with the rountines and schedules.

We are a large family that is only getting larger! I need help!

Coupons!

All in a days (ok an hour) work! I love my coupons! I've become a little obsessed with cutting coupons and saving money. I can't help that I love getting free things or paying very little for others! It's an illness! My oldest calls me "the crazy coupon lady". I love it!

Using coupons really helps me stock up on things and lets face it a family of 7 (going to be 8) really needs to be well stocked.

Here are a few pictures I've taken of my stockpiles!
Laundry soap and liquid softner




Air freshners, light bulbs, dryer sheets etc.

Cake mixes, snacks, rices, muffins etc.

Pasta's, sides etc.



Crystal Light (all free), vitamins etc.


Cereal


I figure I'll take some of the bathroom and come back and post those. I took this pictures in Feb (with the idea of this post), so some look different now. I've got more and less of some items.

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the Library...except when

I really love the library. Anyone who knows me in person knows how much I love the library. I would live in a library if given a chance, or at least spend the night in one. Think of all the reading I could get down if I were locked in a library. Oh heaven!

Anyway, I love going to the library, except when I have to take 5 children and the library is a huge mess because it's being worked on. We have 2 libraries where I live. We really like going to both, but one has a much better selection. I haven't taken the kids in so long because they are remodeling that library.

Today we are having a slacker day and I decided we need to get out an go to the library. Well the way it's set up the children's/Junior's section is bocked off from the main part of the library. You have to go outside and walk around to the front. Oh and there's no bathroom open in the children's section either.

We hit the children's section and I let the kids pick out books and movies. They are having a few little activies going on today as well so I let them do those as well. Then I have to go to the main part of the library to take care of some fees on the kids accounts. It takes forever to get this taken care of. I'm roasting because they have no air or heat for that matter.

Lesson learned...Don't go back to that library until they are done with the remodel.

That pisses me off and hurts at the same time

So I'm hanging out with 4 other moms. We are all getting ready to leave, when the mom beside me puts a notebook between my face and hers and invites another mom over to her house. I hear her say "I'm having a few people over" and something about the kids playing and lunch.
Thanks for not inviting me, but making it clear that you were inviting other moms that are sitting there to your house for a play date. Why not just wait until I'm at my van to say something to her then. I mean you could tell I was leaving and you talk loud enough that I'm sure you knew I could hear you.
That just really pisses me off and hurts my feelings at the same time. I think if I weren't pregnant it wouldn't hurt my feelings. I would have just been like screw you. Damn pregnancy hormones.

Chicken, Broccoli, & Rice Dinner

A friend of ours made this after I had my 5th daughter. I finally got the recipe and gave it a try! Yummy!

Chicken Tenders (1 pack for small family)
Broccoli (1 frozen bag)
1/2 cup evap milk
2/3 cup mayo
1 can cream of chicken soup
1/2 teaspoon curry powder
1/2 cup shredded cheese
Bread crumbs
Rice

1)Boil chicken tenders until done (about 15 minutes)

2) Mix evap milk, mayo, cream of chicken soup, curry powder and cheese and put to the side.

3)Cook Broccoli (you could actually cook at the same time as the chicken).

4) Drain and shred chicken.

5) Add chicken to wet mixture and mix together.

6) Place broccoli in the bottom of baking dish and cut up. Make sure the broccoli covers the bottom of the baking dish.

7) Evenly spread the chicken/wet mixture over broccoli.

8) Sprinkle with bread crumbs

Bake at 350 degrees for 30-45 minutes.

Serve over hot cooked rice.

We actually had to double the recipe for my family, but it was very yummy and we even had a little leftover for lunch the next day.

Wow, now that's great parenting NOT!

I just about lost it at my 5 year olds Tball game tonight! I really had to watch my mouth.

We get there and get all settled in our chairs. It's chilly I'm even a little chilly with my jeans and T-shirt on. My girls put on extra shirts and had their blankets. A lady pulls her double stroller next to us. I look and smile and say "hello". My oldest asks her how old her baby is. The lady replies 5 weeks. Now keep that in mind while reading the rest of this post.

So the baby starts to cry. The lady talking to herself says "Of course your Daddy didn't pack your passie, and your bottle is in the car". She picks the child up and starts to beat him on the back. I do mean beat because those pats where loud. She then starts holding this baby like a sack of potatoes. He has on a t-shirt and a thin blanket somewhat covering him up. The baby is crying like crazy. I ask her (because I saw her letting someone else hold him) if she would like me to rock him. She says "No, it's ok he is just hungry". OMG then go get his bottle out of the car.
She puts him back in the car seat. He keeps crying. I'm losing my mind because I can't stand to hear this little baby crying because he is hungry. She pulls him out of the car seat and puts him tummy down on her legs. While she's trying to take pictures of her two kids playing ball. I ask her if she would like me to hold him while she takes pictures.
No, he is ok, he's just hungry. Ok lady you've told me that twice, feed your baby!!!!
She then calls the baby's father over and tells him to go get the baby's bottle out of the car. While Dad takes 10 minutes (no joke) to get this baby's bottle this lady is beating the poor baby's back and saying "Come on (child's name)". Her 4 year old comes over and sits down and she says "Here take your brother" and puts the baby in his arms. By this point the baby has no blanket on him and is screaming.
Dad gets back and fixes the bottle. Mom hands the baby to him and he feeds him for a little bit, with no blanket wrapped around him (it's very chilly by this time).
Then as if all this isn't bad enough. The father puts the baby in the car seat, and puts the bottle in his mouth and puts the blanet under the bottle and walks off. Mom's running her mouth to other people.

People like these people should NOT have children!

Losing one's self

How does it happen that when we get older, get married, and have kids we lose ourself?

After a little chat on twitter yesterday it hit me that I've lost myself. Don't get me wrong, I love being a mommy and a wife, but what the heck happen to Jessica?

I use to love to write. I wrote poems, short stories, even wrote a kids book. I use to take pictures all the time, and scrapbook. I couldn't tell you the last time I have scrapbooked. I'm years behind on scrapbooking! I use to be really talkative (ok so that I still am), and pretty outgoing.

More importantly how does one find themself again? I don't want to lose my family, but man what I wouldn't give to have Jessica back.

Hello Jessica, if you are out there and can hear me...please return to your body soon!

Surprise, Surprise

Last week I wasn't feeling the greatest on Monday and Tuesday. Thought it could be morning sickness. Wednesday I woke up with a sore throat. It got worse over the course of the day. I decided to head to the DR. Found out I have strep throat. Oh JOY!
Come Friday I notice my little monthly friend hasn't shown her face. Saturday morning I think "what the heck lets take a test". Peed on the stick, laid it down on the side of the tub. Got two pink lines right away!
Called Hubby at work and told him that little girl #6 would arrive late November/early December. No I don't know it's a girl, but come on what are the odds. I've got 5 girls already. I'm not holding my breath for the boy.
Anyway, now that the shock has somewhat worn off I'm excited!

Working on the blog

I'm working on my blog right now trying to get things somewhat in order. I've got all these great ideas, and now I'm going to try to put them to work:)

Going with my cooking challenge

Since I'm still doing my new challenge of cooking one new recipe per week. Last night we have omelets and breakfast burrito's. I've never made omelets before. So I made hubby a egg, cheese, green pepper and bacon omelet. Actually two of them. He really liked them. Oldest daughter had eggs, cheese, green peppers, bacon and potato omelet. I chickened out and made a egg, cheese and bacon burrito. The little girls just picked the scrambled eggs, and bacon.
Most likely I'll be making a new recipe later in the week also, since this one really doesn't count.

Why does this surprise me??

Some people just have some nerve! I baby sit for two families. I've been baby sitting for both families for about the same amount of time. One family I wouldn't trade for anything in the world, the other well they have their days. Today being one of them!

I've told all my parents that I don't baby sit sick children! I don't know anyone who does. I mean come on if I child is sick not only do you run the chance of passing it to your own children and yourself, but the other children you watch. Not to mention what sick kid wants to be with a sitter or at school? They would rather be home with mom. Right???

So the one mom shows up here with her son today, half an hour late at that. Comes in and here is the talk we have...

Her: He says he isn't feeling good, but he just wants to stay home from school today.
Me: What's wrong with him.
Her: No answer
Me: Sweetie what's wrong with you. (talking to the child)
Him: My throat hurts
Her: He just doesn't want to go to school.
Me: Strep and a stomach bug has been going around.
Her: Well I told him he could stay with you today (pulling his lunch out of his bag)
Me: No, he can't stay here with me if he is sick.
Her: (putting the lunch back in the backpack) Well then your going to school.

She's lucky I kept him and took him to school. But, seriously if your child is sick why would you take them to school or the sitters house? Now he might have been wanting to stay home, but he might have been sick. He felt a tiny bit warm to me, but wasn't running a fever. It could have just been allergies etc. I've had a little sore throat when I wake up and I'm guessing mine is from allergies. People like that drive me nuts! She's called me before and said "So and so was running a fever this morning, but I've given him meds and I'm bringing him over". NO, your not. If your child is running a fever they can spread it to my children. Not to mention the rule at school is fever free for 24 hours before returning. GRR!!

Challenge

I've added another challenge to my crazy life (as if I didn't have enough already). I've decided that for the month of March we are going to try at least one new recipe per week. This past week we tried Cashew Chicken...I've all ready posted the recipe. I loved it! All of the kids tried it except two. One was out with friends and the other well, she's just a baby:) It's one that will be made again!
Needless to say you should have at least a weekly post from me this month on the "new" menu item and what we thought about it.

Oh the meal was easy to make, but next time I'll do all the cutting of chicken and veggies ahead of time.

Cashew Chicken

Ok, so my only complaint is that there wasn't enough sauce. So next time I make it I think I'll double the sauce. One good thing was that it wasn't very salty.

2 tablespoons cornstarch
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 1/4 cups chicken broth
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, cubed
3 tablespoons canola oil, divided
1/2 pound sliced fresh mushrooms
1 small green pepper, julienned
4 green onions, sliced
1 1/2 teaspoons grated fresh gingerroot
1 can (8 ounces) sliced water chestnuts, drained
3/4 cup salted cashews
Hot cooked rice

In small bowl, combine the cornstarch, brown sugar, brother and soy sauce until smooth; sent aside.
In large skillet or wok, stir-fry the chicken in 2 tablespoons oil until no longer pink. Remove and keep warm.
In the same skillet, stir-fry the mushrooms, green pepper, onions and ginger in remaining oil until green pepper is crisp-tender, about 5 minutes. Stir in the chicken, water chestnuts and cashews; heat through.
Stir broth micture and add to the pan. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 1-2 minutes or until thickened. Serve with rice.

She loved them!

Tired the sweet potatoes out yesterday. She loved them! She was sucking them off the spoon. Ate a whole cube and looked at me like I was crazy when they were all gone:) I've since made banana's, pears, and squash. Got to make apples, peas, green beans and peaches still. I'm really enjoying making baby food.

Starting March off right:)

So, yesterday was March 1st! I'm so happy that Spring is getting closer and closer. Although it's snowing outside today:(

After 5 children I've decided I'm going to make my own baby food for Avery! Not only will it be cheaper than regular baby food, I will know just what is going in it. I went out and bought a food processor, and 2 sweet potatoes. I figured I would start there. So I researched how to make baby food and man does it sound easy. Well it is very easy. I washed the two sweet potatoes, poked holes in them with a fork, wrapped them in foil and baked them in the oven. Well they were baking I cleaned some:) Pull them out of the oven, let them cool, pull the skins off and threw them in the food processor with some water. Filled the ice tray, put it in a ziplock and threw it in the freezer.





Store baby food .47 cents per jar, or .98 cents for a two pack (every where I live). It cost me $1.10 for two sweet potatoes and that gave me 16 meals for her at .06 cents a serving. AWESOME!

Even better, I plant a garden every year and can use the veggies from there to make her baby food....which means FREE! I haven't given her the baby food yet, because I started her on oatmeal yesterday. Which she loves! I'll have to take pictures when I give her the sweet potatoes.

Slacker

Ok, I've been a slacker when it comes to blogging. I'm sorry! I'm still getting the hang of this blogging thing. I've got so many idea's for blogs, I just don't blog them. I'm going to blog my Grocery Game stockpile soon...I promise. I'm also going to blog my 15 minute cleaning challenges (as I think it will really help others).

I'm going to say a little rant right now though. I got to one of my favorite grocery stores last night to shop..Kroger! Get in there to find they don't have the stuff on sale that I go in to get. I'm going to have to hit the other Kroger. Then I going to check out and get this they have changed their coupon policy! WTF??? Now you are only allowed to use 4 like coupons. So example, I had 8 packs of yogurt and I had 8 coupons. I could only use 4 coupons and then had to do another transaction. NOT cool! So now I'm going to have to make more than one trip into the store. I'm not digging this at all. I wonder if the other Kroger is doing this as well. Oh and you are now only allowed two internet printed coupons! Geez! I still got the yogurt for free, but hated that I had to do two transactions. The manager (some woman that I usually have nothing to do with) tried to tell me I couldn't use my coupons because it would make the yogurt free. The yogurt was marked down .75 cents and the coupons were for $1 off. I told her she was suppose to adjust the coupons. That's what they do at every other store! Needless to say I still got my yogurt. Don't be a coupon hater!

January workouts

17th 1.5 miles on treadmill
20th 1 mile on treadmill
21st 1 mile on treadmill
26th 2.68 miles on treadmill includes inclines of 10,7,5,3, and 1.5
31st 3.21 miles on treadmill includes inclines of 10,7,5,3 and 1.5 and 2 miles on the bike


My goal for February is to get to the gym every day that hubby is off (which is 14 days in Feb). Oh the days he works I'm going to try adding Wii Fit into my schedule! We shall see how this goes.

My week

I haven't posted lately, so I figured I would. This one might be a little long.

I've been in the gym some this week:) Proud of myself. I've been doing 1-1 1/2 miles on the treadmill. Just walking and setting the incline at 10 and moving down (something my trainer use to do with me). Well on Tuesday I did 2.68 miles. I was so proud of myself. On that note I've lost 3 pounds this week. GO ME!

Went to my first ever Pampered Chef party and won a door prize. How awesome is that:)

We had two field trips this week with school. Both kids had a blast. Natalie had a assembly yesterday in which she got an award. GO NATTY!

Grocery shopping this week ROCKED! I scored some diapers at Target for $3.99 a pack, and managed to get $5 gift cards also. I've decided that I'm taking all the gift cards I get from Target and putting them in and envelope and marking it Christmas. Just throw them in there all year long and then when Christmas time rolls around, I can use the Target cards to buy gifts. Stocked up on diapers and pull ups (seeing how two of mine wear pull ups to bed). Oh and wipes. I could stack coupons on wipes also and ended up getting them for $3.74 a 3 pack refill. Not bad since they are normally $5-$6.

My best shopping trip was at Kroger. They are having their Mega sales event (I love when they have these). I got $611.78 (I about hit the floor when I saw that total) worth of groceries for only $213.91. I saved $397.87 or 65%. I got tons of stuff for school lunches, snackes, main dish stuff, and dinner sides. Even managed to get more paper towels and TP (not that I needed either, but stock, stock, stock).

We are snowed in today! Thank goodness I got groceries yesterday:)

Been slacking some on my 15 minutes cleaning challenges this week, but got back into it this morning. This really works, I just need to get everyone else doing them.

Now that makes me mad!

Ok so I keep getting a bill from the peds office saying that we owe $85. I don't think so! I call for the second time on this claim. The first time they said we didn't have insurance...YES we do! I get a letter today saying they are going to send it to the Judicial Affairs Department if it's not paid by the end of the month. WTF!!! I call they said it was sent back from the insurance saying it had the wrong date of birth. I call the insurance people..they have the right date of birth.
They call the peds office and come to find out they were trying to send it in with my freaking date of birth!! COME ON PEOPLE!! Does a 33 year old go to a peds office??
Needless to say it's suppose to be resent and placed on hold. So here's the deal if you got something back from the insurance saying the date of birth was wrong would you not call the patient and check the date of birth? OH NO, lets send them a bill for $85 and see if they will pay it! HELLO I'm not stupid people!

Books

Ok I LOVE books! So I decided to post the ones I've read so far this year! I could probably read more books if I quit reading so many at one time and just finish them one by one. I'm shamed to say I'm reading 7 books right now. See I have this problem where I walk in the library and I find WAY too many books to read, I bring them home and then I try my hardest to work my way through the pile before they are due. I have 80 some books at home right now, but in my defense a lot of those are for the kids and cookbooks:) Is there a book rehab?

Books I’ve read in 2010

1) Not Becoming My Mother by Ruth Reichl (Jan 2, 110)

2) Half Broke Horses by Jeannette Walls (Jan 5, 272) A

3) Say You're One of Them by Uwem Akpan ( Jan 5, 354) C-

4) Shades of Blue by Karen Kingsbury (Jan 7, ) A+

5) The Preacher's Daughter by Beverly Lewis (Jan 13, 349) A

6) The Time of My Life by Patrick Swayze & Lisa Niemi (Jan 19, 247) A+

Ramblings

Well I made it to the gym on Sunday. Did 1 1/2 miles on the treadmill. I was proud, seeing how it's been a year since I was allowed in the gym. Once I found out I was pregnant with Avery my Dr. said no more gym. Walking only.

Been doing a lot of 15 minute challenges! I just about knocked out folding all the clothes yesterday, but had to run Kaelyn and Natalie to gymnastics and Bella to Girl Scouts. The life of a taxi driver!

Finished a great book today. "The Time of My Life" by Patrick Sawyze & Lisa Niemi. It was really hard to put down. I mean I was laying in bed reading it at night and would wake up from the book dropping on me. I would read a little more and then doze off again. GREAT book! RIP Patrick Swayze.

Even though I finished the book today I still got the following done in the 15 minute challenges. Kitchen, upstairs bathroom, upstairs living room, and Addison's room. No laundry today, I'm sure I'll pay for that one later.

My kids crack me up! I asked Natalie why she did something today and she says "I don't know, cause I'm crazy".

Just another rainy Sunday

So, I wanted to go walking on the track here today. That's not going to happen. It's been raining all morning. You know what that means right? I've got to either drag my big butt into the gym (really should since we are paying for the membership) or dig out my treadmill and get on it. Either way I've really got to start walking. I've decided I'm going to take it slow and start out with drinking more water (I've gotten horrible at this), and walking everyday. I figure even if it's cold outside I can still walk I have no excuse. I have a gym membership and a treadmill. I need to use them.

Oh a good note for today! Two actually! I've gotten my newspapers and have my coupons cut and put away. Way to go me! Second I remembered to lay out something for dinner. Not only tonights dinner but tomorrow's as well. I keep forgetting to do this.

Slow down

As I'm rushing out the door this morning with two back packs, baby in carrier, bottle in my jacket pocket, cup of coffee in hand and telling the girls to hurry up or we will be tardy, I think to myself "Why do I do this every morning"?
What happen to getting the outfits picked out at night? Having the socks and shoes ready and near the door, lunches half packed? I don't know what happen to all of this happening, but I've got to get myself back on track and start getting these things done at night so I'm not rushing around like a chicken with it's head cut off in the mornings.

First time blogging

Ok so I read my friend Lisa's blog today (loved it by the way), and decided that maybe I should start a blog myself. My mom keeps telling me I should and post all the good grocery deals I find etc. Then I thought to myself "No one wants to read my ramblings". Then I thought to myself "people in middle and high school use to read my stories and ramblings all the time. Maybe I should blog". So here I am! Not sure where to start, but figured I should post something...right???