Morning Melt Down

I know I am not the only who has to fight with their kids to get ready each morning.  And, knowing that, still does not make me feel better.  I hate to start my day or baby girl’s day by fussing, but what is the alternative.  We start our morning earlier, I get her stuff ready before I wake her up.  I take care of all the “prep work”, and still its hard to get her out of the house without a struggle.

If you asked me why, I would tell you it’s because we both have our own agenda’s.  She needs to write the date on her Dry Erase Board and the day.  She needs to make sure that her socks look just so, with her jeans, and sneakers.  Yes, shes 8 and already way too fashion conscious, I suppose a monster which Mommy created.  So, the question, is how to get our agenda’s to mesh.

Which leads me to Problem Solving 101, do I wake her up earlier and cut into my Mommy Alone/Exercise Time?  Do I wake up even earlier to maintain my sanity?  Do I put her to bed in her clothes for the next day?  I am kidding of course, right??

Anyway, stay tuned… since the kid’s are on Vacation Next week.. to see how I handle… this.. and find a way to bring some peace to our morning routine

 

post

Happy Friday!!

This year has come with a lot of change for me.  For the record, I am not a fan of change, unless of course I am the one initiating it.  But, some change is beyond our control.  In August, after twelve years with the same company, I found myself laid off, and having to change directions mid-sail.  For me that meant, so many things.  I had to acknowledge and accept that so much of my identity was tied up in my job, and in the process, start to both reinvent and rediscover myself.  I had to make a shift from full time employee, to full time
stay at home mom and wife, while at the same time trying hard to hold on to some semblance of “me”, without feeling bitter and angry and hurt.

Truth of the matter, is that I had to go through all those emotions.  There were lows, but there were highs too.  I worried about how this change would affect my family, and my marriage   And, I was right to worry.  But, I was also wrong.  This experience has given me the opportunity to experience and fully grasp things that I don’t know that I would have ever seen otherwise.  Like… I married an amazing man, I mean I knew that, but.  In the day to day of life, you sometimes lose track of why God made your spouse “just for you”.  My hubby and I are soo very different, but he was able to step back and let me go through all the things I needed to go through.  While softly, reassuring me that he had my back, and that he loved me, and that we would be ok.  I got a chance to be at home with my little one.  She is 2 and with my other two children, at this time in their life, I was fully vested in my work.  I never got to hang out with them and color in the middle of the day, blow bubbles, or just be silly and laugh, except maybe on the weekends.  And, although I fear she is getting too attached to me, I wouldn’t pass up this opportunity, if it came around again.  I have had a chance to spend more time with my 8 year old, and see life through her eyes. and see how much like me she is.

 

I am writing this post with tears in my life, because my life is rich.  I am blessed and highly favored, and through no doing of my own, but simply by God’s grace in my life and the life of my family.

 

This Week’s Pinterest Recipe ….

This past weekend was my “hubby’s birthday weekend”, or at least that’s when we chose to celebrate it, his actual birthday was on November 13th.  The “grands”, were sweet enough to keep the kids, so that we could get some alone time.  ALONE TIME, definitely one of my favorite things.

So, I took the opportunity to try out two new recipes that I found on…. wait for it, lol, PINTEREST.

These recipes definitely fall into the cold weather, comfort food categories.  So, I am not claiming that they are super healthy, just super tasty and a bit spicy.

Anyway,  check out, these recipes and the websites that they were linked from.

Crock Pot Cream Cheese Chicken Chili
(that’s a mouthful!)
2 chicken breasts, still frozen
1 can Rotel tomatoes
1 can corn kernels, do not drain
1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 pkg. Ranch dressing mix
1 T cumin
1 t chili powder
1 t onion powder
1 8-oz pkg. cream cheese
_________
Put the chicken in the crock pot.
Top with the tomatoes, corn,
the drained and rinsed beans,
ranch dressing, cumin, onion and chili powders,
stir to combine then top with the cream cheese.
Cook on low for 6-8 hours, stirring one or twice
to blend in the cheese.
Shred the chicken into large pieces
and serve over rice.
Can also serve in tortillas or taco shells.
Serves 4(This would also make an excellent dip!)Enjoy!

** Now, instead of using a tortillas, rice or taco shell as recommended I made these!!

Cheesy Corn Cake Toppers found here at The Yummy Life.

Check it out and let me know how you like it!! Remember you can add and subtract from these recipes to dial down the spice!!

Welcome to my World!!

I don’t know why, but there is something about this time of the year that makes me giddy!! I don’t know if its the fact that my two favorite family holidays are right around the corner, or the fact that even at my age, I still get caught up in the magic of the season and all that it means.

That being said, I have been busy preparing and decorating for the holidays!! Over the next few weeks, I will be sharing some great seasonal recipes, and even some ideas for how to make this time with your family even more special.