Perfect Better For You Pancakes

I was given a recipe or vegan pancakes a while back it was good, but the end result was dense and not fluffy, so I played around and these turned out great! My kids and I ate them without out any topping of any kind, because they were so yummy we didn't need butter or syrup to add flavor! Surprisingly the applesauce and cinnamon dont give of a strong flavor so you can still add other fruits...or chocolate to create your favorite pancakes. Or add diced apples and extra cinnamon :)

2 cups whole wheat flour (I used whole grain white today)
3 tsp baking powder
1/4 cup brown sugar(not packed)
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 to 1 tsp cinnamon
dash of nutmeg
Combine in a large mixing bowl.

1 1/2 cups original soy milk (or Almond milk)
2 Tbl ground flax seed

Mix together in a small bowl and let sit about 2 minutes (no much longer though.

1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
1 Tbl canola oil

Add everything to the dry ingredients and stir well. Cook up in your favorite pancake way! My favorite is with margarine (Smart Balance Light) instead of non-stick spray. Use about 1/3 cup of batter per pancake for best results, and lip once bubbles appear on top o pancake.

On A Serious Note

Elijah is a goober. He is so handsome (like his daddy), and melts me with a "please beautiful mommy!" However, he can have really bad days...or weeks. He can be completely mean and disobedient one minute and incredible sweet and cuddly the next. If he were over the age of four we would call this bi-polar, but instead it is terrible twos. This has been one of those weeks, where keeping up with him brings me almost to tears, and to horror as I see him sky dive off of furniture. As I say to myself for the 65th time today "I need a break" I realize it is November, and it is lucky for him that it is too, because in November I take it easy on him.

It was two years ago that he got sick. It started out like a cold, then got worse, then worse and worse and worse. The first night his fever spiked it we gave him fever reducer and headed to the ER and waited hours to not be seen, he started playing with us and acting normal so we went home. During the day he would do better, but the next night the fever spiked even higher. We headed back to the ER and they ran tests, told us it was just a cold, to keep suctioning his nose, giving him fever reducer and take him to a pediatrician in the morning. As soon as the Dr's office opened I was on the phone, but she was booked solid so they recommended another Dr. We went to the other doctor, and at this point Elijah was even more lethargic. The doctor came in the room and stood away from Elijah, never touching him or checking him out in any way. She asked what the hospital told us to do, we explained and her reply was, "so listen to them, why are you here? What do you expect me to do?" We left there and decided it was time to go back to the hospital, this time the doctors too us serious as soon as they saw Elijah. He was put on IV fluids, oxygen, breathing treatments, and a battery of tests were preformed immediately. By this time he rarely even cried because he was so sick. I remember praying over him for hours on end, for healing, pain relief, anything! And "why?". I remember being more terrified than ever in my life. And worse I remember having no peace. After a couple hours of constant tests and no answers, the doctor came in the room and quietly told us that Elijah was too ill for them to treat him at that hospital and he was going to be transported to a children's hospital. I could feel the earth spin around me as gravity held me down motionless. I saw Bobby's pillar of calm crumble. We still didn't have an answer as to what was wrong, but we both knew it could not be small i he couldn't be treated at a normal hospital.

The Kangaroo Crew arrived to transport him. The driver was very kind and tried to keep the conversation light, though all I wanted was to be in the back holding my baby. We got to the hospital and ran through the line of events every five minutes, with every nurse, doctor, technician and student. I was frustrated when we had to wait even 5 minutes between him being checked on, in my mind he needed a doctor standing by his side at all times! The first night I was up the whole night praying and paying harder every time his pulse-ox went off. The second night was more of the same with one difference, I couldn't stay awake any longer, even though I tried. What I woke up to was beautiful and brought me to tears. Elijah was playing! We stayed a third night, then as he was being discharged they finally gave me the answer that I no longer cared about having. I knew my baby was okay and that was enough. Elijah had RSV, we learned later that he has gotten it at the child care center where I worked for a Cafe.

So that is the scariest time in my life, more scary than when Addalene was sick at only 2 weeks old, because then I at least had peace.

And that is why, though Elijah can drive me up the wall and over the roof, I will always come back down and hug him and tell him I love him.

And, the reason that when I think about going back to work for my sanity or for financial reasons, I remember November 2 years ago, and I know that I am where I need to be for now.

"So You Aren't Having Thanksgiving?"

Let me first say I am talking to myself here too.

Since we have gone vegan I have now been asked numerous times "so no Thanksgiving?" First off let me address this idea of Thanksgiving. It is a time to celebrate what we are thankful for right? And tell God, "Thanks"? Shouldn't we do that every day? I try my best (and so not do a great job at it) to be thankful each day for the blessings I have been given. How often do you leave the grocery store saying "thank you Lord for blessing our family with food today"?I definitely remember to at the beginning of the month, when we re stock our kitchen from the end of the month low.

If you take thankfulness out of the picture (since it should be a daily thing) that leaves a time to gather with family and eat. Well, holiday travel is quite costly, not to mention, the days prior to holidays and following are mandatory for Bobby to work. That knocks extended family off the board as most of them live pretty far away (think 12-17 hours).

So food-yes we still eat pretty great food too! Here is what we are planning for Thanksgiving, I am sure I will narrow down the list later as it is alot of food. All of the thing I a cooking are vegan too.

Appetizer:

Spinach Dip in a homemade bread bowl

Main Course:

Stuffed Buttercup Squash (it looks like a green pumpkin)

Sides:

Sweet Potato Casserole

Mashed Potatoes

Green Bean Casserole

Maple Glazed Acorn Squash

Cranberry Sauce (Homemade)

Dessert:

Pumpkin Cheesecake

and I am working up a recipe for Chocolate Cream Pie

See!? We still get to join in the gluttony of the day, while putting emphasis on being Thankful!

Instant Results & Black Bean-lette Tacos

I was so excited to see instant results over the last two days! First thing we noticed was after breakfast, we normally eat the recipe below with eggs instead of beans, and cheese on top-those are thee only difference in recipe-and feel weighed down after ward and my tummy feels yucky. Yucky in a way that has always been "normal" to me. We had more energy, I wasn't almost in tears wanting a nap, or falling asleep on the couch while feeding Addalene. My favorite change? Flatter belly!!! Instantly! I am used to my belly swelling up through the day and by the end of the day I look like I am expecting, that did not happen! When we woke up this morning-easier than we have in a long time-my belly already appeared smaller! Good bye belly, I wont miss you!

Black Bean-lette Tacos

Makes: alot, or about 9 tacos...maybe more

2 medium red potatoes chopped in 1/2 inch cubes

cooking oil (about 2 Tbl)

1 small yellow onion-chopped

1/3 cup corn -I use frozen

1 medium tomato chopped

1 can black beans -drained and rinsed or 1 1/2 cups cooked black beans

cilantro (optional)

cumin and salt to taste

corn tortillas (lard free)

In a saute pan put just enough oil to fry potatoes.* Begin browning potatoes and once they begin to brown toss in chopped onion. Stir frequently. After about 3 minutes add corn, once it thaws add chopped tomatoes. Once potatoes are thoroughly cooked add beans and cumin (about 1 tsp) and continue cooking and stirring until the beans are heated through. Heat up tortillas (for corn tortillas, wet them before putting them on a hot pan and then they wont fall apart as you eat them). Scoop in the filling and enjoy!

*If you prep ahead you can bake the potatoes with less oil.

Update* I forgot to mention that everyones sinuses have "suddenly" cleared up. Elijah, who almost constantly has a runny nose, has not had one in the last 24 hours! Bobby and I have noticed a difference as well, Chloe says she hasn't noticed a diference, but I cannot vouch for what she is eating at school.(she will be taking meals starting tomorrow-but she does have free will)

I Got A New Food-itude

After years of discussion on how food is supposed to be eaten, or more what is supposed to be eaten by humans, and then watching by accident a few documentaries about the subject, we have decided to eat more of a vegan diet. I would come out and say "we are vegan" however, that leads to a mental picture of someone who will force there animal rights belief on everyone who passes, and has a strong opinion of the use of leather ect. ect. We are in it from more of a health stand point. If you are interested the movies are "The Beautiful Truth" and "Change Your Food Change Your Life." After watching "Change" we decided to finish out the food we already had, then make the switch. But the next morning I could not bring myself to eat an egg. Then I started "Truth" and that was my breaking point. I knew tidbits of a lot of information on the subject of animal products and health, and these movies brought it all together for me.

So I have been asked quite a few times already "what will you eat?" So here is todays menu, keep in mind today was a crazy run around everywhere sort of day, and we will be having a load more veggies than we did today. At least it gives you an idea of what can be eaten with no time to cook.

Breakfast - Black bean-lette (bean omlette) tacos, which many people have asked or the recipe already so it will be posted soon.

Lunch-I kinda skipped it, I was still full but we munched on Sweet Potato Chips

Snacks-carrots, carrot juice and a plum (I meant to grab a handful of nuts on the way out and forgot)

Dinner-a large salad (lettuce tomato Catalina dressing and 1 TBL hemp seeds) and spaghetti (whole grain noodles 1/2 jar of sauce and a can of green beans)

Dessert-we are about to have herbal tea and sweet potatoes (maybe in the form of a rice pudding)

A few foods that surprised me while compiling a list of "normal" foods that are also vegan from PETA's website: Jello Instant Pudding in Pistachio, Vanilla and Lemon (only those flavors), Hershey's Chocolate Syrup, and Graham Crackers including Teddy Grahams!

Also, I was surprised to learn (from a few other sources)that fruits, vegetables, and grains contain all of the nutrients a person needs except for B12 which can be obtained either from eating fish twice a week, nutritional yeast or a supplement. This was surprising to me because I had heard so many arguments about how this diet would lead someone to be deficient in many nutrients.

So there you go, that is where I am at right now, and that is why I will be posting recipes that may seem a little strange. My fridge is stocked full of veggies, my cupboard with grains and lentils, and I am on a new adventure of creating and finding new recipes.

Wake up!

I had the pleasure of taking Chloe out for breakfast and hot chocolate before school yesterday. Whenever her school has a book fair, they do a free breakfast for parents and kids one day of the week, to encourage browsing (or buying really). However, the breakfast is a nasty 400+ calorie pre-packaged muffin that has been microwaved, and an oj. So whenever these events happen she is treated to donuts and kolaches, and if I take her a Starbucks as well. She was so happy and we had fun chatting and making a long list of book we want. I want Lady Bug Girl, Olivia, and Fancy Nancy. She wants chapter books :) So I wet home and the kids were still asleep. Bobby had to leave to do some hair, so I changed back to my pj's. As I laid down and my head was 6 inches from the pillow, Elijah popped in "Hey mom, get up! Get up!"

"Okay, okay since you have such a sweet little voice I will get up!"

Fast forward 14 hours.

Addie is asleep in bed and we are locking up, cleaning up, and brushing teeth. Elijah runs to me in the kitchen. "Mom, 'urry up, 'um 'ear, hurry! Look, Addie's up!"

"What? Addie is up?"

"Yeah!"

Followed by Bobby's voice coming from the other room, "now tell mommy why Addie is awake!!!"

Me-"Elijah did you wake her up?"

Elijah proudly, "YES!"

Then she didn't go back to sleep or many many hours, and then it was only for a short period of time.

Thank you Elijah for waking everyone up so sweetly!

Cause he is so darned cute!

Elijah is always giving me something to talk about! Today he was standing on his potty washing his hands when he peed in his diaper. Apparently it was a lot, because his diaper had been dry and it leaked. Right into the potty, so I praised him and treated him for going in the potty...what else could I do I couldn't explain the stipulations of pottying in the toilet when he was looking at me with those big hazel eyes!

Addalene started fussing yesterday morning. Elijah ran in from the other room shouting "I got it, I got it!" Dropped on to the floor beside her wrapped his arm around her and started saying "ts ok Addie tso K, gott choo!" and kissed her sweetly on her face.

At each Halloween event we did, he didn't want to dress up. He had just thrown his pirate hat and sword on the ground when Chloe and I decided to demonstrate for him how to trick or treat. He saw me hand Chloe candy and ran up and said "pleeeeeease!" I told him, "no I only give candy to trick or treaters candy, who are wearing their costume." He ran back and put his costume on incredibly fast, and was back at my feet say "trick er treat!" He left it on after that.

He was pretty scared or masked characters this year, I suppose it is a good thing since it means he has learned the difference between reality and cartoon world.

I hope everyone had a happy Halloween!

On Todays Episode of "What Was I Thinking?"

(Cue theme song to any 60's family show) I decide it would be fun to pull out the cookie cutters and let the kids play with cookie dough...really I could stop here and and you could imagine the mess involved, but I will go on! So after their bath ("after"the second "What was I thinking? moment") which flooded the bathroom with a solid 1/2 inch of water. I made some ginger snap dough, lined the table with wax paper and sprinkled on flour. They each got a small mound of dough and a few shapes. Immediately they began laughing, having a great time, and getting straight to work. That would be about when Elijah decided to jump up from his seat to fetch the rolling pin, taking with him his wax paper, flour, and tiny pieces of dough. When he walked back to his spot and saw the demise of his dough he began rubbing it into the chair...the table...the carpet...and his freshly bathed body, all while singing "clean up clean up"! Meanwhile Addalene finally had fallen asleep and I was trying to lay her down without waking her up, so he kept at it. Lucky for him, it was an accident, I may have come unglued otherwise!

What Does Matthew McConaughey Have To Do With My Water And Twilight?

So I was thinking about our water and how it has higher than allowed levels of radioactivity in it. Which led me to thinking about the movie Sahara and how the people were dumping toxic waste into the peoples water? This led to thinking about who was in the movie, Matthew McConaughey and Penelope Cruz. So I started wondering what happened to Matthew. Wasn’t he People Magazines hottest man alive at one point? So I pondered this and where he disappeared to and remembered that he became a father, not just a father, but a “babys daddy.” Now from what I gather from the wonder of the wide web, he is a great dad. But did he decide to stop acting or am I just not seeing the movies he is in? Best I can tell, once he became a baby daddy his audience of ladies, mostly middle aged women turned their backs on him. I would imagine that according to statistics somewhere between 40-50% of those ladies were single moms at one point, or had a single mom. So did he give the ultimate betrayal to his fans? Can women no longer look up to him? Is it like when team Edward switched to team Jacob because Edward left Bella, except for a few women who were like “he did it because he really loves her”-I’d bet that many of those girls have been in hurtful relationships before (sad but true?). Face it Jacob took better care of Bella and treated her right even when he knew he would get nothing in return. It is not about looks to me, I admire actors who are setting good examples for the public who watches every step. Like when Tom Cruise took his daughter and had a tea party at the American Girls Café.

So Matthew, if you want your fans back, tie the knot with your little lady! Who knows I could be wrong, maybe it is the lady who doesn’t want to commit…

Mr. McDonald is VERY old indeed!

Elijah and I were singing Old McDonald to Addie awhile back and I asked what else he had on his farm. Apparently Mr. McDonald is VERY old because, he also had dinosaurs and monsters. He began growling louder and louder as we sang. Addie laughed, then stared, then pouted, then cried louder and louder. Elijah thought it was great that he could make her cry so easy. One look at me though and he knew it wasn't cool, so in the sweetest voice he could conjure he said "sawwwreeeeyy Addieee, its kay." She calms down, then "RAAAAWWRRRRR," the loudest roar yet, followed by the loudest wail yet. Elijah smiled in accomplishment at his newly found ability to make Addie react.

Note; it is rare for Elijah to be cruel to Addie, usually he just would be to Chloe. Generally he is very caring to her.

Elijah loves filling things with water, anything, like the other day when he filled Bobby's shoe with water and brought it to us, dripping the whole way.

Chloe left her naked Barbies in the bathroom and Elijah brought me one pointing out its "diaper" saying it needed changed and "ewwwweeee."

Mom's Nap Time Waltz

For the kids nap time today, I decided I was going to take time to relax and enjoy a book. Once they were in bed I went to get a drink of water, decided I should rinse the dishes from this morning and load them into the dishwasher. Problem with that-dishwasher was full, okay Ill just take a few minutes to unload it. Un load, load…hmmm, maybe I should sweep the kitchen is pretty bad-okay Im just going to sweep and get a bowl of yogurt then go read. Finish sweeping, go to bathroom, decide to tidy up the bathroom. Head back to kitchen for my lunch and pass the massive pile of laundry that needs sorted. Sort laundry, take to rooms, and realize I have been procrastinating on putting away Addie’s clothes lately. Okay I’m just going to do this, THEN go make my lunch. Put away Addie’s clothes, then start going through taking out the too small ones. Go get my lunch and start to sit down (note my rear did not touch the couch yet)and Addie starts to cry-go get her so she doesn’t wake Elijah up, and eat my lunch with my left hand while I feed her as well, while attempting to hold my book and read it. Oh, and about an hour later I remembered to go get my drink of water!

Bread To Love On

This bread is buttery, smooth, crispy but not crunchy, slightly chewing and great for impressing uh- I mean entertaining. Eat it by itself, with dipping oil, on a sandwich, or even as pizza. It is rather inexpensive to make and you should have the ingredients in your cupboard already! It may sound like a lot of work, however, your actual working time it around 15 minutes, and it will taste like you slaved over it! I hope you enjoy it as much as I am trying not to right now, Bobby asked me to save some for him.

Focaccia Bread

1 cup water

1/4 cup olive oil

1 teaspoon sugar

1 teaspoon salt

3-3 1/4 cups All purpose flour

2 teaspoons active yeast

Tuscan Herb Olive Oil (Below)***(see substitution)

I use a bread machine on the "dough" setting for the hard work. Otherwise use the knead, rise, knead, rise instruction found somewhere on the web. When the dough cycle is finished, remove from pan onto lightly floured surface. Knead 3 times, squish, squish, squish. Place a clean towel over it and let it sit for 15 minutes. After that, turn the over to 200 and let heat up for a minute or two, while it is heating stretch push and pull the dough into approx a 10x15 inch rectangle and place on greased baking sheet. Turn oven off and cover loaf with towel, then place in warm oven for 30-45 min. Remove loaf and preheat oven to 375. Poke holes all over top with your finger and brush herbed olive oil over top. Bake for 25-30 minutes, until golden brown. Serve warm with dipping oil, or great for Caprice sandwiches, even homemade pizza!

Tuscan Herb Olive Oil

1/2 cup olive oil

1 1/2 Tuscan Herb Dipping Spice (at HEB Central Market)

Combine and let sit for 20 minutes. Wans't that just so hard? If using an unsalted dipping spice add a little to taste. Store in a glass jar at room temperature for, well, a few months ;)

***I recommend getting the dipping spice, however, you can substitute with fresh herbs, or Italian seasoning, garlic pepper and a little salt. The spice only costs about $1.50 per 1/3cup, the trouble is finding it! It is by the bakery in little baggies at HEB.

For a fantastic sandwich spread (not that the oil isn't fabulous on sandwiches) replace olive oil with real mayonnaise and refrigerate 1 hour before use.

Caprice Sandwiches

Focaccia Bread (one loaf makes about 8)

sliced fresh mozzarella (2 oz per)

fresh basil leaves (8big leaves per)

tomato slices (1 Roma per or 1/2 medium)

Tuscan Herb Olive Oil (or the mayonnaise)

slice a square of bread in half, drizzle oil or spread mayo on halves, then layer basil leaves, cheese, tomatoes, and more basil.

Last Minute Entertaining

This super easy recipe I have made a few times when we have had unexpected company and they usually had no idea I was doing anything other than going to get a drink of water, each step only takes a minute and can be spread out. Most of the ingredient you can keep on hand for when you need it, or just have a craving. For a little more "scratch"ness, I added the recipes for homemade whip cream and graham cracker crust.

2 cups milk

1 large box instant chocolate pudding (6serving size)

1 tub whipped topping thawed (or 2 cups homemade whip cream)

1 cup chocolate chips

1 graham cracker crust

put chocolate chips into graham cracker crust and heat in oven at 250 for about 10 minutes, remove from oven and spread melted chips on bottom of crust, freeze for 30 minutes. While its freezing mix milk and pudding mix together, let sit for 5 min then add in half whipped cream, stir well then pour into pie crust, spread the remaining whipped cream on top and fluff with spatula.

Graham cracker crust

1 cup crushed graham crackers

1/4 cup brown sugar

1/3 c melted butter

Press all ingredients into bottom of un-greased pie pan.

Whip cream

1 pint heavy whipping cream

1 tsp vanilla extract

1/4 cup sugar

Place in blender and blend til thick

Or use a hand mixer in a tall bowl and beat til thick

For a thicker whip cream (for decorating) add 1/2 pack of plain Gelatine, following directions on package

Wow, what full hands you have!

Bobby is a magnificent father! He is so natural with the kids, it appears so easy for him so much of the time that I am actually jealous. However, on occasion he has the awkward moments that make me feel slightly less laughable.

While finishing up at the doctors the other day, I asked him to take Elijah and Addie’s car seat out to the car and get the stroller, so we could walk around the shopping center. He took Elijah by the hand and picked up the car seat-note that he didn’t have Addie, her baby-bag, or a purse to carry! As I sat back (feeding Addie) and with pure delight watched as he tried to figure out what hand was supposed to open the door. Knowing he still had 2 more doors and a car door to open this way, I tried to hold back most of my laughter. He turned and looked at me saying “I’m just not used to it.” I told him there is no getting used to it, unless you figure out how to grow an extra arm.

Later that day we were at HEB and Addie had gotten fussy so I took her out of the seat, carrying around the extra 17 pounds of Her Chunkiness, my back got sore by the end. I handed Addie to Bobby, who had been pushing the cart, saying “hold her for a minute” then I started walking, went into the next aisle, waited and he never came. I walked back and he was still standing where I had left him with Addie and the cart. I asked “are you coming?” He replied that he couldn’t push the cart while holding a baby too. My bad, I didn’t think about taking the cart when I handed Addie off, however, 50% of the time when I am shopping without Bobby, I am holding Addie and pushing the cart at the same time.

Along with seeing that, I heard a woman tell Bobby for the first time “looks like you have your hands full”, I loathe that comment as it is all I hear when shopping with the kids, and he knows it. Even when they are being perfect angels I still get told that, really like you telling me that is going to make it any easier. I have begun replying with “that’s what I hear”. For those (now hundreds) of people who have told me that, yes, sometimes I have my hands not just full but overflowing, but that is how God chose to bless me, and I am overwhelmingly grateful for my blessings, even on the “bad” days. I have one absolutely handsome marvelous husband, three beautiful, adorable, silly, rascally kids, and one I will get to meet in Heaven. A roof over my head and a mess under my feet. If the only cost to me is my hands being full, I will take it!

Retail Therapy, the drug of choice!

Shopping is an amazing thing. We go on shopping trips for fun with our friends, we go for “retail therapy” when we have had a bad day, we go just to get out, we go “for exercise.” For some it can be completely frustrating and over whelming, for others a way to relax and unwind, and for a few a drug. A drug that makes them giddy and excited, and they gotta get more! I used to fall into the third category, then after realizing that same as cash really meant same as double the cash, I quit cold turkey. Then after producing my litter of munchkins, I fell into the first. Seriously, have you ever taken 3 kids shopping?! Even when out of tp, it’s just not worth the trip! I would go in a store for 2 items and leave an hour later with 2 of the kids crying and the other one whining.

Our shopping excursions since Addie’s birth have been spread out as far as possible. When I do make it into Target-for example, I get what I need and get out(4 bathroom trips later), no funny business! Last week I had the pleasure of going with Bobby to Target, he took Elijah and I went off with Addie.Then, I realized they had new merchandise! I had not seen anything new in months, I wondered through each aisle in amazement and awe! So many pretty things, “Look at the bedding, we could use new bedding” “oh wow, these dishes, they are so pretty” ”that frame! I need new frames for the kids photos” “Oh! Baby clothes! Ruffle butts!!!” the list goes on…My experience was probably similar to that of a foreigner going shopping in America, “wow look at all this stuff-ShamWOW, with a name like that I must need one! A salad fork, and a dinner fork, I never knew you need 2 kinds of forks!” It was like retail love at first sight all over again! “Sigh”. It wasn't until I got home, that I realized I had been to Target numerous times, with all of that fabulous merchandise looking at me, and I never saw it-and I am a pretty observant person!

Then again at Hobby Lobby, the colors, the fabrics, flowers and ribbon. I can’t afford to go shopping with Bobby, because then I see what is right in front of me, begging for my attention-as it is supposed to, seeing as experts are highly paid to find a way to display each item for the highest monetary gain-and I want it, I drool over it. I can touch it and picture where it would look best, and in my fantasy of the new table cloth the kids are being perfect angels, so I must get it now! Now! NOW! Because the sale won’t last right!? This, my friends is retail therapy…we see, we want, we imagine a perfect world, and then we buy.

I think from now on I will go shopping only with all 3 kids, or at least the 2 youngest, so I only see what I need, and save 100’s of dollars every month, it just might be worth the cost, being my sanity of course!

Dumplin's namesake!

I always assumed everyones favorite dish would be the harder ones to make. Bobby's favorite dinner is Chicken and Dumplins, and I assumed it was just him. Until my family came to visit from Tennessee, my brothers one request was Chicken and Dumplins! Seriously? I make a mean European Mocha Fudge Torte, and a Garlic, herb, and cheese stuffed chicken (Chicken Bundles of Love-as they are known in our family) that is to die for (it is how I got my husband after all)...but Chicken and Dumplins was the only request! I was glad though seeing as I was feeding 8 instead of the usual 4. When my mom left she even asked for the recipe! Most of my recipes come from my moms book, so I was pleasantly surprised. This recipe is so good we nick named Addalene Dumplin'! One of the best parts is the way the soup turns into more of a gravy, yum!

Chicken and Dumplin's

1/2 stalk Celery

1 med/small Onion

4-6 Carrots

Garlic (half bulb)

Chives (optional)

Chop/dice all of the above

Chicken

1 ½ Tbl Olive oil or butter

Chicken bullion

Garlic salt to taste

Italian seasoning-A LOT (keep in mind it’s a soup so it takes more seasoning)

Drop biscuit dough (from scratch is best) or a can of biscuit dough (Drop biscuit recipe follows)

Put chicken in a minimal amount of water-so it covers the chicken by about ¼ to ½ inch add olive oil or butter and bullion then boil til chicken is done (the oil and less water keep the chicken from getting chewy or dry). Keep the stock (water) but remove the chicken, add all the veggies and if necessary add more water so all the veggies move can freely. Add Italian Seasoning and begin boiling while chopping or shredding chicken, add chicken back to soup and continue boiling until the carrots are tender. Taste and add garlic salt as needed (I use Low sodium bullion but I don’t put much garlic salt still-also if using canned dough use less salt because the dough is salty) After seasoning bring to a full rolling boil then drop dough in by spoonfuls slowly (if you go to fast it will cool off the water so it is no longer boiling), after 2 minutes turn over the dumplin’s and let cook another 2 minutes. Turn off the heat and enjoy (if you continue to let it boil the dumplins will fall apart)

Drop Buiscuits are yummy with butter and honey, like your great great grandmother made, or use the dough for Dumplins!

Drop Biscuits
1 3/4 cup flour
2 1/2 tsp baking powder
3/4 tsp salt
1/3 cup shortening or canola oil
1 cup milk

mix all ingredients.
For biscuits drop by spoonfuls onto cookie sheet. bake at 450 for 10-12 minutes. Makes about 8 large biscuits. They are done when the peaks are a deep golden brown.

How hungry? So so so hungry!

I was told I would be thirsty not hungry! I grew up knowing breastfeeding makes one thirsty, unquenchably thirsty, and its true, there are days I drink 10-12 cups of water, but the hunger? I was not warned about! The 500 extra calories recommended for proper "production" doesnt come close to the amount desired!

The first couple months, there really wasn't a change in my appetite. Then 3 months hit with the bang of a fat man plopping down onto a old wooden chair! I didn't link it to breastfeeding until last week, I kept wondering what was making me SO hungry. I didn't step near the scale-well the Wii Fit (get with the times already!) for about 6 weeks, knowing I had eaten more than the average African...elephant that is! Finally I decided yesterday that to be motivated to stay away from the kitchen I had to hear and see the bad news-then I jumped for joy when I saw no significant difference.

This is an all consuming hunger, it is not a craving. There is no specific food you have to have immediately, maybe sweet, salty, or a burger but nothing specific. In general you just want food, any food within reach, and NOW. And lots of it!

Pregnant women are known for their cravings that drive them to crazy acts of desperation, but why dont you hear about the lactating women? Today I heard an ice cream truck outside-now for a little history, I dont let my kids get ice cream from the roach coach vans with irritating music, EVER!-yet today when I heard the did-die I jumped from the couch ran to Bobby's dresser grabbed a handful of change and ran outside, only to see it was too late. I slumped back in the house as if I had just been told Elvis really is dead, fist full of change and arm full of Addie and her plumpness. I then headed to the kitchen and stared longingly into the quiche that was waiting on the oven, knowing I could finish it off and make an entire new dinner without anybody knowing, and I would still be hungry enough to eat with the family.

I finally felt so crazy I Googled it today(as any responsible adult would) and found a plethora of milk machine mamas saying the same thing. I AM NORMAL AFTER ALL! So maybe next time I am trying with all my might to not go bake up a good size Baptist Bake Sale, for myself, I will go for it in small proportions and not feel so guilty.

A Few Shots from Addalene's 4 Month Pictures

More Elijah, And 4 Steps To A Clean House

Elijah makes for great stories!
We got a crib for Addie last week (finally, she has way outgrown the bassinet) and Bobby decided to put it together in the living room...so I could later take it apart and put it back together in our room?...and we had to leave it there until we (I) could rearrange the furniture in the bedroom. Elijah took the opportunity to enjoy it as his very own climbing wall. One particular day he was enjoying climbing on the crib while in underwear as Chloe crawled underneath it, and then he decided he didn't want to stop to use the potty, so he peed-with Chloe underneath him! I'm not gonna lie I had to leave the room to laugh before coming back to clean it. Chloe wasn't as mortified as I thought she would be, he only got her arm.
Elijah loves going potty with someone else. When I was on my way into the bathroom the other day, he was coming to join me, then ran out yelling "phone! phone! phone!" and before I could reply he came in, chest puffed up, showing my his phone-a calculator! He proceeded to sit on his froggy potty and play with his phone, just like Daddy (well minus the froggy part)!
We were given a couch yesterday! I think we may have been the only people desperate enough to move a sectional down from the third story of an apartment, but that's okay, I like my new couch :) While we were moving it into our house, I carried in a piece and found Elijah had gotten parts of my breast pump and he was pumping the couch...maybe trying to vacuum?

How to get your house clean in a 4 easy steps
Step 1: Stay up all night taking care of teething, or otherwise very cranky baby.
Step 2: When you get up in the morning, be very angry about life in general, slam a few things around for good measure.
Step 3: After breakfast go to do dishes and bang a few more around. Remembering not to talk to anyone unless you use a grumpy voice and use as few words as possible.
Step 4: Glare at your husband and let him know that until "the procedure" you will be taking a vow of celibacy.
About then he should start running around cleaning (without you asking! :) ) and demanding that the kids clean too!
No joke my house went from disaster area to clean enough for visitors in 5 minutes flat! And all I had to do was the dishes.

Just wondering as I wander

Sometimes I wonder how I got to where I am today. In a good way though. There are moments where it hits me that I am an adult with responsibilities, it just comes natural, doing day to day things, I dont even think about where the time has gone. (to the past duh!) But I just laid down with Chloe for a few minutes and I felt small again (maybe because she is almost as tall as me now) and it hit! "I'm married! I have 3 kids?! When did it all happen?" God has blessed me tremendously with an amazing husband who loves us dearly and takes care of us, and 3 wonderful (crazy)kids! And it has gone by in the blink of an eye, and yet it feels like it goes by faster everyday. *sigh*
Anyhow...
I went outside to do laundry (in the shed)this morning, before the invading wasps had a chance to wake up, and I got to hear what my house sounds like to all our neighbors...and I am surprised the cops haven't been called on us yet! Elijah learned about 3 weeks ago, how to scream like a 14 year old girl in a Bieber concert. A high pitch, ear piercing, blood curling scream! All you have to do is look at him wrong and he lets one loose! I gotta give it to him, he gets your attention with it. He is doing very well potty training...when he wants to. He went all day without an accident after only 9 days of starting. He went potty earlier today while I was feeding Addie, I asked Chloe to make sure he didn't get into anything and a moment later she yelled "MOM! he put the rug in the toilet!"...Sorry Addie, you will have to eat later.
Chloe goes back to school in 10 days, I will miss her and she is so helpful. I cant figure out what she is going for...she has been behaving really well the last few weeks and doing "my" chores without me asking her to even help.
Chloe told me awhile back, "Addie is SO wonderful, she is half you and half Jesus!" They are both wonderful. Addie watches things way to closely...alot like her sister when she was a baby...scary!

Continued and Why Oh Why?

On to Grotto we went! Well, those who were going, it was not a part of the party. I love Grotto, their tomato soup is insanely wonderful, along with their tiramisu-if you like tiramisu, have never had tiramisu, hate tiramisu or love it and eat it everyday, you must go get a piece of their! Oh no now I am hungry. I was a little sad because, while still great, their service is no longer as exceptional as it once was (unless you had been there before, you wouldn’t notice-the service is still wonderful just not AS high quality as it was). The evening was wonderful, and food delicious, Chloe opened her gifts and we ate cake (compliments of Grotto and awesome!) and tiramisu!
On Friday, our real birthday, we hung out at home and relaxed while Bobby worked. Nothing exciting, but at the last minute I did decide to bake a cake after all. European Mocha Fudge Torte! It was delicious! –I'm noticing a food trend here…
Then this last week, two wonderful friends took me to lunch at PF Changs, with only Addie in tow! It was alot of girl talk, fun, food, relaxation, and laughter. All in all an excellent gift! The weeks of celebrating will end in a few days after my dad takes me (us) to dinner, see more food! I'm not sure where we are going yet, I was told to pick. I wish the Aquarium, Hard Rock, Magical Time Machine or Rainforest Cafe were closer-I love well themed restaurants!
As for today...
I washed the dishes, swept and mopped, picked up toys, vacuumed, scrubbed the table, did laundry, cleaned the cupboards and outside of the fridge. Then the kids ate lunch, really do I need to go into detail, it wasn't "bad" but it now looks just like it did before all that work-so I'm chalking all the cleaning down to exercise!
Elijah woke up about 4 days ago and decided he was ready to potty train, he was doing excellent, then around noon yesterday changed his mind, and for 24 hours went everywhere but the potty, then noon today was ready again...so I decided that the difference between a toddler and bi-polar disorder is about 4 years. I have always heard that with each kid time goes faster-part of losing brain cells?-but I didn't realize just ow true it could be. My beautiful princess is 8! My silly handsome man is almost 3! And my darling dumplin' is 4 months old! I still think of her as a newborn, but shes not! She is almost sitting on her own, working on her first tooth, and using both hands together! I love watching the kids interact, Chloe is the boss, of course, always trying to be mom and take care of the little 2, but I was surprised that Elijah became the lovey dovey one, he will be mid tantrum, but stop to kiss and hug Addie, or whoever he isn't mad at. She in the mean time sits back and laughs at him as he cries! Well thats all I have got for now have a good one!

Party Time Details

Life seems to have been crazy the last few weeks, and yet I feel like it's been unproductive too, I can't seem to find what I have to show for it.
The birthday was great, and the celebrations were strung out over the course of 2 weeks, which I love! It started with Chloe's party and dinner for "The Royal Family".
Chloe's party was held at The Woodlands Mall. It was princess themed so we were dressed in the duds of royalty! We met up with the girls at Barnes and Noble's Cafe for the royal drink of coconut cream sodas. The girls were to go on a scavenger hunt of sorts, they received their first envelope with a clue on it there. On the outside of the envelopes were clues to the next place they had to go to get another, inside were cards with letters. Once they collected all of the envelopes they had to unscramble all of the letters, which spelled out the final destination. Along the way a few vendors were very accommodating and agreed to let me leave little gifts for the girls. The best store being Helzberg Diamonds, who were amazingly sweet to the girls and gave them the plastic "jewelry" I had left ahead of time. We rode the carousel, where they got the final clue and unscrambled to find the words "Build-A-Bear" Chloe was jumping up and down with excitement! I had written down a list of birthday ideas and had her rate them 1-10, shopping game and Build-A-Bear were in her top 3 and I had combine them :). So on we marched (in aching shoes)to the shop of bears, it was so much fun and we rushed the girls so we could make our reservation at Grotto (yay!)Elijah was afraid of the stuffer, but was adorable holding his puppy dog and looking scared, Chloe just bounced around the store, and Addie looked confused as to why daddy and Jorge (our neighbor) were putting wigs on her.
To Be continued...

Good Morning Brithday!

Good morning birthday, I haven’t seen you in a year! July 30 is a day (week) of celebration in our house, it is both Chloe's and my birthday (and according to a sonogram the day of conception for Addie...but that may be TMI-oh well) I was up a lot of the night with a stuffy tossing Addie. Once Bobby got up he made me a giant fresh blueberry pancake and I even used REAL butter! It was delish! Of course Bobby was so groggy at first he couldn’t remember why he was making pancakes, about half way through he came to tell me happy birthday. Once Chloe got up Elijah began galloping in circles around the living room singing “HAAAAPPPPYYY YOU! HAAAAPPPYY YOU!” when he tripped he sat up immediately and said in his deep, manly voice “I’m okay” then began galloping around the room again this time singing “Moon, Moon, Moon”. I have lots to tell about Chloe’s birthday party, it was so much fun, and the least expensive party I have thrown yet! But for now I will leave you with a recipe for blueberry pancakes, these make me smile and hum while I eat-seriously Bobby laughs at me when I eat them, I grew up with bisquick pancakes so when I got the basic pancake recipe I tweaked it (slightly) and here it is-Oh and for those of you who dont know imitation vanilla is NOT the same as vanilla extract, lets just say its like an Elvis impersonator, cheaper and easier to come by, but you can tell its not the real thing

Blu-licious Pancakes

2 cups flour
4 Tbl sugar
2 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
2 eggs
1 1/2 cups milk
1 tsp vanilla
3 Tbl melted butter
2/3 cup blueberries rinsed and drained (whole and fresh)

Combine dry ingredients, mix, then add wet ingredients. Stir til smooth. (Its morning nothing complicated, right?) Heat a large skillet with about 2 tablespoons butter in it, at about 75% heat (med-high). If you are going for a healthier meal use a cooking spray on the pan instead. Once hot pour batter onto hot pan using about 1/3 cup batter per pancake. Usually 3-4 will fit on a skillet at a time. Once you see "potholes" appearing evenly across the top you can flip the pancake and cook about 2 minutes until golden brown. Each time you start another set add another tablespoon of butter to the pan. This recipe makes enough for about 5 hungry people! Enjoy!

A Bunch Of Ramblings, And Boy Do I Need Coffee

I finally finished Chloes dress and I am currently working on Addies, along with a how-to tutorial.
I am so tired but as soon as I got the little ones down the phone rang, as soon as I hung up the neighbors kids came and started mowing the lawn, (Jessica is very sweet and does a great job, as she earns money to care for her 4-H pets, but she likes to keep me very informed about the progress of the lawn). So by the time I got to lay down again my mind was on everything but sleep, that and there is so much I need to get done right now I would feel guilty about napping…almost. I’m really stressed about something right now, but I am literally so tired that I cannot remember what it is. Pretty much Im just in a really bad mood and have a headache to go along with it (and if you are putting 3 and 3 together right now, well, you are wrong)…And now Elijah is awake again… My lack of sleep last night is due in part to Addie and also to the strange dreams I have been having every night lately, I have been told repeatedly to keep a dream journal, however I have no desire to remember these dreams, so there!
The last few weeks have been crazy Elijah and I have been bruised up and banged up in every way possible, him by his own doing-couch diving and such, me by others doing. Chloe has been having growing pains as well and insisting on wearing an ace bandage around her ankle. We only have one at the moment so her and I have been butting heads over whos turn it is to use it. I do not know if I over extended my arch or if it is “falling” let’s just say it hurts horribly bad most of the time. Along with that Addie clawed my eyeball the other day (as I was on the way to cut her fingernails, go figure), and when Bobby returned home and saw me in my home made eye patch, HE LAUGHED! Mean while I had made dinner, and found out just how difficult it is to measure distance and amounts with only one eye. As it turns out, you need two eyes to get full depth perception. When I finished and saw how little was in the pan, I told everyone that if there wasn’t enough they were just gonna have to suck it up and wait til breakfast!
Have you ever seen -pretty much any Disney Channel show- where some form of liquid (usually frozen yogurt) is being dumped out and the people are trying to catch it all with their mouths and hands..? I didn’t think it actually happened, but Chloe proved me wrong, when her milk shake cup broke at Chick-fil-a and she tried to contain the mess in such a manner, then began eating it out of her hands. I would have loved to get it on video, but my main concern at the time was that she was spreading the mess across the store.
Chloe’s birthday is going to be a lot of fun we are going to…HA gottcha Chloe, you thought I would tell you, jokes on you!
Chloe is pretty easy, she complains (a lot), but otherwise she is a lot of fun and makes life easier for me when she is feeling helpful. So what I am realizing now with 2 little ones is that I have begun deciding what is truly a necessity, when out with the kids. What is really so necessary that I am going to go through the process of getting them in and out of the car, fed, changed, ect? Coffee? YES! Toilet paper? Nah that can wait. Sewing supplies? Sure! Fresh meat for dinner? You know what, that chicken in the fridge didn’t smell too far gone…
Elijah brought me the coffee press (almost empty and completely cooled) and an empty cup the other day and asked “coppee, please!?” I handed Chloe the press and moments later I hear “mom! Elijah is swimming in the syrup!” As I flew over the couch I realized, sure enough he was trying to take a bath in Mrs. Buttersworth’s flavored sugar! He was sitting in a large puddle of syrup! Come to think of it this was the same day Addie gouged my eye…what a fun Tuesday!
Ugh! As I was posting this Elijah came up to me with a tub of "lock and twist" gel, it is probably the nastiest goop ever sold for profit! Just imagine a jar of snot! It is used to "lock" dreads and he was dumping it on his hair, onto the floor, and rubbing it into his hair. Yuck! Maid Wanted! In trade for yummy bread...hmm I think its time to make bread again.

Spinach Enchiladas

I really enjoyed these, Im not too fond of restaurant style spinach enchiladas, they tend to be greasy and (dare I say) too spinach-y. I found a super simplistic recipe online and went from there adding a few more ingredients. Oh and I cut corners, I dont roll enchiladas, I layer like a lasagna. I use premade tomatillio sauce when cooking with it even though I dont like the pre-made on chips it turns out great when baked.

Green-alicious Enchiladas
Serves; 5-6 cost; $8 time; 30 min or less

1 bunch, or frozen package Spinach
1 cup frozen hash-browns, or diced potatoes
2 Tbl oil
1/2 cup onion-diced
1/4 cup cilantro-diced
3 garlic cloves-diced
1 teaspoon cumin
1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
16 oz (2 cups)green salsa/tomatillio sauce
1/2 cup sour cream
12-16 corn tortillas
1-2 cups cheese I used cheddar and jack

Cook hashbrowns in oil with onion and garlic, when browned add cilantro and spinach, cook til wilty and steaming. Add cumin, garlic salt, sour cream, and 1 1/4 cups salsa. Stir well and heat til bubbling. Begin preheating oven to 350.
Spray a 9x9" baking dish. Pour 1/4 cup of remaining salsa on bottom of baking dish and spread across bottom. Tear tortillas into pieces and make a layer on bottom of dish-using 3-4 tortillas per layer, pour 1/3 of spinach mixture over tortillas then 1/2 cup cheese, repeat layers 3 times. Make 1 more layer or tortillas on top pour remaining salsa on top, then remaining cheese. Bake at 350 15-20 minutes.

The original recipe I saw only had spinach, sour cream, salsa, and tortillas, if you are working on a budget or trying to cut the calories-go for it, but all together this is already a fairly low cal dish.
Enjoy, I did! My kids even went back for seconds knowing it was spinach.

Happy July!

July marks the beginning of even hotter days and therefore Chloe doesn't like playing outside and Elijah wants to but no one is willing to go out there to watch him...except the bazillions of mosquitoes! It is also 1 month into hurricane season hear in the tropics of Texas, and that means fantastic thunderstorms, even when the storm hits hundreds of miles away. That said we got buckets of rain this last week...inside the house included. Elijah decided that said buckets looked like great swimming pools for him to take a dip in, and throw Chloe's stuffed fish into.
I hope everyone had a great and safe 4th of July. Here in our wonderfully country neighborhood the fireworks red glares were hitting our tree tops and our roof (couldn't hurt it much more right?)so the kids and I hid in the house blaring music and dancing to dampen the blasting booms. Bobby, having not been traumatized by fireworks as I have, watched the neighbors money burning in the air in 20 beautifully bright colors. -As for my trauma, there are so many bad "4th" experiences to choose from, I don't know where to start...babysitters driving drunk, 3 exploding and hitting me, and something about when I was younger...but I remember cars being chased...-
Right now I am working on a dress for Chloe. We are planning (hoping) to do a Prom theme dinner for our birthday on the 30th (same day for both of us!)The main part of her dress took all of 1 hour, while Addie and Elijah slept, that was 2 weeks ago, and since then I have hardly accomplished anything. I have about 30 minutes to an hour left on it, but as soon as I set up someone wakes up and its time to pack up again! Anyhow I plan to do it at 2am if necessary-just to be done with it. Its Hannah Montana meets Belle and Cinderella. The picture is of Cloe and Elijah climbing on my back as I try to hem and make flounces on the dress.
In honor of Independence Day, I am posting an American classic! Southern Style Mac N Cheese- Disclaimer! not to be eaten on a regular basis! Ultra yummy, however, it is macaroni and cheese...I guess if you are used to eating McD's everyday then this would be a step up in the health department though... Enjoy!

Baked Macaroni cost:$7-12 serves: 6* time:30 min

12oz package spiral or penne pasta
1 1/2 lb shredded cheese-I use a mixture or Mild Cheddar,Sharp Cheddar and Colby Jack (usually)
1 stick butter
1/2 cup heavy cream, half n half, or milk
2 T flour
1 package pre crumbled or 1/2 cup diced bacon
1 can corn-or 1 cup frozen (optional)
4 large garlic cloves -diced
1/2 cup onion-copped
1/4 cup chives
1 tsp cumin
garlic salt to taste

Prepare pasta according to package and add corn, garlic, onion and chives to boiling water (or you can saute them in the butter before making the sauce, I tend to boil them because it takes less time)Drain then pour into sprayed 13x9" or larger baking dish sprinkle bacon over the top (cold is fine). In the same boiling pan on medium heat add butter (saute veggies now if doing so) add cream, seasonings and 1 lb of cheese, mix until completely melted and smooth-if sauce is too tin add flour slowly 1 Tbl at a time and stir til slightly thicker-its cheese it will thicken as it cools...pour over noodles and mix together. Sprinkle remaining 1/2lb or cheeses on top. Broil until browned on top.
*for 2 more servings use a full pound of pasta, dont worry about the rest chances are you wont notice a difference in the cheesy-ness.
There are so many ways to change this recipe up, add green chilies, take out 1/2 lb of cheese, or add tomatoes and olives, have fun with it!

Mom Barometer

It’s been a quiet day in the Bickel household…I say this as the roof leaks behind me, Addie cries and when I go to her, I step in a puddle of spit up, Chloe complains about her bedtime, and Elijah scurries about as if he downed a double espresso…but the otherwise quietness can only be attributed to Thursdays being my break day. Thursdays I have the pleasure of going to the church and taking on any task thrown at me, even if it means getting stuck in an elevator, tumbling down stairs, or dropping and exploding a case of soda in front of crowd of onlookers, all in trade for 5 hours of free babysitting (okay that is not my real reason for going, but it is a definite plus!). In other words Thursday is the day that helps to maintain my sanity, partly because it is pretty much the only time my conversations include more than fairy princesses and juice. I do love the opportunity to serve though; it brings me so much joy and refreshes my week. By the time we got home through the down pouring rain, a little gift Hurricane Alex sent our way, we only had an hour and a half before we had to leave again to get Bobby. But during that short time Elijah managed to make his mark on me and the house. Most toddlers would climb a baby gate blocking their path-mine breaks the wood and tears it down. Every time Elijah decided he wanted to toilet paper the bathroom, or see what makes the plunger so amazing; I got to do my mad dash across the house, the bathroom being the only place left we had a gate on. Aside from that, and thinking I broke my toe while trying to walk through the kitchen he “redecorated”, then pinching the skin on my hand when fixing Addie’s swing after his “reconstruction”…its been a calm day…sort of.
Mom’s Mood Barometer
1-Cracker Barrel for breakfast! =happy, goofy
2-Making pancakes=feeling affectionate, happy
3-Hamburgers=life is good, at ease
4-Spring Rolls=feeling ok
5-Peanut butter bars=something is on her mind (warning!)
5.5-On third cup of coffee=something is straining her
6-Buying ice cream=stressing
7-Sopping randomly=nerves are unraveling fast
8- Baking brownies=quick get her a glass of wine, and a masseuse and a babysitter -for a week!
9-No food-scrubbing erratically=
10-Baking white bread (with real butter)=call out the National Guard, someone is gonna get hurt!
…I smell bread, and it smells yummy-good night kids, hello fresh baked bread and Pinot Grigio!

just a typical 2 year old...right?

The smell of apple cider vinegar is burning my nostrils and making my stomach churn as I write this. Yesterdays messes were minor in comparison to today…and it only 3 o’clock. Yesterday Elijah painted with jello powder, which fortunately turned out to be pudding powder across the kitchen floor and rug. Hours later (with much happening in between) he again “painted” with Suisse mocha powder-a whole can of it both of which Chloe had put into his ever growing reach.
Today our morning began rather calm, well what I can remember of it, before my caffeine drip was started. Within an hour of my husband leaving for work Elijah tore off his diaper and streaked through the house….it was a poopy diaper, need I say more? After bathing him and removing the sheets from his bed, that he jumped on as I chased him down, I dried and clothed him then went to tend to Addie. No sooner then I sat down with her, Elijah grabbed the Rice Crispies which Chloe had (again) just set in his reach and proceeded to dump the entire family size box. As I set down Addie and headed to clean it, Elijah rushed to hit it all off the table and across the living room and kitchen…all 1 pound and 2 oz of puffed rice crispiness flew with ease to the far reaches of each room.
Later Addie was peacefully sleeping in her swing as I began setting up the blog, when Elijah attempted to pull her out roughly-he loves taking care of “my (his) Addie” unfortunately he has yet to learn gentleness. I leapt across the room- with the speed but none of the gracefulness of a gazelle- to stop him, at which point he ran across the room with the speed of a cheetah to get the computer. Juggling baby and phone (Bobby had called) I chased him down and got the computer too. Elijah ran off to tear off his poopy diaper…yes, again (I think he found a stash of old food in his toys)! Fast forward a little and Addie is napping and I am back on the computer trying to start this blog, I ask Chloe to get Elijah juice, a few minutes later I hear him dump out liquid in the kitchen. Chloe tells me he spilled his juice. Moments later I am assaulted by the intense smell of vinegar “did you give him pickles?” I ask. “No, just juice,” Chloe states, then Elijah comes in the room spitting. As I go to clean the spill “Chloe it really smells like vinegar!” “Well I gave him that apple cider vinegar juice.” “YOU WHAT?!?!”….yeah Id spit too! Her reply was, “well Daddy drinks it!”
…Silence, that is never good…He just figured out he can use his cubbies and stack them to reach things GREAT!...things like my camera and deodorant….and he stripped off his diaper again! Okay, got it on and found he had bit the end of a sippy cup straw off and was chewing on it...Mom I know you are laughing right now!
Well only 5 more hours left in his day, we shall see what adventures become of it!

Whats this blog and who are you to write one?

My name is Cherish and I am the wife of an amazing man of God, who loves me very much (just to brag a little)! Bobby is a hair stylist and a great one of that! We have three beautiful children; Chloe, Elijah and Addalene. As a family we hope to foster children (despite the craziness of our day to day lives). We feel the children in the foster care system are the ones who need shown the love of God and parents more than anyone, and I would love to be an old lady one day who tells people “I have 125 kids” then pull out a photo book and show everyone whether they want to see it or not! Oh and we have a dog named Opi, though he is the size of a small horse, and a few cats that are our snake deterrent system.

I love creating things and lately that has been in the form of sewing, which I self taught last July. Not to brag but I am told I am a great cook, seamstress, writer, and mother-and improving on my photography. I am starting this blog because so often people say they don't know how I do it and make references to "supermom"(occasionally)...so NOT true! Here I hope to share some tips and tricks, but mostly to show the madness that is my house. I hope when you are having a stressful day you can come here and get a good laugh out of my day. Or if you’re feeling crafty and needing ideas maybe pick a few of mine, and of course change it up and make it your own! Need a yummy dinner-I’ll get that on here too (eventually).

Here is a little about my kids;

Chloe will be 8 the end of July, she is gorgeous and turning into a young lady more everyday (and that scares me!). Chloe excels in reading and math and science…and anything she puts her mind to-it comes easy to her! She has a wonderfully goofy personality that she tends to hide from others. She sometimes reminds me of a 3 legged giraffe-and that makes my heart smile! Chloe wouldn’t see a semi-truck if it were parked on her bed, and if you pointed it out to her she would ask “what do you mean? What truck?”-No joke! I love her very much and her antics make for a great laugh…after the fact.

Elijah is 2 ½ years old, very handsome and a daredevil…and he is 2, did I mention he is 2? Elijah gets into everything despite “child safety locks”, he loves dancing, running, and climbing, but even more, tractors, hi-yas (motorcycles), and having his picture taken. Currently Elijah is my weight loss plan-as I am literally running after him attempting to stop his destruction. Elijah is very loving and enjoys cuddling; he also has a very sneaky sense of humor that is developing more every day.

Addalene is about to be 3 months old. She is precious and I mean that more than just a doting mother J. Addie is a pretty happy baby and will watch away happily as her big brother and sister go crazy. She loves high pitched voices and mommy making a fool of herself to get a smile.

As for the “un-Superness” that is me, by the way I know God made me great and is still working on me; My house can be very chaotic, I don’t vacuum daily or sometimes even weekly, I only sweep maybe twice a week and almost never mop (unless I’m having company). Sometimes I pretend not to notice things my kids are doing that they shouldn’t be so I can get whatever Im doing done, or get a moment of peace-at least until they know I have seen them, then I have to do something…for instance the other day Elijah stole Addie’s pacifier and fell asleep-go ahead hate, but he slept for 3 hours and when he woke up the paci was gone and he had forgotten about it. I have made many unhealthy dinners and after Addie was born we ate hot dogs almost every other night for the first month. I do burn food and completely destroy some. I botch many recipes before coming up with a new great one-but that is better for you since I will give you the good recipe and you don’t have to throw away your food. I judge others, though I know I shouldn’t and I am working on that. I doubt my abilities as a mom sometimes and cry when I am “that mom at Walmart” (that I have judged before) or the mom that you see who cant seem to get it together with her kids, and you just sit back and watch thinking “wow, that poor woman needs help, but this is good entertainment”…or am I the only one who does that? Also I piss a lot of people of with my beliefs (though I am kinda proud of that) but I believe God loves us ALL regardless of our faith, orientation, past, or current circumstances. (That being said I do believe he longs for a relationship with us and any issues we have that he doesn’t agree with will most likely sort themselves out (given a true relationship)). All this “un-Superness” is in all honesty summed up in the word “mother” the good, the bad, the ugly, and the pretty, we all have areas in life that we feel imperfect in, and Im here to show you that you are not alone and we are all imperfect together. Knowing your faults and working on them and not letting them become your identity, while loving you kids unconditionally (as you will see in my adventures) makes us all “Supermoms” (or “Superdads”)! And being honest with ourselves and our kids will one day let our kids realize that too.