Not a great morning

So this was my morning....
I was suppose to go to my second(and last) "heritage cookbook" class at a church down the road from us but couldn't.  I had issues finding childcare for the kids(theirs was full) so James was staying home with them.  Well, something happened over the weekend and he had to go into work this morning so no cookbook class.  I"m sure that had alot to do with why this morning wasn't the greatest.  Anyway, just as James went to work I looked over and O was sitting on the floor.  The look on her face and the fact that there was a big bump around her bottom area told me she had just pooped her pants.  I asked her.... "what are you doing O?"  She says "nothing".  I say, "did you go poo poo in your pants?"  She says, "no."  I really think this is the first time she has really known what she was doing/saying and lied to me.  So we had a little discussion about what the truth was as I carried her to the bathroom to clean her up(oh, and her "present in her pants" stopped up the toilet too).  So we finally get to eat and that's fine and the day is just going so slowly that I suggest we take a bath.  So we all go downstairs and that goes ok until O suddenly says "I poop in bath"  Yes, she did.  I grab S and put him on the rug and then grab her and put her on the toilet to finish.  Then I look over and S is peeing on the rug.  So I tell O to hold on and I move him and put a towel down over the pee.  Then I go back to O and she apparently was all done in the bathtub so I'm cleaning her up when S starts screaming and I look over and he has shut his fingers in the cabinet door.  So I rescue him and finally get everyone dry and dressed... with alot of crying going on.  We go and play in the basement and everything is fine until we go to the spare room to make the bed.  I'm laying down on the bed pretending to "sleep" and S comes over and bonks my head with his and now I have a knot on my left eyebrow(and a headache) and there's more crying.  So we go upstairs and try to get lunch going but O falls down and starts crying and S is crying(not sure why).  So we sit for a bit and then make lunch, which was somewhat uneventful.  When lunch was finally over... the highlight of the morning was S and O marching around the kitchen to music while I cleaned.  I actually had a thought that maybe the morning was getting better.... then I turned the music off and S through a fit and bonked his head and cried through most of the diaper change.  And O was standing by the table when I threw the diaper in the garage(because it was a poopy one... of course) and when I looked at her face I knew I wasn't done cleaning up messes.  She had left me a huge puddle of pee on the floor.  So I cleaned that up and they were in bed only about 45 minutes later than normal.  How was your morning?

Why are mornings like this the times I feel the least Christ-like?  I have a great life... I really do.  I have great kids, a wonderful, caring husband.  We are all healthy, have a great house and food to eat.  We really are not in want for anything.  But lately it seems my temper has been short and many times I feel I could have handled situations better and more Christ-like than what I did.  I know people will say "You have an almost 3 year old and a 17 month old... it's hard and to be expected" but I don't want to make excuses.  I want to be like Christ, especially when things like this morning happen.  But it's so hard.  I keep on trying.  I feel like that's all I can do but there's so much more I want to do than just "try."  I really want to experience Christ's love and share/express that love to my husband, children, family, and friends everyday.  But it seems like all I do is "try" and go through motions and hope that someday....
This Sunday I saw a phrase that caught my attention...."make me nothing so You can be everything"  Maybe that's what's happening now.  I don't know.  I'm rambling.  And there's no pictures in this post so I'm going to stop typing now. :)  Any thoughts, suggestions, and prayers are greatly appreciated.

Birthday Weekend

Birthday weekend?  Weekend?? You say... yes... weekend.  My birthday was on Saturday so Mom was nice enough to come up and watch the kids so James and I could have a night away.  Yea!  A night without hearing kids cry and a morning when I don't have to get up at 6:30am(or before!)!!  I wanted to get away but not travel too much so we decided to to go to Atchison.  Well... apparently there was something going on in that little, lively town because all the bed and breakfasts were full!  Who knew!  So we looked around(fyi, looking at B&B's on the internet can be addictive!) and I found one in Fort Scott.  Not a whole lot to do in Fort Scott but that was the point... not to do alot! :)  We drove down Friday afternoon.  As we were driving James decided to take a little detour- he saw a brown highway sign.  You know the ones... they tell you that an historical site is located at the next exit.  We had time so he thought we needed to go see the "Marias Des Cygnes Massacre" historical site.  On the way down the several dirt/mud roads we had to take...

and the several signs we had to follow...

we discussed whether it was a massacre of "white folk" or Native Americans.  Once we got there we realized that it was either... we aren't really history buffs if you haven't noticed. :)  Here, you can read the sign...

Can't read it??  Well, I'll summarize.... so you don't have to Google it...
 On May 19, 1858, approximately 30 men led by Charles Hamilton, a Georgian native and proslavery leader, crossed into Kansas from Missouri. They arrived at Trading Post, Kansas in the morning and then headed back to Missouri. Along the way they captured 11 free-state men, none of whom was armed and, it is said, none of whom had participated in the ongoing violence. Most of the men knew Hamilton and apparently did not realize he meant them harm. These prisoners were led into a defile(along the Marias Des Cygnes river... hence the name), where Hamilton ordered the men shot and fired the first bullet himself. Five men were killed.
Ok, so I didn't summarize it, Wikipedia did, but now you know. :)
Anyways, that was a nice detour... we got back on the highway and James saw another brown sign.... yes, we did stop again... this was at Mill Creek battlefield where there was a civil war battle in Kansas- who knew!!  The Union won(Yea!).  I didn't get a picture because the place was closed and it was just a sign... which you won't be able to read in a picture anyway.
So then we continued on our way to Fort Scott and checked in at the Levine House.  Pretty nice.  Here's our room(don't mind the mess... forgot to take a picture when we got there)

The bathroom was huge with a two person shower and duel shower heads!

We went to eat at the Buffalo Grill... yummy... and then went to get ice cream... because even though you are away from home you still need your nightly ice cream snack. :)

On Saturday we had a yummy breakfast and drove around a bit before going to the Fort at Fort Scott.  Here are some pictures.  It was a bigger area then I thought it would be.

The visitor center and Fort hospital

 The "parade ground" and other buildings

The soldiers "bedrooms"  I think I got the "time out" bed! :)

 Here are pictures of the kitchen. 

I thought the ovens were interesting... and look how deep they are!

James is laying on a long wooden slab in the prison area... I guess that's where the "cat naps" took place while guards were on duty.

I apparently did something wrong...

After we got home, I made some manicotti for supper.  It was really simple and really, really good!  If you want the recipe go here.  While the manicotti was baking we had fun with balloons Mom got!

Yes, some of that "fun" was gang up on Mommy. :)

After supper was cake and present opening.  I requested a DQ ice cream cake and James got me one! 



It was a great day/weekend! :)

Miss O adventures

Here's a couple stories about Miss O.  The first one she will be super duper embarrassed about if I ever show her or make that blog book that I want to... oh some day!

Monday night James, S, and I were in the kitchen cooking supper.  O was in the front room playing.  She has been playing alot better by herself recently.  Anyway, I had just thought I need to check on O again when I heard "this isn't working very well."  (one of her favorite sayings).  I look over and by the table is my daughter, with her pants down around her legs with a bunch of whiteness in her hands.  She says "this paper towel not working very well."  Yes, you guessed it, it wasn't a paper towel... it was toilet paper... about a half roll... completely unrolled... fun times.  Yes, I was very happy that she managed to go to the bathroom, pull down her pants, do the deed, and try to get toilet paper all by herself!  I know I will jinx it but she has been doing really well with the whole potty training thing recently... finally.  This potty training thing has been really hard... who knew!  I guess people just don't warn you. :)  As many times as I wanted to just give up and put her in diapers until her college years, I pressed on and she finally did it herself!  So anyway... I took her back to the bathroom to continue the process and James finished supper.  I, of course, had to get a picture

The next day... yes, you guess it... the same thing happened... only she didn't get to the part where she waddles around the house with her pants around her ankles.  I caught her in the act... this time it was a whole roll(since I got a new one out).  James says there's a new rule... can't get toilet paper without mommy or daddy's help.  Another picture...



For those of you who are wondering.... those are Skittles on the back of the toilet. :)
So If you happen to come to my house in the next few days, you may have to reach around and just grab a handful of toilet paper... and a Skittle. :)

Second story(not embarrassing), we got to go outside and play today.  YEA!!!  Let there is still snow.  So O decided to walk it in.  She had fun and I was surprised she didn't complain about the cold, wetness on her feet.  Here are some pictures.  Actually, I was secretly glad she did something fun where I could take her picture because her outfit is to die for, isn't it??

Happy Valentine's Day

To all of you out there that think Valentine's Day is just a "Hallmark Holiday" well, you are probably right.  But I'm going to take this day to post how much I love my husband.  I realize I don't post much about James and I... those kids get all the limelight! :)  But I do love my husband so very much!  He is the best husband and father in the whole, wide world!! I'm not always good with words but I'm going to try to share a few reasons why I have the best guy around!
 I love that he....
helps around the house... about every evening he puts up dinner, loads and/or unloads the dishwasher, and cleans at least one, if not both, of the children. 
randomly brings me a Snickers bar!
lets me sleep in- and even brought me breakfast in bed last weekend!
encourages me.
does a great job with the family finances and works hard to provide for us.
sometimes "encourages" me to spend the money that I need to(I'm so cheap!)
knows it's important for me to stay at home with our kids and supports me.
oh... and he's super handsome, hot, sexy... you get the picture. :)
loves our children and plays with them, reads to them, and does the "dirty work" like bathroom and diaper duty.
smart and thinks of easier, and often better, ways to do things then I do.
has a wonderful memory and is full of fun facts to kept the conversation going.
is our spiritual leader and loves Christ!

Ok, just a few of the reasons behind why I tell my husband I love him everyday.   Make sure you tell your "significant other" you love him/her everyday... not just on Valentines.

A French Dinosaur!

 Today for breakfast we had French Toast.  We were eating and all of asudden O said "I made a dinosaur!"  And we looked.  And she had made a dinosaur!

Later we looked and S was having some fun too. :)

Bean and Cheese Burritos

So our recipe of the week is a Mexican one.  You will see many Mexican recipes on this blog as it's one of our favorite types of meals!  This one is super, duper easy.  I mean, really easy.  Like open up cans and spices and mix it together easy.  It's also a good one to have your kids "help" you.  O and S helped me this time so I decided to add some pictures. :)

Bean and Cheese Burritos

1 can(16oz) refried beans- we use refried black beans.  I read somewhere they are better for you and they taste just as good!

1 cup chopped red onion or a few dried

1 can(4oz) diced green chilies

2 tablespoons lime juice

1 teaspoon minced garlic

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

4 soft tortillas(8 inch)

4 tablespoons shredded cheddar cheese

Got every we need!

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Mix all ingredients except tortillas and cheese in medium size bowl.

 Mix well.

Extra step... if you feel the need to... bang your measuring cups(which aren't needed for the recipe) on the table to make a lot of noise!

Assemble the burrito by spooning about 1/2 cups of filling(or a few big spoonfuls) into the center of each tortilla and top with 1 tablespoon of cheese(that's what the recipe says... I just put a small handful of cheese in... the more cheese the better!). Fold end and sides. 

 I'm assuming most everyone knows this little trick but I just thought of it not that long ago so I thought I would share.  If you fold the sides and one end of the tortilla and then hold it in your hand, you can push the filling down with a spoon and fold the last end over.  This seems to work better for me... hope it works for you!

 


Place burritos seam side down on baking sheet that has been sprayed with cooking spray.

Bake for 20 to 25 minutes until golden brown.  Serve with salsa and sour cream.

Enjoy!



Story Time Tumble and T-Rex Cafe

Three posts in one week.... I know!!  Well, I wanted to feel like I kind-of got caught up. :)

Last Friday one of my friends, Chris, invited us to a story time at the Turner Public Library and lunch at T-Rex Cafe to celebrate her son turning 2.  For the most part we had a wonderful time. When we got to the story time O decided to be really shy.  Looking back I think I just overwhelmed her with everything we did last week(visited a preschool on Monday, MOPS on Tuesday, play center on Wednesday and this on Friday).  Besides the story time they had "tumble" time with different mats and activities for the kids to do.  The reason you don't see O in alot of pictures was because she was  just not having a great day.  She warmed up a bit when they brought out the drums.  Sy loved about every minute of it.  He's a bit more outgoing.  :)  But we will try it again and it will be great! Here's a collage of pictures.  No, I'm not going to do a collage everytime but it was the fastest way to post pictures this time and I do need to do other things during naptime than just blog!

After story and tumble time, we went to T-Rex Cafe to eat since Chris' son loves dinosaurs.  Honest review, the atmosphere was great if you like dinosaurs!  O and S had a little trouble getting in the door with the big moving dinosaur overhead.  I'm glad Chris was with me to help!  They also had really cool fish tanks and we asked to sit by one.  Anyway, great atmosphere, not so great service- we had to wait about 45 minutes to get our food and it wasn't busy! and kind-of expensive(but I am cheap!).  Anyway, it was a fun one time event but now O keeps asking to go back. I don't remind her about the dinosaurs and crying. :)

flashback and recipe

I had a flashback to last year this morning.  O and S were in O's room "cooking"

 

(Yes, the plate is falling off while I'm taking the picture)

And I was remembering last November when O would "cook" for S

 

 

I think the pictures say it all.

I want to try to do something in the blog.  I love to cook and share recipes(and get new ones from others!) so I think I'm going to try to post a recipe, either an old favorite or a new favorite, every week.  Tonight is a new favorite.  I actually had another recipe in mind until I made supper tonight.  Maybe it's the 10 inches of snow or the negative degree temperature outside but I've been in a soup mood recently.  So I found this recipe in a soup cookbook James got me a few years ago.  It's wonderful!! S even had seconds and he's a super picky eater!Especially good with homemade bread.  I hope you enjoy!

Chunky Cheese-Potato Soup

2 cups diced peeled potatoes

1/2 cup diced carrot

1/2 cup chopped celery

1/4 cup chopped onion

1 1/2 teaspoons salt

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

1 cup cubed fully cooked ham

1/4 cup butter

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

2 cups milk

2 cups(8 ounces) shredded cheddar cheese

In a large saucepan, combine 2 cups water, potatoes, carrot, celery, onion, salt, and pepper.  Bring to boil, reduce heat, and simmer, covered, 15 minutes or until vegetables are tender.  Add ham.

In a medium saucepan, melt butter, then stir in flour until smooth.  Gradually add milk, bring to boil, and cook, sirring, until thickened, about 2 minutes.  Add cheese and stir until melted.  Stir into soup.

*I just put a dash of salt in and it was fine, I thought 1 1/2 teaspoons was way too much and didn't put in the celery(not a fan)

*I put in 2 cups of ham and it was perfect

It's done!!!

I've been taking a knitting class for almost a year now.  I've made a little square for a blanket our class was putting together but I hadn't finished a project until last week.  I decided to go big and knit S a sweater.  It took me a while, almost a year, but I finished it!  There was a slight problem at the end.  You see, I'm cheap, yes, cheap.  And the pattern called for a size 4 straight needles and a size 4 circular, or needles hooked together.  I was like "why buy two when I can just buy one needle?"  So I went on my way with the circular needle.  All was good until I got to the very last inch and a half which I needed to 'knit in the round" with the circular needle.  I then realized that I got the wrong size of needle.  I got a size 4 but I got a 29 inch and I needed a 16 inch.  See if you can see a difference....

Old                                                      New

So I had to look all over for this needled.  I went to 3 different stores and called 2 more.  I ended up having to go to a knitting store to get it and it cost twice as much as the first needle.  So much for being cheap! :)  Anyway, here's a picture.  It's cute if I do say so myself...

So as cute as the sweater is by itself, it's not so on my little guy.  My son is the cutest little guy out there and the sweater is cute so you think that would be a great combo but it's just not his color.  And I followed the pattern but it's way too short!  When he lifted his hands just a little you could see his belly!  Not good.  So, here's a collage of pictures I took(thanks Jami for telling me how to do this!).  Let me know what you think...

So basically at the end of the day we both felt like this....

Side note:  You know you you are a mother of a toddler/preschooler when you are taking a shower and suddenly realize that you have been singing the "ABC" song in your head the whole time.