Still on my mind

If you have been reading my blog for awhile then you may already know that I have been struggling with certain people in my life. People who, once upon a time, I considered to be really close friends. I wrote about this before here.

I touched upon the fact that I am learning to accept that sometimes people come in and out of your life at the times you need them most. We all grow up and people change. Sometimes things just happen and friendships fade. I understand that now, and it has taken me some time to come to terms with that.

However, it does not change the fact that sometimes it still hurts. Sometimes I still catch myself thinking "what did I do?"  Sometimes, it is sad to realize that people aren't really who you thought they were. This is the toughest realization to come upon and it has only happened to me just recently.

I am trying not to dwell on things too much and like I said before, I realize it is important to surround myself with people that I love that love me back, unconditionally.

I know that wasting my time and energy dwelling on people who bring me down is something I simply can not choose to do anymore. After all, I have some pretty amazing people in my life.

via

This is the attitude I am striving to have. 

via

This is so true. Real friends are those that stick by you through thick and thin and never leave your side.

via

 

 

So, I am knowing when to close the account!

Getting Organized (my recipe binder)

Back in January I resolved to get more organized this year. I made a big (really big!) list of all the areas in which I felt we needed to get more organized. I have slowly been plucking away at it, as time allows. My problem is that I will get so enthused to start and about half way through I lose steam. I have learned that I need to pick one room... or closet and start slowly so it is more attainable for me. I am a bit of a procrastinator at times, ;)

I did, however, manage to completely overhaul my recipe binder. I had previously used a binder and a recipe box and it didn't make much sense (to even me) to have recipes in two places. So, I bought a bunch of plastic covers for reports and inserted all my recipes into those and filed them under the appropriate tabs. I made tabs for 5 different categories; main dish, side dish, dessert, appetizer/snacks, and drinks/seasonal. I could have broken them into smaller categories and still may do that, but I already had five dividers. :)

At the front of each section I have a folder for recipes I have cut from magazines that I have yet to try, but want to. That way if I am in search of a new recipe I can always find something on hand.

A few things in my side dish section that I want to try

At the very front of my binder is my weekly shopping list and my menu plan for the next two weeks. I like having everything right where I can see it. I also pull whatever recipe cards I may be needing for the week and insert them into the pockets in the front of the binder as well.  This way there is no frantic searching required later.

My menu plan for the week and shopping list

A few of my recipe cards pulled for the week; cream of chicken over brown rice, turkey chili, and Mom's meatloaf!

 The only thing I want to add to this is a table of contents under each section. Because, as each section grows, it takes longer to locate each recipe. I will just have to save that for another day.

I got that great menu planning/shopping list printable here.

I am participating in another fill in the blanks Friday because honestly I needed some prompting for what to blog about today. Plus, I love dreaming about redoing my house!


1. My favorite room in my home is- Our living room....because it so comfy and the biggest room of the house so we can all fit and we seem to spend the majority of our time there.

2. My current decor style is- modern with elements of country chic ??  . but I wish it were more- colorful, I am slowly trying to infuse more and faze out some of our older pieces.

3. I wish I could redecorate- the kitchen!! It is a nightmare and so outdated To make it more- updated. Our refrigerator leaks, our counters are so porous that they soak everything up the minute it spills and don't even get me started on the cupboards!

4. My dream house absolutely has to have a-another bathroom! We only have one and for now that is fine but when I have two teenagers I am not going to want to fight with them for the bathroom!

5. One house item I am willing to splurge-  Hmm.... I would say furniture but while the kiddos are still young I don't think that is the wisest idea so I am going to go with is appliances. Our new HE washing machine is great!

6. A decor trend that I just don't "get" is-  All white. Well, I get it...it looks pretty but it isn't very practical. I would always be worried about spilling and I want to feel comfortable in my home. :)

7.  Plenty of family photos and kid's artwork is -a little touch that makes my house feel like home

To Jaxson

Dear Jaxson,

My hope is that one day you can look back at this blog and see how we spent our days together. I hope you can share in the joy with me of all the times that are now becoming memories. It feels like in the blink of an eye you have turned into a little man and I can not believe that you will be three next month.You like to tell people that you are 7 or sometimes even 26! Don't go aging yourself that quickly. It is hard to believe that you will be starting preschool soon and I won't have you to myself all day, everyday.

You amaze me everyday with the sweet little things that you do. You are so much like me that at times it almost takes my breath away. You are extremely sensitive and so passionate about things. Right now your favorite movie (which means I have to watch it over and over again) is Monsters Inc. At the end of the movie when the little girl goes home she has to say goodbye to the monsters. You cry every time...... you sense and see her sadness and that makes you sad too. I can not believe how perceptive and aware of other people's feelings that are around you. I had always hoped to pass along a sense of empathy and compassion for other people. 

Going along with that sensitivity is your passion for things. You can be a little hot headed and easy to anger.... like any almost three year old. Unfortunately for you, I think you get your need to be always right and your competitive nature from me. Sorry! But with that passion comes excitement. When you are excited about things it practically radiates from every cell of your body. You never fail to say, "mommy, I am so excited right now!" 

You are learning so much right now and I love to hear you say your ABC's over and over again. You have a love for music and can memorize songs rather quickly. Right now you think that only boys can sing songs that are sung by men and girls must sing songs sang by women. So, you tell me to stop singing quite a bit so you can sing to me instead.

Sometimes I like to watch you when you aren't paying attention just to observe the things you do so I can soak it all in and imprint into my memory. I know that these days are just going by so fast and I want to hold on as tight as I can.

While we have our moments, days and even weeks of tough times and tantrum throwings.....we always get by. Your little sister looks up to and adores you so much. When I see the bond growing between you nothing makes me more proud. When you think no one is looking you are so incredibly sweet to her. I see you "read" her stories, bring her blankie when she is sad, share your snack with her and give her boosts on the couch. Granted, it is not always like this and I know it won't last forever but my heart swells with happiness seeing these little acts of kindness.

I have so many hopes and dreams for you but we will leave that for another day. Right now I just want you to know that you fill me with so much joy and give my life purpose and there could never be a greater blessing than to be your mother.

A peek in my purse

Today I am linking up with Salena and Lena for this week's addition of Tuesday Ten. This weeks topic is ten things that you would most likely find in my purse.

A little backstory on me. I have a slight obsession with purses. I won't even tell you how many I own. I will say that it started at a very young age. I remember being in the second grade and insisting to the school photographer that yes, my parents said it was okay to have my purse in the picture! Really? Of course, they hadn't exactly said no... but they didn't say yes, either. Needless to say, when school pictures came out and I had a patent pink purse strap slung across my shoulder they were a bit  surprised. It is still my favorite school photo to this day. :)

Back to now.... and some of you may that I am also a bit nosy too. I love to see how other people decorate and the things they keep in their purses. If you are anything like me you have an aresenal of things in there. The bigger my purse is, the more I stash inside. So, it should come as no surprise that it is not very clean or organized. It does double as a diaper bag for quick trips, though.


Okay, on to ten things that you will most likely always find in my purse.

1.) Sunglasses. I have very sensitive eyes and you can pretty much always find me wearing my glasses...even when it's overcast or snowing.

2.) My wallet.... kind of goes without saying. :)

3.) An assortment of lip glosses and chapsticks

4.) My keys with about a million different customer loyalty cards.

5.) Coupons I plan on using that week

6.) My planner

7.) Hair clips for my little one... she has some crazy hair going on right now and it needs a good taming every once in awhile.

8.) Band aids and wet wipes. I have kids.....self explanatory.

9.) Headband for unexpected crazy hair day(by the way that cute one is from The Posh Daisy!)

10.) Envelopes..... we are doing a cash envelope system with our new budget. That one is empty. :(


So, what am I most likely to find in your purse??

Currently Counting Down To: 

A slumber party with my friends tonight!  Going to rent scary movies, get a pizza , have some wine and hang out.

Currently Super Proud: 

Of my kids and how many new things they are learning every day!

Currently Broadening: 

My cooking skills. I get stuck in a rut and cook the same 5 or 6 things over and over again.

Currently Concluding: 

That it isn't worth it to save the $30.00 dollars a month in gym fees. My butt is the sacrifice.  Not a fair trade off. :)

Currently Reading: 

An Eve Duncan novel by Iris Johansen. It is a series but I can't think of the name at the minute.

Currently Thinking: 

That I need to take a shower but I am too lazy this morning.

Currently My Favorite Thing: 

My espresso machine.

Currently My Second Favorite Thing:

  Our new bed and pillows. We were sleeping on a hand me down that was probably over 30 years old!

Currently Saving All My Pennies For:

A trip to Vegas for my friend's bachelorette party!

Currently Wanting To Travel To: 

Anywhere warm and tropical. Get me away from this rain and snow!

Currently Wanting In My Cupboard: 

Oddly enough, nothing sounds really good right now.

Currently Wanting To Learn: 

How to knit!

Currently Drooling Over: 

Kitchen remodels. I want new counters and cupboards so badly!

Currently Confessing: 

That I have gained 15 pounds in the last year. Yikes!

Currently Listening To:

Blake Shelton (my boyfriend).

Currently Obsessed With: 

Pinterest!

Currently 1st Place Comedic Genius:

  hmm.... Maybe not one in particular but I love the cast of Parks and Recreation

Currently Addicted To:

  Iced peppermint mochas

Currently Fantasizing About: 

Taking a trip with my hubby and relaxing on some beach. 

Currently Sad Because:

 It is raining, once again!

Currently My Motto:

Stop saying and start doing!

Currently Dreaming Of: 

A day where I can sleep in .

Currently Needing To Update: 

My closet. All I see is black, brown and gray.

Currently Want To See In My Closet: 

Bright colors and fun flirty dresses and skirts.

Currently Enjoying:

New found friendships.

Currently Have A Girl Crush On:

  Kate Beckinsale

Currently Shopping:

  A replacement piece for my espresso machine. :(

Currently Discovered: 

That my husband is somewhat of a hoarder. Okay, maybe more of a pack rat.

Currently Redecorating:

My walls in the hallway.

 

Crock Pot Salsa Chicken With Brown Rice

As most of you already know I have a love affair with my crock pot! :) I am always experimenting and coming up with new recipes to throw in there.

The other night I tried another variation of salsa chicken. I had made this once before, but never wrote down the recipe so I just kind of winged it. I was pleasantly surprised with the results. In fact, my hubby requested the leftovers two nights in a row (it makes a lot!). Fine by me.

- Boneless skinless chicken breast (I used 4)
- One can of Kidney beans
- One can of Black beans
- One can of cream of chicken soup
- One can of corn 
- One container of salsa (did you catch the clearance tag on the salsa? It was only a $1.26 at Target!)
- One 14.5 oz can of diced tomatoes (Mexican style works well)
- Brown rice (we made enough for 6 servings)

Directions:

Place your chicken in the crock pot, slather the cream of chicken soup on top of it and then pour in your beans, corn, salsa and diced tomatoes. I drained the beans, corn and tomatoes before putting them in. It is going to look quite soupy until you have mixed your rice in later.

I cooked it on low for 8 hours or until your chicken shreds easily. Then it is as simple as cooking up your rice and mixing the two together.

I like to top it with shredded cheddar cheese and a little bit of sour cream. Corn bread is a good compliment to this meal.

This is obviously  my hubby's plate! I don't put that much cheese on!

The leftovers are also great for stuffing in tortillas and smothering with enchilada sauce! Yum...