Roasted Butternut Squash and Pear Soup

I love this soup so much! It makes a large batch so you can eat off of it for a week or so, a PERFECT diet food! My kids even love it, and I am thrilled they are getting all that nutrition when they eat it! Butternut squash is the star in this soup, and your body loves it because it is not only high in fiber (your colon thanks you) and it helps you feel full (your waistline is now happy) but it is also high in beta cryptoxanthin (you don't have to spell it; just eat it) and vitamin C, two nutrients credited with helping save joints! The tomatoes, pears and garlic are loaded with antioxidants and immune system boosters, something we all need in these virus-ridden winter months! I came up with this recipe cause I really can't get enough butternut squash, please let me know what you think!

2 lbs cubed and peeled butternut squash (you can find this- organic and ready to go- at Costco)
2 pears, cubed
3 tomatoes, quartered and seeded
2 leeks, white and light green parts only, cut in half (and rinsed clean of sand)
3 garlic cloves
32 oz Chicken broth *
1 1/2 C Chardonnay (optional) *
kosher salt and pepper to taste
olive oil

1. You can get the butternut squash, cubed peeled and ORGANIC and ready to go at Costco for only $3.99 for a 2lb container. I cannot stress enough what a bargain this is! Find it in the vegetable "cold room". It looks like this:
2. When I talk about a quartered and seeded tomato, you cut each tomato into 4 equal parts, then cut out the seeds:
3. Cubing and dicing the pear is easy. Just cut the top and bottom off the pear and then cut it in quarters, then cut the seed part out, in the same way you would in cutting an apple. Then cut each slice into cubes:
4. A leek looks like a giant green onion. They are usually sold with 2 stalks in a bunch. This is perfect. Just cut the part of the stalk off that is super dark green, also cut off the bottom of the bulb that still has the root (just like a green onion) and then you are left with about a 2-3 inch stalk. Cut in half length wise and rinse the inside with water. Leeks absorb sand so you are rinsing out the sandy part. Pat dry with a paper towel and you're done! It takes 1 minute and you're cooking with real ingredients now!
5. Place all the veggies into a bowl (this includes the garlic cloves too.) Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with kosher salt and pepper. Stir until all the veggies are coated!
6. Then, spread the veggies onto a baking sheet (or 2 depending on the size pan you have) in a single layer and roast in the oven at 425 degrees for about 45 min. Doesn't this look beautiful?
7. You will know when the veggies are roasted because the squash and pears have a crisp looking skin, but are still soft inside and the tomatoes look blistered. The leeks and garlic will look blistered and shriveled. Taste a squash- it should taste slightly sweet (the roasing process caramelizes the natural sugars in a food.) It will also make your kitchen/house smell amazing!
8. Let your veggies cool slightly and then pour them and the chicken broth into the super-megahorse-all powerful- blender that your husband got you for Christmas (thanks darling!) Blend up until smooth and then poor into a dutch oven or large pot. You may have to do the veggies and broth in several batches in your blender, depending on it's size! Then add about 1 1/2 C of Chardonnay. It can be cheap wine- nothing expensive. My fav cheap wine for cooking, and drinking, is Rex Goliath! You can play here. The wine is optional. If you don't add it, add more chicken broth. If you want more of the Chardonnay taste, add more. It's all up to you, you're the chef!
9. Bring to a slow simmer and let it go for about 20 min. Then serve! I like to eat mine with some Trader Joe's Jalapeno Hot Pepper Sauce on top. You can also add crumbled blue cheese, shredded gouda or shredded rotisserie chicken. Kids love, it, husbands love it and you can serve it to company and they will think you are awesome! Me? I just pour into a bowl, top with my hot sauce, and eat it with a glass of the Chardonnay curled up on the couch with a blanket with a good book and the fireplace on. Or, maybe I am just daydreaming again....
Enjoy!

Excited for tomorrow!

I am going LIVE on TV tomorrow! I am excited, nervous, scared....and I did what any normal girl would do- I went to Black House White Market and spent entirely too much money on a new outfit. I am going on Good Day Austin (Fox 7) to promote awareness for DVT's/blood clots. My fabulous vascular surgeon will be with me. I am excited because this is the only way I have to fight back against this clot that has taken so much from me. I can't get rid off the clot in my leg, but I can help prevent YOU or someone you love from getting one! We will have registration for the DVT race in Austin up later today! Please come if you can- May 22! Wish me luck and tune on to Fox 7 tomorrow at 8am. My segment will air between 8-8:10am!!!

Yummy, healthy Fish Tacos!

Ok everyone, here is my first try at posting a recipe, let me know what you think!
Last night, being a Friday in Lent, we had to have fish. I didn't want anything fried, so here is a my healthy fish taco recipe!
Start with a good quality white fish. I used Haddock- it was on sale this week. You can use anything you like. You always need to remember this statement: by fresh wild caught fish. (There are a few exceptions to that which you can read about here: http://www.eatingwell.com/food_news_origins/green_sustainable/fish_and_shellfish_6_to_eat_6_to_avoid?utm_source=EWTWNL

Farm raised fish is usually grown in nutrient depleted, disease ridden ponds. The fish are then given antibiotics and hormones to help them grow. Even farm raised Salmon doesn't come out pink (the pink color comes from their blood getting into their muscles when they swim upstream) so the salmon has to be injected with dye! Ewwww!) Buy wild caught fish!
After you have your fish, cut it into strips that will fit in your taco. Then season it with kosher salt, pepper, garlic powder and then squeeze half a fresh lime over it. Let that sit. (You don't want to do this too far in advance or the acid from the lime will start turning that fish into ceviche!) Just about 20 min should do the trick.
While the fish is flavoring itself, make your sauce. You will need:
1/2 (14oz) can fire-roasted organic tomatoes ( I like Muir Glen)
2/3 C light mayo
2 cloves garlic, diced or minced
2 chipotles diced (from a can of chipotles in adobo)
1/2 lime juice
1/3 C FRESH cilantro leaves
pinch of kosher salt

Put all the above ingredients in the food processor and process until blended (but still slightly chunky.) Doesn't this look beautiful???


For the filling inside the tacos, you will want some sort of cabbage mixture. There are several different varieties I like using what's called "Rainbow Mix." It's a mixture of broccoli, carrot, and cabbage. This is a great way to get that broccoli in your kids (and big adults too!) Pour in a bowl how much you think you will need to assemble your tacos. Toss liberally with the sauce mixture. The sauce will be slghtly spicy, but that's ok, the cabbage mixture will cut that.


Now it's time to assemble your fish. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees. You need 3 bowls: 1 with flour, 1 with 2 beaten egg whites, and 1 with about 2 C panko bread crumbs (I tried this with regular bread crumbs and it was not near as good. If you want to replicate that fried fish crunch, you need to use Panko.) First dredge the fish in flour, then coat in egg white and roll in panko. Place on a baking sheet/stone. Repeat with all your fish pieces. Bake in the oven about 20-25 minutes. If your fish is thicker, it will need more time. It should feel firm to the touch when done and the panko will look crispy, like this:

While your fish is cooking, dice up an avocado. If you need to know the technique to make this easy, contact me. After you dice that up, sprinkle with kosher salt and squeeze about a quarter of a lime over it. (This will prevent it from "turning.") Then, slice up some red onion.

Now, you fish should still be baking so time to grill your corn tortillas. I like white corn, but you can use whatever works for you. If you don't have an indoor cast iron grill, I highly recommend you get one. It's one of my favorite kitchen pieces. Those rainy or cold days when you don't want to go out to the grill, this becomes invaluable. Also, if you flip it over, it a flat sided skillet. Perfect for a full load of pancakes, grilled cheese, or paninis! I got mine from Faraday's (a local Austin cooking store) for about $79. However, you can find them everywhere! Heat the grill, don't oil it or your torts. Just place them straight on the smoking grill for abour 3-4 per side. After you take then off, place in a towel and keep it wrapped up. The steam inside the (clean) towel will keep your torts moist.

Ok, about now your fish should be done. If it's not, pour yourself a glass of wine and drink while you wait. When the fish is done you are ready to assemble. Place some cabbage mixture inside the warm tortilla.
Then place your fish, diced avocado, sliced red onion and additional sauce on top! Yum!!!
*Now a thing to note about your sauce. If you want it spicier, add more chipotle. If you want it more flavorfull, or richer, use full fat mayo. If you want it mild, add only 1 chiptole. But again, the cabbage will cut the spice.
Now serve these fabulously tasty but healthy tacos to your hungry fam and you will get this:


Let me know how this works for you! If this little blogging format works out, then I will do this with more recipes!
Chow!

Miss Me?

Oh my gosh, I'm back!!! I think I just needed a break for awhile. So much has happened to me in the last year and I needed time, time to think, time to be me! However, I realized that I missed blogging. I do think of it as not only a great way to keep up with our friends and family, but also to pass this along someday to my children. A sort of record of our family, if you will.
To recap, from previous posts: I ended up losing almost all the weight from my goals of last year. I guess that was the good thing about all those meds I was on this fall, my appetite was gone! I am still 10 pounds from my ultimate goal, but I am not beating myself up over it! I am a foodie first and foremost, so I refuse to starve myself!
So, check back from time to time. I look forward to regular postings, about whatever appeals to me! I will also post more about cooking: recipes, techniques, experiments, etc!
In addition, you guys are about to get blasted with info regarding our DVT/blood clot race on May 22nd! Please plan on coming, if you can! It will be a great day and more info will follow- very soon!
Wahoo! I'm back!

Happy Birthday and Weigh In!

Happy Birthday to my husband! I posted this picture because even though he his no longer in the corps, once a Marine, always a Marine. Also, his favorite place to be is outside in the elements, this is just Ben. And, this afraid to fly, doesn't like to get dirty woman is completely in love with my Marine Pilot! Happy 35th!!!

Ok, weigh in this morning went well, especially considering I majorly cheated this weekend when I made a fondue dinner and Irish Cream Cheesecake for Ben. With all that considered:
this week's weight loss: 2 pounds!
total weight loss in 2 weeks: 7 pounds!
Ben's weight gain this week: .2 pounds! (yes, you did read that right, even though he's been lifting weights and drinking protein shakes and all!)

And the Monday total is....

Every Monday until I reach my goal- 35 pounds, I will post my progress. This Monday, after 1 week of dieting here are my stats:
Pounds lost since last Monday: 5

Ben said he wants to gain 10 pounds.
Pounds gained since last Monday: 0

Anyone else want to "weigh in"?

Accountability

This is my new toy that's going to help me with my New Year's Resolution! We got a great deal on it, which makes it even better!
I am going to put in print, public print, that I am committing to losing 35 pounds. I will be updating my progress every Monday, so check in and cheer me on (or chastise me if I have a bad week!) The accountabliity factor I am hoping will help me from falling off the wagon. I know I have several friends that also started their big diets today, if you would like to participate in Monday check-in, then please join in!
Ben says he's commmitted to gaining 10 pounds...we'll see how he does! Ha!

Holiday Album

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

King Christmas Card

Make a Smilebox invite

My new venture

Wow! Time flies! I got so busy with all the end of the school year stuff, my cousin's wedding and the travel that went with it, a surgery for me, and keeping the kids busy this summer, I just haven't had time to blog. I am quite embarrassed when I look at the date of my last post. I will get better, I will get better, I will.....

So, I am thinking of starting my own catering business. I love love love cooking and they always say you should do what you love. I will start slow, providing meals a couple of days a week that people can pick up and take home and eat. I will also do party and event catering as my schedule permits. My hope is that I can start slow, see how it goes, and if people enjoy what I make, maybe expand into a full time business within a couple of years. What do you think? I would love to hear feedback! Getting a business started takes some work logistically and I want to make sure people are really interested in picking up ready made meals that they are not cooking!

On Thursday night I made my own freezer strawberry preserves. They are low sugar, and by first taste, quite yummy. I am excited!


I have been asked for the recipe I used, so here it is. Keep in mind, this is a recipe for freezer preserves, so you have to freeze it first to get it to congeal correctly. I am going to do raspberry and blueberry next. This winter, I am going to figure out a way to do cranberry. I can think of nothing better than cranberry preserves with scones and clotted cream and hot tea on a winter morning. When I get the recipe worked for that, I will post it.

Low-Sugar Strawberry Freezer Preserves
makes 6 to 8 half-pints of preserves


4 cups of prepared fruit (I started with roughly 8 cups of sliced fruit and smashed it down with a potato masher until I got it to the consistency I wanted- which about reduces by half.)
1-3/4 cup of 100% juice (I used apple but any variety that works for you should work.)
3/4 cup honey
1 package of "No Sugar Needed" Fruit Pectin

There are several ways to store your preserves. The stores sell plastic containers you can freeze, but with all the BPA stuff out there (a chemical that has shown to cause cancer and is present in most plastics and is activated upon heating or freezing) I choose to go with glass jars. MAke sure you sanitize them first and them make sure your hands and work area is clean. (The package will tell you how to sanitize their product, but I just threw my jars and lids in the dishwasher.)

In a large saucepan, combine juice and pectin until thoroughly combined. Heat to a boil, stirring frequently. Once at a boil, boil for one minute-2 minutes, stirring constantly with a wire whisk.

Remove from heat and add fruit, stirring constantly for one minute, before adding honey. Stir to combine.

Ladle into prepared jars. Place lid on immediately and press around the edge with your fingers. Place ring on and tighten until fingertip tight (it's on securely, but not tightened REALLY tight). Make sure that you use freezer-safe glass jars and leave 1/2-inch headspace on the top to allow for expansion.
In researching this next step, I saw 2 different directions. One was to place the jars in the fridge for 24 hours and then move to the freezer. The other, and the one I foloowed, was to store on the counter for 24 hours and then place in the freezer. It seems that keeping them at room temperature will help it congeal better and also prevent condensation that will later turn into freezer burn.
*Store in the freezer for up to eighteen months. Once defrosted and opened, use within three weeks. Keep refrigerated.

I hope you like it! If you try it, let me know what you think. It was really easy, I did it at night after the kdis were in bed. We've already tried it and the kids loved it! Brannon, my fruit lover, said it was like crushed strawberries on toast!

Ok, my babies are officially pervs....

On the heels of Brannon's penis gun, I am beginning to think my children have it out for me. We have an entertainment system in the van. Whenever we are taking any sort of trip that lasts more than 5 minutes, the boys always start in "Moooommmm, can we watch a movie?" Therefore, this truly was one of the first phrases Tierney said (she heard it so much.) As soon as we buckle her in the car seat, she asks too, only it sound like, "Mooommmmyyyyy ca we wach a boobie." Of course the first time we heard it, we about wet our pants laughing so hard. Then we just got used to it (although Wes still snickers.) Then we went to church last week. The nursery was closed so we had the kids with us (God help us.) Tierney does not know how to whisper- AT ALL. So, during the priest's homily, everyone is sitting of course, and she is standing on the pew next to me when she SHOUTS, "MOOOMMMMYYY I want a boobie." I wanted to just slither down to the floor.

On another note, Brannon has his tonsillectomy scheduled for Friday morning. Please keep the little guy in your prayers!

is THIS normal?

As a mom, mostly with my first born, I found myself worrying about the "weird" things he did. Somehow it made me feel better when I talked to other moms and they assured me that yes, their child finger painted in their poop, and yes their little boys also were obsessed with grabbing their own "playthings." However, this goes far beyond just a quick check to make sure it's still attached......
Last week Ben and I actually went on a date, ya know:a social appointment, engagement, or occasion arranged beforehand with another person; and we got a babysitter. I thought the worst thing I would have to explain was to make sure she knew how Tierney asks for "crocs" but it sounds more like, "I want my ..." (just delete the r and she could be a songwriter for Britney.) Anyway, we are standing upstairs and I am explaining to her about putting Tierney to bed when Brannon starts using his fingers to make the shape of a gun and begins firing at her "pew, pew, pew....) I stopped talking, look over at him and said, "Brannon stop using your hands to shoot Susie*" (*not her real name.) This was my big mistake I know now, I shouldn't have specified a body part. I keep talking to Susie about nightlights and bedtime books, while watching Bran out of the corner of my eye, to make sure he didn't try to sneak a shot. Then, it was like a light bulb exploded in his brain. He broke into a very mischievous grin. Then he grabbed his penis, and through his pants, began to move it up and down (like trying to point a fire hose) and started yelling "pew, pew, pew...." I wanted to die....right there....MOR-TI-FIED...and I am pretty sure that is NOT normal!

Special kudos to my new friend Cynthia for the blog design! You ROCK! If anyone is interested in having her design one for you, email me, and I'll play matchmaker.
My blog will be undergoing a few changes soon, I want to add a recipe section that will post some stuff I've created, or pilfered and want to recommend. Should be fun!

Spring Seven

To Me, one of the best things about spring, is sitting outside in the afternoon, under the warm sun, and escaping in a good book. (Glass of wine, mojito or margarita are optional.) My problem is, I don't have any books on my wish list. I need some recommendations! I love historical fiction, political thrillers and Jodi Picoult is one of my favorite authors. So, I'll scratch your back if you scratch mine. I will post my top 7 favorite books, to help guide you in your quest for the perfect hammock companion, and I ask that you post yours (doesn't have to be 7) in the comments section (and you have it easy as you don't have to find picture links!) (Let's leave off books like Harry Potter, which everyone has read and Da Vinci code, which is good but only read it if you can understand that it is COMPLETE FICTION.)

#1: Katherine by Anya Seton

This book is probably my absolute favorite ever. Talk about escape! This is the love story of Katherine Swynford and John of Gaunt, true to the extent we know it. It takes place in 14th century England and when this story ended I cried, I didn't want to let her go. Another book I just read by this same author that's also truly amazing is The Winthrop Women.


#2: Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult

If you ever have any interaction with children, this is a must read. Jodi is an amazing author. Her character development is astounding. In this book, she takes you into the mind of teenagers, their world and a school shooting. By the end, you don't know if you are on the side of the shooter or the victim.




#3. My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult

This book is being made into a movie, and I think it's coming out this spring or summer. Read the book first!! As we all know, the movie never does a book justice and I can't imagine the movie will invoke the same feelings the book does. If you have a sister, read this book. If you don't, read it anyway!!



#4. The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova

This is historical creepy fiction. This book will keep you up all night, one because you can't put it down and two because you will be a little to creeped out to lay there in the dark. The story centers around 2 people traveling across Europe chasing the legend of Dracula. No synopsis I could give will do it justice, so just read it. This is vampires for grown-ups for sure!


#5. A Rose for the Crown by Anne Easter Smith

This is another great historical fiction story, centered on King Richard III, and will challenge anything you've heard or learned in history class! There is another book by the author, dealing with this same family that I also recommend: Daughter of York.




#6. Transfer of Power by Vince Flynn

This is the first in a series of 9 books (and counting) involving Mitch Rapp, a CIA agent. It is most definitely the best political thriller out there (and I've read A LOT of them!) This book will have you rooting for your country, and the men who fight for it. It's also another, "stay up all night because you can't put it down" book.



#7. Outlander by Diana Gabaldon

I saved the best for last. Ahhhh, words cannot describe Jamie. This is the first in a series also, and it straddles (no pun intended) genre: historical fiction and romance. In Outlander a 20th century woman crosses through a "stone circle" in England at the precise moment and is transported back to the 18th century, where she meets Jamie, the Scottish love of her life. These books are very intelligent in medicine, history, psychology and pure escapist romance. The 6th one is supposed to come out this year. And those of us in the Jamie cult are eagerly awaiting it. Become a member of this sorority and we'll share the secret handshake!!!

My little Hawaiian

Wes had to do a culture project for school. Normally I dread school projects. I am the least crafty person I know! For this project he had to dress his doll exemplifying a culture of his choice. He had to explain a cultural tradition they do in a presentation. We did the Polynesian culture since he was born in Hawaii. I needed some ideas from my crafty friends to get me started.... I was shocked how many little trinkets and things you can find in Michaels! I think I need go to back there soon and bond and be one with with the craft. Deep breathing exercises weren't even necessary! I really enjoyed spending time with Wes teaching him about a place he has very little memory of. We watched videos on fire dancing (his cultural tradition in his presentation.) We learned about the Polynesian islands, how the people settled Hawaii and so on. It was priceless though when he asked me if his skin was that brown when he lived there! (Yes but he wasn't born that way like he thought! I know there are certain people reading this who will remember him chasing the garbage truck down the street with his naked bottom reflecting a lot of light! Ohhh those tan lines!) I miss Hawaii so much! Living there was always a catch 22 but I am so thankful that God provided us that opportunity. Watch out Erin- we can't wait till you back get there! I actually had a dream that Ben got back in the Marine Corps and we moved out there again. I don't know that Oahu is big enough for Brannon!
*this doll is dedicated to my crafty girls: mom, jill, erin m, and brandy! xoxo

I am just not meant to post......

I had a whole entry typed up. I mean a long detailed explanation of what has been happening over the last 3 months. I was on fire, I gave witty comments AND pictures. Then when I was proof reading I pressed something on this dang laptop and it erased my entire entry! Try like I might I could not get it back. I almost threw this thing across the room. I can't retype it all. For one, I am creatively drained, and 2 I don't have time to redo the last 30 minutes worth of work. So here it is in a huge nutshell:
I haven't updated my blog in a long time because we moved into our home that took 11 months to build, I did Christmas, I overextended myself in volunteer work at my children's schools, GE cut my husband's salary and I was in a bad mood for a few weeks (and therefor not capable of speaking to other humans), I ripped the ligaments in my ankle stepping in a hole and I've been in a cast and my family has been on meltdown mode because I wasn't taking care of everything. And, now I can sorta walk on my walking boot so I am trying to get my life back to normal (I still can't drive though so I have no independance) and that includes blog updating.
Ok, so there it is. I've been a slacker and I will do better. Although if Holly keeps getting me hooked on good books I will never get anything done.
And because I had good pics posted before and I am not retyping the stories to go with them (maybe another day or time) here is a completely random picture of my dog sleeping on the stairs last week. Can you find her? She's mastered the camo thing.
I will post at least once a week now, unless the computer attacks me again......

Can I really get 2 for 1?

As you well know, if you have been reading this blog for any amount of time, I have been working diligently on potty training Brannon for the last year. Just in the past few weeks, we've finally made it. He is consistently doing his thing on the potty. Now, over the past week or so, when I get Tierney undressed at night for her nap, she likes to go sit on the little toddler potty. She tells me, "I potty mama." I was pretty sure she didn't even know what she was supposed to do. Tonight, she had been sitting there for a few minutes, chatting away, when I took her off to put her in the tub and lo and behold... there was all kinds of stuff in there. I was SHOCKED!!! She did in that potty what took us a year to get from Brannon! I immediately started making a big deal about it and then she looked in there and burst into tears. In fact, she was terrified. She saw her big "deposit" and freaked out! Her whole body was trembeling and she cried and cried. I am not sure why but after talking to my mom and grandma, have learned this can be a normal reaction. So, here is a picture of Tierney when she realized what she did. We were clapping even though she wasn't so happy about the situation. I am now having dreams of not only getting one kid out of diapers, but dare I think 2!!! Oh the money I'll save......

And this is why I pray.....

I have found this blog is to me, very therapeutic. It is for this reason I post about what happened to us yesterday.
We had our final walk through at our house yesterday afternoon (we close today.) We were leaving and Ben buckled the kids in the car for me (we had Brannon and Tierney with us) while I stood in the driveway asking the builder a couple of questions about the care of our landscaping. About 3 houses down the street was an 18-wheeler Allied moving truck, moving in one of our neighbors. After Ben got the kids in their car seats he came up to us in the driveway (our van was parked along the curb) and was shaking hands with our builder when all of a sudden the semi truck goes by us, backing up. The next thing that happened was like watching it in slow motion. The semi did not back out correctly nor did it seem was he paying attention. It then started backing into the side of my van right where Brannon was sitting!! Ben and I immediately were screaming and running towards the semi- me towards the back (I think all the adrenaline in my body and thought it could just push the semi off my van) while Ben ran towards the driver. My real estate agent and builder were right behind us running and screaming as well. The driver had 2 mexican guys at the rear of the semi waving him back. When they realize the semi was running into my van they just stood there with dumb looks on their faces. I was screaming at them, "My babies are in the car, STOP, STOP!!!!!" The semi though didn't realize it was doing anything wrong and just kept easing into my van. The sound of the metal scraping and screeching and all the screaming from the 4 adults was ringing in my head. Somehow the dumb-ass driving the semi realized he was hitting something, he pulled forwarded and I was in the van immediately. My poor babies were screaming their heads off. The kids were unharmed, but very scared. I scooped both of them out (I don't even know how I had them out of those car seats so fast) and I was holding both of them in my lap on the ground and we were all crying. Brannon asked me the rest of the night why that big truck was trying to run into him. :( My throat still hurts this morning for all the yelling I was doing at the top of my lungs.
All the stuff that happened next took hours: police came, the mexicans guiding the truck backing up disappeared before the police showed up (and I mean literally they ran into the woods and were gone which means they were ILLEGALS, kids crying lots, van is in bad shape, 2 hours later we got to leave, Ben had to argue with Allied moving company's insurance and that conversation will continue today. They want to wait until next week to do anything but our back left tire is now flat and we need them to give us a rental car now because it's our only vehicle that fits our family and WE ARE MOVING TODAY AND SATURDAY!!!!
Every night before I go to bed, I go in and touch each of my kids on their heads and ask Jesus to keep them safe. I truly believe this prayer kept them safe yesterday. Now I am praying that God will help us get through the next couple of days without me having to do a stint in the insane asylum! Thank God my parents will be here this evening to help me!!

Happy Birthday Tierney!

My sweet baby girl is 2 today! She loves Elmo so we are having an Elmo themed day! I can't believe it's been 2 years since she was born! Wow time goes fast!

Halloween and random thoughts.....

We finally made it out of our candy coma today. Although, if Bran sneaks anymore candy, he's heading right back in it. Last night was really fun for the kids. We slummed for candy in one the sections of our new neighborhood. The part I am moving into currently has 2 occupied homes so we couldn't go there! The kids had a great time, although Tierney got quite nervous as the more scary costumes came out. Thanks to my friend Kim, she got the cutest ladybug costume. Brannon insisted on being the same dragon he was last year (the costume was big on him last year and barely fit him this year) so that made that one easy. This is the first year that Wes wanted to be something scary instead of a superhero. He was quite thrilled with himself but his sister and brother didn't want to get too close to him. On Thursday Bran had a costume party at his preschool and on Friday Elmo came to the galleria so we took the little ones to see him before trick or treating. Tierney was slightly afraid but it was priceless seeing and hearing her reaction. All 3 of these events are depicted in the photoshow:

Make a Smilebox slideshow

And now for some random thoughts:
*Tierney's second birthday is Monday. I have so many mixed emotions about this one. On one hand, I love the 2-3 age, it's my favorite. On the other, I am sad that my last baby is not really a baby any longer. I am also having the mommy guilt. She doesn't have any little friends, like the boys did at this age, so we don't have any other little kids that are going to come over and help her celebrate. I can't help but think that if we were back in Mansfield she would have tons of little friends to play with.....
*I am so scared of this election. I know emotions are running high and I hope through all of that people are clearly voting on facts and not emotions. I still have yet to hear from ANYONE a single reason why Barak Obama should be/can be President of the most powerful country in the world. I think his election will be a mistake of monumental proportions and I worry for the future of this country. The last few days are like watching a train wreck in slow motion. I can only pray that people are finally starting to realize he's all fluff and the current media darling, and that does not make a good President. And, I know some of you who read this won't agree with me but too bad, it's my blog. :)
*My 3rd random thought that feel I just have to express is how much I HATE Walmart. All the reasons why I hate Walmart are too long for this post. Let's just say that I think that store is destroying the American economy and it always smells like pee and it deludes people into thinking they are getting a good deal on something when all they are getting is cheap crap. Ok, I'm done. For now......

Photoshow of our New House!

Here are some photos of the new house. I am so excited to finally have a home!!

Make a Smilebox postcard