Tuesday's List

Well, I meant to get my Not Me Monday done early this morning, but that sure didn't happen. I'd like to try another blog link up from Love From Texas called Tuesday's List.


Today's list concerns our Go-To Dinners.


For those of you who know me (blog world or real world) you probably know I love cooking. I'm a recipe junkie. I have too many cooking magazines--okay, really I have too many magazines, but I can part with just about all of them. But guess what? I can never part with Taste of Homes or any other good recipe mags.

I've been known to take care of many tasks while gazing at tempting dishes and reading through ingredient lists. Oh, to have my own business...

Well, I don't have one, but I do have a decent size family to cook for. My kids have been exposed to quite a few foods (whether they know it or not) that most, maybe some, are never exposed to. No, I''m not an awesome briber--I just make them (and my husband) my guinea pigs. Whatever I feel like cooking (IE: whatever looked awesome on some recipe site or in a cookbook/magazine) is what's for dinner. However, there are several nights when I just can't be creative and I'm crunched for time. On those nights, I turn to some old favs!


On of our more recent Go-to's is something we call


Penne Bacon Pasta

1 (12oz) box whole wheat penne
6 oz canadian bacon; chopped
1 small-medium onion; chopped
frozen peas (I never measure, but I think it's about 16 oz or so; use to your liking--and I like peas)
crushed red pepper (add to your liking; we just add it to our own bowls sense we have youngsters around)

1) Boil pasta according to box directions.
2) Spray skillet with olive oil cooking spray and put on medium heat. Add bacon and onion. Cook about 6 minutes.
3) When pasta is about 3-5 minutes from being done, add peas. Cook remainder of time.
4) Drain almost all of the pasta/pea water (reserve some to add to the mix if it's too dry for your liking) and combine with bacon and onion. Mix well.
5) Add red pepper if desired and serve.

I know it sounds flavorless, but trust me-- my meat and potatoes man digs this dish.


Chipotle Turkey Burgers
1 pkg of lean (99% fat free) ground turkey
about 3 or 4 green onions;chopped
1 small, organic zucchini; grated
1/4 c flax seed meal
1/3 c bread crumbs (whole wheat is just as good as the enriched stuff)
about 1/4 t each-- garlic powder and onion powder
* 2 chipotle peppers in adobe sauce


1) Mix all ingredients and form into patties (about 5 or 6 depending on how big you make them).
2) Grill indoor or outdoor until done.
3) We like to use 100% whole wheat buns, pepper jack cheese, avocado and tomato to top ours.

We also love to serve these with frozen chipotle sweet potato fries and fresh berries (in the summer; frozen blue berries in the winter). Of course you can make your own fries from fresh sweet potatoes, but this is a quick fix/Go-to meal.

*When making for kids (or other heat-haters) make their patties first, then add the peppers to the remaining turkey mix and form other (heat-lovers) patties.


Slow cooker Pork Chops and Veggies
*4 boneless pork chops (we usually get the butterfly cut)
1 organic green pepper; chopped
1 onion; chopped
fresh tomatoes; chopped, in season or, canned diced tomatoes

1) Put a liner in your slow cooker and add 3/4 of your tomatoes, pepper and onion.
2) Add pork chops on top; then add remaining veggies on top of chops.
3) Cover and cook on low 6-7 hours or high about 3 hours.

We like to serve this over brown rice with a salad on the side.
*For a little twist, you can dredge your chops through a flour and spice mix and cook about 1-2 minutes per side before you put them in the slow cooker. I usually do about 2/3 c flour and then add about 1/2 t each; black pepper, cayenne pepper, garlic salt/powder, onion powder and maybe some flax.


Fajitas
1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts; sliced
2-3 organic green peppers; sliced
1 med-large onion; sliced
1/2 c Newman's Own Family Italian dressing
about 1/2 t each; black peper, cumin, coriander garlic powder
Whole wheat tortillas
toppings such as avocado or guacamole, sour cream, shredded cheese, lettuce, salsa

1) Add chicken and veggies to a gallon size Ziplock baggie. Pour dressing in and zip shut. Marinade in refrigerator at least 30 mins.
2) Heat 2-3 T olive oil over medium heat in large skillet. Add chicken and veggies. Season with pepper, cumin, coriander and powder.
3) Cook until chicken is done and veggies are tender.
4) Serve in tortialls and top to your liking. Wrap, eat, enjoy!

We usually serve these with a brown rice/black bean/spicy tomato dish or a relish made with 1 jar salsa, 1 can corn, 1 can black beans, 1 small green pepper, 1 small onion and 1 can olives.


And now that I have a panini grill press, I've been experimenting with various cheeses, veggies, sauces and some meats-- not to mention bread.

We also do your basic taco on crazy nights.

And when I'm in a pinch at lunch time, I'll chop up some romaine, grape tomatoes, red onion, a bell pepper, a few banana peppers, and maybe some black olives. I'll top this salad with maybe a teaspoon of olive oil and some red wine vinegar. And if you want to splurge on calories-- put this "salad" on top of a 100% whole wheat hoagie and toast it with a slice of provolone or pepper jack. Yum!

And if you're really in the mood for some yummy desert, check this post out from last July! We recently made this with pears-- shhh......, don't tell, but this is about the only way I'll eat pears.

There you have it!

Let Me Pass a Lesson on to You

I'm baaaack-- and with a new look too! Do ya like it? I said I would do it possibly last night, but guess what--didn't happen. Here's why-

I went to the gym and took my very first spin class. Wait, or was it a cycling class? Are those one in the same? Either way, lets just say my rear end feels pretty bruised/sore after doing jumps and extended rides while adding a little drag. I hope I'm using my new vocab words correctly!

Those 45 minutes I spent pedaling away burned me roughly 500 calories-- so really I can't complain--okay, really I can complain. Let me tell ya folks who have never dared such a class, I'm pretty sure that in the first 10 minutes I thought I was either going to pass out, puke, or die the entire time. Is it supposed to feel like my airway is swelling shut? I thought I used to have asthma induced by exercise-- but apparently all this time I say I've been exercising at the gym (including some running, heavy lifting and elliptical work) I really wasn't exercising according to my asthma-- you know, because it wasn't induced! Did you follow that? I digress...

Those first 10 minutes I kept hearing all the people from the many seasons of Biggest Loser saying "You know, I'd sit at home on my couch and think I could tackle that last chance workout, but boy was I wrong. I thought I was going to die!"

Yep, it was me who had walked by and peered into the windows of the spin/cycling room and thought to myself, Eh-- I could handle that. Well, I guess I was kind of right-- I handled it, but it's waaaaaaaaaaaaaaay tougher than I ever imagined. I'd have to say it was the hardest 45 minute workout I've ever endured. I almost feel like I've accomplished something major by attending and surviving that class--which, actually the teacher thought I wouldn't do (survive that is) when I walked in without a water bottle. More on that at the end of my story.

A possibly tragic (I use that term loosely) story turn lesson learned that I'm passing on to you all:

If you ever go to a spin/cycling class, please, for the love of God, take a water bottle (preferably one with a flip cap so that you can just leave it open--trust me, the last thing you're going to want to do mid-ride is take the time to unscrew your cap).

Anyway, I walked in all innocent last night sporting my Jayhawk t-shirt and stretchy, black workout pants only to notice that every other person in the room had a huge bottle of water in their water-bottle holders so awesomely displayed on the front of the handlebars. I know, I know, you're thinking I would have registered these water bottles one of the many times I was peering into the windows as I walked by with my biggest loser-looks easy complex, but I didn't.

So, uh, am I in trouble if I don't have some water, I ask the teacher. In all honesty I wasn't being too serious at the time.

Well..., (her face is saying wow, dummy- you're screwed) you're really going to need to replenish what you sweat out. (What she should have said is, Um hon, I'm guessing this is the first time you've ever done something like this-- and YES, you will definitely need water if you want to walk outta here insteada bein' carried on a stretcher).

So I figure I'll just stop and grab a drink at a nearby fountain if I really need one, but I'm sure I'll be fine.

Well, then I notice that everyone has a towel (again, didn't notice this back in my peeping days) draped across their handlebars. So maybe these people aren't being all that dramatic about it. Maybe this class really is a swift kick in the rear to sweating!

Luckily, I remember that there is a half-empty (or half-full) water bottle sitting on my passenger seat. It didn't take me long to surrender to possibly being tardy to class in order to retrieve what will be my oasis in this sweaty, spin desert.

I jet up the stairs and literally run to the car parked quite a ways away. The water bottle is there (thank God) where I thought it'd be, so I grab it and head back to class. I literally run back (because I really don't want to be tardy) to class and prop myself up on one of these bikes and put my water in its holder. I also grabbed a towel from the cleaning supplies (hey, at this point I didn't care). Now, I'm set (and sweating-- not supposed to be sweating yet, right?).

The cycling started out okay- a nice pace without much resistance, and then we added drag and yowzers, it got tough. I just kept repeating to myself the mantra I silently chant while running, just push through it, just push through the pain. But I'm not gonna lie--this is the only time in my life I felt death's grip on my chest.

Those first 10 minutes (slowly) passed and believe it or not I think it got a teensy bit easier after that. No, not easy, but maybe just a teeny tiny bit less hard. From the way I was sweating I thought there'd be a puddle on the floor around me, but only a few sprinkles actually reached the floor. I think the rest ended up dripping on my legs or soaking into my shirt. What, too much info? Okay, I'll move on.

So the super-cycler teacher is blasting Lady Gaga on the speakers and we begin our jumps. Those are fun-- and it's kind of hard to describe them without a visual, but I'll try. You pedal in the seated position for x amount of counts-- in our case we started out at 4. Then you stand up and pedal for 4 counts. Then you sit for 4 more and stand for 4 more. This continues for the given amount of time (2 minutes last night). Sounds easy, eh. Well, I thought so too; in fact, I thought the first 45 seconds were rather tolerable. Then I found myself barely able to move my legs after entering the second minute. And then guess what, super-cycler upped it to 2 counts. Mmmmhmmm, up for 2, down for two. Repeat for another 2 minutes.

Legs. Feel. Drunk. Like. Epidural. Legs. Wobble, wobble. No control!

At this point I'm actually trying to think of ways that I can stall after class and wait on my bike until everyone leaves so that nobody sees me fall flat on my face when I try to step onto terra firma. Lucky for me, a cool down (where we just coast with little resistance) was about all I needed to convince myself that my thighs were in fact, still part of my body. It was probably due to all the water I took in as I was pedaling away {please sense sarcasm here}.

Soon, class ended and super-cycler shouted out to me in front of the class, I'm so glad you got that water... I didn't want to have to pick you up off the floor!

HA! Yep, you're funny. I just smiled.

So, lesson learned. You + spinning/cycling = thirsty, sweaty person. Take it from me-- Please take your own H2O bottle and a darn good, absorbent towel. And if you have a biggest loser-looks easy complex about spinning, throw it out the window! Even super-cycler, was ready to quit at quitting time; she asked if we wanted another 10 minutes and those who answered said, yes. She then asked if we could compromise and do 5 minutes. I'm just sayin'...

So, back to what I first spoke of, the new look here on my blog-- I did it mostly today. Last night I pretty much came home,bragged to told my husband how awesome sore I was, and parked my booty on the couch to work on my teaching stuff online.

I sat for quite some time (lots of work to do) and to my surprise, when I stood and tried to walk I really wasn't that sore (other than my hiney from that awfully tiny seat). Not only that, but I could also manage the stairs quite well-- you know, after the shaking and trembling of my entire body ceased!

All in all, the class was an awesome, scary at first, experience that I will be participating in again in the near future. If for no other reason, the calorie burn is sooooo worth it! Oh, and I'm sure it's doing amazing things for my stamina- burn, baby, burn.

More on: LIFE

It seems I blog a lot about regular, plain old life on here--but I guess that's what this blog is all about, right? My family's life! You know, because we are the most interesting people out there {HARDY HAR HAR}!

I know you are really loving my holiday theme that's still here-- I kind of feel like I've still got my tree up in the living room--decorations and all. But I'd rather post than spend my time changing my header and background. Maybe tomorrow, right?

But if I did it tomorrow, I'd have to do it after nursing before dawn, working out, showering, feeding my older three, drying my hair, putting on my face, winterizing my children, loading them into car seats, dropping two off at school, taking the younger two to two different play dates, picking older two up from school, making lunch, feeding baby, nursing baby, reading stories, putting them down for naps, cleaning up lunch, mopping my floors, folding laundry, vacuuming, checking in with my class online (and crossing my fingers I won't have much to do), fixing the kids a snack, starting dinner, nursing baby, filling plates, eating dinner, having a dance party, lifting at the gym, pj-ing my girls (hubby does their teeth brushing), reading another story, kissing and hugging and cuddling, turning out the lights and heading downstairs to check in with my class again. But by now it's probably 8:30 or 9:30 and I'll just want to relax for a minute--who knows.

Our schedule was rather similar today to what is listed above, and I'm finding time to post--so I'm hopeful!!! Hopeful. Hopeful. Hopeful.

For those of you with older children--I know you like to tell me that it doesn't get any easier. But can you just lie to me if you decide to comment? Please? Just tell me that when they grow a little and can bathe themselves, or tie their own shoes, or fix their own sandwich, or go potty independently, that it really doesn't get tougher. Tell me it's easier! And also, can you leave out the part where you say you miss assisting with bum-wiping, or shoe tying, or not getting sleep? I mean come on, do you really miss NOT GETTING SLEEP?



All kidding aside, I know I'll miss all the little assisting/mommy jobs I do day in and day out. I know I'll miss the cries for Mommy in the night. I know I'll kick myself every time I'm worried and not sleeping while waiting for them to come home from a game or a date and think, why did I ever cry about losing sleep from simply nursing my baby. I'll yearn for those easy days when I had little kids with little problems. I know I'll want to trade in their teenage attitude for their boundary-testing toddler days. I do know that it all passes too fast.

So for me, the choice has to be to realize what season of life I'm in, own it, and love it.

Love the fact that my children still actively seek my approval and love. Love the nights when I pull out towel after towel from the closet for my vomiting baby. Love the days when I want to pull out my hair and run for the hills screaming somebody take me away!!!! Love the moments when my little girl wraps her tiny arms around my legs, looks up at me with her big brown (or blue in M&M's case) eyes and says, "I love you Mama"!

Not only shall this,too, pass, but it will do it as fast as a rug being pulled out from under me. And I don't want to wake up on the floor someday, realize that rug is gone, and have regrets about not enjoying this time in my life.

And despite how desperate I appear in longing for a day at the sap--in all honesty, I'd be bored out of my mind. The energy that surrounds my family is crazy, but it's also filled with love. When I'm not with these precious girls, I honestly miss them to my core. Yes, I enjoy a couple hours away once in a while (and I covet my gym-time) with my husband, friends, mom, or even by myself--but it doesn't take long for me to find something in my environment that reminds me of how much I love my children. And it's that love that propels this tired, overworked, but NOT underpaid mom.


May my children reap the benefits of what I sow.

***Thanks, mom, for taking a few moments to snap these photos. I really don't have many of me with my babes and it means a lot to me that I got these!***

Excuses, Excuses

Ridiculous!

That's all I have to say! I mean, seriously? What else can I say?

The regular excuses as to why I've been MIA from this thing are there:

Too busy changing diapers, washing dishes, folding laundry, rearranging half my house, putting away Christmas toys, starting a new teaching job, continuing on with my first teaching job, packing away all Christmas decorations (does anyone else set aside the better part of a week for that), playing with my new vacuum, pulling back M&M's bangs, cooking delicious and nutritious meals, eating (oh, so bad for you) queso, watching my husband shovel some wicked snow, watching John Adams, making to-do lists, cheering on the Jayhawks, having breakfast with friends, writing dozens of emails, laughing at the crazy things my girls say, laughing at the crazy things my girls wear when they pick out their own clothes, hanging out with my sister, driving children to preschool, playing on the floor with my kids, shopping with my mom, eating lots of organic honeycrisp apples, holding my husband's hand (literally, not metaphorically--he's a big boy), feeding our animals (2 dogs and a cat), having dance parties, telling certain telemarketers to SERIOUSLY remove me from their call list, taking my girls to see Princess and the Frog and Alvin and the Chipmunks, listening to "Single Ladies" by the Chippettes on repeat, eating Dove's dark chocolate, reading blogs, kissing all my babes, making baby food, hitting the treadmill way too early in the morning, watching my husband dive into 1 pound of chocolate and not put on weight, visiting several Santas around town, giving M&M her first bath in the big girl tub, going to 2 preschool Christmas programs, hanging up several kid-art pieces, writing in a journal for each girl, laughing at my husband carrying our nearly 60 pound dog up the stairs to bed (oh, I should be helping him? oops!), still trying to understand football, sleeping with my nursing baby, practicing writing letters with my oldest, potty training the Bug, tickling my Brownie, ...
sigh.

I'd like to say the busyness has ended, but let's face it folks--- the busyness never ends, does it? One of these days I'll grow accustomed to the fact that life is simply busy all the time-- in the mean time, enjoy the pictures below that depict some of the above busyness!












ney

Thank You Snow

With a bunch of this

going on lately, we've been

playing in our sensory table...

making super silly faces and...

taking many a picture indoors--- in our jammies!

dad had to sneak in the background here!

During all of the snow and the staying indoors we've been doing, Penguin Man dropped off a few gifts for the girls.

What? You don't know who Penguin Man is? Why, he's our version of what some of you may know as Elf on the Shelf.

Here he is on our Be Jolly sign on our mantle. He changes his lookout point every night when the kids go to bed. During the day he keeps an eye out on the kiddos from Thanksgiving until Christmas Eve. He then flies back to the North Pole each night to report on the girls' behavior.

Anyway, on Friday night Penguin Man brought the girls a popcorn container (to watch Christmas movies with, duh) and a pair of Christmas pj's. We made a fire (a fav activity in this house), opened our gifts, ate pizza, and snuggled while we watched Charlie Brown's Christmas and Polar Express. And yes, I made them pose in their new jammies! What kind of mama do you think I am? But first, they posed by their gifts from Penguin Man (by the way, he was named by my eldest last year--- original for a 3 yr old, huh).

Here are the Bookends looking too cute!

And here are just a couple shots I got of the four girls in their Christmas jammies before the movie started.

Ahhhhh, too much lovin' for one little girl!

Ah, they are incredibly goofy and sweet!

Now the snow has partly melted and the new week is about to begin. Back to the busyness of our lives. Thank you snow, for slowing us down helping us to spend some quality family time together!

Totally Together Reviews: HP TouchSmart Computer Review and Give-Away!

Totally Together Reviews: HP TouchSmart Computer Review and Give-Away!

A Giveaway-- but not from me!

Have any of you heard about the HP TouchSmart 600 PC? I'd heard nothing of it, but then I discovered a way I, and you, could possibly win one.



If you haven't heard of these, let me tell you why I decided it'd be so nice to have!



-23" screen

-wireless keyboard

-something called recipe box-- read kellyskornerblog.blogspot.com to read what this is all about

-touch screen capabilities

-webcam

-can be used as a dvr/tv/blue ray

-and you can talk to it by using a blue tooth



Go check out A Year of Slow Cooking, Kellys Korner, Boo Mama, MckMama, and the NieNie Dialogues and you could have a chance to.



Okay, I'm off to up my chances by posting it to my facebook! Good luck!

In It

Oh my.

I was just going through pictures {again} and I found some long lost Bug photos. These, I haven't seen in quite some time. I actually think I didn't even edit these.

A girl after my own heart!

Nutella in hand.

Chocolate covering her face.

Enjoying it all!

I love pictures like this. These pictures capture moments that I want to remember forever. And I pray that these are also the moments that my children will recall once they have grown and moved on with their own adult lives.

These messes are what make motherhood a journey to be in. And I want to be all in it!

It's easy to drift off in la-la land {oh, wait, I forgot I don't have time for that, but anyway...} and imagine a clutter-free, organized, clean home. A home that is rather quiet, warm and inviting. A place where your adult friends can gather and sip martinis as they discuss the kind of cheese your serving or politics while jazz instruments are heard throughout your house on surround sound. Hold on....

... let me mess a few things up starting with the organized home part. Let's throw a few toys strewn about my stairs and a few baby dolls and their belongings piled on my couch. And, please, could you have the girls run their snotty fingers across all the glass surfaces in my house. And let's go ahead and have those {adult} friends over, but please ask those mommies to bring their kiddos, as well. Oh, and while you're at it, turn on some kid-friendly holiday tunes for us all to listen to.

Phew, that's better. That's the house I'm used to. That's the house I live in. That's the house that, soon, one day, I won't live in any more-- and I know I'll just yearn for these sweet years to come back to me. I'll close my eyes and see little chocolate {Nutella, I'm talkin' to you} covered faces, dirty fingernails, messy hair... and I'm sure I'll cry. I'll cry because those moments passed too fast. I'll cry because my little girls grew into women overnight. I'll cry because they left our little nest and started making their own. But my tears will be in remembrance, not in sadness {yeah, I'm lying, I'll be a little sad that those moments blew past me}-- for I know it is my job to prepare them to leave me.

So, for now, as I stare at the clutter and dirt surrounding me, I'm learning to love it more. Because the more mess, the more time I spent just being in it with my kids. Now, I'm not saying that I never clean-- in fact I have a husband who would say the opposite, but I don't obsess about it anymore. I just do it when the kiddos are asleep, or little bits here and there. Because, really, who cares? As long as it's manageable and livable and dealt with a little each day, I can handle it and so can my kids. I know they are big fans of mommy being in it. And so it I will be in.

I will be in the coloring on the walls/wiping little hineys/playing dress up/having a tea party/pretend babysitting my granddaughters {who are all named Malinda Kaye by the way}/making memories, moments with my daughters. And I couldn't be any happier!

God, grant me the wisdom to realize that being in it with my kids is what really matters. When I'm tired of waking to feed the baby, or run down from playing referee, please remind me to just appreciate the season of life I'm in and to accept the fact that soon it will pass. And when I start to miss these years gone by, bring me peace in knowing that I did all I could to be there for my children. If I do nothing else in life, I was a success because of my children. AMEN!

I've Missed A Few

I uploaded several pictures tonight and realized how much has been going on that I have not posted about!

There was Halloween!

M&M turned 7 mos!

Brownie had a special day to celebrate her turning 3!

We ate lotsa turkey!

We got our Christmas tree!

Geez! And that was only things I got pictures of.

For now, I'll tell you all about my newly turned 7 month old gal!

What do you notice about this picture?

Why yes, she does look quite goofy! And look at this one!

She's such a HAM!!

I digress...

Look at this one?

Do you notice any difference?

Well, in the goofy, HAM ones above she is a mere 6 months old. An official half-a-year old! And in the one below, she's all grown up seven months old! I can't believe it! Apparently, somebody okayed the fact that she has to continue to grow right before my very eyes. She has changed quite a lot this past month. For one, she decided sleep...

eh, it's not that important. It's for the weak, I guess, or at least that's what she thinks. And by goodness, she is not weak!

At 7 months, the girl is/has...

-weighing in around 15 pounds

- still sporting her deep, dark blue eyes

-enjoying peas, sweet potatoes, rice cereal, zucchini, and apple

-growing her hair out below the nape of her neck

-traded in her 8ish-5ish sleep habits for 3 hour naps (though, this has only happened twice)

-taken a liking to standing up (with help, of course)

-not quite sitting unsupported

-found her new love: the jumparoo

- quite fond of being carried around like a baby (probably 'cuz she is one)

- very much entertained by those three older girls

-been spending many hours at night in bed with mom and dad because she's been eating tons

-still bathing in her infant tub, but on the end where she sits up right

-been shopping for her first Christmas tree ornament

-enjoyed a bite (or 2, thanks to daddy) of mashed potatoes

-still in love with mama and our snuggles (as is mama)

I love you Mackadoodle! It's so odd that you are closer to toddler-hood now than newborn age! I'm looking forward to seeing you with Santa, reading you Christmas stories, holding you as you see your first snow, and snuggling up with you during the cold nights to come. Your silly side is really starting to show-- you are reminding us of a certain little Bug-- always trying to get a laugh. Peace and blessings, dear, sweet baby!

-Love, MAMA

Traditions

-teasing my husband, "We have to watch your favorite movie, A Christmas Story

-trotting around town to homes of the people I love

-dressing my children in cute, festive clothes

-chopping down, bringing home, and decorating our new Christmas tree

-each member of our family picking out his/her new ornament

-sweet potato casserole, hash brown casserole, green bean casserole, pies galore

-the parades

-Christmas movie marathons with my doll babes

-my husband being home

-shopping with my sister on Black Friday {though that's from years past}

-chocolate pudding at moms

-Thanking God for family, friends, and traditions

*****Happy Thanksgiving*****

How Many...

This is the beginning to a question I seem to ask multiple times a day.

How many...

"...times do I have to tell you? No playing in the toilet!"

"... times have I asked you to put your shoes away?"

"... of you want peanut butter and honey sandwiches for lunch?"

"...more minutes do you plan on throwing yourself about on the floor and shrieking?"

"... of those crackers did you just spill on the floor (hey, you can make a teachable moment anywhere, right)?"

"... more loads of laundry do I have yet to wash/dry/fold/put away?"

"... more minutes until my the girls' hero comes home?"

"... of you can remove yourself from my leg AT ONCE so I can move?"

"... times have I asked you to please quit running around the house naked and get your darn clothes on already?"

"... times do I have to say, 'Honey, in a house full of girls--especially girls who are about to be, in the midst of, or recently potty-trained-- could you please, for the love of GOD, remember to PUT THE SEAT DOWN!?"

Well, to answer my questions--
scratch that, my answers to those questions would take up too much space here on this post. And honestly, I'm pretty sure we can all assume the number is quite large. But hey, I kinda like large.

Some of those How manys are questions I ask when I'm feeling quite irritated, hmmm... maybe even frustrated. But that's okay by me. I'd rather ask a roomful of screaming toddlers/babies/preschoolers to stop crying, quit making a mess, pay attention, listen up, and answer my darn lunch question already than not have anybody to play with, or bake cookies with, or play dress up with, or shop with (yes, I do have a few natural-born shoppers), or watch Christmas movies with in July, or run around with outside on our front lawn under our big tree where we start off our races to our front porch!

And of course, I'd rather ask Honey to kindly lower the seat upon which we ladies rest ourselves when eliminating waste 100 times a day, than to not have him in my life.

Some say there's strength in numbers. I sometimes say there's chaos in numbers-- but what a beautiful chaos (and rather controlled, if I do say so myself) it is! Seriously, though-- in my opinion, it'd be pretty dull and boring and unchaotic around here if I didn't have to say all those How Manys.

So, I bet you can guess what I'm thankful for this Thanksgiving!


Yep, you're right-- Thank you God, for all of the How Manys!

Oh, I forgot to tell you on of my favorites: How many...

...times I thank God each day for the wonderful babes he gave me and for a great husband (who's still learning to live with all girls) who is such a great provider (that's a loaded word) for our family.

Yep, that one definitely gets my vote for favorite How Many!

Blessings!

You Know...

I was in need of a quick post and this idea cracked me up-- You Know You're a Large Family When...

I got this idea from Brittney over at 4 Little Men -- but she has two more than I do!

So, You Know You're a Large Family When...

... you're pregnant and everybody wants to know if this one will be the last-- you say, I don't know, and they look at you like you've gone to Loo-Loo Crazyville!

... you can barely scrape by with two 3-sectional laundry organizers because after about two days all six slots are full enough to need a washing!

... you have diapers in various sizes stashed allover the house (and car) for easy access to multiple sized diapers!

... you label all clothing/backpacks with your last name instead of using the name of the child who is currently using that clothing item!

... your baby clothes storage tubs need to be put in the front of the storage closet (yep, right next to the tubs labeled maternity) because your next little blessing will arrive sooner rather than later!

... you don't remember what your bedroom looks like without a bassinet next to the bed!

... you have dinner reservations at 8:30pm for just you and hubbs and you're both in disbelief that people eat at that hour (because you are usually still tucking in the older kids at that time)!

which brings me to my next point...

... you realize that 5pm, while an appropriate dinner time for many older people, is also an appropriate dinner time for your large family because you spend the rest of the night bathing, cleaning, dressing, and loving on your kiddos!

...your car choices are limited to a certain section of the lot (yeah, I'm talking about the gas-guzzler section)!

... you discuss with your partner about having more kids, they bring up the fact that they won't be caught dead in a 12 passenger van-- and then you both laugh (because 4 years ago you both said you'd never be caught dead driving a mini-van)!

... again you're having the adding another discussion and you say, What's one more, now!?!

... you never put the broom and dust pan away-- what's the point?!?

... you've considered taking one of the bedrooms and turning it into a kids-closet because at least any two of your kids can wear the same size!

... strangers tell you, My you have your hands full, and you just smile and nod because you just heard that same comment to aisles ago!

... you go to a restaurant and your family meets or exceeds the number of people needed for the gratuity to just be added to your check!

... you and your husband have to arrange for a babysitter anytime the two of you need to run an errand together (because entertaining four kids while waiting in line at the phone store seems quite impossible)!

... you've given up the idea that all of your kids can have their own room in a 5 bedroom house(which doesn't really matter because they'd rather share anyway)!

... you've realized that you could never afford to pay for all of your kids to _________ (go to college/get married/have their own car/etc...)

... you have to constantly adjust and readjust how much you buy of any given product at the grocery store-- say, milk for instance.

... you have three cribs because that's how many babies you have who aren't old enough for a big-kid bed!

... you take your old recipes and start doubling them to accommodate your family!

... there are friends of the family who still can't name all your kids because you added too many too fast, or at least they get them all confused with each other. To remedy this you start referring to them by number 1, number 2, etc. (no I don't like doing this), or maybe you create a mnemonic device to help people remember their names.

... you look around your dining room table and see all the faces looking back at you and you still don't think your family is that big---though most other people would disagree!

... Christmas at Grandmas involves renting a U-Haul to bring home the gifts!

... ordering pizza for dinner requires a small-business loan!

... any given night of the week there's usually at least one child in bed with you (even if you don't co-sleep)!

... at any one moment from October to April someone in your house has at the very least, a cold!

... employees at Target or any store for that matter, remember you because of you large brood!

... you keep telling your spouse that the two of you need thin out the toys but you have so many kids that you don't have the time to tackle such a project!

... your oldest is so used to you being pregnant that she a) notices your belly hasn't been BIG for a while, and b) wonders when it will be again!


All that being said, I'm still adjusting to how I run/raise/buy for my big family. I don't know when we'll be done, I don't really think that's something I can plan. After all, my number 3, or Bug as you know her, was not planned or even something we considered a possibility, but here she is-- and no, I'd never have it any other way!

My Midwest Home

The Midwest has been my home for all of my life. Whether I never move again, or if I venture out to new cities, states or even continents this place will always be my home-- what can I say, I'm a down-home fusion girl.

Do you like my somewhat invented term? Wondering what it means? Well, it means overall I'm your basic Midwest gal--courteous, intelligent, just a hint of sarcasm..., you get the picture-- but I have a little fusion from other regional cultures, if you will.

I may laugh a little too loud.

I may have a little draaaw--according to some non-Midwesterners.

I just might have a bit of feistiness if I feel so inclined--yes, I can be pretty darn passionate.

I don't much care for what some may consider traditional Midwestern food--meat and potatoes just ain't my thing.

I also don't really use the word ain't when I'm speaking.

However, at my roots, you'll find a gal who values family, friends, hard work, compassion and good manners.

I'm proud to call the plains and green, rolling hills home. Yes, it's true, I have no mountains to go hiking in or a beach near the ocean to build sandcastles. The tallest building in my city doesn't compare to any skyscrapers that reach across Manhattan. My state's not famous for gorgeous, tan bodies; an art district, football stadiums the size of 500 Walmarts; or really great crab cakes (but goodness I wish we were; known for crab cakes, that is).

But I'll tell ya what we do have-- honest, friendly, caring, polite people. Now, please understand that I'm speaking from my own point of view, from my own experiences and certainly about the majority--of course there are the lying, rude, ill-mannered idiots here just like anywhere else--but most people here give a hoot about other people. We're not a totally self-involved people.

One characteristic of mine that may align with preconceived notions of a Midwesterner is the fact that I beat the 2 children per family average by about 2 kids. Yes, it's easier to have a larger family when the cost of living is much cheaper than in the big-city.

I've read several blogs or heard numerous stories about large-ish families from around the country. All too often, I hear these nice families' stories about how rude people can be when they are out in public. A nasty comment at the grocery store concerning the child to adult ratio--like it's anybody's business anyway. I can honestly say that no one has ever come up to me and said anything intended to be anything but kind or supportive. Now, the universe may be listening and I might experience this situation soon, but I'm prepared if it does (watch out, I said I can be feisty)!

Let's face it folks, my oldest of four was born 3.5 years before my now six-month old. They're all girls. They all look pretty similar. I have learned that I'm a bit of a circus when I walk into any public space by myself. I'd be rather dense if I hadn't noticed all the noticers!

But all those noticers have treated me and my family with respect and kindness. I have never heard any too many comments, or what were you thinking comments.

What these noticers notice---?--- How blessed I am.

I can't count on all the baby hands in my house how many times someone takes one look at me with my car-cart (you all know what I mean by this right?) full of doe-eyed girls and says, ohh, aren't you so lucky/blessed. What a beautiful family!

Recently, the six of us dined at a new bar/deli during happy hour on a Friday evening (we chose to do this not because we're crazy or stupid, but this particular establishment was a place that we loved in our college town and was new to our town). The booths lining the walls were all full and we were left with no other choice than to sit at the high tops. So we adjusted all three older girls to a secure position on their bar stools and set the baby in her car seat down on the floor (which being on a bar stool seemed a mile below us). As we were trying to tell our 2 year old to park it, two young couples saw us and suggested we take their booth seats. Yes, it was obvious we were struggling, but we could have handled it. I can even imagine that in some areas of the country people might think, well they decided to have all those kids and come out to eat during the busy happy hour--they can deal with poor seating. But these young 20 somethings gave up their seats just so we'd be more comfortable. I was floored on the inside, but said a simple thank you so much and exchanged a few friendly smiles.

Yeah, I'm sure there are plenty of people in my area who would like to tell me that I have too many kids, or that I'm unfortunate to not have had a son, or that I need to figure out how this (that'd be kids they're talking about) happens. But no one has ever said such a thing--and Lord help them if they do. Would I be the bigger person and just walk away--?-- I hope so. Can I guarantee I won't fight back a little--?-- ummmm...., NOPE! I digress...

So, yes, I do have a purpose in bragging about my people--you know I don't mean my people, I just mean these Midwesterners, right? In short, they are one of the biggest reasons I'd never call any other place home.

The slow-placed life living in the center of the U.S. affords quite a few luxuries--our traffic jams mean having to wait through 3 rotations tops at the busiest stop light during Christmas and rush-hour; there's also access to some fresh produce grown by your neighbor who's happy to share the harvest--but no luxury beats the fact that most people are just courteous, polite and respectful.

Yes, I call this place nothing other than, home!

Foodie on Food--for the Babe

Can you tell me what this is?


Yep, if you guessed baby food you'd be correct--and if you guessed it was homemade sweet potatoes, you'd be even more correct.

When M&M or mini me as we like to call her, turned 6 months last week, I decided it was officially time to start feeding her some nutritious and delicious homemade goodies--and I she loves it --okay I won't lie, I love making her food.




Judging by this silly face, you'd think this child was ready to dive in to this wonderful concoction of orange goo.


So I put a bib on her. She sat patiently for a few more snapshots, thanks M&M!





And her first bite went mostly in! Although, can you tell she's not totally sure about all this food stuff.? This picture happens to be a bite of rice cereal.

And by the next bite...


we totally lost it! It also didn't help the situation when I allowed Bug to try to feed her. The spoon may have gone a little further than it should have. Sorry, honey! Mommy learned her lesson!

So Much More Than A Not Me Monday Post!!!

Originally, I set out to write my first Not Me Monday post since I don't know when, but a turn of events here at the Copeland house has changed that plan. You wanna know why?


Because we have a MOUSE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! or mice-- but I'm praying it's just mouse and none of his friends!

I was finishing up all of the kitchen-y type things I wanted to get done tonight so I'd have a nice clean kitchen to get messy again in the morning (because I really, really, no I mean REALLY hate starting my day off with a messy kitchen--those days are seriously worse than days where I start with a clean kitchen) when I hear a little funny noise over by the fridge.

I called my husband in to check out the noise. Of course it stopped, but then it actually started again.

"Do ya hear that?"
"Yeah, but I know the fridge makes funny noises sometimes."
"Umm... honey, I don't think that's the fridge."

We laughed it off until....

I heard it again as I was unloading some clean dishes. I called the man back in to the kitchen and again I was about to look a fool-- no noise. He checks the laundry room out, "Are ya sure it's not just something outside?"

"Well, honey, no I don't think so. In fact, are you envisioning a buck-tooth little thing doing this (I proceed to cup my hands near my mouth and act as if I'm gnawing away on some delicious air) cuz I know I am?"

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH" insert hysterical screaming here--well I typed that all out for you. Hey, you're welcome!

I run to the couch and scream/cry, "Did you see it? Did you see it?"

All calm my husband says, "Yeah, I saw it."

That was my scream, by the way-- only because I saw something run from my oven area to my dishwasher area. Had I not been hearing noises, I probably would have thought nothing of what I thought I saw because it was seriously that much of a blur. But it was enough to FREAK ME OUT!!!!

The closest I've ever been to rodents is either passing their carcass on the road, or under my dissecting knife in 10th grade biology--which only spurs more horrendous visions of pregnant rats (like the ones I dissected in bio) following their motherly instinct of survival to find good food and shelter so she can have her some 9 babies-- IN MY HOUSE! NEAR MY FOOD! UNDER MY CABINETS!

So, here I am for some relief. Writing. Hey, at least I'm not crying on the couch anymore. Hubbs is at some store to buy some traps. I would have gone but I was way too NOT COOL with setting foot in my kitchen.

I don't know why some things freak me out and others don't, but all I can say is I have visions that involve little things that scurry across me as I sleep. Or little furry things panting away in my pantry pushing out 9 slimy, pink babies. Or, a little gross thing with whiskers that tries to run for cover as I walk barefoot across my tiled floor and then...-- oops, a bloody carcass on my tiled floor and nasty mouse blood all over my toes. Oh, yes, I'm even seeing mice droppings everywhere--I'll never be able to find them all and disinfect everything!

Okay, I can't handle the visions anymore. Good thing because hubbs is pulling in the garage now. He will hopefully set up some loverly little mouse traps!

So, on to the NOT ME's and what I didn't do this week:

Well, you already know I DIDN'T envision anything so totally gross that involved mice, panting, and my pantry.

Moving on from all things mice-related--

I in no way put a little swimmers diaper on Bug before nap time the other day because I was too lazy to go find one somewhere in all my house or van. No, I'm pretty sure I wasn't out of diapers-- I don't slack like that.

I didn't watch my child (Bug) from afar at a MOPS Halloween event dive her pretty, long fingers into somebody's (I don't know who's) abandoned chocolate cupcake-- then laugh it off hoping that a) nobody cared and b) that nobody had actually touched that cake (it is flu season, folks)!

I know I said no more mice-related things, but I lied-- because I'm not sitting here on the couch with my feet up off the floor just in case my furry friend(s) decided to bee-line it for my toes.

Off the mice wagon again.... I promise this time!

I have not totally abused my nursing mother status lately by taking a few extra minutes to lie or sit down while nursing my baby. People (my husband, mainly) don't just assume that my tiny babe is eating the whole time she's nuzzled in close to me. I would never keep lying or sitting there letting people (my husband, mainly) think I'm still nursing when in fact I'm just taking a few extra minutes to relax while my baby just rests after her meal. HOW LAZY?!?!

I would also never be so lazy as to clean the table, counters and floor with a handful of baby wipes after lunch. It's not like I had the wipes out to clean all the little faces and hands and I just continued on to the table..., and then the counters..., and then the floor!


I did not come home after a Halloween party and stay up to watch the first half of Cheaper by the Dozen just because I like shows that feature families with lotsa kids--even if it is fiction. I'm not in love with the big family idea at all! In fact, I have no desire to have a large family-- wink, wink!

Yep, that about sums it up! Unless of course, you'd like some more bloody, pantry-panting, barefoot-walking, hysterically-screaming stories. Yea, I didn't think so!