2 1/2 Hours & Sanity?

After a nice day at the farmer's market with my brother yesterday turned hectic as the kids tore through my mother's house. I had been experiencing severe pelvic pain (because of baby 3) and had a nasty head ache and back ache to boot! Ian drove us home and he was such a wonderful help. When we got home the pain was so severe I actually started throwing up (not pleasant) and it was painful to walk. I was able to lay down in bed while Ian played with the kids and kept them happy. I'm so thankful that he was able to see how much I was suffering and stepped in to help. I woke up to screaming about an hour later, got up and went to investigate. At this point it was about 7:30pm and I did discover 2 hungry babies. However, I also found something else which also surprised me. Ian already on the ball and making them dinner. He didn't even ask me what they needed to eat. On top of that he warmed up leftovers for him and I to eat as well. He was so on top of things and took such good care of me.

Despite planning to go to bed around 10pm since Ian had to be up at 4am, we ended up staying up until nearly 1am! Ian has been having trouble sleeping lately so he was up every hour until his alarm went off at 4. I tossed and turned as well and finally decided to stay up at 3:30am. I got up and started laundry. This spurred an entire laundry day! By noon I had washed, dried, and folded 4 loads of laundry, done 2 loads of dishes, cleaned out the truck, fed the dogs, vacuumed all of downstairs, got Aiden ready to go to his Grandma's house for the night, made the bed, etc.. etc... I am still amazed I got so much done! From noon to 7pm I have a rule about minimal electricity consumption since we get charged more during those peak hours, so I like to have laundry, dishes, and vacuuming done before noon or after 7. Ambria laid down for a nap at noon so I rested and snacked on beef jerky. Overall, I am super happy with my day. I will be taking Ambien tonight so I can guarantee myself some sleep but luckily ther is no housework that needs to be done tomorrow (though I'm sure I can find something if I get bored)

I hope you are all keeping happy, healthy, clean homes too!

Under-the-Weather and Over Budget

What a Thursday. Everyone in the house is feeling under par today. The kids are completely stuffed up and lethargic. Ian is dizzy, and stuffy, and achy. I am... well, it doesn't matter because I have to work anyway. Someone has to keep the house going. One bright side to our lazy sick day is the kids have both wanted more naps than usual. This gave me time to take a short 30 minute nap today which I treasured to the max! Ian brought Ambria into bed with us when she woke up and she was kind enough to wake Mommy with a barrage of wet, slimy kisses. But I loved every minute of it. Ian and I laid in bed playing with Ambria for a little over an hour while Aiden continued to sleep. I wish we could have family time like that every day. It was wonderful.

Sadly, Ian has had a week off of work due to a shortage of available hours at work so our finances will be taking a monumental hit. Today and tomorrow, though, he has a few side jobs to earn some extra income. He left at 5pm to help his sister move a roommate in to her house, then he'll be picking up a pay check and stopping by a customer's house to set up an amp and some speakers. Hopefully it will be easy work and won't take too long. Tomorrow he has 2 more customers to set up audio for. If his schedule allows it, he'll be going to my father's house this weekend to texture his ceiling and cut up some scrap metal. I just hope he is feeling better. I hope we all are.

On the menu for tonight is our bean casserole. I love this dish! It's a simple recipe that has very little prep time and is rather healthy too! You can find my recipe here. In my picture you'll notice bits of white mixed in with my bean casserole. I added barley to it. I love cooking with barley since it is so good for you. Other than that small addition, the recipe is virtually the same.

Master Re-mastering..

Today is going to be a very productive day (hopefully) in the master bedroom! I'm doing some deep cleaning and re-organizing to get the room set up for baby #3! This means the rocker and chase in the room need to be cleaned off and moved around so I have room for her cradle. All the laundry needs to be organized into their respective baskets, everything will be dusted, vacuumed and cleaned and in tip top shape. I'm excited to knock this project off my to-do list. Here goes nothing!

Meal Plan Monday!

Wow this week has gone by so fast! I guess that's a good thing since time flies when you are having fun, right? Though I did spend a lot of time and energy stocking up on 6 months worth of goods, I did not stock up on meat. Until we can save up for a deep freeze I am unable to buy large quantities (more than a month worth) of meat since it would ultimately end up with freezer burn before our family had the chance to cook and consume it all. This week, our meal plan is a little more limited with the options of things to cook since I will be using the last of our meat until I can make it to the store to restock. So here it is:

Grilled Sirloin, Peppers and Zesty Potatoes

Steak Chili and Grilled Cheese

Hawaiian Chicken & White Rice

Beefy Bean Casserole

Stuffed Chicken and Chutney

Mix & Match Hotdish

I will try my best to try and take pictures of our meals this week since I have been slacking in the picture taking department. Feel free to ask for any recipes!

Farmer's Market Trip

Yesterday was such a wonderful day. I had been feeling really down with no hope of lifting my spirits. My step mom, Angela, picked the kids and I up and drove us to Mesa where we went to the MVD with my dad and legally put the Hyundai in my name. It's all said and done and I am finally the proud owner of a fully paid off, good looking car that not only comfortably holds the car seats, but also sports an awesome A/C! Afterwards, we all went to the Mesa Farmer's Market. All I can say is, WOW! The prices there are so amazing! The kids enjoyed snacking on blueberries and dates while we shopped and I ended up getting a whole cart of fresh fruit and veggies for about $30. I was so surprised. Looks like I'll be going there once a month to get my produce. It's well worth the drive.

Last night for dinner, I decided to cook outside the box. I chopped up an onion, red and green bell pepper, squash, and zucchini and cooked them up in olive oil, garlic and curry. Then I cooked, peeled and diced up my eggplant and added it to a ricotta and sour cream curry sauce that I had made and mixed with a bit of pasta. I layered this over the bed of veggies and Ian LOVED it. The plus side? It was so healthy.

For breakfast today the kids dug into a ton of the fruit. They had blueberries, a banana, a few prunes, and grapes. They are such good eaters. Hoping to do grilled ham and cheese with a few dates on the side and cottage cheese for lunch. Then we'll be off to their cousin Connor's birthday party!

Belated Meal Plan Monday

I did finally get around to our meal plan. Here it is!

Kids' Dinners
06/16/10 - Turkey Spaghetti
06/17/10 - Mexican Chicken Pasta
06/18/10 - Eat @ Grandpa's House
06/19/10 - Spaghetti Noodles w/ Diced Ham & Tomato Sauce

Adults
06/16/10 - Spaghetti & Brie Stuffed Meatballs
06/17/10 - White Bean Quesedillas and Spicy Mexican Rice
06/18/10 - Marinated Eggplant over a bed of Curried Veggies.
06/19/10 - Kielbasa, Potatoes, and Peppers

Hello everyone! Meal Plan Monday was unfortunately delayed to Wednesday so I will be getting on it tomorrow! I did manage to spend 3 hours at the grocery store stocking up on 6 months worth of canned and dry goods for our household. Prices are so good right now, I just couldn't pass them up! Six months worth of canned foods such as tomato sauce and soups, cream of chicken, ravioli for the kids, canned vegetables, tons and tons of canned beans, etc. I also stocked up on bar soap, toilet paper which was only $10 for 24 rolls of Cottonelle, paper towels, shampoo, razors and a few other things. I did not buy meats since I do not have a deep freezer, nor did I purchase any pastas, cereal, rice, or potatoes for fear that it would be bug-infested within 6 months. It's not likely but I don't want to risk it. I ended up spending $300 which is well under the $570 limit I had set for myself however after 3 full carts, I just couldn't push anymore weight around so I didn't get everything I needed. I still need to go back to the store for round 2. I hope to do that tomorrow.

My dear husband and I have been very close this entire week. With disagreements to a bare minimum (none that I can even recall) we have been working as such a great team and I have my husband to thank for it. He has been such a tremendous help with the kids and has been the best play time buddy for them. They love him so much. I love to see their little faces light up while he crawls around the playroom chasing them or throwing them into the air while they squeal with delight. It's fun just watching them.

I'd like to take the time now to say congrats to my mom and step-dad for the new addition to their family! Their horse gave birth to a little colt yesterday at 2am! He's such a cutie! I hope you guys thoroughly enjoy him. (I know you will!)

I'll post again on Wednesday with the meal plan!

But Wait, There's More!

This week is going to be a hectic one. Not entirely busy, just stressful. It's only Sunday and I already feel as if I am behind on everything. I still have to vacuum and quick mop downstairs, do a load of dishes, carry a huge box downstairs and into the garage, clean the back patio, organize the refrigerator, clean the kitchen and fold laundry, figure out a dinner for the kids and make it, bath time, figure out a dinner for Ian and I, and some tidying once the kids go to bed. Tomorrow I have to take Ian to work, take two energetic babies to GCC, get them to sit still in a public setting while I wait to be called, and pay for my summer class, convince my sister Brianna to let me borrow her car for a month so I can actually make it to class (assuming I can find a sitter), try and squeeze in 3 more loads of laundry (on off-peak energy times,) clean the play room, scrub both bathrooms, buy some last minute things from the grocery store, make Brianna a birthday gift and then at 10:30 at night load the kids back in the truck and drive to Desert Ridge to pick Ian up. Ian is having his ex and her new husband over for dinner on Tuesday so the house MUST be 100% ready to show off in every room, the kids need to be scrubbed down and naps have to be timed perfectly for optimal behavior during our dinner. I have to look like a fairy tale Goddess so I will be needing a hair cut, color, and style as well as a full facial and I will be needing to find my most impressive outfit which probably will look less fashionable over a pregnant belly - but I can make it work. The dogs need to be bathed and given a stern talking to about their behavior before company gets here, I need to cook a full 3 course meal that is undeniably breathtaking... and somewhere in all of this mess I need to keep my babies happy throughout the days. After the first half of the week tears through me I'd like to rest - but wait, there's more! Don't forget my obstetrical appointment on Thursday morning, don't forget to put the dumpster out before I leave because it's already full, Ian's friend Brent is having a bachelor party on Thursday night which Ian and I still need to discuss and agree on. I need to find a dress to wear to the wedding on Saturday, figure out a wedding gift, find a babysitter or risk complete and total chaos with two babies, don't forget to feed the dogs every day, somehow manage to convince Ian to clean the dog run, remember to call mom everyday, make Lainy some tarts, make sure Ian always has clean socks, get he car out of impound and through emissions (somehow), don't forget to pay Directv or it'll be shut off, cut out more butterflies for Ambria's birthday party, design, painstakingly hand make and mail out all of her birthday invitations, schedule a day to spend time with Dad, somewhere in here Brianna needs a Birthday dinner and cake, diapers, diapers, diapers... BREATHE!

..and don't forget to shower.

The Working Man, the Learning Family

My DH, Ian, started a new job back in April as an A/V Technician for the Marriott. He absolutely loves his job and I find solace knowing that this is what he enjoys doing for a living. We get medical, dental, and vision benefits along with other great perks. I am so happy he found something he actually loves to do. More so, I'm happy he's no longer working in that cancerous sunshine all day! It's nice for him to have an actual schedule too. My only complaint is that he works undesired hours (usually from 2-10:30pm) which force him to leave the house by 12:45 in the afternoon and if he gets off work on time he usually doesn't get home until 11:30pm. It's a long day but it's a steady income and we are lucky to have it. On the bright side, it's nice to have that much time to myself to get my job done as well. On top of laundry, dishes, pets, and cooking, two babies are a non stop wrecking site in the house. Another plus is Ian will be receiving two raises this year. The extra money will hopefully be put towards a second vehicle for us and possibly our looming tower of debt.

I will be returning to school next month and I am so excited! I only have the summer plus one semester until I earn my degree. It has taken me a long time but I surely believe the cliché, "Better late than never."

The kids are also expanding their minds. I read to them every day. I wish I had done it more when Aiden was younger but he was so active and had no interest in sitting still while I read to him. Now he loves pointing at the pictures as I read and Ambria is just thrilled to be in our company so she sits happily listening. I've been reading books in my spare time as well. I have enjoyed a good book every now and then for the past several years but lately I have been looking forward to it on a much regular basis. It is my own beautiful vacation in this vacation-less world of mine.

Oh, How they grow!

I am so proud to finally be putting an update on here today. Ambria has come such a long way. I will admit I was frustrated at first since she has reached her milestones at a later age than Aiden did but I realize all children grow, learn, and develop at different rates. Ambria is now 10 months old and so far she has 4 teeth, can cruise along furniture, she drinks from sippy cups (no more bottles!!), she can say mama, dada, and kaka (kitty, kitty), she waves hi and bye, claps her hands on command, crawls like a speeding bullet, plays very well with Aiden (despite his rough-housing) and as of today, feeds herself with a spoon!!! Sure it was messy, but she did it and I only had to show her how once. I am so proud of my beautiful girl and I don't care that she is taking her time with walking, she'll do it when she's ready.

Aiden on the other hand is so big I can hardly believe my eyes! He runs, jumps, talks very well for his age, and he's already learned some of his ABC's! He can correctly identify A, B, and C 100% of the time, D is still about 50% but we are working on it and he pronounces them crystal clear! He goes upstairs and puts himself to bed when he is told, however lately he has been asking me to read him books before he'll fall asleep. He soaps up and showers on his own, helps feed Ambria, tells me when he needs to be changed, brings me diapers for Ambria, throws things away for me, and vacuums! I am so proud of my big boy! He even plays catch (althouh he's better at the throwing part). He rode a horse at his Gma's house, and he even drinks very well from a big boy cup (not the sippy) I am so blessed to have such wonderful children and I just know number three will be a blessing as well.

On the topic of growing, our dreams of a beautiful yard are coming to fruition. Our grass is slowly but surely coming in thick and green, the dog run is staying maintained, and the tree we planted is growing steadily. We decided against planting an Aprium tree because of water consumption. We instead planted an Indian Laurel since they are great for shade, fast growing, and low water needing trees. We planted it in reach of the sprinklers so it wouldn't need to be watered separate and only run the sprinklers for 1 mintue, twice a day. The grass is bermuda grass so it is also a low water consumption greenery for our yard. By this time next month the lawn should be full and green and Aiden and Ambria will be able to play for hours in the grass while I read on the patio. They love being outside.

My cookbook is also coming along nicely, I've got nearly 70 of my very own recipes in it and I'm nearly done with the designs. Publishing it will be easy since I am not looking to sell and make a profit. I am hoping to pass it out to family and friends. We'll see how it goes!