Confessions of a SAHM

New Restaurant

2012-01-27T06:50:00.001-05:00

Emeril Lagasse has a new restaurant uptown!! Click on his name, which is the link to the article from the news. Thanks Brian for letting me know about this, now you have to take me there!

Lick 'Em

2012-01-26T19:20:00.001-05:00

A while back Cragan was with Sonya and Amos and had her Lady puppy with her. Sonya said as they walked by a couple girls they were looking at Cragan's Lady. She asked Sonya why they were looking at her. Sonya told her they liked her puppy. Cragan said, "They lick 'em." Sonya told her no, they like them. Cragan informed Sonya, "No, they lick 'em." While we were at Sonya and Amos' over the weekend, Cragan attacked Bri and licked her face. I told Bri Cragan doesn't like her, she licks her!

Alex has decided if he could wear pajamas to school everyday he would like it a lot better.

So Proud

2012-01-26T08:17:00.001-05:00

Yesterday we walked up to get Bri after school. Our buddy Azalea came out before Bri did. When Bri walked up they said hello to each other. Then Azalea looked at me and told me that Brianna is the sweetest girl. Now, some people could easily make fun of Azalea and her brothers. But, not Brianna. In a world where it seems girls are getting meaner and meaner, she is so sweet and considerate of other people.

Big Wigs

2012-01-25T08:15:00.000-05:00

Siemens has been in the local news a lot lately. They expanded the plant and the governor was there for the "unveiling" of that and for the shipment of the first gas turbine ship. Today the Treasury Secretary will be there. Siemens and an employee was highlighted at the State of the Union address last night. Brian said the Secret Service was there yesterday getting everything set up.

No Effort

2012-01-24T08:01:00.002-05:00

I was talking to someone on the phone last week and we were having the moving conversation. She and her husband are thinking about moving from Harrisburg. Anyway she was asking how the kids are doing with the changes. I told her really well. I think they are making some friends who are good kids. (I always worry they will make friends who are not good for them.) She then asked how I was and I told her I was fine. Which she knows is a cover up. We talked about no having the energy to put in the effort to build relationships. I feel like I put a ton of energy/effort into my relationships in Concord and most of them have fallen apart because we are now 45 minutes away. I'm getting to know people, but don't think I will be calling them if something goes wrong or I don't see them dropping by for coffee. I just don't know if I have the energy to put in the effort to build a relationship with someone who won't care in 6 months. I will be happy with the good girlfriends who have stuck with me.

The Knot

2012-01-23T12:26:00.001-05:00

The Knot is a bridal magazine. I remember when Amos proposed to Sonya he gave her a copy. Today, I had to buy Bri a copy of The Knot. That's right, she's 11 and just received her first copy of a bridal magazine. In her Language Arts class they have to do projects on 25 books they read outside of class. Not 25 a quarter, but 25 for the year. She just read a book titled The Bridesmaid and for her project she created a collage. She cut out pictures of dresses, hair styles and flowers. And she added some scrapbooking stickers. It looks REALLY good. This is probably one of the best projects she has turned in this year.

Weekend Update

2012-01-22T19:48:00.000-05:00

We had a pretty good weekend. Friday night we were home. I had to finish up some housework and laundry. I made Banana Bread. I followed the recipe, but substituted whole wheat flour for the white flour. It was good and super easy!

Saturday we went to my mom's. We hadn't been up there since Christmas. Brian had to work, so it was just the kids and me. We saw Nana and spent some time at Momma and Daddy's. Alex and Daddy went down to the shop for a while. They built a rabbit trap. After we left there we went to Sonya and Amos' to play with Cragan for a bit. While we were there Bri talked us into going to Italian Garden for supper. She was in the mood for spaghetti. Alex and I shared a pizza. It was so good!

Sunday we were home. Brian worked again. Bri got caught up in a marathon of Toddlers and Tiaras. Oh my gosh! These people! There was a little boy who's mom spray tanned him before his pageant. These kids were drinking Red Bulls and getting tanned, they even wore fake teeth, flippers, to cover up lost teeth! Seriously?!?! I think the mom spray tanning the little boy is what got me the most. Brian would KILL me if I tanned Alex.

I just told Bri that I am in bad need of a haircut. She giggled and said she would cut it for me. I don't think I'm that desperate yet.

Flirt

2012-01-20T14:07:00.000-05:00

The morning when I was taking Bri to school I noticed she was staring at the car stopped beside us at the stop light. I asked he what she was staring at. She said, "The little boy in the car next to us. He's waving at me," I asked her if she waved back. She said no, she didn't want to freak the mom out. I told her to stop flirting with the little boy and she said, "No Momma, he's flirting with me. He started it."

Wrong!

2012-01-19T12:12:00.004-05:00

Apparently Alex got it all wrong. His composer of the month was Hungarian, not German. Here's an article I found on him:

Franz Liszt

Gangsta

2012-01-19T02:14:00.000-05:00

Not only does the boy kid want a Mohawk, he also announced this morning that he is a "gangsta." I asked him where he heard this and he said one of the big kids from the bus said it. This conversation took place in the car. Bri was with us and said she likes the suits gangsters wear, the pin stripes with the hats. Those two crack me up!

I've figured out how to embed recipes into the blog. If I mention a recipe by name, you can click on it and it will take you to the website where I found the recipe. When I look at the blog the names are in gray font. Most of the places are blogs by foodies and other moms.

At Alex's school in music class they learn about a new composer every month. He gets all excited to come home and tell me all about it and I love listening to him. Normally these conversations take place on our way to Bri's school, whether it's in the car or walking. Anyway today he came home telling me about a German composer who has a sculpture of his hands in Germany. He wanted to know if I would take him to see it. He was telling me about how the skin between his thumb and first finger allowed him to spread his fingers farther apart. I was listening, but didn't pick up on the name. He then proceeded to tell me this guy was a ladies man. Well, Alex what does it mean to be a ladies man? He told me it means that all the girls want to date him. So, the gangsta went to school and learned about a ladies man today.

Tuesday

2012-01-18T06:49:00.002-05:00

Monday night Alex and I made Baked Oatmeal and we had it for breakfast Tuesday morning. It was so good. Bri said she didn't get hungry until lunch. It always makes me feel better about what they are eating when it's halfway healthy. Alex even wanted the leftovers for snack yesterday.

Alex is trying to convince Brian to let him have a Mohawk over the summer. He wants one so bad.

YUM!

2012-01-16T13:24:00.000-05:00

The kids and I just came up with this. It would make a great snack or dessert.

2 granny smith apples cut into chunks, as big or small as you like
1/3 cup dried cranberries
1 Tbsp brown sugar
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 Tbsp. apple juice

Mix all and bake covered until as tender or firm as you like. When we took these out we added a tablespoon of vanilla yogurt and some chopped almonds.

Weekend Update

2012-01-16T07:56:00.002-05:00

Look at this beautiful sky the kids and I got to enjoy while we ate breakfast this morning! Friday after our adventure at Wal Mart we came home for pizza and movie night. We are all so tired, we needed some down time. The kids caught up on some things they had recorded on the DVR.

Saturday Brian went into work to move his office. The kids and I went to Target and Bri's new favorite store, Bath and Body Works. She could be in there all day! I think she has a mini sanitizer in every scent they have! She like to wear one on her lanyard at school. Alex needed a new book bag for school. Hence the trip to Target. He now has an orange and grey one. Hopefully it will last him the rest of the year and next year too. For supper we had burgers. I have been craving a big messy burger for a couple weeks.

Sunday we went to church and then made a Wal Mart run. I had forgotten a couple things Friday and we needed them to start the school week. The afternoon was spent in comfy pants reading books and watching TV.

Alex made this guy with his Tinker Toys Saturday morning. He is so stinkin creative and has an outrageous imagination!

Big Bang Theory

2012-01-15T12:45:00.001-05:00

Found Purse

2012-01-14T10:53:00.003-05:00

Yesterday afternoon after I picked up the kids we went to Wal Mart to buy groceries. I've really gotten used to buying groceries alone without anyone tagging along. So, when they are with me it normally takes a little longer and is a little more taxing for me. I've got to make sure they are separated and tell them to stop asking of things. When we went out to the truck to load everything up we found a buggy with a purse in it. I told Bri to get out of the truck and get the purse to make sure no one else ran away with it. She looked in the top of the bag and told me there was a prescription inside. I told her to see if there was a phone number on the prescription slip. She said there were two, so we got out my phone and called the first number. As I was leaving a message a man answered and said he was the husband of the purse owner. I told him I was going to leave the purse at the customer service desk. So, after we loaded all the groceries into the truck we left the purse with a nice lady at the desk. I told her we had called the phone number on the prescription and told the lady's husband where the purse would be.

The lady just called me this morning to say she would like to have our address so she could send us a reward for turning her purse in. I told her no thanks that teaching my kids to do the right thing was reward enough. I don't think we should be rewarded for doing the right thing, we should just do it.

Busy

2012-01-13T07:17:00.002-05:00

A busy week has lead to a busy day. I will update you more later today. But, I do want to ask for prayers for Kaylee Davis. You all know that the Davis' are family and Kaylee is in the hospital. Not really sure what's going on yet, but I am headed up there in a bit to check on them.

Camouflage

2012-01-12T08:04:00.001-05:00

We are loving this song!!

Finally!

2012-01-11T13:38:00.001-05:00

After being sick for 2 months, I'm finally starting to feel better. I started getting sick with a sinus infection at Halloween, felt better for a while at Thanksgiving and right before Christmas I got a nasty cough that's still lingering around. Thankfully though this week my energy is back. Monday I cleaned downstairs like a mad woman and today I tackled the playroom. I haven't done a thing in the playroom since we moved in. There were still boxes of toys in there! Anyway, it's clean now and the boxes are ready for the recycling man to take them away tomorrow.

Blessed

2012-01-11T10:06:00.003-05:00

At WW yesterday a couple of the women were talking about how their husbands are very unsupportive. They said their husbands try to sabotage them. I thought how thankful and blessed I am that Brian and the kids don't do this. All three are very supportive and eat whatever is in the house and not fuss about it.

Changes

2012-01-09T20:46:00.002-05:00

Well...some changes are happening around here. Not as big as the move, but changes nonetheless. Brian has started working on getting his Masters Degree and he took a supervisor position at Siemens. At least he gave us a nice break before going back to school. AND, this time he's not going to school. He's doing distance ed classes, so everything is on the computer.

Weekend Update

2012-01-08T18:06:00.000-05:00

Nothing exciting this weekend. Friday night Bri went to Middle School Madness at her school. She wanted to go play Laser Tag. They have dancing, dodgeball and basketball. This was the first time they have offered Laser Tag. She said it wasn't all that. While she was gone I finished up laundry. Exciting Friday night, right?!

Saturday we got ready and went to uptown Charlotte. I really just wanted to explore and see what we could find. We started our day with lunch at Rock Bottom. I was excited to get chicken tacos, but they weren't on the menu. Come to find out they are a seasonal item, but I sweet talked the waiter and he asked the chef if they could make some anyway. They had fish and steak tacos on the menu, but I had my heart set on chicken.

In every picture the boy made some silly face, except one.

Bri enjoyed our time Uptown.

I have no words!

My boys!

Outside of Imaginon.

Sunday we were home in pajamas. It was a much needed dilly dally day. We slept late and then watched TV all day.

Fair Day

2012-01-05T21:17:00.002-05:00

Tonight Bri and I were working on the menu for the week. I buy groceries on Friday mornings after I drop her off and she normally helps me make the menu. Anyway, I asked her if she had any suggestions for the last day and she said, "Yeah corn dogs and lemonade. You know, fair food." So I thought, okay. She said, "I love a good fair. We can have corn dogs, you can make some lemonade. It will be just like the fair without the rides. We missed out on the fair in September, so you kinda owe us." Needless to say, we are having corn dogs for supper one night so she can get her fair food fix. She won't be getting a funnel cake, but can get her corn dog.

Kids

2012-01-04T21:51:00.000-05:00

I went to eat lunch with both kids today. It was such fun. I picked up Chick Fil A and surprised them both.

It was a good thing too. Alex was having a rough morning. Said he got upset that he was afraid he was going to get in trouble for his drawing. I think he was just overly tired. When I went to wake him up this morning he was on the bottom bunk, but that's not where he went to sleep. He woke up early Tuesday morning with a nightmare. He had a dream that Richie shot him and turned him into a sleigh and he couldn't talk. He woke up at 3:30 screaming my name. Said he had to make sure his voice was working.

Bri is doing so much better at school. Today was the first time I have eaten lunch with her in about 2 months. She didn't ask or need me to come. I just showed up with lunch.

Mohawk!

2012-01-03T15:56:00.001-05:00

Alex got this hat for Christmas. He has always wanted a Mohawk. Now he has one!

Fun

2012-01-02T21:19:00.001-05:00

This is what Brian does for fun?!?! Only Brian will say, "Math is a beautiful thing."

Weekend Update

2012-01-02T07:49:00.004-05:00

Not much to write about today. Friday was spent running errands. Brian took the truck to be inspected and to get the tag renewed. I had to buy groceries at both Wal Mart and BJ's.

Saturday Bri and I went shopping for a couple hours. Alex stayed home with Brian. He didn't get out of his pajamas all day. For New Years Eve we made some appetizers and just hung around home. We were all asleep well before midnight.

Sunday after church we went to Big Lots in a SKETCHY part of town and picked up my antibiotic. I still am not better and need to get this knocked out. I'm tired of not feeling well and being tired. I had to lay down after church yesterday, it wore me out.

The kids go back to school today. Brian is off work, so we are going to try to get the house back in order. We took he tree down yesterday and got all that put away. When we got home from Momma's on Christmas everything landed in mine and Brian's bedroom. It's cluttered up and getting cleaned today. Alex's dresser needs to be cleaned out and I need to find a consignment shop to get rid of some of this stuff!

Creations

2011-12-30T01:04:00.000-05:00

Santa brought Alex Tinker Toys for Christmas. He and Brian have had a great time making different things. Here are some of their creations:

Car, complete with side view mirrors.

Little chicken.

Alex said this was a big daddy chicken.

Alex's Birthday

2011-12-29T10:51:00.001-05:00

Alex's birthday was Tuesday and he turned 6! My baby is 6! How did that happen?!? Here are some pictures we snapped of him on his big day:

Birthday pancakes!

Horse cake. Who is surprised?

Alex and Parker eating pizza.

Helping Brian put his desk chair together.

Brian and his helpers.

The finished product. Yep it's a bungee cord chair.

Weekend Update

2011-12-27T07:05:00.000-05:00

Yeah, it's a little late, but at least you are getting it. I needed to download some pictures from Brian's camera before I sat down to write this. I'm going to include some pictures and recipes from our holiday baking, so it could get a little long.

Friday we were home baking. I didn't want to save everything until Saturday and feel rushed. So, we got most things done on Friday. Here's a list of what we made: Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Dip, Lemon-Lime Sugar Cookie Truffles, Holly Jollies, Amazing Cookies, Granola Bars, Nutella Puppy Chow, and Peppermint Bark. To make the bark I just melted a bag of semi sweet chocolate chips and poured onto a wax paper lined cookie sheet. Pop into the freezer while you melt a bag of white chocolate chips. While the chips are melting crush 8 candy canes or you can use peppermint candies. Pour the white chocolate on top of the semi sweet and press the crushed candy canes into the chocolate. Keep in the fridge. Break off pieces to serve. After all that and the cleaning that went along with all that we went to the Billy Graham Library. We had such a good time! They had a ton of Christmas activities, including a live nativity and carriage rides.

The library. The door you walk into is a cross.

Alex and I in front of the nativity.

Wreath on the silo.

The nativity. Alex was all about the animals.

Story time.

Camel in the nativity.

Brian and Bri on the carriage ride.

Check out that fridge!

Alex and I snuggling. It was so cold waiting in line.

Saturday we were home cleaning and finishing up our baking. In the afternoon we met up with the Davis girls in the University area at Starbucks. They invited us to their church's Christmas Eve service. Alex got to have a coffee date with his Maranda before church. He was a happy camper!

Sunday was Christmas. The kids were so excited to see what Santa brought, it was hard for them to go to sleep Saturday night. After playing with Santa gifts we headed to my mom's. Christmas seemed super rushed this year, more than last. It was a good day though. The kids enjoyed themselves. After coughing and not sleeping well for several days, I was tired.

For the new year, I've learned how to blog from my phone. There have been times when I wished there was an app for that and now there is. I've also learned how to post links to recipes the easy way! Now if I can figure out how to upload pictures easily we will be in good shape.

Charlie Brown Christmas

2011-12-24T23:19:00.000-05:00

For Lexi

2011-12-22T21:53:00.000-05:00

Bri made this video for her friend Lexi who wants to learn how to knit.

Favorite Song

2011-12-22T06:11:00.001-05:00

Bri asked me this week what my favorite Christmas song is and I told her this:

And this is her favorite:

I think it's her favorite because it's on the Target commercials! So what's your favorite Christmas song?

Silly kids

2011-12-21T07:37:00.001-05:00

The kids have been cracking me up this week!

Monday Brian and the kids were downstairs and I was upstairs folding clothes. I got a text from Brian asking me to bring some Cortisone for Alex. I went downstairs to put the Cortisone on him and asked him where he was itching. He pointed to the inside of his elbows and said to rub some in the gutter. The gutter? Alex looked at me straight faced and said, "Yeah the gutter." And he pointed to the bend of his knee.

Same night Bri was watching Are You Smarter than a Fifth Grader? (Which she says she is not.) I was putting laundry in the dryer and she came running into the kitchen and said, "Momma listen to this question they just asked: What bird has the smallest feces?"

Me: "WHAT?!?!"

Bri: "What bird has the smallest feces?"

Me: "Species, Bri. What bird is the smallest species? NOT FECES!"

Poor Baby

2011-12-20T18:11:00.001-05:00

Alex just came into the bedroom holding a big ice pack against his chest. When I asked him what he had he told me what it was. Why did the boy need an ice pack? He twisted his neck when he was doing a karate move.

Guess what...

2011-12-19T16:24:00.001-05:00

Is in the box?

Weekend Update

2011-12-19T07:41:00.001-05:00

We had a VERY good weekend. Friday Brian was home so he and I finished up the kids Christmas. I feel like a weight has been lifted from my shoulders. Brian had a quick meeting at work from 12-1, so I cleaned the upstairs while he was gone. After his meeting he wanted to run out to SouthPark, so we checked the kids out of school early and away we went. Neither kid knew we were going to get them early, so it was a nice surprise.

Saturday, we didn't do much at all. We had to go pick up a Christmas gift and make a Target run. We didn't even get out of pajamas until 1. I got a phone call that our friend Sherry's son was in ICU at CMC. The last update i heard was that he is making improvements. Please, keep this family in your prayers.

Sunday we actually went to church. It's hard to get back into the habit of going once you get out of the habit. After church we came home and again did nothing. Brian go caught up on some training he has to do for work. The kids played. I read. It was a relaxing Sunday afternoon.

I've got so much I want to do this week before Christmas. I want us to go to the Billy Graham Library. They have a live nativity and some other Christmas activities. I also want to go walk around Uptown Charlotte. Not to do anything specific, just walk around and see what we can find.

A couple weeks ago Bri asked me if I could get her a pomegranate to try. I got her one Friday. We cut it open and got the seeds or whatever it is you beat out of them. The kids really liked it. I thought it would be good with something sweet. I put some on top of WW vanilla yogurt. The WW vanilla is sweet by itself, so the pomegranates went GREAT with it.

Date Days

2011-12-16T21:16:00.002-05:00

Sorry I've been MIA since Wednesday. Brian took 2 days off work and we have been Christmas shopping. It has been so nice spending some MUCH needed time with him. We didn't even have to get someone to keep the kids! We got all of the shopping for the kids done. All I have left are gift cards and some odds and ends. The house is a wreck and the Christmas cards aren't finished, but who cares!

The Big Bang Theory - Penny's Christmas gift to Sheldon

2011-12-14T18:28:00.000-05:00

Not a Juvenile

2011-12-14T09:35:00.001-05:00

Last night Bri, Brian and I were laying on the bed watching TV when her school called for the second time. I don't know why they can't condense all those messages into one. Anyway, the second call was about curfews that CMPD has set for kids and some changes they have made. Bri heard the word juvenile and when I hung up the phone she said that she wasn't a juvenile. I told her she was. That juvenile is the word for kids. She said she thought juvenile meant a bad kid. I guess so, because the only time she has heard the word juvenile is when we are talking about juvenile delinquents and juvenile detention.

This morning Bri came into my room before she got ready for school and asked if we could leave for school at 8:30. I asked why and she said that yesterday there were not any good seats left in homeroom. What constitutes a good seat? One with the girls. Apparently in 6th grade we don't sit with the boys unless we HAVE to. That makes this Momma VERY happy! I'm glad we don't want to have anything to do with boys right now. I'm not ready for boy drama and I'm sure this house is either!

Richie

2011-12-13T15:21:00.001-05:00

We have a new family member...Richie the elf. My mom bought this elf ornament Friday night. Alex named him and put him in the tree. At night he flies to the North Pole to tell Santa if we were good that day. In the mornings he's in a different spot on the tree. When we had Cragan over the weekend, she and Alex would tattle on each other to Richie, not me! It's great! So welcome to the family Richie!

Weekend Update

2011-12-12T10:31:00.002-05:00

We had a busy but good weekend. Friday afternoon I went to Alex's class to help them decorate Christmas trees. They covered ice cream cones with green icing and then decorated with M&Ms and marshmallows. Then they got to eat them. Talk about some wired/sugared up kids!

Very serious about his decorating.

Working hard.

Alex's face after eating his tree.

After school my parents came down for a visit. My mom has always wanted to go to Peppermint Forest, but never had the time. Since we live a little closer now, it was a little easier. The boys stayed home while us girls headed to Pineville. We had a good time looking at the ornaments and decorations. Bri found a mini pickle that Mawmaw bought for her. Oh my! The mini pickle now resides beside the big pickle on the tree. I did find an odd ornament while we were there.

Why?!?!

Saturday Sonya and Amos brought Cragan down to spend the night. They needed a break from her and she needed a break from them. It's always so fun when she is here. She is a little ball of energy! Plus, she's just so stinking cute! Brianna had a cupcake decorating class at SAS, so us girls headed there. While Brian and Alex ran to Wal Mart real quick. Cragan waited patiently while Bri decorated her cupcakes and kept saying she wanted Bri to share. Of course she did! After the class we had another errand to run. While we were in Rivergate Shopping Center the kids got to talk to Santa. Santa wasn't alone either, Mrs Claus was with him. Alex and Cragan were so excited!

Waiting and playing with Seppy's pocketbook.

Learning how to make stars.

The finished product.

Sunday, Alex had a birthday party to go to. His friend Parker had a bowling party. He had a great time. There were a couple other kids from his class there. I don't know how much fun the kids had bowling, but there was tons of fun in the playing between turns. It was also a good chance for me to get to know some of the moms from his class. I figured out that I can't deal with people who complain constantly and are spewing negativity. I almost lost my temper and told someone to just go. I was very relieved when they walked away.

I made granola bars Friday morning. I used slivered almonds and cranberries, because it's what I had in the pantry. They were so good! I'm going to buy more almonds this week to make more. So good and nice to have for a quick snack.

Rootin' Tootin' Santa

2011-12-10T14:10:00.001-05:00

Alex heard this song on a movie he was watching and thought it was hilarious.

DUH!

2011-12-09T06:19:00.000-05:00

Women charged after shopping for meth supplies at Wal-Mart

Ellie and George

2011-12-08T08:18:00.001-05:00

Alex and I have always had some pretty good conversations in the car. Since Brian is taking him to school now he is getting to experience these conversations. Brian just called and told me about their conversation this morning.

Alex, "When is Christmas over?"
Brian, "Christmas is December 25th."
Alex, "NO, when is it over?"
Brian, "We celebrate Christmas every year on December 25th. When you get older and have kids you can celebrate Christmas with them."
Alex, "I already know what I'm going to name my kids and where we are going to live."
Brian asked him what their names were going to be.
Alex, "My kids are going to be Ellie and George. And we are going to live on a farm with barns and stuff. Of course, this is after I go to cowboy college."

At least he has a dream and is sticking with it!

Chicken N Dumps

2011-12-07T20:02:00.001-05:00

I LOVE chicken and dumplings! They are my favorite comfort food. I look forward to Thanksgiving and Christmas because Nana makes the best chicken and dumps. I've asked Nana how she makes them and it's always, "Some flour, some oil and some cold water." I have tried and tried, but couldn't for the life of me figure it out. A couple weeks ago, I found an actual recipe! I made them tonight and oh my goodness! I could have eaten the whole pot!!!

Chicken and Dumplings

Chicken and Broth
3 quarts water
1 3-4 pound chicken cut up
1 1/2 tsp. salt
1 small onion, sliced
2 stalks celery, chopped
1 clove garlic, peeled and quartered
1 bay leaf
4-6 whole parsley leaves
1 tsp. coarsely ground black pepper
1 Tbsp. lemon juice

Dumplings
2 cups all purpose flour
1 Tbsp. baking powder
1 1/4 tsp. salt
1 cup plus 2 Tbsp. milk

Bring the water to a boil in a large pot. Add the chicken, 1 tsp salt, onion, celery, garlic, bay leaf and parsley to the pot. Reduce the heat to simmer and cook the chicken, uncovered, for 2 hours. The liquid will reduce by about one third.

When the chicken has cooked, remove it from the pot and set it aside. Strain the stock to remove all the vegetables and floating scum. You only want the stock and the chicken, so toss everything else out.

Pour 1 1/2 quarts of the stock back into the pot. Add the pepper, the remaining 1/2 tsp salt and the lemon juice the reheat the stock over medium heat while preparing the dumplings.

For dumplings, combine the flour, baking powder, 1 1/4 tsp salt, and milk in a medium bowl. Still until smooth, then let the dough rest for 5-10 minutes. Roll the dough out onto a floured surface to about 1/2 inch thickness.

Cut the dough into 1/2 inch squares and drop each square into the simmering stock. Use all of the dough. The dumplings will first swell and then slowly shrink as they partially dissolve to thicken the stock into a white gravy. Simmer for 20-30 minutes until thick. Stir often.

While the stock is thickening, the chicken will have become cool enough to handle. Tear all the meat from the bones and remove the skin. Cut the chicken meat into bite-size pieces. Discard the skin and bones. Continue to simmer the chicken and dumplings for another 5-10 minutes.

When the gravy has reached the desired consistency, serve.

I didn't roll the dough out. I just dropped them into the stock using two spoons.

80s Day

2011-12-07T09:23:00.001-05:00

Bri has "Flashback Day" today at school. So, her pants are tight rolled and her collar is up. She also has a side ponytail. She kept asking me what I wore in the oldie days.

I've GOT to start working on my Christmas cards and shopping. I've bought one thing and know what I am getting two other people. That's it! I wanted to be so much farther along by now. I just got the supplies for my cards Monday, so I will probably start on those today.

Alex wanted some coffee this morning. I made him a little and he thought he was big drinking coffee with his breakfast.

I'm going to attempt to make Chicken and Dumplins for supper tonight. Chicken and Dumplins is truly a comfort food for me. I found a recipe, so I'm going to try it out.

Weekend Update

2011-12-05T10:15:00.001-05:00

We had a really good weekend. Friday night Bri had a dance at the school that she had worked very hard to earn. While she was at school, Alex and I popped some pop corn and snuggled on the couch to watch a movie.

Saturday was super busy! We took Alex to see Santa at Siemens. Bri said she didn't want to talk to Santa. I guess that means she is growing up. She won't come out and say it, but I don't think she believes in Santa anymore. The motto in my family is, "If you don't believe, you don't receive." After our quick visit with Santa we headed to the South Park area to see The Muppets movie. Siemens had an event for their customers and opened up some tickets to their employees in the Charlotte plant. It was so fun and the movie was good too. When we left Alex was hopped up on sugar and could hardly sit still. When we left we went to South Park Mall to toddle around for a bit. When we were in Crate and Barrel, Bri found a pickle ornament. She was so excited and wanted it, but there was NO way I was paying $6 for a pickle! I told her we would keep looking. I also told her there is a tradition in Germany where the parents hide a pickle ornament on the Christmas tree on Christmas Eve and the first child to find it on Christmas morning gets an extra present.

Sunday four of our favorite people came to visit! The Davis girls came down! Before they got here, Bri and I ran to Target for some things. We found her a pickle ornament! She was so excited!

Bri with her pickle ornament.

The pickle is on the tree!

Alex with his "horse" Maranda.

100 kisses for Maranda.

I just watched the movie The Heart of Christmas on GMC. If you get that channel, get your tissues and watch this movie!

Christmas Tree 2011

2011-12-02T06:41:00.000-05:00

Alex playing in the tree box.

Bri decorating. Yes, she had on shorts.

Alex's job was to give Bri the ornaments to put on the tree.

The finished product!

Asking for Prayers

2011-12-01T20:36:00.001-05:00

I am rallying my prayer warriors today. As most of you know Becca Davis has severely injured her back. She has been in constant pain for over a year. Tomorrow (Friday) she has an appointment with a new doctor at Levine Children's Hospital. The pain has gotten so bad that this week, it hurts her to walk. I'm asking you to join me in prayer tomorrow for pain relief for Becca, some piece of mind for Robin, Maranda and Kaylee. These girls have truly become our family and will NEVER know how much they mean to us.

Lord, please guide the doctor's hands tomorrow. Please show them how to heal Becca and give her pain relief. You are the ultimate physician and you can heal this child. Please give Robin some piece of mind as they try yet another doctor. If this isn't the doctor for them, please send the doctor who is and can help Becca. Thank you Lord for this family. In Jesus name, Amen.

Bruce and Shaggy

2011-12-01T07:24:00.001-05:00

We were downstairs making breakfast and Alex said his legs were itching. I told him he probably needed some lotion on his lily white legs. He said, "They are not lily white. They are Bruce and Shaggy."

McDowell Nature Preserve

2011-12-01T06:30:00.000-05:00

Still can't get used to his toothless smile. And why are his pockets always hanging out of his pants?!

Bri telling Alex where we are on the map.

Why?

2011-11-30T20:24:00.001-05:00

Tuesday after my Weight Watchers meeting I was talking to a couple of the other ladies. Michele, our leader, came around the corner with someone who wanted to know about the meetings. She asked me to talk to her, so I did. Michele went beck to close out the registers and get ready to close up the building. She came back to join us and asked us regular attenders to tell her why we came into WW the first time. I've always said that it's because I wasn't being a good mom to the kids. I couldn't play with them like I wanted to. That's what I've always thought too. Until Wednesday. I was watching Biggest Loser and it was makeover week. When one of the ladies got her makeover she looked at herself and said, "I finally feel pretty." It hit me, like a ton of bricks. I keep going to WW, counting my points, and keep going because I want to feel pretty.

Pow Wow

2011-11-30T06:20:00.000-05:00

Tuesday before Thanksgiving the Kindergarten classes had a Pow-Wow. Two other moms and I volunteered to help his class. We helped the kids make handprint turkeys on ceramic tiles. Actually I washed paint off hands the whole time. But, we took turns hanging out with our kids.

Making a pattern necklace in Mrs. Nero's class.

I wonder if he colors better when he sticks his tongue out?

Sassy Miss Ella!

Alex was copying everything Brian was doing one night. Totally cracked me up!

2011-11-29T14:54:00.001-05:00

Source: facebook.com via Joy on Pinterest

Awards Ceremony

2011-11-29T06:11:00.000-05:00

Brian fixed the hard drive problem, so this week I am going to post all the pictures I'm behind on.

Marching around the blacktop for the ceremony.

Dancing.

Patiently waiting for their turns.

Alex is almost as tall as his teacher.

With Kimora.

Dancing with the girls. No one is surprised.

Trying to get the class to make a train.

Weekend Update

2011-11-28T03:35:00.000-05:00

I don't think I've posted two weekend updates back to back before. Last week was busy, busy. I volunteered in Alex's class Tuesday and then we were getting ready for Thanksgiving. I have a ton of pictures to share this week, so be on the lookout for those.

Thursday we went up to my mom's for lunch. I have to say, it was truly nice. On the way up Alex was in the backseat talking to Bri about Heaven. He said when he dies he wants to go to Heaven to see Jesus and God. After lunch some of us sat around the table laughing and talking. We even had a visit from Adrienne, who was home from Liberty. We laughed so much!

Friday, Brian had to work the whole weekend. So, I took the kids to a park near the house. They had a nice waterfront area along the lake. We walked and the kids played with the leaves. I'm so glad I didn't need to go shopping for anything other than groceries. When we got home and got the groceries put away the kids played outside on their scooters and bikes.

Saturday I finished up laundry and we got the Christmas tree put up. The kids decorated it by themselves! With NO ARGUING! The tree looks great! Bri and I have plans to make a couple more ornaments and of course I will probably pick up a few new ornaments. It seems like we get a couple new ones every year.

Sunday we were home. We didn't do anything but lay around and watch movies. The kids played outside before the rain started. Brian did get to come home for lunch and a quick nap. He likes living close enough to run home for a bit.

Weekend Update

2011-11-21T09:31:00.001-05:00

We had a really good weekend. We spent a lot of time together, which was nice since Brian has to work next weekend. Friday afternoon I went to Alex's awards ceremony. He got an award for good behavior! Good behavior people! Who would have thought the boy I worried about not behaving in school would get a good behavior award. I have some pictures to share later, the hard drive isn't cooperating right now.

Saturday Bri and I went to sign her up for a cupcake decorating class. She is so excited to take the class and learn how to decorate cupcakes. After we left SAS we went home to get the boys and went to Carolina Place Mall in Pineville. Bri had started reading a book at Books A Million Friday night when we were in there. She finished it Saturday at Barnes and Noble. For supper we tried a Mexican restaurant Alex's teacher told me about. It was good, not what we were used to at Casa Grande, but good.

Sunday Bri and I headed to Old Navy, they had a 75% off sweater sale! I got one Christmas gift, and picked up something for Bri and myself. Then we were just home reading, watching the race, and the kids did homework.

This morning Alex was talking about Pilgrims and Indians and what they ate at the first Thanksgiving. He said he bet they had turkey and macaroni and cheese. I told him they didn't have macaroni and cheese. He said he is sad for them, for not having macaroni and cheese.

Recipe

2011-11-18T07:52:00.001-05:00

I forgot to include this recipe in my last post.

Hawaiian BBQ Chicken

4-6 chicken breasts
1 jar Hawaiian BBQ sauce from Target (I couldn't find this at Wal Mart. It's the Archer Farms brand.)
1 can crushed pineapple

Throw it all in the crock pot and cook on low for 4-6 hours.

I couldn't taste the pineapple. The BBQ sauce has some spice to it, the pineapple adds some sweetness.

Pow-Wow

2011-11-18T06:39:00.001-05:00

Alex's class is having a Pow-Wow on Tuesday. I was in the class yesterday cutting paper bags to make Indian vests and feathers for decoration. They will decorate their vests on Monday. Then on Tuesday they are going to go to different classes for stations where they will paint and who knows what else.

When I was having lunch with the class yesterday I heard someone talking louder than everyone else. I looked over to see a school staff member eating lunch and he was calling some kids down. Every time I see him though, I think of the grumpy old troll from Dora.

Toothless Wonder

2011-11-16T09:08:00.001-05:00

Alex lost his tooth last night! Literally! He was brushing his teeth when it came out, so it went down the drain. We had to write a note to the tooth fairy telling her what happened. He told her he was sorry he lost it. He put the note under his pillow. She came anyway and left him $5. The first tooth is special so it's worth more.

Creepy

2011-11-15T07:06:00.001-05:00

The creepy quote of the day:

"I enjoy young people." Jerry Sandusky when being asked if he is a pedophile. He claimed his innocence last night in an interview with Bob Costas.

Whew!

2011-11-14T18:36:00.001-05:00

I got so, so much accomplished today. The entire downstairs is clean! I even got the boxes that were in the living room unpacked! I mean, not just clean, but Brian thought people were coming over clean.

Now, I have a confession to make. My name is Stephanie and I have an addiction to Pinterest.com. I look at it several times a day. I've gotten a couple recipes from there and some cute outfit ideas, which may not be to good for our budget.

Weekend Update

2011-11-13T19:35:00.001-05:00

Friday night we were home. Bri had some homework to start and wanted to make some goodies for Saturday. Alex helped me cook supper. We made a chicken pie. He said his favorite part was shredding the chicken. Doesn't he look so serious? He had been asking for corn on the cob since he found out he had a loose tooth, so I finally fixed that Friday night. His tooth is almost ready to come out, should be sometime this week.

Saturday we went to Momma and Daddy's for a cookout. His birthday was Sunday, so we all got together up there. It was fun playing with the kids. Cragan found a crown in the room they were playing in. She came to tell me she was a "pincess." Alex conned Amos into trying to pull his tooth, it's not quite ready yet though. There is just a little place in the front that hasn't let go yet.

Sunday we had one quick errand to run after church. Bri needed an erasable pen for English class. We just relaxed, worked on homework, and the kids watched a movie they got from the library.

Here are some recipes we made this weekend:

Sonic Cherry Limeade (Alex loves this stuff and we go get one every now and again when they have their Happy Hour or half priced drinks)

1 can frozen Limeade concentrate
Sprite
Marachino cherries
Lime wedges
Mix all together and enjoy!

One of our favorite places to eat here is Jim N Nicks BBQ. When you are seated you get a basket of cheese biscuits. I found a recipe for a version to make at home. Brian said it wasn't sweet enough, but we ate them anyway.

Better Than Jim N Nicks Cheesy Biscuits
www.plainchicken.com

1 1/2 cups Bisquick
3/4 cup buttermilk
3 Tbsp. sugar
1/4 tsp vanilla
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Preheat oven to 425. Stir together all ingredients until combined. Scoop into a mini muffin pan coated with Pam. Bake 12-15 minutes until golden.

With Bri wanting to start baking, I wanted to start her out easy, so here are two recipes she made herself Friday night.

Cookies and Creme Bark
www.bakersroyale.com

10 oz white chocolate chips
15 regular size Oreo cookies, plus 3 more for topping

Melt chocolate and let cool for 3-5 minutes. Add 15 chopped Oreos and stir to combine. Pour mixture into a wax paper lined pan. Use a spatula to smooth the top. Finely chop remaining Oreos and sprinkle on top. Chill for at least 10 minutes until chocolate becomes solid. Split bark into pieces with a fork.

I used to store brand of Oreos, not the name brand.

Peanut Butter Balls
www.southernplate.com

2 cups honey or corn syrup
3 cups creamy peanut butter
5 cups dry milk powder
6 cups quick oats

Mix all together with a hand mixer. Form into balls and freeze on waxed paper lined cookie sheets until hard. Store in freezer in ziploc bags.

We liked these better frozen, although it's harder for the kid with a loose tooth and a kid with braces to eat. They are yummy though!

I think that's it. Can you tell I felt better this weekend?

2011-11-13T08:16:00.001-05:00

Source: obscureinternet.com via LeeAnn on Pinterest

Teeth

2011-11-11T17:41:00.001-05:00

Alex just asked me what the Tooth Fairy does with people's teeth when she picks them up. I told him I didn't know. He said, "I bet she takes them to Santa. Then, Santa gives them to Jesus. Jesus puts them in a big jar on a very high shelf." So that explains it people, now you know.

Thankful Book

2011-11-10T13:26:00.001-05:00

I just got home from volunteering in Alex's class. For Writer's Workshop they are finishing up their "I Am Thankful" books. The book has about 4-5 pages in it and on each page they have to write what they are thankful for and why.

The Foo Fighters!

2011-11-09T07:01:00.001-05:00

Last night Robin and I met uptown to go see the Foo Fighters! We were so EXCITED! We've been planning on when we could go see them for several years. At one time we were even looking to go to Tennessee, because Charlotte wasn't on the tour schedule. If you don't know who the Foo Fighters are, it's a rock band, a loud rock band. We had the best time! I liked watching the crowds too. There was a lady in a red shirt in one of the suites who jump danced the entire time. I bet she burned 2000 calories! The crowd was a mixed bag of people, people in suits, young, old, bikers, a good sampling of people. Robin even had a drunk guy tell her she was cute, this was after she tried to figure out how to get on the stage. He was creepy and we thought we were going to have to have security come ask him to leave. When a band has been around for 16 years, they have a big catalog of songs. Normally when you go to a concert you only hear stuff from their new album, but they sang old and new stuff. This morning, I'm tired and my ears are still ringing, but I would do it all over again. Maybe I would want to be over this sinus/ear crap first, but I would do it again.

Here's one of my favorite songs from last night:

Fail!

2011-11-08T06:36:00.002-05:00

Last night I made brussel sprouts. They didn't go over to well with Brian and the kids. I sauted some pancetta, which is an unsmoked bacon, and garlic. Then threw in shredded brussel sprouts. I liked them, but no one else did. When Brian walked in from work Alex said, "Warning, do not eat the brussel sprouts. They are nasty." I may try to get them to try them one more time by roasting them.

This time change has got Alex all messed up. He was awake and dressed at 5:50 this morning. Hopefully by the end of the week he will be adjusted.

Weekend Update

2011-11-07T03:48:00.000-05:00

Friday night we were at home. Bri was supposed to go to a dance at school, but she really had not earned it. She said for 2 days that she didn't have homework, but has 2 projects and a paper due on Monday. She hadn't started any of them. She has also been just plain mean to Alex and disrespectful to me. She has a semi-formal homecoming dance in December that hopefully she will be able to go to.

Saturday morning we were home. Alex got hit in the face and came running down the stairs crying for me. So, he and I snuggled on the couch and I asked him if he wanted an ice pack. Normally an ice pack is the cure for most of his bruises, scrapes, whatever. He looked at me, still crying and said, "No, but I would like a popsicle. I think popsicles are the cure for everything. Momma we should make a commercial for TV about popsicles curing everything." I have to say, I like his logic. After we got ready we ran a couple errands. I'm still running a low grade fever, so by the time I got ready I was ready to go back to bed.

Sunday we were home again. I'm still just not feeling good at all. I woke up feeling better than I have the last few days, but not 100%. Then, as is becoming normal, my fever was up about 3:30. I am SO TIRED of not feeling good and laying around. Anyway, I decided to use Sunday as a tootle around on the computer day. I may have found a new obsession, Pintrest.com. I am just learning how to use it and sent an email requesting an invitation. I will update you more as I learn how to use it! The time change messed with us all day. The kids were ready to eat lunch at 10:30. I told them they had to wait a bit. I thought it was later than it actually was all day. I wish whoever made the time change decision would pick and leave it alone! Alex was being sassy to me and asked me something and I told him to have a holly jolly day. I thought Bri was going to pee her pants laughing. She asked me where that came from and I told her I had no idea.

Bri informed me this weekend that she would like to try her hand at baking!! I'm so excited. I want to try baking, but it scares me for some reason. I guess it's because everything has to be measured and you can't deviate from the recipe to much. That's why I like cooking, you can add some of this and not some of that. The people at Siemens may be loving Brian or hating him soon, because we will be sending our endeavors to work with him.

Corn

2011-11-04T07:52:00.001-04:00

Alex was just sitting in bed with me wiggling his loose tooth. I explained to him his baby teeth have to come out to make room for his grown up teeth. He started looking at my teeth and saying how big they are compare to his. Then he asked me if I would make some corn on the cob so he can eat it and his tooth will come out.

Today is Jean Day at his school. It costs them $1. I told him this morning that I put his dollar in his binder. To make sure his teacher gets it. He got all mad because he said he wants to buy ice cream with his dollar, not wear jeans. I told him, it's not his dollar, it came from my purse. That made him feel better about the situation. He didn't want to spend his dollar on jeans, but will spend mine.

Sick

2011-11-03T17:12:00.003-04:00

This has been the House of the Sickies this week. I made Brian go to the Minute Clinic this morning. He has been complaining of his throat hurting and when I looked at it last night he has blisters on his throat. His strep test was negative, and the PA said it was a virus. I almost would have rather it been strep so she could have given him something. Sorry for very little blogging. Hopefully next week will be much better.

Pictures, Pictures, and More Pictures

2011-11-02T10:13:00.000-04:00

Pictures from Halloween and the Kindergarten field trip to Black's Peaches.

Guess who?

"Give me your candy."

Cleopatra

Brian protecting us while Trick or Treating.

Farmer Alex

My buddy Kayla always has a hug for me.

Alex said he was the third little pig.

The poster says, "The average ear of corn has 800 kernels."

Alex was a little afraid of the horse and wouldn't get to close.

Weekend Update

2011-10-30T20:55:00.001-04:00

I am so, so ready for everyone in this house to get better! Friday the kids were out of school so we bought groceries, washed laundry and cleaned the house. It was a much needed day off for them.

Saturday I woke up not feeling well, so I pretty much laid around the house all day. Brian looked at the truck. My tire pressure light has been on for a couple weeks, so he checked it out.

Sunday we went to church. Toward the end of the service Brian started not feeling well. By the time we got home he went to bed. He took a nap and woke up feeling better. Alex was sitting on my lap talking to me Sunday afternoon and I noticed that one of his bottom teeth wasn't sitting right. So, I asked him to open his mouth and... HE HAS HIS FIRST LOOSE TOOTH! He seems a little freaked out by it. Either he's freaked out or just doesn't care. Maybe since it's his first, he doesn't know what to expect. I took the kids to the fall festival that the church we have been visiting held. There were so many people! It was fun though. They had games and bounce houses for the kids. I think they had a good time. That's it! That was our weekend. A lot of laying around and trying to get better so we can get through next week.

Day Off!

2011-10-28T09:44:00.000-04:00

WooHoo! I am so excited the kids are out of school today. Alex slept in, which he really needed. He told Brian on the way to school yesterday that he was tired of me waking him up early. Bri was up before 7. I can't get her out of bed on a school morning, but she was up bright and early this morning. I sent her back to bed and told her not to come back in my room until 7. We have nothing specific planned, which is nice. The kids have to get up and go through the week, so it's nice to have some time off.

Rain Boots

2011-10-27T07:50:00.000-04:00

Alex wants to wear his rain boots to school. No surprise there, right. I keep telling him no and have a great excuse. It's against his school's uniform policy. I may let him wear them to Wal Mart tomorrow, he is out of school and that will be a nice treat for him. He was watching How It's Made last night and they were showing how cowboy boots are made. He said, "Those are nice boots." How in the world does he know what nice boots are?!

Trying

2011-10-26T20:56:00.000-04:00

I'm working on getting the pictures from yesterday's Kindergarten field trip uploaded. The computer and hard drive are not wanting to cooperate. Anyway, we had a great time. The kids were so excited. I helped in the classroom before and after the trip. I was so tired afterward. It's been a long time since I was in a classroom all day. I did get to make it to Stamp Club after supper. I have missed stamping so much. Almost as much as I have missed my stamping group. It's been such a busy week, I'm ready for the kids to be out of school Friday.

Halloween House

2011-10-25T02:13:00.000-04:00

Video

2011-10-25T01:16:00.000-04:00

I'm at the pumpkin farm with Alex's class today, so I thought I would share a couple Halloween videos from YouTube. Bri and I watched these and think they are really cool!

Dear Me...

2011-10-24T09:45:00.000-04:00

I just saw a story on a new book titled "Dear Me..." The author asked celebrities what they would tell their 16 year old selves. Their answers were pretty interesting. But, it made me wonder what would my friends and family would tell their 16 year old selves.

I would say...

Be kind to yourself. Give yourself the grace and forgiveness you give to others.

Do your best everyday. I tell my kids that all the time, but don't take the advice myself.

So, what would you tell your 16-year old self?

Weekend Update

2011-10-24T01:24:00.000-04:00

Friday night we were home. Bri has been fighting the virus that Alex had last weekend. I took her to the Minute Clinic Wednesday morning before school and the nurse gave her some medicine. She said the Bri could still go to school and be able to function with it. I have to say it got her through the week. She has felt pretty good, just tired.

Saturday we went out to the fall festival at the Rivergate Shopping Center. We had the best time. The kids got to decorate their own cupcakes at the SAS Cupcakes booth. Alex went overboard with the sprinkles!

Bri with her creation. We had a lunch of samples from the restaurants: Chick Fil A, smoothies, cookies, hot dogs, and TGI Fridays. When we left the festival, we started the Halloween costume hunt. I really put it off this year. Alex knew what he wanted to be, but Bri didn't. We looked in Target, but their costumes were picked over and we couldn't find anything. We left Target and went to Halloween Express. Their costumes were expensive and the ones in Bri's size were NOT what you would want to see your 11 year old daughter in! So, we headed to Wal Mart. There is a road on the way to Wal Mart that I wanted to see where it goes. There is a sign that says I can get to Gastonia that way, so we rode out that way until I figured out where we would wind up. In the car, Alex taught us about child prodigies, Johan Sebastian Bach and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. When we got to Wal Mart we saw a Volkswagon Bug, the kids have been playing punch buggy, and Alex informed us that a Bug, "is the only car with a motor in the back." I asked him where he learns this stuff and he said, "some from Daddy and some at school" Alex found his ninja costume, Bri also found her costume.

We also found....

these turkey hats! AND they play Turkey in the Straw!

Bri was laughing so hard, it's amazing I got a picture. Look how red her face is! I was laughing pretty hard too.

We had to toodle around in Wal Mart until the pharmacy opened. Bri found a book she wanted. She asked if she could put her costume back and get the book instead. So, she is recycling her costume from last year, that still fits.

Sunday we were home. I woke up with a headache so we stayed home so I could get rid of it. Bri is super tired too. She rested a good bit. Momma and Daddy came down for a visit. Bri took a couple naps and even went to sleep propped up on her arm at the island in the kitchen. Hopefully she will be okay to go to school Monday.

Farmer Boy

2011-10-21T13:13:00.001-04:00

Yesterday when I was volunteering in Alex's class his teacher asked me where we lived. I told her the name of the development. She just started laughing. I thought, "Oh no, what has he said?" Alex had written a story about us living on a farm. She said he wrote about taking care of the animals and everything. I just started laughing. She said that she told them to use their imaginations if they didn't have anything to write about. I laughed harder and told her you will never know what you are going to get when you tell Alex to use his imagination. She has been warned now!!

Book

2011-10-19T19:48:00.001-04:00

I'm trying to figure out how to write a book about the stuff that goes on around here. The thing is, I want to write it so that everyone is anonymous.

This is part of an actual conversation that I overheard tonight, "You better be nice to him. He might be a leprechaun." I was laughing so hard I was crying while they were talking! Really, I'm not sure we should keep this to ourselves.

Stalker

2011-10-19T07:49:00.001-04:00

While Brian was getting ready this morning, GMA was on. They were talking about Selena Gomez's stalker. A lady said celebrities often do a stalkers work for them by checking in on Twitter at events and restaurants. Brian said, "That's why I don't check in anywhere. I don't want anybody to stalk me."

Music

2011-10-18T21:05:00.001-04:00

Welcome to the Hood

2011-10-18T13:40:00.003-04:00

The guy arrested and charged with this murder lives 6 houses up from us!

http://www.wcnc.com/news/CMPD-investigate-body-found-in-Steele-Creek-area-131912998.html

UGH!

2011-10-18T12:11:00.003-04:00

Over the last week or so I've had several people ask me for my opinion on different things. Then, they argue with me about my opinion! If you don't want to know what I think or what I would do, don't freaking ask!!! I'm just going to start telling people I don't know, if may be easier.

Weekend Update

2011-10-17T01:41:00.000-04:00

Friday I spent the day with Cragan. She is so, so much fun! Alex came home from school not feeling well, so he put on his jammies and curled up on the couch. He progressively got worse as the night went on. He started running a pretty high fever right at bedtime. I started him on Mucinex and Ibuprofen.

Saturday morning he got in bed with Brian and I at 3 and then we were both up at 5:30. He said his throat hurt, so I got him some juice and we cuddled on the couch. I took him to the Minute Clinic when it opened. I could hear a rattle when he was breathing and I just wanted to make sure he didn't have strep or bronchitis. The nurse working the Minute Clinic was a mom of one of Alex's friends at school. She told him she hated to give him a strep test, but had to. He didn't like her to well after that, but she won some major points when she told him to eat some popsicles and ice cream to help his throat. So, we ran to Target to get some popsicles, ice cream and apple juice.

Sunda was spent with Alex on the couch again. Nothing terribly exciting with Alex being sick.

Update

2011-10-15T05:03:00.001-04:00

on Bri. She is doing so much better at school. I didn't have to go eat lunch with her at all this last week. She's making friends and seems to be calmer when it's time to go to school. A friend of mine has adopted her as a prayer partner this school year. We just need to find a way for her to handle her anxieties herself or to not stress so much over her grades. The second choice is mine. I'm glad she wants to do well at school and study hard, but she stresses herself out to much.

Quiet

2011-10-14T11:31:00.001-04:00

I stayed home yesterday and cleaned. I actually got a lot accomplished. And today, I'm spending the day with my favorite 2-year old! We are having a great time, although she said Uncle Brian was her favorite. We bought groceries and she helped bring them in and put them away.

Gray Hair

2011-10-12T07:25:00.001-04:00

Brian just explained why some people have gray hair and why some people's hair just falls out. "As you get older the roots of your hair go deeper. If it hits brain, your hair turns gray. If it hits nothing, it falls out."

Snake!!

2011-10-12T03:00:00.000-04:00

Monday on the way to the middle school to get Bri we saw a snake on the path! A snake!! Alex was ahead of me and either stepped on or over it. When I got there I was freaked out!! I told him on the way home he had to stay with me. I don't do snakes!! Alex said if he had a gun he would have killed it for me and protected me from it, he's such a gentleman!

New Recipes

2011-10-11T20:23:00.002-04:00

I made these two new recipes Monday night and both are delicious!!

http://www.skinnytaste.com/2011/09/spaghetti-squash-lasagna.html

http://www.skinnytaste.com/2009/09/cinnamon-apple-crisp.html

#iSad

2011-10-11T02:54:00.000-04:00

After the death of Steve Jobs last week, people were using #iSad on Twitter to express grief. Sunday I was video chatting with my favorite 2-year old and we were talking about how she's not going to get to come here Tuesday and Wednesday. Sonya doesn't have to go to Dallas for business, so I won't get to keep Cragan. I told Cragan I was going to miss seeing her this week and she said, "I sad." I just told her I was too.

Weekend Update

2011-10-09T19:41:00.001-04:00

What a nice relaxing weekend!! It was just what I needed. Friday I cleaned and washed laundry all day. I looked at Brian at 8 that night and asked why I am never caught up. We had to run to Target after supper. Alex's book bag had a hole in it and Brian needed something.

Saturday we were home for the whole day. We only left the house after supper to pick up s'mores stuff. We thought about going to the Saturday night service at the church we visited last week, but didn't get supper finished in time. Oh, for supper we had ribs, twice baked potatoes and salad. Brian was excited, because he LOVES ribs and I liked the price I got on the ribs. Wal Mart had them on clearance.

Sunday we went to church. Bri sat in service with us and hopefully she got something out of it. The pastor spoke about worry and anxiety. And that's what she has been battling lately. Alex was Moses in the play in children's church today. He told us all about Moses being put in a basket and floating down a river. He seemed to enjoy church more today than last week. Then we were home. Really nothing exciting happening around here. I've got at least one new recipe on tap this coming week that I'm ready to try out.

Darndest Things

2011-10-07T07:49:00.000-04:00

Kids say the darndest things. Does anyone remember that show? I used to love it. Yesterday at Alex's school, I took him to the book fair and got each of the kids a book. I like to try to get one from the teacher's wish list, if I can. Yesterday Alex picked out a Froggy book for his class and the teacher started reading it before lunch. It was about Froggy having a babysitter. He had a babysitter because it was his parents anniversary. Alex's teacher asked the kids if they know what an anniversary is, several of the kids raised their hands. The first little girl said it was when Mommy and Daddy need a break from the kids. Another one said it was when Mommy and Daddy go on a date.

I always like to ask Alex what he played on the playground during recess. Wednesday when I asked he said there was a queen, a policeman and of course, "I was the bad boy, because I have fast legs."

Move Over

2011-10-06T19:03:00.001-04:00

Martha Stewart or Rachael Ray! I made my own chicken stock tonight!!! I always have leftover bones and "stuff" when I roast a chicken. So...I looked it up online and made my own stock! I'm so excited and proud of myself.

Kindergarten

2011-10-06T07:49:00.001-04:00

I'm headed to Kindergarten this morning. I really do enjoy being in Alex's classroom. It almost makes me miss teaching, ALMOST! I've been in there several times now, so the kids are getting to know me and starting to talk and show me their work. Alex's teacher no longer has a full time assistant so I get to interact with the kids more. I have to say, the class is really well behaved, which is the only way I can see her being able to survive without an assistant.

Cynical?

2011-10-05T07:23:00.002-04:00

In the wake of stories like Susan Smith, Elisa Baker and Casey Anthony, have we become a cynical nation when it comes to missing children? I was watching GMA this morning and there was a story of a 10-month old who is missing. Her mom put her to bed and when the dad came home the little girl wasn't in the bed, so he called the police. The police was interviewed and he said the parents are being cooperative and I actually said out loud, "So was Susan Smith." She gave interviews and even described someone in enough detail that there was a police sketch of him going around. Although this was not my first thoughts, the doubt was still there. Still wondering if the parents had anything to do with this missing baby.

Gratitude Book

2011-10-04T03:06:00.000-04:00

I saw an idea that I may implement around here. I was watching Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, which always makes me cry and within 5 minutes was crying last night and the mom and her kids have Gratitude Books. Every night she sits down with her kids and in their books, they write what they were thankful for that day. Now this mom's son has two blood disorders, and is the only person in the world with these two blood disorders. One day her entry into her gratitude book was that she was able to leave the NICU with her son. Anyway, I think it's a great way to think about the good things. When everything is terrible, there are still some blessings in your day.

Weekend Update

2011-10-03T04:52:00.000-04:00

Man, the weather was BEAUTIFUL this weekend!! I love fall and everything it brings with it. October and November may be my favorite months.

Friday night we stayed home and cleaned a little. Sonya, Amos and Cragan were spending the night. Amos and Cragan were in a wedding Saturday in Concord and the rehearsal was Friday night. As soon as Sonya got here with Cragan, we put her to bed. She was so tired she went to sleep in the car on the way here.

Saturday Amos, Brian and Bri went to yard sales. Our neighborhood was having a community wide yard sale. It seems like you get bigger crowds when the whole neighborhood participates. They found a jogging stroller for a great price. Sonya and Amos have been looking for one for a while and just haven't been able to find one.

Mani/pedi time

After they got back it was time to get Cragan ready for the wedding she was the flower girl for. Here she is getting a mani/pedi from Bri. It was actually the way we kept her still while Sonya did her hair. Cragan was excited to wear her princess dress, shoes and have princess hair. I heard she was excellent at the wedding and on her VERY best behavior! We were home laying around and relaxing. Bri and I made some apple cider and watched a movie. She and I love the Caramel Apple Spice from Starbucks, but it's $3.00 for a large! Anyway, we warmed some apple juice and added sugar-free caramel syrup, cinnamon extract, and butter extract. We topped it with fat free Cool Whip and sugar free caramel ice cream syrup. YUM! YUM! YUM!

Cragan's personal salon!

Sunday we actually went to church. It's scary to walk into a church where you know no one. It was okay. Alex wasn't wild about staying in the kids area by himself, so Bri stayed with him. She said she could tell he was extremely nervous. After church we went to Jim and Nicks for lunch and then ran a couple of errands. Then Bri came home and worked on some homework so she can get ready for her school week.