a failed kitty face pancake

So I thought I'd be all Martha Stewart-like and make a "fun" pancake for my daughter one morning for breakfast. Instead I made this. An angry bear. I really did TRY to make a cat face. And failed miserably.



After texting this out to some friends I got a few replies that are worth sharing:

"Quick! Eat it before it eats you!"
"Please don't quit your day job and go into pancake making as a business."
"Eat it and let's never speak of this again, ok?"

And then there were those that called in hysterics or replied with LOL (laughing out loud) or ROFL (rolling on the floor laughing).

At least my pancake was good for something (brightening the day of my friends) because he was just too scary looking to eat. Even the 3 year old agreed.

my boy

My little guy, commonly referred to as K1 on Twitter, had his first baseball practice tonight. He's never been the kid that plays in the dirt, mud, etc. That would be my 3 year old girl. Heh. But tonight? Sweaty, dirt everywhere and a big smile is how he ended his first practice. He's been looking forward to this for weeks and apparently it lived up to his expectations.

goodbye, summer

Goodbye, Summer. Hello, school, baseball, preschool and back to being on a schedule!

I have to admit - Summer spoils me. I enjoy not having to be anywhere at any particular time. We don't really have a routine and I like it. But I also like routine. (I know, I totally contradicted myself in one paragraph.)

Here's the thing...The ability to do whatever, whenever, spur of the moment is fun. Sun shining and warmth? Pool time! Rainy day? Let's play board games and read books. Rough night? Let's stay in our pajamas until 3:00 the next day! But the lack of routine almost always sometimes makes me crazy.

Enter September. School starts on Tuesday for my 2nd grader and my 3 year old starts preschool the following week. Getting up and doing the same thing on the same schedule is actually easier on me mentally. I don't have to think about it I just get up and do it. Hence the reason I like routine.

I will REALLY miss having my oldest at home. My little one's preschool is 2 mornings a week and I will be volunteering at the elementary school during that time so while I will miss her (of course) I won't be coming home to a quiet house (which would totally feel strange).

We're finally settled. The garage still needs to be unpacked and organized seeing as it's handling the overflow. However, the inside of the house is done with the exception of hanging pictures and placing "little things" here and there. I've started on my standard room makeovers that I do each time we move. My son's room has one teeny tiny thing for me to finish and then it's done. The rest is still a work in progress (mainly because I am not sticking to one room at a time and jumping here and there).

Have I mentioned the husband LOVES his job? Yeah. He has a pretty amazing boss and seems to be working for a really good company. Neither of us have that same warm and fuzzy from our relocation company but the new employer and new position we're definitely giving "2 thumbs up!".

The kids have made friends with our neighbors kids that are the same age. They seriously beg to play with their friends every. single. day. And from my conversations with my neighbor her kids do the same thing! It's such a good feeling for me because friendship with other kids is so vital to my kids happiness. I love seeing them laughing, running, playing, screaming (okay, not the screaming so much but the reason they're screaming) with other kids their age.

So while Summer is fading away too fast, Fall is almost here and a new chapter in our lives is starting. It's exciting and it's scary. How many times have we done this??? But we're together as a family, Daddy is home more and loves his job (bonus!) and it's starting to feel like "home"...

what mommy needs

According to my oldest, there are things that I will need once he's back in school. This, specifically:

no news

No news is good news, right? I mean, if I'm not on Twitter much (my home away from home) you KNOW that means I am busy. So busy and tired, in fact, that my eyes burn and I'm wearing my glasses because my eyes are so tired. How did I manage to squeeze in a few minutes to write now? I'm sitting at the car dealership waiting on my oil change and tire rotation. My new car (purchased at the end of May) has a whopping 7,800 miles on it. I. KNOW. That's a lot of driving, yo.

We closed on the new house on Monday and the old house (or at least the contents of the old house) are en route to the new place for arrival on Saturday. I can't believe it's already time to move and start the next chapter of our lives. I will miss being close to family but I also know that 4 hours is NOTHING compared to half a country away and for that I am very grateful.

We still need to sell our house in Pennsylvania. We've had a half dozen or so people look at it but the biggest factor in no one wanting to buy it is too much yard upkeep. And, well, there is a lot to upkeep in our yard so I totally get it. I just wish someone with a green thumb would fall in love with the place because THEN I think we could sell it. Keep praying. We don't want to be stuck with it for too long.

School registration is taken care of and both kids are super excited about the pools (yes more than one) in our community. I can't wait to get their rooms decorated and post pictures. They are going to be so flippin cute. But for now I'll leave you with a picture of our new house from the outside. Inside pictures to be shared later. I know. I'm such a tease.

Have a great weekend!

hope you had a great 4th!

the loves of my life

I love taking pictures of my kids although I rarely show their precious faces here. When I upload pictures like this that are just perfect (in my mind) with little to no editing (I added a vignette and then black and white in the last set) I think WOW if I can do this without really knowing my stuff I would LOVE to learn photography more in depth. Use manual mode. Have a few different lenses.

Capturing them is so much fun. Sometimes I just don't think I do it justice. In these pictures though I think I did pretty darn good.

i feel like the energizer bunny

It's after 11:00 PM and I have finally sat down for the first time today. No, really. Other than driving and a quick chiro appointment I haven't stopped. I feel like the Energizer bunny - the one that keeps going and going and going - except I think my batteries are dying.

Did I tell you guys I'm moving? I can't remember. Anyway, we're moving. Again. Husband took a job that requires relocation. Our house officially lists tomorrow and I just now finished "staging" it for pictures. My next step is tackling the basement and sorting donate versus trash versus keep. I don't think I want a basement in my next house because all I ever do with them is use them as storage for things I should just get rid of. Please tell me I'm not the only one that does this... ::looks around::

The most exciting news of the day? I'm a Social Sister over at Shrinking Jeans! I am so stinkin' thrilled. I love these gals (and guys!) so. much. I know there are so many new faces over there too. I promise to get my booty in gear and mosey on over to the 'hood and start connecting with you ASAP! The best part? I get to do it with Trish B! Yay!

...and I guess I'm going to hit publish and shut down the PC for now because SOMEONE (my 3 year old) is still awake. This is what happens when she naps. Oh well, at least it's summer vacation and we have nowhere we have to be first thing in the morning.

G'night!

i'm still here

I'm here but don't seem to have too much to say. Life is busy. So busy. Everyone was sick for a few weeks straight. We're all better now.

My daughter is still giving me a fit but I finally found the one things she hates and that has worked. Time out facing the corner in the kitchen. The first round took a whopping 30 minutes because she kept laughing at me and getting up and turning around but once it clicked, it clicked. {BIG SIGH OF RELIEF}

I had the lumbar ablation (3 shots to burn the nerves) in my back and it feels nothing like the diagnostic results. Yet. I am soooo disappointed. It might take up to 4 weeks to completely get there but the doctor still thinks this will fix me for 6+ months.

I got an iPhone. I'm in love. Yes, it's possible to be in love with an electronic device.

Today is a snow day.

My daughter would not sleep last night which means I didn't sleep and now I'm tired.

The end.

why must my child pee everywhere but the toilet?

Being a mom is tough. So tough. I had no idea when I had my 2nd child that she would be so drastically different from my first. Everything he is she is the opposite. Don't get me wrong, I love them both. Unconditionally. But my baby girl (who is 3) is going to send me to the loony farm. And not the kind that houses her beloved "happy cows".

She's potty trained. Or was. Whether it's a power struggle, her being stubborn, being too busy to go to the bathroom, whatever. It's driving me absolutely crazy. I've done time outs and after being mad about it the first few times she's all "okay mom" when it's time to sit in the corner. She does her time and does it all over again. Today I started taking favorite things from her. She didn't care. About an hour before bedtime I had taken everything and the TV. Her brother had to go into my bedroom to finish the show he was watching. Again, she didn't care.

When I ask her if it's an accident or if she's doing it on purpose I'm getting mixed replies. Once it's "I'm sorry I promise I didn't mean it; it was an accident, mommy." or "I no want to go in the potty. I'm the boss." (The last comment makes me think she's trying to prove a point but I refuse to let her be the boss.)

I'm being consistent. There are consequences each time (time out and today started with her toys) but it just doesn't seem to faze her. Tomorrow she will clean it up herself. I'm not even sure if that will work. I don't understand and I know a power struggle with potty issues isn't a good thing but I'm at a complete and total loss here. This is the *only* thing we are struggling with right now and I just don't know what to do next.

back injuries suck

After a series of 3 epidural steroid injections into my low back since July of last year, I headed back to the pain clinic today. The most recent procedure helped a lot of the leg pain that radiated down from the herniated disc but it did nothing for my low back/butt pain.

There really hasn't been much in the way of consistency as far as the pain goes. It can be really high one day and low another. Regardless of pain level, bending, running, barely kicking my leg, loading/unloading the dishwasher, picking up toys, laundry, etc. hurt. And gymnastics in my daughter's Mommy & Me class? Torture. Because she wants Mommy to bear crawl with her among other things and ohmywerd it kills me.

I went to the clinic anticipating another injection into my spine but after talking with the doctor (and agreeing that surgery is not an option at this point) we went a different route. Because the majority of the pain is all the way across my back now (where before it was isolated to the left side only), he performed a lumbar medical branch block which consisted of 3 diagnostic injections into the nerves in my low back. This was done to see if I would actually get relief from the pain. If I did get relief the plan was to follow-up with a lumbar radiofrequency ablation in about a week.

The good news is that I had a few hours of zero pain today post injection. It was an awesome feeling. The doctor told me to go home and do whatever hurts my back. I ran, kickboxed (kicked my leg high enough to hit the bridge of my husband's nose - not literally hit it but parallel with it), did jumping jacks, bent, squatted, crawled on the floor. ALL WITHOUT PAIN!!!!! Guys, this was such an AMAZING feeling.

Now, about 7 hours post testing my back is bothering me again but that's okay because I know this will work when I go back to get the full lumbar ablation done (currently scheduled for February 10th). And the good news is that it should last 6-12 months. When the new nerves regenerate in my back I may have to have it done again but shouldn't need it any more frequently than every 6 months.

My 6 year old looked at me today and said, "Mom, does that mean we can run together?" Yes. It. Does.

*happy dance*

day book journal - january 22nd

The one and only time I posted a day book journal was August 7th. I thought it would be fun to do it again.

Outside my window... it's cold.

I am thinking... that I have done too much laundry in the last 24 hours (that's what having a sick kid will do to ya!).

I am thankful for... a husband that works hard so I can stay home with our kids

Around the house... toys, toys and more toys.

I am wearing... a sleep shirt.

I am loving... my new blog design!

I am hoping... to snap out of the funk I'm in mentally.

I am drooling over... a camera bag that I have wanted for months.

I am sorely tempted by... peanut butter, at the moment.

I am reading... The Crossroads Cafe by Deborah Smith.

On my iPod... I haven't used my iPod in months.

On my mind... the whole public school versus charter school decision we will be making in the next few months.

On my To Do List... make appointment with eye doctor - I'm all out of contact lenses!

From my picture journal... my cowboy from last weekend's farm show.

chicken pot pie soup & a video review!

It makes me happy when my children enjoy eating things that are good for them. This recipe for chicken pot pie soup is no exception. First, the recipe. Then, a video review from my 6 year old.

Chicken Pot Pie Soup

(link to original recipe from skinnytaste.com)

POINTS Plus: 6
Serving Size: 1.5 cups
Servings: 6

1/4 cup flour (to make gluten-free use 2 tbsp cornstarch instead)
2 cups water
4 cups fat-free milk
1 large celery stalk, chopped
1/2 medium onion, chopped
8 oz sliced baby portabella mushrooms
2 chicken bouillons
fresh ground pepper
pinch of thyme
10 oz frozen classic mixed veggies (peas, carrots, green beans, corn)
2 potatoes, peeled and cubed small
16 oz cooked chicken breast, diced small
salt

Create a slurry by combining 1/2 cup of the cold water with flour (or cornstarch) in a medium bowl and whisk until well blended. Set aside.

Pour remaining water and milk into a large pot and slowly bring to a boil. Add celery, onion, mushrooms, chicken bouillon, thyme, fresh pepper, frozen veggies and return to a boil. Partially cover and simmer on low until vegetables are soft, about 20 minutes. Remove lid, add potatoes and cook until soft, about 5 minutes. Add chicken, and slowly whisk in slurry, stirring well as you add. Cook another 2-3 minutes, until soup thickens, adjust salt and pepper to taste and serve.

Calories 253.8, Fat 1.8g, Protein 27.7g, Carbs 31.9g, Fiber 3.4g

And now? What my 6 year old thinks of the soup:

power of one: january project #2

I keep putting this post off. Why? Because I don't want to write it. I'm afraid I'll look back on this 6 months from now and not have accomplished anything. However, I'm slowly learning that sometimes always it's just the fear of the unknown that scares me. (It's only taken me 34 years to come to this conclusion. I'm insanely bright.)

Writing down my plans and goals for my life shouldn't scare me. Sure, I may have to adjust some things along the way but without a plan I'm just hobbling along making the best of my situation instead of taking the bull by the horns and making my life the life that I want.

So what is it that I want?

Physical Goals

Conquer my back problems: May will be one year since I injured my back. I still have no idea what I did to cause it, but during my training for the San Diego Half Marathon I managed to develop a herniated disc. I've had 3 cortisone injections and while the first 2 helped relieve pain for a little while the 3rd one did not. I don't really know what to do. I don't want to have an invasive surgical procedure but what would other options be?

I know that walking doesn't bother me. Oodles of walking in Orlando last weekend proved that. Running does hurt. So my short term plan is to walk 3 days a week and do Pilates the other 3 days to build up my core and strengthen my abs and back. I'll plan to take one day off a week (either Saturday or Sunday).

This is my start. I know I'll need to readjust this at some point and make a decision on fixing my disc problems.

5K by June: This goal stems from the previous one. I WILL walk a 5K by June. I found a few this Spring on Active.com and will sign-up for one of those. I will also plan to take part in the 5K at Fitbloggin. Until I can figure out my back it will be a walking 5K. Walking it is definitely better than not doing it at all, right? Right.

Get within 10 lbs of my goal weight by end of 2011: I'll admit, this is the scariest of them all. 40 pounds is what I need to lose to get within 10 pounds of my goal weight. 50 pounds would actually get me to goal. I know this is feasible because I lost 60 pounds in 11 months back in 2003; so 40 pounds in 11.5 months is reasonable and healthy. Getting there will take some serious discipline from me though. I will need to stick to my exercise plan of walking and Pilates and I will have to keep my eating and Points in check. Daily.

Other Goals

To better manage my time: This is a really general goal but the long and short of it is I want to put myself on a schedule. I thrive on routine and having a to-do list. With no routine at all I don't feel like doing anything and/or I get so overwhelmed I don't know where to start. I have started working on a daily schedule for myself and am going to do my best to stick with it. It's actually 90% done. I need to tweak it a bit and I plan to start working with that schedule on Tuesday. (Tomorrow is a play day - movies with my kids and my nieces!)

Research alternate schooling for my kids: This one overwhelms me so much; but I'm not happy with the school we put our 6 year old in this year. I don't like the hours he's away or knowing that he's in a class full of kids with anger issues, bullying problems, etc. I get that dealing with difficult peers is part of life but I don't believe that at 6 he should be forced to deal with these things.

If I could turn back the clock 6 months we wouldn't have moved to the area we chose if for no other reason but the school system. But as it stands now we've purchased a home and this is where we are so I need to do something.

I've gotten some information from an awesome friend on charter schooling and am going to start reading everything I can get my hands on and researching this. Honestly? I don't want to go the at home route because for starters it's not easy. And the idea of tackling something so big is, well, scary. (See paragraph 1 and my phobia of the unknown.)

Another option is private schooling of some sort but the cost is prohibitive at this point in time.

Any feedback on this goal or any of 'em, for that matter, would be really appreciated.

Gracias!

be still my heart

merry christmas

From our house to yours...have a very, Merry Christmas!

conversations with my daughter are exhausting

No really. They are.

Mommy, I won bubble-bee cwunch.

You want, what? Cereal?

Mommy, bubble-bee cwunch!

Captain Crunch?

NOOOO! Bubble BEE CWUNCH

Oh...Cinnamon Toast Crunch? Ok, let me get a bowl for you.

NO NO NO Mommy. BUBBLE BEE CWUNCH {big sigh}

I proceed to fill a bowl with Captain Crunch.

NO MOMMY.

I then fill a bowl with Cinnamon Toast Crunch.

NO MOMMY BUBBLE BEE CWUNCH WITH THE HOLE IN IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Cheerios. The child wanted CHEERIOS. Bumble Bee Crunch.

you capture - outside

I love You Capture at I Should Be Folding Laundry. While I don't participate as much as I used to I still try to hop over and look at some of the captures taken by the crazy talented peeps that link up.

Deciding to participate this week was a no-brainer for me as I had lots of outside pictures. My children would live outside if I let them. Year-round if they had a tent, I'm sure. And while it's getting colder here on the East Coast it's still not so cold that we can't be outside. Most days.



The "no snow" sign was compliments of me. My children would never write that.

listening

Looking through the screen door I capture her in a rare moment. Perfectly still.



Me: What'cha doin?

Her: Shhh. Listening for birdies.

anxiety

Anxiety attacks have taken control for the last several days. The nightmares I'm having are vivid and well, for lack of a better word, horrible. I can't even begin to put into words the sadness, fear and disgust I feel when waking up from these dreams.

People are hurting my children. I can't stop them. I wake up sobbing. And I feel hopeless. I check on them while they're sleeping several times a night. If I could hold them both close to me all night I would. But I can't. I don't want to scare them.

I don't know how to stop the nightmares. And then I wonder, are these fears valid? Am I dreaming these dreams so that I am extra cautious with everyone they come in contact with (including family members)? Nothing has happened that I'm aware of. I'm just experiencing more fear for their safety than I normally do.

Premonition or paranoia? I just don't know.