From Ours to Yours!

Today's Lovies #14

Today we started (officially) planning my 10th Year Reunion - yep I'm that old! Today I remembered why I love my friend Hayley - she's been stuck with me since 6th grade and we bonded over Friends episodes. She is so fun and you should totally check out her blog!!

My Super Creative Friend

Check out these ADORABLE creations by my friend Katie. I've seen them in real life and they are too much fun!!!!

Dala

I saw these girls on PBS last night - AMAZING!!!!

Today's Lovies #13

I love fall - the cool weather, the pumpkin lattes, and the leaves. I'm getting so excited about having my windows open and listening to kids walk to school outside our house. After my successful embracing summer experiment I'm now going to see what else I can embrace. Gar suggests raking leaves (he hates raking leaves so he's working on some recruits to help him). I'm thinking bigger - could I embrace working out, ironing, and paying bills?

What do you suggest embracing?

Pony Church

This Sunday our church held their service at a local camp. KBug usually LOVES church - the singing, the greeting, the praying, pretty much the whole bit. This weekend, however, she was excited to distraction about getting to ride a pony. Every couple minutes on the way to the service, during the service, at the potluck lunch, and after we heard her ask "Is it time for the pony?" "Are we going to ride ponies now?" Finally the moment came for the pony ride - I've never seen her so excited - and she walked up to the horse, Gar lifted her up, and they led the pony around. She rode up there like a pro! The rest of the day was filled with dreams of owning her own pony, naming it Sparkly, and finally at the end of the day she asked - "Are we going to Pony Church again?"

Today's Lovies #12

KBug LOVES this song and I'm a little sick of the Beyonce version (only because we've listened to it too much not because it's not awesome - because it is!!!). Anyhoo - now we're totally digging this version and it has both of us with our fist microphones and hips groovin'! So today we love Pomplamoose and so should you!

Also we are TOTALLY OBSESSED with frozen yogurt - we go to a local place that has self serve and 40 different toppings.

Today's Lovies #11

Last night Gar brought me home a gift - a Freelance Whales album (thanks to a friend from his work). I haven't heard anything new in a long time (my fault for being too busy) and this band excites me!!!! It is the perfect summer album - I only wish it was cool enough to hop in the CRX and go for a long night drive in the country with the windows down and the sunroof open. In short - this album reminds me I'm still young!!

Today's Lovies #10

Best Husband Ever!!!!

Today's Lovies #9

Dear Sweet Husband - tonight I came home to a vacumed house - it was blissful!!! Everyday I find new reasons to love you. (Also - don't forget Mr. Senor Art Direcor that I am calling you Senor for TWO DAYS as a trial for a new pet name!!!)

We totally rocked today - we could not have possibly added more to our day - we went to gymnastics, then met the nephews at our house, then we took my maiden voyage of three kids in a car to see the puppet show at the library, then we came home for puzzles, lunch and naps, then we went to church for VBS. I can safely say that I did not waste a moment and loved every minute of it!!!!

Today's Lovies #8

Oh nap time - you are truly one of life's sweetest gifts.

KBug Motto for Today!

"I will make good decisions and not throw attitudies!" ~ KBug

Today's Lovies #7

Aunt Karen gave us some caterpillars that we lovingly feed handfuls of parsley to until they made their cacoon and we waited, and waited, and waited until we had butterflies. (Daddy alerted us with a post-it that something magical might happen!) Today we let one of them go and we had to wait FOREVER until she (the butterfly) decided to fly. We were quite worried that there was something wrong with her but no, she just took her sweet time. KBug was fascinated!!!!

The butterfly even took a liking to KBug - and landed on her hip!!!

Thanks Aunt Karen!!! You are the butterfly's knees!!! 

Today's Lovies #6

Gar - thank you so much for making our house pretty - it shines like a diamond - a really old but adorable diamond. KBug - I'm so glad that you had fun playing with Nana and Papa Rob while Mommy and Daddy had date night (even though you said that Papa Rob is "quite silly"). We're still embracing summer but that means you have to embrace sunburns  and bugs and sweat. Monkey - we're so proud that you pooped and peed in the potty!!!!

Hilarious!

This is a video that my brother took of Gar. It is too funny!!!!

I'm Embracing Summer!!!

Remember when I wrote that I was going to try to enjoy summer - well I have and I am!!!! Having KBug has taught me that when you're four you don't care about how hot it is. You run and play, eat ice-cream and popsicles, and splash in the water. I have finally found a way to love summer. Now don't get me wrong - I still long for the days of hoodies, Uggs, and autumn leaves but folks this gal is learning to love summer (and has a tan to prove it!!!).

Here are some things I've found that I love about summer!!!

Farm and Art Market on Saturday mornings. (That's a real ostrich egg!)

Watching KBug and her acrobatics on the swing set!!!

Reading books outside, catching bugs and getting KBug hugs!

                          

And then when its too hot - coming inside for popsicles and puzzles!

Today's Lovies #5

Gar - I love watching your dance parties with KBug - you surely know how to cut a rug! KBug - today you read me your Imagination Book from preschool - it was quite a tale and very dramatic - I see a Pulitzer in your future. Monkey - I don't like it when you're sick. And finally Weepies - I can not wait for your new album  - I think KBug and I will have to pre-order it. We love us some Weepies!!!

Surprise Vacation!

Last Sunday we went out for breakfast to celebrate Gar's first Father's Day and when we got home the house wasn't feeling very air conditioned - yep that's right - it was broke! So we packed up our bags and headed out west - a mile west that is - to my parent's house for a four day vacation. While there we had new and exciting adventures such as: KBug got to sleep on a blow-up mattress, we ate tiny popsicles (KBug was not impressed), and we even stayed up late and watched movies (Mema and Me that is). After four days of our Way West vacation we were ready to go home - KBug kept crying during the night and calling for us to come in her room (four or five times of this wears on a person) - so we were mighty glad to be home with our brand new air conditioner and our newly chilled home.


Because our Father's Day was somewhat hampered I didn't get to post these earlier but here are some good pics of Gar and KBug. She is certainly a Daddy's girl!!! We are lucky to have Gar in our lives - he dances on command, does wonderful Shrek voices, and he's always ready for fun!!! We love you Gar/Daddy!!!

Today's Lovies #4

Today we had silly face time at lunch (and Gar had the best burger ever - just ask him!). KBug - your vocal stylings truly hit an all time high today - you were making up songs left and right and they were precious - you delight me. Gar - you make everyday fun but I love days that we get to spend together running all over town and having a blast. We had a packed day - met a brand new baby, spent time with wonderful friends, found awesome sandals for KBug, had the best burger and rueben ever, had naps, went swimming, and spent time over at Nana and Papa Rob's house - we will sleep well tonight knowing we rocked this Saturday!

Today's Lovies #3

Gar - Freckles needs a night out - maybe an Anchor date? KBug - Although I love your independent spirit I could use a little less Judy Additudy. Monkey - you are killing me with your fierce love - your headbutt/kiss is going to cost me my near perfect nose (its all I have!!!). June - I want to like you but you are sticky and hot and making my hair frizzy and uncontrollable.

Here's to a fun Father's Day weekend complete with cards, presents, swimming, bbg, and maybe a little rest!!!!

KBug and Monkey - watching Wonderpets - its fascinating!

Today's Lovies #2

Gar - I am sad that Justified is over and I will no longer be seeing your mad dancing skills to the opening song. K-Bug - I loved what you said to me this morning - "You are just a special girl mommy and you are lovely" and I loved what you said to Uncle Jarred - "Sometimes, I just like to jump high all the time" Mema - thanks again for seeing me through day two of fussies. Apple Green Nail Polish - I may not be cool but I will be rocking you this weekend.

Today's Lovies #1

I have completely fallen in love with this blog and have decided to straight up copy it - I think it's a wonderful opportunity to think about the special things that happen in your everyday life. If you feel the need to copy that blog or copy me copying that blog - I totally think that's ok! I will call my copy creation "Today's Lovies" and here is my first one!

Dear Gar, I heard you empty the dishwasher this morning while I was sleeping and I am so glad I have a husband that thinks of thoughtful things to do that help my day go easier. KBug - thank you for explaining what to do when you sneeze and get buggers on your lips - you are truly a problem solver ("you just have to wipe them off but because they are gross"). Dear Boo-Boos (Addy and Luka) thank you for being the best nap buddies around, although I could use a little more space. And finally, Mema you are a godsend - thank you for taking us to breakfast and putting up with our fussies - we hate being sick but a good breakfast with Mema may have cured us!!!

Isn't she lovely?!

So today after a particularly wonderful Mommy Nap (don't judge me - I come from long line of nappers!) I wake up to discover KBug is deep in sleepyland herself - and let me tell you folks - you never wake a sleeping KBug!!!! I decided to use this unexpected pocket of time to update my blog and do something that Gar and I have been talking about recently - showing pictures of the cutie!!!! So here goes people - our first pic of KBUG!!!  

Here she is as the Shadow Man from The Princess and the Frog - she's very scary right?! 

Summer Fun!!!!

Anyone who knows me knows I love cold weather so it goes to reason that I don't love hot weather - well that's true - I can't stand it. I've already escaped to Colorado once this summer already and I'm sure this is the summer that is going to do me in (I say this every year). I love, however, the idea of summer and like the bratty kid at school you just can't stand - you can learn to love something if you try hard enough. So this summer - I am going to learn to love summer.

KBug and I have been eating breakfast at a speed I didn't think was possible. Then we throw on our flip-flops and play outside until we just can't take anymore barking from the next door neighbor's dog - this is usually enough time for me to get a little sun and a little reading done and watch a whole lot of acrobatics on the new swing set (THANKS NANA AND PAPA ROB!!!!!). We later visited by the nephews and we are then back outside for more fun (and barking).  

Then my favorite part of the summer starts - summer reading. The library has a summer reading program where you keep track of the books the kids read and then they get coupons and prizes and lots of cool stuff. (Why do they only do it for kids?!?!?!) We found a great reading list and we are having tons of fun reading new books!!! Then I get to read my own books and I like that too!!! 

But I know that summer is going to get hotter and the days are going to get longer and I need to find other things to amuse KBug and myself during the day so we don't just veg-out and get bored. So this weekend, we begin swim lessons - we're both learning to swim and we're gonna like it - darnit! Stay tuned for more summer fun!

Best Parenting Book - EVER

Gar and I are self-proclaimed Love and Logic fanatics - and proud of it. It is a wonderful way of parenting but you can't just use one source for your parenting ideas and that's why I picked up this book. It was also recommended on a blog that I often frequent. Anyhoo - this book is very helpful and I have really benefited from reading it.

Spring Clean Day Two

Today's nap time had me in the kitchen cleaning from ceiling to floor. I clean the kitchen every week so it wasn't too big of a deal but every time I deep clean a room I feel the need to move furniture around - and the kitchen is no different. Such a spring clean a few years ago resulted in the microwave being put up in the cabinets - I wasn't sure how Gar would feel about it but two years later and we're still cookin' in the cabinets. 

I was pleasantly surprised to find a book of stamps not yet used and countless notepads - I curse the day I sent money to Environmental Defense Action Fund. I love what they stand for but ever since I sent money to them (to get a free tote bag and bumper sticker) I get weekly mailings for other environmental agencies - and along with those mailing - address labels and notepads. Oh if they only spent the money they use on the notecards, stickers, address labels, gift tags, water bottles, and the mailings themselves - those poor polar bears would still have their ice (I'm kidding of course). But how much money are they spending on these things. 

Another thing I realized while cleaning the kitchen - I have too many appliances - I have a steamer, a citrus juicer, four coffee makers (don't ask) , a waffle maker, toaster, crock pot, dicer, food processor, blender, and hand blender - do I really need all of these. For sure we have to have the steamer - that thing pays for itself (my baby is picky about his carrots) - but a citrus juicer really?! All of these things are taking up so much space and they are not being used. So am I going to get rid of them - certainly not - I'm going to find new uses for them so that they finally earn their keep. 

Tomorrow - we're on the the pretty room!

Do you heart Zappos, too?

I am the happiest little shopper EVER. Soon my oddly 

small feet will be wearing these proudly. 

Two Posts in One Day?!

Today is our first day of SPRING BREAK!!! We slept in, of course, and then had delicious pizza with some good friends. At said lunch I was scolded (nicely) about not updating my blog more often so I'm doing it twice in one day and promising more in the next few days.

K-Bug and I are determined to have a whole week of fun fun FUN! We're hitting the zoo, Hobby Lobby, the library, having friends over to play, and we're having our first sleep over ever (more to come on that one). But what do to during nap time you ask? Well Momma's cleaning. Each day I'm taking a different room and I'm dusting, washing, vacuuming, and organizing it. Today was the TV room and we definitely got off to a rocky start. Our laundry room (read closet) is in our TV room and the washer's on the fritz. I was super bummed and not at all excited about having a repair man out but he'll be happy to find out that the room is immaculate - no dust to be found there my friends. I just pretended I didn't have LOADS of laundry and I cleaned anyway - I will not be stopped in my spring clean efforts.

I always think I'm going to find amazing things that I've lost when I clean and be super excited about it. Today I found the following objects - three hangers under the ironing board, a picture frame, my high school journals, a pair of Gar's socks, and our poodle's favorite chew toy. I don't know which of those things I most excited about. K-Bug was very impressed with my mad cleaning skills!

More tomorrow as I take on the kitchen - I wonder what I'll find it there!

I read good! Warning - could contain spoilers.

I read - A LOT! People who know me (or are friends with me on Goodreads) know that I read at least five books month now - pre K-Bug I read two to three books a week. I often read so much that I forget the books I read the previous month. Though I have read some of the "heavy-hitters" or classics since graduating I have focused on leisure reading - mostly romance novels, popular fiction, and recommended books by my mom. I have not read a true classic in years.

I recently re-watched the movie "Jane Austen Book Club" which is based on a book. I decided to read the book but I wanted to read all of Jane Austen's books first. I've read Pride and Prejudice and LOVED it but I have not read her other books. Last week I started Persuasion. Usually I average at least 100 - 150 pages a day but when I stared this book I was only reading about ten to twenty pages at a time. I kept thinking - this is hard! I've had to slow way down to understand all the clever sultelness of Austen's work. Because I've slowed down I savor it more - I care more. Will Anne end up with Captain Wentworth? Will her sisters ever stop being so snarky? I love it! I cried at the end because I was so happy and so relieved for the characters (although the sisters never really get their come uppins (sp?).

After enjoying this book so much I decided to take more time in picking my books and take more time in reading them. I want this year to be filled with books that last a long time for me - ones I remember for years or even read again.

Are there books that you know that you will remember for years and years?

Sparro's Anyone?

In our quest to save money and be healthier we are cooking at home every day. We haven't gone out to eat since January 8. We decided to treat ourselves to a night out this weekend. Gar and I have had a great time trying to decide where we will eat and we pretty much have it down to two places. Gar, in a moment of crazy, suggested that we go out for a few beers after dinner. My reply - Are you insane - do know how expensive that is? Apparently I've gone a little too far with frugality because that night I dreamt that I was trying to talk Gar into going out to eat at the mall - the MALL? I think we can do a little better than that.

Part of saving money and cooking at home is not getting burnt out on it. You have to find a good balance of challenging meals, easy meals, and going out occasionally. This is a hard journey and we are having fun but I can get a little intense about things (just ask my brother about when I decided to go Green).

Does anyone have a suggestion for a dinning out experience? We are looking for affordable, unique, and fun!

Thanks!

Recipes!

Recipes promised - recipes delivered.

First one is really easy - we love grilled cheese and recently we've been adding ham to our grilled cheese and it's delicious!!!! Its more filling and more protein.

Second one is also super easy. Every Sunday we cook the largest chicken we can find at the grocery store (usually 4 or 5 lbs). Half of it goes with Gar for sandwich meat for the week and we use the other half for entrees during the week. Here's one that I love. I uses this amazing pot that I will keep FOREVER. Its beautiful and works wonderfully. You can also roast your chicken in it.

Chichen Noodle Soup

2-3 cup of Chicken chopped up into bite size pieces

2 32 oz of Chicken stock - I use low sodium

2 handfuls of carrots chopped up

2 celery stalks chopped up

could shakes of garlic salt.

Put all that in the pot and bring it to boil and then to simmer.

In another pot I make the noodles - any kind will do but I like the big curly ones.

After the pasta is done I throw it in with the soup.

Easy right?!

Now - to make the soup go a little longer, I often serve it over mashed potatoes - its delicious!!!!

I'm wanting recipes from other people too!!!

Frugal Living - Week 2

So here we are at Week Two of my goals and so far I'm doing pretty good. I haven't been to the gym yet BUT I did write down all the classes that take place before Gar goes to work and I've got a good idea which ones I'll go to - Yoga here I come! I've made all our meals at home - except for Gar's wonderful parents who took us out to Sabor last Friday and my wonderful parents for making us chile rellenos on Saturday (I should also mention that Gar fixed us breakfast Sunday). K-Bug and I have had tons of fun crafting and Gar and I have had fun watching our Netflix movies. I've learned, in the past two weeks, that part of living frugally is being willing to take risks and my friends, risks have been taken.

Monday night I was super jazzed about this recipe from Martha Stewart. I've never used a broiler but I didn't think it would be too hard. When Gar got home from work the pork was still cold in the center - not good. I'd already made the pineapple-avocado salsa and my mom had given me some left-over rice from her yummy chile rellenos so I turned the oven to bake and made bean burritos instead. Lesson learned - always have a back up! The next night we had the pork but it wasn't a big hit. It had a lot of brown sugar, cinnamon, and such on the outside and my normally very complementary husband came up with "interesting flavor" as his assessment of the meal.

Today I took a bigger risk. While grocery shopping I walked by the clearance table and noticed that the hair color I was looking at last weekend was on clearance for $2.38. Now, let me back up and tell you - I love my hair. It's my safety net. I may not be thin, but I have good hair. I may not be very nice in the morning, but I have good hair. I may not always pay my cable bill on time but ... you get the idea. Today I risked my safety net and bought that $2.38 hair color. I waited until K-Bug had her nap and I went to work on the color. After rinsing, conditioning, and

blow drying - I looked in the mirror and I really like it. It's a little darker than my natura

l color but it looks pretty good. I haven't gotten my toughest critic's (my brother) approval but I'm pretty sure we're looking at a win.

It's hard not having money to do whatever you want but I'm learning it might be more fun trying new things and knowing how hard you work for the things you do spend money on. I look at our house and our family and I know we have everything we need - we have a cozy house, lots of love, and now - new hair color.

Tomorrow I promise I will have some recipes - I've got some good ones!!!

Recipe!

Here's a recipe from SAMSTER MOMMY. Looks very good!

Are we up for some changes?

When Gar and I were contemplating adoption we knew that we would be financially challenged. We are not big savers and we love eating out and shopping - not exactly Suze Orman's model students. We kept making budgets and failing to follow them. Many a night I lie awake with a heart thumping/ sick tummy feeling about money. I knew K-Bug had fully adjusted to our family when I went through our receipts each week and she could look at them and tell me what she ate at each restaurant. Even as we drive around she points and says things like - "I eat chips and salsa there" "We get pizza there" "I eat burger-fries there."

Now that the New Year has started and we see all the spending we did during the holidays - we know changes have to be made. I am writing today to inform my loyal reader(s) about the changes that we are undertaking. I am hoping this honesty will keep me on task and accountable.

Here's the list:

Save money by not eating out except ONCE a month and making delicious inexpensive meals at home.

Go to the gym that I am paying a membership for.

Work at least two days a week (substituting).

Find new ways to entertain our family with out spending money.

OK - there it is. It actually doesn't look that daunting. I have gotten several books (from the library) to help us accomplish this and I will be blogging any helpful hints that I have gleamed.

Here's to a new year and new challenges!!!