Friday, May 7, 2010

What mothers really want for Mothers day!


I posted this last year but still find it oh so true, so I thought I would post it again with some updates! Happy Mothers day to all you awesome mothers!!


When you ask a Mama what she really wants for Mothers day, you will often get the following answers.

"I don't need anything. Just being your mama is enough..."

" You are my gift "

" I need a new skillet or maybe a vacuum"

I thought I would break it down and list some things that mamas really want for mothers day. (Or at least Mamas of toddlers / young ones)

To be able to eat a meal- while its hot!

To be able to have one phone conversation without interruption or saying "excuse me... Miles is on top of the buffet... I'll have to call you back."

To be able to take a shower for longer than 3 minutes and without "visitors".

To have all the kids NOT SICK at one time.

To get a report for the sitter or Sunday school teacher that your little one was a delight and OH SO kind to others.

To be able to listen to a song you love on the radio in the car with the kidlets in the backseat. ( Every time a good song comes on that's the time my son decides to ask me how a fire hydrant works or why grandpa lives so far away. )

To be able to take a bath and read a couple chapters in a book... without hearing screaming on the other side of the door.

For your heart not to break when you think someone has hurt your child's feelings

For your little ones to stay little just a while longer. (Except, of course, if your having one of THOSE days in which you quickly wish they were 25 and out of the house.)

To be able to protect your babies from every hurt... emotional and physical.

To have a babysitter that lives next door, is a elementary school teacher/ pediatric nurse who loves nothing more than to read and sing to your children.

To have energy to not just collapse at the end of the day.

To have your hubby say " You have had a rough day...let me cook dinner, do the dishes, bath the kids and put them down while you relax."

A clean house that stays that way for at least an hour.

To get through a meal without an "ewww" "I don't like this" or "I am not hungry."

What is so fabulous about being a mama is that although I would love to have the above items...... I wouldn't trade all of them for one moment with my babies. Isn't motherhood wonderful??

Happy Mothers day to all your AWESOME mama's out there! Your job is priceless and worth more than all the gold in the world.

Thursday, May 6, 2010

Mothers day gifts...sure to induce some tears!

This post is from last year. I was hoping to post a new really cool craft but have had some health issues to take care of this week. (And because I believe in the awesome power of prayer I would appreciate any prayers from you readers. ) So hope you enjoy this craft as much as we did making it last year!

Mothers day is one of my favorite "holidays". I didn't fully appreciate it until I have delivered two beautiful children and gave my heart away forever.

Since we are on a budget in this house, I have been racking my brain for gifts that are both thrifty and will produce the proper tears! This is what I came up with....

I just grabbed some cheap Terracotta pots ( I found them for around a $1 at Walmart) then used some outdoor paint that I had. NOTE: Make sure that you use outdoor accent paint that is both UV and water resistant if they will be used outside. I get mine from Michaels crafts- Use your coupon for 40% in the Sunday paper to make this even more reasonable! Just make sure that you have something to apply the paint and some soapy water to wash little hands :)

I painted the kids hands and just had them touch the pots. Then I Painted their names and ages on the pots. The kids had a ball doing it!

You can either put a flower in the pots or fill it with seed packets, new gardening gloves, spade, gardening shoes etc.

I cannot wait to see the looks on the faces of our mamas and grandmas when they open this gift. This way they can have a little piece of the grandkids with them at all times!

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Mama knows Best: foo foo coffee at home!


We as mamas have to be innovative and thrifty all in the same beat. Some how we find new ways of doing things that save us money, time and maybe if we are really blessed.... sanity!


One of my "things" that I occasionally indulge in is a fancy foo foo coffee drink. I know its a luxury..... but I love it so!


One of my very favorites is the Cafe Mocha. I usually go through the drive through and then enjoy the aroma and sweet flavor of the special drink. It was when I went inside to order, however that I got a little surprise.


Are you ready?
I placed my order and watched as they grabbed a cup and filled it halfway with coffee. Then they filled it halfway with cocoa. They then put s dab of whipped cream and and handed it to me.

I stood kind of mystified. I quickly looked at the price list and then back down at my mocha... huh.


The next day at church I tried my own hand at the mocha. I filled my cup with coffee and then mixed in a packet of cocoa. Let me tell you... it was delish....and cheap!


Now I make my own before I hit the road. I can use light cocoa when I am trying to watch the waistline and it has saved me a fortune... enjoy y'all!



Do you have a money/time/sanity tip to share? E-mail me at everythingmom@live.com

Monday, May 3, 2010

Menu Plan Monday: New recipes to try!

I found a container of homemade chili in my freezer this week. My first response was to wrinkle my nose. After all, it is already shorts weather here...who wants to eat a hot stew? Then I spied a bag of potatoes and the glimpse of an easy meal. I am excited to try out chili/ cheese potato bar where my people can assemble their own meal. (Can I get a big Ol' woohoo!) I also have a great recipe that I want to try for garlic lime chicken. Doesn't that just sound yummy?!?! Happy eating y'all!

Monday: Oriental grilled pork chops, broccoli, corn on the cob

Tuesday: Chili, cheese potato bar, salad

Wednesday: Leftover buffet- if its in the fridge you can eat it, but mama is NOT cookin!

Thursday: Garlic- Lime Chicken, grilled asparagus and red bell peppers, spinach salad

Friday: Pizza Night!

Saturday: Pulled beef brisket sandwiches, baked chips, green beans

Sunday: Shrimp fajitas, re fried beans, Spanish rice

Garlic- Lime Chicken
1/3 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup fresh lime juice
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
2 garlic cloves, minced
6 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves
1/2 teaspoon pepper

Combine first five ingredients. Place chicken in a large resealable plastic bag or glass bowl; pour sauce over chicken. Cover or close bag ad refrigerate for at lest 30 minutes. Drain, discarding marinade. Place chicken on grill and sprinkle with pepper. Grill, uncovered, over medium-low coals, turning several times, for 12-15 minutes or until juices run clear.