My really bad, terrible, awful day! (Did I mention it was awful?)

It started out like any other typical day. I had high hopes for a smooth day....boy was I wrong!

I went in for my standard 12 week OB appointment only for my OB to not find the heartbeat. I felt my own pulse quicken with anticipation as we walked over to the ultrasound room. I had my 2 1/2 year old with me and she was just chatting away. I was trying to appear calm.

As soon as the wand touched my stomach we saw my little plum promptly turn its back to us and refuse to flip around. My first thought was "Oh, this is how baby #3 is going to be...great!" I then had to turn my focus on my almost 3 year old screaming to the top of her lungs " I can't see the baby!!! Too dark!!!"

My OB was laughing.....I was trying to remember why I got pregnant again.

The sudden ultrasound made me late in picking up my son from preschool. There he was in the front lobby with one of my girlfriends that I had called. First thing out of his mouth? "Why are you so late, mama?!?!" As other mamas (who were not late in picking up their offspring) looked on.

Being late caused me to run thru a drive thru on the way home instead of fixing a extra healthy nutritious meal for my brood, which in return caused mama guilt. That in return made me scarf down my food, only to make a swift return when morning sickness hit.

Good times.

Number 1 refused to take a nap while number 2 slept longer than normal which left me balancing trying to keep #1 quiet and entertained. (My boy thought my front living room is a gymnastics center and every time I would walk away I would hear a "BOOM" where he had catapulted his body off of some piece of furniture.)

I then had to wake #2 up so that I could hurry my littles out the door for our last night of t-ball. Of course this was the night that my people did not want to get their shoes on, want to go pee for the last time and wanted to ask about how pumpkins grew. I started to count to ten and decided I needed more than a hundred numbers....

At the ball park my son was drawing letters in the dirt when he should have been trying to catch a ball and lost his glove. Enter lunatic mom yelling through the fence. " Miles, your glove is right here...come and get it...Miles! MILES!!!"

Now moms and dads were looking at me. I was too tired and worn out to care at that point.

I turned to find my daughter was covered in dirt and was throwing it on one of her little playmates....squarely in the eyeballs. I rushed over to her and had a talk about not throwing in which she giggled and did it again. I then picked her up and removed her from her friend which sent her into hysterics and screaming loud enough to wake the dead.

After the game they awarded trophies to the boys only for me to not have a camera. (The only parent not to have one) A fellow mom looked at me sadly and offered to take pictures for me and send them to me. I have to be honest, at this point, I just wanted to crawl under the bench and rock back and forth.

Walking back to the car with another family my daughter shot ahead sing songing " I love to run la la la" I couldn't keep up with her and she darted straight out in the parking lot, trying to escape the grasp of her older brother who was chasing her. I shouted and a mom grabbed her just before she ran in front of a moving vehicle. While I grabbed her this mom was looking at me like I had no business having another child and I believed her. I swiftly started disciplining my daughter only for her start to bawl and guess what? I started to bawl too.

Trying to still talk to my daughter about the dangers of running out in the street, I put my son in his car seat. He was displeased with this because he couldn't talk to his friend in the car beside him. Not having a nap and acting in the flesh, he decided that the proper action to take was to punch the window. All this while his little friends family looked on.

I quickly opened the door and managed to hiss out a warning. Going to the back of my car, I realized that I left the lawn chair waaaaaay back at the ball field. I felt hot tears sting the backs of my eyes and the hubby of my friend beside me must have felt sorry for me because he ran back to get it for me.

I won't bore you with more. (Oh yes, there is more!) The point of rawly exposing my worst day I have had in a long time is simple. Many times we as moms try to come off as perfect. Like we have it all together. As a mom, I see other moms and wonder how they manage to do it all. Or after a really bad long day I wonder if I deserve to be a mom.

One of my friends whom I have not seen for a while confided that she wanted to handle things like I did with the kids. I threw my head back and let out a long hearty laugh. I told her of that awful day where I felt like a total failure as a parent. Her eyes grew wide and she joined me in a good belly laugh.

Because that is the thing with girlfriends who are mama's. We don't only need to share recipes and sewing tips. We need to share the really hard days where our kids are acting a'fool and we are losing it. Because we have all been there!!! We all have days like this. None of us are perfect, have it all together or do the right thing all the time. Just knowing that we are not alone helps us to take a deep breath and hope that tomorrow will be better. (Along with prayer...alot of prayer!)

So next time your friend is having a hard day take some pity on her and tell her a really awful story of yours. It will make everyone feel better!

Works for me Wednesday: Sauce tip

We recently had a family dinner with my in-laws. My sister in law ,who is the hostess with the mostess, also got a part time job at a fancy restaurant doing food prep. She loves cooking and she thought it might be an opportunity to learn some new tricks of the trade.

She shared one of these tricks with us the other day as we indulged in the best pasta sauce I have ever laid my taste buds on!!!

When making a tomato sauce of any kind you can actually reduce the acid content and taste!

Place a peeled, halved carrot in any sauce while making it and it will soak up the acid. Your left with a smooth tasting sauce that your family (and guests) will love!

For more great WFMW ideas visit We are That Family!

Menu Plan Monday: I'm back...and hungry!!

Hello! I am extremely happy and blessed to announce that the morning sickness has chosen to depart this past week. Leaving in its wake.....hunger! I think I am trying to make up for weeks of not eating. :) The herbed turkey breast roast below is so good I had to share! Its easy and you can usually find a turkey breast roast on sale with the roasts! Also check out some of the linked side dishes below which I cannot wait to try......happy eating y'all!

Monday: Herbed roast turkey breast, stuffing, corn, green beans with ham hock

Tuesday: Shrimp pasta in a sun dried tomato cream sauce, spinach salad, garlic bread

Wednesday: Leftovers- If its in the fridge, you can have it...but mama is not cookin!!

Thursday: Turkey Enchiladas, Black beans and rice

Friday: Pizza Night!

Saturday: Cheeseburgers, baked fries, Tomato Salad

Sunday: Fried chicken, cheesy mashed potatoes, fried green tomatoes, salad

Works for me Wednesday: Using Nature to decorate for fall!

We are trying our best to be good stewards of money these days. I will confess right now, that I have a TON of fall decorations that I have collected over the years! That doesn't stop me from seeing new decorations and wanting to add to my collection!

In this last year, however, I have found that my very favorite decorations are the ones that God himself created :)

I have been going out with the kidlets to collect gorgeous leaves. (Which leads to lots of talks about trees, squirrels and other random stuff :) ) We also have been on the lookout for long branches that we can tie some orange ribbons to. Anything that doesn't carry bugs and won't rot is fair game for some cheap and beautiful decorations!

Here are some leaves that we collected and let dry. (They curl so pretty!) I placed them in a glass cylinder and even put a candle on top. And guess what?! They are from 2 years ago!!

They keep beautifully and are free.....and that works for this mama!

For more great WFMW ideas, visit We are That Family!

Make it a Fiesta!!!

This week we are having Chicken Enchiladas, re fried beans and Spanish Rice. I thought maybe we could spice it up a little with one of my favorite desserts in the world....sopapillas.

These are puffy pastries that you can dip in berry sauce, chocolate, vanilla ice cream or sprinkle with powdered sugar.

Usually these tasty treats are made from a dough recipe but we like things simple in this house. :)

My mom taught us how easy this is...and then took care of us when we ate so many we got sick!

Easy Sopapillas

1 tube of crescent rolls

Frying Oil

Dips of your choice

Heat oil till its extremely hot. (Because I like technical terms)

Unfold crescent rolls and separate. Take individual crescent rolls and fold over to form a triangle. Place in oil with a spatula. (It will bubble so be careful!)

When puffy and golden brown, remove and let drain on a paper towel.

Serve while warm!

Menu Plan Monday: 2 meats- 4 meals!

I have decided to make two major meats this week and make four meals out of them. Hopefully this will save me some time and sanity! :) I am also excited to be fixing one of my favorite salads this week. I am hoping that eating foods that really sound good to me will save me some morning sickness grief....happy eating y'all!


Monday: Pot Roast, roasted carrots and potatoes, green beans, hot rolls

Tuesday: Boulevard salad (recipe below)

Wednesday: Roast chicken, mixed veggies, cheddar biscuits

Thursday: Hot roast beef sandwiches with mashed potatoes, salad

Friday: Pizza Night!

Saturday: Leftover night- Mama is too sick to cook!

Sunday: Chicken enchiladas, Re fried beans, Spanish rice

My family used to have a favorite restaurant called "The Boulevard" when I was growing up. Since then, it has long gone out of business but I have tried to recreate my favorite dish. It just so happens that it is delicious and easy. The combination of the hot stir fry, melted cheese and the crunch of the cool lettuce is a great combination!! I hope you love it as much as my family does!!

The Boulevard Salad

1 bag of frozen teriaki chicken stir fry (I get the one with the chicken included)
1 head of lettuce
1 bag of mozzarella cheese
Asian noodles

Fix the bag of stir fry as directed on package including the sauce.

Meanwhile on a plate, make a bed of lettuce. Sprinkle a generous amount of cheese on top of the lettuce.

When stir fry is cooked spoon ion top of the lettuce and cheese.

Sprinkle the top with Asian noodles and serve while hot.

Menu Plan Monday: Comfort food ....still!

I am afraid that I am still in comfort food mode so its not alot of variety this week! If fact, I am thankful that my family is good with all the foods that I am wanting right now!! I hope to be able to try new things soon but until then it looks like I eat what I can :) Happy Eating Y'all!!

Monday: Grilled tomato and cheese's, baked fries, peas

Tuesday: Ham potato cheddar soup, fresh bread, salad

Wednesday: Breakfast for dinner- French toast, bacon and scrambled eggs

Thursday: Chili and cornbread (See recipe below)

Friday: Pizza Night!

Saturday: Potato bar with chili, cheese and sour cream, garden salad with fresh veggies

Sunday: Left over buffet- Mama is prego...and not cookin!

My mama is from the south and she has very strong opinions on things such as manners, sweet tea and cornbread. My grandmother would always make our cornbread in a large cast iron skillet and it came out perfect every time! Let me make it perfectly clear, however. Cornbread in the south is not sweet! (Many a southern woman will get scrappy over this fact too :) ) Check out an adaptation from a family cornbread recipe....

Cornbread (Adapted from women in my family)

2 4 tablespoons bacon fat

1 1/2 cups self-rising cornmeal

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

1 egg

1/2 cup buttermilk

1/4 teaspoon of baking soda

water

Heat oven to 425.

Put the bacon fat in a cast-iron skillet and place in the oven. Combine the cornmeal and flour, then mix in the egg and milk. Add water slowly, until the mixture is pourable (like a thick batter).

Take the hot pan from the oven, pour some of the melted bacon fat (a tablespoon or more) into the batter, then pour the batter into the hot pan.

Place back in the oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until the outer crust is golden brown.

Holy Wars

I have 2 delightful children and am cooking the third. I love my little brood and I love their distinct personalities ...well, sometimes.

The current dilemma in our house is saying grace before meals.

My son has always been the little evangelist. He loves to say grace and I am quite proud of him. He has learned not to recite but to really make it personal. He will ask for God to keep daddy safe while at work, to help sissy with her cold or when he is really hungry he thanks God for the "best food ever". Its sweet and makes me smile.

Enter the little sister.

She is sassy. In every way. She may be little in stature but she is BIG in personality. She has figured out that it bugs her darling brother if she tries to say grace...over top of his grace.

Number 1 gets truly enraged, even daring to growl and bang his fist on the table in the middle of thanking the Lord for or food. This of course delights number 2 and results in giggles and grins. Which just makes my son all the more angry.

I am sure that the Lord is more amused that I am at these times.

I try to explain that we are thanking God for our food and that this is not appropriate. We have tried taking turns saying grace, disciplining my daughter, both saying it. I have exhausted my list of options.

Being the cooker of #3 I can hardly wait (sarcasm intended) to see what he/she brings to the dinner table.

Isn't that the great part of being in a family, though? All those moments that cannot be planned and that make you laugh later. It makes me love this job as a mama and I wouldn't trade it for the world. Well....most days anyway.

I guess for now, its our own little Holy war.

Works for me Wednesday: Making leftovers easy!

I love this style of kids trays.

They are so convenient when your kids don't like their foods touching. (Good times)I have recently found another use for them that saves me time...and that is a good thing! I can use the extra time to you know....use the bathroom or read a page in my book. :)

When putting away leftovers, I have been putting a little of the leftovers in these sectioned trays then covering it with cling wrap. I then place it in the fridge and have a complete meal, ready to eat for my kiddos. Thus, creating a meal to go! It works perfect when they have a sitter or even home with dad. I feel better than getting them junk or one of those frozen kids meals. Just pop it in the microwave and you are done!

And that totally works for this mama!!!

For more great WFMW ideas visit We are That Family!

Recipe Tuesday: Chicken and Dumplings

This looks absolutly delisious...and more importantly these days, mild on my tummy! I can't wait to try it...happy eating!!

Chicken and Dumplings

6 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
6 cups chicken broth
1 tablespoon butter

Chopped Carrots- as many as you would like

Chopped Celery- as many as you would like

salt and pepper to taste
2 cups all-purpose baking mix
2/3 cup milk
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup cold water

In a large pot over medium heat, simmer chicken in 6 cups water until no longer pink. Remove chicken, cool and shred.

Return shredded chicken to pot and stir in butter, salt and pepper. Cook until chicken reaches desired tenderness, 15 to 60 minutes.

In a bowl, stir together baking mix and milk until smooth. In a separate bowl, stir together flour and 1/2 cup cold water until smooth. Stir flour mixture into soup; bring soup to a rolling boil.

Drop baking mix mixture by tablespoonfuls into the boiling water, neatly around the chicken. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook, uncovered, 10 minutes. Then cover and cook 10 minutes more. (Sneak a spatula under the dumplings to prevent chicken from sticking to the bottom of the pot.) Serve hot.

Menu Plan Monday: Anything goes!

So...now that the secret is out on why my tummy has been so upset these days, this menu plan will come as no surprise to you! Its all about comfort food!!!! Anything that does not make me want to hug the toilet is good for me. What you see this week is your traditional comfort food. Happy eating y'all!!

Monday: Sloppy Joes (recipe below), Tater Tots, salad

Tuesday: Chicken noodle soup, fresh baked bread

Wednesday: Leftover night...mama is not cookin!!

Thursday: Beef roast, mashed potatoes, green beans

Friday: Pizza Night!!

Saturday: Baked ziti, spinach salad, garlic bread

Sunday: Chicken and dumplings (recipe tomorrow), mixed veggies

Sloppy Joes

2 pounds lean ground beef
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 cup chopped celery
1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed tomato soup
1/4 cup ketchup
1 tablespoon white vinegar
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
8 hamburger buns

Place ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook until evenly browned, stirring to crumble. I like to use a potato masher to even out the lumps. Add onion and celery, cover the pan, and cook until tender and transparent, about 5 minutes. Drain off any grease.

Stir the tomato soup (undiluted), ketchup, vinegar, brown sugar and Worcestershire sauce into the beef mixture. Season with salt and garlic powder. Heat to a simmer over low heat, and cook until thoroughly heated, stirring frequently to prevent it from burning on the bottom.

Spoon the hot beef mixture onto buns, which may be toasted first, and serve.

My little reason for the blog interruption :)

You may have noticed that my blog is ...um...well lacking these days.

I haven't posted a craft, Kids activity or organizing tip in I don't know how long!

I promise I am not leaving you .....

I have been sick. Well, sick and tired. Make that feel like a slug, don't want to get off the couch tired. Well unless I have to be sick...in which I run. :)

We are thrilled that God has blessed us with another child!! (How can you love someone so much from one little flicker on a screen?...I guess that is another post!)



I am having a hard time right now keeping up with the blog while I fight with my tummy:)

Please be patient with me...I have some great ideas in the works.


But for right now I need to go lay down :)

Recipe Tuesday: Black bean and salsa soup

I came across this recipe and it seemed too good to be true! It had rave reviews and everyone loved it !!! I cannot wait to try it......

Black Bean and Salsa Soup

2 (15 ounce) cans black beans, drained and rinsed
1 1/2 cups vegetable broth
1 cup chunky salsa
1 teaspoon ground cumin
4 tablespoons sour cream
2 tablespoons thinly sliced green onion

In an electric food processor or blender, combine beans, broth, salsa, and cumin. Blend until fairly smooth.

Heat the bean mixture in a saucepan over medium heat until thoroughly heated.

Ladle soup into 4 individual bowls, and top each bowl with 1 tablespoon of the sour cream and 1/2 tablespoon green onion.

Menu Plan Monday: Back to Basics

I have not been feeling that hot so I am trying to stick to basics this week. Tacos, baked pasta and pork chops are about all I can handle right now. (But they are all family favorites so that is ok!!) The one exception is the black bean and salsa soup. It sounds too good not to try! Happy Eating Y'all!

Monday: Cornflake coated fish (Recipe below), Perogies, Green Beans

Tuesday: Taco's, Spanish rice, black bean and salsa soup (Recipe tomorrow)

Wednesday: Leftover buffet- if its the fridge you can eat it .......but I am not cookin!

Thursday: Baked penne pasta with meat sauce, spinach salad, garlic bread

Friday: Pizza night!

Saturday: Shredded beef sandwiches, baked fries, broccoli salad

Sunday: Baked pork chops, asparagus, baked carrots

Cornflake Fried Fish

1 egg
1 1/2 cups beer
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 pound cod fillets
2 cups crushed cornflake crumbs
1 quart oil for frying

In a medium bowl, beat together egg, beer, flour, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Place cod in the bowl, and thoroughly coat with the mixture.

In a separate medium bowl, mix the cornflake crumbs. Dip the cod in the crumb mixture, and thoroughly coat all sides.

In a large, heavy skillet or deep fryer, heat the oil to 365 degrees F (185 degrees C). Fry the fish until golden brown, and flesh is easily flaked with a fork.