Kingston Girl

GO Fund me!

noreply@blogger.com (kingstongirl) — Thu, 12 Nov 2015 04:06:00 +0000

We started a Go funds page for some of the needs for Brock. We know its a long road ahead of him and us too. I know that we need to try to get him all the things he needs right now. So here we go! Brock Thomas's medical needs

Wordless Wednesday... Four years ago.

noreply@blogger.com (kingstongirl) — Wed, 28 Oct 2015 04:06:00 +0000

The boys turn 4 next Monday. To say that I am blessed is a understatement.Not one day goes by that I don't thank God for giving me these two beautiful boys that call me Mama. For the two true loves of my life.
Little Man

The boys together

Little man on the left, B man on the right.
B Man

Tempt my Tummy Tuesday ( Pot Roast)

noreply@blogger.com (kingstongirl) — Tue, 27 Oct 2015 04:03:00 +0000

Halloween is my Husbands birthday, for years we use to get a cake, make chili and hand out candy for our friends with kids. It was our tradition something we enjoyed before having kids... This year we have to do the trick or treating with our own kids, so I need a quick and easy roast recipe. That way the birthday boy gets a good meal! I found this one on Rae Drummon's website. She is my favorite cook and I love that she started out as a blogger. My dream come true is to be as big as Rae! SO here is a great recipe to have on hand for a great fall/winter go to meal....

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

One 3 to 5-pound chuck roast

2 or 3 tablespoons olive oil

2 whole onions, peeled and halved

6 to 8 whole carrots, unpeeled, cut into 2-inch pieces

1 cup red wine, optional

3 cups beef broth

2 or 3 sprigs fresh rosemary

2 or 3 sprigs fresh thyme

Preheat the oven to 275 degrees F.

Generously salt and pepper the chuck roast.

Heat the olive oil in large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the halved onions to the pot, browning them on both sides. Remove the onions to a plate.

Throw the carrots into the same very hot pot and toss them around a bit until slightly browned, about a minute or so. Reserve the carrots with the onions.

If needed, add a bit more olive oil to the very hot pot. Place the meat in the pot and sear it for about a minute on all sides until it is nice and brown all over. Remove the roast to a plate.

With the burner still on high, use either red wine or beef broth (about 1 cup) to deglaze the pot, scraping the bottom with a whisk. Place the roast back into the pot and add enough beef stock to cover the meat halfway.

Add in the onions and the carrots, along with the fresh herbs.

Put the lid on, then roast for 3 hours for a 3-pound roast. For a 4 to 5-pound roast, plan on 4 hours. The roast is ready when it's fall-apart tender.

Mama needs to slow down...

noreply@blogger.com (kingstongirl) — Mon, 26 Oct 2015 04:58:00 +0000

I have been having a pretty hard time at this mother hood thing lately. Maybe because my little man has been having a very hard time lately, not just a little bit but a lot. He hasn't been listening lately and being sassy and pushing his boundaries.

I told him "don't run, your going to fall and get hurt!" I say this every morning when we bring B man to the bus and we are on our way back down to the house.

He doesn't listen. This time he doesn't just fall, he falls and slides, rips his jeans and bloodies his little hands, I run to get to him. Picking him up and carrying him to the living room. His sobs are making me get that large lump in my throat.
As I clean him up, I whisper to him how brave he is and how there are just sometimes that super heros like him just need moments with their mamas to let his little body take a time out to feel safe and rest in my arms.
As I try to just take in this small moment I am thinking...
My Kitchen sink is full.The bathroom needs to be cleaned.I needed to call the Dr's back, get B man that appointment with the Natural Path on the Island..I've been waiting for months to get a call back to get in!
The list is growing but in this moment I am not going to do anything but hold my baby.

My motherhood moments, the filling up juice cups, the cleaning up cookie crumbs, the ups and downs, the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. These are the moments that make up my world. The times standing at the other side of the living room I have the feeling of being so antagonize at the amount of legos that are littering the floor.
The mornings when I am feeling so overwhelmed to get the boys out the door that I sound like a crazy person... I think I might just be crazy! There are so many days of me yelling for everyone to hurry up and wondering at the same time where I left my phone...my keys...my brain....

The moments that take us to the brink and you get pulled back in to the love of your motherhood.
Those big Brown eyes that both boys get from me... that sweet smell they both have, the sweet smell of boy.
You will always have the days where you ask yourself, "what am I doing here?" "Are you freaking kidding me?" looking at the living room and thinking to myself and many times that I have said it out loud, "didn't we just clean this up?" It is about me learning that I am not perfect. My kids don't expect me to be perfect.
They love me in my Yoga pants that I don't wear to yoga in..Dancing around the house in my fuzzy slippers. Making them laugh. Even when I do yell, they still love me.

So tonight as I was thinking back to this day...this Mama realized that the to do list can wait, the dirty dishes can stay in the sink, the latest blog post and anything at that moment can wait because my baby needs me. They are both growing so fast, the skinned knees and the boo boo's will stop wanting to be kissed and they wont want to cuddle.
I need to not take the small moments for granted. To savor every little second, even the ones where I want to scream. To remember all those nights I would pray to become a mom.... To remember that in life it is about those simple moments that we often forget. It all adds up and those days that feel pointless are actually just plain beautiful….

Hair at BPA

noreply@blogger.com (kingstongirl) — Thu, 22 Oct 2015 21:22:00 +0000

Last weekend I had the honor of checking out the BPA (Bainbridge Performing arts) production of Hair. To say that the production was amazing is a complete understatement. I felt fully immersed right as I walked into the building itself. My heart was so happy with all of the hippies that were everywhere! The cast photos staring out at me as I was waiting to get into our seats. Keeping with the theme, and keeping us entertained at the bar/concession area with the Themed drinks! I had the Peace drink, with an amazing pear taste to it. We were also welcomed to put on temporary tattoos so we could get a little into character as well. I had my close friend Alysa with me, knowing that she is a hippie at heart I knew that she would love the chance to see the talented actors putting on this production for Hair!

For those of you that have been living under a rock and have no idea what Hair is about....especially the 12 year old boy and his parents that were sitting behind me and made their shock well known in the opening act! Here is what the short summary of what its all about...Hair tells the story of the "tribe", a group of politically active hippies living a bohemian life in New York City and fighting against being drafted into the Vietnam War. Claude, his good friend Berger, their roommate Sheila and their friends struggle to balance their young lives, loves, and the sexual revolution with their rebellion against the war and the conservative society. Ultimately, Claude must decide whether to resist the draft as his friends have done, or to give into the pressures of his parents who are the faces of conservative America to serve in Vietnam, compromising his peaceful principles and risking his own life. THERE IS SEX, DRUGS, RACIST COMMENTS, NUDITY.....IN THIS PERFORMANCE!!!

A talented cast that can rival Broadway puts it own spin on Hair as they interpret it and makes it come alive on the beautiful stage of the BPA theater. Josh Anderson provides musical direction. Noah Duffy handles the choreography, both were able to transport you right to the 60's.

Right out of the gate Olivia Lee who plays Ronny/ The dance Captain, captivated me as she bared it all in the opening, singing her heart out to Aquarius. I know I wasn't the only one that was completely under her spell, the entire night I kept watching for her and seeking her out in the scenes. Never disappointing me she was able to mesmerize all of us with her amazing dance moves and singing.

Another star of the show was Ted Dowling as Berger threw himself into his part so well that I forgot that he was acting. His humor and on point performance of him dropping his pants in multiple scenes laughing and keeping the punch line in order, he also very much touched me with his performance as he played with the lead of the show Jesse Smith who played Claude. Together they stop at nothing short of showing us all their passion for acting and being part of this movement. The feelings were so raw and when Berger goes crazy over a Orange Sears shirt that Sheila played by the amazing actress Alison Monda you felt like you could relate as you remembered back to your first love and the end when it hit the breaking point. Sheila was gripping as she poured her love for Berger and the hurt of his rejection out in the song Easy to be hard. The entire audience was silent in that very moment.

My all time favorite part of the show was the outstanding performance of Michelle Lorenz Odell as she played the part of both Dionne and in this part she was playing the sweet lady Margaret Mead. In this scene she brought the humor and she commanded your attention as she belted out her first note until the last. Showing us her chops she used to get her vocal performance degree! My favorite part of the night was when she showed us what she had under that big coat! Oh and that giggle!!!!

In watching this amazing performance play out right before my eyes, I was able to look around the room and think of how this musical was touching all the people around me. The couple to my left sat with tear stains on their cheeks during the scene of the war time. The mom's in front of me having a mom's night out when the song "Hair" was sang by the tribe they were all singing and dancing in their seats as they got carried away into the vibe. The shocked sounds, gasps, and giggles from the crowd when the "tribe" all got naked in another epic scene. One scene a man who I know and love got chocked up by looking at his beautiful wife perform and sing a solo on stage.

At the end of the evening, they closed with the song Let the Sunshine in. The tears were not an act or fake at all, It was moving and beautiful and I sat there with the "tribe" I took a moment through my tear filled eyes looking around at the people around me and wondered how they were touched? If they were there or if they knew people that had lost their lives in Vietnam? Were they protestors? How were they touched by this?

As Alysa and I drove home that night we talked about what we saw, how it made us feel and what we both thought of it. I hope that the cast reads this and know just how many people that they have touched and most importantly made us talk.

The Inn at Gig Harbor.

noreply@blogger.com (kingstongirl) — Tue, 20 Oct 2015 21:47:00 +0000

The begining of fall means going to new places and exploring places that are close enough to get from my house to a hotel, inn, or B&B for just a tank of gas. My mom and I just love Gig harbor and this summer when the The Inn at Gig Harbor asked me to come and check their hotel out and enjoy a night away I couldn't say No and could hardly wait to do the review.... Now when I say away we got to get away with one kid not two! So it wasn't really away from it all.... Little man came with us. We picked him up from school and ran down to Gig Harbor.

Checking in was easy and the manager during the day was so sweet and accommodating to us. I forgot to let them know that my son was coming and that my mom has a seizure dog. He didn't even skip a beat and got us in a bigger room! The lobby is so inviting and warm, the small attention to detail of the local charm that Gig harbor has. The old photos that were in the lobby were so enjoyable to look at. Ever sense I was a little girl the Tacoma Narrows has completely freaked me out, seeing the picture made me feel those feelings all over again. Living in Tacoma for 4 years did help me get over that fear.... but the site of the photo made me remember why I was so fearful in the first place.

The room was pretty basic two beds, nice view, tub and shower, mini fridge, desk, and a TV with basic cable and you can get a DVD player in the lobby. The bath gel, lotion and shampoo and conditioner were amazing!!! We didn't bring bubble bath and trying to get either of my boys to take a bath with out bubbles just doesn't work and the shower gel did the trick.

They had plenty of blankets and extra pillows right there in the rooms closet and it was stocked with towels and hand towels and wash clothes. So it really was packed with all the things we needed or might need. The thing I loved most about the room was the chair and lamp for me to have a spot that didn't bother my mom or little man, when they were both sound asleep so I could do some reading and writing. It really was a great touch.

They have a spa on site as well. I wasn't able to enjoy this at the time of my stay but I will be making sure when I go back to make an appointment. You just have to book your spa experience when you check in or even better book the package that is called the Unwind For $249.00 plus tax, you get a fireplace or Jacuzzi suite and two half hour massages, a bottle of wine or champagne delivered to your room and an a breakfast for the next morning! When I do come back with the hubs this is the package that we would like to try. I can't promise to not ask him for his half hour massage so I can get a full hour!

There is a Golf package and a Seven Seas ( Brewery ) package. That would be what the hubs would want to try!

Their onsite resturant is called The Heritage Restaurant was very nice and quaint. It was very convenient to have a down home cooking type restaurant in our hotel. I could see for people here on business how this would be a total bonus. I have to say that I had the vegetarian omelet and it was amazing! It came with toast, and two eggs. My mom had the eggs Benedict and she said it was good, not the best and not the worst she has had just the middle of the road. My little man had the Mickey Mouse pancakes and bacon and he ate almost all of that and for one picky eater this is big!!

Getting ready for the holidays... This Friday will be our 9 week count down.

noreply@blogger.com (kingstongirl) — Mon, 19 Oct 2015 23:29:00 +0000

Getting deals for the holidays.......
The holidays are drawing near and every week, I will try and give you one good deal on Mondays to help you be a thrift shopper.
The holidays shouldn't be so stressful, we shouldn't try and kill ourselves over them and spend all our money trying to compete with the Jones's. Who are these people anyway?...
I love the pintrest post about getting meaning back to the holiday season....4 gift for each child.1) Something to read.2) Something to wear.3) Something to they want.4) Something they need.
So here is something that will help get you the something to wear.....

Calling all Gymbree fans you are going to love this sale!! Right now at Gymboree you can get a whopping 40% off everything sitewide!!! Plus all clearance is 50% off!! This is going to make for STEALS on super cute kids clothing!

Transformation Thursday!

noreply@blogger.com (kingstongirl) — Thu, 15 Oct 2015 04:30:00 +0000

Here is a great idea for all those jars that you have laying around,

or in your recycle bin!

This is a great idea and will add a fun touch to your

up coming holidays and if I was to

renew our vows this would be a touch I wouldn't think

twice about using!!!

Materials:

Various glass containers

Spray bottle

Water

White vinegar

spray paint that has the look of glass spray

( I got mine at wall mart for around $3.50)

Paper towels

Newspaper or other protective covering ( I used a pizza box)

The one catch to this tutorial is the fact that you'll really need to look for the specific looking glass spray. I was able to find it in more than one of our local craft stores, but if you are at a loss, you can find it online. While I haven't actually tried any other sprays, I did read in a few other Pinterest tutorials from people that did who wish in retrospect they had gone with the Krylon looking glass spray (just tyring to save you all a little time, money and frustration here).

Cover area outside (or in an extremely well ventilated area) where you plan to spray with newsprint or other protective covering — we used cut up grocery bags that we had on hand for projects like these.

Thoroughly clean and dry all glass pieces you'll be working with — you want to make sure the glass is clean in order for the spray to fully do it's thing. Fill a spray bottle with 1 part water to 1 part white vinegar and shake to combine.

Set nozzle of spray bottle to it's finest mist setting. Put on any protective gloves or masks you wish to use and let's get started!

*Note about spray: if you are like me, you read all the directions and warnings on the looking glass spray before using, so you know it requires lots of shaking before and between use and recommends using on the inside of the glass

— this is where you need to trust me — I used it on the outside of the glass. I did this because I wanted to actually be able to put things like flowers and candles inside the containers and the end result was good for me, so I'm just putting it out there.

Allow to dry for just a minute and apply another fine mist of water/vinegar solution — then let them sit. Here's what our glass containers looked like as they began to dry with both sprays applied — notice the fine beading from the water/vinegar solution creating variations in the mirror spray:

Allow to dry for about 2 minutes, then gently blot the beads of water/vinegar with your paper towel — they should lift off areas of the mirror spray in a varied pattern. Don't rub very hard as the metallic finish will streak, though you can apply gentle pressure in various places to achieve a more realistic and varied mercury glass look. Don't worry that the glass is still see-through at this point, since you'll be doing several thin layers to build up the look over time.

Just repeat the same process over and over, and rotating between resting your glass container on its base versus its top so you get full coverage. All in all I probably went with between 3-4 coats in total.

You want to go with several thin and even layers of the spray to avoid runniness and splotching trust me, the end result is worth the patience. Keep building up your layers until you are happy with the overall look and feel of your containers. Then allow for them to dry for at least 4 hours until bringing them inside or off the protective covering; you want them to set and seal.
After your container is completely dry, now you are ready to style them the way you want to... If you think an area needs a little more or less coverage you can simply spot treat with more spray or spray with more water/vinegar and continue to blot away the treatment this is where you own craftiness and style come into play.
So what do you think — would you try this? What piece of glass would you transform with fun diy this finishing technique? I am totally going to try this with my wine bottles! I have a very nice area outside I would like to decorate a art project with the wine bottles, white lights, and the spray paint.Something alittle Italian themed maybe? I also want to try the chalk paint method for container for my bathroom. I think the little ones would be great sweet on a shelf with my cotton balls, q-tips, and make up brushes. Living with two boy men and a big man I have to try and make it a little girlie, right?! :)

Wordless Wednesday

noreply@blogger.com (kingstongirl) — Wed, 14 Oct 2015 03:36:00 +0000

Tempt my Tummy Tuesday!

noreply@blogger.com (kingstongirl) — Tue, 13 Oct 2015 05:05:00 +0000

Not your Mc Donalds Nuggets!

I found this recipe through the Fit Blog. Tried it and loved it. I love that its health and my boys will be eating the thing they love the most and not have all the bad stuff that goes into the ones we can get at a drive through.

To keep the chicken nuggets healthy, I make the breading out of high-protein, low-carb bread that I put in the blender until it’s reduced to crumbs. I use low-fat sour cream to stick the crumbs to the chicken. Finally, the nuggets are fried in a little bit of coconut oil

Since I am using sour cream anyway, I often make a dipping sauce by just mixing lots of paprika, curry powder and pepper into a little sour cream. The fresh dressing provides a great balance to the spicy chicken nuggets.

Ingredients

1 Chicken breast (7 oz. / 200 g)
1 cup of bread crumbs.
2 tbsp. Coconut oil
2 tbsp. Low-fat sour cream
Chili
Paprika
Pepper

Instructions

Clean the chicken breast and cut it into nugget-sized pieces
Blend the muffin in the blender until it’s reduced to crumbs
Mix the sour cream with the spices (use A LOT of spices. The final dish will taste less spicy than you expect)
Dip the chicken pieces in the sour cream until they are fully coated. Then toss them in the breadcrumbs
Heat the coconut oil in a pan on medium heat. When the pan is hot, add the coated chicken nuggets and let them cook for about 4 min on each side. Open one with a knife to test if they are done
Transfer the nuggets to a paper towel and let them dry for a minute before serving

Meet Me Monday....

noreply@blogger.com (kingstongirl) — Mon, 12 Oct 2015 04:42:00 +0000

1. Who wakes up in the morning with the kids, you or hubby?Well on the days that my hubs isn't working, he wakes up most of the time. I get to wake up the other 5 mornings! I do get up every night when B man just isn't able to get back to sleep on his own. I live for his two days off....now though most of the time we both get up to get the boys ready for school...

2. Do you watch the World Series even if your team isn't in it?

Nope.....I only paid attention this year because of all the back to the future nods! The Cub's my friends should have been really bet on...they are going to be in the world series just like they predicted in the movie! I just know it!!!

3. What is the best compliment you have received?

That I look just like my mama

and

that I act just like my Dad!

4. Do/did you dress up to take your kids trick or treating?

We always dress the kids up but I never get my rear in gear together enough to pull all of us off. It is my husbands birthday

and

then two days later the boys have their b-day.

5. Do you have a favorite bible verse? What is it and why?

Yes I do, it is 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.
I love this one because it is the true meaning to me of what love means and what love should be like.

Meet Me Monday...

noreply@blogger.com (kingstongirl) — Mon, 21 Sep 2015 22:11:00 +0000

1. Dream job...realistic and completely unrealistic.

Dream job? Realistic, I'm living it. Raising my babies has to be the best job on the planet. Even when it's a day that's not happy, full of tears from them and me it's so rewarding to spend my days watching them grow. "Don't ever let a little boy go to sleep for when they awake they will be a day older."

Unrealistic?

I would go to school and become a NICU nurse. I loved our time in the NICU at Tacoma General, even with the sadness of being there and the times that were so stressful, the nurses that took the time to hold us and love us and make sure we were okay.... I would love to comfort the parents and hold them babies....

Really Unrealistic??

I would love to be a stand up comic. I would make people laugh and I know I can be pretty damn fun!!! That is totally what I would be.. the next Melissa McCarthy!!!!!

2. Do you fart in front of your significant other?

Heck yes I do.

I am proud of my loud farts. I come by them naturally.

I don't think there was a point we weren't able to Fart in front of each other. We were best friends before we started dating so it was never an issue.

3. What's the furthest you've ever traveled from home? How far and where was it?

When I turned 30, my hubs, mom and I went to Disneyworld. It was amazing!
I am a big Disney fan and have always wanted to go to the Big world.

My parents always took me by car to Disneyland and it must be a love of my parents because that is where they went for their honeymoon! Chris and I went there for our honeymoon as well. We are looking forward to going to Disney World in a few years with the boys... Except the looonnnngggg plane ride at 12:04 AM from Seattle to Orlando and getting their at 7:00am.

With that being said I think I would do the same flight so that the kids slept for most of the time on the plane. We wont be going until the boys are a little bit older so that they can make it without any out bursts or freak outs... This is even about Hubs. He was a big baby on that flight, he hates to fly and being in that plane for that long really will be a pain for me with all three of my men..... hmm...maybe just a girls week there no kids or hubs??

Yeah I would never do that with out my babies now that I have them but the idea may pop up once in a while....but I will be taking them in a few years because it wont be the crazy parts, the fits, and temper tantrums that we will remember... we will remember the memories that made the trip a fun time....because even the bad times in a trip to Disneyworld would never make it not be the happiest place on Earth.

4. How do you celebrate birthday for your kids? Family only or friends? ... Alternate for those without kiddos: How did you celebrate birthdays as a kid?

We do both.

A family party (because I could never subject my loved ones to the horror that is a child's birthday party. They'd write me off..) on the Sunday closest to the child's birthday. Sadly my family and my husbands family don't really get along... so we do get this TWO family parties.

Then we do a kids ( friend ) party and go all out for that... I try hard to make sure I am pintrest perfect. This year we will be having all their preschool friends and families. Our house is small but it will be fine with all the tents and outside heaters.

I love doing their parties. I plan them starting around January or February. Note their birthday is in November.

Hotel review... Ocean Park Resort.......

noreply@blogger.com (kingstongirl) — Fri, 11 Sep 2015 04:49:00 +0000

To say things have changed with having the twins is a major understatement. Before the boys every week or two I was going on hotel reviews like crazy. I loved it. The love for travel is something that has always been such a big part of me. I wish I would have been like my cousin Maddy as she has been traveling the world since she turned 18! This next month her and her sister Marlee are going on a travel journey through Europe. I am the person that doesn't care about all the fancy cars and clothes that my friends brag about on their social media outlets but get really green eyed with envy if you brag about your latest travel adventure.

Hubs and I haven't gone anywhere sense the boys were born almost four years ago alone. I need to work on this. My sister in law laughed at me years ago when I said that traveling would never slow down once I had them.... Yes she was right and I was so very wrong. We went to Kalaloch when the boys were almost two. That's when my sister and her husband and my nephew came up to visit from their home in Colorado. We had a great time and my parents joined us. It was an amazing time back then but, it took until now to go on our very first solo family vacation.

Our family use to go to Long Beach Washington all of the time and we decided that we wanted to go back to Ocean Park. The last time we all went was almost 10 years ago. So we called our favorite hotel and looked forward to our new memories with our little family.

Ocean Park resort is a small motel, with a RV and Tent camping park, along with a few cabins and mobile homes that they rent out to families during the summer and during razor clam digs, this place has always been packed. When we pulled into the resort it was almost empty. I have never seen it like this at all. We got our keys and paid the nice lady for our three day vacation.

When we got into our room we realized just how come it was so empty. First we saw just how outdated it was..... We asked for a room with a TV that would be compatible with our DVD player. They said sure we have your room ready with a TV that should work. We had two TV's, one with a built in VHS and one that had 4 channels that worked. There was no place to hook the DVD player up to the TV. The Coffee maker didn't work. What else could set our day off on the wrong foot then no coffee. The oven didn't work and we figured this out when we tried for almost an hour and a half for getting the boys pizza cooked. Only parents know the beads of sweat a hungry child can make you feel....

We always look for a place to stay that has a washer and dryer that we can use. Being that we have the boys and we were at the ocean this was a major must have with where we stay. I went to their laundry room and in every drum of the washers was filled with gunk, yuckie cat food looking waste. I went and told the older man that was in the office and he said he would take care of it. The next afternoon after a day at the beach the same things were in the drums of the washers. So we went to a laundromat in Long beach. That night when we got back to the hotel and we were packing our things up I looked into some of the rooms down below just checking things out and what did every empty room on the first floor have?? Brand new working flat screen TV's! Even asking a few times to be moved to another room if the TV's worked else where in another room. They said they didn't have one and then I see this. I was so mad!

But we didn't let that spoil our trip. We used our phones wifi and watched Netflix. Our little family is all we need for a fun time and on our first vacation as a family. All in all, I would say stick with another place for around the same price then this. You can stay closer to Long Beach but not here. We left a comment in their room note book and it was sent back to us from the owners asking us to not come back again and that we were so loud and rude. It just made me happy my grandma didn't have to go back and see this.

So from a scale of 1-10, 10 being the best place we have ever stayed, I would give it a -10. Never will go back and never will stay again. Also something I forgot to say was that they use to have a pool and when asked about it they made a rude comment about how handicap people don't come enough to pay for the lift to get them in and out of the hot tub and spa. When she was telling me about it she didn't know that Brock was handicap. I guess she was lucky that it was me she was offending and not someone else.

Wordless Wednesday!

noreply@blogger.com (kingstongirl) — Wed, 09 Sep 2015 16:53:00 +0000

I moved back home in December of last year, after being gone for almost three years. I put my son in a wonderful Co-op preschool and not only has Franky made some great friends but along the way I have made friendships I believe will last myself a life time. These ladies build each other up and not rip one another down. I am very blessed and look forward to next week when we start another amazing year.

Tempt My Tummy Tuesday!!! Cinnamon Rolls!

noreply@blogger.com (kingstongirl) — Wed, 09 Sep 2015 03:41:00 +0000

My favorite go to cinnamon rolls that are mixed in the bread machine. Then you add that this is the Pioneer women recipe. This is one of my favorite bloggers and Food network personality. So this is one recipe that is my go to when I want to make cinnamon roll. I hope that you enjoy this recipe as well as I do.

Start with putting all of the ingredients in the order they are listed.

Then roll out the dough with a rolling pin,

To make the filling, melt 1/2 cup of the butter and spread evening over the dough.

Generously sprinkle half of the ground cinnamon.

I can not stress this enough.

You then need to begin rolling the dough to form the log. Either way you choose to roll your dough, you’ll need to pinch the seam together once you’ve reached the end. Transfer the log over to a cutting board and using a sharp knife begin cutting about 1 1/2-inch slices. One log will produce 20-25 rolls. I let mine re rise again for about an hour before baking.

Dough

2 cups whole milk
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup sugar
1 package active dry yeast ( I found the one that works best for the bread machine)
4 1/2 cups (approx.) flour **Without problem, I used an organic, unbleached bread machine flour
1/2 heaping teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 tablespoon salt

Filling

1 cup melted butter, plus more as needed **see what I mean about the butter! Yummy I tell you, YUMMY!!**
1/8 cup ground cinnamon for sprinkling
1 cup sugar, plus more as needed

Meet Me Monday....

noreply@blogger.com (kingstongirl) — Mon, 07 Sep 2015 04:47:00 +0000

Instead of the regular MMM, let's do a summer recap on where we went and what kept us super busy!

So many things happened during this amazing beautiful summer we were all able to enjoy! Our family went on our first vacation to the Ocean. We spent three nights in Long beach, and then a few nights at Ocean shores. We played on the beach, went on a few day trips to Seaside, Astoria, and Cannon Beach. Each visit needed at the ocean. It was a fun and lazy way to pass the time.

The three of us had several fun playdates with friends. B man showed us at many of them that he would rather be away in the car then be with friends playing! He had a full summer of OT and now we start speech for him as well in a few weeks. Bman is really starting to flourish with all the extra help he is getting. Then there is Franky and he even did his first team sport, of course it had to be T ball! He loved it so much and showed that he will be in sports with the same love and passion his daddy and Papa have.... He is asking to go into swim lessons and we are looking into it for something extra for him to do outside of school.

We moved to a fab home we will be able to enjoy for years to come. Its what I call my sweet home my sweet country beach house. Its so amazing. I enjoy it and will be blogging a lot about the new adventures and DIY's and before and afters...

I have some very fun things coming up and one of the things I am getting set to do is more hotel reviews! EEEK! Venue reviews and back in the swing of things for talking up events and things to do and places to go!!! . I will be working with the local newspaper again as well. Exciting things for this girl right here!

My life with Autism.

noreply@blogger.com (kingstongirl) — Thu, 09 Apr 2015 03:40:00 +0000

I saw you, looking at me as I was slightly frazzled and exhausted, as I worked out my food order for my son and I while we were eating at Elmer's in our little town of Poulsbo. I always ask to be seated way in the back and far from anyone around us. I know the two waitresses that work on certain days and when my cousin Henry will be the cook in the back. Keeping that ever watchful third eye on my little boy, with his thick brown mop of hair and innocent exuberance. I see HIS energy, and lack of impulse control, flip flopping back and forth, lunging from seat to seat, starting to cry when the whip cream came on the pancakes they were no longer the same size and the chocolate chips were melted. That is when he lost his mind.

I noted your exasperation and said nothing, simply smiling playful son. When you looked down and then glared at me because my child was having a hard time. Telling me that I should keep him home and not in public. Well saying it to your husband loud enough to have the three tables in our small out of the way section hear. I couldn't help but turn red faced and in a low sigh, I looked at the two little elderly ladies that were looking at me with understanding & pity, I said,"He's Autistic," my heart breaking, looking in the two ladies eyes I knew at that moment that their hearts broke for me as well. Because the one sweet lady looked at me and sweetly said I'VE BEEN THERE, and when you looked squarely at me and said, "My grandson has Autism. I get it, I also raised four boys all thirteen months apart." we locked eyes and I said, "Yeah, I thought you seemed like you understood" You got it, like we ALL do. Except those two, and I know it didn't seem very adult like but shooting the glare at the middle age couple that had been giving us the dirty looks and loud enough comments at the time made me feel so much better, even just for a few moments.

I gave a deep sigh and said, "It's been a... LONG... three... years..." Perhaps I should not speculate ON YOUR THOUGHTS, but having SAID those words before, I'd like to THINK that more people out there would be more understanding... I always have the feeling of guilt for having to admit that I am so far from being superhuman, that yes, the years have been long; for perhaps being frustrated, or worn down, or unsure, or scared, or uncertain, or - yes- even royally pissed off... I totally thought that I would be a great mom. Looking at one public outing and having him have a melt down that I couldn't control or help calm him down makes me feel like the worlds worst mom.

It's been almost a years since B-man's diagnosis, and almost three years leading up to it and his diagnosis of Cerebal Palsy, B-man's first year of life was super busy with Doctors and hospital stays, we knew something just was a little off and after a year in OT, Speech and Physical Therapy, Akami, Pam and Amber all had at one point or another told us the things that we had already known...that he was behind his twin brother developmentally, we were really unconcerned for the most part, until we began to notice more serious issues. Decreased speech to the point of being non-verbal... Constantly seeking out patterns; at two years old, B-man could literally sit on a kindle for HOURS, recite in actions his favorite Mickey movies. He had near photographic memory for numbers. His physical habits, such as the need to run headlong into the sofa as hard as he possibly could, and the constant need for physical contact, came in waves, directly contrasting the moments of utter "drop out," when he could literally walk in front of a speeding car if you didn't have him in a vice grip, because he just "wasn't there" at that time...

It was and is very terrifying. We moved to our home in a new school district and B-man started to go to a head start pre-school and he even gets to ride a bus, with a bus driver that grew up with my Dad, its the best thing about being in a small town. Then there is his new teacher Pat she is simply amazing with him and the aides that help out in the class, because of this he is making small strides at getting to a better place and together him and I are finding our voices.

The difficulty bringing him places, because of my own issues of inferiority as a mother... Concerns that were often reinforced by people's judgmental comments, cruel looks, and having no explanation for it... there was this beautiful, loving, amazing little boy in there. I was in denial about the Autism being part of what was going on. I thought that this behavior was just his way of telling us how he was feeling, that it couldn't be anything more then the CP that we were already aware that he had. Eventually though, denial grew into suspicion, as our parental instincts finally won out. Finally came the guilt, as I realized that my husband and I were in WAY over our heads. The only way that we would do right by our child and get him the proper care and diagnosis he needed was to bring in the experts.

On August 13th 2014, as I sat at Children's Hospital in Seattle, with its child friendly decor and my mom by my side our little B-man not being able to sit sill for three minutes and finding only joy with putting his small little hands in the stream of water in the stainless steel sink. Dr McGlophlin look at me in my eyes and I heard the words, "Autism." and started to feel like my world was falling in on me. He continued to talk and all I heard was the voice from Snoopy unable to really catch anything he was saying.

And THAT was DAY ONE, not even a year ago yet.

I will be sharing my experiences not because I am an expert at any extent. Nor have I even be able to come to terms yet with things yet, but because my unknown friend that just stumbled across this blog right now, needed to find this, to read this and feel like its going to be ok. That in the last three years, of fumbling to find what is wrong with my son. Sobbing in the shower because it is a place that he can't hear me. In the car on the way home from one of the many appointments that I was told to something new.I have aged at least TEN YEARS, easily.

Being an "Autism Mom" for a the little under a year now, has made me more tolerant, in public or otherwise, of every type of child, with the exception, oddly enough, of my own... I still have that underlying anxiety that my two beautiful boys are going to be beyond my control. I do the one on one time with them with ease and cancel a lot of times when we have plans. So please, if I seem stressed out or impatient, exhausted, or snippy please try to and not judge me a bad parent... And understand, that this is NOT an apology for my kids, or an explanation. It's strictly an explanation of myself. Also I will never applogize to the people that give the dirty looks, or make the ill-mannered and just at the volume that can be heard comments. Horrible comments that hurt and cut deeply. I often will snap back at you and the looks you give will pail in comparison to the look I will give back.

What I know is that my baby is so unique, and will face many challenges, some so great it's going to feel very devastating, but there is not a single Autism Mom that I have EVER met that doesn't not believe that their child is anything but a million beautiful colors of the spectrum.

I hope you enjoy my Journey. I would love to hear about yours.

XoXo~

Wordless Wednesday!!!

noreply@blogger.com (kingstongirl) — Wed, 08 Apr 2015 03:58:00 +0000

This amazing picture is of my Grandpa and his sisters and brothers

school in 1922.

The same school that today my little

Franky

is going to for Pre-school.

This makes my heart so full!

Tempt My Tummy Tuesday.

noreply@blogger.com (kingstongirl) — Tue, 07 Apr 2015 03:20:00 +0000

Salisbury Steak Meatballs....

I decided that I would do a recipe that is budget friendly and that is so yummy, quick and a recipe that is kid friendly!

Salisbury steak is always a cheap meat. Most of the time I use them to make cheap burger with a gravy over the top of the meat and a mashed potatoes under all of it. So good!

SALISBURY STEAK MEATBALLS

An easy, comforting, budget-friendly meal that the whole family will love. You can also make the meatballs ahead of time and put them in your freezer so you are able to use them as needed!

INGREDIENTS

8 ounce package egg noodles
1 pound ground beef
1/3 cup Italian style bread crumbs
2 tablespoon ketchup
2 tablespoons dijon mustard
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
2 large egg yolks
2 tablespoons Brown Sugar BBQ sauce
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
4 tablespoons unsalted butter

FOR THE GRAVY
2 cups beef broth, divided, or more, to taste
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 onion, thinly sliced
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon ketchup
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves

INSTRUCTIONS

In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook pasta according to package instructions; drain well.

In a large bowl, combine ground beef, bread crumbs, ketchup, mustard, Worcestershire and egg yolks; season with salt and pepper, to taste. Using clean hands, mix until well combined. Roll the mixture into 1 1/4-to-1 1/2-inch meatballs, forming about 20 meatballs. Place meat in oil sprayed Cup cake pans. Cook in oven at 375 and for 30 minutes take out and set aside.

Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add meatballs, in batches, and cook until all sides are browned, about 4-5 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate.

To make the gravy, whisk together 1/2 cup beef broth and cornstarch in a small bowl; set aside. Add onions to the skillet and cook until golden brown and translucent, about 2-3 minutes. Whisk in remaining 1 1/2 cups beef broth, Worcestershire and ketchup until well combined, about 1-2 minutes.
Bring to a boil; reduce heat and gradually whisk in cornstarch mixture.

Stir in meatballs until cooked through and the sauce has thickened, about 3-4 minutes. Add more beef broth as needed until desired consistency is reached.

Serve immediately with egg noodles, garnished with parsley, if desired.

NOTES

Adapted from Pioneer Women & Damn Delicious

Meet Me Monday

noreply@blogger.com (kingstongirl) — Mon, 06 Apr 2015 04:34:00 +0000

1. What did you wear to prom? Include a picture if possible.

Ready for this amazing photo. I hated my hair. I was never in for the big hair look, but

Cory my date was one of my best guy friends. I don't think he ever knew how big of a

crush I had on him! He past away a few years after high school from a awful motorcycle

accident. It was our friends first loss of anyone we went to school with. He is always in my heart and thoughts I feel very blessed to have these pics! The other picture is of my best friend from High school Sarah. We had so very many fun memories and I love that I can look back at these pictures and smile....and laugh at myself.

2. Would you rather be on the biggest loser or a food eating challenge?

Food Eating Challenge for sure even though I probably could use to go on the biggest loser! Not to loose a ton of weight but to become that much more healthier, but give me a food challenge with a food like say Ice cream or s'mores and I will be the winner every time!!!

3. Name one favorite drink? Refreshing summer drink?
I love sweet tea but I can't have any because there is way to much sugar and being a type 1 that isn't a option. When my mom and I went to California McDonalds they had sugar free sweet tea and it was amazing so if we can get that up this way that would be amazing....

4. What was your first car, and what did you call it?
A 1980's Honda Civic.....

5. What's one thing your child or spouse does that sends you over the edge? Oh there is so many things lol! The biggest one is the fact that I can tell him a hundred times to do something and on the hundredth and one time he will do it, but be mad that I was on his rear end to get it done... I only do it because I want to make sure that its done. That and I might just be a wee bit of a control
freak! Plus I kind like love this guy a lot a little...ALOT! Making up is so much fun!!!

Kingstongirl is back......

noreply@blogger.com (kingstongirl) — Thu, 22 Jan 2015 19:11:00 +0000

I have been so busy after having the boys that I just couldn't give Kingstongirl the amazing attention that it so needed. This is and always will be my very first baby, my blood sweat and tears. I took a step back and threw myself into getting the swing of things with being a mom. Hub's has been going to school for two years and still has about two years left to go. We also had moved down to North Tacoma and fell in love with it, but home is always home.

When I stopped doing the whole Kingstongirl gig my heart was really heavy. I knew in my heart of hearts I would be back when the time was right. I blogged on a pretty small scale blog about my adventures this far in parenthood. I stepped back also for the simple reason that some people started to hate on what I was doing. That I thought I was better then everyone. The fact is I just love to write and blog and entertain people. Promoting new business, and hosting events at various venues that need a shout out. I love meeting new people. I don't think I am better then anyone or that I need to be the center of attention. If you like my blog then great! If you don't then don't. If you don't like me I am so sorry. If you do, thanks! I like you too. I have changed in the last three years so completely that I am sure you will see the difference in my writing. If you knew me before and you see me now I am hoping you will notice the difference right away.

I have tired to do things to fill this space but this is what I was born to do. Something that when I don't do it there is an emptiness and a piece of me that seemed to be missing.

So hold on, this next chapter of Kingstongirl has a lot of new and exciting things about to happen!

Celebrating the Baptism of the twins.

noreply@blogger.com (kingstongirl) — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 22:07:00 +0000

Two weeks ago we had a lot to celebrate. Our ten year anniversary &

most importantly the Baptism of the twins. It was beautiful and so meaningful to our entire family. The first on my bucket list of doing milestones with the twins. There will be many of them. Many I never thought that I would be able to experiecne.

Over their isolette I prayed down upon each of them. Anytime at the begining I would hear a beep or a buzz I would feel my heart drop to the bottom of my tummy. I would reach in and hand hold one of them at a time, always longing for the time that I could hold them and be with them at the same time. Baby B was never able to be held for very long all the way until the end of his stay. It would just be way to much for him. Baby F would just lay on me and cuddle. He still loves to cuddle. Anyway's, when I would hand hold them I would pray with everthing I had in me, my entier being and with my entire soul.

One day when both of my boys were having a pretty hard day, a really hard day on this mama. I prayed that I would raise them in a walk and relationship with God. Now until this I hadn't been to great with my own walk with God. It had been a number of years that I had in most was turned my back and walked the other way all together. The reason now doesn't make sense but this is what I thought at the time. I was so overwhelmed with being childless and not having a baby to call my own to hold close and to love was at times to much for me to bare. I couldn't understand why I was the one that couldn't have children when people I know could pop them out like thier Vajayjay was a freaking clown car! I was angry with God because of that, so hurt and upset that I walked away from all my beliefs. I now know that this is what he needed me to go through to come back. The first day that they were in the NICU I went to the Chapel at the hospital from then on I was there everyday, sometimes more then once. I prayed one day so hard in that prayer I prayed this:

Heavenly father,
I pray that you will save my babies, that you will show me how to parent and be the best mommy to the two of them. I will remember every second of everyday that you are the one the blessed me with these two precious gifts that only you Lord God could so wonderfuly give to us. I promise that I will raise them up to love you and honor you Lord, I promise that they will be children of God and I will show them by the way I live my life in a way that will honor you lord. Please just save their lives. I couldn't imagine what I would do if they were taken from me now. I don't think I could make it through that great of loss. I don't think you Lord would make it possible to have these babies created from Hubs and I, carried by Chrystal. Bringing famlies closer and truly showing people the great love our family has for one another.
Please Lord allow me to raise my beautiful boys for them to be men of God. They are made to do great things. The first thing I will do when they are strong enough is to have them be celebrated as your children at their baptism. Please Lord just make them live.

In Jesus name,
Amen.

Time past and they got strong enough to start planning their baptism. It is the first thing I did. I didn't ask that God would make them perfect, I prayed he would save them. No matter what they will always be perfect to me. Having them at the NICU made me remember my walk with God. It made me the person I use to be, before I was sick, before I turned into someone I wasn't that proud of. I didn't know how different I was without God or my boys.

Pastor Coe, from Grace Luthern Church in Port Townsend was amazing to our boys and to our family. The entire service was centered around the boys and their goals we have to all hold them up to. We were so welcomed and so loved. The entire church was so warm and inviting. One thing I didn't know at the time that was going to happen was that we would find a church to call home. We will take the boys to this chuch and celebrate milestones and moments in our lives as a family. Hub's will have Sundays off this summer so we are going to go up as much as we can to attend our church.

The God parents were choosen for the love they have showed our boys sense even before they were born. Baby F's God parents are Bon & Chrystal. & Baby B is Erin & Allie. The only sister that was left out is Kerry and she is the best Auntie in the entire world. Turth be told my boys have the best Aunties ever. They are so blessed with the family that they were born into. All the love they have for them is amazing. This event made us all so much closer. I can't wait to cross the next event and milestone off the baby bucket list.

Our Beautiful Family!

Do you ever want to run away?

noreply@blogger.com (kingstongirl) — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 03:40:00 +0000

I have been feeling like I just need to run away. Not from my family, to my family. Not from my friends but to start fresh, I had a ton of people that viewed my blog. Now the amount of people are down a little bit. Do I let this one go and start another one filled with things I am into now? Do I re-vamp this and go from there instead?

I don't feel like I can leave this completely. I love to write, I love to blog. I love the community of blogging. I loved the direction that writing was bringing me and where it brought me. Now I have to figure it out. I waited to blog untill I got the boys home, then I waited until things settled down. Now I am getting in the swing of things and slowly starting to find my way back to writing.

I never know where I will go or where my writing will take me. I would just like to try and figure it out. I need something that the boys can look back on and read and be proud of me for.
I use to write about great places I traveld to and events I was part of. I want to do this but center this around being a parent. If you read my blog I would love to hear your thoughts.

I have to find a direction and hopefully do it soon. What do you like to read? What would you rather not have to read?

Wordless Wednesday

noreply@blogger.com (kingstongirl) — Wed, 23 May 2012 04:03:00 +0000

I can't wait for out Memorail day BBQ. It makes me feel like its the start of the fun summer times.

Tempt my Tummy Tuesday.

noreply@blogger.com (kingstongirl) — Wed, 23 May 2012 03:54:00 +0000

This is the best Recipe, it is easy and great for all sorts of meats. I'm doing a bundle of BBQ sauces for fathers day. Pour it in a mason jar and then cut up a bandana and add a thin rope to tie it all together. This is the first post that I will post until fathers day. Enjoy!

Sweet and Simple BBQ Sauce.

Thank you Goole for the picture!
Ingredients

1/2 (1 ounce) package dry onion soup mix ( I use lipton.)
1/2 cup packed Brown Sugar.
2 cups ketchup
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1/2 tablespoon liquid smoke.
1/2 teaspoon honey

Directions

In a medium bowl, mix together onion soup mix, sugar, honey, ketchup, liquid smoke and Worcestershire sauce.
Warm up on low.
Add it to mason jar let cool.
add decoration and enjoy this for yourself or that Guy in your life.