Moments of Mommyhood

Guess What…..

2012-05-30T19:30:00.001-04:00

Stella is 2!

Kindergarten Music Program

2012-05-08T10:52:00.000-04:00

Today was one of those special days for Madelyn that we did not want to miss, her kindergarten music program! It was finally her chance to perform all of the songs she has been singing around the house
since the beginning of school. She did a fantastic job!

Random Things

2012-05-03T10:24:00.002-04:00

I really have been wanting to update here more often, but the last few weeks have been CRAZY! So, I decided to do a "random things" post to catch up. Here goes:

Daily radiation and Herceptin treatments(every 3 weeks) are going well. I'm feeling stronger everyday!
Our trusty old mini van died. :(

We got new wheels! :) This was a big relief for me. Constantly running back and forth for doctors appointments and such requires a reliable car. Thankfully we were able to get one and the fact that it is bright orange makes it easy to spot in large parking lots. lol!

Stella started potty training! We were out shopping one day while waiting for Aaron to complete his PSSA test for school (because he is in Cyber school, we have to travel to a testing area), I took Stella to the ladies room to change her and she was dry after the very long ride. I put her on the potty and she went! She continued to pee and poop on the potty for the rest of the day! We are working on underwear at home, but because she is so tiny, I am having a hard time finding underpants that fit her. The smallest I have found are a size 2. She still only wears 12-18 months clothes!
The stomach bug struck our house...again. :( Madelyn had to miss her first field trip and was devastated.
We are currently getting a new roof which has made nap time nonexistent. Too noisy!
The kids now have less than a month of school so we have lots of field trips and end of school stuff coming up. Looking forward to summer!
May 18-19 I will be participating in the Relay for Life as I have for the past few years. This year will be my first year as a cancer survivor! If you would like to donate, go here. Every little bit helps! Thanks!

The Next Step

2012-04-18T09:04:00.000-04:00

Yesterday I began the next phase of treatment for my breast cancer...radiation. Five days a week, for the next six weeks, I'll be spending part of my afternoon getting treatment. Although, it's kind of a pain to be going there every day, the actual procedure doesn't take long at all. I will be happily marking those days off the calender!

Again, I would like to thank everyone who has sent cards, prayers, and offered encouraging words throughout all of my treatments! It means so much to me and really helps me keep my positive attitude! Staying focused on that has really made a difference for me! Thank You.

Making Mondays Better! MTM!

2012-04-16T11:46:00.001-04:00

Mondays are always better with a Muffin Tin lunch! Simple meals are just so much more appealing when served in a Muffin Tin.

Stella was happy to eat her lunch today!

Be sure to check out more Muffin Tin Meals here!

Not Really Wordless Wednesday

2012-04-11T08:35:00.000-04:00

Apparently, when I left the room while the girls were coloring eggs, they took a few uncooked eggs from the refrigerator to dye. We discovered it when Madelyn tripped and her eggs fell on the ground. :)

Repurposed Crystal Light Container=Travel Crayon Holder

2012-04-02T11:15:00.003-04:00

Around here crayons staying in the original box is a rare thing. However, I have found the perfect solution. Empty Crystal Light containers make the perfect crayon holder that’s great for on the go. They fit nicely in the diaper bag and are just the right size for little hands to hold.

What kinds of containers have you repurposed?

The Wig-free Me

2012-03-26T14:11:00.001-04:00

From the beginning of my treatment, Felicia had been the most upset about my hair loss. She cried when Mike shaved my head and was always quick to remind me to put my wig on when I was leaving the house. It had come to the point where I was very rarely wearing anything on my head, but she still didn’t want me to pick her up at school without my wig. She was worried that someone would be mean to me. Well, this past Friday I decided that I was just going to throw my hat on when I went to the school. I was worried that she would be upset, but to my surprise, she was FINE! Sunday morning we were about to leave for church and it was kind of chilly so I put my wig on. She looked at me and said, “Eww!” I guess that was the final farewell to the wig!

SUYL-Moms of Big Families

2012-03-23T10:33:00.005-04:00

{Today I'm linking up the Kelly's Korner:SUYL Moms of Big Families.}

Way back when my hubby, Mike, and I were just dating, we often talked about how many kids we wanted. I always said I wanted six, then I had my three boys, Michael(almost 19), Brandon(17), and Aaron(15). Boys are fun, but they have a lot of energy and I needed to take a break before even thinking about adding to our family......Seven years later, we had Felicia (now almost 8) and I finally had my girl! Less than two years later we had another girl, Madelyn (6), and in 2010, our third, and final girl, Stella(21 months). A grand total of 6, just like I had always wanted!

Tissue Paper Easter Egg Craft

2012-03-22T12:51:00.001-04:00

This is a fun and easy craft that involves no paint! All you need is a piece of construction paper, some tissue paper, and a spray bottle filled with plain water.

1. Tear some tissue paper into small pieces. Stella LOVES to tear paper!

2. Cut an egg shape from a piece of construction paper and lightly spray it with water.

3. Cover the egg with pieces of tissue paper.

4.When it’s completely covered, lightly spray it again and press everything down.

5. Allow the tissue paper to dry and then peel it off.

Here’s the finished product:

We’ve also used the same technique to dye real eggs. You can check that out here.

Muffin Tin Monday

2012-03-19T13:22:00.001-04:00

Things are finally getting back to normal around the Adams’ house. We are settling back into a routine, enjoying some beautiful Spring weather, and aside from a few sniffles, I’m feeling well. So, I thought that there is no better time to get back on board with our Muffin Tin Monday meals. Here’s what Stella had today:

Top row: ham, green beans, macaroni and cheese

Bottom row: Goldfish crackers, yogurt, cantaloupe

As always, even the most ordinary lunch is a hit in a Muffin Tin!

Check out more Muffin Tin Monday meals by clicking the button below!

Spring is Here!

2012-03-11T15:28:00.001-04:00

The weather is getting warmer.

I’m feeling great!

Hopefully, more good things are just around the corner.

I’m back……

An Overdue Update

2012-02-21T10:38:00.000-05:00

It's been two weeks since my surgery day so I thought it was about time I gave you all an update. The surgery was actually two surgeries in one day. Part one, removal of my ovaries. Although my ovaries had NO cancer, the tumor in my breast was estrogen fed so removing the ovaries reduces the chance for the cancer to return. Part two, a partial mastectomy, which was removing the tumor and an area around it, along with the lymph nodes under my arm. Whew, the operating room sure was busy, but I didn't mind because I got to sleep through it all. lol! Things went well and I am healing great! It feels good to check off another task on my "cancer treatment checklist".

Thank you for all of your support through prayers, cards, meals, and kind words. It really is encouraging to know that you are all right beside me through this fight. :)

Surgery Day

2012-02-07T05:02:00.000-05:00

I just wanted to quickly update before I leave, my surgery day is finally here. I'll be spending the night at the hospital(which I'm not too thrilled about), so I'll update when I get home. If you are the praying type, I would appreciate prayers.

Tissue Paper Collage Heart

2012-01-31T09:09:00.001-05:00

What toddler doesn’t love ripping paper? I know mine does any chance she can, so this was the perfect Valentine’s Day craft for her. She had a whole pile of tissue paper to tear up an nobody was telling her no!

{Supplies}

an empty cereal box, paper scraps(we used tissue paper), glue

1. Tear the paper into small pieces.

2. Cut a heart from the cereal box and cover it with glue.

3. Now, just let your child glue the tissue paper on the heart anyway they want to. Stella loved this part! When the paper would stick to her fingers, she would giggle and yell, “Sticky, sticky!”

All finished!

Pin It

2012-01-28T11:01:00.000-05:00

Pinterest has quickly become one of my favorite places on the web. I have found tons of ideas for crafts, recipes, and products, you name it, it's there! And I have to tell you, I do get a little thrill every time I see one of my ideas on Pinterest. So, to make it easier for anyone wanting to share something from my blog, I have added a "Pin It" button at the end of my posts. Just click the button on the post you want to share, select a photo from the post and pin it. Easy peasy! You can find the tutorial to add the button to your posts here.

You can follow me here, I'll follow you too! :)
Happy pinning!

We Finally Have SNOW!

2012-01-21T09:52:00.002-05:00

Stella’s first reaction, “Ewwwwwww!” But she loves it now! We have planned a whole day of sledding and snow ball fights followed by hot chocolate and marshmallows, of course.

Happy Saturday!

Snowy Activities

2012-01-19T12:57:00.000-05:00

I can't really say that winter in my favorite season, but I do love a good snow storm. This year, however, we really haven't had much snow to speak of. Although, I am still hopeful that the new snow clothes and sleds I bought will not go unused. Until then, we just have to have some patience. Here are a few activities that we have done in the past to pass the time until the "big one" hits!


Cotton Clay Snow Sculpture


Potato Print Snowman


Glistening Snow Play Dough

Paper Lantern Snowman

Igloos, Polar Bears, and "Ice Skating" Painting

Now...where was I?

2012-01-13T18:42:00.000-05:00

Oh yeah, when I left you all just before Christmas, I had the shingles. It was not fun, and yes, they are extremely painful. But, even though I was not feeling so great, we did have a very nice Christmas (maybe it was the pain meds). Just at the point when I no longer needed pain meds to get through the day, I hurt my back. I'm still not quite sure how it happened, I just know that one morning I woke up and could barely move. :(

Thankfully, I am healing well with only a few scars left from my shingles. Now, I can look ahead to my upcoming surgery. Next week, I'll have an MRI to get a look at my post-chemo tumor. That will help the doctors to determine what type of surgery they will be performing. I'm so ready to get this part of my treatment over with and move on to the next phase.

I can't thank you all enough for all of your kind words, emails, and continued prayers! I really believe that has made a huge difference in how I handle the tough things that have been thrown my way. Thanks again!

A Bump in the Road

2011-12-23T15:12:00.000-05:00

I was so excited to finally be done with chemo. With Christmas being 3 weeks after that treatment, I was sure I would be feeling great for the holidays. Well, I was wrong. I now have shingles. I'm hoping to feel better by next week so things can get back to normal around here.

Have a very Merry Christmas!

Round One-Done!

2011-12-08T07:37:00.002-05:00

Yesterday, my oncologist entered the room in a celebratory mood. My chemotherapy treatment for the day, would be my last! I will still be getting my Herceptin treatment every three weeks, but with the chemo out of the way, we can move forward with surgery(round two) sometime in January.

Doc was also very pleased with the majorly reduced size of the mass that will continue to shrink over the next few weeks prior to my surgery. Things are going well. I feel like Christmas came yesterday and am feeling even more encouraged that I will beat this!

Thank you for all the wonderful support and your continued prayers! They are definitely working!

With love,

Pepperoni Roll

2011-12-06T13:27:00.000-05:00

I am always looking for quick and easy recipes to change things up a bit around here. This is one of those recipes. It's so easy!

{You will need}

a loaf of frozen bread dough

shredded mozzarella cheese

shredded parmesan cheese

sliced pepperoni (from the deli is best)

Italian seasoning

marinara sauce

{To make this yummy creation}

Thaw the frozen bread dough and roll it out to approximately an 11x11 square.
Cover the dough with the sliced pepperoni.
Layer on the cheeses.
Sprinkle with Italian seasoning.
Starting at one end, roll the dough.
Place it on a greased baking sheet with the seem side down.
Brush the top with melted butter.
Bake in a 375 degree oven for about 25-30 min. or until golden brown.
Allow it to cool slightly before slicing and serve with a side of marinara sauce.

Original recipe can be found here.

Muffin Tin Monday

2011-12-05T13:00:00.001-05:00

Eating meals from a muffin tin has quickly become one of Stella’s favorite things. She gets very excited to check out every individual cup to see what yummy treats they hold. Here is what she had today…

…and here she is getting ready to chow down!

Join in the Muffin Tin Monday fun here:

Don't let my lack of updates fool you...

2011-12-02T10:59:00.001-05:00

I'm feeling great! Just taking a little time to get things ready for the holidays. I'll be back soon!

Toilet Paper Roll Turkey

2011-11-18T14:13:00.003-05:00

I love making any project that I can add my kids’ handprint to. It’s fun to pull these little keepsakes out every year and remember just how tiny they once were.

This one is super easy and made mostly with recycled materials.

1. Stella painted a toilet paper roll with some brown paint (and did a little tasting as well).

2. Then, using a brown paper bag, Stella and I printed several handprints with different colors of paint. (After all that hard work, Stella took a nice long nap!)

3. While sleeping beauty got some rest, I added the feathers and face to her turkey. First, I fanned out the handprints and glue them together.

Then I glued on the body of the turkey (the toilet paper roll).

And finally, I added some google eyes and a beak.

If you like this toilet paper roll turkey, you might also want to check out one we have made in the past. You can find it here.

I'm linking up here: