...what a beautiful mess this is...

Update (sorta)

2012-01-18T14:37:00.002-06:00

Where is Stefanie? and what has she been doing? (Update in pictures)

I made this:

I got the oppurtunity to meet this little one:

I finally finished this:

and did this:

Drank ALOT of this:

Enjoyed this:

Hung out with these crazy girls:

Cuddled with her:

and her:

and him:

Jingle Bell Run 2011 (5K #2!!)

2011-12-31T06:08:00.000-06:00

I am officially addicted to running. I love it. & I love participating in 5ks. As soon as we finished the Turkey Trot, I immediately started planning my next run. The Jingle Bell Run!! So on Dec 21, 2011, I did my second 5K!! It was at night and it was cold. However, the atmosphere was great. I am definitely going to have to learn how to be a better cold weather runner.

Me, Mom and my friend Traci (before)

Don't we look HOT in our festive socks?! (before)

Me, Mom and Traci (after)

Our route and my time.

I completed 3.15 miles in 36:29 minutes. Mile one completed in 11:24 mins, mile 2 in 11:56 mins, Mile 3 in 11:29 mins. Averaging 11:35 minutes per mile.

It felt great to complete my second 5K in 2011. I hope to continue to do them in 2012!!

Stefanie

Turkey Trot 2011

2011-11-27T00:19:00.000-06:00

One of my many goals for this year was to RUN in a 5K. My Mom and I decided that the Turkey Trot would be the best race to participate in due to my schedule. We did pretty well for our first 5K, running an average 13.09 minute mile. I'm very proud of us, considering a year ago mom and I were both overweight and couldn't run AT ALL! We had alot of fun. I am definately going to participate in many more 5K/8Ks. Here are some pictures I took prior to starting:

freezing our tails off before the race

mom was so cold she decided to snag a turkey costume and join the rest of the crazies!!

she's hot!

There were 661 people dressed like a turkey (including my mom) participating in the Guines World Record for most people dressed up like turkeys at one time.

Gobble Gobble!

It was a great way to start our Thanksgiving. I think this might be a new tradition!!

Thankful Day 15

2011-11-15T03:58:00.000-06:00

15. Pinterest. I am addicted to Pinterest. It is a great resource for ALL things!

Thankful 8-14

2011-11-14T03:52:00.000-06:00

8. Beezus. As much as she can be a pain, I love that silly dog. She really has become part of our family and the girls love her.

9. The HCG diet. Um Hello? I lost 40+ lbs on that diet, I am very thankful for it.

10. I'm thankful for our men and women who choose to serve our country to protect my freedom.

11. Beautiful weather.

12. Running. Even though I haven't been doing it as much, I love it.

13. Adidas Climacool shoes. They are super comfy and great to work out it.

14. iPhone 4. I don't remember life before the iPhone. It is a lifesaver.

Menu Plan 11/14-11/20

2011-11-14T03:42:00.001-06:00

I think I was 5 of 7 for last week, it is so much easier to drive thru some where than cook, especially when it's just me and the girls eating. Hopefully this week will be different. Here's the plan:

Monday: Meatloaf, Mashed Pot & Greenbeans
Tuesday: Grilled Chicken salads
Wednesday: Lettuce wrapped Turkey burgers
Thursday: Nuggets & Mac
Friday: Fajitas (YAY!!)
Saturday: Turkey Chili
Sunday: Fend for yourself

Kind of an easy week. The past few weeks I have been trying new recipes but this week I'm sticking with what I know. I'll let you know how it goes.

Stef

Thankful. 3-7

2011-11-07T01:54:00.000-06:00

3. Our Family. We have such a great family. They are very supportive and loving. I am very thankful for all of them.

4. My bestest friend. She's the bestest. I love her.

5. Our Keurig. I love our Keurig. Is it sad that it made top 5?

6. Tangled and ToyStory. Ava LOVES to watch these movies, with out them I wouldn't be able to get anything done during the day. Again, sad.

7. Job stability.

Menu Plan 11/7 - 11/13

2011-11-07T01:21:00.000-06:00

We did really well this week with sticking to the plan. I did rearrange some meals but we didn't sway from it, much. (Tuesday we ate something, but I can't remember what. Thursday we ate out instead for grilled cheese) Here is the plan for this week (click the link for the recipe):

Monday: Pasta Fagioli
Tuesday: Hot dogs (I know, I know. But I'm lazy.)
Wednesday: BLT wraps
Thursday: Angel hair with zucchini and chicken
Friday: Homemade pizza (no recipe just something I do)
Saturday: Santa Fe Chicken tacos
Sunday: Carne Guisada (Husbands day to cook. He rocks this recipe)

I hope everyone has a great week!!

Stefanie

Thankful. Day 2.

2011-11-02T12:00:00.000-05:00

Today, I am thankful for my beautiful daughters. They bring so much joy to my life everyday. I love them both to pieces. Those little boogers make me soooo happy. I thank God for them everyday, but today I am especially thankful.

Thankful. Day 1.

2011-11-01T12:00:00.000-05:00

Today, I am thankful for my husband. God truly blessed me when he brought Nick into my life. He is my best friend, a wonderful husband and great father to our children. I love and appreciate him more than words can say. So, today I am thankful for him.

Menu Plan 10/31 - 11/6

2011-10-31T03:24:00.001-05:00

I sorta took this past week off from doing ANYTHING! I meant to blog but just couldn't get to the computer for the sake of me. We ate out alot this week and had sandwiches, there really wasn't a planned menu. BUT this week there will be and here it is:

Monday: Chicken Spaghetti (whole wheat pasta, veggie pasta sauce and chicken)
Tuesday: Pork chops & mashed potatoes
Wednesday: Eat Out or breakfast for dinner
Thursday: Grilled Cheese Sammies
Friday: Chicken Tortilla Soup
Saturday: Steak & Veggies
Sunday: Salad (Nothing special, No cooking done on Sundays by me)

It's nothing extravagant but it works. I will update on Sunday on how well we stuck to the plan and post the menu for next week.

Stefanie

6 years old. Really?!

2011-10-22T19:26:00.042-05:00

You're my Honeybunch, Sugarplum

Pumpy-umpy-umpkin, You're my Sweetie Pie

You're my Cuppycake, Gumdrop

Snoogums-Boogums, You're the Apple of my Eye

And I love you so and I want you to know

That I'll always be right here

And I love to sing sweet songs to you

Because you are so dear!

Dear Zoe,

Wow, I can't believe how fast time has gone by. It feels like just yesterday you were swaddled tightly in my arms and I was singing sweet songs to you. This year has been a busy year for you ( & me). You have grown and changed by leaps and bounds. You started kindergarten and love it. You are so smart and curious. There is no doubt in my mind that you will excel in all that you put your mind to. You are sassy and stubborn. You have a fire in your eye that makes me smile. You love to sing and dance to pretty much anything. You are such a beautiful little girl. Your heart and soul are full of love for all things. Your daddy is still one of your favorite people (second to me of course :). You and Ava love to attack him as soon as he walks in, you've done that since you were little. Ava loves you more than you will ever know. Thank you for being her best friend and best di-da. You are so special to me Zoe Maryn. Because of you I am me, I am your mommy. You have filled my world with so much joy. I love you to the moon and back, with both hands and feet. Happy 6th birthday Zoe!

Mommy

Meal Plan for 10/17-10/23

2011-10-16T03:17:00.000-05:00

My meal plan for this week is SUPER easy and kid friendly. Since I don't have to cook 'adult' meals because Nick isn't going to be eating with us (Mon-Thurs), I am taking a break and keeping meals simple and EASY!!

Monday - Breakfast for dinner (I usually make eggs with cheese and ham)

Tuesday - Nuggets and green beans

Wednesday - Chili Mac (really, It's just Mac with ground turkey)

Thursday - Cilantro Lime Shrimp Tacos (I'm making this recipe, putting it in corn tortilla, topping with shredded lettuce and cheese. Very yummy!)

Friday - Beef Tips with Rice

Saturday - It is Zoe's 6th birthday and party. We will be bowling, eating pizza and going to the Fair. No Cooking for me!!!

Sunday - Our 7th anniversary. We are going out to eat for dinner, I hope. Again, No cooking for me!!

Well, that is the plan for the week!! I will let you know how well we stick to it when I update next Sunday!

Have a great week!
Stefanie

Meal Planning Sundays!!

2011-10-15T00:26:00.001-05:00

Meal planning is something that I try really hard to stay on top of, however it is really easy for me to just drive thru somewhere. SOOO, I have decided that I need to add meal planning to my weekly schedule of things to do and what better day to plan than on Sundays? I know, genuis right?! And yes, I know it's Saturday but since I mentioned meal planning in my T.I.T. post earlier this week I figured I would post the plan for this week.

Monday - Turkey Burgers w/ waffle fries (nothing fancy on mondays cause this momma is TIRED!!)

Tuesday - Creamy Baked Ziti (The kids loved this one & it was super easy to make)

Wednesday - Leftovers

Thursday - Dirty rice with turkey sausage & ground beef (I cheated on making my dirty rice, it's from a box. I made the rice and cooked the meats then combined. The kids and Nick loved this one too)

Friday - Taco Lasagna (I'm not sure if the kids liked this one & It was a little more time consuming to make. It may not make the cut for the recipe rotation. I will see what the left overs are like to determine if it will be made again)

Saturday - Steak and Veggies (Another easy night, as momma has to work and I need quick and easy)

Sunday - FEND FOR YOURSELF DAY (Momma gets off easy on Sundays. I have to be @ work by 5:45p and we usually eat at 6:30. So, I usually gets something for myself and the family fends for themselves. Hence: fend for yourself day)

I have the menu plan for next week done, but will have to revamp it and will be posting it on Sunday. Nick will not be available for dinner M-Th, so I will be making easy, kid friendly favs. Keep an eye out for it Sunday!!

If you have any recipes or ideas you think I should try out please feel free to comment me!! I love new recipes.

Stefanie

Wordless Wednesday

2011-10-12T12:00:00.000-05:00

Tackle It Tuesday aka T.I.T :)

2011-10-11T12:49:00.001-05:00

I haven’t done a T.I.T. post in a while, I have still been tackling my stuff but just not posting about it, I think today is a good day to pick back up with posting. I’ve actually got A LOT to tackle today, so let’s get started, shall we?

1. Meal plan for the week (lunchs and dinners)
2. Grocery shop
3. Make lunches for Zoe and Nick for the week.
4. Laundry (Wash, fold & put away)
5. Clean the kitchen
6. Plan and Write a few blogs. 
7. Vacuum
8. Sweep and Mop the floors

I don’t have any pictures, sorry. So I’ll leave you with this adoreable face.

isn't she too cute when she's grumpy?

Check back tomorrow to see how I did on my list of T.I.T. items!

Have a Good Tuesday!

I'm Bored Jar

2011-10-04T12:26:00.002-05:00

Zoe is always BORED. How that is possible I'm not sure but I'm tired of hearing "Mom, I'm bored!" So I decided to google "activites to CURE my childs boredom" or something along those words and came across this idea from this blog. (one of my new favorites, btw!) When I saw this idea I knew I had to do it. I made an activities can and a bank. I had all the materials on hand and during naptime today, it was done!

1. Materials - Cookie tin (activities can) & peanut butter jar (bank)

yellow paper (the tin is already cover with the paper in the pic)

hot glue

scissors

tape (I only had packing tape)

ribbon (or lace-y ribbon in my case)

paper cutter

the printables from Skippy to my Lou

(you have to click on the images and print them, I resized mine in Word to make sure they fit my can and jar)

2. All of the boredom busting activities cut up and folded in the tin

3. The finished product (I don't like the lace-y ribbon, it will be replaced)

4. The 'I'm bored bank and activity can" together side-by-side as one. :::insert romantic sigh:::

So here's how it works:
Zoe says "Mom, I'm bored", I tell her "I'm sorry your bored would you like to pick from the can?" If she says "Yes!" she will deposit 5 cents in the bank. & pick an activity from the can. She must do the activity she picks regardless of what it is, no trading for something ~~better~~ different. If she chooses not to do the activity she remains bored and she out 5 cents. She can do up to 5 boredom busters a day. The boredom busters are not all fun & games, there are some learning/homework type activites & some chores too. It's all luck of the draw.

Why do I charge my child 5 cents to pick from the can? Why not. She's ~~six~~ five, for 18 more days atleast, she needs to learn about money and how to entertain herself. If she sees that it will cost her 5 cents everytime she's bored she will learn (hopefully) to find something to do on her own and not be "bored" all the time. I'm Cruel, huh? Nah, if you heard "I'm bored" as much as I do you would do the same. (Besides, she will probably get the 5 cents from me anyways) When the can is empty, it will be restocked with NEW boredom busters. The "I'm Bored" bank will not be touched until it is full. The money will be counted, replaced with cash and put in her savings/piggy bank. I'm thinking of making a set for the car, cause she's always bored in the car.

Sound like a good idea?

I'll let y'all know how it goes!

You're two today

2011-09-21T19:25:00.005-05:00

Dear Ava,

"i love you through and through... i love your top side. i love your bottom side. i love your inside and outside. i love your happy side, your sad side, your silly side, your mad side.

i love your fingers and toes, your ears and nose. i love your hair and eyes, your giggles and cries.

i love you running and walking, silent and talking, i love you through and through... yesterday, today and tomorrow too."

Today is a special day for me and you. Two years ago today, you took your first breath and my world became yours to conquer. You became mine and I became yours.

Today, you are two. Today, you will blow out your candle and enjoy your birthday cake. You will laugh & play. You will open your presents and say "wow!" because you love them. You will kiss your di-da and your daddy because you love them too. You will throw a fit because something wasn't just right (and that's what two year olds do) then you will come to me for a hug and all will be right in your world & mine. You will crawl into my lap and be still for a moment. You will discover something new and smile. Today, you will be you. You are two.

Today, I will sit back & watch. I will stare at you in pure amazment and joy. I will breathe in your sweet breath and be your mommy. I will think back on the past two years of wonderful memories and I will cry, laugh, sigh and smile.

But no matter how many years go by, you are still mine and I am yours. I love you, Ava.

Mommy

Zoe is a kindergartener

2011-08-22T13:15:00.002-05:00

Oh the places you'll go

2011-08-22T08:00:00.003-05:00

"Congratulations! Today is your day.

You're off to Great Places! You're off and away!

You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes

You can steer yourself, any direction you choose.

You're on your own. And you know what you know.

And YOU are the guy who'll decide where to go."

Oh the Places you'll go~ Dr. Seuss

Dear Zoe,

You have been my sunshine since the day you were born. You are an inquisitive, beautiful, bright & funny little girl. I am so proud of you and know that you will do great, now off to kindergarten you go.

Today is your day.

Zoe on 8/22/2011

Be kind to your classmates and seek out those who are kind to you. Help others when you can and ask for help when you need it. Don’t give up if there is something you can’t do right away. Keep trying! Respect your teachers and your classmates. Follow the rules and always use your manners. Pay attention. Embrace your new friends and this new adventure. You will do great!

I know you worry about Mommy, Daddy and Ava, please don't. We will miss you terribly but we will be ok. You won't miss anything at home while you are gone, infact your day will be filled with amazingly, wonderful new things. When you get home, be sure to tell us all about your day and we will tell you all about ours. I may cry a little but I'm not sad. I am so happy for you and extremly proud.

I hope you love school and know that I love you more than you will ever know. Embrace today, it is your day!

Love you always,

Mommy

Tackle it all Week.

2011-08-15T08:00:00.002-05:00

What happened to Tackle It Tuesday? Well, I'm still doing it but this week I am tackling my to do list all week. Why? Well, because there are alot of things on my to do list that need to be checked off before Zoe starts school on the 22nd. (Yes, I know they don't have to be done before then, but I want them to be done, so I don't have to worry as much the week of school starting.)

Here's a glimpse at my to do list:

(Notice the scroll bar, yea, there is alot more on the list.)

Monday:
Clean the bedrooms & bathrooms

Tuesday:
Laundry (not on the list, but needs to be done)
Organize the closets & change the light bulbs

Wednesday:
Clean kitchen & fridge

Thursday:
Clean the office & Sweep the floors

Friday:
Buy Zoe's school shoes & a bday present & a shower gift
Finish sewing my pillows

Saturday & Sunday:
Sleep
Get Zoe ready for kindergarten :)

So that is my list of things to do, on top of all of my normal mommy duties and such. I will let you know how my weeks goes on Saturday. I hope you all have a great week!!

Stefanie

Tackle It Tuesday!!

2011-05-17T11:15:00.000-05:00

Today is Tackle it Tuesday and my list is rather long!! I've really got ALOT on my plate today. Here is my list:

1. Drink alot of Coffee!

2. Make funny faces with Zoe

3. Cuddle with a special one year old

4. Watch some movies with Zoe

5. Spend some time in the sun with my two favorite girls

6. Play dress up

(I will be finishing the laundry and doing my normal daily tasks, but today is about the girls and quality time)

I hope everyone has a great Tuesday!

Stefanie

My Happy House Challenge!

2011-05-16T09:45:00.001-05:00

I really like doing this challenge and posting about it. I feel so accomplished doing the littlest things.

Here are my challenge stats so far:

1. Make the Bed - 7/7

2. Empty the Sink - 7/7

3. Clear the Clutter - 5/7

4. Sweep the Kitchen Floor - 1/7 I really dislike sweeping. but I did vaccum 4 times this week, does that count?

5. Sort the Mail! - 6/6 (I'm going ahead and giving myself credit for this. I do this EVERYDAY because I really dislike paper clutter too.)

Make sure to keep am I out of my T.I.T post that is coming up. It's going to be great!

Have a great week!

Stefanie

Tackle It Tuesday aka T.I.T :)

2011-05-10T22:57:00.000-05:00

So today is Tackle it Tuesday and I'm pooped!! My list always seems to be soo long and I always have to trim it down, but for some reason I pick the hardest things to do and am EXTREMELY tired by the end of the day. Plus I have to do most of my TIT chores during naptime or while the girls are making a mess in their room. But I did get it done. Here's my list of TIT todos: (No pics this time around)

1. Laundry. (W.F.P A) DONE
2. Cook and prep HCG meals for the week for Nick and I. DONE

3. Clean the Master and guest bathrooms DONE

4. Clean the girls bedroom (a tornado hit it!!) DONE
5. Sweep the floors Not Done :(

I was able to get everything done except the floors. I was hoping to do it after everyone went to bed and the dog was asleep but Zoe is sitting here looking at me and Beezus is jumping all over the place. Yea, so maybe tomorrow?

I hope everyone had a great Tuesday!

Stefanie

My Happy House Challenge

2011-05-10T22:40:00.002-05:00

I meant to post about my, My Happy House Challenge yesterday, but since I didn't sleep AT ALL after work and had to finish my final, I put it off until today. I know ya'll are DYING to know how I did. Well here you go:

1. Make Your Bed! 7 out of 7 days!!
2. Empty the Sink! 7 out of 7 days!!
3. Clear the Clutter! 5 out of 7 days!!
4. Sweep the Kitchen Floor! (In progress)

I hope I am able to get the floors swept. I am not a big fan of sweeping. Have a great rest of the week!!

Stefanie