New Year. New Focus.

I'm not making resolutions this year!  Plain and simple.  I had a few last year and I actually did pretty well.  I lost 10lbs.  Gained back 5.  I was eating smart for the first 10 months, then all hell broke loose. Walking everyday was a fail, but I did run regularly a few times a week for the first half of the year.  But something always happens and I always stop.

So what am I going to do?  Stop making these huge resolutions?  Stop having goals? I think what I really need to do is stop being so hard on myself. 2013 got the best of me and I will be the first to say it.  I had just about lost all my hope.  I let way too many things pile up on my shoulders.  Problems that were not mine to worry about.  I let other peoples failures hurt me.  I worried over problems I could not fix.  And I tried to help people who didn't want to help themselves.  My biggest failure of the year was not giving myself any thought.  I came in last because I put myself there.

What will I do this year?  I am going to let go of all the nonsense and I am going to enjoy my life.  I am going to read more, sweat more, laugh more and try more.  Make lots of memories.  I am going to take more photos, and actually be in some of them.  I am going to say no to things that won't make me happy and yes to the things that will.  This is my year!

What better way to start it than with a few small goals.  Wait, didn't I just say I wasn't going to be making any goals?  What the heck, I will make lots of goals, but I'm starting out small.  The first thing I need to do is get organized and on a schedule.  Plan my days better.  Schedule my day, cleaning and cooking.  And stick to it.  This includes going to bed earlier and getting up on time.  I think doing this is going to help all my other goals fall into place.  Not really the smallest of goals, but some things never change.  I always push myself.  I can't help it.

I'm going to start a 2014 Bucket List Board on Pinterest and will update here when I actually do them.  You can follow along HERE.  I am going to go back to sharing monthly goals.  I am going to write more,  I really sucked at that this year.  Like I said, it wasn't my best year.  But I'm over that.  I'm ready for the new year and I'm ready for new adventures that are going to come with it.

I wish you all the best in the New Year.  I wish you good health and a happy life.  Remember we only get one, so live it.

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Finally! A husband approved soup!

I was sitting here worried about what I was going to do with all the ham I had leftover from Christmas.  Well actually, I didn't cook it until a few days ago because we stayed at my in laws house for dinner.  Fast forward a few days and without the crowd expected we had ham and potatoes coming out of our ears!

I had seen this recipe before but David is sorta anti homemade soup.  He loves the can stuff, but I don't buy them so he is soup deprived!  Plus when it comes to soup, hes a bottomless pit.  It never fills him up. The boys and I needed something for lunch so I went ahead and threw it together.

I did change a few things.  I didn't add celery because we didn't have any.  I did add corn, because well, I love corn in soup and it made it more like a chowder, which I love!  I upped the amount of potatoes and ham. And water too. Its a very versatile recipe.  The first batch was very thick. I over cooked the potatoes so I think they thickened up the soup even more. But the second batch was perfect with a little extra water and I didn't overcook the potatoes.   Wait?  Second batch?  Yup.  After we had it for lunch, it was requested again for dinner.  I had to run out and get crackers though. It was so easy and pretty quick too.  Just up my alley!  The boys were my taste testers and by the way they gobbled it down I had a little bit of hope that David might like it.

When he got home, Anthony immediately offered him some of the good soup mom made and with a skeptical OK from him, I warmed him some up.  "This is the best soup you have ever made"  His words not mine.  Say whaaaaa? Yup he loved it.  Not one little complaint. This is big y'all!

You will need

• 4 cups peeled / diced potatoes
• 1/2 small onion finely chopped 
• 1 cup diced cooked ham
• 3 1/2 cups water
• 1/2 cup of corn
• 1 1/2 tablespoons chicken bouillon granules
• 1 teaspoon ground white or black pepper, or to taste
• 5 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 5 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 cups milk

1. Drop the potatoes, onion, ham into a pot with the water.  Bring to a boil, lower the heat until potatoes are tender, about 10 minutes.  Keep an eye on them so you don't turn them into mashed potatoes. Stir in the chicken bouillon and pepper.  Add corn.  
2. In a separate saucepan, melt butter over medium-low heat. Whisk in flour.  Stir constantly until thick, about 1 minute. Slowly stir in milk and whisk out all lumps. Continue stirring over medium-low heat until thick.  About 5 minutes.
3. Stir the milk mixture into the stockpot.  Cook soup until heated through.

I was so excited that everyone enjoyed this.  I used a low sodium bouillon but I would love to find an even lower substitute.  The original recipe added a 1/2 t of salt which I left out and I passed on the crackers.  So while it wasn't a good choice for my sodium restrictions, I know a little bowl wouldn't hurt me! 

For a printable version click HERE

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Menu Plan Monday: December 30th

This is it.  The last few days of 2013.  Its finally here.  And that means that our excuses for over indulging are over.  Back to eating at home, smaller portions and a lot less cookies!  I love that New Years falls in the middle of the week.  Davids mom makes Menudo every New Years, so we know whats for lunch Wednesday!  Here is what I've got planned for dinners this week.

Monday:  Leftovers from the weekend.  I made a huge ham on Friday and we are almost done with it!  Ham, the gift that keeps on giving!  Plus there is still a pan full of tamales that need to be eaten too...

Tuesday:  New Years Eve.  We we headed to a New Years party.  Best part is that its only down the road so David can have all the fun he wants and we only have to walk a few houses.

Wednesday:  Lemon Pepper Turkey with brown rice and broccoli.

Thursday:  Keeping it easy with Pulled Pork Sandwiches with coleslaw.

Friday:  Teriyaki Salmon with Sriracha Cream sauce.  This looks so good.  I will have to make the cream sauce a little less spicy for the boys, but I am looking forward to a little kick.

Saturday:  Chicken patties, mashed potatoes and corn.

Sunday:  Roasted Chicken with garlic rosemary potatoes and salad.

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2013 Highlights

Before we close the door on another year, I just wanted to take a minute to share a few things we did in 2013.

 Soccer!  It was amazing to see Anthony improve in just two seasons.  Watching him practice and then seeing his hard work paying off made me so proud.

 

There was a flow constant flow of Foster dogs this year

Haiku.  She started a love for huskies in Alexanders heart!

Bruce Wayne the Dane

Sweet baby Marie

My niece Jamisen turned one.

Jam Jam.  <3 her!

We had some awesome adventures this year.

Exploring at the park

Despicable Me 2.  Both boys actually watched the whole thing!

I have a crush on Ballapeno.  Clearly he likes me too :)

Road trip with the boys and dogs

Poncho met some cows

Hayrides at the Rio Cibolo Ranch

Anthony started making dinner once a week.  Lots of homemade pizzas and spaghetti this year.

And I realized that my baby isn't a baby anymore. In 2 weeks he will be 5!!

It was a great year.  My family is happy and healthy.  The boys are growing into little men.  With opinion and ideas of their own.  David was finally put on a better work schedule which meant he was home for dinner more than just a few weeks this year.  I made friends.  Last year I made a goal to be more social and not let my illness hold me back and so I did.  It might seem silly to some, but being pretty much house bound gets super lonely at times, so its a big deal to me.  I said I would not let my illness stop my boys from doing things they wanted to do and with the help from my family and friends, we did so much more this year.  Specifically Soccer.  That was pretty much the highlight of the year.  We are blessed.

As for me, health wise, I have been doing great.  Stable is what the doctors call it.  My liver function is still ok.  The nodules on my liver have not grown.  I have not had any major problems with my blood disorder.  I did have a scare, but and early mammogram showed us there was nothing to be worried about.  And I have been able to stay on top of my Encephalopathy so my head has been foggy but nothing too bad.  All this together means, less lab work and more time off in between doctor visits!  WIN!

Now we look ahead to all the new year has in store for us.  This is the year that Alex starts school.  That will be the big thing for us this year I think.  And soccer!   Here is to a year full of good health and lots of laughter.  To new friendships and more adventures.  I'm so ready for this!  Hello 2014!

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What did you read in 2013?

I wasn't always a fan of reading books.  I hated the books we had to read in school.  But I think it was just because I hated being told what to read and having to have an opinion on it.  I read a few books after we left home but was mostly busy with work and fun.  Mostly Nicholas Sparks books that I had seen as movies first.

My real love of reading didn't start until I was pregnant with Alex and my old English teacher sent me a box full of books to help keep me entertained while I was supposed to be on bed rest.  She sent me One for the Money by Janet Evanovich.  I had never laughed so much reading a book and was instantly hooked. Imagine my surprise when I found out that she had a whole library of books for me to read.  I have read all but two of her books.  One was just hard to get in to (The Husband List) and the other is about how she started writing.  But all together I have read 49 of her books.  

I have a thing for series.  I have read all of the Sookie Stackhouse series including all the companion books. Hunger Games, read.  I read 50 Shades, and I started Sue Grafton's Kinsey Milhone series. I read a handful of Nicholas Sparks titles and lots of health stories.  Half of what I checked out of the library were cookbooks.  I also started the Percy Jackson books with my oldest.  And he plans on reading the Hobbit next.  Not sure if he is quite ready for it.  But when his teacher suggested he do some deep reading and push himself, he really took it to heart!  I hope he always loves reading!  

The only problem with reading, which might actually be a good thing too, is that all though I know I read them, because of my Encephalopathy, I don't remember them all.  Like Game of Thrones.  I know I read it, but all I can remember is the show.  My mind has a hard time hanging on to somethings.  But that just means I can read it again!  So I'm counting that as a win!

I saw this list of books to read before they hit the big screen and I put a few of them on hold at the library.  I love reading books that have movies coming out or are out already.  I always feel like I get a behind the scenes peek when I read the books.

My goal was to read 50 books this year.  And I only read 37

So I managed to read all but a few of the books I had planned on reading this year.  And I am putting together next years to read list.   What will I read?  I am looking forward to reading The Chase.  Its the second book of the Fox and O'Hare series from Janet Evanovich and Lee Goldberg.  And Top Secret Twenty One, which is the next Stephanie Plum novel.  It comes out this summer!  What other books do I need to put on the list?  Old or new, what is your favorite book?  And what are some titles on your 2014 list?

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So this is Christmas!

What a whirlwind the last two days have been!  We were busy making memories over here. And the fun will continue right in to the new year!  I truely hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas and that you were all surrounded by people you love and people who love you back!  That's my favorite part of holidays, seeing family and friends and spending time together.

What are your Christmas Traditions?  We only have a few that we always do. A typical Christmas Eve dinner is tamales.  Let me tell you, David's mom makes some amazing tamales and we wait all year long for them. The best part is when she makes so many that we get to freeze a bag or two to enjoy over the next few months! My mother inlaw is one of a kind. The good kind!  Last night she gave me a present that I have wanted since I was a child. A snoopy snow cone maker. Oh man was I a happy lady!

The came the preparations for Santa.  We started the night with one present each from mom and dad. Pajamas of course. This year a certain mom procrastinated so long there were no more matching Christmas jammies but, Super Mario Bros ones were just as good. Followed by hot chocolate and a book. The Night Before Christmas. After their bellys were warmed we set out cookies and carrots (for the reindeer). The boys wrote a note and went off to bed. And Alex actually stayed in his own bed...ALL night! 

I'm not sure what time Santa came but the boys were up just as the sun was peeking over the horizon. I of course thought it was still the middle of the night so I sent them back to bed. It felt like I had been sleeping for an hour. But it was 6 am. Luckily they gave me another hour before coming back in and letting me know they were STARVING.  That must have been code for excited, because neither one finished their cinnamon roll before they just had to check out their stockings. As soon as David was up, they were circling the tree. So we dove in to the presents.  Legos and Ninja Turtles galore. Someone please tell me they aren't as bad as I am thinking. How do you keep them together? Seriously.  Legos scare me.

Once the excitement settled it was time for a quick nap before heading back to Grandma's house. Good thing she is only a few blocks away!  My favorite part of the day was Grandma trying to remember who's present she was trying to hand out. After watching her try to figure out who it was for we gave in and told her it was her present from us. Which she loved!  Then David's cousin and her family showed up.  I got to hold a baby and I survived. No fever yet!  And after more presents, more tamales and lots of good talks, it was time to call it a night. The big boys have to go back to work, the little boys had toys to play with and the ladies had all kinds if cleaning to do. Don't tell, but I'm not doing it tonight!  I've just now got the boys tucked in, after building 3 boxes of legos. I'm calling it a night. I will share some photos tomorrow...while I clean ;)

Merry Christmas everyone. Bring on the new year!  I'm so ready for it!

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Menu Plan Monday: December 16th

So the weekend kinda flew right by and here I am Monday night just now getting my stuff together. As soon as I saw this photo I knew I had to try this.  Friday can't come soon enough!  Here is the lineup for this week.

Does this not look amazing.  Link to recipe below!

Monday: 

Eat and shop.  Not quite what I had in mind, but this is what happens when I am unprepared and take starving boys to WalMart.  Mc Donalds.  

Tuesday:  

Taco Tuesday.  I just might make this a thing.  Trying out different tacos of course, but this could become a regular around here! I think I will pull Anthony in to be my prep chef for this.  He has been asking to "cut stuff" for a while now.  And browning the meat and seasoning it is pretty easy stuff too!  

Wednesday:

Chicken Tetrazzini. This is what the boys call the white spaghetti.  And its also one of the only ways I can get them to eat mushrooms!  Salads are great with this too!

Thursday:

Steak with Spanish rice and beans.  I'm thinking of making homemade flour tortillas to go with this.  We will see how that works out!

Friday:

Greek Marinated Chicken from Budget Bytes with salad and this slow cooker creamed corn.  Two new recipes in one night?  Pray for me.  Somehow I didn't get around to making this corn last week so lets see if I can try it this week!  

Saturday:

Tuna Noodle Casserole.  Now that Anthony, my 8 year old knows how to make this, it is his suggestion every week.  I finally gave in but we have to learn something else quick.  If he is willing to learn, I am willing to teach.  My dad was the cook in our family, so I love watching my so follow in his grandpa Jims footsteps.  

Sunday:

Roast Chicken:  Good ole Sunday dinners.  Salad and roast potatoes on the side.  Yum!

So there is what we are cooking up this week!  Who does all the cooking in your kitchen?  I know most little girls love baking and cooking with their moms but does anyone else have a little boy who loves the kitchen?  I love having my boys in there with me!

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Advice from my 8 year old.

I thought I had my game face on but my 8 year old could see right through it and he called me on it.  "Why are you so sad lately?"  And after trying to convince him that everything was fine, I gave in and explained it to him.  I'm sad that some people in my life are really struggling.  I'm sad some are sad and hurting.  I'm hurt that some of those people lie straight to my face.  I'm sad that its Christmas and I can't buy something for everyone.  And I'm even a little sad that I know there won't be something under the tree for me from my Dad.  His gifts were always the best.  I was just sad and upset.  I told him that sometimes we get like that.  I told him that when we are little we want nothing more than to be an adult, but when we are adults, life is nothing like we thought it would be.

He stood staring at me and suddenly I felt guilty for dumping all this on him.  But I could see it in his eyes, his brain was soaking it all in.  Soon a question would pop out of his mouth.  And sure enough, with a very confused face he asked " Why don't they just stop feeling bad?  You get what you get and you don't throw a fit.  That's what we learned in Kindergarten!"  And there you have it people.  Words of Wisdom from an 8 year old.  And there is so much truth to this.

Its sure is something to hear a kid say that its OK if he doesn't get everything he wants for Christmas.  Because someday he will be able to buy it for himself.  And that even if there isn't a present under the tree from my dad, there will be one from him.  Eight years old and already such a good man.  Don't get me wrong, he is still very much a child and I know that, but I love moments like this when I get a glimpse of the man he will be.  And I can only pray I can continue to encourage that in him!

I don't know what it is about this time of year.  Maybe it is just my brains way of sorting though all the good and bad of the year.  Usually I can get through Christmas before I start reflecting.  Looking back at how much everything changed.  Good and bad.  I have been thinking so much about how little I accomplished this year.  Did I tell people I love just how much I love them?  Was I a good friend?  Did I do my best to stay neutral in the craziness my family has been through this year?  I think about whether or not I have been the best mom I could this year.  Have I been a good wife?  So many questions and not enough energy left in my brain at the end of the day to sort though them.  Now that I have written it all out, I don't think I'm quite sad just a little overwhelmed and struggling to sort out all my thoughts.  I'm no grinch!  Its time to snap out of it and get in the spirit! Time to shutdown the laptop and turn up the radio!

Wishing you all a fun filled weekend!

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Menu Plan Monday: December 9th

I've been sick since last week so I am going to keep dinner nice and easy.  Nothing new right?   Here is the quick men approved dinners for the week. By the way, where do these boys put their food?  They are always hungry!

Monday:

Crispy Steak Southwest Wraps.  You can find the original chicken recipe HERE.  This is such a great dish.  I double it and we usually eat if for dinner and lunch.  Sometimes dinner for two days!

Tuesday:

Leftovers.

Wednesday:

Chili and Crackers.  I am loving this cold weather and what better to eat on a cold night than some good homemade Turkey Chili!

Thursday:

Baked Pork Chops.  The boys have asked for mac and cheese and salad with this.  But I am also going to be trying THIS corn out.  So tired of just plain corn. 

Friday:

Lasagna.  Leftover salad and crusty bread on the side.  

Not sure what we have planned for the weekend, so I will throw a few last minute dinners in the cart as we shop.  My guess is we will be finishing off leftovers.  I don't get why some people don't like leftovers. They are a quick way to get out of making dinner!  What about you?  Leftovers:  Yay or nay?

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But I wanted more!

Last night I watched as my husband help load the nursery furniture into the back of a strangers car.  And just like that, my belly ached.  I thought about the hours I spent telling David all about how we would live with our house full of children.  And how he would say I would be lucky if he would agree to two!  He will never admit it, but he wants another one.  We have had many talks about it.  But the decision was taken out of my hands.

Having another baby would mean I would go from two regular doctors to being watched by 4 or 5 if needed.  I would have to go back on twice daily injections.  Weekly check ups.  Scans and tests. The medical bills would pile up again.  I would be putting my life at risk.  And worst of all, I would put this imaginary baby at risk.  And I'm not talking just pregnancy complications.  My blood disorder is hereditary.  So both boys have a 50/50 chance of having it too.  I have enough guilt for putting that on them.  I couldn't do it to another child.

After I had Alex my Dr insisted I get my tubes tied.  I felt like it was to permanent so I went another route.  But now here I am.  Unless there is a big change in my liver anytime soon, my road to transplant is going be a long one.  Who knows how old I will be with I finally do get my new liver.  And I'm not sure I would feel comfortable stretching my belly out after a liver transplant anyways!  Have you seen the scar it leaves?  I'd be scared to even try.

So that leads me to this.  Two kids are more than enough.  They fill my heart.  And I am happy with just two.  I say I would want a baby girl, but I know I was not made to be a girl mom!  I know there will always be something that makes me wish for just one more, but our family is complete just the way it is. I will always sigh when I see preemie clothes.  I will hold friends babies and breath in that baby smell.  I know I will cry, oh yes, there will be lots of tears.  Just because I want more doesn't ever mean I don't love what I have now!

How many kids do you have or plan to have?  Did coming from a big or small family play into it?  I come from a big family and David only had a brother.  I still remember his face the first time I told him I wanted 6 kids!  Priceless!

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Happiness is ______ {Week 27} #happinessis

We spent the last few days doing a whole lot of relaxing.   My oldest brother flew down to spend the holiday with us and we were all so glad to have him.  I really hope we didn't bore the heck out of him, because we are home bodies and unless its soccer season, there isn't a whole bunch going on around here.  Lets just say he got lots of rest here!  But we did fit in a few adventures this weekend. The tree lighting and the Zoo!

Happiness is a boat load of food and lots of full bellies!

 

Happiness is a mesmerized 4 year old.  He loved this guy! His smile when this dinosaur opens his mouth and growls...

We also managed to miss the tree lighting ceremony by a few minutes, thanks the insane lack of parking.  But...

Happiness is light up swords!

The next day we hit up the San Antonio Zoo. 

Happiness is new additions!  (Love the name Sarabi.  Name that movie...)

Happiness is Tadpoles.  Anthony just got some as class pets so he had lots of information for me!

Happiness is Alex excitedly telling everyone just how much an elephant can weigh. Seven slugbugs yall!  7!

Happiness is just wanting one nice picture...

Seriously.  Just one!

Happiness is my favorite part of the whole Zoo.  The Snake house :)

Happiness is a day spent with my family.  At a place we all love.  I cant wait to see all the new additions when they are finished!

Happiness is staying up a little late to finish some puzzles with Uncle Lester before he left.

Happiness was just having my brother and sister here with us for the holiday. I'm so glad he chose to spend my favorite holiday with us and the boys soaked up every minute with him!  Be sure to stop by Crazy Adventures in Parenting and see what happiness others are sharing!  I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving and weekend! 

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