January 27, 2014

Menu Plan Monday: January 27th


Leave it to me to be posting this and changing it already.  I didn't get to the store yesterday, so it looks like its its Honey Lime Swai tonight and subs on Friday instead!  I swear these boys would eat the house if they could.  By the end of the week, the pantry, fridge and snack cabinet are all empty!  And they are still hungry. Gotta love growing boys! 

January 21, 2014

What I'm Reading: 1/21

I am not a book hopper.  I stick to one book at a time.  Just me?  I was until I got to this book.


When I read it, I get sucked in, but once I put it down, coming back to it is hard.  I have checked it out and renewed it twice now and am only half way through it.  But determined to finish it nonetheless.

After a talk with my friend about feminism and how I get called an old fashioned wife and what not, she lent me a few books to read last week.  Have you heard of Dr Laura?  I had never. Until now.


I started this book last night.  I would have read more but I was so tired, I just about fell asleep after David gave me a back and leg massage.  Almost, but then I was summoned by a sick kid.

Out of the 4 books she gave me I figured I would start with this one.  Our 10 year anniversary is coming up in a few weeks and I'm interested to see what she has to say.  And for the record, yes maybe I'm a little old school when it comes to our marriage and I'm 100% fine with that!  There are also parts of our marriage that would make others think we are crazy.  As with everything in life, its all about balance!  More to come about that.  Maybe.

The boys and I are still working on Percy Jackson too!  But we put it on hold because half way though, we realized we were reading the second book and Anthony wants to wait till he has read the first book.  He is so my son!

I would love to hear what you are reading this week!  Are you a book hopper?  What was the hardest book for you to get through?  Wishing you all a great week!  Just a few more days till the weekend right!?


January 20, 2014

Rambo the Foster Dog

On Saturday, we picked up our first foster dog of the year.  I happened to come across his sweet face on Facebook when a Rescue shared his plea from a shelter in Huntsville Texas.  And when I shared him, David sent me a text that said "we have to get him, hes so cute".  David is not a big animal guy.  He's very supportive of my wanting to foster and falls in love with all of them, but he has never been one to insist on a dog, until now.  Because really how could we let this face stay in the shelter any longer? Meet Rambo!

San Antonio Great Dane

The boys had named him Tank, but I guess he already had a name!  Rambo is an 18 month old Fawn Great Dane who is very emaciated.  You would never guess it from the first picture but one look at is whole body will make your heart ache.  

Starved

hungry boy

You can count his ribs and run your fingers along his spine.  He has a huge ball of fluid on his elbow (you can see it in the picture).  He walks super slow because he is in so much pain.  He cries out when he gets up out of bed and sometimes while he is laying down asleep.  My original plan was to keep him in the kennel, but he cant stretch out and get comfortable so I am keeping him in the kitchen with the baby gates.   He is such a sweet sweet boy.  And his eyes are just so full of hope.  He is eating great and we are going to give him all the love he needs to get better.

We dropped him off at the vet today to get check out and we are praying that everything is treatable.  The vet noted that he seemed to be in pain and is having problems with his back legs.  I let her know that we only live a few minutes away so that we could bring him home so he can eat and get comfortable before going back for more tests.  My heart just breaks for him.  Its hard to see such a big beautiful boy in such bad shape.  Its hard for me to see any dog like this.  What's even more sad is that a human did this to him. 

I have faith that in no time he will be living up to his name.  He will fill out, get healthy and find a home where he will be treated like he deserves.  A home with kids to love on him, a mom to make him yummy treats and a dad to sneak him a few extra treats behind moms back!  Hes going to be even more stunning when he gets some meat on them bones.  He weighed in at 107.8 so I'm guessing he will be up to 120+ and bouncing around in no time.  

http://www.texasgreatdane.org/

So many people have said that there is no way that they could foster, because they would end up loving each one.  Is giving them up to their forever homes hard?  Heck yes.  Do I want to keep each one?  So far, yes. I've cried seeing photos that their new families send me.  But mostly its because I am so glad that I was able to help.  What some people fail to understand is, that adorable puppy or dog that is in the shelter.  The one that you wish you could adopt or foster but are worried you wont be able to give him up, today might be his last day.  Here is San Antonio, our shelter is very high kill.  Every day dogs are put to sleep, simply because there is not room.  Some dogs come in and go straight to the euthanasia room and others are only give a few days to find a home.  It would be so much better to hurt over giving them to a home that is going to love them, than it is to cry because you did nothing about it.  That's the way I see it.  

Have you ever thought about fostering?  Or have you fostered before?  I'd love to hear about it. We are fosters for the San Antonio Great Dane Rescue, but there are many other rescues and shelters that really really need fosters!  If you can afford some extra dog food and have a safe place and love to give, why not. Try it.  You never know, you could see just how rewarding it is! Save a life in 2014. Whether its one or ten, every dog deserves a chance!

January 15, 2014

Happiness is ______ {2014-W2} #happinessis

OK, I'm a little late to the party.  But in my defence, the start of the year is always a little crazy around here.  But I bring lots of happiness with me today!

Happiness is a willing helper around the house.



Happiness is watching his imagination grow.



Happiness is watching him face his fear and give this rock wall his best.  He only made it up a few feet, but he worked out today so he will be stronger next time.



Happiness is making better choices.  Cupcake or Apple....



Happiness is looking at this face and then realizing his even his candle says five.  Its true.  My baby is 5!  Pay no attention to the poor dog in the background wishing for a piece of cake!



I love sharing my happiness and seeing everyone elses.  Be sure to stop by Crazy Adventures in Parenting and see what others are happy about this week.  What was the happiest part of your week?

January 13, 2014

Menu Plan Monday: January 13


Last week I managed to knock two new recipes off my list.  The hubby has never been a fan of chicken breast and I figured out why.  Its just too much chicken for him.  So when I made chicken sandwiches, I sliced them in half making a thinner piece.  Everyone loved them.  

This week I am sticking to more familiar recipes.  Mostly because I procrastinated and don't have time to search for a new recipe to try this week.  We are also on a mission to waste less food, so there will be leftovers at least once a week for dinner.  Throwing away food is throwing away money and lord knows we need to be saving all we can.  This also means buying smaller packages of meat or stretching the bigger ones. By cutting chicken breasts in half, I was able to get two meals that we finished.  As opposed to making one dish with leftovers that get thrown out.  

I spend $100 on groceries and necessities a week.  Feeding 3 adults and 2 kids.  Every now and then we spend a little more.  Like this week when we decided to buy a Birthday cake over making one.  Smooth move Kim! How do you save money on groceries?  Do you write out a list and stick to it or do you wing it and spend whatever you spend?

January 12, 2014

Alexander turns 5

Today was very much like any other Sunday.  We spent the morning in our pajamas.  We had breakfast together.  We spent the afternoon playing.  Grandma and Grandpa came over.  But this time with cake, balloons and presents.  My baby turns 5 today.  I say turns because he wasn't born until 11:44  but today was all about him.  And he didn't want to do anything!

I want to get away from his birthday reminding me that its been another year that I have been sick.   The only reason I was ever diagnosed with Budd Chiari Syndrome is because it was discovered during an ultrasound.  And after years of trying and fertility treatments we had given up hope, then one day, hello positive pregnancy test.  I went into his delivery not knowing if my body would be strong enough to handle childbirth.  I was, and we were blessed with this little man.  Who I believe is my real life guardian angel.

This have changed though.  Five years ago, I was so afraid of the unknown that it was adding to my sickness.  Now, I have hope for another year.  My life was a gift from Alex and he was a gift from God.  The truth is its not just his birthday that reminds me of how far I have come.  Its him.  He is a constant reminder of how hard I fought to get to where I am.  To find peace with a diagnosis and to be able to accept the help and comfort that my family and friends give me.  We sure have come a long way together.  Not just me or Alexander but all of us.  My beautiful family.  I live for them.

My favorite part of Alexander is how forgiving and laid back he is.  He reminds me of myself. He wanted to go to the Zoo today, but a few drops of raid and he decided we could just stay home and play.  He is so easily excited.  The neighbors came over and asked us out to play.  That was the highlight of the day.  He reminded everyone that today was his birthday.  We were out there for a few hours.  We had pizza for dinner and the in laws brought over cupcakes and presents and balloons.  Tonight he said "today was perfect".   He smiled that Alex smile, when I told him he was perfect.

He is silly but still so serious.  Even thinking about his laugh makes me laugh.  The faces he makes are enough to make even the grumpiest person smile.  Curious yet cautious.  Sweet but mischievous.  Stubborn as all heck but such a sweet talker.  There is greatness inside of him.  I'm both excited and scared to see what he will do with his life.  If you ask him what he is going to be when he grows up he will tell you he is going to be a Army Sniper.  I believe him, but plans could change in the next 13 years.  What ever he does, he will give it his all.

I only have 30 more weeks until I lose my baby to Kindergarten.  That's 30 more Sundays like this. Minus all the sweets, but still only 30.  I am on a mission to make the most of the time we have left together.  It seems like so little but I know its still a few months off.  I better get a start on it.  Off I go to tuck in one tiny and oh so handsome 5 year old.  Hug your babies tight tonight, and every night.  When you break down the time we have with them before they leave home, its never as much time as we think.

Happy 5th Birthday my Alexander the Great.  My saving grace.  There are not words to explain just how blessed we are by you!  Love to the moon and back a million times!