i heart food

I also wanted to blog about dinner tonight. I don't really cook much anymore, because with Eric in school, it is just the kids and me at home eating. He has turned into Jared and usually does Subway for lunch and dinner. ;) So, I am always looking for meals that are GOOD and EASY! I made this today and thought I would share.

I cooked 4 chicken breasts in the crock pot on low for about 6 hours in my fave bbq sauce. Then, I just shredded it over some lettuce, tomato and a little bit of cheese. It didn't need much dressing at all. YUMMERS! It was pretty doggone tasty. And, I have lunch ready for tomorrow.

And...because they are soooo cute!!! I love these two kids right here!!!

boy stuff

Eric took Levi to the Monster Jam on Saturday night. He asked if I wanted to get a sitter for Maggie and go with them. Um, no thanks. ;) This was something best left to the boys!!
Of course, we both insisted he wear his head phones and Eric said he was glad. It was really loud in there.

Look how little my baby looks!!

He was on cloud 9!!!!!

Today, Levi told me that when he grows up, he wants to be a truck driver and play basketball in his free time. ;)

the eye doctor and a movie date

Friday morning, we headed out early to take Maggie to the eye doctor. Okay, so our appointment wasn't until 10:30, but it still took us two hours to get out the door! We are some high maintenance chicks!! ;) At Maggie's 18 month check up, her pediatrician wanted me to make an appointment with an optometrist because she has A-symmetrical pupils. We had to wait for a little bit, but Mags kept everyone entertained. First, she sang to and kissed herself in the mirror...
Then, she decided to cop a squat right in the entryway and 'do her business'. Oh my word. She started grunting and tooting and didn't care who was watching! People were getting so tickled at her! One lady started crying because she was laughing so hard. I just politely said "Sorry! When you gotta go, you gotta go." Oy. The life of a momma! ;)

Oh, and Drew Carey showed up!

Haha, and since Daddy was trying new glasses on, we took the opportunity to let Maggie try some on, too. We didn't know if she would have to have them or not, but she seemed willing to try them out! SO CUTE. Love me a baby in some cute glasses!!!!!

...and getting her 'Gretchen' on! ;)

She did very well at the appointment and I was highly impressed with the doctor. He was very thorough. They even dilated her eyes! I was a little nervous about that, but she did great. He told us that she can come back in a year and they will recheck her. (Unless she starts squinting a lot or if I notice her left eye starts rolling around without the right one...um, okay...!!) I was happy for the good report! :-)

Friday night was GIRLS night!! Yay! My mom, sister, sis-in-law and I headed out for a little shopping, dinner and a movie! We ate at Ruby Tuesdays and had soup and salad! It was really good! I hadn't been there since they opened.

After dinner, we headed to see One for the Money. Jenny and I have read the book (actually, Jenny has read all 18 books in the series...I'm only on book 3) and couldn't wait to see the movie on opening night! It was fun to hang out with my fam! We don't get a lot of time where it is just the 4 of us. Usually there are 15 of us and lots of little hoodlems running around. It was a great time!!

whatcha gonna do when they come for you...

My mom's car has been on the fritz for a while. I think she has been talking about wanting a new car for about 3 years. After driving around without heat for a few months now, she and my dad finally decided to buy her a new vehicle! { My dad tried several times having the heat fixed, but it didn't work. } She got her new car Monday night. Less than 24 hours later, someone hit her...and drove away!!!!! Mom called me Tuesday afternoon and was devastated. I felt so bad for her!! She was okay, and it was just a fender bender, but she couldn't believe the lady just drove off! If there is one thing you need to know about my family, it is that we are kind of like the Mob. When something happens to one of us, everyone gets involved. We all rant and rave, put our two cents in, and try to solve the problem. While I am like my mom...get emotional and cry...my dad and sister are more of the "get even" mindset. ;) That is the law-enforcement genes in them!! ;) We used to tease because usually a 'criminal' would meet my dad first, when he would work a scene or accident. Then, the 'criminal' would get sent to be checked out at the ER where my brother was a nurse. The 'criminal' would find out my brother was related to my dad and then find out the bad news...they were being sent to jail and would meet my sister who would book them in. Ha!

I digress... So, there is more to the story! My brother-in-law (also a cop) is in charge of hit & runs. {The Mob, I tell ya!} He pulled video surveillance and bodda-bing, they found the license plate number and he went and found the lady. She admitted to hitting my mom and said the reason she didn't stay was because she was in a hurry. :/ Unfortunately, fleeing the scene of an accident is a crime and it cost her a night in jail. I did feel bad about that, but, people, it's a crime!! :( We really are a nice family, I promise!!!

It really has been like a small town episode of COPS or CSI around here! ;)

pictuuuuures...

I was making more room for games cleaning out my phone and found a few pics that I had forgotten about. Then, I found this cool little button on the corner of my phone that is used to make different effects! Hugh, who knew?!! (Probably everyone but me...) Anyhow, here are a few pics I did some different effects on. :-)

Oh, except this one. This is just a random one. When Maggie and I came out of WalMart the other day, this was parked next to us. (I apologize if this is your vehicle, but it was a tad scary...) Yes, that is a Saint Bernard and two other dogs just sitting in the back of a truck. Um, what would stop them from jumping out and eating my daughter? I guess I would have to go into Mommy Mode...

Okay, now for the cool effects. This is Levi before school this morning. (And before you ask, yes, those are cotton balls attached to his shirt. That is what you get when today is the 101st day of school and they are supposed to dress in black and white like Dalmatians because they are watching 101 Dalmatians... don't judge. It was short notice.)

Momma and baby girl :))))

New hat...

Cutie pie... Well, lookie there...two more cuties! :)))))))

And, just a disclaimer...you may notice more pictures of Maggie on the blog sometimes. It is because I love her more. KIDDING!!!! I love both my babies, but Maggie is home more and Levi is in that "MOOOOM, don't take my picture or my life will end" stage!! ;/

goofy !!

Who needs an amusement park?? ;)

say whaaa???

Last week, Gretchen posted this post about some of her confessions. Hilarious! Another blogger we read does this too. So, Gretchen threw down the gauntlet. I have compiled a few of my inner most confessions for you, my loyal blog stalkers, to read. ;) Enjoy, but don't have me committed. Please. (My children would not make it with just their father...)

* My daughter watches Mickey Mouse so much that I seriously want to gouge out my eyes when she asks to watch it again. That high-pitched mouse voice drives me crazy and just about puts me over the edge.

* I used to make fun of people who were attached to their phones. Used to. Until I got my smart phone. Now, I would seriously contemplate hurting anyone who might bother my phone. I have an unhealthy relationship with my phone.

* I am very sensitive and I cry. A lot. It can be a commercial, a really good book, or even when someone gets put through to Hollywood on Idol. I will cry. Like a baby.

* Gretchen confessed to loving coffee and sometimes getting so excited about going to bed just so she can wake up and have some. I am the same way about sleep. I love sleep. Sometimes when I wake up, I can't wait to go back to sleep. I know, right?!!

* I have gotten so used to watching tv via my DVR that I get annoyed when I have to watch a commercial. Unless it has my boyfriend, Peyton Manning in it.

* I don't like for people to tell me what to do. Especially when it is something that is something you are supposed to do like wear your seatbelt, or floss your teeth. I must have a little bit of rebel in me. Each time I buckle up or break out the "Plackers", I have a little voice in my head that says "Don't do it..." But, I do. ;)

a face only a mother could love...?

I have a vision in my head of my little girl playing with her baby dolls. It includes cute little dolls, dressed in dresses and hats or pjs and a cute little matching blanket. My vision does not include this baby doll...
However, Maggie loves this baby doll. She found it in my parents toy room and it used to be my sister's baby doll. It scares the bejeebies out of me has seen better days!!!

What? You ask what is wrong with the baby's hair? My sister cut it off. The face is all scratched up and the baby is disgustingly dirty (even though I've cleaned it over and over again!). Look at this hair.....!!!

Have you ever seen the movie Chucky??? Well, I have not, but I imagine that this baby would have a staring roll. ;) Each time I see her lying on the floor, I cringe. But, she loves this baby. Oy.

True story: Maggie and I went to visit my mom at her school. Maggie accidentally left her baby there and I said a little prayer that it would find its way home with another child. Later that week, we went to my parents and the baby was in the toy room!! Ugh. Maggie squealed in delight. Nice.

sweet moments

We had a really nice, low key weekend! Friday night, we met our friends, Matt & Melanie for dinner at my beloved Kansai. Sooo good. Great friends, great food, great convo. Not a lot better than that!! I didn't take any pictures! BOOOO. But, I assure you, there was laughter and lots of love. ;) Miss those guys!

Saturday morning, I had a great photo op moment...
My kids wake up before the rooster. So, we send them off to play or watch tv while we try to snag another hour of sleep. When I went to check on them, Levi had turned Mickey Mouse on for Maggie in his room. Soooo sweet!!! They are cute.

Easy E was off to dj a gig on Saturday night, so it was just Momma and the kids left at home to fend for themselves. We played War, Go Fish, Hungry Hippo, Sonic on Xbox (and I think it was starting to give me a migraine!!) and baby dolls. It was riveting. ;) Then, right before bed time, I captured another sweet moment...

I was starting to wonder what was wrong with my children! No shoving, elbowing, shouting, crying.....they were just sitting there sharing their snack and being quiet. Never fear, though. Before bed, Levi took Maggie's blanket and she cried bloody murder and Maggie threw her cup at Levi. Everything normal had been restored in our home. Sigh... ;)

After the kiddos were fast asleep, these two pretty girls came over!!!

Gretchen was in town and we stole a few moments to sit and chat away! I'm so glad we did. We headed downstairs (where it is 65 degrees below 0) and each grabbed a blanket, and settled in where we gabbed for the next two hours. Pure bliss. :)))))))

who needs the beach?

So, this past weekend, my brother and sister-in-law hit the town in Miami. Whatevs. Who needs warm, sunny weather? We've been up to some incredibly exciting stuff right here in cold Indiana!!!

Levi was off school Monday, and since I was watching two little girls, Eric took Levi out for a day on the town! They headed to our local airport for a tour. Remember my husband, the mayor? He knows people everywhere! Our friend from church, John, is a pilot and he was happy to meet them there to tour his plane. Our niece, Megan went with them for the day, too!!

How cute are these little kids?? Levi is fascinated by airplanes and loves going to the airport any time he can. I wouldn't be surprised if he grew up to be a pilot. :-)

They also went to see the new Alvin & the Chipmunks movie. While the boys & Megan were out galavanting, I had Maggie busy at home. I made her clean her highchair. ;)

I really do believe in child labor! ;)

I know you are on the edge of your seat reading about all the excitement at our house! I will even throw in that my Mother-in-law and I took the kids to McDonald's last night for supper. Yes, that was the highlight of my week. Woot!! Who doesn't love a diet coke?!

So, I ask again, who needs the beach?

(Insert me...waving my arms, jumping up and down...) I do!!! I do!!! I need the beach!!! Which brings me to the main reason for my post! Our vacay has been booked for the summer. Drum roll please.....

We are heading back to Hilton Head!

I am looking forward to spending a week here...

...and here...

Can't wait!! :-)

jewelry box - check!

I've been so busy organizing, I haven't had time to update! ;)

My little goal of organizing something each day has kept me quite busy!! It does feel good to get some things cleaned out. I started with a little project in Maggie's room this weekend, and 7 hours later, her entire room was done. Shew! I wasn't prepared for the mess I got myself into!!

Here was one of my more "fun" projects! I tackled my jewelry box. Let me tell you...this was years of unorganization. I can see Jaime Mac saying "tsk tsk"!!
I honestly had forgotten some of the jewelry I had! It was that bad.

And, look at this drawer...I had "stuffed" so much stuff in it, I couldn't even open it. Shaking my head in shame...

Several hours later...or maybe even a day later...here was the finished product! Wow! I can actually see what jewelry I have to wear!

I got rid of a lot of it because I just don't wear it.

I mean, I can just hear the "oohs" and "ahhs" over my cleaned out jewelry!!

I did want to share a few things I found. Some of my favorite things! This is a picture of my Grandmother. She was so beautiful. I miss her every day.

And, yes, this is a pig. ;) It is also a whistle. A whistle pig. You, ahem, blow in the nose and it comes out the rear! Ha! I bought it in Russia. They were very popular with the kids there.

These are earrings that my Grandmother gave me. :))))

Eric's baby ring. Sweetness.

A tiny hand painted box I also bought in Russia.

And, I love pearls. These were given to me at my baby shower when I was pregnant with Levi. It was a shower to pamper me!!

Oh, and my very favorite piece of jewelry. ;) Made room for it right on top!!

Now, I am ready for more jewelry. Gosh...if I only knew of someone who was having a jewelry party soon....wink, wink, Jami!! :-)

organization schmorganization

During dinner Friday night, Brittany, Gretchen and I got to talking about organization. Let's just say if you came to my house right now, you would find a few closets and junk drawers that are less than desirable. ;) All weekend, I could hear Gretchen reciting what her mom tells her. "An organized life is a disciplined life, Gretchen." I like that, because right now, I feel very undisciplined in a few areas. I have taken on a little personal challenge to organize one thing in my home each day until I am tired of organizing until I feel like things are where I want them. First project...organize guest bathroom closet and cabinets.
This was fairly easy because we don't keep a lot in there. I threw away some great junk, though! Bonus!

Yes, this is a picture of Maggie trying to go potty...notice she is standing. Oy. She is around her brother entirely too much!

And, here is my little helper cleaning out the cabinets. You know how everyone is always posting pics of their little ones running around in their underwear? Yeah, not my kid. She always wants 3 or 4 layers on. Must wear a jacket at all times. I'm having a good day if I can get her to nap in just 1 layer and not wake up in a sweat! Ha!

So, I dedicate this post to Terry...thanks for inspiring me to get some things organized. Today, I tackle a junk drawer. Pray for me.