Camee.

I have been meaning to post since... well April. And my sweet cousin Camee who I run into every once in awhile keeps harrassing me on how sick she was of seeing "recycled crayons" I don't blame her.

Like I said, I have been meaning to write forever and ever... so! With that, I'm giving a shout out to Camee "HEY HEY! Good to see you at the rodeo and not a depressing setting!" I will update with something that has to do with this blog this weekend. When my house is in order... so maybe it won't be until 2012! Until then! Have fun at work Cam!

Recycled Crayons

I heard about this project a long time ago, but never thought I would actually do it. Well, I got sick of all the broken crayons I found laying around, so I thought I would save them and I finally had enough. Not that you need a ton, but I ended up having PLENTY. So if you are cheap like me, here is a fun little project you can do with or without your kiddos.

STEP ONE:

Peel paper off broken crayons.

STEP TWO:

Break crayons into smaller pieces (if they aren't already) and stick them in a muffin tin!
(I also read you can put them in silicon molds as well)

STEP THREE:

Stick muffin tin in oven (temp 350 or lower).

STEP FOUR:

Take out of oven when they are melted. (maybe 10-15 minutes?!)



STEP FIVE:

Let cool.



STEP SIX:

Color!!!


OK, so it is really that easy. I did find a problem with the crayons after they were made (and read it on Google after it happened). If you don't use CRAYOLA crayons, the crayons are super waxy and you have to kind of rub off the extra wax before the color starts to come through. But they still work! And my kids love them.

Monday's Meal

Easy Shredded Beef Burritos/Chimichangas

INGREDIENTS

Flour tortillas
Jar of salsa
Can of Hereford beef (found at Costco)
Shredded cheese

Shred the beef, pour in salsa and warm in a pan.
Warm flour tortillas, put in beef/salsa combo, and cheese and roll up!

You have yourself a burrito! And for fun, you can fry them for a delicious chimichanga!!!

***Don't be scared of the canned beef. I almost freaked the first time I opened it up. But once you drain and shred it, its totally fine!!!

Add some rice, chips and you're good to go!!!

Family pics.

Why, oh why are family pictures so important?! Most family pictures are fake anyway. I know for a fact that in most of our family pictures, four seconds before the camera clicks, I am threatening naughty chairs, no treats, and anything else that my kids like if they don't look at the camera and smile. Then I hear ONE-TWO-THREE and I put on a fake smile for the camera. I would LOVE to see a family picture that depicts how the day/pictures are really going. Let me tell you, mine would not look like they do! Maybe in our next photo shoot, we will do one with how we really feel. And then put it on a Christmas card that most likely won't be sent out... But it would be funny don't ya think!?

Here is our faux picture I had taken a couple of weeks ago. I cried at the end of the night the day was so bad. Pictures weren't the bad part. It was everything before and after. The photographer was awesome. My family was horrible. Horrible! Oh well. Maybe next time!



Click {here} for the photographers info! She was awesome!

Words.

Not exactly sure what to do about my son. He is two. And his two favorite words are STUPID and BOOBIES. That's right. Boobies. I am not sure where he picked up on this word since his father doesn't go around yelling it, (thinking it yes, but saying it no). Anyway, so if you think you have it bad... just hang around my son and you will know your kids are angels. Boobies.

Monday's Meal for Tuesday

I have been a blog slacker. Don't worry (all three of you), I have a real post coming soon!!! :) For now, here is a simple meal to make for the fam! Once again got it from The Kitchen Cafe and I LOVED it! My four year old actually prepared the whole meal. It is THAT easy.

Slow Cooker Southwest Chicken Stacks

2 cups frozen corn
1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
2 large frozen boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 pound)
1 1/2 cups salsa

Lightly grease the bottom and sides of the slow cooker. Pour frozen corn into the bottom of the slow cooker and place the frozen chicken breasts on top. Cover with beans and salsa. Cover slow cooker and cook on low for 6 hours. Remove chicken from slow cooker and shred with forks. Return to the slow cooker and stir until the chicken, corn, beans and salsa are combined.

Serve on a bed of tortilla chips and top with additional garnishes: lettuce, tomato, avocado, sour cream, cheese, cilantro, lime wedges, etc.

***I think it would also taste good wrapped in a tortilla. Maybe?

Housewife.

Housewife: ˈhau̇s-ˌwīf n., pl., -wives (-wīvz'). A woman who manages her own household as her main occupation.

The husband told me last week that if I was on American Idol, that is what would be put under my name. Wow! Really?! Housewife?! Not amazing mom?! or just PERFECT under my name?! When the heck did I get demoted to just housewife?! Now don't get me wrong. It's a fine title to have. Most days, I don't mind it. But last week, I think my title would have been schlump.

Schlump: A lazy, overweight, under- or unemployed, undesirable middle-aged man. Usually wears crappy clothing. Shaves infrequently. Has nonchalant attitude about everything.

Pretty much how I was last week. I was super lazy. My house rarely got picked up, I was SO ornery with the kids, and irritable at the husband. Dinner was at the bottom of my list. I think we had cereal three nights. And the others we ate out. Granted, I was fighting a sinus infection the first part of the week but still. The point of my post.

Being a housewife is a full time job (as most of you know). With little benefits and no pay. The work is the same day in and day out with a few exceptions. Like I said before, I don't mind being a housewife. And I love being a stay at home mom (mostly). I don't even have to go into details on what happens. I assume most of you know. But really?! Do the kids HAVE to bring all of their toys from their playroom into the living room?! I thought that is what the playroom is for right?! And the pressure I feel from the "boss" to make sure that the house is picked up and spotless. Not that he puts on pressure... I just feel like that is "my job" And it's not like I am going to get fired if their are army guys strewn around the house. Or if dinner is "late." Because what happens if he did fire me? NOTHING! The house would be even worse than what it looked like before I got fired! So, BRING IT ON!

Needless to say, sometimes being a housewife sucks. But being a Mom with the benefits of going to the park, swimming, or just hanging with friends works kind of outweighs scrubbing the toilets.... most days.

Church.

I am a church going girl. An every week church going girl. Even though I don't always want to. Well, most of the time I don't want to. But I go. Because I want blessings. It might be a little selfish, but it's true. Not that I don't believe in it.... I just don't have the attention span for it. Either do my kids. Most kids don't. ANYWAY!

Point A. The princess cries every week about not wanting to go to church (mind you, she doesn't hear me complaining), but she never "feels good" or whatever. Don't blame her really. But we make her go. Because it is the right thing to do.

Point B. My little boy decided to throw a full coloring book at an "older" lady (probably 45 but that is old in my ward) sitting behind us yesterday. It hit in her in the head. She didn't like that too much. I had to act mad, and then hide my face because I was trying not to laugh out loud. What kid just chucks a whole freaking book at someone? And then a crayon at another lady?! And a little horse in the girls curls in front of us?!

You might be wondering where we were the whole time?! I was up on the stand leading the music for one incident. And the rest, we were just sitting there trying to pay attention to the speakers. I took him out in the hall (after fighting with the husband who also wanted to take him out), but he thought it was just time to run around and hit the big Jesus pictures and kick the doors before I could get to him. What a little rascal. So, if you think your child is bad at church... I bet mine is worse.

Monday's Meal

Disclaimer: I got this recipe from My Kitchen Cafe:

Teriyaki Meatballs

*Makes about 16 meatballs

Meatballs:
2 pounds ground beef (at least 90% lean)
2 eggs
2/3 cup bread crumbs
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
3 tablespoons milk

Sauce:
1/2 cup soy sauce
1 3/4 cups water
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
2 tablespoons honey

3 tablespoons cornstarch
1/2 cup cold water

For the sauce, in a medium bowl mix the soy sauce, 1 3/4 cups water, ginger, garlic powder, brown sugar, honey and cornstarch together. In a separate small bowl, dissolve the cornstarch into the 1/2 cup cold water. Set both bowls aside.

For the meatballs, in a large bowl, combine all the meatball ingredients except for the ground beef and mix well. Add the ground beef and mix until combined. Form ground beef mixture into 1 to 1 1/2-inch meatballs. In a 12-inch nonstick skillet, heat two tablespoons oil over medium heat until the oil is rippling and hot. Add the meatballs to the hot skillet and brown on all sides, turning with a pair of tongs. The meatballs don’t need to be completely cooked through, just equally browned on all sides.

When the meatballs have browned, pour the sauce ingredients over the meatballs and gently turn the meatballs to coat them in the sauce. Heat the sauce until just simmering and add the cornstarch/water mixture, carefully mixing so as not to break apart the meatballs as you combine the cornstarch mixture with the teriyaki sauce. Simmer the meatballs and sauce over medium heat, maintaining a constant simmer but not cooking at too high of a boil, until the meatballs are cooked through and the sauce is thick and smooth (if the sauce becomes overly thick, add a tablespoon of water at a time to thin), about 10-15 minutes, turning the meatballs every two or three minutes to ensure even cooking. Serve over rice or couscous.

These were simply amazing. I made them tonight for dinner and it will definitely be in my recipe rotation!!! So good... and fairly simple as well! Enjoy!

Dinner.

I have always thought that dinner time was a time to spend good quality time together as a family. Where we all gather around the table and share how our day has gone and such. This is how our dinners go almost every night. Jealous now!?


Yeah. Good day for her huh?!

Stretch marks.

Yes, yes, yes. It is time for me to rant about another body issue that I have. You're stoked right?! Just to know that I really am not as perfect as I seem!? So... from the title, you should know what I am going to moan about... A lot of people have them. Mainly women, but men, and even some teenagers if they grow too fast! (I try to make myself feel better about it). Either way, I am one of the unfortunate ones that have them. I got them two weeks before I gave birth to my first child. I thought I was free since I had made it 38 weeks without any. And then it started... the itching got worse and worse, and then I noticed that little red line right under the place where my belly button used to be. And then I noticed a few more the next couple of days, and well- you get the picture. And they hurt! I never thought they would hurt, but man did they hurt! I was pissed! (yes Mom, I know that didn't sound very lady like). If she only would have come two weeks early, I would have been SCAR FREE. But. She didn't. And now, I hate it. And I have this layer of fat in between my stomach muscles and skin, plus the stretched out skin (obviously I don't have much elasticity in it) and no matter how much weight I lose, it is ALWAYS there. ALWAYS... And kind of looks like cottage cheese. Is that WAY too much information!? Probably. At least you don't have to look at it. I am SO jealous of all of you women that have stretchy skin. I don't even want more kids, just for the fact that I don't want to think about what my skin will end up looking like... UGH.

Stretch marks SUCK.

Monday's Meal

Caramelized Chicken {Wings}

3 lbs chicken wings (or strips, breasts, whatev you like)
2 TBS olive oil
1/2 c. soy sauce
2 TBS ketchup
1 C. honey
2 tsp. minced garlic
Salt and pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Place chicken in 9x13 pan.
Mix all ingredients together and pour over chicken.
Bake for one hour, or until sauce is caramelized.

Serve with rice, potatoes, or veggies! Yum!

The age of the mini-van!

DISCLAIMER: I do not judge anyone for wanting, owning or inheriting a mini-van.


I have friends that drive mini-vans. My friends husbands drive mini-vans! And they LIKE it. I cannot even believe that I am old enough to consider driving a van. I remember the brown van that my parents used to drive. And we were so embarrassed to be seen in it, that we would slide down in our seats or pretend we were picking something up, when we drove by people we knew. Luckily, before we got too old, they upgraded to a van with tinted windows. But I remember having conversations with my friends that we wouldn't be caught dead in a mini-van. SUV's were just becoming popular, so we were for sure that we would all drive one.

Needless to say, most of them drive mini-vans. I am twenty seven. TWENTY SEVEN. That is WAY too young to be even considering a van. Old, soccer moms drive vans. Or so I thought. Until the Honda Odyssey arrived. And now, everyone drives a van. Honda's, Hyundai's, Mazda's, whatever kind of van there is. They have it. And don't look like total dorks. But once again, I AM TWENTY FREAKING SEVEN! When did it become cool to drive a minivan? Since they have automatic doors that open and close at the push of a button, they have DVD players, or a trunk that can store half of a grocery store in it!? Or is it because they have seats that go up, down, back, forward and around?! I am hoping that I will not resort to driving a van (no offense once again) cosidering I drive an "old school" SUV with enough seats to hold five possible children. But if I do... at least I'll be with the "in crowd."


-----Niece

Monday's Meal

Pasta Marinara w/Italian Veggies

1/2 c. Olive Oil
1/4 c. chopped onion
2 TBS. minced onion

Saute together until onions are clear.
Add:
1 tsp. each salt and sugar
1/2 tsp. pepper
1 TBS. dried basil
28 oz. can diced tomatoes
28 oz. can tomato puree

Stir and simmer for 15 minutes.

Italian Veggies (sauteed)

Red Peppers
Yellow Onion
Squash
Zucchini

Saute in a little bit of butter or olive oil.

Cook any type of noodles, add marinara and then top with veggies! So yummy.

***This sauce makes a ton, so you should be able to freeze half of it for quite awhile.

Anxiety.

I left town approximately 12 hours ago. I was ready to go home six hours after I left my destination. No joke. I know I'm a loser. The thing is, I love going on vacation. I love doing new things. Until I get to where I'm going and then I spaz out. I don't know why. But I do! I feel like I am suffocating and don't know which way to turn. I try to find every excuse to go home as quickly as possible. But I am rational enough to tell myself to relax and just have a good time. That the kids don't get out enough and to enjoy what we are doing. And I do. Until I think about Gavs missing his nap. Or them not getting to sleep in their bed at exactly 7:30. Or when my two year old throws a tantrum from HELL in the middle of a hospital parking lot, running from my car, almost getting hit by another, and then throwing himself to the asphalt like I am the worst mom EVER (maybe I am). When I get to our sleeping quarters, I unpack all of their bags, repack them, and then close them up for the night to do it all over again in the morning. Freak. I know. I should just up my anti-anxiety meds a few days before I know I am leaving town so I am the same "balanced" person I am at home (at least I think I'm balanced.) I envy any one that can just pick up and go and not think twice about it! I wish I could be you. Please, tell me how you do it. I am begging you! Or just go on vacation with my family, so I can stay home and be the "hermit" I love to be. Strange thing is... I am not home A TON when I am home. Man, I really am a loser. Is anyone else like this since they have had kids!? And how do I avoid not making my kids this way?!

-----Niece

Monday's Meal

SLOPPY JOE'S

1 LB. hamburger
1 small onion
Salt & Pepper

Cook together.

Add

1 can of tomato soup
1 can chicken gumbo (yes, it does have rice in it, don't be scared!)
1 squirt of mustard
2 TBS brown sugar

Mix, warm through and cook!
*Note: It will look a little watery, but will soak up if you heat it for awhile

Grab some hamburger buns and enjoy!!!

---Niece

Leap Frog

I don't like letting my kids watch a ton of TV. But in the car, it is a must or I have to listen to Alvin and the Chipmunks sing I Gotta Feeling, over and over and OVER again. Therefore, I have these two DVD's that rock the house. I figure, if they are learning while watching TV, then it's OK right!? I am so glad that these frogs can teach my kids the days of the week, instead of me having to worry about it! *phew* My two year old even knows the song to the Week Song. Half of the sounds of the alphabet, amongst other things. The four year old knew what all the letters were and sounded like before she was three and now knows all of the months, seasons, days etc. Don't get me wrong. I do teach my kids important things like who Robert Pattinson is dating and what Reese Witherspoon wore to the Oscars, but these just reiterate the OTHER important things.

Click {here} to order.

Click {here} to order.

You can also find these at Target and Wal-Mart if that is easier! I highly recommend them!

Monday's Meal

This takes a little longer than some of the recipes, but it is DELISH!

SWEET 'N' SOUR PORK
(crockpot)

2 1/2 TBS paprika
2 1/2 lbs, pork loin roast cut in 1 inch strips
1 TBS canola oil
1 can 20 oz pineapple chunks
1 medium onion, chopped
1 medium green pepper, chopped
1/4 c. apple cider vinegar
3 TBS brown sugar
3 TBS soy sauce
1 TBS Worcestershire sauce
1/2 tsp salt
2 TBS cornstarch
1/4. c water

***Put paprika in ziploc bag, put cut pork in, seal and shake until all pieces are covered.
***Then put pork in canola oil in frying pan and brown mean (it doesn't have to be cooked through). Put in crock pot.
*** Drain pineapple juice into a bowl and mix the rest of ingredients (except water and corn starch). Put pineapple in fridge. Pour liquid on top of meat, and turn crock pot on low for 6-8 hours.
***Combine water and cornstarch and stir until smooth. Add pineapple, and mixture to pot 30 minutes before you are ready to eat.
***Put on hot rice if you want!

I don't feel good.

DISCLAIMER: I am posting this on my (niece) {personal blog} as well.

I hear this phrase no less than 15 time a day. No exaggeration. It makes me cringe every time I hear it, just for the mere fact that there is going to be a list of problems that my hypochondriac four year old "has." And this girl can make up problems with the best of them. It must be a Martin trait that she has inherited (good at making crap up). As soon as I say, "No, your tummy feels fine," her "head hurts," and then her ankle is going to bleed, and then she might throw up at school if she goes, or poop her pants because all of the sudden she has chronic diarrhea, or just possibly her skin might start getting blue and pink stripes on it which then will make her fingers start to swell, in turn making them possibly pop off if she has to buckle herself up. Because heaven forbid that she does something that she doesn't just LOVE to do or that isn't her idea.

I was so frustrated with it, I didn't even make her go to school, in fear of her contracting the hantavirus. After losing count how many sicknesses she came down with during the night, and bawling for 2o minutes, she was sent back to her room to "feel better." Because as we all learned when we pulled this stunt ourselves when we were little, if you are too sick to go to school, you are too sick to play. And sure enough, five minutes after missing the carpool and me losing my cool (surprise surprise), she felt totally fine when she found out she couldn't watch TV or play with friends that day. I made her stay in her bed for a whole 20 minutes or so, until I got sick of her yelling, "MOM! Can I come out yet?! I feel better!" Then our day started. Needless to say, she didn't stay in her room the whole day, BUT I didn't let her play with friends... I know I'm tough. Speaking of tough, the husband is not. He totally falls for every issue, problem, or sickness that arises with her. Therefore, I am yelling at two people convincing the both of them that she is fine.

One day, I want to pull the "I don't feel good" card and not be able to do anything. Or throw a fit so that they will think I am tired and need to take a nap! Or be given everything I ever want or need in a five minute window... but then again, my house would be destroyed, I would get woken up to change a movie, and I would have to provide my own wants since I am "the adult". Oh, to be a kid again!

Balls & Smells.

Three stories in one:

I have a new "discipline" system in place in our house. It is known as the BALL system. How it works. They are good, clean up, listen, help each other, they get a ball or two. If they are naughty ie. hit, scream, tell me no, they have to give their balls up. Once they hit a certain number, they get a prize. This time: Go to Jumpin' Jacks when they get 50. It took 4 1/2 weeks to get there, but they made it! And we went. This brings me to story number two.


I have problems with play areas. Especially enclosed play areas (McDonalds, Jumpin' Jacks) in the winter. The germs freak me out. You never know where snot, spit, or pee has landed or been hidden. Well tonight was no exception of snotty nosed little rugrats. We were all but done with the place when Gavin was getting off this plastic little car saying "Help MAMA!" The husband ran over to help him, and then handed him to me drenched in PEE. That's right. My kid was "one of them" There was a puddle right under where he was hanging. I made him waddle out of the place while B disinfected the area with hand sanitizer and we booked it out of there before we were labeled as "that kid and his parents." So gross.... and so embarassing. And this brings me to story number three.

There is a smell that everyone knows. The dirty kid smell. Not the hormonal, over active teenage BO smell, the dirty kid smell. It is the smell that overwhelms your nostrils as you open the front door to an elementary school? Yeah, that smell.

Anyway, I leaned down to give my little girl a kiss on the top of her head tonight and as I did I smelled it. THE scent I have dreaded. Mind you, I give my kids a bath almost every night, just so they don't ever smell like it. And she did. I was horrified. I can't believe she is old enough to have THAT smell. I have never noticed it before. And I hope to never smell it again. But then again, I have a little boy- and I know he will start smelling sooner than later. Dang. We might have to up the baths to three times a day to avoid it.