Tuesday 10. SPECIAL EDITION

This weeks Tuesdays 10 will be a special dedication to hubs as it's his birthday on Friday.

The Top 10 Reasons Why I Love You:

1. You make me laugh. More than any other person ever has

2. You are an amazing father.

3. We've been through hell and back and you haven't given up on me, you haven't stopped trying

4. You've sacrificed so much to be with me and sacrificed so much for our family

5. You never let us go to bed mad. (really, he doesnt..unless he's deployed)

6. You've been such an amazing helper the past 5 months and really been the MAN I've needed

7. You have lotsa muscles :-)

8. You always have time to listen to me complain or whine

9. You love me like nobody ever has

10. From the day we met you've felt like a part of me. A part of my life. Like you always belonged in my life. Like my life wasn't complete until we met.


Happy birthday big daddy! We aren't at the marital peak yet...but who is...I am glad we are on this journey together. Day by day..hour by hour at times..we are fighting our way through this. NEVER EVER GIVE UP. I heart you.

The Dates Of My Babies

I don't know if it's normal or not but I remember the very day that I took my pregnancy tests and found out they were positive..with all 3 of my kids. Dates don't normally stick in my brain like that but these dates definatly have.

With my oldest, it was New Years Eve.. We were about to go to a New years eve party and I wanted to see if I was pregnant so I could know whether I could have a glass of champagne that night. No Champagne for me! :-)

My 2nd - I found out I was pregnant on my grandma's Birthday, who has been in Heaven for 8 years now. We weren't even trying to get pregnant so the fact that I thought "Hm, I think I'm going to take a pregnancy test" was out of the ordinary. I didn't even have any signs or symptoms of pregnancy but for some weird reason I felt the overwhelming desire to take a test and I just happened to have one at home from #1. And what do ya know, #2 is here now. I like to think it was a little gift from my grandma.

And lastly... LT, I actually 'knew' I was pregnant a week before the tests were even showing positive. I took a couple and they were negative but I couldn't shake the feeling that I was pregnant. I even told one of my good friends that I thought I was pregnant days before. I just, knew, deep down. I took that test 2 days after my oldests 4th birthday! A belated birthday present to her.

Holidays are hard for me. I miss my grandma terribly. I hate the fact that she never got to meet my babies. I tell myself that God let her snuggle and hold each of my babies for a bit before He put them in my tummy. Maybe I'm wrong, but whatever. It's what I tell myself to make it 'okay' and not wallow in sadness.

So there you have it.. Am I weird? Am I the only one that remembers such dates vividly.

I hate this stupid dishwasher

Does anyone remember my rant about my dishwasher last week on Tuesday's 10. Wasnt washing correctly, called the apartment fixer people and they came in and oh so brightly turned it on for me and left. ya, that one.

Here's where I stand now. I'm going to rip out the dishwasher, toss it down the stairs and then drag it into the office for them to fix. Any and all wanting to see the show should grab your lawnchair and plant yourself outside my apartment. As it stands now, I have a sink full of dirty dishes, a dishwasher full of dirty dishes, that have been run through the wash cycle twice, and a dishwasher full of water...and it's 2 days before Thanksgiving.

Which means, dear ones, that I have to stand my pregnant hiney at the sink for hours on end hand washing all these dishes to even have dinner tonight. Which won't happen because I'm busy with an appointment until at least 4 and won't get home until 5 probably, add in the time it'll take me to wash the dishes....... I estimate we will eat about 10pm.

I hate handwashing dishes. Hate it with a passion. I'd rather do laundry then handwash dishes and we all know how I feel about laundry. I'm seriously considering throwing out all the dishes and buying more. Like...seriously.

Who thinks it'll get fixed before Thanksgiving? ......... (crickets chirping)........... ya, exactly.

I knew I should have taken my dishwasher from my old house.. I -did- buy it, but nooooooooooooooo I wanted to be all 'nice for the renters' (because I'm a nice landlady)

playing catch up

Day 19: I was thankful it was Saturday...sad that I had a sick baby though!

Day 20: I am thankful it's almost the holidays


Day 21: I'm thankful for sleeping in and chocolate chip pancakes

All you need is love

I read a blog last week and, let me tell you, it was one of the best things I've ever read. It touched me deeply. Only those that know me well know just how deeply and WHY it touched me the way it did. I won't out the what/why, ect because it's no ones business but I posted it on my facebook wall and I'm going to post it here. If you haven't read it please take a minute and do.

http://www.danoah.com/2011/11/im-christian-unless-youre-gay.html

I've wanted to share this on my blog since it came out but was having trouble finding the right words to say. I still don't know that I have the right words, but I'm going to try because this needs to be said. Reading this brought tears to my eyes, it made me smile, it touched me. I believe every word that was written here.

I'm a christian. Been a Christian all my life. To all the other christians out there let me ask you, Who did Jesus hang out with? Did he hang out with the 'holy ones' of the day? No. He hung out with the sinners. What does the Bible say about judging? uhh, something along the lines of, leave it up to God. The Bible also says to love one another.

My point is this, you can dislike the choices a person makes, whether it's being of a different religion, whether it's being a different race, whether it's the choices one makes for their life or whether it's being gay, but...BUT, You can love the person. You can love the person and be friends with them.

I've had friends that were different religions, had no religion, been gay, Did drugs and so on and even though I may not agree with their choices for MY life that doesn't stop the friendship or the love. It doesn't touch the friendship. It's their life. It's not my life. Being friends with someone different than me doesn't change me because I know who I am but hating, disliking or bashing them for THEIR choices does affect me. It hardens my heart.

I don't judge people for their choices. I just don't. What they do with their life is their business, not mine.

I didn't always think like this and it breaks my heart that years ago I thought and acted differently. It breaks my heart to think about the people I missed being friends with or the relationships I missed out on.

You don't have to agree with someone's sin to be friends with them. Their life, their choices, but why should that stop me from a friendship? We all sin, whether it be big or small. Whether it be murder or a hard heart. It's all sin. Should we all lose love and support and friendship because of sin?

To you: You know who you are: I love you! I accept you!

If you are interested in seeing a follow up to the above post, from danoah.com you can check out this link:

http://www.danoah.com/2011/11/powerful-responses-to-im-christian-unless-youre-gay-blog.html

Cinderella

It's that time of year. Military ball time! I am so stinkin' excited! We've only been to one other ball in 8 years, thanks to deployments. I am so happy they are having a ball before our time in the Army is over.

Now comes the hard part..finding a dress. Hair, makeup, shoes, dress.. basically, looking amazing. I found my dress today actually.. at Ross. Oh yah. I did. a $90.00 dress for $20.00, brand new, tags still on it!

Ladies, let's not look trashy. Don't let your tata's hang out, don't let your booty show when you bend over. Military balls are about CLASS and beauty. Not who is sexier. It's a fine line between looking classy and trashy. Nothing is worse than the NCO wife who has her lady bits hangin all over.

Military balls are about tradition and elegance. It's about being Cinderella. Keep your bright pink eyeshadow for the clubs, Keep those tata's for your man. Keep that booty covered. Also, if at all possible, keep as many tattoos covered as possible.. Now isn't the time to show off your new butterfly boobie tat.

Here's the thing....your spouses superiors will be there, every last one of them. Your behavior reflects your spouse. Especially if your spouse is an NCO or has a Command position, what you do, how your act, and how you look reflects on them. So getting schnackered at the bar then grinding up on your husbands friends, well, let's hope you're friends with them too if you're gonna be doin all of that, Probably isn't the best idea.

Enjoy being Cinderella...Not Betty Boop.

17 & 18

Day 17: I am thankful that I didn't have to get out of the house to take big girl to school or pick her up! It was lovely! Also got a wonderful nap!

Day 18: I am thankful that I finally get to start Christmas shopping today!

Say no to Yams!!!!!

Day 16: I am thankful that there will be NO yams/sweet potatoes or otherwise at my Thanksgiving table

:-D

Tuesday 10

1. Day 14: thankful for good deals at Albertons and a military discount

2. Today I'm thankful that big girl has a meeting from 6-7 at her school that i am going to all alone. One hour of adultness and I get to miss the chaos of dinner,bath,bed. I'm really looking forward to it, even though the topic is a snoozer

3. After a 3 day weekend we are back to school today. YAY

4. I've hit the 2nd trimester energy burst. My family is pleased

5. Dinner is already in the crockpot..yay

6. Attempted to start Christmas baking yesterday and ruined the gingerbread cookies. They still taste good but have more the texture of bread than cookies. Hubs soldiers will be happy later today bc of my mistake

7. Big girl had zero homework this weekend. It was beautiful

8. She also has all next week off for Thanksgiving. I think that's a bit excessive, don't you.

9. I put in a work order to have my dishwasher fixed...they came and turned it on, watched it for 10 mins and left .....I'm not sure what this accomplishes since I do that daily anyways and it's still not washing correctly

10. I also have a spot in my kitchen floor that's sinking...their fix was to redo the tile...with tile that doesn't even match the rest of the kitchen. The floor still sags..worse that before and now it looks ghetto because the tile is completely different. They did no good.. They actually made the floor worse..the tile was never the problem, the actualy floor IS. Whatever, if I fall through the floor I'll sue.

What Can We Give This Year

Thankfulness...this year it's becoming real to me; its been on my heart a lot. I am trying to show and teach my kids how to give and truly being thankful for what they have. We are so so blessed in this country. We have so much and appreciate so little. We always want more and more stuff, but in the end what is it besides just stuff.

Today big girl asked me about her Christmas presents because we had went to the store and made a registry for the girls' Christmas gifts and I asked her what about the little boys and girls who dont have anything? Her response was "well, we can go get them some. We will just go to Target and get them some new toys after we sleep". My mommy heart was beaming!

I want to teach my girls that it's better to give rather than receive. To be kind and generous.

It's November, the month of thanks. I challenge everyone to do something you wouldn't normally do to give to someone who is less fortunate than yourself. Money is tight for us this year but even so we will be buying toys for the Tarahumara Indians in Mexico and we will be a part of giving food and clothes to those less fortunate in El Paso.

This holiday season let's make it about what we can give, rather than what we can receive.

12 and 13

Day 12: I am thankful we were able to take the girls to the circus!! It was so much fun.


Day 13: I sm thankful for a really good day today. Tonight is Sisterwives, Border wars and pizza..all cuddled up on the couch with hubs.L O V E

Thankfulness Update

Because of my Mini vacay, being sick, and two little munchkins that broke my laptop cord I got way behind on my thankfulness..I know you all will forgive me and let me restart to today..because you all are so awesome. :-)

Today is Veterans day..a special day in our family. Many men have served this great country. My dad, my great uncle, and my husband.

So today, on Veterans day I am thankful that my husband came home alive after 3 year long deployments. Everyday isn't a guarantee. Everyday I lived in fear of what I could lose. Everyday I prayed I wouldn't lose him. The last thing I ever wanted to be was a war widow. I never wanted my kids to grow up without their dad.
I, personally, know a few brave men who laid down their lives for this country. I absolutely cannot imagine dealing with a situation like that.

I am so so thankful that my husband returned home safe to me.


Happy Veterans Day to all those that served, are serving, or have laid down their lives for this country.

Tuesday's Terrific 10

1. I'm way behind on my 'thankfulness' .. Thanks to my mini vacay (no pun intended. ha)

2. We're going to the Circus this weekend. I ..can't.. WAIT!

3. I'm so excited to take the girls. It'll be their first time.

4. Hubs and I watched Stupid, Crazy, Love last night. It was really good. I really enjoyed it. It was a good movie for those who have been married awhile to watch.

5. I got my bedroom cleaned today. I'm really proud of myself

6. Santa Fe was COLLLDDD. It snowed. My toes are just now thawing.

7. Big girl had a major barfing, fever sort of issue while in Santa Fe. It, of course, happened when hubs and I were out on a date night. Next mornign she was perfectly fine though. No clue what bug got her.

8. Baby Lisa Irwin's mom..She knows more than she's saying about her babies disapearance. Whether she did it or had something to do with it or whatever,she knows SOMETHING. A mom who knows nothing about her child being missing does EVERYTHING in her power to find that baby. If my baby were missing you could hook me up to whatever polygraph you wanted, ask me any questions you wanted, you'd have to lock me out of the Police station. People who have nothing to hide, hide nothing.

9. Little girl was SO cranky today. Drove.. me...NUTZO

10. 1 minute until bedtime.. WOOHOO

Day 4 of Thankfulness

Day 4:


God knew I still needed a grandma when mine died so He allowed me to marry a man with 2 AMAZING grandmas that have adopted me as their own, love me as their own and are the 2 most caring, sweetest ladies I know!

So, I'm thankful I Still have a grandma figure in my life.. TWO grandma figures.

After losing my grandma I know just how precious that figure is in ones life.

Everything you Ever Wanted to Know about Banana Bread.

I remember being a little girl going over to my my great grandma Owens' house and her having a loaf of her delicious banana bread on the stove cooling. It was, by far, the BEST banana bread I have ever eaten.. (PS, if anyone has her recipe I would like it, please!)

Over the years I've tried many different recipes. I've hit a couple of good ones. I tried a new one today and it was really good. More Cakey than fluffy bread, but still good. I got it from Kraft.com. It was chocolate chunk banana bread but you could easily leave the chocolate out if that isn't your thing:

what you need
2 cups flour
1 cup sugar
2 tsp. CALUMET Baking Powder
1/4 tsp. salt
2 eggs
1 cup mashed ripe bananas (about 3 medium bananas)
1/3 cup oil
1/4 cup milk
6 squares BAKER'S Semi-Sweet Chocolate, coarsely chopped
1/2 cup chopped PLANTERS Walnuts
Make It
PREHEAT oven to 350°F. Mix flour, sugar, baking powder and salt in large bowl; set aside. Stir eggs, bananas, oil and milk in large bowl until well blended. Add dry ingredients; stir just until moistened. Stir in chopped chocolate and walnuts.

POUR into greased 9x5-inch loaf pan.

BAKE 55 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes. Remove from pan; cool completely on wire rack. Cut into 18 (1/2-inch-thick) slices to serve.



Now..Some tricks: I just used reg. chocolate chips, tasted fine. In my 2nd batch I put about 1/2 a cup as a whole cup was too much.

Also, to get the best taste you need -nasty- bananas. All black, mushy. It will be the grossest thing you have ever seen but to get the correct flavor that is what you have to strive for. I let mine get nasty black and then freeze them. The day before I use them I thaw them out, peel them and put them in a lg. Ziplock bag. Then when it comes time to mush them (or whats left to mush, yes, so black that there isn't much left to mush) you just gotta squeeze the bag a few times. I always use more banana than the recipe calls for but I like a nice strong flavor.

#3: DO NOT..I repeat...DO NOT over mix your batter. It leads to thick, heavy, yucky bread. You just need to mix it until it's barely mixed. No beaters, no wisk.. Think old school...Wooden spoon.


And finally: After my bread is done I let it cool in the pan for about 5 minutes, then I take some saran wrap, dump the bread out of the pan and wrap it in the saran until it's FULLY cooled! That helps keep the moisture in the bread. It's a trick I learned when doing another banana bread recipe and now I use it for all.


Enjoy!

Thursdays 10 and Thankful Thursday

I missed Tuesday's 10 because it's been a really busy week. So I'm moving it to Thursday for this week.


1. We leave for Santa Fe TOMORROW!! YIPPEEEE

2. Today I am half way to 50......I'm not sure how I feel about that.

3. Yesterday my oven fritzed. It chose pumpkin cookies to fritz on. I hate that oven

4. I cannot wait to walk down the streets of Santa Fe without a care in the world. *sigh*

5. It's been about 2 1/2 years since I've had any sort of vacation. It's about freakin time.

6. The girls had SOO much fun Trick or Treating. Big girl wasn't scared at ALL and ran up to every house! I was surprised.

7. Tonight for my birthday dinner I am making parm. crusted chicken hooters and creamy garlic rice. mmmmmmmmmm

8. I love the phrase "Chicken hooters"

9. I'm offically in the 2nd Trimester. I'm feeling LT nearly everyday now. I love it.

10. LT LOVES cheese! I didn't used to like Kraft mac and cheese and now I can eat a whole box. I didn't used to like 'raw' cheese, only melted, but now I will eat any sort of cheese I can get my hands on. mmm especially queso, even though that's kind of a nono, But I don't eat it often



and for Day #3 Of Thanks:

I am thankful for my mom. I know how hard it is to give birth to a child. I know how hard it is to raise a child. I fully understand the struggles and stresses parents go through. I understand the trying, tired moments.
So, Thank you mom! Thank you for giving birth to me 25 years ago today. Thank you for giving me life. Thank you for always being there. Thank you for being an amazing mom! I love you more than I could ever express!

My Most Treasured Things

I know you really aren't supposed to treasure 'things' but I was thinking the other day what do I have that I would absolutely NOT part with given that I had to sell or leave everything. Things that I just cannot buy again.


One of my most favorite things is the picture I have of Josh and both girls when he was going back to Afghanistan this last deployment. I snapped the picture of them walking away and one of my friends jazzed it up for me. It's absolutely gorgeous. My most favorite picture I have in my house. I've gotten so many compliments on it.

Another treasured Item is the glass yellow rose my dad got me one year for Valentines Day. My dad would always give me a yellow rose on special occasions, a tradition we've started with our girls. It's a real yellow rose that was embossed *or whatever you want to call it* in glass. It's stunning. The detail is stunning. The meaning behind it is even more amazing. He mailed it to me one year for Valentines Day and I believe it was the only present where I have actually started crying big tears when I opened it. I will have to be medicated when and if it ever breaks.

Another prized possession I have is the statue of a Soldier I bought for hubs as a welcome home present after his first deployment. The thing is stunning. (The price was stunning too, but that was before we had kids so we could just blow money) The artist only made 500 of these, so it's a fairly rare statue.

I think the last treasured item I have is the cedar chest my dad hand made for me. It means the world to me. It's gorgeous and the most beautiful piece of furniture I have. I don't know that I could ever part with it. It's housed everything from my wedding dress, to blankets, to pictures and now it's my Tv stand.

What are some of your most treasured items? Am I the only one who has treasured items?

30 Days of Thanks

For the next month I am going to blog..er..try.. daily, stating something I'm thankful for everyday.


For yesterday: Day 1: I am thankful that I get to live in a place that is warm and has mountains. I still can't get over the beauty of seeing the mountains everyday.


and today: Day 2: I am thankful for the constant blessings in my life.