Happy New Year.

Happy New Year!!! Wow. It sure went fast. I was able to do so many wonderful things that I never in a zillion years thought that I would ever do. I love my little family and even when I got no sleep I got through it with my wonderful husband. He is beyond amazing. I know that I well.......... I am a bit hard to love. I push away alot more then I should. He has had the right to leave a thousand times. I wouldn't blame him with the way I am sometimes to just walk away and not look back.  When we do fight he always comes up to me and hugs me. Like butter I melt into him and cry and soften. I'm mean when I'm mad and I say things that always cross the line and cut deep and hurt the most.  This is on my list of things to change. He is my husband and was choosen from God for me to spend the rest of my life with.  I tend to be a bit of a spoiled brat. This is the start of a change in me that has been needed to be worked on for years. To close my mouth a little more and open my ears to listen. I would be so lost without him. He is my very best friend. The best daddy to our boys. He loves me with his entire heart and soul.  Coming up we will be celebrating 11 years. I will work every day to make sure I am the best wife and ask God to help me become just that.

In 2012, celebrating our boys 1st birthday was the highlight of our year. Along with mine and hubs 10th wedding anniversary. Lots of laughs, some tears and amazing memories we have had in this past year. The four of us had a lot of wonderful and amazing moments. First steps, first teeth, first haircuts, holidays, weddings, playdates.

In 2013, we are looking forward to many more memories and still some wonderful first's for the boys and our little family. We are excited to show the boys so many new things. One thing for sure I will be working on myself as I try harder to become a better mom, wife, friend and daughter and just all together have a closer relationship with God.

I  hope you all had a wonderful 2012 and that 2013 will be amazing with good health and all your goals you set up for yourself, will be completed.  I love the idea of a fresh start. A clean slate. A new begining. What are your goals?????

Working on a better marriage..... 30 ways to love your hubs.

I'm trying to be a better wife. You will read alot for me about trying hard to be a better wife and a better Mama.

Thirty things to do that will re-new your love. That rut that most of us get into. I want to be the couple in our 80's getting visits from my son's their wives and grandchildren and maybe even a few great grandchildren thrown in there somewhere.

The first thing I started to do was admire him with my eyes when he walked in the door. I gave him a hug and mentioned how great he smelled. Let me tell you--that my man smells awesome! I remembered that was the first thing I would remember with the hug we would share when we were releaving eachother at work.  The second thing I did was that I leaned over the back of the his chair after dinner, kissed him on the neck. that's where I started and it went on from there.

This morning, when my husband got up for work (he gets up earlier than any of us) he walked over to my side of the bed, bent over, and whispered in my ear, "You're my best friend. The best I've ever had."

Isn't that about the sweetest thing you've ever heard? I thought so!

And so I've decided to put together a list called 30 Ways show Your Husband you love him.

Of course all husbands are different and each one speaks their own love language, but perhaps this list will spark a few ideas in you. There are 30 of them so if you're inclined to, you might want to challenge yourself by trying a new one each day.

1. Give him direct eye contact when you're talking to him and say something encouraging.
2. Stop to hug him when you pass by his way.
3. Ask him if there's any thing he'd like you to pray for.
4. Wear an outfit that he likes on you or a color he loves on you.  
5. Reach for his hand when you're driving or walking.
6. Ask him if he'd like anything when you make a trip to the kitchen. ( I have a bad habbit of asking him to get me things instead and its a bad thing to do.
7. Pick him up a little treat at the store.  ( favorite candy, coffee creamer, something small.)
8. Organize his space. This could be anything from his office desk to his side table of his bed. Show him you've been there and you're loving on him.
9. Make his favorite meal or dessert. ( Maybe both)
10. Leave a little note someplace creative like lipstick on the mirror in your bathroom or a nice card in his book he is reading.
11. Offer to do something that you know he enjoys doing. ( get a babysitter and watch the game with him)
12. Send him a romantic email or text.
13. Offer him a word of encouragement by saying something positive.
14. Say something positive about him to others when you're together.
15. Listen to him when he's stressed. You might not have a solution, but listening goes a long way.
16. Thank him for being supportive.
17. Encourage him by taking an interest in his hobbies.
18. Comment on some of the good decisions he's made.
19. Let him know that you respect and admire his leadership.
20. What makes him unique? Point it out to him! That's so much better than comparison.
21. Hold back on the nagging. Bite your lip if you must, and communicate your thoughts with patience.
22. Take time to greet him when he arrives and see him off when he leaves.
23. Is there a tool or an electronic he's been wanting to buy? If it's within reason, sit down and work it into your budget.
24. Surprise him by doing one of his regular chores before he gets a chance like shoveling the walk or mowing the lawn.
25. Be happy. More than anything else your attitude will go a long way in setting his.
26. Cut arguments short by letting go of your need to be right. Wait until you both cool down and communicate your thoughts with patience and kindness.
27. Ralax and let yourself laugh. Have fun with him.
28. Write a love message on the toilet paper roll with sharpie. No doubt it will make him smile.
29. Hold his hand when you fall asleep.
30. When he's lying in bed or on the couch, bend over and whisper in his ear, "You're the best friend I've ever had."

You are loved by an almighty God,

Worldless Wednesday.....Zoolights take one!

We went to Zoolight! We were able to have a non-rainy cool evening last Saturday. Alexis one of my best friends treated all of us for a nice evening together.  Here are some fun picture of all of us at Zoolights. We will be going back at least one more time before the end of the Holiday season.

 

 

 

zoo lights

 

Tempt my Tummy Tuesday.

Quinoa Pizza Bites:

 

Being that we were Vegan for such a long time.I love to use Quinoa as much as I can. It is very big in our family to teach the boys to love all food and not be those picky little ones that wont eat what is put in front of them. I will not stand for that. Even though one of the babies is a funny face maker when he puts something he doesn't like in his mouth. So if I was a gambler I would say he will be the picky one :)

 

Enjoy and please tell me what you think!

 

• 2 cups cooked quinoa
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup chopped onion
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella
• 2 tsp finely minced garlic
• 1/2 cup fresh basil, chopped
• 1 cup chopped pepperoni slices (~1/2 of a 7 oz bag)
• 1/2 tsp seasoning salt
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp dried crushed oregano
• Red pizza sauce ( we have used white as well and that was AMAZING!!!!!

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. Mix together all ingredients, except pizza sauce, in a medium mixing bowl.

3. Distribute mixture into a greased mini muffin tin, filling each cup to the top (1 heaping Tbs each), and press down gently to compact.

4. Bake for 15-20 minutes.

Christmas time Bucket List for our family...

I have a big list for my holiday bucket list. I will post pictures of each event that we go to. Being a new Mommy with the boys and not being able to do anything at all last holiday season. It makes doing things this holiday season and the start of wonderful Traditons for our family. Here are a few that you might want to check out.....


1) zoolights at the Tacoma Zoo.

2) We love the proctor farmers market and we can support local people in business.

3)Fantasy Lights Drive & Walk. A great two mile ride/walk with amazing lights.

4) Polar Plaza. Holiday Ice Skating. ( I will not be skating but I will go and watch.)

5) Meet the Raindeer at

6) WildLights Winter Light Festival. A new holiday must do for the area! The lights are amazing.

7) Winter fest at Seattle Center.  A beautiful must do in down town Seattle.

8) The Snow Train.  I think this would be amazing to take the boys to! ( Really it is a dream for me to do. I have wanted to do this for years!!) Santa baby please? Maybe?

9) Santa Breakfast and Mini Nutcraker.  I know that the boys would be a little to young this year but, this is one of the events that you can't not do in your childs childhood.

10) Christmas at Fort Steilacoom.  Reenactors will present a period candle-light Christmas & Shopping.

11) Christmas Eve Candlelight Service at our Chruch. Champions Center of Tacoma. I can not wait for this and it makes me consider not going to be with the family to be with the Lord.

12) Scrooge the musical at Champions Center.  This will be a wonderful production. A perfect date night for me and the hubs.

13) Holiday events Down Town Poulsbo is the perfect place to go and shop and really feel the season.  

14) Also if you are in the area cross the Agate pass bridge and explore down town Jingle Mingle on Bainbridge it is a great place to go in the country where you feel like you can still see the Seattle skyline lights dance and sparkle.

Tree + Babies= Stress.

 

  What a wonderful few days we had as a family. Thursday was of course Thanksgiving and while the hubs worked the babies and I stayed home and played. We decorated the house a bit and went and visited my parents later that afternoon. The boys got to taste Turkey for the first time and a little bit of pumpkin pie and a little dab of home made whip cream.  When we got back I finished up the decortaion in their room................

Thinking that it would be neat to have the tree that we had at the ICN in between them, be in their room. I decorated it with all the decoration that they has last year and that they had gotten for their birthday a few weeks ago.
It has colored lights on it and I just knew that they would love it in their room.
Well maybe they loved it a little two much..............

I have been trying to let them spend time in their room. Small blocks of 5-10 minutes at a time so they can play in their room together. In this block of time I went and checked on them and they were playing with their block and the board books. I thought what a great time it would be to go and put the outside light on our deck. That it would be really quick and the entire deck would be done and the babies are doing so great in their room not making a peep...............

11 1/2 minutes passed but I had gone to the door, just hadn't opened it and they were giggling and doing their twin talk to eachother. All seemed good. Until I opened the door at that 11 1/2 minute mark on the dot and what did I see when I opened the door.........

The tree down. Stripped down to the bare bones of a fake tree. One baby had the beeds in his mouth, the other the stars........fake leaves everywhere in a big mess. I put them both in one crib and started to clean up the tree. They both scream at me like I have just stole Christmas. I am soaking wet because half way through putting the outside lights on BAHM! It starts to rain and I am in my socks and PJ's....(yes another no getting dressed day for me! Again Do not judge!) 

Then I start to cry because the guilt of leaving them alone and the what if's.... Oh my goodness the door rings and I answer it and its my parents!! Thank God. I sometimes can't do it all. There are many times that I completely miss the mark. MeeMa Grabbed one baby and Pop grabbed the other and I got it all cleaned up through my tear filled eyes.  I kissed both of my boys and told them how sorry Mama was. I should have realized that they were still too little to have that kind of stuff for decorations yet.  Maybe in a few years. I left the things that they can't reach in their room. The tree is now on my side of the bed in my room. It brings me a smile every night that they are healthy happy boys that are already on the road to distruction.  What a difference a year makes.

This is what I had in my mind that I looked like................yeah not even close.

Wordless Wednesday

 

I use to go to Black Friday every year.  Last year with the boys in the hospital I was a little sad that I couldn't go. This year however I have completely changed my outlook on the entire Black Friday thing.  I wont be going do the Black Friday thing anymore.

 

Instead the hub's and I decided that we would make gifts for the people that we need to get gifts for. If we do buy some Christmas gifts, we will do it on the small business Satuday. For the boys we put presents on layaway for the boys, limiting the amount of gifts we get them. They will be getting 1 big gift a each, stocking stuffers, and a few little things that I will find and buy with the credit I have at the local childrens consignment shops. Hub's and I are on a $50.00 cap on what we can get eachother. Making the money from selling something we no longer need or want on Craigslist. The other rule is that we will find a gift that is in a theme.

 

For his gift this year it will be a start to a new hobby & it will be something over time he can do with him and the boys. I wont put it on in case for the one time he reads my blog without me asking him too!

 

This year going to the zoo lights, taking a trip in the evening to look at lights, making cookies, and crossing off our Holiday bucket list. ( I will post that on November 30th) I would love to know what your holdiay bucket list is. What are some thrifty things you do for your holidays.

 

Happy No Black Friday Day!

 

Tempt my Tummy Tuesday!!

Well today is Tempt my Tummy Tuesday and this week is Thanksgiving!! So let's grub out on some of the fun ideas for food. I am doing a Pintrest Thanksgiving. Let me tell you this, because of my obsession with Pintrest I now cook. My hubs is extra happy about that! He doesn't just get take out or cereal. I use to cook when we were Vegan for about two years, but then I got busy.

So here are a few pics and recipe for my tempt my tummy Tuesday.
I am using pictures that I found online, because I haven't made these recipes in two years. Remember last year we ate at the Hospital during out NICU stay.

So here are four recipes I love and hope you Enjoy! If you use them leave me a comment on what you thought and what you tried. If you don't find anything you want to try on here, go hit up Pintrest. Like what you saw here pin it :)


Corn Casserole: ( I got this recipe from my mom a few years ago.) She got it from a friend in the South. I have seen other recipes like this from Paula Dean.

• 1 (15 1/4 oz) can whole kernel corn, drained
• 1 (14 3/4 oz) can cream-style corn
• 1 (8 oz) package Jiffy corn muffin mix
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1/2 cup butter, melted
• 1 1/2 cups shredded Cheddar
• A pintch of salt.

Preheat oven to 350?F. Grease a 9- by 9-inch baking pan or a 2 quart casserole dish.

Mix together the corn, Jiffy, sour cream and butter in a large bowl. Stir in the cheese. Pour into the prepared pan. Bake for 55 minutes, or until golden brown and set. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.

Note: You can bake for a shorter time in a 9x13, but the texture will be different than baking in the 9x9 or 2 quart casserole. The 9x13 will be thin slices where the 2 quart casserole produces more of a corn pudding. Either way is delicious.

 

Scallped Potatoes: I got this recipe from my aunt a while back it is amazing. I know that this is Weight Watchers friendly. I use this recipe for Christmas dinner and for Easter. It truly is a family staple now.

 

 

• 2 pounds Yukon gold potatoes, (about 6 large potatoes)
• 1 medium onion,sliced thin.
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt.
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika.
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder.
• 1/2 teaspoon onion salt.
• 1/2 teaspoon allspice.
• ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 cup non-fat, skim milk
• ¼ cup flour
• 2 cups part-skim grated mozzarella or Swiss.

Instructions Take the fork and poke each potato 3 to 4 times. Place on a microwave-safe plate. Microwave on high 10 to 12 minutes until the potatoes feel soft when pressed with a dishtowel or oven mitt. Set aside to cool 4 to 5 minutes.

• Slice the potatoes into 1/4-inch thick slices. In an 8×12-inch baking dish, layer half of the sliced potatoes. Sprinkle over half the onion slices, salt, paprika and black pepper. Sprinkle with half the flour and then top with half the cheese. Repeat with remaining ingredients, add the milk, and cover with aluminum foil. Slide the dish into the oven and bake 15 minutes until the cheese is melted. Remove the foil and bake and additional 5 to 10 minute until the top is lightly browned. Cool 5 minutes before you serve.

Stove top stuffing.....with a homemade touch.

I got this recipe from the box, but then I had turkey day with my friend and she taught me to do this and add stuff to it. It is to die for super easy and I get asked to bring it with me if I am going to a holiday dinner.

 

1-1/2 cups apple juice.

1/2 cup boiling hot water

3 Tbsp. butter or margarine

1 pkg. (6 oz.) STOVE TOP Stuffing Mix for Chicken

1 small apple, chopped

1/2 cup cranberries

1/4 cup chopped PLANTERS Pecans, toasted

1/2 cup pomagrante seeds.

2 celery sticks.

1/2 cup of stuffing you can get at a speciality grocery store.any times in the bulk section.

 

Mix everything together, place in a microave safe bowl. Microwave on high 5 to 6 minutes or until heated through. Fluff with fork. Microwave ovens will make time vary.

 

 

 

Cider, honey butter Turkey: 

 

I made up this recipe a few years ago and it is so melt in your mouth amazing you can't go wrong.

1. One 12- to 13-pound turkey
2. 2 tablespoons kosher salt
3. Melt 2 cubes butter. Half way melted stop.
4. 1 unpeeled head of garlic, halved crosswise
5. 1/2 cup of honey mix in with butter heat and melt the two together.
6. 1 Granny Smith apple, quartered
7. 12 sage leaves
8. 1/3 cup apple cider
9. 1 stick unsalted butter ( yes another stick of butter)
10. 1 onion. chopped in fat sections.

1. Season the turkey inside and out with the kosher salt. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.

2. Uncover the turkey and let it return to room temperature. Stuff the cavity with the garlic, apple and 6 of the sage leaves. Transfer the turkey to a large roasting pan.

3. Melt butter and honey together in mirowave. Take your injector and fill it with the honey and butter combo. Puncture that Turkey all over bottom and inside as well. The more of this mix you get inside the turkey the more tender it will be.
 
4. Preheat the oven to 350°. In a small saucepan, combine the cider with the butter and the remaining 6 sage leaves and cook over low heat until the butter has melted and the sage is fragrant, about 4 minutes. Dampen a 32-by-20-inch piece of cheesecloth with water and squeeze dry. Immerse the cheesecloth in the cider butter until the liquid is absorbed. Drape the soaked cheesecloth over the turkey breast and legs.

5. Roast the turkey for 30 minutes. Add 2 cups of water to the roasting pan and continue to roast for about 2 hours longer, rotating the pan a few times, until an instant-read thermometer inserted in the inner thigh registers 165°.

6. Half way through cooking the Turkey take the left over butter and honey mix and inject the turkey one more time all over the top of the turkey. baste with this and cider over the turkey as well.  

7.Carefully peel the cheesecloth off the turkey and discard. Transfer the turkey to a cutting board and let rest for 30 minutes. Pour the pan juices into a glass measuring cup and skim the fat. Add the pan juices to the gravy and bring to a simmer over moderate heat.

8. Feel free to save the Turkey stuff (neck, liver, ect) and use it in your stuffing or Gravy.

ENJOY!!!

Mommy Moment! Poop!

Today the boys and I stayed home. It was a typical day but the rain we a little bit much. We live in Washington we are use to the rain. We are also use to the flooding. Well they were acting on the news stations that we were getting the storm of the decade. Like we are in competion with the East Coast. It kind of makes me shake my head at that and the fact that everyone was complaining
the heat and sun we had, up until the middle of October. Well I hope that they are all happy now! I would love to tell them to be careful for what they wish for it might just come true.

With it being the down pour that it was, the boys and I were stuck inside. This is something I know that will be happening alot. Today they get into everything. I am juggling the two kids. The picture above is so how I feel daily! In a day I think I say "F stop that." and "B stop that." oh and I am now saying this just as often, "Get down from there" or "Don't climb on that" and I say "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" alot.

I didn't even get dressed today, ( Yes this means a Bra! The ladies were hanging low today due to the fact I didn't wear a bra. My hair didn't get a brush through it. Hell the people around me should have felt blessed that I brushed my teeth. ( Yes there have been days I have gone all day without!) Don't judge!! Itis a crazy busy life with two very busy boys one that can crawl faster then a speeding bullet. The other can walk!! So that means my house looks like a baby gate junk yard. MY OCD is on over drive!

So I get ready to just relax, blog a little and I look down and on my shirt, Thinking it could be Poop or maybe chocolate. Now pre-mommy life I would have never done this. I look at it, I rub it between my pointer finger and thumb, I then pull it up to my nose and smell it, after that I then ready for this.............................................

I lick it! With out a second thought to see what it is. WHO DOES THIS!!! Oh yes that would be me. The mommy to the two most adoreable baby boys. Yeah the one that has no bra on, no shower, no burshed hair. With that being said. I am going to go brush my teeth, and take a shower and pray to God giving him praise that is was Chocolate from a few days ago when I had hot coco and a chocolate chip muffin. With that being said, I still need to worry about myself that I didn't think twice to lick what could have been poop!!

Have a great night! Check back tomorrow for a fun recipe! :) I promise that I will wash my hands clean before I start touching the food.

Shout out Sunday...

If you are in Kitsap and you are a parent, grandparent or anyone else with a connection with a child. You need to find Kitsap's Macaroni Kids. What started as a business relationship a few years ago became a wonderful friendship, one I hold close to my heart. Diane is  an amazing women, and a big part of Kitsap County. It would not be the same with out her and her input and keeping everyone in the loop.

Here is the About me for the Macaroni Kids website. In her own words this is a little bit about what Mac Kids is all about. As you read it you are able to  get a good sense of the kind of person that Diane is and how much she loves and enjoys Kitsap county.

Kitsap Peninsula, which boasts mile after mile of beachfront living and play, stretches south from areas surrounding Olalla and Seabeck, west to Bainbridge Island, and as far north as Hansville and all points in between. Framed beautifully by the Hood Canal, Inside Passage, Puget Sound, Colvos Passage, and numerous bays and inlets, this picturesque corner of the world is a travel destination, a naval hub, a recreational playground, and.... home.

 

Kitsap County is the embodiment of Northwest living. Where else can you find breathtaking views of the Seattle skyline, mountain ranges, and the expansive waters of Puget Sound?

The Olympic Mountains in one direction, the Cascades in another, and a whole lot of water in between. This is the life.

 

There is no other land mass in the Puget Sound region that possesses such richness resulting from the combination of unique landscape, rurality, views, history, cultural influence, and life fulfillment.

 

Kitsap offers a healthy variety of events and activities for families and children of all ages. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to find out what's going on without referring to multiple resources and scouring the local newspapers or surfing from site to site. Problem Solved! Macaroni Kid Kitsap is here!

 

Macaroni Kid is dedicated to delivering the scoop on all the family-friendly events happening in Kitsap each week. And it's Free! You can check the website anytime, and better yet, become a Subscriber and have a weekly newsletter delivered directly to your in-box.

 

As a mother of two and part-time grant writer, I am familiar with the challenges of balancing work and play. When time is carved out to play and enjoy time with my family, I want to know what's going on to see what new, exciting, or interesting experience we would like to share together. I partake in the occasional event in Seattle or Tacoma, but largely I stay local for shopping, entertainment, recreation, hobbies, and fun. Since my daughter was very young, I've rifled through newspapers, brochures and visitor's guides, surfed the internet, kept my eyes open for fliers and posters, and kept my ears open for what other moms are talking about and doing with their kids. Macaroni Kid does all of this and helps busy parents really discover all the stimulating, enriching, and fun things to do with their families.

 

I have my finger on the pulse of family fun events going on in Kitsap and will share them with you. With input from other moms, dads, grandparents, and caregivers across the County, together we can present the very best resource of its kind around.

Join me on this journey as we all look for ways to have fun with our kids, entertain our kids, enjoy being with our kids, and watch them grow …. in Kitsap.

In a year!!

Wow! What a year it has been. I have been trying to get use to being a mommy to my two beautiful twin boys. Trying to be a better wife and in this year I found my way back to God. In doing all these things I had to take a step back and just go away for a while and become more centered. To be honest I really have been so crazy busy that writting hasn't been something I have been able to do.  Not writing I have become so sad. It is like a piece of my soul is missing. I have a calling to write so here I am. I hope you enjoy this blog. It will be a big goulash of topics. So if you are going to like a blog about a missmash of topics this will be the one for you to follow.

This will be a way for me to show you a little glimpse into my life. For you to see the milestones and events in my life as a mommy, wife, reviewer, and as a Christian that stumbles along the way.  May you join me in laughing until you cry and sometimes cry until you laugh.

This year has been filled with so much. We stayed in the NICU/ICN until the end of January with B. He was is an amazing little guy that is so amazing and sweet and so so calm. Little did we know when he was born there was so much trama he was born depressed and didn't breathe for a total of 28 minutes. Because of his rough birth he has CP and...

We go to Mary Bridge once a week and have been going like this from the time he was 4 months old, and have him in swimming now. He took his first few steps a few days ago. We were told at the first part of July he would probably never walk. Thank the Lord we have F to have for B to compete with and look up to. Having a twin in this situation was a game changer and I am so happy he wasn't a singleton.  We are lucky to have met many of our closest friends now with the staff at T.G. NICU and ICN. The bond we have with most of them will be something we will have for the rest of our lives. The transport team we had was with Susan and Amiee are the nurses there saved my babies.  Stay tunned for some great milestones and laughs....