LONG week!

I started working again this week! Although I thought I would be ready to go back, I really wasn't. It was good to see my coworkers, but I really missed Noah. On top of it, Carl was off on Monday, which meant we could've had a great family day :-(. Nevertheless, I came home to hubby cooking in the kitchen, and a toddler rapidly cruising towards me! I guess the feeling was mutual!

With this week being so busy, I didn't really get to cook as much as I wanted to, which is the reason for the absence of food blogs! Lol!

I got to catch up with a good friend this weekend, and I must admit, it was much needed! We've all been going through so many life changes that time sometimes slips away. I'm glad I got to be able to catch up with her and hear about all of her new adventures! Her and her hubby are open to the idea of having children at this time, and I can tell from their excitement that they are ready! This makes me think back to how Carl and I were when we decided we were ready to have kids. How happy and nervous we were at the same time, and how Noah drastically changed our lives...for the better!

How could we imagine life without him now? Yes, we would be able to pick up and go wherever we want, whenever we want without thinking about car seats, diaper bags, baby food, changes of clothes, and kid friendly environments, but the fact that there's a little person that came from us on this Earth is pretty amazing.

I don't know about you, but motherhood has really made me appreciate my mom more. I'm sure that it wasn't a bed of roses everyday, but she never complained about the sacrifices she had to make for us 5 kids; and she did it all with a smile.

I found a quote today and thought it was pretty powerful. I will try to post it below.

I hope that it doesn't take me this long to write again. Sorry for the random thoughts, but sometimes I'm a little disorganized, and that's ok! Lol!

Until next time,

Curried Chicken Breast w/peppers and onions!

So I saved a little bit of the chicken breast I made the southwestern black bean salad with a few days ago, and decided to put some curry powder on it in addition to its other seasonings. I knew I was going to make some rice to accompany the chicken, since everyone knows my hubby eats rice with basically everything! LOL. But I didn't know how the chicken would turn out. So...i looked in the fridge! I love having fresh vegetables that are cut and ready to use! I had some green and red bell peppers, as well as some onions. Voila! I'd add those into the mix, and hope for the best!

It turned out to be pretty darn delicious! To go along with it, I made rice with baby lima beans, and the rest is history. My mom always said that you need to give your food some color. the peppers definitely made the plate more vibrant, but what I really liked about them is how they sucked up all the curry juices and made this plate taste even better!

Here's to another successful meal! I guess it's time for me to look at the circulars and figure out what my next few meals will be! If you don't know about the website I Heart Publix, it is a GREAT way to look up weekly ads before you get yours in the mail. This website posts the weekly ad on Monday mornings under "Publix Deals" and lets you know of the best deals, as well as where to get the coupons for some of the specials if they are available. Some of them are online, while others are from the Sunday's paper.

Anywho, if there's anything that catches my eye, I will make sure to let you know!

Until next time...

Southwestern Black Bean Salad: SUCCESS!!!!

So remember the recipe I said I was going to be making later this week (Recipe)?! Well...I made it today, and it was absolutely DELISH! It was light, and very flavorful! of course, I didn't feel comfortable only eating a whole bunch of vegetables, so I added some chicken to it and BAM! It just made it come together for me. Hubby ate it up to, so that's always a good sign!

Below is a picture of how mine looked. You have GOT to try this recipe. I'm telling you, you won't be disappointed!!!!

Until next time....

What have I learned?!

Sitting here today, asking myself "What has motherhood taught me?". The truth is, this is probably one of the best learning experiences in the world. Not that you couldn't learn these lessons without being a mom, it just so happened that it was when I became a mom that they all fell into place.

1. You really have to rely on God as your source for everything. I've never tried living my life without Him, but I know that my relationship with Him hasn't always been up to par. It's a work in progress everyday, but I know that when I am closest in his presence is when I feel like everything is taken care of.

2. Show and tell your children how much you love them. Your children need YOU to be here for them, not the latest, most expensive clothes, or newest toys to make their lives complete. Trust me when I say that once they are able to articulate these wants and needs, you will remember the days they used to play with the tissue paper anf gift wrappings! LOL. But on the real, remember to show your children how much you love them by spending quality time with them, and telling them how much you love them. You should also show them love by how you treat their father or mother (whichever you arent LOL); after all, this will show them how to treat others. The best thing a father can do for his child, is to love his mother. I believe it's vice versa as well.

3. Your Health is very important! You should try your best to exercise regularly and to make health conscious choices and meals for you and your family. If you're having some financial difficulties, make sure to not let them stress you! At the end of the day, if there isn't anything you can do about it at this point, what's the point of worrying?!

4. Kids take up a lot of energy. Children don't come home with a manual, and they definitely don't come home with an off button, so you really need to get your rest, and be ready to go when they are. You also have to learn your parenting style in order to show your children discipline. I thought it was going to be really hard for us to transition Noah from our bed to his bassinet, from his bassinet in our room to a crib in his own room, from sleeping at whatever time he wants, to being on a schedule, but God has really helped us out in that department. When one of us was feeling like giving up, the other wasn't so it just worked. Of course it was a lot harder on us than it was on him! LOL.

5. Learn to say NO! I won't say that I don't know how to say this, but sometimes, I will do something knowing that I cannot. Having a child makes you learn that you have to live within your means. If you aren't able to go out with your friends for dinner every weekend, or get your hair done, or nails done, know that this is not the end of the world. People will understand, and if they don't...then that isn't your issue to deal with. Also, if people provide you with advice or tell you things that you should try on your child, that you don't feel comfortable doing, just don't worry about it! Your child is yours, and everyone does things differently....which brings me to my next point!

6. Every child is UNIQUE! In both their likes and dislikes, as well as behaviors! I remember that we bought the whole set of Dr Browns bottles, bottle warmer, sterilizer, etc. but when it came time to give Noah a bottle, the bottles weren't ideal! He did much better with the Playtex L-shaped bottles. Noah only sucked on a pacifier to go to sleep, and at about 7 months, he stopped using it altogether. One day, Noah fell asleep at 8:30 and slept through the night, and has been doing so ever since! Oh yes, there have been some great advantages with this child, but whenever God sees fit for us to have another child, I have to remember that they may be different in each and every way, and I have to accept them and their personality (as long as it isn't disrespectful)

I'm pretty sure there are many other things that i've learned, but this post is starting to get way too long! LOL. I'll stop here and maybe start again another time!

Here's an updated pic of Noah. He's growing so fast!!!

Thinking about making this next week...

This Southewestern Black Bean Salad looks pretty darn delicious, but I definitely need to add some chicken and salad to eat in order to be even close to something I feel is filling and worthy of me eating. I have most of the ingredients here...Hmmm....May be on the menu for sometime next week!

I'll keep you posted :-)

...and I'm finally back in the kitchen!

After such a busy month, and eating out and eating crap, I have finally decided to get back to the kitchen and make one of my husband's favorite meals! It's a really filling and delicious meal that I got off Skinnytaste and just taking the time to prepare it today, made me feel like I was getting back to my old self. The recipe is for Stuffed Cabbage Casserole.

I've posted a pic below of my end product for you to see that mine doesn't turn out exactly as the one on the website, but it is totally delicious nevertheless.

Hubby may work in the kitchen all day, but it doesn't mean that he wants to come home and have to cook another meal. I enjoy the kitchen very much, so trying new things is right up my alley!

Now, it's time for me to leave the recipes i've perfected and get to trying something new! I promise to post it as soon as I think if what it is I want to make :-)!

The joys of summer...

One of the things I like about the job that I have is the fact that I get to spend all summer with my family and friends! Seeing that the months of June and July are SUPER packed with events, it's good to know I don't have to miss out on any of these! LOL.

June consists of: my dad's birthday, my sister's birthday, my nephew Andy's birthday, and now, my sister's wedding anniversary.

July consists of: 4th of July BBQ, our anniversary, Noah's birthday, my nephew Gibson's birthday, Carl's birthday, and my niece Jeannie's birthday.

August is a welcomed month in this household, for the simple fact that we (or should I say I) get to relax just a little bit before returning back to work.

This summer was great! Regardless of how many events we had, I absolutely love my family and wouldn't change them for the world. The ONLY thing i know to do...is to make sure i'm not into my last trimester during the summer months, because we are just too darn busy, and i love to hang with them too much! LOL. Not that I have any control on when I get pregnant again, NOR am I even thinking of getting pregnant anytime soon...but when the time comes, please Lord...let me be in my first trimester or something during the summer months, so that we don't add another even in the summer months.

I'm ready to get back to life! Working out, trying out new recipes, and spending time with those I love most. Although these months were great, the downfall is that I didn't get to spend as much quality time with my husband. With 6-8 kids around at a time, and his work schedule, the "us" time definitely got put to the side.

I think the hardest thing about being a parent is remembering that you have to make time for the "couple". How can you be a good parent if you aren't being a good wife/husband? Doesn't that all tie in together? Ahhh....the growing pains of life. We live, we learn, and we choose to make a difference.

Thank you August for breathing a fresh air into this house. Let this month (or should I say, the next 2 weeks) bring a sense of peace, tranquility, love, and laughter.

Until next time...