{New Year, New Color, New Goals}

image found online

This year I decided to ring in the New Year with a new color, something darker and more deep then I normally do. It's not permanent which I like and you wouldn't believe how hard it is to find non-permeant hair color. I really like it and it suits who I am right at this moment.

It's not a bright shocking red but more subtle

I am going to work on some new goals for myself this year. Lets go over my goals for 2011 and see how I did.

1. Lose 42 lbs bringing my weight down to 234 lbs. I gained back everything I lost while pregnant with Myrna and gained more on top of that. Partly due to poor eating habits and stress eating and partly due to the fact that I was sick most of this past year.

2. Become more Domestic. I have become more domestic, fixing 75-80% of the meals for the family. The rest of the time they fend for themselves.

3. Do more crafts with the kids. I did more things with the kids but didn't do as many crafts as I would have liked.

4. Spend less time in front of the TV. I had the cable shut off in December of 2011 and since then have spent less time in front of the tv.

5. Take a photo a day. I did this for like a month or two and quit. I am hoping to do better in 2012.

6. Get all our debt paid off.  We got most of our debt paid off but still have a few more things to clear up but we are well on our way!

7. Go to Reunion this year. This did  not happen but we did spend a week on the oregon coast. visited family and friends.

8. Make a trip to see Family. This HAPPENED!! We saw everyone! and even some family we hadn't seen in YEARS!

9. Become my husbands "Girlfriend". This is still an on-going process but I am striving to do this more and more.

10. Be Happy. This is something I struggle with but for the most part this year I tried to be happy and enjoy the little things.

2012 goals

1. Lose a minimum of 50 lbs.  This will bring my weight to 252 lbs. I want to lose more but I think that 50 lbs is something I can manage and maintain. I want to get healthy and be a good example to my children on safe weight loss.

2. Cook more from scratch. I want to move away from pre-packaged meals and make more home-cooked meals that are better for my family.

3. Pay off debt. This is an ongoing pursuit and I am hoping that by the end of the year we will only have our mortgage to worry about.


4. Photograph more. This means taking time to explore the area around me and seek out great places to photograph, bringing one or two of the kids with me while I do it so I can spend more one on one time with them too would be great!


5. Spend Quality time with the kids. this means doing things with them that not only interest me but them too and taking the time to be not only their mom but their friend too.

6. Be Happy. This means enjoying the little things and  not letting the big things overwhelm me and try not to stress out so much.

{Before & After: some more}

These are some before and afters of things I have been working on since getting back home from our vacation. I still have projects to complete but they are slowly getting done. Some may or may not get done before the end of summer but that's to be expected when you have 4 kids who demand your time everyday (ya know for food, band-aids, loves, hugs, play time and so on).

My livingroom: before and after

the hope chest I was given at 16: before and after

my grandmother's gold lamps: before and after (mind you they need a different shade: working on that)

This is the cabinet that holds my towels, wash cloths & hand towels: before and after

{Office sorta before & After}

I found out a few days ago that I have bronchitis and that's why I haven't been able to fully function as a human being let alone "super mom" but got a surprising call today to find out on top of bronchitis I also have strep throat. YAY ME! But regardless of my illnesses this year I got around to finally getting my office slash guest room somewhat functional yesterday.

Mind you my office still has a bit to go but at least it's getting closer to finished. My office also combines as a guest room when company comes. It's kinda been my "everything that doesn't have a home store room" for so long that it was driving me nuts to not be able to find the things because the box they were in was buried.

I mean by no means is my office done - I still want to put up a few more shelves and organize my file cabinet and figure out what I am going to be putting in the hope chest (which is under boxes right now) but it is coming together nicely and can now be used to welcome guests and has become a bit more functional. Plus, I got to put up my artwork all over my room - I have more to put up but at least it feels like MY room and not just a storage room with my computer in it.

Below are some pictures taken the day before the "big clean" and a few taken after.

see the pile of laundry & boxes covering the couch - plus a chair I am going to redo this summer

it's just a mess

view from the door - the couch has storage under the seat and folds down into a bed

the white dresser holds extra linens

yes there are still boxes and YES that is a christmas tree but at least I am getting somewhere

{Domestic Goddess Here I come!}

I picked up a "new-to-me" Riccar sewing machine at Johnson's Sewing Center for a great price. Then I went to Joann's to find some fabric, batting and thread. I picked up the below fabric because I loved how vibrant they were.

I used Jill's pattern and tutorial to make the below burp rags because I wanted to test drive my new sewing machine. I love it! It's super easy to use, but those rounded edges are such a pain and really difficult. I know I will get the hang of it - it just takes time and patience (both of which I don't have an abundance of lately).  If you don't look too closely, they actually look fairly good - but if you get too close you can see my many flaws.

(burp rags made by me)

I really do want to become a "Domestic Goddess" and in order to even get close to the mark I need to learn how to use a sewing machine with ease. Not to mention I have to start baking more and wear pearls and heels while in a stunning gown and have a perfect house too...all while wearing a perfect smile (at least that's what it says in my handbook).

(image found on the internet under "perfect 50's housewife")

Guess I better get cracking because I am fallin behind in my Good Wife studies.

{Cats}

Toby & Sorry sleeping, or are they?

{I won!}

Lisa at "a whimsical bohemian" created an awesome way for bloggers across the world to get to know other bloggers by creating One World One Heart giveaway event. I participated last year by contributing in the giveaway. This year I couldn't participate with a giveaway of my own but still got to see so many fun and exciting blogs & enter their giveaways. I hope to participate next year. This years theme was "Magic Carpet Ride" and I really did enjoy the many places I found flying on that proverbial carpet ride.

Well the event has ended and guess what? I actually won a few giveaways. I was excited because last year I didn't win and expected the same this year, so you can imagine my shock when I opened my email and saw 3 emails entitled "OWOH Giveaway Winner".

Yasmin told me I won a beautiful set of handcrafted note card, while Kristina told me I had won her handmade red & pink heart blanket and Mallory told me I had won one of her beautiful hand made glass heart pendants. It feels like Christmas all over again.

I am really glad that I was able to travel to so many wonderful blogs. I hope to do the same again next year and be a stop along the way for others.

(image found here on the internet)

As a side note, I hope everyone had a great valentines day. I know I did. We spent the day watching "Farscape" and hanging out with the kids. Our romantic dinner consisted of cup 'o noodle and chocodiles. The kids loved it and it was nice not to have to clean up tons of dishes.

Today was the last day of the 4 day weekend for the kids, tomorrow they go back to school. It was sure nice having them home all this time. I am actually going to miss having them home all day. I think my perspective is changing and the little things just don't bother me like they used to and their fighting doesn't drive me nuts like it did.

Perhaps I am just growing up, (yeah right), or maturing, (not likely), but at least, for now things are running smoother and I am not getting as stressed out as often when it comes to the kids behavior. It could also be that I am getting better sleep now that they are all moved upstairs with us and I am not worrying about a fire breaking out and them being trapped in the basement, (that could be it).

{Teriyaki Chicken}

I made some yummy Teriyaki Chicken for dinner tonight. Below is the recipe I found somewhere on the internet. It's fast and easy and oh so yummy!

I am so sorry I have been neglecting my blog and obviously I have failed the challenge to write on my blog everyday of February. I do have a good excuse, I have been wrestling with a nasty little head cold and it was getting the best of me, but not to worry I did rally and kick it's butt.


(that's right, I said butt on my blog - a teacher told Sam that butt was a bad word, I don't think it is but I told him not to say it at school. For what it's worth, Sam called a classmate who was being mean to him "A BUTT". I have heard worse come out of the other kids mouths at school. But I digress....on to my apology...)

Valentine's day is coming up, (as in tomorrow), and I am planning to do NOTHING but hang out with my kids and hubby. We are going to take it easy and just relax & watch movies all day long. It's going to be a great valentine's day.










I snagged a picture of the cats sleeping in the rocking recliner, they kinda looked like a heart, ya know since valentines is coming up all I see is hearts...well am I right, do they look like a heart?

I  figured out why Sam has been having anger issues lately, (screams, yells, balls his fists and gets overly mad & starts getting violent and saying "how no one loves him"), it's because he was imitating his favorite super hero "The Hulk". When I figured that out Sam and I had a long talk about the appropriate ways to handle his anger and how he needs to emulate other supers who don't get violent when getting mad and how words will help resolve the issues. It seems to have worked because no outburst of violence today. Amazing how a small change in behavior changes how a day goes.

On to the recipe:

Teriyaki Chicken

1 Tbsp cornstarch

1 Tbsp water

1/2 cup sugar

1/4 cup apple cider vinegar

1/2 cup soy sauce

1 clove garlic, minced

1/2 tsp ground ginger

1/4 tsp pepper

12 chicken thighs with skin removed (or any meat you want with or without the skin)

Whisk together all ingredients (except chicken of course), and cook in a saucepan over medium heat till thick and bubbly. Place chicken thighs in a greased 9x13" glass pan. Pour sauce evenly over the chicken. 

Bake at 400° for 45-60 minutes, turning chicken every 15 minutes.

{Kids & my Find}

I had a great day today, even though I was still hacking up my lung and Sam faked being sick to come home early only to throw a mini melt down after I got Aaron from school, but it was still a good day because I went out in search of a dresser for William & I's room. I wanted something with character and a mirror, something timeless and yet sophisticated and did I mention I wanted it to have curves!

Well guess what! I found exactly what I was looking for at the local St. Vincent's second hand store. It's a cool store and they had exactly what I wanted. See the curves! 

(sorry about the bad product photography, I am better at people then things)

I am going to paint it black and change the color of the handles to more of a pewter so that it fits better into what I want my room to look like. I can't wait to go out and get the paint!

I finally got a few pictures of Sam and his two missing teeth and of course I got pictures of ALL the kids acting silly and dramatic. They sure are growing fast. I can't believe it's been eight years since we brought Aaron home from the hospital, it seem just like yesterday. Now I have three growing kids and for each one it seems like just a moment ago I was bringing each home from the hospital. My, how time flies!

{Boring}

Nothing fancy happened today, still hacking up a lung and ran a few errands. I should have stayed home, I was exhausted after all my running today. I did however pick up William's valentine's present. So it was still a productive if exhausting day.

I did get to spend time with my family and that is not boring. It was the same ol' stuff but it was really rewarding today.

Made dinner and the kids went off to bed while I watched "Gamer" with William. Life is good and full of wonder. So yeah, today was boring to some but full of fun and life for me, even while hacking up a perfectly good lung.

{Lost tooth}

Sam lost one of his bottom baby teeth on Thursday while he was at school. It's a tooth he's been working on for almost a month. The reason I bring this up is because while Ruth was working on a valentine project around eight tonight Sam comes up stairs and his mouth is bloody, his hands are bloody and he looks at me and points to a half pulled top front tooth and says he can't get it out. I wanted to chuckle at the situation because he looked like he had chewed down on something living the way the blood was smeared around his mouth and hands, ya know zombie like. (sick I know, but that's what came to my mind first)

I asked if he wanted me to get it the rest of the way out and he shook his head yes and so of course I twisted and yanked. I told him that he needed to let his teeth fall out on their own and not FORCE the pulling of his last baby teeth. (the reason I said this last part was because he knows if he loses his teeth, daddy will buy them from him, for a great price!)

The kids got their valentines done today for all the grandparents. Going to mail them out on Monday. I am still sick with this darn head cold but it appears to be getting better, well sort of. I am still stuffy but not as dizzy and it doesn't hurt to have my glasses on, so that's progress, right?

I have glitter everywhere and little foam heart stickers plastered all over the table. Good thing I am not worried about the finish on the table. I knew crafts would take place there. I really hope that I am feeling 100% on Monday. I need to get the last tax form to the people who do my taxes then we can get our tax refund.

Well, going to bed. Hope to feel a bit better tomorrow. I hope to get some pictures of Sam's new smile tomorrow as well.

{I'm dying}

That's right, you read right, I AM DYING! not literally but I sure feel like it. I have a head cold that is just kicking my butt & even though I am happy Aunt Flow is visiting, it sucks that I am sick on top of it.

The kids were such pains today, I think because I am sick they think they can get away with the bad behavior, they can't but they sure tried today.

Anywho...just wanted to let you know "I'm Dying and if you need me just call the morgue."

{Hip, Hip, Hurray!}

Hip, Hip, Hurray, Today was a great day!!!!!

See all that whining and finally "Aunt Flow" is visiting!!! Who ever thunk that I would want to have my visit from Aunt Flow, but it just means that things are starting to get back into place so Hubby and I can start trying again for baby #4.

Hobby Lobby now has a store close to me!!! I picked up too much stuff, but at a really great 50% off because of their Grand Opening! How psyched am I!

Thank you Jenkins Appliance for giving me back my portable dishwasher! Oh, how I missed my dishwasher. It truly is a beautiful appliance and one I am glad that is back WORKING in my kitchen!

Although after all my running around, paying bills, getting crafts we don't really need (but make the days cooped up in the house more bareable), getting groceries and spending a long, exhausting but enjoyable day with my hubby...I'm tired but oh so happy!

Aunt Flow's visit made me so happy, I actually cheered OUT LOUD when she came! Can you believe it! I am enjoying the hum of my dishwasher, cleaning my many dirty dishes from the past two days. You have no idea how happy the hum makes me feel, how calm it makes me feel.

I am so happy to have my 1/2 priced crafts, not only did I get more beads but Ruth wanted glitter & cards & foam hearts to make valentines to send out to the grandparents, did I mention the glitter! Oh, how the glitter will flow and make everything oober sparkly, (Ruth's idea & a darn good one too!).

Footloose is just starting on Lifetime. If you haven't seen it, you just gotta! My foot, not to mention my whole body, can't help but move to the beat of wonderful music. Did I mention that I know all the words to all the songs!

The cats are eye balling me, hoping I will pull out the lazer light. They are so addicted, addicted just like a drug addict is to getting their next hit.  Their eyes get all wide and they start to twitch, it's sad & HILARIOUSLY funny!

I accomplished alot today, not everything on my long list, but most of it and it doesn't bother me that it all didn't get done, but most did and that is just great! The rest can wait until tomorrow.

{At least I know...sort of}

I got the test results back, defiantly not pregnant. When I asked about why I hadn't started my menstrual cycle, (aka Auntie Flow), they said it could be because I didn't ovulate, could be because I am just late, (which by the way never happens to me),  that I will be ovulating soon and if I don't start I will need to have another blood pregnancy test...It's giving me a headache.

So along with this pregnancy stuff we are trying to get our insurance crap straitened out. Tricare told us to not to get the medicaid (that William qualified for) because it would interfere with their insurance and now they say he needs to have it or else they will drop him from Tricare...I am tired of them screwing stuff up and giving out misinformation. So we went back to the Social Security office to tell them to go ahead and charge us for the medicaid insurance because we need to keep tricare and they want us to have medicaid now...it's all so emotionally draining.

William can't go to his physical therapy appointments until the insurance thing is straitened out and everyone is calling saying tricare is denying the claims and I know it will all be fixed but it's so annoying and frustrating and A REALLY BIG MIGRAINE!


I have a package to get out today and I don't know where the closest post office is and the internet really isn't very helpful in finding the information. I know there is one here but I just can't find it. I know it seems such a small thing but right now on top of everything else it's become a huge stresser...well it was until I saw a electronic sign that said the following:

"Honk if you love Jesus!

Text while driving if you want to meet him."

I loved it and it really brightened my mood. I never did find the post office but I will drive out to one I know where it's at when it's time to pick up the kids - it's far away but at least my package will get shipped out.

Anywho, gotta go check on Ruth, it's been so quiet downstairs I wonder what mess I will find when I get down there.

{Challenge}

My blogger friend, Debbie, put out a challenge on her blog to blog everyday during the month of February. I decided it was a good challenge and needed to do the same. So, here I am blogging....I hope it doesn't get to boring for you.

Today I went to get a more indepth blood test done to find out if I really am pregnant or just super late getting "Auntie Flow's" visit. I decided to buy and pee on a  fancy digital "clear blue" pregnancy test this afternoon. It said "NOT PREGNANT".

I find out my blood results tomorrow, hopefully that will clear things up for me. I just want to know one way or another if I am or am not pregnant. I hate the not knowing! I have never had such conflicting results. I mean my body is telling me "Hey, your pregnant - nausea and all" but the pee tests say "Hell YES, wait HELL NO,  your not pregnant! Geez, get a life already!" Yes, I am crazy and insane and I DO hear voices!

At least this will be all cleared up tomorrow... I hope!