Saturday, November 01, 2014

The BIG "K"

Hey y'all!  Yep, I'm still here!  

I feel like Stella.  Instead of getting my groove back, I'm trying to find my groove.  In other words, since Mason started kindergarten, I have been trying to find a schedule for myself.  This has been the strangest, most awkward time for me.  Mason has adjusted very well into his new role of being a kindergartner.  I never thought it would be me who needed to adjust.

(Mason is actually in Mrs. Todd's class now)

After 2 months, I think I have found my new schedule and it goes something like this:

8:20 am ~ drop off Mason at school
9:00 am to 10:00 am ~ Crossfit
10:15 am to 11:15 am ~ Volunteer in Mason's classroom
11:30 am ~ Shower (finally)
12:00 ~ Lunch
1:00 pm to 3:00 pm ~ Run errands, laundry, clean house
3:30 pm ~ Pick up Mason (carpool)
4:00 pm ~ Start dinner
5:00 pm to 6:00 pm~ Dinner
6:00 pm to 8 pm ~ Homework, Bath, Book, Bed

Since Mason started school everyone asks, "What do you do with all of your free time"?  Really.... What free time?  I really don't have a ton.  Don't get me wrong, sometimes I squeeze in a tv show or something from the dvr, but I don't sit around all day watching tv and eating bon bons. HA!!


I'm so type A personality and I work so much better with a schedule.

I'm so proud of monkey.  He has really adjusted well with his new schedule.  He loves going to school and seems to have fun. 





Such a big boy!  I mean really, where does the time go?!

I'll have to admit, I was very sad to see him start school, but now seeing him thrive just makes me happy.  He was so ready to go out into the world and make his mark in the small world.

I love the extra special times and it makes them so much sweeter now.  


Early release means special trips to get french fries! YUM!

Friday, August 01, 2014

Wasted space

Hey y'all!

How many of you live in your dream home? 

And how many of you are making your home a dream?

Well, dream or not, hubby and I (mainly me) are constantly changing or working on something. I'm not always looking for work to do, but I seem to always look for ways to organize or use all of what we have.  

We downsized 4 years ago into our current home and first I was in shock by the space we were limited too.  Now, however, we seem to have all that we need.  Sure I would love to have this, that, or the other, but I'm happy with what we have currently and we both love making our home comfortable.
Our kitchen could use more cabinets, so I thought this space next to the fridge would be perfect for a tall cabinet. Our pantry is behind the laundry room door and not very easy to access in the middle of cooking.  This new cabinet would be great for flour, sugar, spices, oils, etc. 



The tall cabinet could be as tall as the current cabinets and would look as if it were built in with the house. Hopefully the cabinet information is in our closing paperwork so we can match them up. 



The space above the cabinets is a complete waste.  Other than being able to decorate this space has no purpose.  I'm not sure if there is anything in the plans for this space.  I guess I could always add some baskets storing smaller items, but it wouldn't be easy to get things down as I need them and this space seems to get very dusty!



This next area is in our foyer.  I'm thinking a wall tree with a bench would be really neat.  We don't use the front door often.  Mostly go in and out through the garage door, but it would be nice for guests to come in and be able to hang their jacket. 



Just to get an idea, I found this one on wayfair.com.  Very cute and has lots of storage. I think the style with the cubbies would work as well.  


Guess we need to get busy!

Thursday, July 31, 2014

Make room for hot tub


Hey y'all!  

We had absolutely no plans to purchase a hot tub, but sometimes you just can't pass up a good deal.  Well, "the deal" literally fell in our laps back in January.  We get the hot tub in the middle of winter which would have been great; however, it sat in our garage for about 3 months before we could move it out due to all of the snow we had this year.  

We thought about several different options on what to put under the hot tub. Concrete, pavers, etc. 

And so the construction begins...
 



We decided to add on to our current deck and have a lower deck area for the hot tub, grill, and extra sitting area.  Before we started the frame, we placed cinder blocks under where the hot tub will sit for extra support.

After lots of sweat, some blood, and a few tears, we are done! Well, for now. 


We love how it turned out! 


Perfect spot for the grill.


Plenty of room to walk around the hot tub.



Now we have a ton of space on our original deck which will be nice when entertaining.  





I'm not sure who is enjoying the hot tub more.  Us or monkey! 

Monday, June 30, 2014

Meatless Monday

Hey y'all!

Happy Monday!  

I'm sure there are lots of you who are always on the lookout for an easy meal.  Especially in the summer when we are busy keeping our children entertained.  

I actually saw this recipe today on a friend's timeline and I knew I needed to share it with you, and have it for dinner!

Crockpot Tortellini

 


Ingredients
  • 1 bag of frozen tortellini
  • 1 small bag of spinach
  • 2 cans of Italian style diced tomatoes
  • 1 box or 4 cups of chicken broth
  • 1 block of cream cheese
Directions

Cut up the cream cheese into cubes.
Add all ingredients into the crockpot.
Cook on low for 5 hours.

There are different variations of this recipe that I found.  You can add meat if you would like.  Italian sausage or even chicken would be great.  You will need to pre-cook your meat and then add it to the crockpot.  I didn't have italian style diced tomatoes so I added about a tablespoon of Italian seasoning and about a teaspoon of garlic powder.  I also used vegetable stock instead of chicken.  I think either would be great. 

Cooking in the crockpot during the summer is an excellent idea.  Most of us (including myself) tend to only use it in the Fall and Winter.  Honestly, when it's 95 degrees outside the last thing I want to do is turn on my oven or stand over a hot stove.  


I'm looking forward to dinner tonight!

Serve with a salad and/or garlic bread and ENJOY!








Monday, May 26, 2014

Mommy Moments

Hey y'all! How are ya?

We've been busy, busy, and busy!  I have been focused lately on enjoying the moment.  Soaking it all up!  

Since I have a little one on his way to Kindergarten, I'm really wondering, where has the time gone?!  I have someone every day saying, "enjoy these moments", and I'm trying to do just that.



I was able to celebrate Mother's Day at Mason's school this year.  He was so sweet.  He never left my side, wanted to hold my hand, and was so proud of the gifts he made for me.  I keep the pink wooden tray on my beside table.  I love all of my handmade gifts and will treasure them forever.  


  This had me cracking up.  I'm 4 years old, weigh 46 lbs. My favorite color is green (which is correct).  Apparently I always say, "clean up" (which again, is probably correct). I make great mashed potatoes.  My job is working on the computer and I laugh when Mason say's something funny (true).  If/when I have time, I like to workout, I like playing with Mason and I love it when he brings me flowers. And Mason loves me because I make good mac-n-cheese.


I think Mason got the majority of this right! HA!


We love taking selfies.  Mason loves to touch the button, and then look back at the pictures. 






I'm really trying hard to not stress over the smaller things, and enjoy my son as much as possible.  I know these moments won't last forever.  Even though I've made Mason promise that he will always be my baby!

Wednesday, April 30, 2014

April recap...behind again!

Hey y'all!

Here I am again, way behind!  I can't catch a break.  It seems when I try to focus on myself, which has been desperately needed, the other things suffer! I'm sure we can all relate.  I guess I haven't found a daily balance. My question to you is, how do you balance your daily routine and still give everything 100%.  It's hard!

Recently, I started doing Crossfit, and so far I have really enjoyed the challenge.  I say challenge, well because that is exactly what it is.  This exercise routine is no joke, but I really like it!  It's hard, yet rewarding at the same time!  And I've lost 10 pounds!  The best part is I've made awesome new friends who are so encouraging.  Someone asked me about my goal, and to be honest, I don't have one.  I guess I just wanted to be more healthy, lose some weight, and feel better about myself.  

I think when you have children, you tend to lose yourself.  I know I have in the past 4 years.  I wasn't exercising at all.  I was eating whatever was easy and available. My back was killing me, and I just had no time for myself.  I'm slowly making changes to better myself. 

In the past month, well, let's see....  Spring, Easter, Soccer, Spring Break, my cousin's wedding.  In no particular order. 

Pansies actually do great in the beginning of Spring. 


I love asparagus fern during the summer.  It stays green.  Does great in the heat, and it will completely fill this pot. 
 

How pretty are these eggs?  I have never seen this vibrant color on eggs before.  This nest was in my in-laws yard and it was very low in a shrub. 
 

During Mason's spirit week at school, Mason had crazy hair day which also means crazy face day! 


Mason also had an Easter egg hunt with his school friends.  We always go to one of the homes of a church member.  Beautiful place.  Mason had lots of fun finding eggs, but I think his favorite part is coming home and opening them.  




Mason and one of his best buds, Trey.  They are not far from each other when at school. 
 




We have really enjoyed watching Mason play soccer.  This was a beautiful Saturday morning.  


Mason seems to be having fun too!  He's not too keen on kicking the ball.  Most of the time, he just follows the ball around and giggles the entire time. 
It's kind of funny when your kids start playing sports.  Their whole life you are teaching them to share, but now we are shouting, kick the ball, get it, keep it away from the other team!!!  I can see where he is confused! 
 


During spring break, we spent a few days with Grammy.  Mason packed his essentials.  Pooh, Monkey, 2 blankets, monster trucks, and match box cars.  I mean really, what else does one need for an overnight trip?!



Mason is one lucky fella!  Every year he gets 3 Easter baskets.  One from Grammy and Paw Paw, one from the Easter bunny, and one from Nina and Papa.  Wow!! 






While at Grammy's house, we went shopping for Spring and Summer clothes, ate lunch and played in the mall, and played and played!
 



We spent Easter at Nina and Papa's and Jeff and DeAnna's this year.  I didn't get a lot of pictures because it was so nasty outside.  The kids played in the basement the majority of the time





And lastly, on the 27th, we went to my cousin's wedding.
This is my dad and me. 


The cake was so cute and so yummy!
 

I just loved all of the burlap, mason jars, and sunflowers!
 



Mason and hubby came to the reception later.  Mason just looks thrilled to be there.  Yet another reason why they came late!  HA!



Until next time!