One of the best movies!

Those that know me well, know I have a huge love for Julia Robert's movies. She has been a longtime favorite of mine. Well her recent movie Eat, Pray, Love is truly one the best I have seen in a while. It is hard for me to get so into a movie that it really speaks to me, well this one hit me hard. I have been dealing with some pretty crummy stuff lately and feeling completely defeated, lost and honestly broken. This movie is truly a testament to life lessons and learning to appreciate yourself for who you are. Have you ever heard the saying "Nobody said life will be easy?" Well it's true, but nobody mentions how amazing that life journey will truly be if you learn to be still, quiet and enjoy it.
I have gone through some pretty tough things in my 27 years, things that have really taken a lot out of me, but at the same time have really made me into the woman I am today. Having faith has honestly gotten me through more things than I ever thought were possible, even when I didn't think I could survive it. Now being a 27 year old, military wife of 8 years, mother of two crazy active boys ages 10 and 6, I am finally learning to enjoy and appreciate who I have become.
It is honestly an amazing feeling when you wake up in the morning go into the bathroom to start your morning routine, glance in the mirror and really see yourself. I think that is really what that movie is about. Finding yourself and being happy with who you have become, even though life is not always easy.
So I say to you, watch that movie... Eat. Pray. Love. and let it speak to you. Enjoy life's journey and be appreciative of yourself and who you have become.

The little joys in life

I was reminded yesterday and today of the little things that bring me so much joy in my life are sometimes the things I take for granted... Quiet moments with my children. Now judge me if you must, but sometimes I get so overwhelmed with life and daily chores that I take for granted the joys of my children and those moments that one day I will long for. I know that we are all guilty from time to time of just asking them to go play for a little bit so we can get something done that we are usually right in the middle of when they want something, but yesterday my sweet boy had me put aside what I was doing so I could just snuggle with him before school. To be honest at first I hesitated as I was trying to take care of an important email, but I said okay I can do it when he goes to school, he climbed into my lap and snuggled with me, rubbed my face and said "Oh mommy I love you with all my heart." With tears in my eyes I replied "My sweet boy I love you too." As we snuggled he felt completely relaxed, so much so he fell asleep. One moment I will cherish forever.

I am amazed at how fast my children are growing up. They are beginning to become little men right before my eyes. Where did time go? In a week our house will be in full swing of end of the year parties for school and making teacher gifts as we have truly been blessed this year with wonderful teachers, principle and a great school. I am so thankful to all those who have helped both of my children grow and learn this year. My oldest has actually enjoyed History & Science this year and is actually looking forward to next year. I can not express how good that makes me feel as last year he was not even looking forward to school at all. My youngest has grown leaps and bounds this year. He started the year not being able to recognize and say by name half of the alphabet (without the song and in order) and now not only can he recognize and say the alphabet, but he is writing full sentences and beginning to form stories. I could not be prouder of all the progress they are making. I look forward to all the new and exciting things they are going to learn this next year and I remain hopeful for all the hurdles they are going to concur as they continue to grow.
I pray that one day when my boys are grown and have children of their own they can say that their childhood may not have always been easy, but that they were never afraid to see what they had to do and take it head on. I love my children and I thank God everyday for them for they truly are the little joys in my life!

Recipe Chicken Gnocchi Soup

Last night we had a wonderful meal complete with smiles and empty bowls and some asked for the recipe so I thought I would start posting them on here instead of taking up room on another website we shall not mention haha! So at any rate here is the recipe for Chicken Gnocchi Soup. I order this soup at Olive Garden all the time but it is getting way to expensive to eat out anymore so I wanted to find a way to make this at home and save a few bucks while I was at it... Hope you enjoy!


Chicken Gnocchi Soup

1 cup chicken breasts, cooked and diced (you can use a rotisserie chicken)
4 tablespoons butter
4 tablespoons flour
1 quart half and half
1 14 ounce can chicken broth
1/2 cup celery, finely diced
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 cup carrots, finely shredded
1 cup onion, finely diced
1 cup fresh spinach, coarsely chopped
1 tablespoon extra virgin oil
1/2 teaspoon thyme
1/2 teaspoon parsley
Freshly grated parmesan cheese – optional
1 pound potato gnocchi – can buy this in the gourmet section of many supermarkets
Sauté the onion and garlic in the butter, when the onion becomes translucent, add the flour, and make a roux, let the butter and flour mixture cook for about a minute before adding 1 quart of half and half.

Cook gnocchi according to package directions.

Into the roux add in the carrots, celery, and chicken. Once the mixture becomes thick add the chicken broth. Once the mixture thickens again, add the cooked gnocchi, spinach, and seasonings.

Comments about this recipe: I used 2 cups of whole milk and 1 cup of heavy cream to make the soup a little creamer and give it more flavor. Also instead of parsley I used fresh basil, chopped and sprinkled in the soup. I hope you all enjoy this as it has become a favorite in our house. Happy Eating!

Medical Update...

As some of you know I was recently diagnosed with Hypothyroidism. That is where your body doesn't produce enough thyroid cells. My new doctor (who is God sent) put me on this medicine called Synthroid for 6 weeks to see if my levels would come up to a healthy or normal range. On May 18th I went in for my 6 week blood test to make sure the medicine was the right dose and to see if it was working. Results are in and... They are normal!!! In fact they are in the middle of the normal range. For my height, weight and age the levels are anywhere from 2.0 to 4.3 and I am at a 3.0. I can't even begin to explain what a relief this is for me. I am so blessed that God gave me a doctor that cared enough to check and try to fix this medical condition I have been suffering from for so long. Thank you for all your love, support and prayers. It has gotten me through all this and come out on the other side feeling better and loved. So from the bottom of my heart I Love You all!


~T

COFFEE

I never really liked coffee when I was younger and then.... I had kids & now I love it. Some mornings I feel like I need it in an IV drip. A few days ago my poor coffee pot must have felt overworked and unappreciated so it started making growling sounds and then humming as if it hurt to make me coffee so we had to say goodbye to the old...
and hello to the new...
oh how I love the new coffee pot. God bless coffee!

This is sad just sad...

I saw this news article that made me feel sad and simply disgusted as some people. Here is the link to the article... http://news.yahoo.com/s/csm/20100331/ts_csm/291560

How can some people be that mean and disrespectful. These people are finding service members funerals to use as their backgrounds behind being completely disrespectful. Have they forgotten that these service members were over there fighting for their 1st amendment rights? Putting that aside the shear fact that they can completely disrespect the dead and call it okay and the fact that the legal system is protecting them is just madness to me.

April Fools Day

I like to celebrate silly holidays like this with the boys and this year was even better with daddy home to celebrate the fun with us!

So this year I decided to make a meat "PIE" and "Grilled Cheese" cake. So I set the "PIE" on the table and the boys looked really confused as why we were eating dessert first. Sometimes being a mom is so much fun!!!


Meat Pie


Grilled Cheese Cake
Happy April Fools Day Everyone!

Best Weekend EVER!!!

Paul and I really wanted to surprise the boys big time this year with a little mini vacation get a way and I think we did it!

We decided to go to Great Wolf Lodge up here in Washington, it's about an hour and a half away from us, but so worth the drive. For those of you asking what is Great Wolf Lodge, well here is the simple answer. A huge hotel that has an indoor waterpark in it! Expensive but soooooo much fun!
The boys had no idea that we were going, which to be honest made it so much more exciting! They had no school on Friday and we thought that with their birthdays being that week we should go then, so we booked the room and secretly packed the bags and hid them in the car. We got up ate breakfast and headed out. The boys still had no idea, even though we had been dropping clues left and right, pointing out commercials about the great wolf lodge on tv, asking about their swim shoes and all kinds of fun things like that and yet they still thought we were going to Seattle. We arrived at 12:30 and couldn't check in until 1 so we drove around for a little bit, even drove past it and still nothing. Once 1 O'clock arrived Paul couldn't stand it anymore and decided to just go and see if they would let us check in. We parked the car and Iah said "Wouldn't it be cool if mom packed our swimsuits and they had a heated pool or something." Little did he know oh yeah the suites were packed and ummm they had way more than a heated pool, a whole HUGE waterpark! Once inside they both said "Wow this place is huge." Then I leaned in and said Hey remember that commerical where the little boy tells his mom that if she doesn't go down that slide 1 more time she was going to be in big trouble?" With the biggest smile on his face that he could possibly ever have he said "That is where we are? Thank you, Thank you, Thank you" What more could you ask for?
Daddy & Iah getting off the Tunnel Ride Patrick getting ready to go on the lilly pads Family Picture in front of the Great Fireplace

To give you a great break from the waterpark the hotel has this wonderful activity called "Magi Quest." The basic principle of this activity is a huge treasure hunt in the hotel taking over 5 floors of the hotel with pictures that come to life with the shake of your wand to give you clues on the next mission. So cool. I am still not sure who had more fun, Paul & I or the boys! You make treasure chests open to give you jewels, animals on the walls talk to you and even get clues from trees in the middle of the lobby. You have 10 quests to complete in a book and then you go on 3 adventures and even fight a dragon. I can't talk enough about this. It was a wonderful memory and a great adventure with the boys. The boys fighting the dragon

This hotel has something for everyone. A huge waterpark, magi quest, spas for both adults and kids, arcade, teen club complete with video games & dance club, restaurants, bar, ice cream bar, dessert shop and even a Starbucks right in the hotel. Needless to say it was one of the most amazing weekends I have ever had and we all can't wait to go back! 2 days at Great Wolf Lodge- $300
Magic Wands & Huge Treasure Hunt- $50
A Quiet Car Ride Home- Priceless

Baby boy turns 6

Yesterday Patrick turned 6. Can you believe he is 6? Me either. It does not seem like 6 years ago we were waiting for him to come into the world. He wanted smiley face pancakes for breakfast, mac n cheese for lunch and homemade pizza for dinner and well... he got just that. I also made some homemade ice cream for dessert! It was a wonderful day. Happy 6th birthday baby boy!

Holy Cow 10 already...

Today Isaiah turned 10. Wow a decade old. I can't believe it has been 10 years already. The day started with a wake up call by attacking Isaiah in bed, then pancakes for breakfast and then... School. haha. I think I made up for it by taking the coolest basketball cupcakes to school for him to share with all his friends. Made with tons of love and the sound of joy of Isaiah those are the coolest cupcakes! I think the best part came when snow came falling from the sky and then Isaiah comes home from school and we have all his presents waiting including a nice shinny new bike. He also got Percy Jackson and the Olympians (the book) with promise we will go see the movie when he finishes the book! Ha got to be good parents somewhere, a wallet and GI Joe the psp game, a flip trick bike & there is also going to be a HUGE surprise this weekend but that is another post (that will be made later) for now I will live you with pictures!!! Happy Birthday Isaiah

Sometimes Parenthood Stinks :-(

Sometimes I don't like having to be a parent and having to deal with punishment. As our children get older we have a harder and harder time with life lessons. The oldest came home from school yesterday with a bad day, and bad really is an understatement to say the least. How do you deal with days like that? He is very strong willed and when he makes up his mind that it wasn't his fault there is no getting through to him. Calls from the principle is never a good sign, and as wonderful as she is, I dread getting to talk to her. She called yesterday to explain what really happened and needless to say it put me into tears, causing me to deal out a lecture about right and wrong things to say to or about people. Well this punishment went very differently than usual. Usually we deal out the no talking on the phone to friends, no video games, etc. This time it went something like this... The only entertainment you will have this weekend is... Reading. You will pick a book and do a 200 word book report on it, explaining the life lesson the author is trying to tell you, the main characters and a bit of history on them and your thoughts on the book. Then you will write a letter of apology to the people you hurt and why it is wrong to say mean things to them. You will also do your homework packet (which isn't due till next Thursday) by Monday morning, and once all that is done you will do chores to fill the time. Sometimes I don't like being a parent........
Sometimes Parenthood Stinks...

Love day!

Normally our Valentine's day is spent apart. Paul has been out to sea for most of them, sad to say. So usually I am making Valentine's with the boys for their friends at school and then I get a sitter and go out with the girls and enjoy anti love day! Well this year with shore duty our "normal" is anything but... Paul & I decided that since this is the first year we really get to spend it together, we were going to do the whole day as a family!
We started the day with a visit to our favorite spot called "Barbie's Cafe" it is right on the marina of Seabeck. We love it there, a quiet, cute cafe that we feel very at home in. Everytime we go there we always have the best service. After than we ventured to town. Yes you heard me right we ventured to "Town" (20 mins away.) We then went to a couple of shops and looked around, sometimes it is nice to just look! After that we decided to take the boys to see a movie. Holy cow let me just say here that movie prices have gone way up. Can you tell we don't go see movies in the "Real" theatre very much, usually we go on base were it is $3.00 for a movie, $1.50 for unlimited soda, but they only have 1 showing and they were not showing the movie the boys wanted. Anyway... We went and saw none other than..................................................

The Tooth Fairy, not the best movie, but the boys enjoyed it.

Tickets for 4 to the movies $30
3 bags of Candy bought earlier and snuck into the movie $5.00
1 Large popcorn & 2 Large drinks $19.50
Seeing your children's faces when they realize you are going to see the movie they have been begging you and begging you to see....
Priceless

So I hope everyone had a Happy Love Day, I know we did!!!

Paul's Birthday!

Yesterday February 10th was Paul's 27th birthday. When asked what he wanted to do for his birthday dinner, go out or stay in, he decided to stay in and for me to make dinner. Now what's for dinner? Tri-Tip, Coleslaw, Twice Baked Potatoes & Homemade Sourdough Bread. So Tuesday night we took the tri-tip and rubbed it down with none other than Santa Maria Seasoning and let it marinate in the fridge over night. Yummy. For those of you that don't know what Tri-Tip is or what Santa Maria Seasoning is, all I have to say to you is you poor deprived child!!! Tri-Tip is a type of steak, a beautiful piece of meat that is traditional smoked or bbqed, until perfection. Santa Maria Seasoning is a blend of spices. Here is a recipe for this blend

• 2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
• 2 teaspoons white pepper
• 2 teaspoons cayenne pepper
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 4 tablespoons granulated garlic
• 6 tablespoons salt

Mix together all ingredients in a small bowl.

or you can order your own here: http://www.susieqbrand.com/cart.php?m=product_detail&c=1&p=7 I also believe Smart and Final has it for sale as well. Anyway... Around 2pm on Wednesday I put the tri-tip in a dutch oven with a little bit of beef broth and put it in the oven at 350* and let it go... 5:30 and presto, a beautiful piece of yummy goodness (as Paul would say.) Follow that by Homemade Sourdough Bread, Twice Baked Potatoes & Coleslaw. So with that I think Mission Paul's B-Day Dinner = SUCCESS!!!

Mondays...

I am being to think that Mr. Monday is against me. We all have been enjoying weekends around here a little to much I guess. It's hard not to enjoy them now that we get Paul home with us every weekend. This morning was a hard one for our household, none of us wanted to get out of bed, not even Violet, she stretched and groaned and yawned a lot on her way out the door to go use the doggie potty aka. the backyard!!! So all I have to say to Mr. Monday is I think you are out numbered. I think it is about time that you, dear Mr Monday take a vacation say 1 week! Good it's settled!!! Happy Monday everyone

Wisdom?!?!

So as of lately I have been dealing with some extreme very unwanted pain. Yup my wisdom teeth have decided that they are going to make an appearance. All I have to say about that is OUCH!!! This is by far one of the worst things ever. My whole head hurts and my mouth is swollen. So in my pain I found a picture that fits my thoughts perfectly so I will leave you with it, while I go and take more Motrin and take a nap. Thought and prayers accepted and greatly appreciated!

FOOD!

I have to admit a very dark and dirty secret... I LOVE FOOD, there I said it. I am a girl who Loves food. I love thinking of new recipes and new creations on old ones. I love baking and trying out new and interesting deserts to complement all those new main dish recipes that I create at a whim. Paul laughs at me, because I am a planner, I plan menus so I can make grocery lists, I make to do lists and making a menu and grocery list are always at the top. I have the whole 2 weeks planned out (we get paid every 2 weeks, so payday= new menu) and yet there are days I just don't feel like making what was on the menu that day, so there in lies my problem. I need to tell my mind to shut off and just stick to the menu and not try to come up with something new, but how?
Last night was no exception to the never ending problem I have with food. A twist on a recent favorite... Grilled Stuffed Burritos. I made some shredded chicken the other night and had leftovers, so instead of using some ground turkey (we use this instead of ground beef) like usual I decided to change things up and use the leftover chicken. I added some smokey chipotle sauce, cilantro, onions and simmered it together to reheat the chicken, yummy. Heated the tortillas, added refried beans (as glue), Spanish rice came next, topped with chicken mixture, cheese and then topped with homemade salsa, rolled and sealed with a hot pan of 2T EVOO. Yummy!!! Problem is it didn't stop there... Tonight I found myself setting out the ingredients I need for dinner tonight and then Wham... I completely changed my mind. So instead of a pasta dish I was going to try we are now having Pan Seared Pork Chops, Apple Chutney, Rosemary Lemon Roasted Potatoes and Homemade Caramel Apple Empanadas. So my question for the day is Have you ever had a menu in mind and you were bit by the creative bug and changed it up? If so What was your favorite recipe?

Mystery Monday!!!

We have started this new thing that everyday has it's own theme... It really helps with the menu and knowing what to expect as well. For example:

Monday: Meat Monday-- meaning we have some form of meat for dinner. ie: Ribs, Chicken
Tuesday: Taco Tuesday-- meaning some form of Mexican food
Wednesday: Whatever Wednesday-- meaning whatever we want
Thursday: Throwback Thursday-- meaning a old fam favorite meal
Friday: Family Fun Night-- meaning pizza and a game or movie
Saturday: Surprise Saturday-- meaning we do something fun and the boy's can't know anything!
Sunday: Sleepy Sunday-- We have a jammie day and stay home and relax resting from Saturday...

Well with all that said forget it... Yesturday was a Holiday... Meaning no school, no work so we decided that since we had everyone home we were going to go do something fun... Which led us to Mystery Monday! We got up early and went to Seattle to the Pacific Science Center. We have a membership there and we Love it. We went and had fun with the science experiments and saw a Bug 3D movie, followed by a trip to the planetarium and then my favorite... A trip to the Butterfly Habitat. All in all a great day at the PSC in Seattle!

BEST MOVIE!!!

Have you ever seen a movie that truely touched you inside and out? You know the ones I am talking about. Heartfelt, yet funny and yet you can totally relate to the characters in one way or another. Either you have known someone like one of the characters or you see yourself in them. Recently I have had the pleasure of watching the movie "The Blindside." The only way I can describe it is simply amazing. One of if not the best movie I have seen in a long time. This is based on the true story of Michael Oher #74 for the Balitmore Ravens and how he got to where he is today. The relationship he begins to develop with Leigh Anne Tuohy is breath taking. I can't talk enough about this movie. I strongly encourage everyone to see this movie, it is just.... Amazing!