My next 30 years!

My first 30 years have been FANTASTIC! I had a WONDERFUL childhood, the teenage years were GREAT, and my twenty's were AMAZING! In the twenty's I meet and married Naph's, I graduated from college with a bachelors degree and then a masters degree. A month after graduating with my master's I gave birth to Ashie and 21 month's later Coach joined the family. Becoming a wife and then a mother are the GREATEST accomplishments in my life. Seriously, Naph's, Ashie, and Coach bring me so much joy and happiness each and every day. Whoops I almost forgot Mazie, she has been in the family for 8 years now and this family wouldn't be complete without her.

For my next 30 years I hope to add one maybe two children to the family(note: we are not expecting any new additions to the family any time soon). I am looking forward to another 30 years of marriage to the best husband EVER, I am also looking forward to watching my children grow, learn, and just experience life. I am excited to be there with them every step of the way. For my next 30 years I hope to become a better, daughter, sister, friend, mother, and wife. I also want to become more physically active, i.e. cycling is my new thing and hopefully this year I will compete in a 100 mile bike ride. In my next 30 years I imagine there are more marathons in my future. I also imagine there is more school in my future. Maybe another masters degree, but this time it will be in bereavement counseling. Hmmm, I am excited for my next 30 years!

I can't end this post without sending a shout out to Cyncha on this our special day. HAPPY BIRTHDAY CYNCHA - I love being your twin! I hope that our next 30 years bring both of us much happiness and love!

What is a mom to do?

How could I deny him wearing his tie when he found it and excitedly asked me to put it on him. Because he is so stinking cute and because his hair was styled and looking good, I knew he could get away with this look.

Halloween Preview

Aren't they so stinking cute? We went with a Narnia theme Ashie is King Peter and Coach is Aslan.

A word about potty training

I found out that potty training is more about Naphs and I training ourselves in asking Ashie if he needs to go and rushing him off to the bathroom. Then helping him understand when he needs to go. I think we realized success in potty training when Ashie came in from the back yard only wearing his t-shirt (his pants and underwear discarded) exclaiming "mom, I peed in the grass!" Yup, he was out playing realized he had to pee and took care of it himself. It isn't the approved method of peeing, but I am proud of him for realizing the urge to pee. Thankfully, when he is in the house he runs of to the toilet to go potty.

Ashie I am so proud of you for learning to go potty in the BIG BOY toilet. You are my smart BIG BOY and I love you!

My Little Fisherman

Today I found Coach elbow deep fishing in the toilet, luckily there was nothing in the toilet to fish for. This just goes to show you how different my boys are. Ashie never played in or near the toilet. Coach on the other hand is facinated with it. It could be that we have been spending a lot of time in the bathroom as we are potty training Ashie.

Yummy Salad!!!

If you are a lover of salads as I am, you might enjoy this receipe. Just a little something I made up.

Rice Bean Mixture (for bottom of salad)
1 (14.5oz) jar/can Tomatoes, diced undrained (I use flavored tomatoes like garlic flavored)
1(16 oz) jar of salsa
2 (14.5oz) can fat free chicken broth
1 cup quaker oat barley (can be substitute with rice)
1 & 1/4 cup of long grain rice
2 cups water
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 tablespoon cumin
1 tablespoon garlic
1 (15 oz) can black beans
1 (15 oz) can kidney beans
1 (15 oz) can corn
3 cups chicken breast cooked and cut

Combine first 7 ingredients, bring to boil; cover and reduce heat to low. Simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add beans, corn, and chicken; increase heat to high until mixture comes to boil. Cover and reduce heat to low. Simmer for another 5 minutes until barley and rice are tender.

Cool rice bean mixture (I usually make the rice bean mixture the night before, for to reasons so it can marinate a little longer plus it becomes plenty cool for you salad.

Once the rice bean mixture is cooled, fill the bottom 1/4 of your salad bowl with the mixture.

The secret to a good salad is add LOTS of vegetables!!!

Salad Ingredients:
Lettuce
Tomatoes
Olives
Cucumbers
Avocado's
squeeze lime juice onto the lettuce
Top the salad with fresh salsa, guacamolie, sour cream, and cheese
Line the bowl with lime wedges

This salad is full of so much goodness that you don't need salad dressing.

ENJOY!

Hey Good Looking!

ADORABLE! My little guys look so handsome in their tuxes.




I love these two little guys, they clean up rather nicely!!!