My Little girl is all grown up!!

Happy Birthday to our little Miss GIGI!! Our "baby" girl is 5!!! I cannot believe the little girl I held in my arms 2 1/2 years ago is now getting ready to go to Kindergarten this coming fall. YIKES!! This is when Gigi was a baby. I hold these few pictures of the kids priceless since they are before they came into our lives and their family was able to give us a few glimpses into their past. These snapshots are an amazing gift from their birth family.

{First day of preschool}

{The day we straightened Gigi's hair}

She has definitely grown up. I can't imagine life without this little ray of sunshine, she lights up our life. Happy Birthday to Gigi!!! The kids are so glad today is president's day that they get to stay home and celebrate with her and do "fun" stuff with their little sister. That "fun" stuff probley includes some wii, some ds games, a little snacking, a trip to the Family Museum and Ice Cream Cake when Daddy gets home tonight. So I better go start the day!!!

How do I love thee?

We are in full lovebug swing around here. This past week mommy has been in the valentines spirit. We have had fun valentines inspired snacks, lots of heart shaped crafts and delicious meals that are a certain someone's favorite to spoil the loved ones in my life. {these three are a few of the loves in my life}

Rosie and Bubba couldn't stop talking about their valentine's party all week. They had their valentines all signed and packaged for the big day. For Rosie, we had to make a box to collect the valentines. Can you believe that the box is an old EGGO waffle box that we had finished off that morning? Mommy is terrible at keeping old boxes. I don't keep them they go right out the door into the recycling. So recycling an EGGO box, I thought, was pretty thoughtful. The perfect size!! We wrapped it with wrapping paper and Rosie had fun adding her special touches. The kids came home with their backpacks full of sugar on Friday. There was a swan dive into the candy and they only came up to take a breath occasionally. I don't know if any one heard mommy tell them to save room for supper. To make us even more sick with sugar overload, the girl scout cookies arrived Friday after supper. Good thing is that over half of our cookies are sold. YEAH!! The bad part is that we still have to sell the other half. If interested please let us know we would love to have this temptation out of the house. Daddy has decided it is his own personal supply of sugar!!! Help us so that we don't all add 10 pounds to our figures in the next couple of weeks.

{popcorn and a movie.... not pictured were Nate's starburst}
Nate and I actually got out on Saturday night. We used a new babysitter, the best friend of our normal babysitter. Oh, and when I say normal babysitter, I mean the only babysitter the kids have had since moving here who has been to the house 4/5 times. With a new babysitter we are already nervous. If you have any spent any time alone with our brood you would know that they can be exhausting and overwhelming. We decided to forgo dinner so we wouldn't be gone that long and just go to a movie. I suggested "Red Tails" since it was a movie we both wanted to see and I didn't want to here Nate complaining while I dragged him to a chick flick. (I did really want to see the "The Vow" too!) The movie was about the Tuskegee Air Men in World War II. They were an all African American pilot group and struggled to be significant in a world that still saw their race as inferior. Before going to the movie we had both did our research... I am anything but an informed viewer. The movie wasn't getting rave reviews but the premise and content of the movie was intriguing for both of us. It was a good movie but I left it feeling tense. Of course it is a war movie so people are going to die throughout the film. So I sat there tense in my seat not trying to fall in love with any of the characters in case of their death. I would recommend the movie to anyone who likes war flicks. The credits rolled and mommy had only looked at her phone a 1/2 dozen times to make sure the babysitter hasn't called with a problem. All in all a very good night.

{a blurry picture... but this poor baby was so tired she wanted to take a nap in the laundry basket}

This past week the kids participated in a fundraiser at Chick Fil A for the Kids for Christ program at their school. Rosie and Bubba helped wash tables, get refills, and sweep the messes off the floor. They both got to work with their friends and it was a pleasure to see them trying to be so helpful. Makes this momma proud. The only thing that would have made it better is smiles on their faces and cooperation when mommy and daddy were trying to leave to go home. They didn't want to leave, but we still had homework and baths to fit in before going to bed.

{bubba and a friend from school}

{Our hard workers}

Last week we put together some special valentines for a few of our loved ones (a package should arrive soon!). But mommy found this valentines mad lib via pinterest after the packages had gone out. Each child took turns filling in the blanks for a specialized valentine. Here are a few of the funny stories that came about.....

The mad libs were found over at http://www.overthebigmoon.com/ I hope you enjoy!!!

Doggy baths, Valentines, and More

Our weekend is over and it is already Tuesday. I am glad I took a few pictures this weekend to remember it all since it went by in a blur. Mostly a dusty sawdust covered blur... but a blur nonetheless.

On friday night the dogs desperately needed a bath so into the shower they went. I had two big helpers (bubba in the shower and Gigi on drying duty) to make the process go smoothly. they came out smelling like roses!!! Yeah, now we don't mind snuggling on the couch. :-) {wet dog smell going bye-bye}

{empanada dough}
For Friday night dinner I rolled out some empanadas. This brought back memories for Nate and I since the last time we had an empanada was in Colombia we went on a mission trip for Opportunity International. Mine weren't as good as the ones munched on the streets of Bogota but they were still good. Gigi loved the "innards" to the empanadas and Lil Miss loved the crust.
{roasted Brussel sprouts and butternut squash for vegetable lasagna} On Saturday morning while the boys were at the basketball game, mommy quickly whipped up a vegetable lasagna. It was a HUGE disappointment to Daddy who knew I was making lasagna but when he got home it wasn't the traditional kind. it did not receive any stars on a scale of 1-5 since mommy was the only one who liked it. You win some you lose some, right? {my little helper} I do have the stuff to make traditional lasagna and will pop that out this week so daddy will forgive me for fooling with his favorite meal. :-)
{we bring you this commercial break for a sing off!}

{I know who my heart belongs too!!!}

So we worked hard and long but the floor is done!! Hallelujah, Hallelujah!! {Hallelujah Chorus is running through my head right now as a theme song for this post!} There were many splinters, sore backs and knees, a few cuss words, and lots of sweat but it is done and it sure is preeeettttyyyy. It wasn't til 3:45 on Sunday afternoon til the last piece was in place. I think Nate milked out this project long enough. HAHA I was guilted into helping all weekend to complete it (many other chores around the house went undone) and on Sunday it finally happened.

{one more row....hurry up Nate, I want my house back}

There is still some more things to do like put the trim back up but I have already claimed the rooms back. I was sweeping the floor and curtains and nooks in the ceiling as Nate was putting in the few last rows. Getting antsy I couldn't wait for the construction to be done. I immediately started to haul all his tools and "stuff that does not go in my house" out to a pile in the garage. I got vetoed in carting the air compressor out the door because apparently he needs that for the trim so for now the air compressor is an accessory in my otherwise starting to become back to normal house. I wiped down the icky walls covered in sawdust and dirt and little by little I saw my paint color back. We finished up with all our work just in time for the Super Bowl. Okay that isn't entirely true, we DVR'd the Super Bowl just so Nate could go get Ice Cream for Whitey's for Supper and then we started to watch the game.... or the commercials which was the only thing I was watching. I had big plans to make a nice meat and cheese tray and some spinach pin wheels and some dessert for the Super Bowl..... but that wasn't happening when I was exhausting myself on the floor all day.

{the dust... I wasn't kidding}
{the dust is gone!!!!}

Oh and don't tell ... but we also had popcorn and Doritos at half time -- or when you watch with DVR... sped up football game so the kids can watch halftime and go to bed. :-)

{we made ourselves nice and comfy and we were all in our pjs}

Mommy tired to relax in front of the tv and forget the mess that was still upstairs and in the garage... I was somewhat successful. The next morning though I was up and cleaning and getting rid of more dust bunnies.
{the foyer.... and a model who wanted to be in every picture}
{still a mess in the living room.... but mommy only has so many hours in a day!!!}
{our dining room!!!!!}

{What you can't see is the layer of sawdust on everything in my garage}
This is what happens to a space during a project. Can't wait til this is all cleaned up too!!! We had to take a break from cleaning and putting in the floor this past weekend to make valentines for a play date for Lil Miss and Gigi on Monday.

{thanks pinterest for helping us come up with cute ideas for v-day cards}
{making Lil Miss's valentines}

{baby friendly valentines... teddy grahams}

{Lil Miss all dressed up to go out}

The playdate was at Barnes and Noble and the Quad City Moms Blog hosted this little get together. It is always a good time. There was reading time, the passing out of the valentines, and free ice cream. Need we say more? You can visit their blog at www.quadcitymomsblog.com I am actually the lucky recipient of their mommy makeover next month!!! I can't wait. Any suggestions on how to change up my hair?

{the three of us at the playdate-- great picture huh?}

Don't judge Lil Miss's bambam type pony tail. She was blessed with thick hair like her mommy and it is too thick to keep down and too straight to lay down in a pony tail. I ha the cute clip to snap in to pull the ponytail to lay down.... but Lil Miss kept yanking it out. So this is how she looks most days. It works and is practical... just like her mommy's do.

{gigi was enraptured in the story}

{yesterday wore our little baby out!}

{first family dinner since floor is done!}

The most wonderful news of all that I can post about is that we finally have the big dinner table back in the dining room and last night we were able to all sit down at the table and enjoy a family meal. It might just have been left overs, but it was family time. We went around the table telling what each one did today and I think we really missed this time in the last month. Here's to many more family dinners!!

Happy Birthday Grandma Aggie!!

Okay this post is a day late, but that is not because I forgot my grandma's birthday. We actually thought about her quite a bit yesterday, I blame my husband who pushed me to my limit helping him with the hardwood floor with no time to do anything. How can anyone forget my grandma turned 105!! Grandma Aggie is quite the woman. If I am ever complaining about all the work I have to do and feel overwhelmed, I think of my grandma. That woman put in some tough days at the "office" growing up. She lived on a farm and she did not shy away from doing work. She did the laundry, cooking, cleaning, and even had her in-laws living with them for awhile ALL while raising 3 children. Even at 90 some years old she was getting up on ladders to clean out gutters. I admire her. I only wish she was still able to teach me a few things. There were so many years that we would go up to her house after school and I would have NO interest in her sewing in the back room. Yes, I remember her closet full of patterns, bobbins, thread, and fabric galore but I had no desire to sit down and have her teach me to sew. Now, 20 years later I wish I had took an interest because this sewing stuff is fun! I did take an interest in card-playing though and I played a few hundred games with that lady in our time. I love my grandma Aggie and my kids do to. One day Gigi asked if she could call grandma Aggie and ask her to come and play. It almost broke my heart to hear that. I had to explain to her that she is in a nursing home where there are people to help her. She then told me to call them to let her grandma "play". I laughed! Gigi only met grandma Aggie once but she must have made an impression. I am the queen of pictures and the kids have seen many a pictures of Grandma Aggie and I have told them stories like..... "Grandma Aggie used to go to school in a one room school house" (told when Rosie was learning about schools way back when) "These are Grandma Aggie's famous cookies" (while making Butterscotch cookies every Christmas) "Grandma Aggie didn't like her name either. She thought Agatha was a horrible name, but don't we think it's beautiful now! " (used when Rosie was going through a period when she didn't want to be called Rosetta) .... I could go on and on. They especially laugh when I show them really old pictures (like before I was born!! LOL) of grandma in plaid pants or playing golf. They cannot believe that is Grandma Aggie!!!


In less than 2 weeks Gigi will turn 5 and her and Grandma Aggie are almost exactly 100 years apart. Isn't that amazing?!? Maybe that is why they are such kindred spirits. Love you Grandma and Happy Birthday a Day Late!!! Love, Lynn {4 generation picture taken Nov 2010}

Calling Poison Control

Like any parents, as soon as we had kids we started baby-proofing the house. I vividly remember the night before Rosie, Bubba, and Gigi came into our lives we were hurriedly running around the house putting on cabinet locks, socket plugs, screen on the railings, you name it we were doing it. A big thanks to our friend Angie who acted like a child getting into stuff so we knew what to baby-proof! LOL We had to keep her out of the liquor cabinet. No I am kidding, but safety was/is a big concern for us. We moved into this house and Lily wasn't yet walking and exploring her surroundings yet. But that didn't last long. We were soon putting cabinet locks on, socket plugs, and baby gates everywhere. Even with all those helpful items bad things can happen. Last night I was in the kitchen getting things ready for supper (fried rice and sweet and sour chicken, YUM!) I went to throw something in the trash and saw that it was full and decided to take it outside to the garbage can. I asked Gigi to go get another trash bag from under the sink. You see it probley was only 10-15 days after the three older kids were in our home when they figured out how the cabinet locks work and they were ineffective, but for Lil Miss they work.... unless the cabinet is left open. I walk in the house from bringing out the garbage(possibly gone 30 seconds or less) and Gigi runs to me to tell me Lil Miss has eaten this. She sticks out her hand and in it is a shriveled up dish washer tablet. Lil Miss is standing there with blue detergent coming out of her mouth and pulling at her tongue. Now, I am not good at in these situations. About 10 seconds after me saying "Oh My God, Oh My God", over and over my brain finally kicked in. I ran Lil Miss over to the sink and tried to wash out her mouth with water than grabbed her sippy cup of water off the counter and tried to get her to drink something. I quickly scanned the container under the sink to read the label and see what I needed to do and saw that it read..... Do not get in eyes. Do not get on skin or clothing. Keep out of reach of children (oops) If swallowed, give glassful of water and call a Poison Control Center or doctor immediately.
Thank God for google on my phone (I could write a post all about the wonders of google or how many times I use it a day, or even better how much I love google and its ability to know exactly what I am thinking) because I pulled it out of my pocket, googled poison control and within seconds had Iowa poison control on the phone. Great thing is that I called the first number that popped up and it was American poison control and it must have automatically transferred me to the Iowa Poison control center. I relayed to the man on the other line all what had taken place and he told me just to get her to drink something so it could dilute what was in her system. She wasn't taking anything from the sippy cup in my hand, so as the guy was talking I was pouring milk into another sippy cup but that wasn't what she wanted either. The man said if I could get at least 2 oz. in her that would really help. So then I got a regular cup out of the cabinet and filled it with water and she finally started to drink. I thanked the man and he said he would call back in an hour to check up. I watched our little girl like a hawk. She started pulling at her tongue so I tried to check in her mouth for chemical burns, which the guy said would most likely happen if anything. But nothing. Thank the Lord. An hour later our little girl was just like normal. Mommy was pretty shaken up but we survived. It just reminds me of how much "danger" is around our kids at all times and it makes this already "hands-full" mom feel like she can't let her kids out of her sight. BUT I know that isn't realistic. I am just blessed that the Lord protect her from having any real damage and mommy and Gigi will be more cautious in what we have open in the kitchen or bathrooms from now on. Lil Miss went on to eat fried rice for supper and it was like nothing ever happened.

Little Girls, Love Dresses

Okay, happiness wasn't her first emotion when she saw the dress I made her this morning. I woke up Rosie for school this morning bright and early and I whispered that I had a surprise for her. She instinctly thought it was something fun to eat for breakfast, so she was rightly disappointed when I told her "no we are only having cereal for breakfast". I got less of a reaction when I told her I finished her dress last night while she was in blissful sleep. Her first thought was "So, it is just a dress and my sister got a skirt first." I promptly reminded her who swiped the ruffled purse mom made as my first project. Again "SO" was her only response. In comes dad to the rescue.

After school, playing at the park, religion class, and supper I asked her to try the dress on. She grabbed the dress on the hanger and trudged up the stairs reluctantly. I shouted up to her "Isn't awesome I made it in your favorite color orange?" To which I got the response "Mom, my favorite color is pink now. Orange is third after pink AND purple." Oops.... I did not get the memo. When Rosie had the dress on and was walking to our room to find me, Dad got a glimpse first and told her that she looked beautiful. And that was that. This was her attitude after hearing those words.....

Literally I had to calm her down just to get the first shot of her sitting still. Daddy's glowing endorsement was all the dress needed. Never mind that mommy says she looks gorgeous. She is definitely Daddy's little girl and our girl likes dresses.

DISCLAIMER: I know it still is not hemmed yet, those of you who will notice the imperfections only remember that I got my first sewing machine only 35 days ago and this is my 3rd sewing project to date. LOL

Chicken and Spinach Stuffed Shells

Okay it isn't weight watchers, but as soon as I saw the picture of these stuffed shells I HAD to have them. Here is a recipe

Chicken and Spinach Stuffed Shells
1 (12-ounce) box uncooked jumbo pasta shells (if all of yours survive the boil this is enough, to be safe you may want 1 1/2 boxes)
2 cups chopped cooked chicken
2 cups fresh chopped spinach
1 onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 (15oz) container ricotta cheese
2 (8oz) packages cream cheese, softened (I think you could get away with one package)
1 (5oz) package shredded Parmesan cheese (about 1 2/3 cups)
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1 Tablespoon dried parsley flakes
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
1 (26oz) jar prepared spaghetti sauce (this was just enough. If you like it saucier use more)

1. Cook shells according to package directions. Be careful not to overcook them or they will tear easily when trying to fill them. Drain and set aside.

2. Preheat oven to 350°. Lightly grease two 9x13 baking dishes.

3. In a large bowl, combine chicken and all the rest of the ingredients except mozzarella and spaghetti sauce. Stir in 1 cup mozzarella. Spoon into shells. *Tip: For easier filling, fill a gallon ziplock baggie with the filling and snip a quarter size hole off the corner of the bag. Then you can just pipe the filling into the shells.

4. Spread half of spaghetti sauce into prepared baking dishes. Arrange shells over sauce; top with remaining sauce. Cover tightly with heavy-duty aluminum foil. If you are freezing one of the 9x13 prepared pans, freeze it after this step. Include a baggy of the remaining mozzarella for when you cook it.

5. Bake, covered, for 40 minutes. Uncover, sprinkle with remaining 1 cup mozzarella. Bake for 5 to 10 more minutes.

Makes 8-10 servings.
Source: taken from http://www.the-girl-who-ate-everything.com/; original recipe by Paula Deen

Only until now as I was posting the recipe did I see that the original recipe is from Paula Deen. So it definitely has flavor and it was so easy to put together three pans in a short amount of time. This isn't on my diet plan but it is a treat and can really come in handy as a go to dish for a friend or neighbor. Thought I would share!! I tweaked the recipe of course ( my husband would frown upon this since he usually follows things to the letter) and substituted cottage cheese for ricotta and used fat free cream cheese. Makes my mouth water!!!