Quick Steak Tacos

I get pretty sick of sandwiches everyday for lunch so today I decided some steak tacos would be great!  Very fast and easy.  I slice up the meat, really any kind will do, I usually buy whatever is on sale, place it in bowl, add some Worcestershire sauce, and let it sit while I cut my veggies up.   I use a variety of veggies (jalapenos, bell peppers, and onions).  Next I heat up some canola oil in a large frying pan and add my meat.  Season it all with garlic powder, salt, and pepper and when the meat is almost ready, I add my veggies, more seasoning if needed, and a fresh squeeze of lime juice.  My kids love their tacos soft, so I warm corn tortillas and serve.  There are hardly ever any left overs!  Enjoy!

Regrowing Romaine Lettuce

If your family eats romaine lettuce as much as we do, try this.  Next time you cut your lettuce, keep the root.  Put it in a glass of water near a sunny window and watch it regrow.  Once they're big enough transplant them into soil and have the kids help. These are about two weeks old now.  I'm giving them another week before I move them to soil.  Great way to save some money and get your kids involved in growing your own food!

Hey there!

It's been so long since I last posted anything.  Life, as usual, takes over.  My children are growing up so fast I can't keep up.  My home is still messy, not sure if it will ever be as clean and put together as I would like, but still working on it anyway.  My husband and I both decided to return to college.  Something we put off for so many years.  Our oldest daughter, Alicia, now 17 years old, is starting her senior year of high school.  I am most certainly not ready to let her go, but what else can I do.  She is very smart and independent.  I know that she will make good choices out there and can't wait to see what she does with the rest of her life.  My second oldest, Aleyna (Lani), has flourished, she is bright, smart, incredibly outgoing, and still has an infectious laugh that can be heard across any crowded room.  She will be a freshman in high school this year.  This makes me lose sleep.  Aleyna is absolutely beautiful.  This means that boys will be a common subject in our conversations.  She loves so easily and sincerely.  I fear that she will experience many broken hearts because she forgives so quickly (forgiveness is a good thing).  I'll be here for her.  My two little ones, Abby and Ari, are precious.  They belong to the "Big Hugs and Kisses Club"!  I am enjoying this time with them, I know it won't last forever so I soak up every sweet moment I can with them.  Oh, my children are indeed growing up and it is ripping my heart to shreds.  I will need to be my strongest this year!

How to manage it all?

How do you manage it all?  Do you ever?  Really?  I mean really?!  I haven't been able to master this art yet.  However, I know that there are some SUPERMOMS out there that do.  We are a six person family, I have so much laundry to do on a daily basis, it seems never ending.  I recently made (what a pin on Pinterest said) would possibly last a year's worth of laundry detergent.  It was gone in two months.  This is BANANAS!  Does anyone else feel like their laundry is never ending.  I wish I had one of those beautiful laundry rooms you see on Pinterest.  They're so clean and CALM looking.  They  make you want to do laundry.  I sometimes look at those and imagine myself folding laundry while I dance back and forth, while humming a happy song to my self, and then the children come in and say, mommy is my sweater clean, and my response is "Yes, my darling child, it is actually neatly folded in your dresser."  Folded and put away, wouldn't that be nice.  Instead, there is a mountain.  Mt. Laundry Pile, located east of the downstairs bathroom, just off of the family room, where the entire world can see it.  Oh, how I wish my laundry would just put itself away, like on Mary Poppins.  I wish I loved to do laundry.  Maybe then, it would get done.  Note to self, "Time to fold the laundry".

Homemade Sign Project

Well the girls and I started our sign project and it is going really well.   We were not able to make it to the farmers market or the craft fair this past weekend.  We didn't have enough product to sell, so we are now preparing for the next farmers market which is July 27th.  The signs we made came out great and as predicted all of my girls enjoyed making them.  It's hard not to want to keep all of them!  We are also hoping to make some baked goods to sell at the farmers market and will be searching for and attempting some delicious recipes in the next few days.

First Summer Project

Being a one income family can be challenging.  We have a budget and need to follow it.  I've decided to take on a project to help create some extra income for us.  We have tons of pallet wood on the side of our home and the plan is to make homemade signs for the upcoming holidays and for everyday use.  Today I purchased some stencils, paint, and paint brushes.  I hope to have more than a few completed by Saturday since it will mark the first farmers market I will showcase them at.  Sunday we will have a set-up at a local arts and crafts fair.  I will have the girls help out with this project.  I think it will be fun.  We spent some of our afternoon coming up with different sayings and words for the signs.  Tomorrow we will start cutting and sanding down some pieces.  I've always wanted to do this, now is a great time!

Coming along...

Over the past few years,or for as long as I can remember, my biggest meltdown trigger has been a chaotic home life.  Messy house, messy life. Well, I have been at home for a few months now and have slowly been working towards an organized, very non-chaotic home life.  Thanks to my sister-in-law and her handy dandy organizational skills, things are coming along. Together we have decreased the overflow of toys, clothes, and anything else you can imagine.  Being a family of 6 has it's downside when it comes to clutter.  She has taught me that I need to force myself to be more organized.  We had been renting for quite some time and finally purchased a home of our own.  I want so badly for it to be a home and not a very large storage room.  Funds are tight so I will have to get creative and crafty.  Luckily, I have my girls at home for the summer and will utilize their help as often as I can.  We have plenty of projects to keep us busy this summer.  I will post pics as often as I can and welcome any tips or positive comments.

I forgot how much I loved you (me)...

When you become a mom, you tend to forget about someone that is so important that if they disappeared you're life, it would end.  I'm talking about you.  Sometimes I get so busy I forget to take a little bit of time to check on myself.  How am I feeling?  Do I need a little bit of alone time?  Do I need a moment to reflect on my day and appreciate the little things that made me smile?  Yes,  we all do.  Take a little time, even if it's only 5 minutes and pat yourself on the back.  You did a great job today!  You fixed a boo-boo, you settled a quarrel between siblings, you made your husband feel good about what he does for your family, and most of all, you worked hard for your family today.  Whether you are a stay at home mom or you work a 9 to 5 job daily, you work hard everyday.  Sometimes (most of the time) with out a day off.  Don't forget to love yourself everyday!  You deserve it!

Win or lose? I choose to win.

Win or lose?  I could choose to lose, but I've been losing all my life.  I've felt sorry for myself, made excuses for myself, and given myself easy ways out.  I've allowed others to decide for me.  I've often started things and when they would get hard I allowed myself not to finish them.  I'd pretend that I had become bored with them and needed a new task.  I've decided that sleep was more important that waking up a little bit earlier to enjoy some reading.  I've done the same with TV watching.  What a waste of time!  I've chosen to lose so many more times than to win and wondered why my life wasn't where I wanted it to be.  And now.........I chose to win. For a few months now, my husband and I have been spending time with people that choose to win.  They read, they believe, they inspire, they grow themselves.   But mostly, they decide for themselves not to follow the masses.  In the past week, I've made an effort to read at least 15 minutes daily.  I'm not reading some romance novel, I'm reading books that stretch me.  They make me understand that I can be better.  I feel better and think better.  I've always been a positive person, but we all know that life and work can sometimes bring you down.  I'm not letting that happen anymore.  I will be the mother I have always wanted to be.  I will be the wife I have always wanted to be. I will be present in my daughters' lives.  I will love my husband deeply.  I will be happy.  I will pray.  I will uplift others.  I will be happy for others.  I will serve others first.  I will find my strengths and use them to help others.  I will discover my weaknesses and improve them.  I CHOOSE TO WIN!  How about you?

Are you a dream stealer?

Are you a dream stealer?  Do you often find that when someone is telling you about their future goals or dreams you are quick to bring them back down to earth with your impressive skills of telling the future?  Maybe it's because you think you're offering good advice or maybe you just don't know any better.  Never the less, when someone has a dream, you should support them 100%.  If they fail, they will learn from it, but you have no right to tell them they can't accomplish something they have poured their heart and soul into.  Be the person that tells them to keep going, never give up, victory is within your grasp, go for it!  They'll thank you for always being there for them and believing that they could do anything!  DREAM BIG for yourself and for others!

Back to work...

I recently returned to my old job.  I was very lucky to be looking for a job at the same time that my most recent employer was looking to hire.  It's nice being back.  I have some of my old friends there and have made some new ones.  Still, I miss being home with my girls, especially Ariana.  She is so tiny and sometimes I feel like she doesn't really know me or need me.  I guess it just means I have to work even harder to make sure she doesn't forget me.  I didn't realize just how hard it is to have 4 children and a full time job.  I barely have time to breath.  I always feel like I'm trying to catch up.  There's laundry, dishes, cleaning, cooking, and most importantly loving my family.  That's not a chore of course but I really need to get myself organized so that everything gets done with little drama.  To add to that, I really need to get to losing weight.  I am at my heaviest non-pregnancy weight and can feel it in my knees, ankles, and feet.  I hurt all over.  I joined a gym with the best intentions of working out during my lunch hour, but work gets so busy, sometimes I can't even get a way to use the bathroom.  So what's my plan...well here goes nothing;

Wake up early (5am)
Put in a load of laundry
Work out (P90X it baby!)
Put laundry in dryer
Eat breakfast
Shower
Make bed
Groom/Get dressed
Fold laundry
Take out trash
Work, work, work!
Get home, put in another load of laundry
Start dinner
Put laundry in dryer
Dinner time!
Load dishwasher (the rest of the family-15 clean sweep of house)
30 minute family walk
Bath time for everyone!
Fold laundry
Morning prep (set out clothes for next day, make lunches, etc.)
Bed time Zzz!

I will try this for one week, faithfully!  Good night world, tomorrow is a new day!

What's new?

Well 2010 was certainly an emotional year for our family. We had many happy moments. But it seems as though these happy moments were often met by a challenging one. My pregnancy was quite hard on my body. I guess it's true that a pregnancy at 32 years of age is certainly not the same as the one you had when you were twenty. Especially, when all four of your pregnancies were c-sections. I felt the difference and it hurt. I had difficult and overwhelming moments in close relationships (love, family, and friendship). And then my husband was laid off of work. All the difficult and overwhelming moments were now accompanied by fear and worry. But then God finds a way to make it all a little better. We had our little darling! And she makes it all feel better. Every time I hold one of my little girls I breathe in their laughter and love and I feel so much better. Yes, 2010 was not our greatest year, but we will learn from it and move forward. We will surround ourselves with happiness, love, and laughter. All will be good!

Happy at home!

Hello Everyone! I realize that it has been a while, but I have been very busy. I had my baby girl! She was born a few days before Christmas. Ariana Noelle, 6lbs 8 oz, 19 inches long, and covered hair. She is beautiful and healthy! She takes my breath away. She has joined her sisters in becoming one of Daddy's Little Girls and Mommy's Little Sweeties! My husband and I are so blessed to have such a beautiful family. Thank you to everyone for all of your support and love! Thank you God for helping us complete our little family and making sure that our little baby was healthy!

A slap in the face-hurts.

How do you tell someone you love that they hurt you so much you want to scream? Now, how do you do this knowing full well that this person is going to be very angry and tell you that you are wrong for focusing on something so petty during a time when we should be focused on more important issues at hand? Are you supposed to turn the other way and ignore your instincts or intuition because it's a rough time? A few days ago I wrote about my BFF making a new friend. Well, this friendship has been growing for almost two years now. I have expressed my concerns and recently they have been met with anger and frustration. Times are tough, no lie, but I can't ignore what I see right in front of me. Today, I felt a slap in the face once again. My BFF got bad news and called me to let me know. I was worried, very worried-and scared. I was sad for them and wanted to comfort them as much as I could. Then later that evening my BFF got some good news (while I was in their presence). I felt happy for them and relieved. But then my BFF did something that made me think and take a deep breath. They called their new friend, at first to ask a question, but of course to let them know the good news. I feel like I only know about things that are happening because my BFF is obligated to tell me and not because they actually value my opinion or feelings. I feel useless, un-needed, un-wanted. What would really happen if I just stopped talking? Would they even notice? What if I stopped caring and loving so much? Would it hurt less? That's not me. I have a big heart. I can't stop loving someone who means so much to me, but still I wonder, would we be happier? Well, I've been trying this remedy for a few weeks now and my BFF seems happier. "Shut-up and take it I suppose!" If it all falls apart, I can't say I didn't try. I did, I tried hard. I tried talking, crying, and now I feel like giving up. Now, I'm tired and just want to be left to my thoughts. My deep, sad, and lonely thoughts. I think I need to do some major soul-searching and figure out what I really need out of this friendship and if it's too late.

Are meltdowns healthy?

Every now and then we all have a "meltdown". Some of us cry, others yell, some resort to violence, and me-well I guess I just shut down (after having myself a good cry of course). The good news is that I usually have a moment of clarity after I shut down. I sit and think about what caused my meltdown and what I could have done to avoid it or at least lessen the blow. I often find that maybe I overreacted or read into a situation more than I should have. Either way, there comes a time when we all have to take a step back and admit we were wrong. Yesterday, I had a meltdown. I didn't include anyone in on this little escapade, but I still felt awful afterward. I realized that a friendship is only as strong as the people involved in it. My BFF may have made a new friend, but that doesn't mean that they care less for our friendship. My insecurity came because I wasn't feeling all that great about myself. So I guess meltdowns are healthy (passive meltdowns, of course).

Are you still my friend? Check Yes or No.

Have you ever felt as though you and a close friend suddenly lost touch? Maybe you both just got really busy, or maybe you got mad at each other. Either way, it's tough, especially when this person meant so much to you. Have you ever felt jealous of a new friendship that your BFF made? I'll be the first to say, I HAVE. Unfortunately, my first grade scenario is happening now. I'm a grown woman and incredibly jealous of a relationship, "friendship", that someone close to me has been trying to pass off as nothing more than a professional working relationship. How can you really tell? I mean, if your BFF were always talking about this person, always bringing up something funny they said, taking strong advice regarding career changes from them and ignoring yours, constantly calling them to chat about the latest office gossip, sharing music, going to lunch, and even worse not including you in on any of it or making you their second call on the list, how would you feel? I'm jealous, really. Any advice?

HAIRY Situation!

I have had the worst hair year ever. I decided to get my hair cut short the day before New Years Eve and quickly realized that maybe I had made a mistake. When that hairstyle grew out I had no choice but to go shorter. I had my hair cut into a bob (shorter in the back and a bit longer in the front). When this grew out my naturally curly hair just hung there. It looked awful, so naturally I had to get it cut again. I asked my stylist to add layers to my already incredibly short cut. It helped but I can't wait for it to grow out so that I can wear my soft, sexy, curls again. My recent awkward hair styles do not help my confidence since I'm already feeling less than beautiful due to weight gain, unflattering hormonal acne, and unpredictable facial skin conditions (some days it's dry and some days it's oily) brought on by my bun in the oven. I should have listened to my husband. He hates it when I go short!

Great news!

Well the working out worked out for a while but now I need to change my routine. I am very pregnant! I just found out on Sunday evening. I'm sure I'm only a few weeks along but still I am happy. NERVOUS, but still happy. This will be baby number 4 for my husband and I. I am blessed to have such a wonderful family. Thank you to everyone.

Let's get this started!

My husband and I have decided it is time for us to lose weight and shape up. We are starting P90X tomorrow morning. I'm motivated! I know that this is going to be hard. I've tried it before and gave up the second week into the program. But this time, I'm ready. I want to feel healthy. I want to have the energy to play with my kids. I don't want to feel tired and sick all the time. I want to feel confident again. I want to feel sexy again. I want this and I am ready! So is Andy. We are going to be each other's support system. I won't let him give up and he won't let me give up. It's time to start taking care of our health. Tonight we dine on McDonald's cheeseburgers and fries and tomorrow we start eating healthy, nutritious, and delicious homemade meals. I'm so excited and so ready!

Victorious!

I held my first open house today. I had never held one on my own. I was so nervous last night I almost threw up. This morning I decided that I needed to be brave and jump in feet first. It went really well. I believe I can be great at this. I love people and talking to people and I especially love to help people! So I really believe that I can and will be great at this! Today was my very own personal victory! Yeah me!!!