Starring Lincoln as Alicia Keys

We like us a good Alicia Keys song every once in awhile. The song "No One" is one of our favorites of hers and it just so happens to be my ring tone for when Billy calls. This is what we heard Lincoln singing the other day:)


Don't forget to pause my playlist before playing the video. And you will need to turn it up. AND if you don't know the song, find it on my playlist at the bottom of my blog and listen to it so you know how good Lincs was:)

"Not Me!" Monday

I did NOT feed my children instant oatmeal for dinner one night this week, because I was rushed to get to Bunco and it was fast and easy. Nope, not me. What kind of mother would do that anyway?!

And I absolutely did NOT let my 1 1/2 year old son eat marshmallows out of the bag that he brought to me from the cupboard BEFORE he had breakfast...several days this week. That would be so not nutritious. I would NEVER do THAT!

I, also, did not have to hold my tongue when an older gentlemen behind me in line muttered (so I could hear) to his wife that some people should just take "no" for an answer and "doesn't she know what "no" means" and various other comments about me when the Walgreens cashier told me she could only take 1 of my coupons and I knew she could take more and she had to call the manager up (I ended up being right, but that's beside the point.) And I did not turn around and look at him, waiting for him to look at me while he purposely did not look at me (because he realized that I had heard him, which quite possibly could have been his intent all along, but oh well).

Phew. Did that make any sense?? (btw, in retrospect I should have turned and thanked him in the kindest way for being so patient with me and my couponing ways. Lesson learned. He probably just needed a little of Jesus' grace and joy and I totally messed up my opportunity to be the one to show it to him:(...)

I know there a few other things that I did NOT do this past week, but I did NOT save this until 11:41pm on Monday night to finish, thus making my brain mush and incapable of regurgitating any useful info. Nope. Didn't do it. So there you go....

...stay tuned next Monday for more things that I would never, ever in a million years, do.:)

A Simple Woman's Daybook

For Today... December 15th, 2008

Outside my window... Snow. Beautiful snow! and sunshine!

I am thinking...about maybe starting my own frugal blog...hmmm...this one still needs more thought.

From the learning rooms...I, yes me, am learning contentment in all circumstances.

I am thankful for...the peace and contentment we can find in our Lord, knowing that He is all we need.

From the kitchen...New recipes to try, leftover breakfast.

I am wearing...my pjs still:)

I am reading...the account of Jesus birth, and still Shepherding a Child's Heart (I'm reading it w/ a friend and we're going slow and discussing it).

I am hoping...for a white Christmas! ...is that too much to ask for on the valley floor??

I am creating...some tree decorations with the kids and yummy Christmas goodies to share.

I am hearing...Will and Emma outside in the snow with their Daddy!

Around the house...coupons to cut and file, laundry to put away, and "evidence" of my 3 little blessings.

One of my favorite things...the whole-hearted giggles of my children.

A few plans for the rest of the week...meet with my friend, Rhonda, a no-kids progressive dinner with the Woods and Rios', Emma's Christmas program, and I'm sure more as my week progresses.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...

Our apartment complex last night:)

Join us over here for more sharing!

This was my Thursday

They say a picture speaks a thousand words...

btw, after eating his own lunch, he decided to eat Emma's as well.
And, no, I never did change him out of his pjs...it was just one of those days.

For Today...

Join in the Monday sharing over at Peggy's Simple Woman...

FOR TODAY ... December 8, 2008

Outside my window...cold and clouds, but the sun is trying to peak through!

I am thinking...that I need to get off this computer and get my chores done:)

I am thankful for...friends that are always there when you need them!

From the learning rooms...in a home with kids, every rooms a learning room (even if you don't homeschool). Will and Emma learning to work as teammates instead of competing.

From the kitchen...dishes, recipes, clutter.

I am wearing...blue lounge pants, grey t-shirt, and socks.

I am creating...my couponing strategy for this week & some homemade Christmas decorations the kids can make (any ideas? I'm all ears...)

I am going...to start complimenting my husband every day, several times a day. (should have already been doing this one right?:))

I am reading...Shepherding a Child's Heart (very good), Brown Bear, Brown Bear (Linc's fav)

I am hoping...for God's redemption in a situation.

I am hearing...the dryer and Lincoln's "sleeping" music.

Around the house...no Christmas decorations yet:( they're all packed away at the house...

One of my favorite things...clean, tight sheets

A few plans for the rest of the week: Girl's Night Out, maybe MOPS, my couponing grocery trips, bake some cookies, sell some things on CraigsList, maybe a trip over the mountain...:)

Here is a picture thought I am sharing...I NEVER get tired of baby bath pictures.

just a few...

...of the reasons I love my hubby...

~ He lets me sleep in...a lot.
~ He makes the kids chocolate chip pancakes...it's kind of become his "thing".
~ He takes all 3 kids places by himself.
~ He's goofy and makes me laugh.
~ He provides for our family - right now by working 2 jobs.
~ He's a hard worker and cares about what he does.
~ He helps tuck the kid's in every night AND prays with them.
~ He'll watch a good girly movie with me.
~ He truly desires to follow Jesus.

~ He has a beautiful singing voice.

~ He's generous with what we have...money or otherwise.

~ He sometimes does the dishes and laundry...without me asking:)

~ He's a caring husband, daddy, friend, son, brother...................

~ Oh and he's hot.

...there are, of course, a million more.

Just for the record...

I do NOT like Tuna Mac & Cheese bake! BLAH!

...I did manage to hide my dislike sickness, so the kids wouldn't be influenced to not eat it...

Experimenting

Lately I've become bored with my "usual" recipes and dishes I make for dinner. So I've been doing everything I can to get a little creative. Being creative with what's in your cupboards and what's on sale is a little challenging sometimes, though. But already this week I've twice used my family as lab rats. (hmmm. Not a great visual. Let's say, guinea pigs. ..sorry for bringing that up, Amanda.) And I have to say I'm pretty happy with the results. (see my chest puffed up with pride?)

So I just thought I would share...

(BOTH were made, by the way, with the leftover Thanksgiving turkey. Double score for me!)

Dish 1:

Chicken Salsa Verde Bake (compliments of Rachel Ray's mag EveryDay)

• 2 Tbsp vegetable oil
• 2 1/4 lbs skinless, boneless chicken breasts (I used the already cooked turkey meat
• aprox. 3-3 1/2 cups)
• Two 16oz jars of salsa verde
• One 15oz can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 1 cup sour cream
• 3 cups crushed tortilla chips
• One 8oz bag shredded Mexican-style cheese

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the chicken and cook, turning once, until cooked through, 10-12 min. Let stand until cool, then shred the meat into a large bowl. Stir in the salsa, kidney beans, onion, and sour cream.
2. Grease a 9x13 baking dish, scatter 1 cup tortilla chips on the bottom and top with half of the chicken mixture and half of the cheese. Repeat the layers and cover with the remaining 1 cup tortilla chips. Bake until the cheese is bubbly, about 30 minutes.

Tips: I didn't follow this recipe directly since I used the turkey. And I just used one 24oz jar of salsa verde - the full 32oz seemed like a lot to me. AND I didn't even come close to using the full onion and it was STILL too much onion (for me anyway). and I think next time I'll saute the onion first so it's good and soft.

Verdict: YUMMY!! I will be making this again. Next time, with chicken:)

Dish 2:

Turkey Corn Chowder - (I actually kind of made this super original :) recipe up after listening to what my mom does with her yummy Potato Soup (Thanks Mom!))

(I eye-balled a lot of things, so I don't have exact measurements. Sorry!)

• 8-10 medium potatoes (peeled and cut into bite-size pieces)
• chopped onion (to taste)
• 2 cans of corn
• leftover turkey:) (to taste)
• 1 clove of pressed garlic
• salt and pepper (to taste)
• chicken bouillon (sprinkled in to taste)
• dried parsley (to taste)
• crushed red pepper (to taste)
• heavy whipping cream (added at the very end)

1. Place the potatoes, onion, all seasonings and water (make it as soupy or stewy as you like!) in a big pot.
2. Bowl until the potatoes are soft.
3. Add the turkey and simmer a little longer.
4. Add the heavy whipping cream just before serving.

Tip: It ended up VERY salty. Next time I'll probably leave the salt out and let people salt their own bowls.

Verdict: Total comfort food! Also, good for a cold or a cold winter's night:)

Bonus: Made a lot, so I get to freeze some for later! Woo hoo!

I know. I know. You're all super inspired now to try out those new recipes you've been wanting to try, right? ;) Well, my work here is done then.

I think Will needs some more camo...

You remember Where's Waldo...

Well, we were 1 pair of camo pants away from playing Where's Will. "Daddy, I'm over here."

The Early Bird

This year we celebrated Thanksgiving a day early... Billy's mom had Tuesday and Wednesday off, and because it was very important that she be here, we scheduled the "Big Meal" for Wednesday evening at my parents house. Billy's sister, Leilani and her family were able to join us too, making it the first time in a long while that we had a big gathering of family with my mom and dad! (we typically go to California for Thanksgiving)

It was a wonderful time. And, of course, ate ENTIRELY too much food! Can you say...weight gain:( Oh well, it only happens once a year, right?

And Will, Emma, and Lincoln enjoyed spending time with their cutie-pie cousins Ally and Olivia!

...actual Thanksgiving day was enjoyed with us hanging out at my parents - NOT cooking, NOT cleaning up, but eating leftovers, watching football (the guys), puzzle (the girls. I know I'm a nerd but I like putting together a good puzzle once in awhile!), and lounging...