Missed a Few

Did you know there was a Wednesday and Thursday this week?  I guess I didn't.  Actually, I did.  I just didn't have anything to say in written form.  That's a cop out.  I had plenty to say, but the weather got me.  It was way too much fun hanging outside with the kids.  I think my laptop felt a bit neglected because she was quite testy when I blew off the dust and booted her up.  She'll get over it.

Yesterday was a big day at the Casa de Torres.  It was an anniversary at our house.  Yes, some time ago in a land not so far away I convinced Steven to let me walk down an aisle in a white dress while he stood down at an altar.  We exchanged some mushy gushy vows and started our married life together.  We have been married this long...

2(5 x 2) - X = 11

X=?

You didn't think I'd just tell you how long we'd been married, did you?

Okay, so I realize basic Algebra can throw any non-Math person for a loop, so here's an easier one...

(3 x 5) - 6 = ?

Is that better???

If not, try this one...

5 + 4 = ?

Surely you know by now!  Yes, we've been married for nine wonderful years.  I'm sure glad I conned this man into marrying such a basket case... 

{Steven with his youngest son}

 He's given me many years of happiness and three precious kids.  Steven, if you're reading this, you make me happy.  I love you!

Time Savers for the Kitchen

With the days longer and light showing its face more, I really don't want to be in the kitchen.  I want to be outside playing with the kids.  In order to satisfy my desire to soak in the sun, I've paired together a few recipes that will save me (and you) time in the kitchen.

PW's Pizza Dough makes enough for two meals.  Here's a really easy way to make two separate meals from one days work...

Meal #1: Homemade Pizza and Salad
Meal #2: Baked Club Pinwheels, Veggies with Dip, and Fresh Fruit Salad

Prepping It All: 

• Make dough at least an hour before you start or a few days before.
• Prepare salad.
• Slice up veggies for pizza toppings and Meal #2 (i.e. peppers, cucumbers, celery, carrots, etc).
• Split the dough into two equal balls.  Roll them both out on a floured surface.  

Meal #1:
Prepare one rolled out crust for your pizza.  Bake.

Meal #2:
While you're waiting for your pizza to bake, you can easily prepare your next night's meal.  Take the other half of the rolled out dough and prepare the Baked Club Pinwheels according to directions, but don't bake.  Once you have the dough layered up and rolled, give the dough a good coat of olive oil to keep the dough from drying out.  Wrap entire roll in waxed paper and store in the fridge for the following evening.  Also store your cut up veggies in an air tight container.  BAM!  You have your following day's meal all ready to go.  All you have to do is heat the oven and bake.

By the time you're done preparing Meal #2 and cleaned up your mess, the pizza is ready to come out of the oven.  From start to finish this takes me only 35 minutes to prepare two meals.  They may not be the fanciest of meals, but they are good and much better than take out.  After all, take out could take 35 minutes by the time you drive there, order, get home, and plate it up.  Plus that would only be for one meal.  This way you get two!

Menu Monday

Life feels normal.  At least during the day.  We actually did quite a bit of yard work this weekend.  Moving plants and shrubs around.  Adding depth and height to what we currently had in the flower beds.  Steven did a great job digging up multiple shrubs and replanting them.  He's definitely a man who's not afraid of getting his hands dirty and working hard.  Even after moving eight plants/shrubs and planting four more shrubs for me, he raked the entire yard to rid it of the dead grass and overseeded the yard.  See what I mean?  He works hard.  I  just direct the work.  Yes, I've got it pretty good over here.

So good I think I'll cook this man some meals this week.  Here's what he'll be getting...

Monday-Poor Man's Beef Stroganoff, Crescents, Seasoned Green Beans
Tuesday-Spicy Thai Noodles, Curry Chicken, Szechuan Aspargus
Wednesday-Easy Crock Pot Tortilla Soup with Salad
Thursday-Pork Ribs, Anger Management Twice Baked Potatoes, Corn on the Cob
Friday-Dinner out with Jackie (Pizza for the Kids)
Saturday-Baked Club Pinwheels, Fresh Veggies with Dip, and Fruit Salad
Sunday-Dinner at Mom's

I'm So Thankful

Littlest Man on 6 out of 7 nights sleeps well.  I'm so thankful for those nights.  Last night was one of his wake every two hours night.  It's to be expected, but it doesn't make it any easier getting yourself out of bed to feed and rock.

After one of his feedings, I burped and rocked my precious baby, laid him down in his bed, and went to bed myself.  Thirty minutes later I hear him crying.

I was about to go back in his room when Steven got up to get him.  I was so thankful.  He knew I was tired.  He's a good help.  I couldn't ask for more.  He was willing to sacrifice his sleep even though he went to bed well after his normal bedtime and be up well before his normal wake time.  He was willing to rock and cuddle his baby boy even though he had an early morning presentation and a busy work day that would require him to be not only awake, but alert. I'm so thankful for him.  His sacrifice allowed me to function with minimal circles under my eyes.

On second thought, maybe he did this selfishly.  I bet he's tired of looking at me so ragged and tired.  I bet he misses his wife's old face.  The one that looks refreshed and non-baggy.  Yep, I bet that's it!  Regardless of his motives he's still an awesome dad!

An Epiphany

Steven and I love Layered Zucchini Parmesan. 

 

{photo via Handle the Heat}

It's super delicious and fairly healthy.  What I don't love is the prep in making it.  Not that the steps are super involved, but it ranks right up there with unloading the dishwasher.  It's TEDIOUS!  Cutting all those little discs of zucchini and then individually coating and dipping them in bread crumbs.  Then baking those little discs and flipping each one over one by one by one by one by one by one...okay you get it. 

So with all that said, I was trying to psych myself up for preparing this yummy dish the other night. I did jumping jacks.  A few laps around the island in the kitchen, and that's when it came to me.  

Why on God's green Earth do I have to cut all these little discs?  Why can't I cut the zucchini in slices lengthwise?

This moment of clarity has rocked my world and cut out a good 20 minutes of my prep time.  It was a real epiphany on my part.  I'm so thankful.  Now I can make this dish even more frequently.  I may just put in on my menu every week.

It Happened

One day last week it happened.  I got older.  I'm still in my young 30's, but with each year that passes I know I'm creeping dangerously close to the mid-30's.  YIKES!  I don't feel my age, and I hope I never do.  I hope I always have the mindset that I'm in my 20's.

I have another bloggy friend that celebrated her 32nd birthday by remembering thirty-two things she is thankful for during this time in her life.  I really liked that idea so I'm stealing it.

Here are thirty-two things I'm thankful for since I'm 32 this year...

1. My God
2. My church
3. My marriage
4. Little Man
5. Little Miss
6. Littlest Man
7. A beautiful home with each room filled
8. The ability to exercise
9. Sleep at night that lasts longer than 3 hours
10. Naps...good restful naps
11. Sleeping on my stomach or back
12. Cookies straight out of the oven
13. A sane mind (most days)
14. Humorous moments
15. My amazing friends
16. Cherry Vanilla Dr. Pepper with Sonic ice
17. Wonderful neighbors
18. My Toms
19. Ice cold water in my thermos 
20. Teaching gymnastics
21. Practical jokes
22. Yoga pants
23. Slouchy t-shirts
24. Bubble baths 
25. Long showers
26. A healthy body
27. My laptop
28. Our extended family
29. Relaxing evenings at home on the couch with Steven
30. Date nights
31. Hot baby breath on my neck
32. Another year to experience life

Some things are trivial and very indicative of having a newborn right now, but I am truly thankful for all 32 items on this list.

What are you thankful for at this moment in your life?

Newborn Pics

Recently we had Littlest Man's newborn pictures done.  We didn't do this with the first two.  We ended up doing their pics when they were around 9 months old.  However, when you have your awesomely talented friend ask if she can do your newest addition's photos, you don't turn her down.  Melinda Hunley has done our family pictures multiple times and we are never disappointed.  If you're looking for an affordable and patient photographer, you really should get in contact with her.

Here's some of her newest work.  I'd like to introduce each photo with Littlest Man's inspiration for each pose.  He's quite the natural.

Male Model pose...

Sports Illustrated Spread...

 Gush Over My Tiny Fingers pose...

 Kissable Lips look...

I'm Just Pretending to Sleep pose...

I'm Irresistible look...

 Check Out My Undies look...

 What!?!  You're Taking Away the Booby look...

The last one cracks me up.  Littlest Man LOVES to eat.  He, along with Little Man and Little Miss (when they were babies...not now), all remind me of baby birds when the boob comes out.  Mouths wide open and shaking their heads back and forth uncontrollably until they get their milk.  It's quite the site.  Not necessarily one I'd like for YOU to see, but funny nonetheless.