Eat In...It's Easy!

Yep, just try it. Cook dinner at home for a FULL week. Including weekends!!! I've always loved to cook, and cook most meals for most nights of the week. We only eat out 3-4 times a month and that includes any type of eating out...fast food, carry-out, or dine-in. So here's how we do it. First I have an subscription to an awesome cooking magazine so I'm never short for recipes. Then, I make a menu for two weeks (I only grocery shop every other week). After the menu is made, I make the grocery list. Simple as that. So I encourage you to do the same. Not only is it a great way to save, it the best time to spend with your family. If you are a little lost for where to start here's my menu for the week. If you are interested in a particular recipe just leave a comment and I'll post the recipe for you. Good Luck and Happy Cooking!

Monday-Bacon Chicken Cresent Ring with Salad
Tuesday-Bowtie Chicken Pasta* and Cresents
Wednesday-Chicken Salad Sandwiches with Peas
Thursday-Keilbasa, Spinach, Potato Skillet Dinner
Friday-Mini Meatloaf with Mashed Potatoes and Corn
Saturday-Sloppy Joe Hashbrowns with Green Beans
Sunday-Monterey Chicken with Sweet Potatoes

*absolute family favorite

If you are going to try and cook all week at home, leave a comment! I'd like to know what you are having at your place!

Getting BIG

Okay, so Addie's not big. In fact she's little. Recently we went to her 9 month check up. Every time we go to the doc I think, "This will be the time she hits the 15 lb mark." Well, she still hasn't hit it. She's a whopping 14 lbs 12 oz. 5th percentile for the weight, and 75th for the height...long and lean (not a fan of the skinny word).

Even though Little Miss is tiny, she's doing BIG things. I still think of her as so little, so I'm always amazed at the stuff she does. We were at the pool the other day and she can touch the bottom. She walked all over that baby pool and jumped up and down forever. Laughing the whole time. She loves being in the water and around other kids. I think she's running away from Mason in the pic below. He was trying to dump some water on her head because she looked hot. Such a great big bro. She managed to escape, and then decided it was time for a snack. The Cheerios were calling her name..."AAAAADDDDIIIIIIEEEE..."

Mason got this car when he was one. He still plays with it. Loves it in fact. Every morning when we have playtime outside he always says, "Mama, I want tricycle y four-wheeler y car." (he's really trying to say 'and', but it sounds Spanish so I'll just say my kid's biligual). Anyway, back to my original story, my mom was over and put Addie in it. Mason turned to see Grammy pushing her down the street and I thought Mase was going to freak out that sister was in his mode of transportation. He didn't. Instead he started clapping and smiled the most precious smile. Ran over to her and gave her a big kiss, and told her she was a little guy doing big guy things (from the book Hey! Wake Up by Sandra Boyton). I'm always so surprised by his love for her. He gets excited when she does something new, and tells her she looks pretty. I wonder how long that's going to last?

Reflections

I was walking through Wal-mart when -GASP- I spotted the school supplies. Now to most, school supplies are exciting, but to teachers it's a sign of the stress to come. I have to admit it got me. My heart started palpitating and a little sweat beads were forming on my temples. I took a deep breath, turned down the aisle, and contemplated how many school supply sets I should buy to start the school year. About twenty -five kids per class. Two classes. At least five kids who wouldn't have all their supplies per class. Then it hit me. School supplies don't apply to me anymore. I lit out from that aisle with such relief.

When I got home I spent a lot of time thinking about all the kids I have served over the seven years that I taught fourth grade. The fun projects, life changes that I witnessed, families I became apart of...it goes on and on.

I wasn't quite sure how I would handle 'going back to school' when I wouldn't be the one going back to school. Honestly, I'm at such peace. My life is abundantly overflowing. I have two wonderful children that God has blessed me with, and I have the opportunity to be apart of every second of their day. I get to witness and kiss every boo-boo. I get to celebrate in every accomplishment. I get to be Mama all day. Not Mrs. Torres, but Mama.

I will return to teaching someday, but now I will relish in my own children. There is a season for everything. The season to plant the seed in my own children is now. Other children will have to wait until next season.

Happy Birthday Papi!

Celebrating 51 years...

Papi with his two favorite babies...

...and his favorite Little Man...

(before the fountains)

(and after the fountains)

For Our Out-of-Town Family

To see all of our family pictures and order if you want to you can go to...

imagovitaphotography.com
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You'll love them all. Especially the ones of Lincoln. My chunky monkey nephew is cute!

Family Pictures

We recently had our pics done by Shannon Phillips (imagovitaphotography.net). So on one of the hottest stinkin' days in June, Rene, Lindsay, Lincoln and our family bared the heat to capture some shots. She did an amazing job, and we are very happy with every picture. Sure will make it hard to choose!

A Different Cousin to Play With!

It was a sad day when my brother transferred to KC. We were all so used to seeing my niece, Jasmine at least 3-4 times a month. She used to stay the night with us frequently, and I miss those times with her. Steven, Mason, and I hadn't seen her in a year and Addie had never met her only girl cousin so we were very excited that she was coming to stay for a month! We have done a lot of fun stuff with J, including a visit to Grove to visit my dad and his wife. I forgot the camera so I'm awaiting pics from my dad so I can post some from the lake (yep Dad, go to Wal-mart and put those pics on a disk!).

The first night she was here my mom cooked dinner and the kids played. Mase and J quickly found the sand pile out back. Hot summer evening + sand + sweaty kids=sand in every crevice...

So naturally we stripped them down and let them run through the sprinklers.

Note: Mase's undies are rolled at the top. Poor kid is skinny. Once those things got wet, they were sagging to his knees so we rolled them up at least 4x's.
Now for a little on Addison. She has been introduced to Cheerios. There goes the diet. Lil' Miss Independent is all about feeding herself and wants her own plate!