chat

I just feel like chit chattin' for a second. Is that okay?

I made this soup for dinner the other night. It was really, really good. It was almost like a dip, but it was still delicious!! Kyle especially loved it.. he had 2 bowls the first night!! Next time I think I will add in some black beans or some other filler like corn. I didn't use as much water as it called for. And I also didn't make the Pico de Gallo.

The girls and one guy @ The Sisterhood of Shrinking Jeans are giving away SEVEN copies of Jillian Michaels' DVD, 30 Day Shred! Go here to enter for yourself!

My face has looked like one of a 15yr olds these past few months. I really don't know what is going on. It's super frustrating though. I have tried Acne Free and even ProActiv and still am broken out. I need to make an appt. with a dermatologist, but I'm still unsure of how to do that. You know 'cause we're military and I'm just the spouse. I need to figure it out and maybe can get prescribed something to help! *sigh*

I am still working out! I feel really good about myself. I've been going 5 days a week and yet have gained 2lbs. If I gain another pound, I think I'll cry. Actually, I know I will.

Leah is now 13 months old and she is still nursing. When I took her in for her 1yr check-up. Her pediatrician told me I deserved an award for breastfeeding her this long. He even told me "you rock!" haha. It was great. We are down to 2 feedings a day, so I know it won't be too much longer until it's over.

We have found a really great church. We have been church-hoppin' for quite some time now. I had an issue with them 2yrs ago (it was about their nursery and not anything to do with their beliefs or doctrines).. and I am now ok. The 1st Sunday we went there, I told the nursery workers about what happened with Kyle and I think they understand. I still make a note when I sign her in, just in case. This is the first church that Kyle really enjoys. He doesn't cry at all when we drop him off, so that's a good sign, right? :)

Speaking of Kyle, he's going to be turning three next month (or this month, depending on when you are reading this). I am not prepared whatsoever!!! I always tell him that he's my baby and he says to me "No, Mommy, me Kyle!" hahahaha. What a goofball!

Okay, it's bed time for me now!! Goodnight ya'll!!

what a funny boy

Kyle talks a lot now. A whole lot. He talks in sentences. He even surprises me when he uses words like awesome, comfortable, amazing, and so on. ((Isn't it amazing how fast little children can pick things up!?)) Last week, he learned the word special. I'm sure Kyle is tired of me saying "Baby, say...", just 'cause I think it's cute. He is definitely at that age where the things he says are just cute and funny! I've always looked forward to this point!


Last Tuesday, I told Kyle that I had a haircut appointment, his immediate response was - "you gonna get a lollipop, Mommy?". LOL. We took Kyle to get his haircut at the barber shop once, and afterwards he got a sucker. Wouldn't it be great if we got one afterwards, too?? ;)


When I came out of the salon and got in the car (Brandon and the kids were waiting for me), Kyle says "Mommy! I like your haircut". Aww, he melted my heart! I don't think my hair looks that much different. I just got about an inch and a half, maybe two inches, taken off and added lots and lots of layers. But, he definitely made me feel good! =)

Do you Redbox?

I do! Confused? These little red machines are slowly starting to pop up around here. Every Monday, Redbox gives out a code for a free rental.

Here are a few codes that will give you a free movie.

~REDBOX (this will only work if it is used as your first order)

~BREAKROOM

~DVDONME

Every Monday, I just go online and google redbox code. There are a ton of sites that will have the code for you. If you sign up online, Redbox will email you the code to your cell. But, I don't want to use up my minutes doing it that way. You have to use your credit or debit card, but you won't be charged. There will be a $1 hold on your account, but after you return the movie it goes away. You have to return the movie, the next day by 9pm, or you will be charged a $1 and then another $1 each day. After 25 days, or $25, the movie is yours to keep. Who can turn down a free movie? I can't! ;)

Don't forget to hit the "rent with a promo code" button on the lower left hand side before you begin!! ;-)

Potato Soup

My husband loves Outback's Potato Soup, so awhile back ago I went on a hunt to find a potato soup that he would enjoy. We love, love, love this soup. It is very tasty and a whole lot cheaper! ;)

Ingredients
8 potatoes
4 cans of chicken broth
1 small onion, diced
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon fresh coarse ground black pepper
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 cups cold water
1 1/2 cups heavy cream
1 cup butter, or 2 sticks
1 1/2 cups colby-monterey jack cheese
1/4 cup bacon bits
1/4 green onion

DIRECTIONS.
Potatoes,diced and boiled; save till the end.
In pot, add broth, onions, salt, pepper, and water simmer 20 minutes.
In small pot, melt 2 sticks butter and 3/4 cup flour together and add to broth slowly.

Add approximately 1 1/2 cups of heavy cream slowly to thicken.
Simmer 20 mins, add potatoes and serve.
Garnish with Colby-Monterey Jack cheese, bacon bits, and green onions. Enjoy!!

Thank you, thank YOU

My hubby got the job!!!!!

I can't thank you enough for praying for him and his work issues. My hubby used to work on the F-16's, but in his career field he can also work on the CV-22 (what he has been doing for almost 2yrs now) and he can also work on F-22's and UAV's (which he has never touched before). He really wants to go back to working on the 16's, but that won't be happening for at least another 2yrs, if not more. All that to say, this spot as Security Manager was a way to get out of working on the CV-22. He is very excited and probably a little nervous as he has no idea what to expect. He has been working out on the flight line every single day for the past 7 years that he has been in the Air Force. And now he's doing an office job. So you can imagine what a change this is going to be! If you could remember to say a little prayer for him, that would be great. I know I seem to be asking you guys for lots of prayers recently, but God still answers prayers! Anyways, he starts tomorrow!! And, the best part is that he's on day shift (7am-3/4pm)!!! No more workin' nights! Yeah!

Keepin' it real - part 2

I caught a nasty cold on Thursday and today the cold is 100% gone. But, now Kyle and Leah seem to be a little sick. *sigh*

Remember when I said my husband had his test date pushed up because he was going TDY (a business trip) to another country? Well, he applied for an office job as a security manager and he might be getting it.. sooooooooo, they took him off of the TDY. He really wants to switch, so if you all could say a prayer, we'd appreciate it a lot! If he doesn't get the spot, he's going to be bummed. Not only because he doesn't get to leave the CV-22, but also because he lost the opportunity to go a military paid vacation, haha. Okay, so it's not always a vacation, but we do get paid extra!

Whenever Leah wakes from her nap, I am heading to the gym! I will step on the scale and check my weight. It will be the first time I have checked in over 2wks. Last time it said I gained 2lbs. You can see why it's been that long! ;)

I've got nothing else for ya! How about another 'keepin it real' post? I should make that a weekly meme or something, haha!

Man, oh-man, oh-man! I am quite embarrased to show these pictures, but I like to keep things real around here. haha. Here's a before and after picture of my sink. No matter how much I scrubbed those sinks, there was still a nasty yellow stain on the bottom. I thought I was doomed and it was permanent. I didn't think to use bleach! duh! So, I put a little bleach in the sink, let it sit, and wow, don't I feel dumb!! =)

Grilling Goodness #21

1. What do you do when you get mad? Depends on who I'm mad at, I guess! But, usually I just vent to my husband or my sister!

2. Do you wash your hair everyday? Oh, yes! Hardly ever miss a day! I guess it's a good thing that my husband doesn't go in to work until 230pm. I get to shower for as long as I like.. and alone!=)

3. How often do you speak to your parents? My Mom lives in Japan, so with the time difference's it's not as often as I like. Definitely a few times a month though. I don't talk to my Dad, ever. But, that's a whole 'nother post!

4. Your nails - painted or nude? Toe-nails are always painted. Can't stand them naked. My fingernails are painted right now, but not always.

5. What pair of shoes do you wear most often? My pink and grey flats, I think. Or my black flippy-flops!

6. If you could do anything you wanted to do this weekend, what would it be? Lay out @ the beach. But it's not nearly hot enough to do that just yet.

7. What's the best cough medicine you know of? I don't know. Not a medicine taker! And I don't give my kids cough medicine. Only Tylenol or Motrin if NEEDED.

8. How do you feel about 'springing forward'?? Still not used to Daylight Savings Time. I know I've been living in the US for 3yrs now, but we didn't have to do this in Japan!

Thank you Tina for hosting Grilling Goodness each Friday!!

a bittersweet time

Now that Leah has turned a year old, I decided to try to start weaning her.

I have loved (almost) every minute of breastfeeding. I only BF Kyle for 2 months, so to go this long with Leah feels great. It doesn't bother me too much to go longer than a year, but I most likely wouldn't go longer than 18 months. My husband, on the other hand, wants me to finish pretty much now.

I decided I would start after she turned a year old. She's one now and we're down to 2-3 feedings a day. We started a week ago and she has been fine with just those 2 feedings. I know I will miss nursing her when we are done.. probably a lot more because I know she is our last baby! :(

A good thing about weaning her, is that she is a lot less dependent on me to go to sleep. I have probably only ever rocked her to sleep (before now) a handful of times. Last night, she let me rock her for awhile without fussing and lay her down. She went right to sleep! I was very, very shocked. She's ALWAYS had to nurse, fall asleep while eating, and then I would lay her down. Then, this afternoon, I sensed she was tired so I started rocking her. Within 5 mins, she was out! Just looking at her sleeping peacefully in my arms made me want to cry!!

*sigh* Why, oh, why do they have to grow up so stinkin' fast!?

Things I Love Thursday - Creamer

I'm not your average drink a cup or two of coffee in the morning gal. I do like coffee though. And the only way I will drink it is with Coffee-mate's Hazelnut creamer. It's my fave!! Recently, Mr. Creamer has been used a lot! We have been trying hard to not eat out as much.. and one of the things I have tried to stop buying is Hazelnut Iced Coffee's from McDonald's. So, I have been drinking my coffee with ice, LOL. Definitely doesn't come close to McDonald's, but it gets rid of the craving! Thanks to my sister, Marie, for introducing me to Coffee-mate's Hazelnut creamer a long time ago!!

Go visit thediaperdiaries to see what other people are lovin'!

Wordless Wednesday (almost) - Shark

Don't know exactly what you should be lookin' at??? How about this one? ...

The "perks" of living in Florida.. seeing a SHARK on a truck while driving home from the gym! This truck/shark caused a lot of traffic, but no wrecks that I know of! :p

To see other Wordless Wednesday posts, go to 5minutesformom!!