- happy friday -

(Image credit frenchybydesign.blogspot.com)

Enough said!

Have a stupendous weekend!

 

- in the blink of an eye -

 They grow up in the blink of an eye. It seems like just yesterday we were bringing Ellie home from the hospital. And now, in a month and a half, she will be turning two! Recently I have started to realize just how fast she is growing. Before we know it, she will be heading to kindergarten, and then grade school. She will learn to ride her first bike and get her first report card. Soon enough, she will be a teenager. She will get her first kiss, find her first boyfriend, and probably experience her first heartbreak. She will grow, she will change, and she will need us less and less. She will leave home, and head to college. Her future will be wide open, and anything will be possible for her. This will all happen so fast...in the blink of an eye. But for now, I will enjoy her. I will relish in the fact that she needs me so much still. When she asks me to sit down and play with her, I will put down whatever I am doing to spend a few minutes, if not more, with her. Because there will come a time when she doesn't ask for me anymore. There will come a time when she will be older and have so many other people to spend her time with, that she won't want to hang out on our living room floor with me, playing with her toys or reading a book...I'm trying hard not to blink.

- the web of blogs -

So I sat down to write a post last night, and realized I had no inspiration and no post ideas. Since I hadn't had any time to catch up on reading some of my favorite blogs since Thursday evening, I decided to go through my reading list, thinking I might get some inspiration from my fellow bloggers...

Three hours later, I looked up and realized what time it was! I once again had become tangled up in the crazy web of blogs out there.

I mean, do you know how many blogs there are floating around, just waiting to be found? I am usually very good at limiting the number of blogs I will sit down and read at one time, but sometimes there are those times when I find myself clicking on link after link, sponsor after sponsor, and I quickly become lost in a web of blogs. I have found some of my best blogger friends this way and so many awesome people have found me this way too. But at the same time, I eventually have to stop falling in love with all the new blogs that I discover. Because my life could quickly be consumed by following more and more blogs!

I mean, how crazy is that stat?

 

- quick recipe of the week -

Big drum roll this morning...I am featuring one of my favorite, favorite ladies! I'm not kidding, I love this girl! This amazing blogger is one of the sweetest people I have ever met (even though I guess technically we haven't officially met in person yet). I fell in love with her blog the minute I saw it! She is one talented girl, and when I reached out to her for a little bit of photography help, she showered me with so many random acts of kindness! She seriously touched my heart with her instant friendship. Needless to say, like I said, I absolutely love this girl! And her family is simply adorable! Oh, and she lives in Costa Rica...one of the "must visit" places on our list of vacation spots! It's such a beautiful country!

Without further ado, please meet Sonya, from {shutter}mama. Sonya is a beautiful mom to one of the cutest little girls ever! Sonya, her daughter, Maia and Maia's wonderful father, Jose currently live in the small country of Costa Rica. Can you please look how funny and cute their little Maia is!

(Image credit Sonya)

 Jose is in his last year of college for Graphic/Advertising Design and Sonya is on her way to becoming a Neonatologist. Their plan is to make a move to the US within the next year. Sonya told me that making food in Costa Rica is a bit different than the US because there are NO time limits...they often find themselves starting a meal at 6:00 p.m. and not really eating until about 8 pm or later! And she promises it's not because the meals (including this one) are difficult to make, but instead meal time in Costa Rica is about spending time with the family. So while making the meal, everyone gathers and talks and jokes about their day. The kitchen becomes cramped quarters where everyone is more than happy to stand and visit with one another causing the cooking process to slow down a bit! I don't know how well that would work in my itty bitty kitchen, but what great family time that would be!

Chicken Chimichangas with Guacamole
6 (12 inch) flour tortillas
4 cups shredded cooked chicken breast
1 pound Monterey jack cheese (shredded)
4 cups refried beans Butter or Oil (To Cook)
Sour Cream (optional)
1 cup Tomato

Avocado topping-
2 avocados
1 pkg. McCormick Guacamole Mix
1/2 of a lemon

Start by making your avocado topping (It's going to need to refrigerate for about 30 minutes). To make the guacamole- in a medium bowl mash together avocados and lemon juice. Stir in McCormick Mix. Now, to make the chimichangas, boil chicken at a steady boil for 30 minutes. Once done, drain and shred with fork. Heat refried beans in a saucepan over low heat until they stir easily. Heat tortillas in a large skillet or in the microwave so that they fold easily. Butter one side of the tortilla. If you choose not to use butter you can cook these in oil. Flip tortillas, butter side down on plate and spoon equal amounts of refried beans onto each tortillas followed by equal amounts of chicken, tomato, and Monterey jack cheese. Roll up the tortillas¸while tucking in the sides. Heat skillet and put in folded tortillas, turning once, until browned on both sides. Put on Medium-Low heat and cover with lid to get the cheese to melt - the longer they're in there at a lower heat the gooey-er the cheese). Place on a plate and top with guacamole mix! Serve with a side of sour cream.

(Image credit Sonya)

(Image credit Sonya)

Printable Recipe

How good does that chimichanga look? YUMMY!

Please go visit Sonya at {shutter}mama and get to know this talented, beautiful mom. You won't regret it! Everyone that reads Sonya's blog loves her and her writing, and I promise you will too!  Someday, I will get to meet this sweetheart in person and I will be so happy that I did!

- the conversation that melted my heart -

This past Sunday we spent the afternoon with some friends who have a little boy, James. He is one year older than Ellie, and Ellie loves going over to his house and playing with all of his "big boy" toys. Her current obsession with Thomas the Train is courtesy of James and all of his train sets! She gets so excited when we go over to their house.

So this past Sunday, after a long afternoon of happily playing at their house, we finally came home and put her to bed. She asked me to stay in her room with her, and although I don't want to get into the habit of having to lay down with her while she falls asleep, I obliged this time because she looked incredibly sad that I was going to leave her all alone in her room for the night. (I know there are tons of parents out there that lay down with their kids at bedtime, and there is nothing wrong with that. I just don't want Ellie to get into the habit of needing us to do that because she is so good at putting herself to sleep without any sort of crutch...oh wait, what did you say? Her pacifier is a crutch? I'm covering my ears and pretending I didn't hear that!)...I digress...back to the story.

She asked me to lay down in her tent which is right next to her crib. So I turned down the light, and crawled halfway into the tent on the floor (because that's as far as I could fit!) I heard her rustling around to get comfortable and then the room got quiet.

All of a sudden, I heard her tiny toddler voice...

Ellie: Momma?

me: Yes honey?

Ellie: I had fun.

me: You had fun baby? (pause while I was trying hard to think about what she was referring to)...You had fun doing what baby?

Ellie: (giggle, giggle), I had fun today. I went to see James, and played with his trains. I love choo choo trains Momma.

me: That's right, you played with James today. I'm so glad you had fun baby. I love you.

Ellie: Momma? You sleeping in my tent and Daddy's sleeping in his bed. (giggle) I love choo choo trains and I had lots of fun today. Nyt nyt Momma.

My heart started melting and my eyes were tearing up as I realized my little one is growing up. She's so cognitive and aware. She's having full conversations with me and acts so grown up at times...she's not a little baby anymore! But oh how I love this growing girl! Just when I think I can't love my kiddo anymore than I already do, a heart melting conversation like that one makes me love her even more.

Needless to say, it was a wonderfully sweet conversation to have with my little love in the darkness of her room. Not more than five minutes later I heard her breathing get heavy and slow and my tired, innocent baby toddler fell fast asleep.

(and for the record, I fell asleep on her floor laying halfway in her tent and had to creep out of her room an hour later when I woke up and realized I was not in my ridiculously comfortable bed!)

- lmao -

Any parent of a toddler will get a really good laugh out of this one...

Approximately 3 Minutes Inside the Head of my 2 Year Old

by Jason Good

1. I wanna play with Daddy’s phone.
2. I wanna put on Mommy’s shoes.
3. GET MOMMY’S SHOES OFF MY FEET NOW!
4. I wanna open and close the thermostat.
5. I wanna turn on and off the light on the microwave.
6. Is there anyone here with a phone I haven’t played with yet?
7. I NEED TO PUSH SOME GODDAMN BUTTONS.
8. I wanna pick up the cat by its head.
9. I wanna throw all the toothbrushes in the sink.
10. HOLY SHIT I’M STARVING.
11. CHEDDAR BUNNIES.
12. I HATE FRUIT.
13. I want out of my chair.
14. I wanna play with the iPad.
15. I wanna go outside. No, I wanna turn the heat on.
16. I wanna take my pants off.
17. I don’t like the shirt I’m wearing.
18. I wanna play with Mommy’s phone.
19. I NEED TO PUSH MORE BUTTONS NOW.
20. I’m thirsty.
21. No, not for that.
22. Yes, perfect, juicebox. I’m gonna squeeze this damn thing all over myself.
23. Where’s Daddy?
24. Where’s the cat?
25. Where’s Mommy?
26. SERIOUSLY WHERE’S MOMMY!?
27. Oh my God I think Mommy left forever.
28. Ok, there’s mommy. I want to play with her phone.
29. Hungry again. Never mind.
30. I just remembered not liking these pants. Get them off.
31. STOP TAKING OFF MY PANTS!
32. Wow, I’m starving. I want peas but I don’t know how to tell anyone.
33. Finally, peas. I like throwing these.
34. WHY DO I STILL HAVE THESE PANTS ON?
35. Oh look, a new person. I wonder if they have a phone.
36. I’m tired.
37. I’M NOT TIRED!
38. I wanna go for a walk but I don’t wanna go outside.
39. No, not inside either!
40. I need to push some buttons right now.
41. I hate this diaper.
42. My eyes itch.
43. WOW! Is this my toe?
44. STOP TRYING TO TAKE MY PANTS OFF!
45. I hate these pants.
46. This shirt itches.
47. I’m tired.
48. Stop asking me if I’m tired.
49. Where’s that toy that goes beep?
50. I wanna take a bath in my clothes.
51. Put on my favorite song.
52. Where’s the cat?
53. What is UP with my shirt?
54. Did I just hear a dog bark?
55. YOU DID NOT JUST TRY TO TAKE OFF MY SHIRT AGAIN!
56. I wanna see a dog.
57. No, not OUTSIDE! I wanna see a dog inside.
58. Is my penis still there? Good.
59. I peed.
60. I’m bored.

Repeat.

- quick recipe of the week -

I've got a double dose of recipes for you today! And both of them sound so good! So without further ado, let's get started with the first recipe! Meet Lacee, who blogs over at Mommas Like Me.

(Image credit Lacee)

 I just recently stumbled upon Lacee's blog and I'm having so much fun getting to know her! Lacee is a 29 year old SAHM to 5 year old Carter and a wife to her wonderful husband of 10 years {they just celebrated their 10th anniversary!}. She loves to travel, bake, craft and she's a newbie to the blogging world. Lacee started her blog because she believes that "us mommas need to stick together." Through it she hope to inspire fellow mommas with her experiences and to create a community of mommas who all support and encourage one another!

Bleu Cheese Turkey Burgers
1 package of Jennie-O Turkey Burger Patties
Bleu cheese crumbles
Onion powder
Garlic powder
Salt & pepper
Hamburger Buns or Orowheat Sandwich Thins

In a frying pan, heat a little olive oil over medium-high heat. Season one side of each patty to taste with the onion & garlic powder, salt & pepper. Place seasoned side down in pan then season the other side of each patty. Cook patty's until they turn white and a little golden. Remove from pan and place on hamburger bun then immediately top warm turkey patty with bleu cheese crumbles. Finish off with whatever fixins you like on your burger.

(Image credit Lacee)

(Image credit Lacee)

Printable Recipe 

Talk about an easy recipe for a Bleu Cheese Burger! Now your burgers can taste gourmet without taking hours to prep and cook! Thank you Lacee! I am definitely adding this recipe to my regular repertoire of dinners!

And now, let's move on to recipe number two (it's pretty fun to have two recipes in one day, is it not??)

Please meet Courtney. Her blog, from here to eternity is definitely a daily read for me! Courtney is just such a great person, always so positive and upbeat! I seriously, seriously adore her!

(Image credit Courtney)

 Courtney started her blog to journal her adventures and her life with her husband, Eric. She never knew how blogging would change her world! She has made some of the best friend's a girl could ask for through blog land, not to mention all the diy's, recipes, and inspirations she loves read about daily. She absolutely loves meeting new people, and she loves to eat, so she was more than happy to share this recipe with us!

Sweet Pork
1 pork roast
1 cup brown sugar
2 cups coke
2 bottles of Taco Bell Mild sauce

Cook pork roast in crock pot for 8-10 hours on low. Shred pork. Combine brown sugar, coke, and Taco Bell sauce in a bowl, then add to pork. Cook on high for minimum 1 hour. Serve on a roll, or in a tortilla.

(Image credit Courtney)

(Image credit Courtney)

Printable Recipe

Thank you Courtney and Lacee for these two delicious recipes! Now no one has an excuse for not cooking this week... go try out these recipes. I promise you won't regret it!