30 Things, Day 15

If you were an animal, what would you be and why?

What a strange question.... I guess I would have to say a spoiled house cat. You have to work to earn a cats love & most of them are hard headed B's .... what can I say, I relate :)

Menu 7/27-7/30

Key West Grilled Chicken, Grilled Mushrooms & Broccoli

Pesto Chicken Stuffed Shells

Baked Parmesan Garlic Chicken with Spaghetti Squash

Stuffed Turkey Burgers

Chicken Taco Chili

This was yummy & perfect for the rainy Sunday! It wasn't as spicy as I would have hoped but perfect for C, I just added hot sauce to mine. I of course used low sodium on anything I could, the original pinterest recipe I saw used canned corn but I switched to frozen to cut down also.

Ingredients...

• 1lb boneless, skinless chicken
• 1 chopped onion
• 1 can of black beans
• 1 can of kidney beans
• 1 can of diced tomatoes with chopped chilis
• 1 small can of tomato sauce
• 10oz of frozen corn
• 1 packet of taco seasoning
• 1 tbsp cumin
• 1 tbsp chili powder

Directions...

• Combine all ingredients into the crock pot and cook on low 6-8 hours. Shred Chicken about an hour before serving. {GEEZ I LOVE CROCK POT COOKING}

Buffalo Chicken Lasagna ... nom!

I realized after I cooked all if it that I didn't take any pictures! I saw this recipe on Pinterest made a few different ways so I printed 2 and then personalized it a little bit ... the ranch powder was my doing ;)


Ingredients...

• Whole wheat lasagna noodles {uncooked}
• 1lb boneless skinless chicken breast, cubed... I used my PC chopper to chop small
• 1 jar of spaghetti sauce
• 1 cup of franks buffalo sauce
• 1 packet of hidden valley ranch dip mix
• 15oz non fat ricotta cheese
• 1/2 cup of egg beaters
• cheese, the recipe called for pepper jack slices I didn't have any so used reduced fat mozzarella
• 1.5 cups of water

Directions...

• Preheat the oven to 350 & spray 9x13 pan with non-stick cooking spray.
• Cube chicken, toss with ranch powder & cook in a skillet. You could also shred it & then mix it with the powder, I thought the cubes were too big so I chopped it super tiny with my chopper after it was cooked.
• Combine chicken, water, buffalo sauce & spaghetti sauce in a large bowl.
• Combine ricotta & egg beaters in a small bowl.
• Spread 1 cup of sauce on the bottom of the pan, cover with noodles, spread more sauce, then layer with ricotta. Repeat this process until you are out of ingredients {you should finish with a layer of sauce}.
• Cover with foil & bake 70 minutes.
• Uncover, top with cheese and bake 15 minutes uncovered.

Fall ...

I am SO ready for fall & have been for weeks, just the thought makes me smile! I love the crisp air, sweaters, hoodies, big thick socks, the county fair, TOTing, spiked apple cider, smores, the pumpkin patch! I keep hoping to see the new Starbucks menu when I go in but I know it's too early.

I'm thinking this year of having an all out Halloween party for the kiddos in my life, face painting, pumpkin painting, bobbing for apples, I have been debating this for a few years & I think C is the perfect age now.

I stumbled across this Fall Bucket List at Life As a Seed & plan to do the same as she is, printing & framing so we can mark them off as we go! I am really looking forward to it.

This list was made by Katie & can be printed from her blog Loves of Life ! I noticed she has a winter bucket list also....

30 Things, Day 14

... Describe 5 strengths you have ...

1. Honesty
2. Strong willed {both a strength & a weakness at times}
3. People person, I swear I could talk to anyone! {except the really stupid ones that drive me bonkers}
4. Dependable
5. Gracious

Menu 7/20-7/24

Monday

Left-over crock pot chicken & dumplings I made last night, SO GOOD!

Tuesday

{light} Cajun chicken "pasta"

Wednesday

Parmesan chicken and broccoli

Thursday

Buffalo chicken lasagna

Friday

Whatever my family wants to eat, I will probably be feared about my mud run the next day. The 5K the I have no about for MONTHS but done no training for.

30 Things, Day 13

Describe 5 weaknesses you have

1. Trust {or lack of}, in all honesty nothing can be done to earn it. I feel like it's hard to trust anyone 100% for some reason or another. I mean come-on I don't even trust myself sometimes.
2. Not thinking before I speak. If you want an honest answer, just ask me!
3. Chocolate & wine... no explanation needed!
4. Over mothering {is that a real thing?!} I can't seem to let C go, even overnight. I work all day so I only get a few hours, I'm sorry that I'm selfish with that time IT'S MINE!!
5. Lack of patience! 

30 Things .... Day 12

... Describe a typical day in your current life ...

6am The 1st alarm goes off .... I turn it off an roll over
6:30am The 2nd alarm goes off .... I turn it off an roll over
7am-8am The 3rd alarm goes off .... I get up, take a shower {every other day with my shower cap and dry shampoo}, do my hair & make up, wake up C get her ready, get dressed, let the dogs out while making my smoothie & to go coffee, put lunches in lunch boxes & switch the laundry {yes EVERY morning}. Leave the house
8:15 Drop C off at school
8:30-5 Work {blah}, FB, Blogger, Craigslist, Kidsteals.com, and the list goes on :)
5:15 Pick C up
5:30-6:30 Get home, let dogs out & feed them, prep lunches, bath, start dinner. Kiss hubby hello
6:30-8 Eat dinner, nightly chores, homework, put C to bed {after stories & snuggles}
8-10 Snuggle/TV time with my hub

This of course is a day when there are no unexpected surprises thrown in, which seem to be happening more and more lately!

Friday Letters

Self as your boss, I demand that you take tomorrow off! Put dinner in the crock pot and spend the rest of the day in your pajamas. BUT you must also do laundry because your family is running out of clean underwear & they look at you crazy when you tell them to just wear them inside out! And maybe put your running shoes on for awhile, the mudrun is in 15 days & it's going to kick your butt. Husband I love you! Trey prayers were answered when I found out your tumor numbers are NORMAL! I have no doubt that we will hear the words cancer free. Erin Condren I love my Life Planner and can't wait to order more from my wishlist. Kaley you have been in my thoughts for days, I know what your going through & how hard it is! I'm here when&if you need me. C STOP GROWING PLEASE!!! Where did my little girl go??? Weather please keep raining today & all day tomorrow so I have a reason to feel so lazy =)

30 Things, Day 11

... Describe 10 pet peeves you have ...

1. lying! I just hate it, you will get caught eventually & then you just look like an ass.
2. children without discipline! Get them under control, its annoying & it will be easier now than when they are 16 missing court dates.
3. people with random things in their mouth! nails, hair, key chains- whatever. God would give me 2 kids that love to "suck on" their hair .... they will be bald soon if they don't stop.
4. cheating! I guess I just don't get it, if you don't want to be with someone, LEAVE.
5. being in a silent car! Turn on the music.
6. unpainted toe nails! blah
7. pimples! I know people get them, I get them. But it drives me bonkers when people walk around with HUGE whiteheads. I guess I'm too much of a picker.
8. when people go out sick! I can't tell you how many people come to my work and complain about how sick they are & how they have been shitting for 3 days with horrible pains ... umm hello, get the eff out & stop spreading that junk.
9. fakeness! No one has a perfect life, you aren't fooling anyone.
10. people+cell phones! Not in general but in the grocery store, restaurants, etc they don't belong everywhere.

Holy Life Planner

I have been so freakin excited to get my new Erin Condren Life Planner!! I tracked the shipping from my phone all day and it never notified me it was delivered but I thought maybe the system just hadn't updated, imagine my disappointment when my porch was empty. I started to lose hope but the doorbell rang at around 7:30 {woohoo}!!

The planner is more than I imagined & I know that I didn't waste my money. Even J likes it thought it would have been more money. Check out her page & order, you won't be disappointed.



Little zipper pouch with some freebies



Daily View



Monthly View, it also comes with tons of stickers! {I bought different colored pens for everyone)



Love the quotes throughout



Cute Folder

And of course I am more than ready for Black Friday {I capitalized because it is a holiday}

Loooong week....

Is it just me or has this week seemed so long?! Sunday I drove down to VA to spend some time with family & take my BIL to chemo Monday. So Monday we had to be out of the house by 8:30 and then were at the infusion center for 5 hours, of course afterwards I had my 2.5 hour ride back home. You wouldn't think 5 hours of doing "nothing" would literally wear you out, but it does. Then on my way home I stopped to do all of my grocery shopping and all since I wasn't home Sunday. Since I just can't seem to catch up on anything. To top if off  I get a call from daycare today & C has a mystery rash and is all swollen =/ Turns out it's "just" hives but my poor girl is miserable & all itchy.

So What!

 

• That I shop waaaay too much online and started shipping stuff to work so the hub wouldn't notice

• My Life Planner will be here today & I may have to run home and get it, mid day ... yes I'm getting text alerts, don't judge me

• I have been trying for a year to sell C's crib bedding & finally did, I cried my eyes out packing it up

• That I also sold her diaper genie, since I never really used it & wouldn't use it for round 2. When I went to clean it, I found out there were poop diapers in it. Yep you read that right and they were size 3 which means they have been there for a LONG time. Buuut never smelled, that thing is pretty awesome.

• I have been so ready for another baby but now that we actually have a plan, I'm completely stressed

30 Things, Day 10

... Describe your most embarrassing moment ...

I can't think of one moment in particular that was horribly embarrassing. I am always tripping, saying something that makes no sense and having plenty of "Ashley moments". But I will share a few I still get teased for....

 There was one time that I FREAKED OUT, because I had a bump down below! I left work early called my OB crying and just knew that I had herpes {in my defense I just found out my a-hole boyfriend cheated on me}! She squeezed me in, knowing that I'm completely insane and after WebMD I would be at the ER. It turned out to be an ingrown hair & in a place that herpes don't even "grow". But my mini break down gave a lot of people a good laugh.

I was pregnant & not near full term but hadn't been feeling that great. I decided to ignore that I wasn't 100% and "do the deed" with my hubby. After a few minutes there was "water" everywhere!! Of course we freaked out, went to the hospital I called both my mom & step mom in a panic. After tests & sonograms it turns out I just peed on him =) I found out later this is pretty common but next time I know to not call anyone until I know for sure.

The night I met J I was being nosey in my friends closet while getting toilet paper & actually got stuck half upside down in her sex swing.

30 Things, Day 9

 List 10 people who have influenced you and describe how

{This really is harder than I thought}

1. My parents {of course} They helped make me who I am! Taught me to have a heart, to stand up for myself & what I believe in. Helped mold me into the parent I am today, which of course I'm a tad bias, but I'm a pretty damn good parent.

2. My sister- We had our up & downs! Honestly weren't really "friends" until our "grown up lives". She changed my thinking a little bit... I have always been a firm believer that people are who they are, they can't/won't change. She proved me wrong!

3. My hubby- God brought him into my life when I needed him. I had gotten into some trouble and lost myself, I pushed away my friends & rarely left the house. The night I decided to go out, he ended up in the wrong place ... turns out it was the right place just for different reasons. I can't thank him enough for the many ways he has influenced me.

4. M- Probably the only reason J got a date, I mean really who can turn down an adorable 3 year old asking for your digit's? She made me a better person!

5. C- I would happily go through another 26 hours of labor for her! She changed me and made me realize how strong love is. She continues to teach me things every day.

6. My boss {also known as my 3rd Mom} she has been by my side through a lot & influenced me in to many ways to list.

7. My friends- All of them in some way or another, good & bad.

8. Mr.Graves {my middle/high school guidance counselor} He always believed in me, most of the time more than I believed in myself. He knew I was going to make it & really did help me get to where I am.

9. Everyone on Pinterest- who the hell knew I was so crafty and could cook. Every husband in the world should thank Pinterest.

10. My dear MIL- showed me the type of person, mother and grandmother that I never want to be!

30 Things, Day 8

...  What are 5 passions you have ...

Taking care of children, I just love it!! I almost finished my degree in elementary education and maybe one day I will. I also debated doing home daycare after having daughter but around here that's a popular job.

Photography. I'm not any good at it but it's fun and I like doing it.

Cooking. How fun would it be to have a REAL cooking show?! With a messy kitchen, curse words, crying kids, ya know how moms really cook!!

Shopping. LOVE LOVE LOVE! And it doesn't have to be for fun stuff either, just anything.

Working. I complain about my job but I do like it, it would be better if it were only 3 days a week though. I enjoy doing something for me, making my own money & helping people. It's nice to have people appreciate you & what you do for them.

Friday Letters

Self,
Smile and move on!

Trey,
Cancer really does SUCK ASS!!! You have shown the world what a strong person you are through this, especially this past week. I love you & can't wait to party like rock stars in a few weeks.

Tara,
I hate what brought us closer but I'm glad it did! You are such an amazing person & sister it's crazy. We are all lucky to have you in our lives.

M,
I love you such much & I'm blessed to get to watch you grow up. I really do wish we got to see you more & think it would be better for you. There is so much about life I want you to know & see.

So WHAT

 

• That I'm doing this on Thursday
• That I just realized I'm wearing the same shirt I did last Thursday so the parents at gymnastics will think I don't have any clothes
• That I just signed Baby H up for daycare & I'm not even pregnant yet- the waiting list is LONG
• I wear work shoes everyday but as soon as I sit down at my desk I change in to flip flops
• That I pretend to have migraines sometimes to get in bed early
• That I have been doing awesome at eating good BUT I have a secret stash of cupcake goldfish

Crayon Art

Thank you Pinterest for giving us something fun to do while C was home sick last week! She absolutely loved it & wants to make one for everyone {beware if you have an upcoming birthday}!!

Photo-shoot

C was probably more excited than anyone about our wedding, what little girl doesn't like parties & dresses! She talked about the dresses for weeks & was always wanting to go shoe shopping, 100% DIVA! I knew after the wedding I wanted to capture her excitement in my dress. Not because I plan on her wearing it when she gets married, just to remember who she was when we got married, if that makes any sense. Here are a few sneak peeks from that day ....