Five Things

Five things that exhaust me:

1. A teething baby who is getting two teeth and two molars on her bottom gums.  Poor thing has been battling a fever and a host of other unpleasant teething problems.  She can't sleep. Doesn't want me to set her down. Poor baby!
2. Listening to Madeline and Zella argue and tattle on each other all day.
3. De cluttering.  Will I ever be finished?  (This is definitely more mental than physical!)
4. Buckling three squirmy girls in and out of their car seats.  Madeline can usually do hers, but for some reason it keeps getting stuck.  This may not seem like a big deal, but to me, it can make or break my mood.  If Madeline and Zella could buckle themselves I could conquer the world.  No, seriously.  I really could.  No not underestimate the importance of self-buckling!
5. Walking to/from the grocery store and trying to grocery shop with three loud, sometimes yelling, sometimes singing/happy girls.  (This is also more mental than physical.)  They are used to going to the grocery store with me all the time, but for some reason they have been so hyper lately.

Numbers 2-4 on this list wouldn't exhaust me if #1 wasn't occurring.  Because I would be getting sleep and for me that is usually all it takes.

Favorite Books from my Truck Driving Days

I love to read. Did you know that about me? I actually got in trouble in fourth grade for reading. The teacher actually sent a note home to my parents. Because I was reading. What a rebel, right?

Anyway, when I was a truck driver I usually read between 25-30 books a month. We didn't have a TV in the truck and Travis and I drove opposite shifts so it was pretty lonely. Luckily I had a lot of good books to keep me company.

I used to pull up to the Des Moines Public Library, set the air-brakes on my truck and turn on the flashers. I would run inside to the new books section and quickly grab handfuls of books to check out. With the truck outside I really had to hurry so I didn't have time to judge a book by it's cover. I just picked random books. I really read a lot of interesting books that way. Books I would have never checked out otherwise.

And because I am a dork, I kept a list of all the books I read.  I came across one of those lists today so I'll share some of my favorites:

I mostly love mysteries but totally enjoy non-fiction as well.

Oh, and another fav I couldn't find on Amazon:  The Third Eye, by David Knowles.

Happy browsing!

p.s.  I was going through an Eminem phase while trucking.  Isn't that hilarious?

My Monkey

My little monkey is very sassy and has a mind of her own.  (i.e. STUBBORN)

Violet is such a monkey!  My 17 month old daughter climbed and then FELL  (crashed, really) out of her crib yesterday.  She just keeps trying to get out so we had to set up the toddler bed for her.  Already.

Did I mention that I am not ready for this? 

When Madeline was Violet's age she did the same thing.  Once we put her in the toddler bed she never took a nap again.  Well, she DID take a nap, but only five naps in one YEAR.  And those were when she was sick.

And we had a newborn.  And Madeline was only 19 months old.  AND SHE DIDN'T NAP.  EVER.

It is as fun as it sounds.

So I am feeling very apprehensive.  I know it doesn't mean that Violet will give up naps.  But what mom is ready for her 17 month old baby to not sleep in a crib?

Wish us luck.

You'll Eat It and Like It

Trav's favorite casserole is Chicken n' Biscuits. Every person in my family will not only eat this, but will enjoy it too. That, my friends, is the goal. Thought I'd share...


Chicken n' Biscuits

Prep Time: 15 Min
Cook Time: 40 Min
Ready In:55 Min

Serves 6

Ingredients
1 (16 ounce) package frozen mixed vegetables
2 1/2 cups cubed cooked chicken
1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of chicken soup, undiluted
3/4 cup milk
1 1/2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese, divided
8 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled (optional)

BISCUITS:
1 1/2 cups biscuit/baking mix
2/3 cup milk
1 (2.8 ounce) can French-fried onions


Directions
1.In a large bowl, combine the vegetables, chicken, soup, milk, 1 cup cheese and bacon if desired. Pour into an ungreased 13-in. x 9-in. x 2-in. baking dish. Cover and bake at 400 for 15 minutes.

2.Meanwhile, in another bowl, combine biscuit mix and milk. Drop batter by tablespoonfuls onto chicken mixture. Bake, uncovered, for 20-22 minutes or until biscuits are golden brown. Top with onions and remaining cheese. Bake 3-4 minutes longer or until the cheese is melted.

Ten Things

Ten things I LOVE about summer:

1. No school! I love not having to share Madeline. ;)

2. Watching our little fish swim at the aquatic center.

3. Craft Day...a new craft every Friday. Yesterday we painted magnets.

4. Grilling for supper. So tasty and fewer dishes!

5. Enjoying my gorgeous rose bushes I got for Mother's Day.

6. Lounging with Trav in the hammock Jason brought us from Brazil.

7. Hanging laundry out on the line.

8. Fishing vacation at the cabin up north.

9. Sitting around the fire with Travis after the girls go to bed.

10. Parades!

Sprinkler Fun

Violet's first time in the sprinkler. She loved it!

Checking out the mirror Papa hung on a tree for the girls.

Snack time.

Perspective

It seems like at the end of the day there is always something I could have done differently.



I could have done more.



I could have had MORE patience.

More fun.

Done more of the things the girls like to do.



Accomplished more of my to-do list.



Been a better spouse.

A better friend.

A better person.



Given more.



Been more open.

More honest.



Just been MORE than I am. What I know I could be.



But tonight I sit here after learning about the death of my babysitter's sixteen year-old brother. An accident. Senseless. And it terrifies me that I may be MORE-ing my life away.



I have three beautiful, hilarious, quirky wonderful children.



I GET TO stay at home and take care of them.

I GET TO be married to my best friend.



I don't ever want to forget how amazing that is.



Tonight I am going to fall asleep praying for Kellie and her family, and thanking the Lord for mine.

I Found Violet....

in the kitchen dumping Rice Krispies on the floor. Who could be mad at this face?