Meal Planning Mondays!!

Monday, February 27, 2012

Ok... I am the best a planning my menu, but then the worst at actually eating what I plan for. So I am going to try this a different way..... Instead of planning a certain meal on a certain day, I am just going to make a list of meals that sound good to me that use ingredients that are on sale that week, and then eat it on which ever day it sounds good! (I learned this method at last months Homemaking Meeting at church)

Enjoy!

1.) Burgers- Coupons @ Whataburger & BK

2.) Gooey Chicken Burritos w/ chips

3.) Grilled Chicken Salads

4.) Creamy Crockpot Chicken & Potato

5.) Fried Chicken Dinner w/ Mashed Potatoes & Milk Gravy, Corn

6.) BBQ Chicken Pizza

7.) Tomato Soup & Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

8.) BBQ Chicken Sandwiches w/ KFC Style Coleslaw*

9.) Crockpot Chicken Pot Pie*

10.) Leftovers from Freezer - Mexican Stack-Ups

If you want any of these recipes just let me know!!!

Enjoy!!

*Recipes for these are found on www.crockingirls.com

Potty Training Day 5....

Friday, January 27, 2012

Today has been a good day for potty training! Gehrig woke up dry this morning and we cheered for him! Then all day we reminded him to keep his big boy undies dry and to let Mommy know when he has to go potty. The only accident he had was while we were at the park for my visiting teaching!  Then when we got home I changed him back into big boy undies and he kept them dry for
1 hr and a half!!! Woo hoo!!!

Around 1:00 I went and took him to the potty again so he could go before taking a nap. Poor kid held it soo long that he fell asleep on the potty!!! Its now 4:00 pm hes still alseep and still dry!!! So I know what we are doing when he wakes up!

Today he has been sooo distraut when I have to pull his undie pants off to go potty! He wants them to stay on and he wants to continue to wear them! We are making progress!!!! Wooo hooo!!!!

Potty Training Day 4...

Thursday, January 26, 2012

Well so far today has been good. I know hes had messes, but Im not killing myself over them.

I woke him up around 8:00 and took him first thing to the potty to create that habit for Gehrig. He wasnt too happy about being awake, in fact he whined the whole time. His first trip took us an hour! He litterally sat there for an hour holding it! I used the squirt bottle and sprayed him, turned on the tub faucet, flushed the toilet.... I did everything! Finally I went and got his treat jar and placed it on the bathroom counter. He cried for his Buzz and McQueen fruit snacks, but I told him he had to go potty first. He held it a little longer, even through his Daddy leaving for work, which Gehrig cried over, and through reading 5 books twice!! At 9:05 am he finally gave in and pee'd!!! Holy freakin cow!!!! Because he took so long going potty we had to rush and get ready for his first Play Group meeting this morning (another big no no for the potty training time.) I figured it was ok and that maybe I'd get some advice from it. It was nice to get out and meet other Mom's. Gehrig loved playing with the kids and then making the crafts and singing songs.

I am going to be honest now, in the fact that I dont feel like I am potty training him too early. I think for how much he communicates with us, and how he tells us hes dirty, we think its the perfect time, and will be a lot easier now than when I have baby #2 here this summer. This is allowing him theone on one Mommy time needed for potty training. I also no longer am questioning myself because today I met a little girl who turns two in Feb who was potty trained over New Years. So I know its possible.

After play group today, we stopped by McDonalds and got him a happymeal. When we got home I let him finish eating and then relax and watch Wallace and Gromit for a bit. I figured I would try taking him to the potty, and this time we sat there for only three minutes before he went potty! So we are making progress... Slowly but surely.... I know he will catch on faster once its full on potty training time.

2:48 pm.... Playing the holding game .... Been sitting here for about 20 mins. I saw him trying to do his dooty.... Sitting across from him still is his prize jar!

Never happened..... It is now 4:30 and I seriously think my son pees every 5 minutes!  We went through 3 pairs in 15 mins!!! Pair number 2 he wet as I was hugging him and reassurring him after he wet in pair number 1! Then comes pair number 3 to replace pair number 2... I went to get a snack and he came out running yelling "towel! Towel!" grabbing a blanket off our couch. I didnt let him get it and I asked him to show me, he had messed pair number 3 on his bedroom carpet.

I know they say not to put your children in time out because potty training is suppose to be a positive time for the child, but I just did. Im telling you this because while he was in time out I realised that I am making progress even if it is slow progress. (At this point hes in a pull up because im out of undies) A couple minutes into time out Gehrig stood up grabbed his diaper and said "pee pee!" as he was going. So we are making progress, its now getting him to tell me prior to his accident.

Maybe tomorrow.....

Potty Training Day 3....

Sooo, Im a slacker when it comes to this. I didnt do what the book said and I scheduled to help my sis in law with her Young Womens Cupcake Decor class tonight.

We missed Gehrigs first potty stop when he woke up, which blew the rest of the day. I was so distracted making doctors appointments for Gehrig that he had an accident right in front of me!  Then my first batch of cupcakes completely collapsed into craters! I have no clue as to how that happened.... And what did I end up doing? Well I couldnt get mad at Gehrig because hes still learning, so I just slouched down on my kitchen floor and called Levi having a total melt down!! Today was sooo frustrating, but we made it through! I have set aside specific days for his "bootcamp" the 15,16,17th of Feb, pending on what his Dr appointment recommends.

Daily Potty total: 1 successful trip

Heres to tomorrow!

Potty Training Day 1 & 2....

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Let me start by saying how exhausted I am!!! Day one was super exciting with the first potty usage, and day two is as if the idea of whats going on is starting to catch on for him. I say as if it was starting to catch on, because we only had one peepee and poop poo accident in the morning and nothing again till I started making dinner. The fighting and crying over sitting on the potty has stopped, but the holding the bladder has begun!

If you are wondering which method I am using it is called "The 3 day Potty Training Boot Camp".  It is as time consuming as a boot camp and as exhausting as a boot camp, but its working so far! My only regret is that I didnt decide to fully hit this head on until about 10:00 this morning and my schedule has taken some hits, but I am going to do my best and stick with it. The other concern is that my son is a product of my husband and I, who are both unbelievably stubborn when it comes to doing things that are not our ideas. Hence why my son held his bladder on the potty seat this afternoon for 45 mins!

Lets hope tomorrow is even better!!!

We've Moved!

Thursday, August 11, 2011

Our First House - Before Picts

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

 Welcome  to our home!

 The Foyer

 The Office

 The formal dining - to be converted to Formal sitting / piano room

 Our kitchen - less the stove and fridge - they were stolen from the house :(

 Over looking the sink through the breakfast area to the living room

 Planning / media - that's a built in intercom / music system- not sure if it works.....

 Our living room

 The Master bedroom

 Master bath

 Back of house

Back yard

So yeah.... these are the photos from the MLS listing from our agent. There are 2 more bedrooms, a bath and a game room that I don't have photos of. I will post more once we get in. We are to close at the end of June!!! I have some ideas that I'm drawing out on changes to make, but I am also open to more!! Please feel free to share them!

LOVE-

Rach

A Letter from your Texas Chamber of Commerce

Monday, April 11, 2011

Dear Family and friends who do not live in Texas....

I am spreading the message per our phone call last night. I hope that this will clarify why Texas is the greatest state- er- rather Republic. Yes we technically are not a state, just a Republic which is why our flag can fly as high as the old Stars and Stripes.

I thought that I would share this and another couple of videos with you about why Texas is the best and why everyone should live here at least once in their life. Not only are we the home of the Alamo- which you must always remember. We are also the home of the greatest drink on earth.....

This stuff.... mmmmm... will add a little pepper to your day! And who can not forget the greatest game on earth..... Grand'ol Baseball!!!!  We are the home of the American League Champs!!!!! Here is a little taste of some sweet winnings and a great view!!! Here's to a new season with great winnings already!!! 

GO RANGERS!!!!

Yes... we love our state. Don't get us wrong.... but when you've got it.... you've got to share it! 

To those who have moved here recently - Welcome!! And to those who will be joining us this summer!!! Can't wait till y'all are here!!!! Be ready for some baseball and BBQ!!!

To those who have visited us all ready, I hope this is a great ad to sell you on coming back and seeing us.... but if this sales pitch didn't work maybe this one will...

Love ya!!!

Happy 1st Birthday!!!!!

Saturday, March 19, 2011

You've had a birthday shout HOORAY!

We'd like to sing to you today!

One year older and wiser too!

Happy birthday to you!

We love you Gehrig! 
It's been a great year and we look forward to many, many, many more years!!!


LOVE-
Mommy & Daddy!

Gehrig's First Play Date!

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Today was so fun!!! Our friend Julia who's in our ward started a play group of kids in the area, and today was a trip to the park! It was so nice out, kind of deceiving at first with the clouds and wind, but once we were at the park it was wonderful! It was cool that Ruth and her boys showed up too! 

 Gehrig just noticed his Auntie Ruth and cousins Preston and Graham!

 Colton, his mom and baby sister....

 Jackson showing Gehrig how they work...

 Jackson and his mommy

 Mmmmmm...... Wood chips.........

 Cousin Preston

 Auntie Ruth and Graham

 This is Samantha, Julia's daughter.... She gave Gehrig a hug and he followed her everywhere after that! Well... for a bit then he found the slide!

 I forgot her name, but she was adorable! We met them at Julia's Halloween Party!

 Preston showing how big he's getting!

Gehrig taking over the bottom of the slide to play with more wood chips!

We are excited for the next play group!!!!

Love-

Rach

The dreaded question....

Friday, March 11, 2011

So yesterday Levi came home from work early which was nice, because it was Aimee's last day here in Dallas so he was able to take her to the airport with me.... and it's always nice to get him home early! I love it and I know that Gehrig loves it too! During his post-work conversations that we always have while he's winding down from his day before dinner, he posed a question to me. "How would you feel about being transferred to somewhere internationally with Texas Instruments? I have to let them know if that's an option for us." Well, honestly I don't want to go international. Why? Because I don't want to go to Taipei or Malaysia... I don't want to have a 20 hour flight or be that far away from my family. I agree with him that it would be an awesome opportunity, *IF* it were just he and I, but we have Gehrig and there are so many more health issues over there that he would be exposed to and he's just too young. Much less taking a 20 hour flight with him would be a nightmare! (a 2 hour flight to Vegas has it's trials) I will admit though that I wouldn't mind Europe... Portugal especially! His next question to me was "What about a domestic relocation.... say Manchester, New Hampshire,  Philadelphia, PA or Tuscon, AZ?" I would prefer Tuscon just because it's with in driving distance of my family, but New Hampshire would be an adventure, and Philly has CHEESESTEAKS!!!! (Oh and yes.... all the historical sites.) Plus we could see parts of the U.S. that we have never seen.
But do you want to really know what my first thought about moving away from Dallas was????? It was the thought of having to miss all the Texas Rangers Baseball games!!!! YES... I would be devastated about missing out on the Rangers... kinda corny i know, but being married and being here in Texas has really made me look forward to Baseball season! I don't know if I could make it living in Asia missing out on my baseball! I mean, I would have to miss out on them spanking the Yankees again, and taking down the Angels, and them hitting a homer over the Green Monster in Boston! Much less missing out on play-offs and the possibility of going to the World Series again!!! Yes- all of this went through my mind first thing. Then came the thoughts that Levi's co-worker Iris could take me shopping!! Levi talks about how great of a shopper she was when he was in Taipei.... But honestly- I think I would miss baseball more.

Order of missing--- 1.) All my family members 2.) Baseball 3.) Home 4.) America......

Gehrig is sleeping right now so I had a moment to share my thoughts with you!

LOVE-

Rach

How Adorable!!

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

 Ok- So how adorable is this!?!?!?!? My sister Lisa surprised me with it in the mail today! I have been dying for a cute Valentine's Day / Spring wreath!!! I absolutely LOVE it!!! I love it so much that it will be an indoors wreath, as I don't want it to get damaged by the outdoor elements!!!!

Then this.... this was not originally this way when we got it. My sister-in-law Mindy made us an amazing dry erase board for Christmas, but it didn't survive the trip. I loved the weight of the frame and the idea of using a picture frame on the wall for organization purposes. It took me a little bit to come up with how to salvage the airplane mess... I turned it into a chalk board and covered the backing with scrapbook paper to give a cute framing...

Please watch for more cute projects in the up coming months.... I am going to try to start sewing and quilting more!

 Enjoy!

vday

Monday, January 24, 2011

Tickled Pink Peppermint Valentine's Day Card

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From Gehrig's Point of View

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Wow.... My how they grow up so fast! We are just shy of 10 months!!! I am amazed at how fast they grow, develop and become their own person!! I love my son!

This year we set Gehrig's New Years Resolution for him to become a big boy and sleep in his own bed and in his own room. He has taken his naps in there from the start, but has slept with us at night because it's been easier on me. But now it's time for him to grow up... I can't handle the midnight tossing and turnings anymore.... getting kicked and rolled over just isn't going to work.
I was able to ween Gehrig from binkies at 6 months, which was nice, but I didn't plan on doing it. It just happened when he got RSV, he decided he didn't want them anymore. I have occasionally tried to give him a binkie after nursing just to keep him a sleep longer. Sometimes it's worked, most of the times it hasn't. Well... yesterday I was sitting there nursing him and he started to fall asleep, so i slipped a binkie in to see if it would work... Gehrig opened his eyes grabbed the binkie took it out of his mouth and put it in mine. I was sooo incredibly shocked! But I just sat there laughing!

He is also in that exploration mode of life.... he's started walking short distances between furniture and between Levi and I. The other night Levi was playing with him as I was making dinner. It was really cute and I know that they both really enjoy it especially when Gehrig is in a really playful mood. There was one point in the playing that Levi wanted Gehrig to walk to him from the couch. This was not what Gehrig wanted to do, so he simply grunted "uh-uh" and crawled to me in the kitchen, leaving Levi in the living room stumped!

Oh the joys of parenthood. It's great to see them grow up, but sometimes it just makes you sit there and scratch your head and wonder. We are trying not to use the word "no", but to teach him with sounds, hence how he picked up "uh-uh". If we can stop it at a sound then great.... the word "no" when said will have greater  impact and meaning.

We are also working on weening him to his own room and bed. He's been sleeping with us since he was 4 months old. Right now it's nap time. I put him in his crib at about 1:30 or so.... he's just cried. I've gone in there a couple of times, one because he sounded like he was going to puke from crying so hard. But he's got to learn and so do I. He's got his soft blue blanket, his monkey and his moose stuffed animals, and the primary CD playing. It's not on his agenda to take a nap this way, just on mommies. :) Teaching is hard but learning is good.

We'll keep you posted......

Love-
Rach

Growing Up....

Monday, November 29, 2010

Well.... my little Gehrig is growing up so fast!!! It's amazing to me. At church yesterday I was chatting with one of my Nursery - Co - Leaders about how many kids we were losing and how many were moving from Junior nursery to Senior nursery, and how many kids were coming in at the new year. And it dawned on me that next September my baby will be nursery age!!!! I can not believe that he will be that old! It's exciting but at the same time shocking! 

Last night was fun also. We were able to have Ruth and Tanner and their kids over for dinner. I made one of Levi's favorite Southern dishes Chicken fried Chicken (chicken version of a Chicken fried steak), mashed potatoes and milk gravy, corn, and fresh pineapple. Ruth and Tanner brought some yummy rolls and a wonderful tossed salad.  Then for dessert we had Blue Bell ice cream's Southern Blackberry Cobbler flavor, some of my homemade Lemon ice cream, and some delicious Triple Chocolate Chunk brownies that Levi picked out at the store. Everything was delish!!!! As we sat there eating dinner both babies, Graham and Gehrig were able to share both dinner and dessert with us as a special treat! It was well worth it too, since they are both cutting teeth the ice cream I'm sure helped their mouths feel better as well as their appetite for it! 

We ended the night watching Toy Story 3. That movie makes me cry every time, even when I'm not watching it from start to finish! Preston loved it and borrowed Ratatouille from us and I'm sure he will love that one too! While we were watching the movie I stuck my finger inside Gehrig's mouth to check on his teeth.... there wasn't anything there in the morning but last night we had a tooth poking through!! His first tooth! Then this morning I was checking on it again, and tooth #2 was there this morning too!!! All the crying and fussiness has finally paid off!!! Wooo Hooo!!!! 

I love being a Mommy! 

It's all worth it!

 

Adventures with Grandma and Grandpa Hale!!!

Thursday, November 18, 2010

We had a wonderful week this last week. My parents were here from Las Vegas and it was a blast! They flew in Wednesday night and sadly left tonight. I have to say that even though it was just a couple days they were here it seemed like it was much longer.

On thursday we played sight-see-er. On our tour of Arlington, we took them to Texas Rangers Ballpark, and that was such a beautiful sight. I totally cant wait till next spring when the baseball season starts again! Oh the sound of the games and the rush of the steal and home run! We next stopped by Dallas Cowboys Stadium... that is a monster place. I have yet to attend a game there.... and with the way their season is going for cheap tickets now would be the time to go. We then stopped by our family jewlers Teds and got my moms rings cleaned and also picked up a ring that my mom gave me after I had it resized.  My dad showed us his new favorite place to buy home goods, Anna's Linens. He's a new fan. :) I was quite impressed myself. Then for lunch we ate at Kinkaids Hamburgers. That place is great! It's been around since the 40's or so.

Next stop was Fort Worth, we drove through downtown so my dad could shoot some photos of the amazing architecture and churches. Then we went to the Kimbell Art Museum and the Ammon Carter. On our way home we took him through the stockyards and then we traveled up the Old Fort Worth drive. We wish that the sun would have lasted a little bit longer but with day light savings time it sure goes down early here.

On Friday we started our day off with stopping at Estate Sales in Denton. We found some really great buys at one and not so much at others. My parents bought Gehrig a little baby rocking chair that when he's rocking in it a little music box plays. My mom said that she had one just like it when she was a little girl. Then my Dad bought her some...

.... TO BE CONTINUED....

Being Cheap vs. Being Frugal

Friday, November 5, 2010

   So since our move I have met so many people who with in the first 5 minutes of conversation use the phrase "I'm so cheap!".... and it seems to keep happening. I really don't want to offend anyone by this post but I am wondering if there is anyone out there who feels the same way I do. Is it really good to be cheap? Is it really good to tell someone that you have just met that you "are cheap"? Or is that a way of testing whether they would make a good friend to you or not.

My thoughts are that I DETEST the word cheap when it is used in that circumstance. That says to me that I will be putting more into any relationship that may form than you would and that I will get the short end of the stick when it comes down to it. I feel that the word frugal would be a much better word to use. But again.... do the words "cheap" and "frugal" mean the same thing, or are they different?

If you are wondering would I ever drop either word in the first 5 minutes of meeting someone.... NO. I wouldn't even bring it up, because it sets a standard from the get go and a preconceived notion of what type of person I may be. I also wouldn't ever bring it up because I don't consider myself "cheap". Frugal yes. Cheap no.

Just some thoughts I had this week.....

Quesion for you.....

Monday, August 30, 2010

So... I'm toying with a few ideas on things I can do to bring in some extra money from home. This last week I made an oversized diaper bag and a baby play mat from a pattern I created... (i have pictures of those placed on my facebook.. along with here) If I were to start an ETSY store and sell them

1.) would they be something that women would buy?

2.) what price would be considered a fair price?

Of course I would make them in matching sets.... :)

What do you think???

Photo's I love....

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Pooped.... 

The boys... baby in brown: born in January, Baby in white: February, baby in Red: February, and Gehrig (yellow) March... They all fit perfectly in Gehrig's Cradle...it's that big. (They're not that small :) ) 

Posing in his sleep... I love you too Gehrig!

At the Dallas Zoo...

knock knock!!!!!! (it's a fake elephant bootie that makes the elephant noise when it's hit)

Love-

Rach

A few quiet moments....

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

I have a few quiet moments right now and our computer is picking up someones internet so I thought I would do a post....Well i had a few quiet moments. :) Today i am just amazed at my life and the blessings i have been given. Gehrig had his 4 month checkup this afternoon, all is well! He weighs 14 lbs 9oz... that's a gain of 10 oz in 2 weeks. I had been having a rough day earlier today with my anxiety issues stemming from my teenage years... which got better once i got married, but have come back slightly this week. Today this was due to my feelings of love towards my son knowing what a 4 month check up brings. I was having anxiety due to my son having to get shots and the pain that comes with them. My day and spirit was brightened when i got a message from my husband saying that he'd be coming with me. I LOVE HIM. HE IS MY HERO. He always makes me feel better and calms my anxiety. Thanks to him... I have been able to do many things that I never thought I could have done like having a baby.

We also blessed Gehrig this last Sunday. Levi and I both love our new ward... there is such a spirit about it and we've felt like we've belonged from day one. The blessing was beautiful, and Gehrig was great for it. We were very excited to be given permission from our bishop to call my parents and have them on the phone for the blessing since they couldn't be there in person. We are very excited to see them when Gehrig and i go out to Vegas in 2 weeks and we look forward to having my parents and hopefully my 2 sisters here in Dallas in November.

i love you all... i cant wait to see you soon!!!

Love-

Rach