Mama's boy

The other day I had a parent/teacher conference for Ashlee. While I was talking with her teacher, one of the other teachers was talking with Ashlee, asking who Christian was, etc. Ashlee was wearing her Redskin shirt, and the teacher asked if she liked the Redskins. Ashlee replied "I love the Redskins and my daddy loves the Redskins too. I like them because I'm his girl and he likes them". She (Ashlee) looks over to Christian and says, "but Christian...he is a mama's boy". Christian, without a word, nodded his head yes.

Birthday Fun in Oregon

Last weekend, we drove down to Corvallis, OR to celebrate Tucker's (my nephew) 1st bday. We had lots of fun and were able to see Grandma, and Grandpa as well as Uncle Josh and Aunt Liz. Thank you guys for letting us stay with you, we truly enjoyed every moment. Here are a few pictures....

Christian reading Tucker a book, while mommy and daddy were out on a date
Christian and Ashlee taking over Tucker's toys, which he was happy to share...for now :)

Playing with Grandma

My sister in law did a WONDERFUL job on the cupcakes, food, and decorations. She's my hero!

Ashlee and Peyton

(Peyton is Liz's sister Faith's little girl. Her and Ashlee were the flower girls at Josh and Liz's wedding when they were 1 1/2. They got a long so good, and some said they looked like sisters. Such beautiful girls)

Tucker devouring his little cake. I believe he ate half of this, and would have kept eating had Liz not took it away. He was so cute!

Picture for Grandma and Grandpa - "Howeth" Grandchildren

I think Tucker was just about done with these two "big kids" by now

Crustless Cranberry Pie

I first tried this recipe at my friend Tiffany's house one morning with coffee. She is an amazing cook! (side note) She has a wonderful website with delicious recipes..look on our blog under "she cooks." You are going to love this dish, it can be a dessert, or breakfast..you decide!

1 C all-purpose flour
1 C white sugar
1/4 tsp salt
2 C cranberries
1/2 C chopped walnuts
1/2 C butter, melted
2 eggs
1 tsp almond extract

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease one 9" pie pan.
Combine the flour, sugar, and salt. Stir in cranberries and walnuts, and toss to coat. Stir in the butter, beaten eggs, and almond extract. if you are using frozen cranberries, the mixture will be very thick. Spread the batter into the prepared pan.
Bake at 350 degrees F for 40 minutes, or until a wooden pick inserted near the center comes out clean. Serve warm with whipped cream or ice cream (optional).

When I grow up......

When I was a little girl (about elementary school age) I wanted to be a MISSIONARY

Then around middle school I wanted to be a NURSE

I realized how expensive college was, and the recruiters started calling me. I almost joined the NAVY, because they said I could earn my nursing degree and THEY would pay for it.

Well the NAVY didn't work out, and college was still to expensive.....so why not travel? I always loved flying, and what an adventure! So a FLIGHT ATTENDANT I would be

Then I met this guy....the love of my life and.....

Became this....a STAY AT HOME MOM/WIFE

I love love love being a stay at home mom/wife. Next year Ashlee is going to Kindergarten, and now I'm pondering the question..."what do I REALLY want to be when I grow up?"

As I looked back on my life, I realized that I love to HELP people.

So this fall I'm going to enroll in ISSA's Elite Tranier Certification program from home. When completed, I will have my personal trainer certification, fitness nutrition certification and fitness/exercise therapist certification. So far this is my plan, but I would like to build upon this and eventually become a PHYSICAL THERAPIST and help soldiers rehabilitate.

What did you want to be when you were little?

Slow-Cooker Chili Chicken Tacos

This is one of my favorite recipes. I love to make it when we have company, or when I won't have time to make dinner at night. In red I added a few things that I have found to make the recipe even better.

You can find this recipe on marthastewart.com

2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs (about 6) - I use boneless skinless chicken breasts

4 garlic cloves, thinly sliced

1/2 C prepared tomato salsa, plus more for serving (optional)

1 to 2 TBSP chopped canned chipotle chiles in adobo

1 TBSP chili powder

Coarse salt and ground pepper

8 hard corn taco shells - if time permits I use fresh corn tortillas and cook them in a pan with olive oil until golden brown. Then shape into shells..way better than those that come in a box

Cilantro, shredded cheese, lime wedges, and sour cream for serving (optional)

I also use a splash of apple cider vinegar to help the chicken shred easier

In a slow cooker, combine chicken, garlic, salsa, chiles, chili powder, 1 tsp salt and teaspoon pepper. Cover; cook on high, 4 hrs (or on low for 8 hrs)

Transfer chicken to a serving bowl, and shred, using two forks; moisten with cooking juices. Serve in taco shells, with toppings, if desired.

I use the leftover chicken in a salad the next day for lunch.

The little things that make your day BIG

Wow! I'm so proud of myself. I've been blogging a lot lately. I'm also wanting to find out if people actually read this blog or not....not many comments. So either I have nothing interesting, or just plain boring.

The little things that made our day BIG:

#1

The kids received a package in the mail yesterday from Rande. The USO, in the Dallas airport, has an area where the soldiers can read books to their children on video. In the package was the video of Rande reading along with the books he read. Rande was so thoughtful; Ashlee loves elephants. So he picked out a book about elephants. Christian's book was Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs. I was so surprised that the USO allowed him to send the books. Thank you USO, you do so much for our troops and their families. This video really made the kids' day.

See Rande on TV with ELMO?

#2
Christian has a LEGO room! We have this closet in the hallway downstairs, which is under the stairway. When we first moved in I thought this would be a great play area. But it slowly turned into storage. Now that Christian has accumulated so many legos (thank you Rande), and I'm constantly having him pick them up, so I don't step on them...we needed to find them a home. So we converted the storage area into "Christian's Lego room". He was soooo excited when I told him the idea. So far we have the legos and a lantern (battery operated) in there. I've been told that a sign needs to be made, and a shelf put up for his lego designs. This will be a great place for Christian to go and have some "alone" time, and no on has to tell him to pick up his legos, and no one can destroy what he has created (Ashlee). Legos are a big thing with Christian and Rande, so this is just what he needed - he was a happy little boy last night as you can see the huge smile on his face.

Life must go on

It's been 1 week today that Rande left, and we are still struggling to get back to our "temporary normal". Rande is finally back at the FOB and still trying to adjust as well.

My sister came up this week for her spring break, and that was a HUGE blessing. The kids and I enjoyed her company, and had a lot of fun. Christian even told me that "it's more fun when there are 4 people in our house, and not 3". She will be missed. (sniff, sniff) - side note; Christian's school had a Dr. Suess week, and Friday night was family night. Christie brought her camera, so I'll have to get those pics from her.

Tonight, I'm just tired. (where is my tag team partner?) I am not quite sure if all the emotional stuff is catching up with me, or maybe the lack of sleep for the past few weeks. But it's hard to find motivation and I'm hoping it shows up really soon. This week I'm determined to "snap out of it" and move on. Groceries need to be purchased, house needs a major scrub job, and lots of administration issues need to be taken care of. My heart is weary, sad, and tired...will this ever end?

Yes it will. 4 more months! This past week I've looked back on the previous months of the deployment and thought maybe I was just surviving. But the next 4 months I will live and live to the fullest, with no regret. I want to have more fun with the kids, and do more with them. This is a race, and we are in the last leg, will I finish strong? With God by my side and with his strength I will.

Hebrews 12:1-2
...and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus...

Fearless Living

If only we could order life the way we order gourmet coffee. Wouldn't you love to mix and match the ingredients of your future?

"Give me a tall, extra-hot cup of adventure, cut the dangers, with two shots of good health."

"A decaf brew of longevity, please, with a sprinkle of fertility. Go heavy on the agility and cut the disability."

"I'll go with a grande happy-latte, with a dollop of love sprinkled with Caribbean retirement."

Take me to that coffee shop. Too bad it doesn't exist. Truth is, life often hands us a concoction entirely different from the one we requested.

Life comes caffeinated and surprises. Modifications. Transitions. Alterations.

From the book Fearless -by Max Lucado

Two Weeks of fun and lots of pictures

As many of you know, we were blessed to have Rande home for 15 days. What an AMAZING time we had together as a family, and couple. The first few days we didn't really do much; Rande spent a day with each kid individually. The really loved their special time with Daddy. Cabela's, Legos, lunch, etc.

Rande and I went to the gym together almost everyday. Some of you might think..."the gym? really?". Well it's something we both love and have a passion for - so it was a lot of fun! We did go to breakfast one morning while both the kids were in school. It was honestly the little things we did that were most enjoyable.

I've posted ALL our pictures on our photography website (and facebook), but I can't neglect the blog....so here you go!

Love being silly with this guy
1st night home, and wrestling with daddy already

Halo time! Christian has been waiting for this moment for 7 months!

Bowling Stud

Bowling Cutie

Bowling Sweethearts

This place was sooo much fun! I felt like a kid again going down water slides. The kids were so fun to watch as well. They both went down their first water slides, and loved it. Well worth the trip!

Rande was really happy...just doesn't look like it in the pictureThey went down this slide I swear over 100 times

Huge bucket of water that dumped about every few minutes

God truly blessed us with amazing weather most of the time Rande was here. I think winter skipped Washington and Spring has come early...but that's ok with us! This is a (partial) view of Mt. Rainier from American Lake (here on Ft. Lewis). We actually took the kids on a bike ride, and went down to the playground on the lake. When we arrived, I saw the paddle boats and before you knew it we were out in the middle of the lake, enjoy the sun, and peaceful moment

Gotta look good when on the lake

Harlem Globetrotters. This was Rande's favorite event I think.

"Big Easy" and "Hang Time" were there (they were on the Amazing Race). Big Easy was hilarious!

Ashlee getting autographs after the game

Posing with their new autographed b-ball

last night story time with daddy

Christian stole Rande's cereal that morning. He has turned into a little prankster

My brother, and sister-in-law (and Nephew) drove all the way up from Corvallis, OR. to come see Rande. They were also gracious enough to watch the kids for us as we went out on a date. We had dinner at Stanley and Seaforts, and browsed around Barnes and Noble and had coffee. We then drove around the sound, which was gorgeous especially at night. What a perfect night with the perfect man. He truly is my best friend.

Ashlee holding Tucker

Ashlee loving on Uncle Josh

Seeing Daddy off, one more time. Can't wait until he's home for good

Making our Daddy "count down jars"