Happy Birthday Little One!

November 8th 2011 Supernova was born.
It doesn't seem like a year.
My baby, my chubby bubby, my Supernova is one.
Such a short time to fall so completely head over heels in love with someone.
To see the grow and develop so many skills.
To see the child he is becoming.

He still isn't walking but he's trying to. Supernova loves to eat almost anything you give him.
He loves his little boy blue and wont nap without his friend. He LOVES to play with his sisters, especially hide and seek and peek a boo. He hates afternoons.. mommy is to busy to play and he can smell food but no one gives him any. He's our precious baby.

11 months... sigh...

Happy 11th month anniversary! You are growing so much! You now have four teeth and a 5th almost in. You can crawl faster the the speed of light.. Or it at least feels that way sometimes! Right now your favorite thing to do is pull down everything you can get your hands on. You want to see EVERYTHING. Your favorite thing to play with is a roll of toilet paper. I know, i know.. it's crazy and I don't know why but it is. You can stand for long periods of time but don't really show an intrest in walking, but that doesn't surprise me since you have three "Grrs" to do your bidding. You decided MA-MA is more than just a sound and you call for me sometimes. We do lots of field trips to the park to play.

 Last week we went to the science center with one of your sisters. You had so much fun climbing in and on things. They had a splash pool area that was just your size and when you saw it had duckies you were sooo happy. You are finally taking ( or letting us give you) baths again. For the last month or so you have been getting baths in the sink because the tub scared you to much.  You eat just about anything you can get your hands on. This weekend you had ribs for the first time. Those ribs were just the right size for carrying around and teething on. You have mastered feeding your "DA" both dropping food out of the high chair for her and feeding her ABC food out of your hands. So right now you are one of her favorite people. You like it when she comes up and licks you. You sleep in your own room now. Which makes mommy remember her little baby is growing up. Soon it will be Halloween, You are dressing up like Rory from Dr. Who. It was " GRRs" choice not mine. Then soon after that your baptism and your FIRST BIRTHDAY!! It's going to be a fun few weeks for you little man! Mommy loves you so much!

1st painting

Today Supernova and I finger painted for the first time.

I really wasn't expecting him to play with the paint much, just eat it. He really did enjoy it though. He had a blast squishing around in the paint. He did eat quite a bit but thats okay too. Once the paint dries a bit i'll peel the stickers off and we will have a painting with his name on it :).
My advice to mommies trying to do art for the first few times. Be realistic with both yourself and your baby. They may not like the feeling of whatever you are doing. You will spend a lot more time setting up and cleaning than you will actually creating. You will make a HUGE mess. It is okay to not do art with your baby. It's not for everyone and not for every baby. Strip the baby down. naked or in disposible diaper. and make sure they aren't afraid of the bath tub because your baby will look like this

10 months old

10 months 

Someone is growing into a big boy!

You are actively playing both by yourself and with others. Your favorite toy this month is the Wii remote because it has a squishy cover on it and you like to chew on it. You spent the weekend in Huntsville visiting family last week. You played peek - a -boo with everyone. You also got into to EVERYTHING. You LOVE to explore. I think you like getting into things more than anything sometimes. You got to meet your Uncle B. for the first time. I was really surprised you didn't yank on his beard. You really like your Uncle.. he gave you cake and ice cream!!  You have learned a fun game called take things out of cabinets, buckets, ect. and dump them on the floor. It makes a mess but it's an important part of your development.  You have mastered clapping and dancing. Your favorite song is the Veggie-Tales theme song and the Barney song. Your sisters and I think you need better taste in music.You can walk along furniture now and crawl up on the couch. You still only have two teeth but there is more coming. At least two others have broken through and 2 more are waiting to bust out. Your sisters started back to school and you miss them during the day,when Indiana barks it means your "girls" are home. You crawl to the back door clapping and laughing waiting for them, but when they come in they can be loud and rowdy and it kinda bothers you. You have also started asking for DADA? You go to a door bang on it and ask for him. He was gone this week and you REALLY missed him. You asked for him a lot and you would roll over in bed pat his side and say dada? dada? You are getting so big and so sweet. Mommy loves you bubby. You are up from your nap and if I don't come get you it will just ruin your whole afternoon and we don't want that! 

The only one

Once again I was asked not to help with something because of the baby. People this is getting old. I am really sick of hearing don't you have someone to watch him? and You know we have child care down the hall right? Supernova is my child. Is it so unheard of that he should stay with his mother and not a stranger? I'm trying really hard right now not to be REALLY mad and hurt.. I dont want to make rash decisions. I hurt. I really do. I really wish there was some way to meet other stay at home moms around here. Although I think i've figured out why I can't find any, They just plain aren't wanted. They stay at home with thier children not going anywhere except Walmart, because Walmart wants everyone. Eldest's youth minister wrote something in this months newsletter that really struck a chord in me...
The cost of not being hospitable and loving at church is much higher than lost funds.  We are not selling a product or a service, or an entertainment that someone might want to do.  How we treat people (visitors and long-term members alike) is a direct reflection on Jesus, since we as the church are His hands and feet.  
I think that others in this church and city could learn something from him.  We are also taught to follow the "golden rule" To treat others the way we wish to be treated". I can only say after these experiances I am going to try harder to push aside my fears and be more welcoming to people I meet. Even if they are just the cashiers at Walmart ;) 

talking to Supernova

hey there bud. We are going to practice our words today...
can you say.. bubby?
bub-bub-bub-bub
good job!!
can you say... girls?
GA!
good boy!
can you say tickle?
tukka tukka
good job!!!
can you say Mama?
DADADADADADADA
no try again MA-MA mmmmmmm?
DADADADADAD
Okay we are done for the day

9 months old

Chubby Bubby you are 9 months old today. You can pull your self up to a standing position. You are so stubborn! You want what you want when you want it! So much like your daddy! Your chocolate eyes sparkle when you smile and you melt hearts when you giggle at people. You love fruit and hate most vegetables but I keep feeding them to you. You especially hate oatmeal and squash. You love to explore things and are constantly following everyone around the house to see what they are doing.  You can play peek a boo now with a blankie. You love your "little boy blue" that Gwanma bought you, You won't go to sleep without him. You can sign Milk, All done, and of course Eat. You don't unless you are really mad that we are not doing what you want us to do. You still don't sleep longer than a few hours at night. You are so loved by everyone! No one can resist the power of your chubby cheeks. Your sisters love to pick you up and snuggle and kiss you.. they have a tendency to spoil you. ROTTEN. You are so special to us! Happy 9 month birthday my love!!

Lemon Pork Chops

Tonights Dinner was just a thrown together hot mess of yummyness. So here you go!

2 lemons sliced
1 onion sliced
4 pork chops

Take a cassarole dish and layer the onions and lemons set the pork chops on top. Cover with foil and cook on 350 for about an hour and a half. Sooo good!

Sorry there arn't any pictures. It didn't last long enough to get one ;)

3 letter word family's

Big_gwrl is having some issues learning her sight words. So we are working extra hard practicing our reading this summer so that she can go on to 1st grade. Not that repeating Kindergarten will be bad. She still needs practice.
I have been trying different things so that she doesn't feel like we are always doing book work or flash cards.
This was one of  our favorites.
                                                   3 letter word family bracelets.

                                                                   
1 pkg LARGE letter beads
1 package of pony beads to separate the words
1 skein of elastic string


Tie a pony bead about an inch from the end of the thread so the letters dont fall off. DO NOT CUT YET!!!


pick which family you are going to use.. ie : UG 
help your child separate out all the U's and G's and set them aside on a cookie sheet 
then help your child sort out one of each consonant and line then up alphabetically. This is so your child can sound out each first letter to see if it makes a word when combined with your ending. 
as they make words line them up for them separating each word with a pony bead so that once they have found all the words it will be easier for them to put them on the string.  let them string the beads then tie them off. You now have awesome word family bracelets!!! 

A day in the life of kids

Open the front door and see dirty dishes piled high after a dinner made by little hands. Cheese- it and Cheerio crumbs all over the carept left by hungry bellies. Index cards left by Learning minds. Markers left out drying by creative minds.Laundry waiting to be washed and a mountian waiting to be folded left by days full of mud puddles and learning how to "puddle" our bikes. Wet towles and lotion left by what were mud monsters now reveled to be angels. Bottles and cups left in little hidey holes where they were forgotten. Girl scout ,soccer, and gymnastic uniforms and equipment,thrown down after an exhausting day. Pots , Pans and Silverware left by exploring hands. Baby dolls and overturned strollers left abandoned by little mommies. Prom dresses, crowns and high heels left by little princesses. Make-up and toy cameras left out by "America's Next Top Models". This is my day and my house everyday, and I would not change it one bit

Chicken Parmesan casserole

This was another thrown together meal
Chicken Parm Cassarole

2 chicken breasts cooked and diced
spaghetti noodles or angel hair pasta
1 can spaghetti  sauce
2 cans diced Italian tomato's
2 cups motzrella cheese
2 cups stovetop crushed

Cook the pasta until tender.  drain. Pour cooked hot pasta into a greased cassarole dish. Top with the diced chicken, tomatos and spaghetti sauce. Then add the cheese on top. Then added the crushed stove top. Cover with foil and cook for 30 min. @ 350. uncover and cook until topping is browned and crunchy.

Supernova progress report

Supernova is now 6 1/2 months old.
he can sit up by himself and lower himself to the floor.
he can army crawl but hes also getting on all fours and rocking.
he can use his sippy cup and play with cheerios.
he likes banannas but hates squash and avacado
he has two teeth
still wont sleep without mommy
he likes to give zerberts
and he says yiyiyiyii,  mamama, dadada, and blahblahblah

My day

My day
Tennie Hardin


 My mommy is sleepy today so we are gonna write together about my day!
I get up around 6:30 just about the time Daddy has left and Mommy is busy fixing breakfast, trying to critique sissys clothes, get lunches made, and setting breakfast out. I find this is the best time to really get people's attention so I tell everyone that they are ignoring me!. As soon as sissy's are gone I get milks and nakie time! I play with my friends, my toys and my doggies while mommy washes diapers and dishes until I've decided mommy isn't paying me enough attention. I get cuddles and milks then we go run errands! I like this part because I get to go to daddy's work then the store! Everyone at the store LOVES me! Sometimes mommy takes to long so I have to let her know it's time for a nap and of course more milks. I don't like to take naps alone so I let mommy know the crib upsets me and I want more snuggles. She loves me so she lays down on my big bed with me. Then when I get up mommy is GONE so I have to let her know I'm all alone. I do this LOUD just in case she can't hear me.
 When I wake up of course I need more milks! While mommy and I are snuggling my sissys come home!
They are LOUD! And so much fun! I am always so happy to see them! They all hug me and kiss me and tell me how much they missed me.  Mommy has to help them do stuff and get supper ready so they read to me and play with me. They aren't mommy and aren't as much fun so I really get upset after a while.  Then daddy comes home and loves all over me, and gets me ready for dinner. I get milks first then I have to sit in a stupid chair and eat goo. I really dont like a lot of the stuff mommy lets me try. I have learned a cool trick I learned how to spit the goo at daddy! My sissys REALLY liked that!!  After that mommy just gives me cheerios to play with. Then after dinner im pretty sleepy so daddy gives me a bath while mommy helps my sissys and gets my jammies out. When daddy and I are done mommy tortures me by putting on those yucky jammies and diapers and not giving me milks. I tell her how upset I am at her but she just laughs at me!! Then FINALLY I get my milks. I like this part because mommy sings to me as I go to sleep and drink my milks. Soon i'll wake up and want my mommy but for now it's time for bed.

Puzzle Pasta

This dish is names puzzle pasta because it came together like pieces of a puzzle. I asked Big_Gwrl what she wanted for dinner and she said she wanted bow noodles. Middlest got meat she picked bacon. Eldest got something creamy she picked cream cheese. I added cooked chicken for Big_daddy.
So here is our yummy puzzle pasta

Puzzle Pasta

1 8oz. tub of low fat cream cheese
1/2 a box of Bow Tie pasta
1 cup grape tomatos halved or quartered (depending on what you want)
1/3 cup of chicken stock
1/2 a package of bacon
3 chicken breast  cut into pieces
2 tsp garlic powder (or to taste)

Boil water to cook your pasta.
While your water is heating cut the bacon into small pieces and fry it and drain on paper towels.
pour pasta into boiling water cook.
When pasta is ALMOST finished mix cream cheese, garlic, and chicken stock in a small sauce pan on low heat until smooth.
drain pasta and pour into a large bowl add bacon, chicken, and tomatos. then pour sauce over the top and mix well. I served this warm because no one wanted to wait but i think it would be amazing cold!

getting to know you...

I decided that we are gonna play inside the actors studio. just as a way for some of you to get to know me better.

What is your favorite word? LOVE and GREASE 'cause they both are THE word

What is your least favorite word? HATE 

What turns you on? CAPTAIN AMERICA

What turns you off? SOMEONE THAT COULD DELIBERTLY HURT ANOTHER

What sound do you love? CHILDREN GIGGLING

What sound do you hate? PEOPLE YELLING AT ONE ANOTHER

What profession other than yours would you like to attempt?  A BREAD BAKER I love bread.. I love the way it smells, the way dough feels, I love EVERYTHING about bread!

What profession would you not like to participate in? CUSTOMER SERVICE REP Those poor people have some real jerks they have to deal with and I know I sure wouldn't have the patients to! 

What’s your favorite curse word? SHIT

If heaven exists what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates? NOW SEE THAT WASN'T SO BAD WAS IT? 

Mothers Day

                                                             Happy Mothers Day.
                                          I would not be a Mother if not for you babe.
                              Almost 9 years ago you asked me to help you raise your daughter.
                            We added another daughter to the mix the next year. One more two
                             years later. Then this year we added our son.
                             They are the very best of me.
                             Thank you for giving me four beautiful children.

Nothin better to do

 
 Yesterday I mentioned I co-sleep with Supernova. Sometimes I feel like it's some horrible secret that I have to keep to myself. There is such a stigma attached to it. There are dangers but I don't move a lot in my sleep, I don't take sleeping pills, and I don't drink alcohol. I didn't plan it.  I always nursed the girls in bed at night then transfered them to their crib. It just kind of evolved when Big_Daddy moved out of town. It was easier to just keep the baby in bed with me than to keep getting up and down all night long. I figgured out real quick that you get to actually sleep that way. When we moved south we transitioned Supernova back into his crib at night. Lately though he's been going through everything teething, growth spurts, allergies, you name it. Meaning he hasn't been sleeping well at night so in order for us to get more sleep (any) we've had to start up again.
  There are a lot of benifits to co-sleeping. Babies are programmed to be close to thier mothers. So sleeping next to them keeps baby feeling more secure in thier world. Mom's warmth and breathing helps regulate thier body tempature, helps keep them from falling asleep to deeply.. preventing SIDS, it also helps moms to be quicker to respond if there is a problem with baby. I am not in any way trying to convince anyone to co-sleep with thier child. It's just what works best for me and Supernova at this time.
    We have had a few kinks we needed to work out. For instance Big_Daddy does roll over in his sleep and it worries me that our bed is so far off the ground.  So we placed the foam mattress cover we used while I was pregnant on to the floor made it up like a bed and on nights when Supernova needs to be close to me he and I will move down there. That way he doesn't get rolled on top of and he can't fall out of the bed. Daddy also gets the sleep HE needs to talk care of us.
    I don't know why right now Supernova needs his mommy so close to him. I do know that my job as a mother is to do what my family needs me to do. Right now my little man needs his mommy close so if I have to lay down with my chubby bubby so he feels more secure then that is what I will do. There isn't anything that I have to do that will not wait. It has taken me a long time to figgure that out and maybe this is Gods way of convincing me I need to prioritize how I do things.

6 months of breastfeeding, co-sleeping and cloth diapering

Today is the day! I have reached my first goal of breastfeeding Supernova until 6 months!
I am sooo flippin excited!!

I have been a cloth diapering, co sleeping, breastfeeding momma for six months!!


- Middlest I fell prey to the not gaining enough weight thing. Which if you don't breastfeed means Dr.s tell you your baby isn't gaining enough weight and you need to suppliment with formula and pump to see how much you are making. Breastfed babies gain weight diffrently than formula fed babies.Not everyone is good at pumping milk. A breast pump doesn't work as well as your baby. If I had known to ask a Lactation consultant to weigh her before and after feeding I would found out the truth as well as ways to boost my supply. My mom and I couldn't even find anyone who had EVER even heard of La Leche!! Anyways one bottle of formula gave way to more then when I got a job where I couldn't breastfeed it was just easier to quit.
- Big_Gwrl I hated breastfeeding. I hated having someone touch me constantly.  I just couldn't do it without hating that poor little defenseless baby.  So under the urging of my mom and Big Daddy I quit. We both were much happier with bottles and they allowed us to bond without the feelings of hatred.
- Supernova I read up on the latest news. Met other breastfeeding moms in my homeschool group who wern't afraid to answer questions. I met several lactation consultants and made sure I was ready for this one.
I knew what to watch out for depression wise and I wouldn't beat myself up if I couldn't which was why my goal was set to six months instead of 1 year. I really think having that support system really helped me on my journey. I knew if I had any problems all I had to do was make one phone call. When the dr. told me he wasn't gaining weight fast enough, to give him cereal at 3 months, or to give him water to hydrate him when he had RSV I either ignored him or called the LC. I'm not going to say it's been fun. Or easy because it hasn't been. Getting up and feeding the baby many many many times during the night isn't fun. Cluster feeding and growth spurts aren't easy.Drinking 10-15 bottles of water a day is yucky! When those little fingers pinch and when Supernova keeps kicking my sholder I want to quit. But I keep going knowing that he's only trying to stay awake. If you don't have kids or if you are going to try breastfeeding again my advice would be get a big squishy chair JUST FOR YOU and a small fridge filled with bottles of water. Also  Drink drink drink drink drink. You should be drinking at least 1/2 your body weight in ounces of water a day! Bottles work best for me but thats just me. Also make sure you keep up your caloric intake!
Your little one needs the extra calories and you need the energy!

As for cloth diapering. It's a commitment. You have to commit to using cloth diapers. It's an expensive up front investment, but it's cheaper the long run. I think we are up to... maybe 600$ in diapers BUT these are diapers that will last until Supernova is potty trained! I would buy one of several kinds before your baby gets here and try them out to see what kind works best for you. We have 30 pocket diapers, Tons of unbleached prefolds, 3 all in one diapers ( for the diaper bag), and 6 covers. I had more covers but They were not one size and Supernova outgrew them. I didn't like them enough to get more. I do a LOT of laundry but we have a system that works. We use laundry baskets in each room I change the baby in. Every other day I walk around and dump them into a "traveling" bucket and wash them. Hang dry if sunny.. if not the diapers are air dried for 2 hours in the dryer. oh. If you do line dry your diapers outside.. just a warning throw them in the dryer for 10/15 min before you fold them so any bugs get killed.

yummy yummy fruit salad!!!

Sorry I couldn't resist :)

Healthy Fruit Salad with not so healthy topping (for the kiddos)

4 cups (ish) green (seedless) grapes
4 cups fresh blueberries
4 cups fresh strawberries

dump in a bowl and mix together!

Topping:

1 block low fat cream cheese- room temp
1 large jar Marshmellow cream
1 cup greek vanilla yogurt

Start by beating the cream cheese until smooth. Then add the marshmallow cream and yogurt. taste. Add more yogurt if you want it to be a little runnier.
the topping is meant to be more of a thick drizzle topping and not a thick dip.

Spaghetti Squash Spaghetti bake

This turned out really well. Even the doubting Thomas Big_Daddy gave it a thumbs up.

Ingredents:
Spaghetti sauce
1 lbs hamburger
a large skettie squash
low fat Mozzarella cheese

cut the squash and scoop out the seeds. Cook until tender and scoop the meat from it's shell ( this part is best done ahead of time)
Brown up your meat and drain.
then mix together in a large bowl
the squash, skettie squash, and the cheese ( lots of cheese)
once mixed well pour into a casserole dish and top with more cheese and parm.
cook at 400 until the cheese is melty and bubble.
serve warm with garlic bread!

Chili Casserole

Tonight was one of those dinners that just comes together and makes something REALLY yummy.
I had a pound of hamburger defrosted that needed to be cooked and not much else. (haven't gone grocery shopping yet this week)
I went pantry scrounging and found a can of corn and a can of black beans. So I decided to make a mexican casserole... but I didnt have taco seasoning so it ended up being a chili kind :)

preheat to 400

1 lb of ground beef
1 can black beans
1 can of corn
1 cup of rice & 2 cups of water
lots of cheddar cheese
1 1/4-1/2 LARGE cans of tomato sauce
1 pkg of chili seasoning
2 boxes of jiffy corn bread mix

Cook your rice accoring to directions we used brown but white would work just fine.
Brown up your ground beef and drain it well.
Once your rice has cooked add the following to a large bowl rice, drained and rinsed black beans, the drained can of corn, the ground beef, your chili seasoning and the tomato sauce ( taste frequently if you need more sauce) then add the chedder cheese and stir up.
Pour into a large casserole dish. spread evenly.
Mix the cornbread mix in a seperate bowl according to directions. pour on top of casserole and spread evenly.
cook until the cornbread is cooked all the way through.
serve hot.
Top with sour cream :)

Enjoy!!!

meeting new people in the community.

So I decided I needed to get out and make some... contacts? today. I went to the local (only) baby resale store to see if THEY knew of any moms groups for stay at home mothers. I met some nice ladies who told me we dont have anything like that around here. *sighs*
Off to the next destination.
the core of every community.
The Library.
Story time. Free books. Summer reading programs.
I walked in and went straight to the desk. Glancing at what would be HOPEFULLY our home away from home this summer.
I asked the librarian for a library card. She looked me up and down. Sniffed. Then said she needed proof of residence. I whipped out our lease (which the website said was okay).
She looked it over and said
 I don't think your name is Timothy. So we can't use this.
 my name is right here under people who live at this residence. Smiling.
She started filling it out then set her pencil down and said we have to have refrences. 
REFRENCES? I just moved here. I don't know anyone yet. Thats why I'm looking foward to starting to come...
Yes well we still need refrences. Somebody to vouch for you to say you are trustworthy. Somebody that doesn't live at the same address. 
oh... smile is quickly fading
Well can I get the time and dates for..
No there wouldn't be any point since you arn't a member and your child is to young for our activites.
 I took back my lease and my drivers license. And started walking away. I am embarrassed to say tearing up. When she said....
Sorry it's only policy...Why don't you come back after you've met some people. 
.....
I try VERY hard to be nice and courtious so I kept walking because I really wanted to say some not very nice things. 
This also comes after going on that silly zoo field trip where I tried to talk to some of the other moms about the school and it's teachers while we were waiting for the bus and they looked at me adjusted thier circle and kept talking to each other. 

Then people wonder why I don't want to meet new people.
Although the Mayor did personally deliver our new trash can.

Depression Lies

This must be a bad time of year for depression. The Bloggess and a lot of other have been struggling with thier inner demons a lot lately. Me included. 

It seems like there is sooo much in the would that I am supposed to be doing. I am almost 33 at stuck home cleaning house ( or struggling to) the mother to 4 kids one a teenager, 2 elementry school girls who this week can't stand the sight of each other, and a teething, nursing baby. My sister is graduating soon with her doctorate, my brother with his masters, my parents are traveling the US. and here I am with a baby stuck to me night and day. literally. 

For the past few days these thoughts just keep circulating. I decided I needed a change. So I dyed my hair lusty lavender. It SUCKS.

I forgot something REALLY important. 

To turn these things over to God. 

I sat in bed this morning playing with the baby and I started talking to God about all these things that keep going through my mind. I remembered that doing all these huge adventures are not me.

I always wanted to be a stay at home mother.

I always wanted to have lots of kids. 

I am doing what I wanted. 

I am not jealous of my brother and my sister. I am proud of them. I am proud of me. I am proud of all I have done. I am not depression. I will not allow it to win. 

Isaiah 41:10

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

it's starting.. sadly..

My baby.. my last little baby is growing up.
I'm proud of him.
REALLY..
kinda..
not really.
Truthfully I just want to cry every time he learns to do something new.
He now babbles and "talks" to you, he rolls over in both directions deliberately, he kinda army crawls to different toys, He has started eating cereal, He's drinking water (and unfeet tea) during dinner from a sippy with a little help, and now today he's started getting on all fours and rocking which means he'll be crawling soon. I'm glad I bought those baby gates last week but it still makes me a little sad.
Soon he'll be talking and crawling then walking ect. ect. ect.

Happily though he loves his mommy and his favorite place (and mine) is in my arms.  

OH! middlest has taught him how to smack his lips! 

1 year later April 27th

Tomorrow is the one year anniversary of April 27th. A horrible day in Alabama's history. Every county had tornados. Many lives were lost. We were lucky. Please stop and say a prayer for those who lost family members, neighbors, friends, homes and other many things. It was a heartbreaking terrifying time. A lot of families still have no home or still in temporary homes. We are still just finding out how much we lost.
Here are some pictures from last year.

Goin a little nutty here!

Hi my name is Rachael and I have a high needs baby, 2 school agers, and a teenager. I don't know how in the world to get ANYTHING done!

Supernova wants to be held or in my sightline ALL THE TIME.

Big_Gwrl needs help with reading and addition everyday.

Middlest has to study her spelling words for HOURS and her subtraction everyday.

Eldest needs someone to study with and explain to her how to type reports in certain formats.

Big_daddy needs a loving, caring, nurturing wife who gives HIM attention. 

A healthy dinner must be made nightly, breakfasts must be preped, lunches made. 

The house unpacked and cleaned constantly.

Laundry must be going daily. 

Half of the time I don't know if im coming or going.

Its really hard trying to get things done. I wear the baby and try to get some sort of house work done each day but there is only so much you can do with a fussy screaming baby tied to your chest. especially when it comes to unpacking. I've tried setting him in his bouncer seats for small amounts of time. That doesn't work well. So I end up playing with him on his blanket. I enjoy the fact that my son loves his mommy and always wants to be near her. My heart swells each time he reaches out for me and smiles and alternately breaks when he reaches out for me with tear filled eyes. I know that no one EXPECTS me to have a perfect house and such. But is it so wrong that I expect myself to be able to do it all? A neat house (not perfect), dinner in the oven, happy kids (snort) who sit down and do their homework with mommy while baby plays patiently on his blankie? I know that I will EVENTUALLY settle into a routine in this new area that works for us. I know Supernova won't always want mommy so close so I should enjoy this time and all that blah blah blah stuff. But right now my life is chaos with EVERYONE complaining that there isn't enough of me to go around. How do you guys juggle it all? 

Mexican basagna

So a few months ago I attempted making chicken enchilada's. They might have turned out good if I'd actually used a recipe. But what would be the fun in that? My mess up turned into a really yummy casserole. The girls loved it so yesterday I made it for Big_Daddy. It was a hit!


Mexican basagna
1 package of corn tortillas
1 large can of Salsa Verde
1 boned rotisserie chicken OR 4 cooked chicken breasts (shredded)
1 can of refried beans
2 blocks of montrey jack cheese (shredded)

Pre heat oven to 350. Grease a large cassarole dish. heat up your salsa verde and your refried beans in separate pots.
-(bottom layer- cover the bottom of your dish with a light layer of refried beans. Then cheese, then a layer of corn tortillas then a LIGHT layer of salsa verde ( this will soften the tortillas so if you use alot they will turn to mush but it's yummy that way too!)
-middle layers- then beans, chicken, cheese, tortillas, salsa verda. do this until you are ready for the top layer
-top layer- beans, tortillas, salsa verde then lots of cheese

cook covered for 45 min uncover for 15. The family likes the cheese squishy before it browns (i dont! ) so you might want to leave it in longer.
dish out and top with Low fat (or regular) sour cream ( or none which is how I like it!)

This recipe is kid approved! Big_gwrl likes it because the salsa verde isn't hot or spicy.

Supernova's steam engine and night night songs

Supernova only takes a pappy at bed time. We do play with it during the day taking it in and out of his mouth and mommy's playing MY pappy! Lately though he has learned how to spit it out of his mouth so at bed time when you give him his pappy and he doesn't want it Supernova will start blowing sounding more and more like a steam engine hissing until it finally shoots out of his mouth like a rocket. I love it!! Every night I rock him in our chair singing two certain songs to him (Puff the Magic Dragon and Peggy Gordon) until he falls asleep. Tonight I fed him and then I snuggled him and put his pappy in his mouth but before I started singing Supernova pulled his pappy out of his mouth... patted my face and went ahh ahhh ahh.. like he was singing. A beautiful moment between mommy and her baby.

5 month old

This was little man 5 months ago. A tiny scrawny, blue eyed, bald headed, little baby boy

This is little man now... chubby, and snuggly. He like to laugh at his sisters. He wrinkles his nose when he smiles and you cant resist smiling back.  His blue eyes have turned brown ( THANK YOU GOD) Little man can roll over and is learning to inch forward. He can turn himself around.. and best of all he reaches for people specifically mommy. He is a pimp. Wherever he goes the women follow cooing over him.  He's teething which is a new experience for me.  Middlest never had any issues teething and Big_Gwrl only did with her molers but we are getting through it. He is also a 100% breastmilk baby! Only one more month until I have reached the FIRST of my breast feeding goals! 

Thank you for letting my gush. I'm a lot proud of little man if you couldnt tell 

New environments

One thing I always hated about moving was having to meet new people. As I've gotten older it's gotten worse. I don't want to say i'm shy because I'm defiantly not that. I also don't want to say I have a social anxiety disorder because that would be using my depression as a crutch instead of rising above it. The first time I remeber it REALLY affecting me was my first real job interview. Ugh it was sooo bad. I cried I seriously got so freaked out I cried.. during the interview. Today was a church picnic at our new church so I decided since the baby was asleep and the younger girls were grounded I would take Eldest. Part of me is screaming WHY?!?!?! Stay home!! Let Big_Daddy take her!! but I wouldn't let that part win so I went. UGH. Not many people were there (at the time) and the ones there were all knew each other. They were closed ranks. You know? Defiantly not a sight that someone like me needs to see coming into a new and strange place. One man stepped aside and said to Eldest there were kids over there for her to go meet then he went right back into his group. It was really hard to..... I don't know.. overcome?? I lasted about 30 min. I tried to talk to a few people but I felt more like I was interfearing. So Eldest and I came home... we ARE going to go back just with the family that way i'll have some sort of buffer.
I can't let things like this pull me down! I refuse to go back down that path!! I want to be more like Tiny T and my lovely Purple Haired friend and get out there. Jump into conversations make people feel  welcome and like I am someone fun to know. I hate standing on the outskirts!

strawberry salad

i found a yummy salad recipe on pintrest the other day and me being me have to change the recipe.
and just to shock your socks off... i actually made it HEALTHIER!

strawberry salad
ingredients:
2 cooked chopped chicken breasts
1 bag of salad
1 box sliced fresh (not frozen) strawberries
1 cup ( can be more or less) blue cheese
1 cup chopped walnuts (candied would be really good if you had them)
balsalmic vingrette ( we used berry balsalmic)

directions :
dump first four ingredients into a large bowl and toss. then right before serving lightly dress with vingrette

very spring looking and soo yummy!

baked oatmeal

This recipe is amazing. Even the girls liked it.:) So I decided to share.
Baked Oatmeal
3 cups rolled oats
1 cup brown sugar
2 tsp ground cinnamon
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
1 cup of milk
1 cup plain or vanilla yogurt
1/2 cup melted butter
2 tsp vanilla
1 bag of blueberries

Preheat to 350
mix the first five ingredients together in a bowl  then in a separate bowl mix milk, yogurt,butter and vanilla. Combine with dry ingredients once mixed stir in blueberries and pour into greased casserole dish. Cook for 40 min.
SOOO yummy!

WHY!!!!????

I try to be as positive about the whole big_daddy living 3 hours away thing, I really do. I get up every morning and get everyone dressed and going. I make hot breakfasts most mornings. I juggle a homeschooler and her many activities, a baby, and  running the girls to and from school. I do good! HOWEVER...
there are some weeks like this one where Supernova is going through a growth spurt that everything falls apart. Okay not really.. it just FEELS that way. We've muddled through but i feel like.... im drowning. I have slept 4 hours in the past two nights. Supernova doesn't sleep during growth spurts. Okay well he sleeps just in 15 min increments, at night 2 hours. It makes you nuts. You second guess EVERYTHING. Is this REALLY a growth spurt? Am I producing enough milk? Is there something else going on that I am missing? Not to mention that babies have this uncanny ability especially while sleeping to know when you are doing something you might actually enjoy.. something that might just relax you. Something like lets say taking a shower when you haven't all week long. The little stinker fell asleep and stayed asleep for longer than 15 min so in a flash of inspiration ( eldest's) I went to go take a nice hot relaxing bath and as soon as I got in the tub and picked up my book wouldn't you know Supernova started screaming.   UGH!! It's soo frustrating! I know deep in my heart this will not last forever it just feels like it.

my little man

Well little man. You are going to three months old on Tuesday. 

You have grown so much. As I layed you down to sleep tonight I covered you with a blanket. I realized that a few weeks ago I could cover you with 1/2 the blankie but tonight you needed the whole blanket. You like to watch your sisters now and even have a "sissy" cry. You look for your mommy when someone else is holding you. You laugh and smile at people when they are ignoring you. Today you actually got to play with pookieboo your Granmpa. I think both of you had an amazing time!! You have grown so much!!  Your schedule is pretty predictable now, but if something happens that you get off kilter you get a little off and refuse to nap.  I wish you'd sleep a little longer but im okay with your schedule. 

The Dang I love you momma sandwich

Today the baby actually a nap so I was able to fry up some bacon for a cool breakfast experiment we are having tomorrow. I promised Eldest we could have BLT's for lunch today and miracle of miracles the baby took an afternoon nap as well so I was able to make them instead of her. I decided to experiment a little and came up with these.
Dang I love you Momma sandwiches

2 slices of bread
Tomato slices
4 slices of bacon - cooked
lettuce
slices of brie cheese
butter
a heavy skillet (not the one you cook in)

 Butter your bread and set one buttered side down in a skillet place brie then bacon, tomato, lettuce, and top with more brie then place your second piece of buttered bread on top. butter side up. Gently place the second skillet on top. Check your sandwich for browning... once browned flip. Allow other side to brown.. keep the skillet on the top to smoosh you sandwich down.
once the second side is browned allow to set then cut ( i found scissors worked best)

Captioning pictures.. again

Oh my Gosh what in the HECK is that smell? 

Oh... daddy....I need a favor over here...

doing something right

           Big Daddy gave Eldest an assignment Tuesday to look through this "self help" book for women. It was based on some tv show where women can win a contest based on how much they "improve" in several areas of i don't know "beauty". She was not allowed to comment or discuss the book with us and when it was over we would discuss what she thought.  This is what she thought . 

         Daddy, they took all these normal beautiful looking moms and turned them into pagent queens. It was so disgusting! They all had to much make-up and reveling clothing!! They had to get plastic surgery in order to stay in the group. They had to change who they were to fit what someone else wanted. I hated this book Daddy. Now here comes my favorite part.. where I realized her daddy, momma, and myself are doing a great job with her. She said what made me the most mad was in the end of this book the author said part of improving yourself is having faith in God. That God says He helps those who help themselves. Women HAVE to do these things in order to do what God wants for them!! Can you belive that daddy?! How could she say that!! God made each of us in HIS OWN IMAGE and HIS image is PERFECTION. How can changing yourself.. getting plastic surgery, wearing reveling clothing and too much make-up be what God wants for you?? If he wanted these women to look like that he would have made them look like pagent queens. 

      Big Daddy just looked at her and said well.. okay.. um I thought we were going to have to get around to that but well you pass.  

   

Little Man

Supernova is getting bigger and happier each day... well except the past few days but being sick will do that to you. He weighs around 15 lbs now. Fat and Happy! He LOVES to take showers with his daddy! He loves his sisters. Right now they try to see who can get him to smile first. I had forgotten how great it can be to do nothing all day but hold a little baby. He's so snuggly and sweet!!

sick baby

NO BODY LOVES ME!! Here I am sick and no one is talking to me or holding me!!

Hey little man. I'll come talk to you. Tell me all about whats wrong. Sissy is right here.

My life is soo hard. I went to the ER last night. I can't even talk about what happened! I'm still having nightmares! 

Oh my gosh! you poor thing!! Is there anything I can do ? Story? Snuggles? 

hmmm... Do you change diapers? 

Nope. Gotta talk to momma about that one. 

Dang it! 

Gonna be a great day casserole

So I couldn't sleep this morning so I decided to make breakfast for the girls first day back to school.

It's gonna be a great day casserole
Ingredients:
1 lb of sausage
1 cup un cooked grits
4 cups of cheese (shredded)
6 eggs
3 ups of water
1/4 cup of milk

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350.
put your 3 cups of water on to boil with the lid on. Start browning your sausage. while your sausage cooks beat 6 eggs and milk  in a bowl and set aside. Drain sausage and set in a seprate bowl large enough to mix all your ingredients together. Pour your grits into the now bowling water. Turn down to med low and put the lid back on your pot set for 5 min.  Pour your scrambled egg mixture into your sausage skillet and cook on medium. Grease a med. size casserole dish. Once eggs and grits are finished add 1/2 the cheese to the grits and stir to combine and melt the cheese. Then add to bowl containing the sausage. Carefully stir in scrambled eggs into the mixture. Once combined pour into casserole dish. Top with remaining cheese. Cover with foil and cook for 25 min.  Remove foil and cook for 5 more min.
serve warm :)
Enjoy!!