Giving Thanks-Day 28

I'm Thankful for pictures and that I have a nice camera to take them with!

Giving Thanks-Day 27

I'm Thankful that my Mom let me borrow her urban rebounder. I have been doing it for several months now. I really have only lost a couple of pounds but my clothes fit better and I just feel healthier!

Giving Thanks-Day 26

I'm Thankful to be an American and living in a free Country where Woman have equal rights and we have a lot of Freedom's some people do not get in Other Country's.

Giving Thanks-Day 25

I'm thankful that we live somewhere that the season's change. I love having the leaves change and then having snow and looking forward to flowers in spring and Hot summer days.

Thanksgiving 2011

Kevin had to work this afternoon so he couldn't eat dinner with us. My Mom sent him a piece of pie for his dinner at work tonight and I brought home leftovers but it's not the same without him there with us. I am Thankful that he has this job though and that is just how it has to be this year. 

Before dinner my Mom and I took the kids and dogs for a nice walk. Then we went back and I gave the kids a bath and got them dressed.  

We finished up the food and ended up eating around 5:30. Nathan fell asleep right before dinner which was easier on me since I don't have a high chair at my Parent's house.  It was just My Mom, Dad, sister Angela and My Aunt Corrine, My kids and Me there.   My sister Shelly came over a little later and we looked at all the Ads. She is going to pick some stuff up for me. I have not gone out on Black Friday since I had my kids so I just have someone else pick stuff up for me if I see anything I want.

We had a Good time, I just wish my Husband could have been there with us.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Giving Thanks-Day 24

I'm Thankful for this day I will be spending with Family!
Happy Thanksgiving!

Giving Thanks-Day 23

I'm thankful to have my Mom and sister's close by when I need a babysitter. It is nice to have family I trust to watch my kids.

Pre-K weeks 9 & 10

I have been slacking at this. I did take pictures but didn't really keep up with what she has been doing. Today they had a dental clinic come in and they checked her teeth, They are perfect and no cavities! 

Monday Nov 14Th

Tuesday Nov 15Th

Wednesday Nov 16

Thursday Nov 17 Forgot to take a picture

Friday No School

Monday Nov 21

Tuesday Nov 22

No School the rest of the Week for Thanksgiving Break.

Giving Thanks-Day 22

I am Thankful for my entire extended Family. My Mom has 7 siblings and there are 17 Kids between them, plus all of their children are grown with kids of their own and even some of those kids now have kids! Then my Dad has 6 siblings plus some other's he found out about as an adult and they all also have lots of kids and grand kids. I only wish we could all get together more often!

Giving Thanks-Day 21

I am Thankful for all of the Memories I have of my Nanny and pa. My Pa passed away unexpectedly from a Heart Attack in August of 2003 at age 77. He had a part time job and had even worked the day before he passed. I miss him so much but I have so many good memories of him.

My Nanny is blind now and was diagnosed several years ago with alzheimer's. She pretty much does not remember anyone or anything anymore.She turned 81 this year. She was always so loving and like a second Mom to me. I was always so comfortable and felt safe when I was with her. I remember one time when I was around 5 years old I was mad at my Mom for some reason. So I packed a suitcase and told my Mom I was running away to go live with My Nanny & Pa. So I stood by the door and my Mom asked what I was waiting for. I said "Well you have to take me there". My Mom said "No, if you are running away you have to get there by yourself" I was so mad, lol.  It's strange now the things my Nanny will remember though. The last time I went to see her with my Mom we took Nathan with us. My Mom sat him in my Nanny's lap and said "This is Kelly's baby Nathan" Then Nanny said "Oh he is the boy who drown". She can remember my Brother drowing 31 years ago but she can't remember her own kids names. It is really hard seeing her like that.

I am so happy I have so many good memories of them both. 

This is a picture of Nanny & Pa with Shelly and Me in 1980

This is me last year at Nanny's 80th Birthday with her. This is a couple weeks before I had Nathan.

Bacon Chicken Breasts

I made this for My husband and Kids tonight. I am vegetarian so I didn't have any but they loved it!

1 box stove top stuffing mix
About 4 tablespoons water
4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (frozen)
12 slices raw bacon
1 can condensed cream of chicken soup
6 slices Cheddar cheese

Spray crockpot with cooking spray. Place the stuffing mix on the bottom. Sprinkle with water. Wrap each frozen breast with 3 slices of bacon. Place on top of the stuffing mix . Pour can of soup over top of chicken. Cook on LOW for 7 to 10 hours or on HIGH for 5 to 7 hours.

Place cheese slices on top to melt 15 minutes before serving.

Giving Thanks-Day 20

I'm Thankful for Books and the Ability to read. They give me a fun escape sometimes.

Giving Thanks-Day 19

I'm Thankful that my kids are all healthy! They were all born healthy and have never had anything too serious wrong with them.

Giving Thanks-Day 18

I am thankful that I am able to be a Stay at Home Mom with my kids. I love being with them and knowing what they are up to most of the time. Sometimes it can be very frustrating to be home with them all the time but it is worth it. I know within the next couple of years I will be looking for a job but for now I am happy to have the chance to be with them most of the time.

Giving Thanks-Day 17

I am Thankful for Gabby's Head Start Pre-K. She almost didn't get in because we were over the income level but they had some extra spots left and she was allowed to go. She has learned so much since starting and she really likes it a lot. She is bored on days she doesn't go.

Giving Thanks-Day 16

I'm Thankful for my Dog Kito. He is the Best dog I have ever had. He is so good with our kids too!

Weis Coupon Savings 11/16/11

I got some great items at Weis today. They have coupons on a display in the store for the soups and chicken broth plus they have a deal going on when you buy $15.00 worth of participating Campbells, Swanson & pepperidge farm items, you get $5.00 off automatically. The catch is that they are currently on sale so the discount comes off the regular price making it an awesome deal since you don't have to actually spend the $15.00 to get $5.00 off! I used a lot of these Soups for Cooking so this is a great deal for me!

Transaction #1
3 bags ore Ida products-used 2 $1.00 off 1 coupons I printed from the Internet
1 Bag Texas Toast Croutons- used 1 coupon for 50 cents off that doubled to $1.00 off making them 25 cents
12 Campbells cooking soups on sale 5 for $4.00 and used 3 $1.00 off 4 coupons


Total Before savings $28.24
Total After Savings $5.82
Total Savings 79%

Transaction #2
2 Swanson chicken Broth on sale 2 for $4.00 -Used Coupon for 1.00 off 2
7 Cream of chicken soup
1 Cream of Mushroom soup-Used 2 coupons for 1.00 off 4 on the soups
Total Before Savings $ 16.70
Total After Savings $ 2.40
Total Savings 85%

Giving Thanks-Day 15

I am thankful for all of the Online friendships I have made through the years. I met my husband on a Nascar Message board and some other people too! Then when I was pregnant for Gabby I joined a diaper message board and made some friends on there. Then I joined a Forum that split off from that one and made some closer friends. Now I am also a member on a Gymboree Forum and I have some friends from there. I feel really close to these friends even though most of them I have not met in person. I am happy to have them in my life.

Giving Thanks-Day 14

I am Thankful for our apartment. Although it is cramped and we are outgrowing this place I am thankful we have somewhere to live. I always try to tell myself that no matter how hard it is living in this tiny apartment, it could always be worse.

Pre-K Week 9

MONDAY

They had a new bucket of Dinosaur's setting on a table when we got there and Gabby sat right down to play with that. She likes dinosaurs and know most of what kind they are.

TUESDAY

She had a good day but it was really hot in her classroom when I picked her up. The outside temp today was in the 70's.

WEDNESDAY

More playing with dinosaurs. They temperature has been so nice and we went to my Parent's house to walk to their pond after Gabby got out of school.

THURSDAY

Last day of School for the week. She was happy because she likes sleeping in!

FRIDAY

No School  for Veteran's Day

Giving Thanks-Day 13

I am Thankful that my husband has a job. It might not be the best job in the World but at least he has one.

Couponing Tops Trip 11/13/11

I got these deals using some coupons I printed from the Internet.

I got 2 packs pepperoni
3 containers Heluva Good dip
6 cans campbells cooking soup 
4 coffee mate creamers 

Giving Thanks-Day 12

I'm am Thankful for My Grandma who turned 81 today.

Giving Thanks-Day 11

I am Thankful for our Free Country and for the Soldier's who fight for our Freedom. 

Giving Thanks-Day 10

I am Thankful that my husband has a job. There are so many people out there right now who do not have jobs and I am happy he has been at his job for two years.

Giving Thanks-Day 9

I am Thankful for my younger sister. Without her my Mom would probably have died from Cervical Cancer. My Mom had not been in for her yearly checkups for several years. They were not going to have anymore kids so my Dad had a Vasectomy. Then about 4 years later they decided to have it reversed and have another baby. When my Mom went for her first prenatal visit they found out she had Cancer and it was pretty advanced. The doctor told my Mom he had to do surgery right away or else she would not survive until the end of the pregnancy and they would both die. So she had the surgery and luckily they both were okay. My Mom has been Cancer free ever since. If they had not had my Sister she says she probably would not have gone to her doctor and would have found out too late. My sister is almost 21 years old now and she is in her 3rd year of College working toward her Master's in Occupational Therapy.

Couponing Tops Trip 11/8/11

I love getting great deals on groceries. This week I got 115.75 Worth of Groceries for 34.12.
First I did a transaction where I bought 3 20 Roll packages of Scott Toilet paper and a coupon printed out for 10.00 off my next order. So then I used that 10.00 toward my second Transaction. We won't need any toilet paper for at least 6 months!

Here is what I bought

2 Naturally Delicious Dressing- Used two coupons that were 1.00 off each= 2.00
2 Boxes Aunt Jemimah waffles- Used a coupon that was 1.00 off two= 3.00
1 kleenex Hand Towel - Used a coupon that was 75 cents off and doubled to 1.50 off= 1.00
4 Packages Hatfield Bacon- These were on sale buy one get one free and I used 2 coupons for 2.00 off=9.98
2 packages Statefair Corndogs used a 1.00 off 2 coupon= 6.00
4 Yoplait Greek yogurts-used two coupons for 50 cents off two which doubled to 1.00 =2.00
5 boxes Nestle Hot Chocolate these were part of a mix or match 10 for 10 get the 11th free deal - I had two 55 cent coupons that doubled to 1.00 each since they were only 1.00=2.00 for 5 boxes


 6 packages Idahoan Potatoes- on sale 10 for 10 and part of the mix and match sale, used two coupons that were 75 cents off 3 and doubled to 1.50 off 3 making them 3.00 for 6 packages
 2 Francesco Rinaldi Pasta Sauce-used 2 35 cents off coupons that doubled to 70 cents off making them 97 cents each
3 Nisson Big Cups noodles on sale 3 for 2.00 and used a coupon that was 1.00 off 3 =1.00
2 packages Sargento Shredded Cheddar- On sale 2 for 4, used two coupons that were 55 cents each that doubled to 1.10 off each package-2 packages for 1.80
 
These last 8 items were on a sale that if you buy 8 you automatically get 4.00 off, I didn't have coupons for these items.
2 Boxes Hungry Jack pancake mix -on sale 2 for 4
2 bottles Hungry Jack Syrup 2 for 6
4 Boxes Pillsbury Brownies 4 for 5

I had a really long receipt!

Giving Thanks-Day 8

I am Thankful for Coupons! Seriously! They save me tons of money! Today I got 115.75 Worth of Groceries for 34.12!

The Duggar's Annouce #20, My take on it.

It seems like every time the Duggar's announce they are having another baby there is an uproar about it. I really don't see why everyone gets so mad.  It really isn't up to anyone else to decide how many kids they will have. They have left it up to God and if he doesn't want them to have more then 20 they will not have anymore. 


Some people will say that it is crazy for her to do that to her body and then they bring up the Complications with her last child. She had preeclampsia with her last but she had also had it with her 2nd pregnancy which was twins. So if she would have stopped having kids after that then all the kids born after Josh, John and Jana would not exist. I don't see how it would be appropriate for anyone to say those kids do not belong on this earth because their Mom should have never took the risk to have them.  Yes her daughter Josie was born very early but that can happen in a first pregnancy too. So should someone who has their first child very early not ever have another child just because there was a complication in the first pregnancy? 


The way I see it is that those kids are being well cared for, they seem happy. Their parents are self made Millionaires so they are not using up your tax dollars on WIC, Welfare, Medicaid, ect.  In the end it doesn't really affect me if they keep having kids or not. It's not my choice so as long as the children are all doing well I say why not keep having them. Plus once you have 19 kids what is one more thrown into the mix!


Congratulation to the Duggar Family, I wish Michelle a very healthy pregnancy.

Giving Thanks-Day 7

I am Thankful for my Twin Sister Shelly, who is also My Best Friend. She has always been there for me and although we are a lot different in some ways we also have a lot in common. God really blessed me by making me a Twin and I wish everyone could have one!

Giving Thanks-Day 6

I am Thankful for My Mom. She has always worked hard and taken good care of me and my Siblings. Now that I am older I feel like she is a friend. I Love you Mom!

Giving Thanks-Day 5

Today I am Thankful for all the Friendships I have made over the Internet through the years. I even met my Husband on the Internet. :)

Good Recipes for Thanksgiving

Slow Cooker Stuffing

Ingredients

• 1 cup butter or margarine
• 2 cups chopped onion
• 2 cups chopped celery
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
• 12 ounces sliced mushrooms
• 12 cups dry bread cubes
• 1 teaspoon poultry seasoning
• 1 1/2 teaspoons dried sage
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon dried marjoram
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 4 1/2 cups chicken broth, or as needed
• 2 eggs, beaten

Directions

1. Melt butter or margarine in a skillet over medium heat. Cook onion, celery, mushroom, and parsley in butter, stirring frequently.
2. Spoon cooked vegetables over bread cubes in a very large mixing bowl. Season with poultry seasoning, sage, thyme, marjoram, and salt and pepper. Pour in enough broth to moisten, and mix in eggs. Transfer mixture to slow cooker, and cover.
3. Cook on High for 45 minutes, then reduce heat to Low, and cook for 4 to 8 hours 

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Fabulous Sweet Potatoes!  

I found this recipe online and I want to try it for the first time this Thanksgiving.

Ingredients

• 4 sweet potatoes
• 1/2 cup orange juice
• 2/3 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup Oatmeal
• 1/4 cup Butter, softened
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly grated orange peel
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Directions

1. Preheat an oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Cover a cookie sheet with aluminum foil.
2. Scrub the sweet potatoes, prick them deeply in several places with a fork, and place them on the lined cookie sheet.
3. Bake the potatoes in the preheated oven until tender, about 45 minutes. Allow them to cool until they can be handled, about 15 minutes. Scoop out the sweet potato flesh into a large bowl and mash well. Stir in orange juice, brown sugar, Oatmeal, Butter, orange peel, and cinnamon. If you prefer the sweet potatoes to be very smooth, you can mix them with an electric mixer. Spread the potatoes in a microwave-safe dish.
4. Microwave on HIGH until heated through, about 5 minutes. 

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Pumpkin Cranberry Bread

I have made similar bread before but never this recipe so going to try this one this year.

Ingredients

• 2 eggs
• 2 cups sugar
• 1 cup canned pumpkin
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup chopped fresh or frozen cranberries

 

  Directions

1. In a mixing bowl, beat eggs and sugar. Add pumpkin and oil; mix well. Add dry ingredients; stir just until moistened. Fold in cranberries. Spoon into two greased 8-1/2-in. x 4-1/2-in. x 2-1/2-in. loaf pans. Bake at 350 degrees F for 50-55 minutes or until bread tests done. Cool in pans 10 minutes before removing to wire racks. 

_____________________________________

 Broccoli, Cauliflower and Cheese Casserole

This is my Mom's specialty and a family favorite

 INGREDIENTS:

1 bag frozen broccoli

1 bag frozen cauliflower
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup flour
2 cups milk
2 cups Cheddar cheese, shredded
salt and pepper, to taste

 

In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat, sprinkle flour into pan, and whisk until smooth.

Slowly add milk, whisking constantly until thickened and smooth.

Add grated cheese,  and continue stirring until melted; season with salt and pepper.

In 9x13 baking dish place vegetables and cover with cheese mixture. Mix well and Bake on 350 for 30 minutes.

 

Crock Pot Spanish Rice

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups rice (Not the quick cooking type)
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 15 ounce can diced tomatoes, including liquid
• 1 3/4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
• 1 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 2 tsp chili powder
• 1 tsp onion powder

Combine all ingredients in a crock pot or slow cooker. Cook on low for 6 to 8 hours

Nathan 11 Months!

I am a day late but Yesterday Nathan turned 11 Months old! I cannot believe how fast time is flying! He is walking about 5 steps at a time now. He can stand for about a half minute and then gently sits himself down. He is so funny and has a sense of humor already!

He is a big time trouble maker most of the time but we love him so much! His favorite things to do are wrestle around with his sister's, take off his clothes, get into my cupboards and pull everything out, pull books off the book shelf and rip them or eat them, and pull all the DVD's off from the shelf! 

He still does not sleep through the night! I am so tired most of the time. I think he is actually getting worse with waking up. He wants to nurse every couple hours through the night and I think it is because during the day he is so busy he doesn't want to slow down to nurse. He is eating quite a bit of solids now so I am going to have to try to cut back on him nursing so much so I can get some sleep.

It's hard to believe this time next Month I will have a 1 year old!!

Here are some recent pictures of him

Pre-K Week 8

She has now gone 8 weeks without wearing the same outfit twice. She does not want to wear something she has worn before but she is running out of things to wear so she probably only has 2 weeks left before she will have to repeat outfits. She does have some Winter/Christmas stuff to wear after Thanksgiving.

MONDAY

It was an early dismissal day so I picked her up at noon. Then later on we went trick or treating.

TUESDAY

This picture was taken after she went today and she was a mess, lol!

WEDNESDAY

Kevin was off from work so after Gabby got out of school we all went to a park and then did some shopping. It was such a warm day! We are all loving this nice Weather!

THURSDAY

I picked her up a half an hour early today because I had to go to the store and I was afraid I wouldn't make it back in time. Then when my Mom got out of work we all went to her house to walk and cook out for dinner.

FRIDAY

Gabby is doing really well in school. She still loves going and she now recognizes all the letters in her name.

Giving Thanks-Day 4

I am Thankful for my 3 Wonderful Children. I am so blessed to have them in my life.

Giving Thanks-Day 3

I am Thankful for the Beautiful Weather we have been having this Fall. Today the Temp got up to 62. Kevin and I took the kids over to my moms house and we took a nice walk and cooked out for Dinner. I Love this Weather!

Giving Thanks-Day 2

I am Thankful for My Wonderful Husband. He has sacrificed so much for his Family. He is the best Father I could ask for our Children.

Giving Thanks-Day 1

(Thanks to Ashley for this great Idea)

For the Month of November I want to post Each day something that I am thankful for.

I am Thankful to God that he gave his only Son to die for our sins so that we can be saved.  

Without that we would never see our loved one's who have passed away again.

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16

Hash Brown Casserole

It's been really cold here so I have been looking for some yummy Hot recipes to try. This one was so good!

Ingredients:

• 1 bag frozen hash browns, thawed (30 oz)
• 1 small Velveeta cheese, cubed (8 to 12 ounces)
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 can undiluted cream of mushroom soup
• 1/2 an Onion Diced
• Salt and pepper to taste (Optional)

Preparation:

Combine all ingredients in a 2 qt. casserole and bake at 350° for 45-60 minutes.
I probably should have cooked this a little longer but we were in a Hurry to eat so we could take the kids trick or treating. It still tasted really good!!