busy busy week, lots of news

This was our wonderful meal this week. It was, breaded pork chops, the breading was a Bisquick and a cracker mixture. New potatoes and green beans boiled in beef broth (thanks Corie, really glad we had that conversation that day at the Mills). And some Bisquick bread, that turned out to taste just like Red Lobster biscuits. This whole meal was GREAT. I could have done with out the pork chop, no matter how I cook them, I have never found a way I love them. Well, one time I butterflied them and stuffed them, and put them in the crock pot, that was pretty good! Maybe that will be on the menu soon!
We had Father's Day over here last Sunday. We haven't held an event for...um like maybe over a year. So it was nice to be able to do that again. I tried my hardest to let go of the control thing. Let things happen when and how they would happen. And if I didn't get everything done, the party was going to go on anyway, so why not let it and enjoy it with out being stressed. So maybe with some hard work and dedication, I can actually hold some bigger parties like we used to and not get all anxiety ridden, making sure everything is perfect. We had a wonderful day.


As you can tell in the pictures, we found a baby bird in the yard. The 3rd in 2 days. From different nests. I looked online on how to care for the one we found the day before and it said to leave it and their mom would come get it. NOPE! It died. So when we found the other one the next day, Nurse Karen (Matt's mom) wanted to nurse it back to health. And what better to do that with, but than breast milk! I think he was getting better. I was a little scared we were making some kind of new hybrid bird with Harrison's milk, but nope it was reverse, he also died. Karen took him home and he didn't make it through the night :( Of course that was the first thing Ryan asked about the next morning.



Another wonderful cake made by Matt's mom. And when I asked her where she go the idea for a TV cake, her response was, I made it up, can't you tell. Um, NO, it looks like she followed a design. This can also keep up for every event, every year... HINT HINT
We also had a water balloon fight. A much needed stress reliever for everyone taking part. It took me parts of all morning to get them filled, because you know no one else knows how to fill them and tie them. I did so many, that I have a blister! And this fight took less than 5 minutes. I really wish I had someone taking pictures of the fight! It was so much fun, I hope we make this an annual thing.
Today was Jason's 'surprise' 30th birthday party. We had a lot of fun, but whew was it a scorcher. Got a little worried about Ry for a bit, he started to act all goofy, but after some water and some time in the shade, he got better. I never did get a picture of Jason and Loni though!


Last but not least. We decided that we were going to go ahead and start Harrison on some cereal. I know, I know, we are supposed to wait until he is 6 months old. We started Ryan on solids at 4 months...but things have changed. Plus Harrison is breast fed and Ryan was not, well not nearly as long. But, I just thing he is ready, he needs something more in his tummy. Something to tie him over till his next bottle. So we decided to give him cereal tonight...and he LOVED it. He was either trying to take the spoon out of my hand, or he was holding my hand holding on to it...like please don't stop, I love this stuff. We are just going to be doing it at night time now, during dinner. I don't think I will start foods for a bit though.

As much fun as all this was, he is a messy eater! For those of you who know me, I can't stand to touch food. It really makes me gag. I was so incredibly lucky with Ryan, I could use his bibs for multiple feedings...from the get go. He took to eating with a spoon and keeping it in his mouth with no messes, right away! Not this stinker. He is so going to be the things that I was happy I didn't have happen with Ryan. But in Harrison's defense, he is everything that Ryan didn't have in a positive way too...like his sweet sweet laughter!

Chicken and Dumplin's

Well I kinda kept up my end of the bargain.

Nothing like waiting till the last minute to update.

First things first. We made chicken and dumplin's in the crockpot Monday night for dinner. It was awesome. It was an old recipe. But, I added carrots this time. I took a picture but on Wednesday in my tupperware container I took for lunch, because of course I forgot to Monday night. But its not worth going out to my car and getting my camera for, its not a good picture. The kids are quit in the living room and I am not going to risk walking past them and them realizing they need me for whatever. So no picture this time.

Let's see whats new this week? Another crazy week for my parents. I had a dentist appointment, have to have a few cavities filled. One is under a crown that I had put on over a root canal, that I paid around $1500 for...not happy, boy did that dentist get an ear full, but some what politely. I was having a really bad day, and it was not a day to cause me pain and tell me I have cavities and gum disease. That is a whole issue with in itself. :{

Ryan got really sick for about 12 hours. Didn't know if it was a head injury due to falling of the couch, food poisoning, or flu. We still don't know, he had a pretty high fever with it all, so some stomach thing I guess. But he is back to his normal crazy self, but more demanding since he was babied for 12 hours.

Matt FINALLY took a day off work to be with us and help us out. Huge obstacle for us.

Matt got his father's day gift early. Ryan (well me too) couldn't wait. He FINALLY got his blu-ray player he has been begging for, for about a year now.

Those are the highlights...nothing to exciting I guess.

Have a good week...

Normalcy...

Normalcy.

I want, no excuse me, I urn to be normal, to have a normal life.

What is normal? I ask myself that everyday. I still don't have an answer to that question. Over the years, even before kids, I have listened/read about peoples personal lives. Usually through a story they are telling or blog or even now facebook. I have built up so many of these peoples lives to where they live these fairytale lives with a perfect (clean) house, king of a husband, and the best, well behaved kids...oh and not to mention their million dollar bank accounts. And the more I build on their lives, the more, much more my life seems so dysfunctional.

Why do I do this? I have no idea, I think envy has a huge roll in it. But I only know what goes on behind my closed door. I have no idea what goes on behind yours or my neighbors, but I can tell you what I think goes on behind your door. And believe me, your life is AWESOME!

But what is reality, and where is it? What is normal? Do we make our own norm? I think we do. I am not an unhappy person. I am not unhappy with my life/husband/kids. I love every aspect of our hard worked for lives. But why do I constantly think our lives are so upside down compared to others. We just do everything backwards. For starters we eat dinner any where from 5-11 at night. We have always had screwy work schedules that make our hours weird, but with kids, this just isn't working any more.

I can no longer blame it on the fact we had a baby, our first baby, that is now 3! I can't blame it on toodlerhood. I can't blame it on a pregnancy. I can't blame it on an infant. I can't blame it on nursing. My life is what it is. And its going to remain this way. I have to adjust to my new normalcy. I can't try to change my life to make it like yours, or Joe's or Jane's. It can only be Matt, Amanda, Ryan, and Harrison's life.

So a few weeks ago I decided to make small changes/actions in my life so I can adjust to this. It started with painting my fingernails once a week. I paint them on Sunday and keep on top of them all week. Once I realized all I need is polish, not to buff/file/base coat/polish/top coat, it made this task much easier. I was trying to live up to some else's standards that I just can't have...I am a mommy of two you know :) I have that task down, its no biggie, and my nails always look great!

So starting this week, I decided to start making one new/old recipe a week. I used to cook all the time, and good stuff too! Over the last couple of months we have been in a rut with the same stuff, and not very good. And lots of take out, since "it's just easier". I will work my way up to more a week once I can get down once a week.

This week was meatball subs, per Matt's request. And it was yummy!I am going to try to post once a week, giving weekly updates on us and the kids, along with a picture of my new food.

Once I get this down with no problem, I will start a new task...and all in the search/goal to normalcy.