The ABC's: Lessons I Want To Teach My Kids

A: Having an Abundance of something means God gave you more so you could share with others

B: Being kind is more important than being popular

C: Care about everything you do, don't do a job half ass just because it's quicker

D: Being Different than other people doesn't mean you’re weird, everyone is weird in their own way, OWN your weirdness

E: Eat until you’re full than stop

F: Have Fun

G: Giving is way better than receiving

H: Asking for Help doesn’t mean your weak, only that you’re strong enough to know that you can’t do it on your own

I: I will always love you

J: Jobs no matter how menial will teach you something

K: Kids are gifts from God, but make sure you are ready for them before you make decisions that could make you a mom/dad before you are ready

L: Listening is the most important thing about being a friend

M: Money is a good thing if used for good things, Budget wisely

N: Never give up on your dreams

O: Opportunity is when Luck meets Preparation

P: Pay yourself first, save money for a rainy day, don't look to credit to help you when that day comes

Q: Quick fixes rarely ever fix anything

R: Relationships are hard, and require attention to last, never take your partner for granted

S: Sex is fun, but if you’re with someone that doesn't love you enough to be in a committed relationship with you, it's not worth it. And you may also create life with the person you are having sex with so don't have sex with anyone you wouldn't want to raise a baby with

T: Time is precious; spend it with people who are worth it

U: Understand why you are doing what you’re doing, Knowledge is Freedom

V: pass

W: Work hard, play harder

X: Get eXcited about your life, no one else will

Y: Always ask whY

Z: Zebra's are cool

Cheese Kisses

Jake is allergic to cheese, well all dairy, this week we finally found and bought soya/veggie cheese. My son ALWAYS asks for cheese when we are eating it, and it's hard to say no to him so I've pretty much stopped cooking with dairy so he's not temped to eat it. Anyways we found cheese he can eat and he LOVES it. Cheese toast please mommy, he's asked everyday this week for breakfast.

Mediterranean Fish Soup

I love to cook...actually I hate being rushed and having to think of things last minute to cook. But, when I have time to plan and create I love to cook. I use my crock pot A LOT, working mother! For my birthday this year my wonderful mother-in-law gave me a Hamilton Beach: Programmable Slow Cooker with a prob for checking meat temperatures, that I LOVE!!! This weekend, for my seafood loving family, I made a Mediterranean Fish Soup with Baking Powder Biscuits so yummy! Enjoy the recipe:




Ingredients:

I minced all of the veggies, so that the kiddies wouldn't noticed them, and it worked but, try anyway you want

1 onion, chopped
1/2 green bell pepper, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 can (14.5 ounces) can diced tomatoes, drained
2 (14 ounce) cans chicken broth (I used a container of Campbell's chicken broth)
1 (8 ounce) can of tomato sauce (I didn't have this and it was still good)
1/2 cup mushrooms, chopped
1/4 cup sliced black olives
1/2 cup orange juice
1/2 cup dry white wine
2 bay leaves
1 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon fennel seed, crushed
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 pound medium shrimp-peeled and deveined
1 pound cod fillets, cubed (I fried it with oil, fennel seeds, salt, pepper, garlic, and basil before adding it to the soup)

I also added to the recipe:

1 can baby clams and juices
1 can crab and juices
2 cups cooked rice

Directions:

1. Place onion, green bell pepper, garlic, tomatoes, chicken broth, tomato sauce, mushrooms, olives, clams, crab, orange juice, wine, bay leaves, dried basil, fennel seeds, and pepper into slow cooker. Cover, and cook on low 4-5 hours or until veggies are crisp tender.

2. Stir in rice, shrimp, and cod. I also added more spices, as sometimes the slow cooker will cook out the spices (probably 2 Tablespoons garlic powder, 1 Tablespoon salt and pepper). Cover. Cook 15-30 minutes, or until shrimp are opaque. Remove and discard bay leaves. Serve.

Today

I've decided to start a Blog, and start being a better sharer of news, pictures, and our crazy life.

A bit about our family:

To start Karma is 3, Jakey is 2 they are both in daycare full time, and are the best of friends...most of the time. Karma loves princess, Dora, jewelry, and sweaters. Jakey is our little ball of energy, he loves cars, balls, making messes, giving hugs and kisses, and just being a monkey.

Vienna is our 16 year old niece that lives with us, she is going to high school, and working part-time. We are so lucky to have her with us, the kids love her, and she keeps me company when Robert is working nights. I work full time as a Accounts Payable Clerk for the Green Acres Foundation and love it! I'm also taking a night class at the college right now for Advanced Excel. Robert is a Peace Officer at the Hospital, and loves his job, we are both very blessed to have jobs that we love. Robert is my sweetheart, we are so blessed that he is in our lives.

Robert and I met in September 2010, and are getting married next year (date unknown). Robert and I just went away for the weekend, it was so nice to reconnect, and learn more about each other away from everyday life. I fully believe that the only way relationships work is if both parties feel respected, loved, appreciated, and cared for.

Well that's us for now :)