A Time of Thanks...

I would like to start a weekly survey.  Just a question with a few choice answers, but I would like some help with ideas.  Anything goes...so are there any questions you would like to have answered or know where other moms stand on a topic?  Think about it, I am sure you'll come up with some good ones.  Leave your comments in the comments section at the bottom of my post and we will see what we can come up with.  Thanks!

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving!  I would like to personally thank all of the wonderful people I have in my life for everything they do and have done for me throughout this year and always.  And to all the men and women who have served or are currently serving our great country and their families, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.  We have so much to be thankful for as moms, sisters, wives, daughters, and Americans.  Sometimes we forget that time is precious and will not stand still, even for a moment.  We get unravelled in the day to day grime, exhausted, and sometimes even forget who we are or were before we were moms.  Who are you?  How would you describe yourself?  A mom, a wife, a daughter....Dig deeper...you are much, much more.  I have had many days that I have asked myself these questions, struggled to come up with anything other than a mom.  But we are much more...being a mom doesn't just define who we are, it is only part of who we are.  Granted it is a big part and takes a lot of your time but it isn't all of your identity.  So on those days you wake up wondering how you got to this point, with uncombed hair, no make-up, sweatpants, and a dusty, toy-filled home, take a look in the mirror and try to remember all those things that make up who you are, the person your parents raised, the women your husband fell in love with, the things you enjoyed doing and do something for yourself.  We spend so much time taking care of everyone else and trying to make everyone else happy, we tend to put ourselves last and it is normal but we still need to take care of ourselves first sometimes otherwise everyone will suffer in the end.  It doesn't make us any less of a mom but actually will help us be more. 
Take time to realize how special your life is, hold those little ones close and enjoy every minute, pray for the parents who have lost theirs, kiss your husband and remember the wife who has lost hers, tell your parents you love them, they will not always be here and tell your friends how much they have enriched your life.  Happy Thanksgiving, now go eat your fill, laugh, and be merry!

The Simple Things...

My husband was home today!  So thankful for the extra help with the kids so I could get ready for "The Great Thanksgiving Feast"!  I started my day by dropping off my oldest at school and running to the store for a few things.  I got home, put the sweet potatoes on the stove, and began making my pecan pies until I realized I had no corn syrup.  So I hopped back in the car only to drive to the same store I had been to once already today!  When I got home, Curious George wanted to help me make the pies so I had him wash his hands and put his apron on and off we went.  He really loves food and helping me bake so I try to have patience and let him help (which sometimes turns into more work).  Anyway, he did pretty well until I was busy with something, then he decided to start his own agenda which included stirring my pecan pies (in the pie crust) prior to cooking, got into the flour and attempted to put way more than needed into my sweet potato casserole.  All in all, it was a lovely day at home with my family and very nice having Tony home to help with the little diaper diva who doesn't believe in naps! 

Oh, if you like Sweet potatoes, have I got the recipe for you:

Sweet Potato Casserole
3 c. mashed sweet potato
1 c. sugar                                                                    
1/2 c. melted butter                                                      
2 eggs beaten
1/2 c. milk
1 tbsp. vanilla
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp cinnamon
Topping: 1 c. brown sugar, 1/2 stick butter, 1/3 c. flour
Boil sweet potato whole, cool, peel, and mash. Mix all ingredients together and place in 9x13 pan. Add topping by mixing it together and sprinkling over casserole and bake 350 for 35min.
Soooo YUMMY!! Kids love it!  Let me know how you like it.

Well off to snuggle up with the hubby and watch a movie.  Have a great night.

Awww....Family, Friends, and Sweet Relief

I had an amazing time yesterday with my good friend, her 2 daughters, my step mom, dad, and my kids.  We had our annual Christmas Cookie Bake day.  Cost of Goods - $60.00, Time Spent - 1 day, Spending quality time with loved ones....Priceless!  I think we knocked out about 15 dozen cookies, truffles, and cookie bark in 6 hours and that may just be a record!  The kids had a wonderful time decorating all of their sugar cookies.  I say "their" because little fingers and butter knives tend to go into the mouth to lick frosting and then find their way back to the cookie so those were their own "Special" cookies!  I took out some for decorating later.  All in all everything went according to plan, minus the burn I got on my arm from the cookie sheet anyway.  It's times like this when I feel so fortunate to have such great friends and family surrounding us.  Our time here is so short, it is best spent surrounding yourself with love and laughter!
We finished our cookie adventure around 3pm and I proceeded to get ready for my next adventure of the day... Bartending!  That is right, spent all day baking and now off to work.  I actually enjoy my job considering I get out of the house and get to talk to people who don't need me to wipe their cute little butts.  Although it was oddly slow I am guessing due to all the men out hunting Bambi for the deer opener.  I could only conclude that they either shot the "big one" early and were already passed out or they didn't get one at all and decided to hit the sack early so as to be refreshed and ready to "get r done" in the morning.  So for the last 2 hours or so I just sat alone in the bar in total peace and quiet, it was actually quite nice, although not so nice when I left with next to nothing in tips for my 8 hours of work.  Well you can't always have your cake and eat it too, right?  I got home around 2am and woke up at 5am to get Sissy and brought her to bed to nurse.  Fell asleep, yet again, but this time when I woke up I was shocked because it was 9am and not a sound anywhere.  My lovely husband had taken my boys out for breakfast so I could sleep in and I took a nice hot bath.  It doesn't get any better than that...Ladies don't be jealous...Ok, maybe just a little.  All in all, it was a nice day at home with the family although I do have to say it could have been just a bit better if the Vikings would have won.  Thanks for listening.  Drop me a comment and/or sign up to Follow my blog if you liked it.  I assure you I will always have something to say!