Finally...a create-your-own recipe meal that worked for me!!

Let me start this off by admitting it. I am a terrible cook. I feel sorry for my husband whose mother cooks delicious food from scratch. I'm sure marrying me was a big shock to his system getting used to eating the meals I prepared for him. I'm thankful that my husband and my sweet boys will eat just about anything and are not picky eaters.

Part of my problem is that I don't prepare ahead of time and have all the necessary ingredients on hand before I start cooking. I will be in the middle of a recipe before I discover that we are out of vegetable oil or some other ingredient such as a spice. In those moments, I mistakenly think that I morph into Rachael Ray and start grabbing other things to throw in there to substitute for the thing that is missing. That usually turns out to be disastrous, and for some reason I am always surprised at the end when it doesn't taste good.

Well, after many tries, I finally made a meal with add-on ingredients that tasted really good!

My sister gave me a good, low-fat recipe for pork chops. Although we eat it all the time,I thought I'd try it with a different twist (yes, I know the add-on ingredients made it not-so-low-fat, but was yummy anyway):

Ingredients:
Seasoning (receipe calls for Salt/Pepper but I like to use hamburger seasoning)
2 eggs (my add-on ingredient)
1 cup seasoned bread crumbs (my add-on ingredient)
1 package of boneless pork chops (I like the thin-sliced b/c they cook faster)
2 cups salsa
1/2 cup sour cream (my add-on ingredient)
2 cups rice
EVOO

Measure out the appropriate amount of water and start heating in a sauce pan. While waiting for that to boil, start making the pork chops.

Season boneless pork chops.
Crack 2 eggs in a bowl
Put bread crumbs in another bowl.
Dip pork chops in eggs and roll in bread crumbs.
Drizzle EVOO in a pan and heat to medium.
Place pork chops in a large pan and cook until no longer pink, flipping sides as needed.
By this time the water for the rice is usually boiling so add the rice to the sauce pan and cover.
When pork chops are fully cooked, add salsa and a dab of sour cream on top of each pork chop.
Cover pork chops and simmer until rice is ready.

Serve pork chops over the rice and spoon the extra sauce over the rice.

In the words of Rachael Ray, YUM-O!

Maybe there is a little bit of Racheal in me after all...(probably not, but I can dream, right?)...

My motto for this week

I have already failed miserably at exercising this motto today and have yelled at my kids when they didn't deserve it. I went outside to spray some mosquito spray for a few minutes so that the boys would not get eaten alive every time they play outside. The boys were playing in the play room and reading books (or so I thought). When I came back in, I saw purple marker lines all around the walls of the kitchen, doors, and floor. I flipped out, yelled at them, and spanked all of them. Then I got out the cleaning spray and was surprised that it came off so easily. I felt badly for being so harsh with them.

Here is my motto for the REST of the week (again this is something I received in a chain email and have no idea who originally wrote it):

I need to take some of this advice too...

I need to take some of this advice too...

Just for this morning, I am going to step over
> > > >
> > > > the laundry,
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > and pick you up and take you to the park to
> > > >
> > > > play.
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > *Just for this morning, I will leave the dishes
> > > >
> > > > in the sink,
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > and let you teach me how to put that puzzle of
> > > >
> > > > yours together.
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > *Just for this afternoon, I will unplug the
> > > >
> > > > telephone and
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > keep the computer off, and sit with you in the
> > > >
> > > > backyard and
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > blow bubbles.
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > *Just for this afternoon, I will not yell once,
> > > >
> > > > not even a
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > tiny grumble when you scream and whine for the
> > > >
> > > > ice cream truck
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > and I will buy you one if he comes by.
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > *Just for this afternoon, I won't worry about
> > > >
> > > > what you are
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > going to be when you grow up, or second guess
> > > >
> > > > every decision
> > > >
> > > > I have made where you are concerned.
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > *Just for this afternoon, I will let you help
me
> > > >
> > > > bake cookies,
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > and I won't stand over you trying to fix them.
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > *Just for this afternoon, I will take us to
> > > >
> > > > McDonald's and buy
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > us both a Happy Meal so you can have both
toys.
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > *Just for this evening, I will hold you in my
> > > >
> > > > arms and tell you
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > a story about how you were born and how much I
> > > >
> > > > love you.
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > *Just for this evening, I will let you splash
in
> > > >
> > > > the tub and
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > not get angry.
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > *Just for this evening, I will let you stay up
> > > >
> > > > late while we sit
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > on the porch and count all the stars.
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > *Just for this evening, I will snuggle beside
> > > >
> > > > you for hours,
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > and miss my favorite TV shows.
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > *Just for this evening when I run my finger
> > > >
> > > > through your hair
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > as you pray, I will simply be grateful that God
> > > >
> > > > has given me the
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > greatest gift ever given.
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > *I will think about the mothers And fathers who
> > > >
> > > > are searching
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > for their missing children, the mothers and
> > > >
> > > > fathers who are
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > visiting their children's graves instead of
> > > >
> > > > their bedrooms, and
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > mothers and fathers who are in hospital rooms
> > > >
> > > > watching
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > their children suffer senselessly, and
screaming
> > > >
> > > > inside that
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > they can't handle it anymore.
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > *And when I kiss you good night I will hold you
> > > >
> > > > a little tighter,
> > > >
> > > > a ittle longer. It is then, that I will thank
> > > >
> > > > God for you, and
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > ask Him for nothing, except one more
> > > >
> > > > day......... ....

Projects half done (or not done at all)

One of my biggest flaws is that although I am gung ho at the beginning of a project, I run out of time or lose interest before the silly thing is complete. Here is my list (yes it is embarrassing it is so long!):

1. Paint touch up in the corners of the dining room. When I painted I didn't know how to remove the blinds so I left the corners undone until I could figure it out. Project at least 1 year old...

2. Program replacement remote control for TV. We got a new TV after our dinosaur TV went on the blink and it came with a great remote. We promptly lost that remote within 2 weeks of getting the TV. I have a feeling a litte munchkin put it in the trash because we have torn the house apart looking for it. After about a month, I finally bought a new universal remote, but it has been sitting in a drawer by the TV since then. We have been turning the TV on and off, and adjusting the volume "old school" style.

3. Hang curtains in kitchen. I purchased a curtain rod for my kitchen window, installed the hangers to hold the rod, but when I went to put the curtain rod up I discovered the rod was about three inches too short. Ugh! About a week later, I bought a curtain rod that is long enough, but with the original rod hangers installed I will need to do some touch up painting and wall repair when I remove them. That little step has been waiting to be completed for about a year...

4. Touch up paint in kitchen to cover up pen marks from a little "artist" who discovered a pen somewhere and decided to go to town.

5. Hang curtain rods and curtains in living room (3 windows). Everything has been sitting in my laundry room taking up space.

6. Bags of clothes to be donated. I have cleaned out my closet and need to donate a ton of items; however, I need to itemize the items and take pictures of them before I donate them in the event of an IRS audit to substantiate my donations. One corner of my bedroom a complete MESS for approx 6 months...

7. Hang pictures in boys' rooms. Over the Christmas holiday, I painted the room of #2 and had to take down all the pictures and such hanging on the wall. I placed prints and name letters neatly in their closet where they remain to this day.

One of these days I'll get around to doing it, but I am in need of a big shot of motivation...

My friend

Yesterday, I was playing with #1 and wrestling around with him. He turned to me, gave me a big hug, and said, "Mommy, you are my friend!"

My cup overfloweth!

I have no idea who wrote this (certainly not me!), but here's a tribute to all you mommies out there:

This is for all the mothers who taught their daughters to tie their shoelaces before they started school/ And for all the mothers who opted for velcro instead.

This is for all the mothers who show up at work with spit-up in their hair and milk stains on their blouses and diapers in their purses.

This is for all the mothers who teach their sons to cook and their daughters to sink a jump shot.

This is for all the mothers whose heads turn automatically when a little voice calls "Mom?" in a crowd, even though they know their own offspring are at home.

This is for the mothers who put pinwheels and teddy bears on their children's graves.

This is for the mothers whose children have gone astray, who can't find the words to reach them.

This is for all the mothers who sent their sons back to school with stomach-aches, assuring them they'd be just FINE once they got there, only to get calls from the school nurse an hour later asking them to please pick them up. Right away.

This is for young mothers stumbling through diaper changes and sleep deprivation. And mature mothers learning to let go. For working mothers and stay-at-home mothers. Single mothers and married mothers. Mother with money, mothers without.

I love this song, it really speaks to my heart. I hope you enjoy it too!

I don't know how she does it all

My big sister is amazing. She has four girls who are all VERY involved in different activities. H takes piano lessons, S does Challenge soccer, E does 7 hours of gymnastics per week, and K is also in gymnastics. She takes her kids to their practices, games, receitals, meets, etc., cooks dinner every night, works, cleans her house, makes her kids' lunches, and manages to get in a 4 mile run outside or at the gym. On top of all of that, her husband is training for the Iron Man triathalon and competes in triathalons regularly, which she attends and supports him in his efforts, which I imagine takes quite a bit of time to train every day. She does not look like she has birthed even one baby!

I don't think I can ever measure up to that! Love you T!

P.S. This picture is about a year or two old but I like it!

My date with the birthday boy

I'm running behind in getting our summer activities posted, so I'm just getting around to posting some pictures and stories from the summer.

#3's birthday was in July. Having two brothers a year older than him, he has grown up having to compete for my attention and always wore hand-me-down clothes. For his birthday, I decided to take off work on his actual birthday, drop his brothers off at school, and we had a fun day together, just the two of us.

We went to get his hair cut, then played for a while at the Children's Museum, then ate lunch together. My little baby is growing up so fast and is losing his babyish chunky cheeks and tummy and is turning into a little boy. It's a good thing he is so affectionate and still loves to give me hugs and kisses. He says at least three or four times per day to me, "I your baby." I tell him no matter how big he gets he will always be my baby...

So sweet

One day I found #3 curled up underneath a dining room chair, sound asleep. How or why he was there, I'll never know, but I thought it was sweet.

My sweet boy

One day last week we were on our way to school and were sitting at a red light. There was a homeless man holding a sign saying, "Hungry, please help." I had a granola bar with me so I cracked my window and handed it to the man. As we drove away, I explained that God wants us to help others and the man was hungry so we gave him some food.

Today, we passed the same intersection but didn't get caught at the light. #2 was holding a banana that I had given him to eat for breakfast. He started to cry and was telling me to turn around and go back. He said he wanted to give his banana to the man who was hungry. He had big crocodile tears rolling down his cheeks.

My heart just melted. Unfortunately, we were running very late for school and I couldn't turn back, but I promised him that we would give him some food the next time we saw him. He has such a sweet and giving heart. It is so humbling to see Christ in your own child.

I snapped a quick picture of him while we were at a red light using my phone so it is a bit fuzzy, but you can see his sweet sad face and banana in his hands.

First day of school

Today was the first day of school. It is hard for me to believe this is the twins' last year of preschool and next year I will be sending them to Kindergarten!

Matt has in-service meetings this week so he didn't have to be at school until later. He stayed and helped me get them dressed and we were able to eat breakfast as a family this morning. The boys giggle when Matt says, "Would you PLEASE pass the jelly!!!" This morning went so smoothly with his help. It makes all the difference in the world having another person to help get them dressed, fed, and out the door!

Please pray that the boys will have a good day in school with their new teachers and friends, and that there are NO potty accidents. Thanks!

And I only thought I had my hands full...

If you are feeling like you have your hands full, then check out this video of a girl who lives in The Woodlands who had a 1 year old boy and then had a set of quintuplets! It is a video of what she has to go through to get everyone out the door and into the car. It makes me tired just watching it!

http://phillipsmultiples.blogspot.com/2009/08/highlights-from-week.html

The other day during teacher in-service I had to get up in front of the entire faculty and staff to give an overview of the employee benefits. Later that day, a co-worker pointed out to me that I had something on my shirt. I glanced down and saw that the long sticker from Ann Taylor showing the size of my shirt was still on the front of my shirt. This was not a small sticker, about 6" long. How could I have missed it? I peeled it off, feeling slightly embarassed until it hit me...that was not the first time I had worn that shirt. Nice.

Mommy and me time

Today was #3's checkup appointment with the doctor. He weighs 34 pounds and is 37 inches tall, and passed all tests with flying colors! The best part was that we got to eat lunch together, just #3 and me. He chose Lubys and we split the chicken tetrazzini. I love check up appointments with my kids because it gives me time to have one-on-one time with each one.

They can sense it...

The boys have been restless and extra cranky lately. All three of them peed in their beds last night, and have been waking up in the middle of the night (hence my middle-of-the-night post). Tonight it was #1 who got up first at 1 am and wanted to play. I spent an hour trying to convince him to lay still, no it's not time to watch a movie, no it's not time to eat, etc. etc. etc. I put an audio book on the cd player on low volume and hoped he would settle down enough to fall asleep again. Then #3 decided to wake up screaming for about 20 minutes. I went into his room to try to get him to stop crying and go back to sleep. After he did, I went back to #1's room, who now had the light turned on and was playing. I unplugged his lamp and coaxed him back into bed. He finally fell asleep, but after being up for 2 hours I can't go back to sleep. I came downstairs to make coffee and start working (but wanted to post on my blog first).

I think the boys can sense that football season has begun (when Matt begins to work the long hours and is gone 7 days a week). They are certainly acting out in some capacity that they miss him.

Uh oh...I hear #1 crying agin. Gotta go!

Some things never change

My kids fight over the silliest things, especially in the car. It doesn't matter if we are driving 3 miles or 300 miles, it is always something. Listening to them bicker on the way home from #3's birthday party at Mimi's house, I was reminded of a story my grandmother told me about my dad and his older brother Danny when they were younger. The family was on a car ride in the country, so Dad and Danny were looking out the windows and "claiming" as many cows as they could see by yelling "That's mine!" The problem arose when Danny determined that he had MORE cows than Dad did. Being the younger brother, Dad promptly began to cry. Apparently he put on quite a performance because Memee said she turned around and told Danny he had to "give" Ted some of his cows.

I always thought that was a funny, amusing story, but now that I have my own crew I can SOOOOOOOO relate!