The Three Amigos

A New Post

I haven't posted in a few days. Been busy with the kids and the in laws! Here are some pics I took on our nature walk/picnic we took on Daddy's lunch break today.

Kate

:)

Three Is Company

Family

 

Good morning!!

 What beautiful smiles to wake up to! The girls' brother Isaac, my Mother-in-law, and her boyfriend made it to NY and we are certainly happy to have them. I love seeing these three laugh and play together. I wish it could be this way all the time, but we only have him for a week.

  Here are some pics I took yesterday from the splash park.

Don't you just love 'em?

 

Kate

:)

 

God Always Knows Just What I Need

Life Is Hectic

  Although, we have been in our new home since March many things are still out of place. Not enough places to put things and not enough things. Doctors appointments are endless it seems right now trying to get everyone's vacs and physicals for school. Cleaning house is a never ending cycle. Not enough time in a day I say.
  I stumbled across this story on a blog I read and this is why I say God always knows just what I need.

A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, he wordlessly picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was. The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was. The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with an unanimous “yes.” The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed. ”Now,” said the professor as the laughter subsided, “I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things—your family, your children, your health, your friends and your favorite passions—and if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full. The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house and your car. The sand is everything else—the small stuff. “If you put the sand into the jar first,” he continued, “there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff you will never have room for the things that are important to you. ”Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play with your children. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your spouse out to dinner. Play another 18. There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal. Take care of the golf balls first—the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.” One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee represented. The professor smiled. “I’m glad you asked. It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there’s always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend.”

  Good stuff.

Kate

:)

 

Love My Life

Good Morning

  It's 7:33a and a little chilly outside. My husband went to work early this morning and my daughter woke me up about that time demanding a peanut butter and jelly sandwhich. I tried to ignore her for a few minutes before I couldn't take any more of the "Mama, I want a peanut butter and jelly sandwhich. Mama, I want a peanut butter and jelly sandwhich. Mama, I...". Now, we are outside. She is playing in our backyard, while I sit here and have my coffee. It's soo nice. I enjoy mornings like these. My youngest, Zoe, is now awake as well.
  Of course, the first thing I heard about this morning, aside from the pb&j, was about their friends. Yesterday, they made 2 new friends. Anasia and Quinton from down the street and man oh man did they wear me out! Trying to keep them all entertained and cleaning messes. I let them paint, which was probably a bad idea, but they had fun. Ava has already informed that Anasia promised she would stay the night when she got home from school. Kids are funny.  :)
  Da'Ron and I have talked about where we might go if and when he resigns, which is still a ways from now (2014). Colorado, Washington, Hawaii... I'm not really interested in Washington. I would love to see Hawaii, but I'm not sure I want to live there. Being on an Island scares me. The thought of it anyway... Okay, more like the thought of a Tsunami. Colorado does, however, sound appealing. Mainly because my sister and her husband and my sweet baby niece live there. In 2 years from now, they may have moved on, but it still looks nice. I love it here in New York. I still haven't seen the city, but I love this area. I'm a small town, country girl and if you love the outdoors, you will love upstate NY. Fort Hood would be closer to home, but I am really not interested in moving back to Texas just yet. Not only are the summers too hot these days, but my husband and I were born and raised there. It's all we'd known until the military. Why not travel and experience something else before we decide we want to go back? We're young and have plenty of time to make those decisions..
  The car has still not been fixed. HOPEFULLY, getting that done today and will be done by tomorrow in time to pick Nina and Isaac up from the airport. Praying praying praying hard!
  I have no pictures this post, sorry.
  Everyone have a great day!

Kate

:)

So Much To Do In So Little Time

Overwhelmed

  Geez, where do I even start??? 

1. The car is still not inspected and we have to pick Nina and Isaac up from the airport in Syracuse on Saturday. We are supposed to be getting a loan from AERF, but I don't know how long the car will be in the shop, so I am still stressing over it even though Da'Ron tells me not too and even though I give it to God every night and pick it right back up the next day.  :-/
2. Getting myself, Ava, and Zoe in school all at the same time is stressful. I already have everything turned in for my summer class and I FINALLY have all the paperwork for my aid for fall, which is a relief. I just have to get it all turned in and I still have to go get my meningitis vac. I just really don't like going to the doctors here because if you make an appointment it takes two weeks to even get in and if you walk in, the lady at the desk is so rude. I got Ava's packet for Kindergarten and Zoe's packet for Pre-K and have them both filled out. The only annoying thing about it is that I have to take Zoe for ANOTHER physical because the one in the packet is the one that has to be turned in and it also asks for "lead test results". Reallly? Wtf? && then Ava doesn't start school until September and I start school August 27th, so I will have to figure out a babysitting situation by then.
3. I love our big and roomy house, but I seriously do not love cleaning it. I'm just picking it up a little at a time (because I know it will get destroyed again) and then tomorrow (the day before Nina and Isaac get in) I will do a full-on deep cleaning so it will be super nice when they get here.

  Hmm... Okay, so I guess that's all the major stuff keeping me stressed out.

  I'm not putting this on my list because it is dumb, but I'm also stressing because I gained 8 lbs last month apparently and I'm NOT pregnant so what is wronggg? :( So sad. I want to go shopping, but I don't because not only are we tight on money, but I don't want to buy clothes a size bigger. I have everything I need to start Insanity, but I probably won't be starting it for another week (after Nina and Isaac aand Nina's boyfriend Derek go home). Like, it is seriously depressing me. I don't even feel pretty. If I knew HOW I gained 8 lbs I probably wouldn't care as much, but I'm not pregnant and I don't even eat that much.  :-/

  Don't you just love reading all of this negative energy? Sorry, I'm usually pretty positive I am just so overwhelmed at the moment.

  I'll end this post with some positive pictures. How is that?

Mufasa. He loves me.

"Superstarrrr!" Haha. My little darlin' angels.

"

  Everyone have a great day!

Kate

:)

Lots of Extra Family Time

Stranded

  Well, it all started last week or maybe two weeks ago, heck I don't know. We took our car in for inspection excepting to get through it, but noooo. Our whole brake system has to be replaced, which apparently is going to cost between $500-1000. If you have that kind of money on hand it may seem like no big deal, but around here our budget is tight. :-/ We may have found a way to possibly get atleast some of the money, so I just keep praying to God every night for the finances to get it fixed! I read somewhere that sometimes we leave our burdens at the foot of Jesus, only to pick them right back up, which is so true. I have to learn that once I give it to God there is nothing else I can do, so quit worrying!
  That being said, we haven't done anything for literally two weeks to save money. We have everything we need here on the base, so it hasn't been too much of an inconvience, but my Mother-in-law is coming on Saturday, all the way from Texas, so we definitely have to have it fixed by then.

  Last night, we fired up our ghetto grill.  :) Not only is it lopsided, but the girls had been pouring dirt in it playing pretend outside we had to give it a good cleaning first, but it gets the job done! We grilled some turkey burgers and I am happy to say that my husband prefers turkey meat over beef. I know this because I made a turkey meatloaf one time and he said it was better than any meatloaf he had ever had and last night he said that it tasted so much better; that it had a smoother taste than beef. Don't get me wrong I loooove beef. I love meat in general, but I do try to cook healthy around here what my family will actually eat. :)

Zoe playing some music while we were grilling.

Haha! Doesn't he look happy to be having his picture taken? Not! ;)

  Anyways, hopefully getting the car thing sorted out within the next couple of days and we will be able to get off of the base and do something fun.  :)

  Oh also, not only is Mother-in-law coming to visit, but the girls' brother Isaac! We are very excited to be having them here!! The only thing I'm worried about is cooking! :-/ I'm a pretty good cook, but I only cook for four. Gonna have to double all the recipes I guess!

Kate

:)

Mostly a Picture Post

Birthday Party and Pictures

  My friend's daughter, Abby, had her 2nd birthday yesterday. Well, her birthday party! Good food, good friends, and good times. I didn't bring my camera and the lighting was bad for my phone, so unfortunately I didn't take any pictures, but as my friends post them I will post them on here.
  Here are some random pictures.

Abby's Dora castle cake that her Mama, Katie, made for her. I thought it was adorable!!

Ava making me take her picture, like always.  :)

Just a photo I edited of my niece, Tilly.  :)

Boys will be boys. My husband and my friend April's husband, JD, playing video games at the party.

A pond along one of the trails here on base.

Also, from one of the trails here on base.

I hope everyone enjoyed Mother's Day.

Have a great day!

Kate

:)

Cook out, Lake, Family, and Friends

Good Times With Good People

  My husband had a long week of training, so we took advantage of this Saturday off and had a cook out at Remington Park here on base. It's really nice to have a campground on base where we do not have to go and pay for day use. There are two big playgrounds, lots of campsites and pavillions with grills, fishing (catch and release), cabins, a beach area, canoe:paddle boats and other rentals, RV Park, trails, everything. We decided on hot dogs and smores since it's pretty easy on the wallet. :) A few of our friends came out and everyone had a great time. Here's a few pics I took.

From a fishing dock.

Looking over the bridge.

The girls and Jake.

This little guy (chipmunk) was trotting beside me over the bridge. The animals here are so tame.

We are home now and all exhausted. In fact, my oldest daughter is asleep in my lap as we speak. Looks like it's time to put the girls to bed and then continue to watch the NBA playoffs. Everyone have a great weekend and a Happy Mother's Day!

Kate

:)

Learning Something New

 

 Kids, Rain, and Hairbows.

  I'm currently on the couch, snuggling with my girls and my kittens, drinking coffee, and listening to the rain outside here in Northern NY. We've had a lot of rain lately and one beautiful day yesterday, but I don't mind. I haven't had the car all week because my husband has been in the field training, so the girls and I have been home. Today, however, I do have the car and planned on heading to the store today for some groceries, kitten food, and something else I will tell you about later. The thing is the girls' carseats have magically disappeared from the house, along with the kitten food that was left, and the two usual suspects deny any involvement in this. I doubt we were robbed of some booster seats and kitten food. I know we don't have a lot, but I'm pretty sure they would have taken the flatscreens with them. So yeah, I'm pretty frustrated!
  Now, that other thing I'm getting from the store. I have decided I want to learn how to make hairbows, headbands, tutus, and all that other girly stuff.

 A lot of my friends are doing it and I think I could too. Even if I didn't sell them I would still love to be able to make them for my girls. I've been watching a lot of videos on YouTube and I'm ready to attempt it. I just need to get some supplies.
  Now, if only I had those carseats...

Kate

:)

Life of a Stay at Home Mom

Cleaning and Organizing.

  I am a stay at home Mom, so I spend a lot of my time cleaning when there is nothing else to do. For a mother of two little girls, the job is never done! I pick up one room and by the time I am done with the next the previously cleaned room is a disaster. I don't like cleaning and I've never been very good at it either. I'm not a deep cleaner, but more of a surface cleaner. Since being married and moving out of my parents house in February 2012, I have been forced to accomplish these things without my Mom. I just look at a big mess and get so overwhelmed that instead of looking at it and saying, "I have to get this done." it ends up being something more like, "I don't know where to start, so I'm not going too." This video, I Hate Being A Grown Up, pretty much explans it all. I do my best though to keep the house clean, laundry done, and dinner on the table. Afterall, it's my job. I look at it like this: My husband can't not go to work one day simply because he doesn't feel like it, so why should I be so lazy as to not do some simple housework? <-- My Dad's philosophy. I'm not #1 housewife in the world by any means. It may take me until noon to even get started, I may not "get ready for the day" until 4pm when I have finished cleaning, or some days it may not get done at all, but I TRY. I have a system now that is helping me somewhat.

Pick up:

Trash First

Surface clean second (toys, clothes, etc.)

&& deep clean third (vacuum, sweep, dust, clean cabinets, whatever)

My problem right now, however, is that I do not have enough storage bins or places to put things. We haven't been in this house very long and if you've ever moved out completely on your own, you know how much money it takes, so it's just something I haven't gotten around to buying. That being said, once I surface clean.. I don't know what to do with all the toys, clothes, etc. so they just go wherever I can find a spot for them. It would be so much easier if everything had a place. It's kind of like when you were a kid and would shove everything underneath your bed.. or bribe your sibling to clean your bedroom.. atleast I did.

  

Kate

:)

What's For Dinner?

Simple and Delicious

 Okay, so I love to cook..and bake, but like everything else in my life I want it to be simple! If I look at a recipe and it has a page long list of ingredients.. I'm not reading it. I love the show 5 Ingredients Or Less for that reason exactly. Now, I didn't get this recipe off the show; I found it online. I thought I would share it because it was so easy and so delicious. Even when I ate the leftovers for lunch.  :) The recipe is for baked tilapia. You will need:

4 (4 ounce) fillets tilapia

2 teaspoons butter

1/4 teaspoon Lemon Pepper, or to taste

1/2 teaspoon garlic salt, or to taste

1 lemon, sliced

1 (16 ounce) package frozen cauliflower with broccoli

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees F). Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.   

            

Place the tilapia fillets in the bottom of the baking dish and baste with butter. Season with lemon pepper and garlic salt. Top each one with a slice or two of lemon. Arrange the frozen mixed vegetables around the fish, and season lightly with salt and pepper.               

Cover the dish with foil or a lid and bake for 25 to 30 minutes in the preheated oven, until vegetables are tender and fish flakes easily with a fork.
&& it should look like this..



Hope you enjoy it as much as we did!
Kate
:)

Introducing Me to You

My First Post.

Hey,

 I haven't blogged since Xanga, but they say it's good to write things down sometimes so I thought I would give this a shot. My blog will not be about one thing in particular, but about the things I love and that are close to me. My life, my family, beauty, cooking, new things I am learning, and whatever else I want to write about on any given day.
 This first post will just be a little introduction to me and my life. This is me..

I'm blonde but, I've been dying my hair since I was 14. I love all things girly, sports, and my family.

This is my husband..

Soldier, love of my life, and father of our two children.

These are our two daughters

Ava and Zoe. Smart, beautiful, entertaining, and crazy!

Our newest editions...

Sarabi and Mufasa.

&& the place we call home, for now..

I will attempt to write about being an army wife, a young mother, new things I am learning, and anything I love or dislike that I believe will help someone else or even myself.

That's all for now. 

:)

Kate