Weekend Plans!

*I was able to hit two out of the three yard sales I wanted to go to last night! Which was awesome!! I got some clothes for Tyler. I didn't go overboard like some people do. They just don't need that many clothes. I got a lot of bigger sizes (12-18 months). He is all set now!

*Today- I need to make my baked items and finish doing yard sale stuff.

*Saturday- I am getting up early to hit one sale (the only one I have left :) ..and then work at our yard sale. I am praying that the rain stays away!

That evening we have Caleb's Birthday party.

I also need to make 2 pies and 1 loaf of bread for the Visitation Spring Dinner on Sunday.

*Sunday- Caleb's First Communion is at 7:30 in the morning. Matt is going to it, but Tyler and I are skipping. We are going to my church, which it is an important service, since we will be voting on the new building!!

At some point we will be going to eat at the church dinner.

It is going to be a BUSY weekend for us! I hope everyone has a good one!

Randoms!!

*Tyler is practically sleeping through the night now! He wakes up around 3 or 4 to eat and then falls back asleep until I wake him up at 6 to feed him! Such a relief!

*We have noticed that he is getting a personality now, and is a lot more smiley and giggly. I LOVE this stage!--so much better than the newborn stage where we didn't know what we were doing! :)
So far, being a Mother is the best thing ever! Someone told me that the first year was really rough, but for me, ever since the 3rd or 4th week, it hasn't been bad at all! It just took some getting used to. I am lovin' every minute of it ! :)

*Tonight I will be hauling more yard sale stuff. I also need to plant some surprise lilies that Rata (Tyler's babysitter) gave me. Then sometime tomorrow (during lunch or after work) I need to make my baked goods to sell at the yard sale!

*Speaking of Rata..I am still so excited that we found her! She does such a great job with Tyler. I love it that he is the only baby there (the closest age is 2 yrs old), that way I know he is getting enough attention.

Well, that is about all for now! I hope everyone is having a fabulous weekend!

Black & White?!?!

For those of you that are more camera literate, feel free to laugh while reading this :)

I was playing around with my camera (the one I am selling), and I found out that it can take black and white pictures!! I have had it since May of 06 (it was a graduation present from Mom and Dad), and I am just now finding that out!! I was pretty excited, I like how black and white pictures look. Only if I would of found this out a few years ago! :o)

Wednesday Night

This evening, I went into town to have dinner at Mom and Dad's and to work on yard sale stuff. We are having our sale Saturday. Hopefully we have a good turn out, and since it is a city wide sale, we might get a few more customers than usual. I am planning on hitting two sales Friday and at least one Saturday. Wish me luck!

Malinda and I hauled stuff from Mom's house to her house. Mom priced some more stuff. Dad brought some Papa Murphy's home for dinner--it was very good!!!

Here are some pics from the evening!

This is my favorite picture of Mom & Dad (Grandma & Grandpa) with Tyler!!

I think he is looking at his Mommy! :)

"Why can't I have any pizza?!"...lol

Mom's friend, Patsy came to visit! Mom had a good visit with her, and she loved holding Tyler! He just smiled and smiled at her the whole time she held him!

She said she doesn't like her picture taken-but I took a few anyway!

The week is half way over already! Bring on the weekend!!!

What Does 'Perfect' Really Mean?

I never watch the Hills. I did watch Laguna Beach back when I was in High School, so I know some of the people on the Hills. I happened to flip over to MTV last night, and the season premiere was on. I shocked me to see what Heidi Montag looked like. I remember hearing about her undergoing 10 plastic surgeries in one day back in November, but I didn't expect her to actually look 'plastic'...and even kind of creepy.

To me, she looks gorgeous before the surgery. I don't know why she thought she even needed plastic surgery- especially 10.

I don't see why someone would get plastic surgery on their face done. In my opinion, that is how God wanted you to look, plus you get your looks from your parents, why wouldn't anyone not want to look like their parents?!

I do think there is a difference in facial plastic surgery and body plastic surgery. However, neither one is for me. I like the way I look, imperfections and all! :)

Here is a before and after picture of Heidi.

Weekend Review!

This weekend was a rainy one! We pretty much spent the whole weekend inside, not really doing anything, which wasn't too bad!!

Friday night we didn't do anything. Matt had gotten back from Canada around 5:00. It was nice to have him home!! :)

I had this bouncer at my parent's house. Tyler just loves it! When he kicks his feet it make noises and lights up! So I brought it to my house to use. It is too cute!

Saturday, we spent the whole morning just sitting around and playing with Tyler! It was nice to not have anywhere we had to be!

I think Tyler was glad his Daddy was home!
awwww.......

That afternoon we headed to visit Matt's Dad and Liz!

Caleb and his dogs! He is such a cute little boy!

Caleb just loves Tyler!

Cousinly love!
After we left there, Tyler and I headed to visit my family. I was going to work on yard sale stuff, but didn't really feel like starting the project so late in the afternoon. So that is this weeks project!

Tyler just loves Auntie M!!

Anytime Tyler is cranky and Mat picks him up, he calms down! I told Mat he needs to come be our night nanny! :)

That evening, Matt and I had our Date Night! We haven't been out together since before Tyler was born! It was nice to just spend some time with Matt!! We ate at a Chinese Buffet and ran to Walmart on our way out of town..I had such a good time! Tyler stayed at Mom and Dad's house, I think he had a good evening too :)

Sunday, we went to church that morning. Tyler and I went back into town later that afternoon to my Mom and Dad's house. We had a good visit, and got the yard sale stuff out...we had more stuff than we thought!!

For dinner I made chef salads!! I have been in a salad mood..which is a good thing I guess!

I hope everyone had a great weekend!

Just Kari It

I was in desperate need of a new wallet. I had bought one a while back from a lady in town. Her business is called 'Just Kari It'. I'm not a fan of the purses, mostly because they are just too flashy for me. But I love this style of wallets! So Malinda and I went out to her house the other night so I could pick out a new one. I like how the design I picked out is kind of different!

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Front view

Back view

It also came with a checkbook holder...Matt LOVES it!!! :)

New Shoes!!

Here are the new tennis shoes I ordered this past week! I can't wait for the weather to get nice again, so I can try them out on my walks!

How I've Changed

I was looking through some of my old facebook profile pictures. I couldn't believe how much I have changed in the past 4 years (since senior year). It is funny to think that at that time I thought I was really over weight. But now I catch myself saying...oh..to look like that again...

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My Senior Prom

Graduation Day
At the Drag Races

One of my Senior pictures.

But what isn't too depressing about how I have changed is that almost everyone looks different than they did in high school. And I know that if I put enough effort into it, I can look like that again. I am trying to work on the effort part..... :)

You've got to be kidding...

I saw this add on TV the other night. I can't believe someone even thought about trying this! Replacing bread with chicken?! As if fast food wasn't bad enough for you! I like my fair share of fattening things, but I WON'T be trying this sandwich...and the sad thing is, is that I bet it is selling like crazy!! No wonder obesity is on the rise!

Girls Night----Plus Tyler!

Dad was out of town on work this week and Matt was in Canada for work also. So us girls (Mom, Malinda and I), decided to have dinner and spend the evening together last night! We had a great time and good food also!!

Here is our dinner!

Shrimp scampi, loaded baked potato, garden salad, broccoli casserole & strawberries! I am full just thinking about it!!

Tyler in the onesie that my Dad got him! One of my favorite bands (and Dad's too), Black Label Society!

....it isn't one of my Mom's favorite outfits for him to wear! :)

I was trying to catch him smiling...

.....so close!! You will just have to imagine it! :)

Marley greeting Mom for our evening walk!

My favorite walking partner!!

Keeping a close eye on his frog....

.....must of gotten boring!!

Mose Meets Tyler!

Mose has seen Tyler before, but has never gotten too close to him. He came in last night for a little bit and jumped in my lap while I was holding Tyler. Mose was amazed by Tyler!..and maybe a little jealous!

Our Little Cardinal!

I just LOVE his chubby cheeks!

What you looking at?

He is such a happy baby!

Example of Cooking After Becoming a Mother

I decided to make homemade country fried steak & mashed potatoes last night for dinner. This is how I changed the recipe as cooking. Mostly due to me rushing in case Tyler had a bad mood while in his bouncer, and also because I was rushed for time. I remember cooking before Tyler. I would follow the recipe carefully and make sure I had it perfect. Now I don't see the point in getting it exactly right.

I didn't post a picture, because it wasn't the best looking, although it did taste pretty good!

Country Fried Steak

Recipe courtesy Paula Deen

55 min Yield: 8 servings
Times: Prep 12 min Cook 55 min
Total: 1 hr 7 min

House Seasoning:
1 cup salt
1/4 cup black pepper
1/4 cup garlic powder
Combine all ingredients. Store in an airtight container for up to 6 months.

Ingredients
1 1/2 cups, plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
8 (4-ounce) tenderized beef round steak*
1 teaspoon House Seasoning, recipe follows
1 teaspoon seasoning salt
2 cups buttermilk
2/3 cup vegetable oil
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 quart whole milk
1 bunch green onions, or 1 medium yellow onion, sliced

Directions
(the red is the steps I took)

Combine 1 1/2 cups flour and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper in a small bowl. I put a handful of flour and sprinkled some pepper on it. Sprinkle 1 side of the meat with the House Seasoning and the other side with the seasoning salt, and then dredge the meat in buttermilk and then flour. I sprinkled one side with seasoned salt and the other with garlic powder (didn't make the time to make the House Seasoning), I poured some buttermilk in a bowl, gave the meat a bath and threw it in the flour. Heat 1/2 cup oil in a heavy skillet over medium-high heat. I got out my skillet added an approximate amount of vegetable oil, and turned it up a little higher than med-high to get it started. Add 2 or 4 of the steaks to the hot oil and fry until browned, about 5 to 6 minutes per side. Didn't seem to take as long as that, maybe since I had my stove so hot :) Remove each steak to a paper towel-lined plate to drain. I did manged to rip a few paper towels off to use, but I wasn't careful getting the steaks out, so most of the grease came with. Repeat with the remaining steaks, adding up to 1/4 cup more oil, as needed.


Make the gravy by adding the 2 tablespoons of remaining flour to the pan drippings, scraping the bottom with a wooden spoon. Stir in the remaining 1/4 teaspoon pepper, and the salt. Reduce the heat to medium and cook, stirring frequently, until the flour is medium brown and the mixture is bubbly. Slowly add the whole milk stirring constantly. This is how I made the gravy. But first I must let you know, that I never make gravy. And when I do it turns of too clumpy or too runny, bagged gravy is my friend :)....where was I..oh yeah the gravy recipe...I added a handful of flour, poured some milk, salt and pepper in the skillet. I used a whisk and stirred it. I got side tracked washing dishes and came back to check on it and I had made play-doh! I added more milk and stirred some more, till it looked (kind of) like gravy. Return the steaks to the skillet and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to low, and place the onions on top of the steaks. I left the onions out, not cause I didn't have them, but cause I didn't feel like cutting them up. Cover the pan, and let simmer for 30 minutes. Simmer for 30 minutes?! Nah....no need to simmer..just simmered long enough for Matt & I to get our plates.

After we ate, I sat on the couch, with grease covering the stove and counters, and dishes in the sink needing to be washed. I thought to myself 'those dishes will still be there in the morning, or even tomorrow evening, Tyler won't be small forever'...so I continued to sit there with Tyler and Matt. Not really doing anything, just playing with my smiling little bundle of joy! ....Boy..have times changed over the last couple of months...

.....but for the better!! :)

I will have to post about my next 'cooking adventure'! :)

Weekend Recap!

Friday-Malinda and I went camera shopping!! I found one I like, I am in the process of trying to find a good deal online. I will post pics of the one I picked soon!

Saturday-I made some golden brownies for the Pie Auction at the Eagles that afternoon. I made them at Mom's, so she could watch Tyler while I made them. Unfortunately, I forgot that her oven is a older one and you have to actually turn it from preheat to bake. So in other words, they turned out brown on top and gooey on bottom. So I didn't take them to the auction, but we had a good treat! :)

We ate dinner at the Eagles that evening. We had a full table! Ron, Caleb, Mom, Dad, Mat, Malinda, Matt, Tyler and I. And another couple also sat there with their two kids. We had a great time visiting with each other!

Sunday-That afternoon, we went to visit Ron. We had a good visit, and Tyler was in a fabulous mood! I took a walk while Matt and Ron visited and played with Tyler. After we got back, Malinda and I went to the river and took the two dogs (Molly and Marley..Rascal would of made it way too many dogs!). We had a great time, and it made me look forward to this summer & swimming!

For dinner Malinda, Mom and I had tacos at Mom's. Since Dad was at a Cardinals game.

I hope everyone had a great weekend!

Weekend Plans & Randoms!

Some random things....

• I stepped on the scale today..not sure why, cause I never weigh myself. But to my surprise..I weigh exactly what I did on my first doctors appointment (back last June!) I was sooo excited!! Even though, I have a lot more work to do :)


• For dinner last night Ron and Liz took us out for my birthday. It was a good time!! We just went to a local restaurant instead of going out of town-we decided it is so much easier to stay local with Tyler. But it ended up Tyler wasn't really in the mood to go. So we dropped him off at my parents house and went to dinner. Of course, Mom said he acted fine pretty much the whole time we were gone! Figures that would happen!


• Matt is now an 'official farmer'. As he put fertilizer on the fields Wednesday!


• I am going to order some tennis shoes today! I have been alternating the same 2 pair for the last year or so..that is a long time for someone who walks pretty much everyday!


• We are going to set a date for Tyler's baptism in the next week! ...now I need to find some type of gown that he can wear?!?!


• I finally got around to packing up the clothes Tyler has outgrown. He hasn't been able to fit into his newborn clothes for quite some time! It was sad to put them away, but it is fun to watch him grow a little everyday. Once again, I am sooo glad that that I didn't over buy clothes, seeing as how even though I didn't have too much, there are still some that he never got around to wearing.

Weekend Plans...

• Tonight-Malinda and I are heading to Jefferson City to look at cameras. I am going to find a camera I like and then search online and find the best deal. That seems so much easier than going store to store! I can't wait to get a new one!


• Saturday-I am going to make some pies (or desserts?!) for the pie auction at the Eagles. It is for the Visitation School, which I think is a good cause. We are planning on eating there for dinner, This will be Tyler's first time (first of many) going to the Eagles!


• Sunday- Going to church in the morning. Then I have no plans! I am planning on making (for the first time) country fried steak for dinner-I love that stuff! Wish me luck!!

I hope everyone has a fantastic weekend!

Just a Few Pictures!

Smiling at Grandma!

Tyler is EXTREMELY strong with his head and legs!

He started playing with his toys last week!! I will try to get a picture of him actually grabbing his toys soon! It is so much fun to watch him play! And while I'm driving I can hear him batting at his toys attached to the car seat!

Playing with Mommy!