1/13/12 - day of many "firsts" =)

Whoa!  2012 is already off to an exciting start!  January 13th proved to be a big day....Rylee has popped her two teeth on the bottom; I can’t wait until they are out more so when she smiles you can see the two white teeth!!  She also said “mama” her first word!!  Melts my heart!!  I LOVE it she says it when I leave and/or she cries and wants something.  Now I am hoping she says “dada” next!  Either way there is no doubting she is a daddy’s girl! She is also eating Cheerios and Puffs....where has the time gone!  I feel like I just brought her home, each day something new is happening and I feel so truly blessed to be here to see it all and be a part of it.  The boys are also super busy, Kyle started Basketball...figured we mind as well put those long legs to good use.  He is doing excellent, having fun with his friends and learning about basketball what more can you ask for =)  Chase and Kyle are also both snowboarding and we are extremely proud of them both they are doing amazing!  Kyle has perfected his “S” turn and Chase is getting his “C” turns they too are growing up so fast.  Still bickering a ton with each other but I am thinking that is normal between brothers but who knows maybe not =)

Another “first” was last night my sister and I had the privilege to meet Necole Stephens...she is a medium and to hear her story of what she has lived through with the loss of her 11 year old son (Long QT Syndrome, he passed in his sleep and she found him) and more triumphs is amazing!  It baffles me that someone can be adamant about continuing to help others after enduring all she has.  A lot of the night I sat in shock as she read the other people that were there and give them messages from their loved ones that had crossed over, it was so moving.  Such an amazing gift to have, and since she is a bereaved parent herself she doesn’t charge any other parent that has lost a child, she just requests you make a donation to her sons memorial fund.  Truly amazing!!  I am going to host a party here next month SO excited.  

Every year I always try and change something, so this year I want to go back to my organized clean ways!! I feel like 2011 got a little crazy, not that my house is dirty just at times “cluttery” which I feel like can make me stressed I think an organized house runs more smoothly...it can be hard with Chris’s hours but this year I am going to make a better effort.  The boys are also going to have new chore charts so that they can help as well.  I will keep posting updates on that as well....

Special Saturday....little things =)

Just a “regular” family weekend....

Normally my husband has to work every weekend, very rarely gets a Saturday off I think I can count them on my hands how many he has had over the past 13 years.  We do get 1 sometimes 2 Sundays a month...this weekend however, we were given the gift of a Saturday!!  Whoo Whoo and it so happens to be his Sunday off as well so it is an actual weekend.  I treasure these so much as corny as it may sound, but for this weekend we get to be a “normal” family and hang out together, get stuff done around the house hang out at night it was amazing!  We didn’t even do much today except catch up on stuff around the house and the kids enjoyed the beautiful weather outside but it was nice having him around on a Saturday =)

As I sit here in the family room, that is lightly lit up by the Christmas tree it makes me so thankful for all that I have, my wonderful family, friends, and many other blessings.  Love this time of year!  People probably laugh that I love to sit by my Christmas tree considering I take it down on December 26th every year =)  HA I am shocked at how quick the kids are growing, each day is a new silly memory on this journey we are on it is crazy to me!  I am shocked that Rylee is already 6 months old...holy crap where has the time gone!  She is loving her veggies! What a good girl =)  She didn’t love her apples today but I am sure in time she will.  She is doing great and I have to say it is so touching to see the boys with her, they truly adore her and I am even more thrilled that Christopher gets to experience having a daughter.  She has been such a blessing to our home and I feel really made our family complete.  Sometimes, you think you have everything that you need in life and then poof god throws you a curveball and proves he knew better =)  Okay well that is enough babbling for one day..have a great night!

The Art of "Boo-ing" =)

Tonight we did one of our traditions we “boo’ed” our friends.  It is always a fun time with the boys, they get dressed up as does Chris my husband and we ring our friends doorbells and leave the bag of goodies and make a run for it.  I am always the driver of our getaway car and we always have a lot of laughs and make a lot of memories.  This year was different because we had Rylee “boo-ing” as well!  She did great...slept through the whole thing!  Made me thinking though of next year, she will be joining in on the fun as well I am sure.  It is moments like these that make me so thankful to be a mom seeing the joy in their faces, the sound of their laughter make it all worth while.  It is fun creating these memories that will be with them forever, and creating traditions that they can pass on to their children someday.

Can’t believe that Halloween is only a few days away time is flying by for sure!! Can’t wait to trick-or-treat with my little vampire, dementor and lady bug this year...though I could do without the snow we are suppose to get tomorrow =) 

Happy Halloween hope you get “boo-ed” !

Summer Summertime...just sit back and unwind =)

It has been forever since I posted...hard to believe that July is almost over where has the time gone!!??!  We have been having a wonderful summer, we spent a week on a private beach in Plymouth with the boys and my husband had the week too which was wonderful.  Since he works such crazy hours it was a treat to have him around for a whole week.  My oldest has done a couple of camps too this summer which were great..still in shock how old he is getting as well.  Can't believe he will be starting the 2nd grade in the fall...I still remember when we brought him home, so tiny...ugh makes me want another =)  I do feel though being a mom in the summertime can be crazy at times...it is nice not to have the scheduling and all that jazz and just go with the flow but they can get bored easy which can be annoying!  There are plenty of days in the summer when I put them to bed with a large grin on my face and enjoy the peace and quiet...alone mommy time!  Am I the only one who feels this way?  Sometimes I feel guilty I love them more than anything in the world but boy do they test your patience at times.

As we get some back to school shopping done I have to let everyone know how much I LOVE Olivers Labels (www.oliverslabels.com/cherishedoccasions) these are the bomb!!  My oldest has severe food allergies (peanut, tree nut and sesame) and I can get labels with his name and "no nuts" they are wonderful.  I have to say to no matter how many times I put his thermos in the dishwasher they never come off!!  They also list a website that people can go to if they find your item and it will alert you as to where it is...love them!  Totally recommend them for sure for any child going back to school.  I have to label everything for preschool as well for my youngest and he loves all the designs too!

Well I am a nerd and have to go and watch Big Brother...gotta see who is getting kicked off this week =)

OREO Truffles Recipe

....SO YUMMY and EASY!
I am going to have to start taking pictures of the recipes I post...personally I like to see a picture with each recipe so I apologize!  Next time I make these truffles I will be sure to take some pictures while making them to make it easier for everyone. These are a wonderful addition to any dessert, a SURE hit when having to bring something to an event or a friends house. These are also peanut free as well =)


OREO Truffles
1 package of Oreo cookies

1 8oz package of cream cheese

1 -2 Bags of semisweet chocolate chips


Chop the Oreo Cookies (the entire package) in a chopper or food processor, put in a large bowl. Then mix in the cream cheese, I usually stir it in and then after a while I mix it really good with my hands (take off your rings and bracelets first otherwise you will have the Oreo’s in everything!) Once it is mixed well together, roll into small balls and place on a tray or large plate. Once you have rolled all the mixture into balls place in the refrigerator for approx. 15 min just to harden the balls which will make them easier when covering them in the chocolate chips.

Begin melting your chocolate chips in a double broiler, fondant pot (or just use a large pan with a little bit of water and then place a medium saucepan with the chocolate chips, you just don't want the saucepan to directly hit the burner because then you can burn your chocolate). Melt it completely. Line a tray or container (that can fit in the fridge) with wax paper. Take the balls out of the fridge and begin dipping them in the melted chocolate chips. Since I don't have a double broiler I usually place the ball on a fork and hold it over the melted chocolate then using a larger spoon I pour the melted chocolate over the ball on the fork using a large spoon, you want to cover the ball completely with the chocolate...continue until all the balls are done. Then place the truffles into the refrigerator for a few hours, they will harden and then you can enjoy!! DELISH!

If you are taking these over a guests house or bringing them to a party, I sometimes sprinkle the tops with sprinkles just to add a little touch (you can use red & green for xmas, or yellow and blue for Easter etc.) you want to do this before you put them in the refrigerator while the melted chocolate is still soft . Once hardened place each ball in a small baking cup (the mini cupcake cups) which can make them easier for people to eat and not have to touch each one. Or serve as is…trust me everyone will be asking you for this recipe!

If anyone has questions pop me an email, if you end up making these place leave a comment so everyone can see how yummy these are =) Next time I make them I will include some pictures for you.

MEALTIMES = FRUSTRATION

Why….oh why….are children (or my boys!) so damn picky! I cook for my family every night; real home cooked meals just to have them throw out and frowned upon. My oldest who is 7 has to be one of the pickiest eaters I have ever met, he does have severe food allergies but I feel like it still isn’t justified there are still tons of foods he could and would enjoy! All I am asking is for them to take ONE bite, I am not even forcing them to finish their plates off like I had to do when I was younger….I have no idea what to do!??! Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

I feel horrible when he doesn’t eat anything…I am Italian and it just isn’t normal for someone not to eat dinner. I am feeling like a short order cook, my doctor said if he chooses not to eat to give him a bowl of cereal and that would get old. My kids love cereal (Life, Kix, Cheerios) so no it hasn’t gotten old I think he is totally happy with that as an option. I am hoping someone out there that may read this has been stuck in this position and maybe it has worked for you….do they finally give in and eat? What to do…who knew this would be so hard! I couldn’t wait to cook for my family some day and now that I can they don’t want any part of it! I am going to start posting some of my favorite recipes in hopes that perhaps your families/children will enjoy them! Thank goodness my husband loves to eat!!

I am happy to get back into the normal routine on Monday. We had a wonderful vacation but I am eager to get back to the groove.  Tonight we have a date night...so excited I think I am craving some P.F.Changs!  YUMMY

Enjoy the rest of the weekend!

BALANCE…TIME MANAGEMENT…who knows???

These words in themselves can be scary for anyone…whether you’re a mom, wife or just trying to get through work every day. I feel I battle “balance” every day! I think I need more hours in a day to get everything done and perhaps if there was another avenue rather than redbull to give me my “wings” each day. I had no idea before I had kids how crazy a day can be; how many things you have to get done and juggle in one day…sometimes I like to sit and laugh at how crazy I thought my life was before…now looking back it looks so easy! Some days I feel like I need to wear a black and white strip shirt just to hang with the boys…they are in that mode just to argue and fight over that one toy I “referee” all day I feel like sometimes; I feel like someone should have put that shirt in my baby bag.

Perhaps it isn’t balance that is my biggest hurdle, maybe it is just time management. I have this HUGE project that is screaming my name…cleaning and organizing my office and workspace which is in my basement. I feel like a tornado has occurred down there and it is a scary place, overwhelming to say the least! It is defiantly a job I need to tackle when I have no kids around, hoping tomorrow will be the day since the in-laws are taking the boys to the zoo. I will post some pictures once it is done…wish me luck and let’s hope I don’t get eaten alive by the crap that is down there. I think it has gotten so bad since no one ever goes down there but us, it isn’t like it is on one of the main floors of the house that people see all the time where if it was it would never look like this because I would be forced to keep it clean. I am also starting to feel bad for the poor trash men that will be coming to my house next week I don’t think it is going to be pretty =)