Whats New You Ask?

So I've been off the grid for awhile with blogging! I do really enjoy the blogging world, for me though it is just hard a lot of times! My boy's are growing so fast & I feel we are just going 24/7 & when we have down time sometimes I just want to hang out with them, or the hubby, or just talk with friends! I do want to get back into the blog world however, I do miss it there are just so many amazing women out there!! Many whom I have no idea how they juggle family life & this! Kudos' to you ladies, seriously your awesome!!

Anyhow, I have also been MIA due to the fact of some serious changes in our little Circus of a life!!!
So here is the skinny on our life at the moment!!

 I am currently living in Western NY, we were in New Bern, NC before for the last 9 1/2 years!! I am up here with all 3 of my boys, my dog & cat! Where is the hubby you ask?? (no were not separating) The hubby is still in the Marine Corps till Mid  Feb & then I will be flying down to drive back up with him, here to our hometown!!

We moved up to NY during A's Christmas vacation, we knew he needed to start a new school & figured the Christmas break would be the easiest & smoothest time to accomplish this! Our house was also under contract in NC & we closed on Jan 14th!! That was a very mixed emotion day for me! I left the home my husband & I built & where we brought every one of the boy's home. (I'm getting teary eyed as I think of it)

The hubs has served for almost 12 years in the military & well were just kind of over it! He has been lucky enough to have been non-deployable the last few years & we realized that we just didn't want to deal with deployments anymore we, had done enough & it really is hard on kids. My boy's are obsessed with their dad he is so hands on it's not funny!! I think sometimes he should stay home & I should work full time he has way more patience than me! So we went back and forth the past 2 years & decided this was the right choice to get out & never have to be separated again! (except for the fact we are till February ). Let me tell you it BLOWS!! I am so thankful for his decision to get out because I could not do  6-7 month deployment with all 3 of these boys! They have cried & begged for their dad & told me they don't like me!

This has been one stressful transition!! Currently we are staying with my parents & we travel back and forth to my in-laws we are waiting for the hubs to return to find a place we both like!

What is he going to do for a job you may be wondering?? (not that it's any ones business) but since i get this question so much I'll break it down! Hubby has so many days of leave (basically vacation days) that he can get out mid February  & will still be getting a paycheck into April (so don't worry folks were not mooching off anyone) Were not being stupid, were being smart & doing what is best for us all (why we are currently 700+miles apart).

Hubs has put out quite a few applications & is still looking so right now were waiting on calls back (well really him). We also have an opportunity in PA & we would be with some great friends so that is really exciting! I would love to stay as close to family as possible but in the end we have to do what is best for our family & go where we can financially provide for our 3 boys & have good health care! The boys are top priority!!

These past few months have been anything but easy, I have laughed, I have cried many times! & I have screamed & yelled from the amount of stress all this has caused! I am thankful for family support & some amazing friends keeping me sane!! Otherwise I might be in a straight jacket right now!

I truly feel I picked the perfect name for my blog because my life is seriously like a damn circus!! So now you have the skinny on whats been going on!! I will try to be better about posts I want to get back to recipes for people & will let you know how we transition out of Military life into the civilian world!

Till next time xoxo

Jute wrapped wine bottle

Ok so I have been a slacker! Like BIG time!! I have actually been doing alot around my house & just have not gotten around to blogging it. I apologize!  I have given my living room & kitchen a makeover, almost finished the boy's gallery wall & have been working on lots of Christmas crafts. So there is stuff to come! Yippee ;)


Now with that said here is one easy & cute Christmas décor craft  I did with a wine bottle!!! Hey an excuse to drink a little wine right? 

This is super simple all you need is
* glue gun
*wine bottle
*rope (I like Jute rope)
* Cute ribbon & buttons or whatever your heart desires

**Make sure to start at the top of the bottle & wind down & then every few wraps add a dab of glue to hold it in place

It's pretty easy! When I was finished I decided to add some red & green ribbon to give it more of a Christmas feel & I finished it off with a white button.

Ready for the finished product?????

What do you think?? I'm loving it & the fact that when Christmas has come & gone I can easily cut off that ribbon & replace with another :)

 

Cranberry/Orange Oat Muffins

So I've been in the fall mood it's been cooler here & I've been able to wear jeans & boots (my favorite). Fall always makes me think of Thanksgiving!! That may be my favorite Holiday
 (I LOVE to eat).

When I think of Thanksgiving I think of my 3 favorites to eat Turkey (of course), stuffing & cranberries (YUM).

I was in the mood to do some baking today & decided I wanted some cranberry muffins. What goes great with cranberry?? Orange! My mother in law makes these awesome blueberry oat muffins so it inspired me to put oats in my muffins. So here you have Cranberry/Orange Oat Muffins!!!


Here is how I made mine:

3/4- Cup Whole Wheat Flour & 3/4 Cup White Flour (you can use all white I was just trying to make them a little healthier)

1/2- Cup Sugar

1/2- Cup Old fashioned oats

3/4- Cup OJ

1 1/4- tsp Baking Powder

1/4- tsp Baking Soda

1/2- tsp Salt

1- Egg

1/2- Cup Vegetable Oil

1-tsp Orange Zest

1- Cup Cranberries

* Pre-heat oven to 400

*Mix Oats & OJ together set aside

* Mix: Flour, Baking Powder, Baking Soda, Salt, Sugar together

* Add oats to mixture then add Oil & Egg & Zest stir to combine then gently fold in Cranberries

*Place in muffin cups sprinkle with a little sugar & bake 15-18 minutes

*Makes 12 muffins*

Enjoy!!!

Pumpkin Spice Latte Crockpot Style!

Who doesn't love a good PSL am I right? My husband and I are no exception!! Although this year he was bummed out by Starbucks. He felt it didn't have enough flavor for his liking.

Well me and a couple of my favorite gal pals had a girl's night in over the weekend. We decided to all hang out in our PJ's & make some snacks & just talk and laugh without the kiddos. I thought I'd make us a yummy drink to go with our snacks.

So I decided to try some Pumpkin Spice Lattes in my Crockpot. I made them decaf that night but since then I have made them twice with regular coffee.

The hubs kept asking about them so I decided to whip up a batch for him & he LOVED them! He said they had way more flavor than Starbucks. My 2 girlfriends loved them & one of the girl's husbands tried it as well and also loved them so I assure you these are tasty. It's been reviewed by 5 different people so far ;)

So here is what you need:

6 -Cups Milk (you can use skim to make them skinny)

4-5 Cups strongly brewed coffee

8-Tbsp sugar

8-Tbsp pumpkin puree

2-tsp cinnamon

1- 2oz bottle of Vanilla (yes I know that's a lot of vanilla I assure you this is correct)

1-2 shakes of pumpkin pie spice

Whipped Cream for topping *optional*

* Cook on high 2 hours stir occasionally

*This makes about a full crockpot worth


I have since made 2 Half batches and that seems to be perfect you get about 6 cups worth with a 1/2 batch

*I use 2 & 1/2 cups of coffee for a 1/2 batch & *only 2 Tbsp of vanilla in a half batch *

*If you do a half batch only cook 1 hour

End Result:

Enjoy!!!

Update On The Lil Man

Some of you may know that my youngest little guy had been diagnosed with Kawasaki Disease this happened in May 2 weeks after he turned 1.
 We have been seeing a pediatric cardiologist since then to have EKG's & Echo cardiograms on his heart. Kawasaki Disease can affect the child's heart unfortunately for C he developed a small aneurysm on his left coronary artery. So we have been watching the progress of it. He was on a high dose of baby aspirin but at our appointment in July they took him off that as his aneurysm began to shrink.

If you want to read about all we went through & gain a little more knowledge on Kawasaki Disease you can read Part 1 & Part 2 


I thought first I'd share some pictures of how our routine appointments at the cardiologist go first they weigh & measure him & take his blood pressure (I didn't take any pics of that).

Next comes the EKG:

Then after the EKG we move onto the Echo Cardiogram:

So what did they find.....????

His aneurysm is gone!! Thank the Lord!!!  The cardiologist told me I could breathe again! I was soo happy!!! We are still keeping a journal of his joint issues both with his pediatrician & his cardiologist.  But, the main thing is his little heart is back to normal.  Even though his aneurysm is gone we still will have follow ups with the cardiologist for a long time we don't have to go back for another 6 months :)

So I'm a happy happy mommy right now :)

Jewelry Organizer

So I recently re-organized my closet & changed up the Master bedroom! My old jewelry box didn't match the new décor so I decided to make something new.

It first started off with something for my earrings. I took an old 8x10 picture frame spray painted it de-stressed it a little & then used my staple gun to staple chicken wire to the back. I then hung it in my closet with a command strip. (I'm trying to not put holes in the wall)

Next came time to make something for all my necklaces. So off to Lowe's I went & had a board cut at 18inches I then painted it with a blue I had on hand from when I made my Cat Scratcher turned Towel Holder. Have you seen that? If not you can Here

 I went to Hobby Lobby  & found some adorable drawer knobs to hang the necklaces from. I was so excited too because the day I went they were 50% off (got to love not paying full price).

Then I needed Mr. Awesome's AKA the hubs!! Well I really just needed his drill but whenever I ask to use his tools he kind of takes over my project. (Honestly I don't mind). It's nice working on things together. So hubs drilled the holes & twisted in the knobs & then he got his dremel out for me & cut the back of the knobs off (they were a little too long for the board I got). We then hung that under the earring holder also using command strips!

Ready to see the cuteness????

Here it is:

What do you think?
Have you ever made a Jewelry Organizer?

Chocolate Chunk Muffins

So this morning I was pretty hungry after dropping A off at school. The little 2 really hadn't had breakfast either (besides some dry cereal) So I figured I'd better make us something.

I went to the fridge & realized I still had quite a bit of yogurt in there I happened to grab my Chobani chocolate chunk & there was a picture of muffins on the container. I read they had a recipe for muffins using the yogurt sounded yummy so I gave it a whirl & whipped some up!!

They were so delicious & fluffy & moist my Bff came over and ate some with us she loved them as well. They are kind of irresistible!! The boy's didn't leave a crumb. Defiantly will be making these again.

Want to try them?

Here is the recipe:

1¼ c Chobani Vanilla Chocolate Chunk Greek Yogurt

2¼ c all-purpose flour

1 T baking powder

½ t baking soda

¾ t kosher salt

⅔ c packed dark brown sugar *(I only had light)               

6 T canola oil

2 large eggs

1 T vanilla extract

2 T coarse brown sugar  *(I didn't have coarse b sugar I used regular)

 

 

Whisk- yogurt, eggs, vanilla, brown sugar & oil together

 

Mix- Flour, salt, baking powder & baking soda

 

Mix the dry ingredients into the wet ones

 

Spoon into muffin cups & sprinkle brown sugar on top of batter

 

Bake 16-18 minutes at 375

 

Original recipe says it makes 12 muffins I got 15 out of it

 

 Original Recipe Source

 

 

 

 

Looks good right?

Pumpkin Cream Cheese

Yes yes you read that right!!! It's Fall time for anything Pumpkin!!!


I made this last year & the hubs loved it so much as soon as September hit he requested it. Being the awesome wife I am (cough) I had to make it.

So here is the recipe:

1-8oz package of cream cheese softened

1/2-cup pumpkin puree

1/4-cup sugar

beat the 3 ingredients together till combined then add

1/2-tsp vanilla

1/8-tsp nutmeg

Pumpkin pie spice (I don't measure this I just keep adding till I have the pumpkin flavor I like) I probably use over 1-tsp

Mix together & store in air tight container in fridge

*Enjoy*

 

 

Yummy Cranberry Chicken

It's Fall yay!!! Fall makes me think of pumpkins & mum's & Thanksgiving yummy!!! I was in the mood for some good Fall like food!!

I came across a recipe for crock pot cranberry chicken! Looked & sounded yummy!! I figured I'd give it a try. Well the day kind of got away from me & forgot to put it in the crock pot but then I re-read the directions & was a little turned off by them.

So I decided to just bake mine & let me tell you it was yummy! The hubs & I ate it all up the kids enjoyed it too after they got over the fact their chicken was pink-ish red because of the cranberry sauce.

So here is what you need it's so simple:

1-Can of whole berry cranberry sauce ocean spray or store brand will do :)

1-Bottle Catalina Dressing *(the bottle I got was 24oz I only used half)*

1-Packet Dry Onion Soup Mix

3-4- Chicken breasts (boneless/skinless)

Mix all ingredients together, place chicken in a 9x13 baking dish & pour over chicken

Bake at 350 for 40-50 minutes

End Result Yumminess!!! I served ours with fresh oven roasted green beans, stuffing & crescent rolls!

Here is the original recipe for the crock pot if you want to go that route :)  Source

Gallbladder Nightmare Part 2

So yesterday I left off finishing with talking about the wonderful NG tube! I actually tried to pull it out in my sleep! I had nightmares because of that awful thing! the nurse had to come in & shove it back in thank goodness I only pulled it out a little!

If you want to read from the start here is Part 1

So let's get to Wednesday the next surgery day:

Wednesday- Was the 2nd surgery day I'm in horrible pain from the leaking bile felt like I was being stabbed where my gallbladder used to be, I'm now throwing up from the stupid NG tube haven't had a real shower or washed my hair in 4 day's I felt disgusting & gross!

Finally at 2pm I'm taken down to surgery I had to use a bed pan to go to the bathroom (probably the most degrading thing ever to pee in a pan & have someone wipe you).  I get rolled back in to the OR & I'm thinking at this point my life's over (yes I know that's morbid but after all that I'd been through I was terrified that this time I was not waking up).

I wake up in my hospital room & see my husband mumble something & pass back out! I was so in & out of it! (oh they said they were going to take the NG tube out well guess what I woke up with it still in!) Now I also have a fun drainage tube!! Nothing like seeing a tube come out of your stomach & draining nasty fluid into a squeeze bottle BLAH!!!!!

I had nurses coming in and out & draining the tube & checking on me I barley slept! wasn't allowed to eat. (though I didn't want to anyways) I felt the worst I have ever felt in my entire life!

Thursday- I woke up feeling much better & got great news that the NG tube was coming out! I was so happy because that thing was worse then the drainage tube! So they pull that out (again completely awake) It hurts like heck & then my nose started gushing blood! AWESOME! My poor dad sitting there watching all of this! I felt bad for him he also was there when they put the tube in. I probably took a couple of years of his life that week because I could see the stress & worry in his face!


Once the tube was out I could talk & I instantly felt better, my nose stopped bleeding & I could resume a liquid diet (broth & jello & Popsicles oh boy).  I got to speak with the surgeons & apparently everything went well the stint in place & the wash out went well. Apparently there was quite a bit of bile.

My dad & husband would switch on and off coming to visit me while the other stayed with the boy's! I had to say goodbye to my dad that night because he was flying back home Friday early in the morning! None of us had anticipated for everything to go so wrong or we would have planned to have him stay longer. He didn't want to leave, I felt bad!


Friday- I was going to be able to go home!!!! 2 amazing nursing students washed my hair for me because at this point it was a greasy nasty mess! I felt like a different person after they washed my hair for me.  The surgeon came back in & told me before I left they were also going to remove the drainage tube because the stint was doing its job.

Again fully awake & not medicated they cut my stitches & had to pull the tube out of my stomach it was kind of a creepy weird feeling & also hurt! Really didn't enjoy feeling something sliding past my insides! I sat there breathing like I was breathing through a contraction! Finally out & I was glad that was over.  I was now able to have a meal of regular food they brought me French Toast & pineapple. It was like the best thing ever seeing as how I hadn't eaten anything normal in a week.

After going over all my discharge papers I was able to call the hubby to come get me. Finally I got to feel the sun on my face & see all of my boys!!! They were all yelling momma it was a great feeling. I missed them all so much! It was nice to be home in my own house & in my own bed.

I've been taking it easy since Friday, the hubby has been AMAZING as always!! He completely took over all chores cooking cleaning you name it he did it! Truly blessed to have him! If I tried to do stuff he would stop me. I'm finally feeling more like myself & it's been great.


I had a follow up appointment with the surgeon on Wed. & she took off my bandages & said things were healing well! I'm horribly bruised but at least no sign of infection or anything. She said the pains I am still having are normal & hopefully will go away soon. Now I have a follow up apt to talk about having the stint removed FUN FUN NOT!

I want to take a minute to tell you never take a Nurse for granted always be kind! They work so hard & I had some of the best people taking care of me & going out of their way to make me feel better. I had one lady who sat by my bed & just talked to me for a bit she would call me baby. She was the sweetest woman! I am amazed at the care they gave me & how nice they all were to me! They all told me I was a pleasure to take care of I made sure to thank them all every time they check on me!

Their job is far from easy they do so much & see so much yet they never make you feel ashamed its normal to them. I appreciate all their help & well wishes! Please make sure you thank a nurse whenever you or a loved one is being taken care of they deserve it!

Will keep you posted on the stint removal though I really was hoping it would be a bit longer before I saw the inside of another surgeons office Sigh*

Gallbladder Surgery Turned Nightmare!!!

For those who didn't know I was in the hospital last week here's why:


So I had some issues with my stomach after a trip to Urgent Care & the ER & then to my primary Dr they found out it was my Gallbladder apparently mine only functioned at 8% and they said it needed to go!

I was fine with that I wanted to not feel sick to my stomach & not have horrible attacks & pains if I ate certain foods. I knew quite a few people that had theirs out & seemed to heal pretty quick. The surgeon said it was a routine procedure & after a couple day's I should be just fine. (Boy were they WRONG)

August 15th (Thursday) surgery day I was nervous about being put under as the only other surgery I ever had was my adenoids out when I was 2 so I remember nothing. I had 3 boys at home that needed me so I had to heal quick. Luckily my dad flew down to help us all out! Well I wake up in recovery and they said everything went great so couple hours later & home I went.

I was in horrible pain my back was killing me, I had this awful pain in my shoulders. I could not eat or sleep. I read and talked to some friends and it sounded like I was having pains from the gas that they pump into you to see to be able to remove the gallbladder ok well Ice packs it was & I'd have to have my husband or my dad rub my shoulders.

Friday- still not feeling so good & now I cant use the bathroom figured it was from the pain killers, I pretty much was a hermit & hid in my bedroom because I couldn't tolerate noise. My husband was trying to get me to eat. I'd eat like a bite or 2 of something and push it away! I did a lot of sleeping that day.

Saturday- it was my dad I and the 2 lil's they were napping hubby was running some errands when I just couldn't take much more and called the surgeon he said since I was so young I shouldn't be having such issues & suggested I go to the ER to have some tests run. So after a CT scan a CAT scan & a bunch of blood work they decided I was just really backed up & had a big air pocket in my intestine & needed different pain meds to help. So I was ordered to start drinking Mirilax even though I already had been & it was not helping at all.

Sunday- The surgeon called me to ask how I felt I said still the same he told me to come into the office first thing in the am for an appointment my abdomen was now swollen out & I looked 3-4 months pregnant.

Monday- I go into the office (my dad drove me & he stayed in the car with the kids) I walking as slow as a snail because I was in so much pain. To find out my bowels were shutting down (why I could not go to the bathroom). So I was being admitted back into the hospital. My best friend took me in because I didn't want my dad to have to drag all 3 of the boys in and she stayed with me till my husband got there (he had went into work). I had a 1 1/2 hour test run on me had blood work & an IV put in. Medicine to help stimulate my bowels which finally worked woohoo!!

Tuesday- I was feeling better & was going to the bathroom. The Surgeon comes in and asks how are you feeling I said better & I'm going to the bathroom (I figured I would be home that night) She looks at me says "That's great unfortunately it's not the end of the road for you" WAIT WAHT??? She told me I had a Leak and was going to need a endoscopy to put a stint in! Oh joy! So she called down few hours later a Dr comes up & tells me it's a very easy procedure & they don't fully put you under & that they put a tube down your throat with a camera & then thread a stint in there.

So couple hours later I'm downstairs getting prepped for that & back I go I remember the Dr explaining it all & then I was in recovery! Thank god it over... Wait, wait nope it's NOT!

Apparently I moved too much & they could not do the procedure so they were going to have to fully knock me out the next day to do the procedure are you FREAKING kidding me!!! Under 3 times in a week! Then my surgeon who took my gallbladder out suggested that since I was already going under maybe she should just go back in wash me out & insert a drainage tube. Also suggested that I have a NG tube put it to suck out any air or bile currently in my stomach!

So Tuesday at 9pm I had a lovely tube shoved down through my nose that went down my throat & into my stomach & yes I was fully awake during this chocking & it hurt. It was awful I could barley move my face b/c it would make the tube hurt my nose & it hurt to swallow & felt like I had this huge lump in my throat.

Here is a pic of the NG tube & the crap it was taking out if you have a weak stomach you may want to pass on looking!! I'm ending this part here & will continue the rest of the awful adventure tomorrow!!

Mom I'll Be Fine

So yesterday I sent my first born off to Kindergarten it was rough (well for me). My husband was so super excited for A to start his journey in school & A was so excited to go he had his backpack packed and ready to go!!

Unfortunately due to me being in the hospital I missed his orientation & I was in big crocodile tears over it. Daddy took him and met his teacher & they explored the school. Thankfully I was out of the hospital in time to be able to walk him into school on his first day.

A knew Exactly where to go! I was so impressed as I saw many other children wandering lost not sure & people guiding them where they needed to be. Not A though A was guiding me," here mom this way look for this color sign mom & then we turn".

"Here mom were here"!! Wait, wait let me take a picture before you go in & I get "MOM" oh man he's grown he doesn't need me :(

He walked right in said hello to his teacher right to his table took his backpack off & clipped it to his chair & it hit me SLAP! Guess what your baby is grown! He knows what he is doing he is smart & prepared & excited he's got this!!

I held back my tears because he was so happy & excited A told me "mom don't cry I'll be fine" SIGH yes son yes you will be fine I realize that you are more ready for this than me & I have to let go!

When we picked him up he had the hugest smile on his face & told us all about school and how much he loved it & he could not wait to go back tomorrow. It made me so happy yet I wished he'd of missed me.

Today was tough for me as well because he did not want me to walk him in he wanted to get out in the carpool lane! Who is this kid? Seriously! We were there a little too early so I ended up getting to walk him in hehe but I got "Mom I will be fine". Again it hits me I really have to let go he is not a baby anymore. So I told him ok tomorrow I will not walk you in I will let you get out in carpool line!

I will let him be big & let him be grown because it is what he wants I will take a step back & let go a little even though it hurts! I need to let him be independent. He can do this I know the child I raised. It's just hard to let go. But when he needs me for a scrape or a bump or anything else oh I'll be there full force.


Here are some pics of A's first day & a cake that the Hub's & I made for him to celebrate him starting Kindergarten!!

Coach Purse Give Away

I was given the opportunity to participate in a give away hosted by The Non Martha Momma of course I accepted & so did some other awesome bloggers! It's for a Coach Purse!!! Check it out: I had planned to do a giveaway on my blog when I reached 1,000 Facebook followers, but that happened right as I was going on vacation, so I figured I would wait until I got to 1,500 or 2,000 Facebook followers to do the giveaway, but I am only at a little over 1,200 and I am impatient so I decided I would do a giveaway when I reached 500 Pinterest followers. When I truly began blogging at the end of January I had less then 100 Pinterest followers and have finally reached and slightly exceeded 500! Yay!! To celebrate this accomplishment and my past accomplishment of getting to 1,000 Facebook followers I am giving this away to one lucky person...... [caption id="attachment_1181" align="aligncenter" width="300"] photo credit - plaza.ladysquare.com[/caption] [caption id="attachment_1182" align="aligncenter" width="199"] photo credit - saycheezy.tarad.com[/caption] This giveaway is being hosted by myself:

And co-hosted by the following AWESOME bloggers:

DELECTABLY DAWN

RECIPES FROM A PANTRY

DAWN'S DISASTER

EPIC MOMMY ADVENTURES

THIS MOM'S DELIGHT

NCTODO.COM

MY LITTLE CIRCUS & ME

KREATIVE CREATIONZ

ENTER FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN, EVERY WOMAN LOVES A COACH PURSE!  

a Rafflecopter giveaway Must be 18 or older to enter and reside in the Continental US. Must respond to winning notification within 48 hours or another winner will randomly selected. My Little Circus & Me is not responsible for shipment of this prize.

Good Luck!!

Thankful

Today I'd like to take a minute to say thank you! Thank you to all that follow my blog & follow My Little Circus & Me on Facebook.

I'd like to thank those that take the time to leave me a comment I truly appreciate it.

I'd like to thank those who have messaged me or left me kind words or prayers for my surgery.

I'd like to thank you all it means a lot :)

I'm so Thankful my dad flew down to stay here with the boy's and help out while I recover & Thank my husband for taking over cleaning & cooking & making sure I'm comfortable.

I'm truly blessed to have such awesome men in my life & such wonderful friends & people who care. It's refreshing to see all the kindness people have.

So thanks to all that have thought of me!

Most important thanks to the big man for hearing my prayer's & getting me through surgery so I could hug my babies!

Yesterday was pretty bad pain wise today is not much better but I'm just Thankful to be here & see my sweet boy's!

                                                                       Source

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A Letter To My Boys....

Ok so I'm having my Gallbladder surgery today (lil nervous) . Now because I have never had a surgery as an adult (I had my adenoids out at 2) I don't know what to expect & that makes me uneasy!
Do I think I will be fine YES! Do I think I'm going to Die NO! But you never know! I know it's a simple surgery & pretty much everyone & their mother has had it done it seems. But still just in case the worst happens I want my Boy's to have this So....


Dear Boys: My heart & my soul! The 3 most important things to me in my whole entire life!
I want you to know how much I LOVE you All!! I want you to know that I Love each one of you the same & could not be happier to have you call me mom! You are true blessings!
 Though there are day's you make me yell & I want to pull my hair out. You have even heard me say "That's It I Quit" or "I'm Running Away" Just know I never meant that. I could never "quit" or "run away" from any of you! I love you all far too much! All 3 of you are equally important to me & all equally special to me.

A: Oh A my 1st born the one who made me a momma! Do you know I waited 2 long years for you?(well more like 3 once finally pregnant). I thought at one point I'd never have you & when I just about lost hope, I found out you were growing in my belly! I thought at one point I was going to lose you, you gave me quite a scare. My pregnancy with you was one of the roughest & scariest times, because all I wanted was you to be safe & healthy!

Did you know I knew you were a boy? I did I could feel it! I was ecstatic I hoped you were a boy! & when I saw your picture to confirm what I already knew & felt I cried because I was so happy!! You were happy & healthy & growing! You wanted out you tried to come 7 weeks early & that was scary I did what the Dr told me quit my job & laid around to protect you! 4 weeks later you were born & when they put you on my chest it was the best day of my life!! You were crying I was crying! I was a mom all because of you!

A: You are an amazingly smart boy & you are my sweetheart everyday you hug & kiss me & tell me you love me! You Love baseball & wrestling & dressing up as a superhero to "save the world" One day you may just save the world! You can be stubborn & want things your way, but we usually can come to a compromise. Don't be too stubborn because you can not always have things you way.
 I know that whatever you chose to do in life you will do amazing. Keep your passion for Baseball  because you are great at it & boy you may just end up in the big leagues! I Love you A just know I always have & always will.

B: Oh B you crazy, wild, goofy child you!! You son can just about drive me to the brink of crazy!! You never slow down! You make me laugh daily you are so funny! You are also a sweet snugly boy! Your eyes oh B your eyes they are such amazing little eyes that tell how you are always thinking.  You son are also very smart!! Your little mind is going a million miles a minute! I know you will do amazing things one day. I also know you will make an amazing father one day you love babies & animals (mainly ducks).  You love to build things & knock them down. Maybe you will become a builder? But I can also see you playing football because you son are a bruiser & are tough!

B: Just know even in the day's when I put you in time out & you said "I no Like you momma" it didn't bother me it's normal,  you had to learn NO! It is hard to tell you no sometimes because your so stinking cute. But you need to learn I know what's best for you & everything I did for you was out of love! I Love you B just know I always have & always will!!


C: Oh C my precious sweet laid back blessing!! You son were a complete surprise, at first I was scared I didn't think I was ready for you! But the day you were born I knew you were meant to be here.  You have taught me to balance like I never have! You have taught me that my mother instinct is always right!! You have taught me that I could never imagine life without you! You had me scared like I have never been in my life when you got sick! You taught me I can't live without your sweet self! You son completed this family! I know some day's are hard for you cause I can see your still sore from the KD.  It will be stayed on top up & you will have a normal life sweet boy.

C: I know you will go far in life you already have a great personality, everyone that meets you instantly falls for you! Stay the sweet boy you are. You love to kick balls around I think you should try soccer some day. I Love you C I always have & always will

Boy's : Some day's you are the best of friends & others you are at each other's throats! Please never let anyone or anything come between you! Even when your in a fight you 3 still have a bond like I've never seen before. You are each other's best friends. You will have one another for life to share ups & downs & to lean on one another. Support each other, be there for each other. Be each other's biggest fan's. It's what I want for you all! 

Boy's NEVER let anyone tell you, you can't do something! Because I know you all can do whatever you put your mind too. Always think before you act! Make good choices & do the right thing. Be nice to everyone you never know what someone else is struggling with, however do not let people take advantage of your kindness.

My sweet silly crazy boy's I Love you with all my heart!! And am so proud to call you mine! I'm one proud momma and will love you all Forever!!

Your Mommy-

Danish? Pastry? Yummy!!

So you know how I had that big tub of Blueberries? Well I also had to use them for this yummy treat!! My husband absolutely LOVES this!! It's now a regular weekend breakfast for him. But being the nice wife I am (cough cough) I made it for him to have for breakfast for a couple mornings before work! (now I have the upper hand hahaha)

So I had found the original recipe on Pinterest it was for a blackberry one but we love our blueberries so I switched it! You can find the original recipe Here


But I'll also be nice & break it down here with tutorial of how I make it

So what you need is:

For filling:

1-can Pillsbury crescent rolls (spend the extra cents & do Pillsbury seriously I've tried diff store brands but for this it comes out best with Pillsbury)

1 8oz-pack cream cheese (softened)

3-Tbsp flour

1-tsp vanilla

1/2-cup sugar

1-Cup blueberries

For Icing:

1/2-cup powdered sugar

1/8-tsp vanilla

2-Tbsp heavy cream (or milk)


*Preheat oven to 375

*Roll out crescent roll dough & spread on baking sheet make sure to pinch all the dough together where you would normally separate to make crescent rolls

Beat cream cheese & sugar add vanilla & then flour spread on top of crescent rolls & top with blueberries

 

Next comes the fun part making it pretty: Ok so what you need to do is overlap the sides & pinch it together if any of the dough starts to separate just pinch it closed

Now that it's oven ready pop it in bake for 15-20 minutes till its nice & golden then take it out let it cool & drizzle the icing over & TADA!!! A super yummy tasty Danish or Pastry whichever you call it!

Mischievious Monday

It's that time again Hosted by : Southern Mess Moms

So here is my mischievous post:

The other day the boy's were all out playing in the yard & my husband was outside with a ladder trying to do something when I hear my oldest yelling mom he's pooping!

WHAT??? B is pooping in the yard!

Sure enough there is my 2 almost 3 year old squatting in the grass taking a dump! Really? I know peeing outside is "Normal" for boy's but taking a poop! Oh My! Too make it worse my dog tried to go eat it (Gross I know) I had to yell at her & then take a plastic bag & pick it up as if I was picking up after my dog! OH BOYS!!

Now it's time to Link up yours:

Breastfeeding..I did if you don't.. So What!

Now with the whole week of Breastfeeding I've have seen a lot of status & posts & controversy!

First I will say I breastfed all of my boy's. I was lucky to be able to feed them all for their first year. And when I say Lucky I mean LUCKY!! Not everyone can do it! Not everyone wants to do it!

It's ok I support you!! I support you in whatever way you chose to feed your child. I support mom's too many tear each other down. WHY? Does it  make you feel better cause it shouldn't! Why should you care how another mother feeds her child? It's none of your DAMN business.

If you want to help do it in a nice way not a way that makes another mom feel bad (there is far too much aggression sometimes)

I was formula fed so was my husband so were my niece & nephew 2 of the smartest kids I know! Seriously they are!!

I chose to breastfeed I don't know why I guess honestly mainly because we were young didn't make much & it was free!! I got lucky it was Easy for ME! My kids latched my kids didn't make me bleed until they had teeth (ya that sucked) I didn't like pumping it was too much work & I could barely get anything out! Had I not had such an easy time I may have chose formula.

There is so much animosity on this subject breast feeders hate formula feeders or formula feeders hate breast feeders (well some  not all for each of these).

I have friends that formula feed and friends the breast feed I don't think either mom is a "better mom" for how they chose to feed their child! I look at the love and over all care for the child.

I'd like to help if  I can if you want to try breast feeding :

*Did you know a baby actually sucks harder than any pump? (cause I didn't at first)

I used to think I was drying up at times at first you can feel yourself fill up later you don't so it causes stress & it's scary! Stress can affect your supply.
* I drank a TON of water!!
*I ate Oatmeal
* I made Lactation cookies & those all helped ME! (they may not work for everyone)


It's what I chose & worked for me if it didn't for you it's fine! Your not a bad mom because you chose formula & I'm not a bad mom for breastfeeding! If you choose  to breastfeed longer than a year good for you (don't call them bad mom's either).

We all do what works for us & our kids. Why do you think there is the saying "Too Each Their Own" I don't understand why some people care so much what another mom does. Seriously get off your high horse! I don't give 2 you know what's, what you do if your kid is fed, loved & taken care of that is what matters!

Some mom's just need to keep their noses out of other mom's business. We are women we should support each other & build one another up & help each other. Not belittle & tear one another down!

So to the mom that formula fed I SUPPORT YOU!
To the breastfeeding mom I SUPPORT YOU!
To the extended breastfeeding mom I SUPPORT YOU!

Happy Breastfeeding week now can we all just Get Along?

Easy Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

So I actually make pulled pork quite often I usually use a bottle of our favorite BBQ sauce Sweet Baby Ray's & then add a small can of shredded pineapple with the juice to it. Super yummy!!

Sometimes I forget pineapple & just use BBQ sauce & a little apple juice!!

Well I got bored of that recipe & was looking for another I had found this Root Beer Pulled Pork on Pinterest of course & it's funny shortly after I found that one of my girlfriends had recommended that to another friend so I figured it must be good! So I decided to give it a whorl & it was so YUMMMY!!! Here is the original recipe I found on Pinterest  Root Beer Pulled Pork


We don't really drink soda so I didn't want to get a pack of cans to just use one so I just got a 2lt & I actually just about filled my crock pot with the soda it about covered the small pork loin maybe 3-4lbs.
I forgot to put it in during the morning so I ended cooking mine for 4 hours on high! So easy just cook it in the soda then pull the pork out, dump the soda, shred  the pork & put back in crock pot turn to WARM & smother in BBQ sauce. Serve when ready!!

My kids ate their whole sandwiches tonight I think this may top my other recipe for awhile :)

I actually got another meal out of this we made Pork tacos 2 nights later! I was a little skeptical because if it's not "normal" to me I tend to stray away my husband really wanted to try them so we loaded some warmed tortilla shells with the meat some lettuce, cheese (I also used shredded carrot) & topped with salsa & it was delicious!!!

I love getting 2 meals out of something & it's even better when it's not exactly the same thing.

Have you ever made either? If not try it :)

-Candice-

Robin Hood Saves The Princess & A Suprise

So today (well yesterday when you read this) started as any normal day at this Circus!! Wake up to hear little footsteps! Look at the clock 6:30! Really Kid?? You were just sleeping till 8 everyday while on vacation but now that were home your back up at the bum crack of dawn! Oh well that's life!

Get up get the coffee pot started & make the Milk cups 3. Two have to have a little chocolate syrup (thanks dear husband for addicting our children to that) but the baby is not going down that road! Get them each a little bowl of dry cereal, they like to snack while I'm making their actual breakfast! Today was mini bagels & bananas. Get the baby changed & now they are all eating & watching Mickey Mouse.

Ok time for mommy to wake up. Coffee!!!! Little Internet & eat something. Then let the day begin....


So it was pouring rain here at one point today so that meant not going outside & we had been running all week to apts & such so today was lazy day anyways perfect day to rain. Except inside all day makes my boy's a lil CRAZY!! We played Legos & built with blocks & knocked down towers. The BFF came over with my godson & I held that sweet boy cause I had MISSED his chunky butt!! Well after lunch & a ton of laughs the BFF & sweet boy left! Naps were over & once again needed something to do!

People always ask me having 3 boy's if I am going to try for a Girl um I wasn't trying for my 3rd thanks! So NO!!! Wait HELL NO! I am beyond happy with my 3 blessings! I could not be happier. I get the but you can't do their hair...

 Actually I spike my son's hair problem solved!

You can't play Tea Party nope but we can play trucks & dinos & smash crap WAY more fun!

You can't play dress up.... UM actually I can! Insert Robin Hood & the Princess folks!

My boy's love putting on costumes! They Love to be super hero's & save the world!! Sometimes I am a super hero too & we save the world together! Today I asked can I be a princess??

A said "mom I don't have a princess costume"

Have no fear son mommy's got one! So I dressed up as the princess & A as Robin Hood & he had to save me from a huge black panther & a forest of dinosaurs! He came running with his foam hammer & he smashed them all to rescue the princess from her chair cave!!! He had a blast his brothers laughing & running along with him!

We all know boy's love their momma & even at a young age are protective of them so they were all for helping save mommy & if it meant running jumping & smashing too yep sold Awesome mom in their eyes today!

        A & I after he saved me!! (that's the crown from my wedding I'm not a total whack-a-doodle)

Later they were able to play outside which allowed me to get dinner prepped!

So onto that SURPRISE: well after I got the baby up from his second nap I changed him he had a bit of a rash so I figured ok let him air dry for a few! Well then I got distracted by something & then I started washing some dishes & as I'm standing at the sink I smell something.... Is that poop? Hmm.. Oh well I do need to take the trash out that has to be it!

Nope.. Nope.. that poop smell is pretty strong & then I see little naked butt cheeks crap! I forgot I never put a diaper back on him so now I'm looking for it... Yep there it lies on the floor POOP! A nice big old Turd! Face Palm! Thankfully it was on the wood & not on carpet! So ya I need to not be so scatter brained! I have a serious problem starting something & then moving to something else.

So that was our day! Have you ever had a poop incident? Do you play dress up with your kids?