Happy 5th Birthday Caleb!

Five years ago today at 8:03 am my first born son came into the world. All 7 pounds and 15 ounces of him. He was so little and cute and I was in love immediately. I remember the joy and pride I felt when I looked at him. All 10 fingers and all 10 toes. Cute little button nose, beautiful pouty lips, big brown eyes and his angel kiss in between his eyes that really showed when he was mad! He finally made my dream come true. My dream to be a mother. That day is one of the happiest in my life.

Caleb, I love you. You are one of the funniest people I know. You are smart, handsome and genuinely a good boy. You take care of your mommy and baby sister. I have dreaded this birthday more than any other. This birthday is the one that takes you from being my little boy who gets to stay home to my big boy who will start school soon. I have 4 more months with you all to myself before I have to start letting go to see how you fly. You have made me so proud. Keep letting Jesus guide your life. Never forget the desire to know Jesus more. As I have prayed for you since you were in my womb I pray for you to fall head over heels in love with your Maker. I pray He will guide your thoughts and steps. You have such a sweet spirit and I know God will use you for His own work. This is a big year for you. You start school and start a new chapter in your life. You are on your way to growing up. Never forget you are still my baby and I love you to the moon and back!

Go Blue Lightening!

Caleb had his first soccer game on Saturday. It was so much fun watching all the itty bitties out there clustered around the ball running from one side to the other. Caleb's team is awesome! Even though you aren't supposed to keep score we did and boy did we spank the other team. By the way in case you didn't know I am very competetive! I love being a soccer mom!

Thomas the Train Day

Thomas the Tank Engine!
My kiddos
Tiger Woods look out!
Happy Birthday Caleb!
All Aboard!

Friday we went to the Thomas the train day in Calera. We met our playgroup friends there and had a day full of fun. There were clowns doing balloon puppets, tattoos, mini golf, bounce houses, Sir Toppemhat and much more. We decided to ride the smaller steam engine and had a blast. Caleb loves riding trains and this one was a fun ride as well. We had a birthday party for Caleb there and ate cupcakes and he opened his gifts. It was a full day of fun!

Easter Pics!

These are the only pics I was able to get of my girl on Easter. She wanted to play while I cooked. Banging on pots is one of her favorite pasttimes. Isn't her dress pretty?

Easter!

But I want that one!
What do we have here?
Look at this!
Yes, I got my momma's big mouth!
How about a kiss?

This was Maddie's second Easter. She was able to hunt for eggs for the first time. She wasn't real thrilled with the whole idea. Although, she did like to hold the eggs and chew on them. We went to a friends house and there were tons of our friends from church there. We had a cookout and picnic on the back lawn. We had a blast.

Maddie feeding herself for the first time!

Good Weekend!

It has been a while since I have blogged. Sorry to both of you that read my blog. I'll try not to take so long between blogs. I mean, I know you can't even enjoy your week without the daily going ons of this crazy girl. Anyway, we had all 18 kids this weekend. That makes for a busy, exhausting, crazy and good weekend. Saturday morning was spent at the house digesting the cinnamon french toast Papa Bear makes almost every Saturday. It is sooooooooooo good! Then my hubbie surprised me with an early anniversary present. He bought me 2 months of Nutri-System. Before any women get mad at him for being insensitive and suggesting his beloved needed to lose weight in the first place, this is what I wanted. He was going to buy me a set of golf clubs. (I love these and can't wait to get them soon.) Anyway, back to the Nutri-System(NS), if you come over for dinner I will be fixing dinner for everybody else and I will have my NS. If we decline invitations to go out to eat it isn't because we don't like you it is because that is all I am eating for the next 2 1/2 months. Can't wait for NS to get here so I can get this last 800 pounds off. Just kidding it is more like 40 pounds. After the kids naps we headed out to drive around and get out of the house. We ended up at Edwin Watts golf shop to look. I love the clubs I am going to get. Have I mentioned that yet? Then we decided to take our nice little family to a good and wholesome restaraunt to partake of our evening meal. We went to Hooter's. Of course, we went for the food not the service. I don't know why we went there but we did. We realized it isn't such a good idea to go anywhere Luke can read the walls. He got to watch the tv the whole time. After all that excitement it was time to head back home with any dignity we had left. Sunday was our annual church picnic and Easter egg hunt. I would post pics, but I forgot my camera. Did I mention we had all 18 kids? I'm just glad we all made it to church with all the kids, a picnic and Easter baskets. Thankfully I have friends that took some pics and I will post those soon. Maddie had her first egg hunt and hated it. Parker beat the other boys and found the most eggs. Scott sulked for not being able to get one of Nancy's box lunches. I guess a ham sandwich isn't good enough for our King of the castle. Our picnic was fun. Oh, and I got a sunburn! That topped it all off. Our weekend was wonderful. We love having all our kids home. Hope everyone has a great spring break and a Happy Easter.

Fancy Dishes!

I love bloggy fun like Rocks In My Dryer is doing at her blog. Showing off your fine (or not so fine) china. I have 2 sets of dishes in my house. One for everyday and one for entertaining. I will only show our everyday, which is Mikasa Italian Countryside, because I don't want to go get our entertaining dishes out of the closet.

Kim, I think we must have gotten some of our plastic china at the same place. I hope they haven't discontinued any of it. I think I need to replace a few pieces!

The finery our kids eat off every day. I would show the bowl, but there isn't one clean and I don't feel like cleaning one. Just imagine a green, blue, yellow, pink or orange bowl.

Here is our everyday set, Mikasa Italian Countryside. I love it because it is white and simple. It goes with anything and I love the detail on the edge. We eat off of this everyday time I cook.

Here is a closer view of the detail.

Just in case you were wondering I took the pictures on my stovetop. I didn't have a smudge-free area on my glasstop table. I decided not to get fine china. I am not a very formal person and hopefully would never have a formal dining room to display the fine stuff. If I have to handwash it you can forget it. Even my pizza stones and skillets go in the dishwasher. (I think I heard all the Pampered Chef ladies gasp) My mother would be so proud ;)- Anyway here is me!

Recipe Swap!

Thank you to all who are visiting from Proverbs 31 ministries. I am looking forward to getting some new recipes. Hope you enjoy these recipes. These are tried and true in my house. My kids ask for these meals all the time. I have four different recipes. 2 main course meals and 2 side items.


Rotini and Sweet Pepper Primavera

For the nights you have no time to cook this meal is very easy. A couple of shortcuts I use is with the chicken. You can use leftover chicken or canned chicken. Either way is very good. Also, you can use whatever combo of veggies. I play around with it and any combo is good. Of course, anything with alfredo sauce is divine!

14oz. Asparagus spears
8oz. Rotini
2 small red bell peppers
1c. halved squash
1c. zucchini
1c. mushrooms
1 jar Alfredo sauce ( I use sun dried tomato alfredo sauce)
red crushed pepper if you like it spicy
1 can chicken

Boil rotini for 5 minutes. Add veggies to boiling water and boil to your liking.(I like my pasta al dente and my veggies with some crunch) When done drain water put back into pot and add alfredo sauce. My kids love this. If you cut up the veggies small they will eat it better because it is smothered in cheese sauce. Enjoy!


Meatloaf Muffins w/ Barbeque Sauce

This recipe is a fun one if you have a little more time. A time saver is to make your mix the night before and pull it out the next night and all you have to do is cook it. In the time it takes to cook you can have your side and veggie done.

1 lb. ground round
1 tbsp. worcesteshire sauce
1 red onion(I grate my onion in because my family doesn't like onions but I do. If they can't see it they don't know!)
2 ribs celery
1 large egg
splash of milk
1c plain bread crumbs
2 tbsp. grill seasonings
1c. barbeque sauce
1/2c. salsa
salt and pepper to taste

Put beef in bowl. Add onion and celery. Add milk, egg, bread crumbs and seasonings. In a separate bowl mix salsa, barbeque sauce, worcesteshire sauce. Pour half into beef mixture. Brush muffin tin w/ oil. Fill muffin tins with mixture. With finger make a well in mix and fill with remaining sauce. Bake at 450 for about 20 minutes.

A really good side with this is smashed potatoes.

Smashed Potatoes

2 1/2 lbs. small red potaotes
1/2 c. milk
8oz. cream cheese
1/2 stick of butter
10 chives

Boil potatoes until fork tender. Drain and put back into pot. Add cream cheese and butter and milk. Smash with smasher. When smashed to your liking add finely chopped chives. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Pineapple Casserole
This side dish is easy. Every time I make it I am asked for this recipe. It is great to take to potlucks or to any gathering.

1 c. sugar
6 tbsp. all purpose flour
2 c. grated sharp cheddar cheese
2- 20oz. cans pineapple chunks, drained (reserve 6 tbsp. juice)
2 c. Ritz cracker crumbs
1 stick of butter, melted

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a mixing bowl, combine sugar and flour. Gradually stir in cheese. Add pineapple and stir well. Pour mixture into a greased casserole dish. Combine cracker crumbs, butter and pineapple juice and spread on top of mixture. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown.

Doctor Time!

I am bored!
Want to color with me?
A little green over here...
Almost finished with a masterpiece!

Madeleine went to the doctor the other day. I thought she might have an ear infection 'cause with her you never know. Remember the last ear infection. Thankfully she was just teething. I could not pass up taking some pics of her in her diaper. I love diaper pics. This is also the first time she has ever colored. She loved it. Maybe she'll be an artist someday!

Happy Birthday Mom!

Nana and Madeleine

March 1st was my mom's birthday. We decided to get together the next day and go to Cottontails Village. We go every year and knew we couldn't miss this year. We had so much fun looking around. It is so special to keep this mother/daughter outing every year and start it with my own daughter. I cherish these times with my mom. It is nice to have a day just for us. With our busy lives it is hard to see each other as much as we would like. These special events give us something to look forward to every year. My mom loves taking Madeleine to look at the water fountain at the BJCC. Madeleine loves spending time with her Nana. We had a great time.

Happy birthday mom. I am so glad we were able to do this again. You mean more to me than you'll ever know. I am so proud to be your daughter. You are a great mom and now you are my best friend. I am so blessed. Thank you for all you have done for me. I love you to the moon and back!

Your, Becca-Boo

Happy Birthday Dad!

My dad's birthday
The best I could get!

February 27th my dad turned 59! We surprised him with a party at his favorite restaraunt Sol Azteca. His family and close friends gathered there and he and his wife joined us a little later. He was completely surprised which never happens. He usually finds out if something is going on. Not this year. The look on his face was priceless. Every year we always try and get a picture of my dad with the sombrero on his head. This is the first year I got a half-way decent pic. I am so excited and can't wait to get it blown up and give it to his wife. It was a fun evening.

Happy birthday dad. I love you.

Got Milk?

Yummy milk!
Chillin'
Happy girl!

Madeleine loves drinking her bottle or sippy cup in her crib. I know people say don't let babies do it, but come on look at her. She loves her crib. She loves laying back and drinking in her crib alone. I always peek in and watch her to make sure she doesn't get choked. Isn't she the cutest thing ever. I know momma's biased but just look at her.

Rest and Relaxation

This is about the only time Caleb laid down after his surgery. He was so full of energy (aka Loritab). He had no pain at all. I am so thankful everything went well. I prayed for a quick recovery and painless days and nights. God answered all my prayers. Isn't He good!