Today is my gorgeous, smart, wonderful oldest daughter's 14th birthday! I can't believe that my sweet little red haired (it was bright red!) baby girl is already fourteen. We're having a birthday party for her tomorrow and she's so excited. This is the first year that she and Cami have had separate parties and they are enjoying it.
Happy Birthday, sweetie!!
Okay, I have to admit this is pretty embarrassing for me and I can't believe that I'm posting it, but I want to show that YES, it can be done! Between 4 kids, a husband, and 4 college classes, I managed to do this. I'm also posting this so that those of you who may have messy rooms know that it's OKAY and that it can be cleaned and taken care of.
The laundry room has always been the messiest room in the house and it got even worse when we moved. When we moved into the new place, I decided that I was going to wash every article of clothing that all six of us owned so that they would smell fresh and clean. It took me awhile, but I managed. So...here are the results!
This is how it looked when I took the first picture. It was worse than this, but I had done a little clean up. I'm cringing in embarrassment, seriously.
Here is the in between picture. It's already looking better.
And, here is the finished product. I'm so happy with it! I want to add a few more things, like a cart with drawers to put supplies, but I'll do that later. That box is a storage box for cords, etc, and we have no room in the storage building for it, so I guess it stays in the laundry room for now. Doesn't it look 20x better, though???
Yes, I'm still blushing with embarrassment over my laundry room. However, it's been a couple of weeks and it still looks like it did in the pics, woohoo!
Have a great day!
Easter is on its way! We are MOSTLY prepared around here. We're dying Easter eggs tonight and tomorrow we are having a party for Cami whose birthday is on Easter. She's excited and I'm stressed! I have a huge lecture exam tomorrow in one of my classes and I'm nervous. Also, my mom is going to be up here this weekend so I've been in a tizzy trying to get the house looking awesome. I think we've done a great job!
Sorry I haven't posted much lately; I've been busy with school. The applications for the nursing program were due yesterday April 1 and I filled one out for both the RN and LPN programs. I won't find out until the end of May/beginning of June.
Have a great Easter!!
When we moved into this new apartment, we decided that Alex and Cami would share a room that was bigger and had a huge walk-in closet, while
So far, this is working out well, except that most of the furniture we had for that room wasn't really something for an older girl.
So, I went to Wal-Mart and bought a comforter set for $30.00 and my mother, God bless her, bought a dresser to go in the room. We moved the armoire to the back of Cami and
While going through Ems closet and the armoire, I had bags of clothing that no longer fit her or, if they were too large, she would never wear, so I packed them into the van to drop them off at the local Goodwill store. Most of the items were like new and what wasn't was still in great condition (my uncle's wonderful, wonderful wife gives the girls lots of clothes, she is amazing) and I know that I'm always tickled pink when I find stuff like that while browsing the aisles. Anyway, I digress; I dropped the bags off and planned to go straight home, but decided at the last minute to go inside and look around. I wasn't really searching for anything in particular, I just wanted to look at house stuff. Imagine my surprise when I found a wood twin sized headboard with a shelf for...$15.00! I was ecstatic and bought it immediately!
We brought it home in the van (Bless Alex for helping me carry that thing up the stairs), set it up, and it looks amazing! It's a tiny bit darker than the wood on the dresser, but its not noticeable unless you're looking for something to complain about. We moved the bed 90 degrees and now Alex's room looks awesome! We also figured out that we have enough room in there to place an old desk we have, so we're going to paint it white (the dresser is white and maple) and put it in there for her to do homework and/or work on her laptop. I'm so excited! Total cost for her new bedroom set up: $60.00 (comforter set, headboard, wall hangings/art, and paint for the desk). That's not bad!
Anyway, that was my excitement for the week. ;-) I'm at home today with a sick kiddo and one who just received shots, so it's been kind of quiet (they've been sleeping). It was a crazy morning, but the day has gotten better.
Have a good one!
Can you name all these?
This week has been a little crazy. I feel like I've been all over the place and back again. My housework is suffering some, but I know, in the long run, it's definitely worth it.
The midterm for my anatomy class is due by Monday 03/08 and it's over 7 chapters, which is a lot, especially if you're like me and have problems getting anything to do with Chemistry to sink in. Chapter 2 in the textbook deals with basic chemistry, molecules, mixtures, compounds, reactions, and bonds along with biochemistry such as ionic compounds and organic compounds. Chapter 3 is about the cells: structure, function, growth, and developmental aspects. These two chapters are amazingly difficult for me to 'get' and it's so frustrating. The other chapters have quite a bit of memorization (what type of tissue is where in the body, anatomy, type, structure, and development of bones, and all of the bones - head and body) and I'm stressed and worried.
I actually took this class last semester and didn't get a grade that I feel is high enough to get into the Nursing Program, so I'm retaking it. Last semester, I did great until the midterm and I totally whiffed it. I was so disappointed in myself, mainly because I'm so used to doing well in anything academic related that I didn't apply myself as much as I should have. In all honesty, I didn't study much because I don't really know how to study. I've never had to, so not doing well in this class was a wake up call (I passed, but not with an A and I don't like it!)
So, I've been studying my butt off since the weekend, trying to get this stuff into my head. Some of it is sinking in and some of it I'm still having trouble with. It seems like my day is a never-ending cycle of wake up, take kids to school, change and feed the baby, put the baby down for a nap, study, clean, pick the kids up, feed them, clean, and study some more once they are in bed. I did take a day off this week, but I now wish that I hadn't because I have absolutely got to get this stuff down!
Also, I recently took the TEAS test (Test of Essential Academic Skills) and I didn't do as well as I thought that I should have. Can you tell that I'm a bit of a Type A personality at times? This test plays an important role in whether I make it into the Nursing program or not. The school bases entrance on points and these points are reflected by your grades (A = 30 pts, B = 20 pts, C = 10 pts, anything below a C and you're not getting in) and by the score that you receive on the TEAS test. So, to be competitive, I need to make all A's and make at least an 85% adjusted score on the TEAS; however, I'm going for a score more in the 90% range. Since I don't live in the county, I won't get the extra 3 points that others will get and I need to make up for that somehow. See, no stress for me at all, right?
On a good note, I found out that I'm on the Dean's List, which is awesome! I also received a letter inviting me to join the honor society, Phi Theta Kappa due to outstanding academic achievement. This made me very emotional and it felt really good. I've been out of school for years, so it was nice to know that if you 'don't use it, you don't lose it' instead of the other way around. Also, it was nice to show my children that I'm doing well. I'm doing things backwards when it comes to life. I had my children first and now I'm going to college. It's wonderful to be able to show them (the kids) that you can accomplish your dreams, no matter what age you are!
Sorry for the big long post, but I need to let off steam somewhere. I hope all of you have an amazing, wonderful, blessed day!
My wonderful, wonderful husband, Nate, gave me an absolutely amazing Valentine's Day. Last night we watched a movie then went to dinner at my favorite restaurant (we ate at the hibachi and had sushi, yum!). He also bought flowers; lilies, my favorites! It was a great V-Day.
On our way out last night.
I made breakfast for everyone this morning, including my mom who was up here for the weekend. She was an awesome Valentine's Day gift, too! I hope everyone has a great day today!
I've got my pinto's (with onions and salt pork) going in the Crockpot for dinner tonight (we made burritos last night since someone *cough* yours truly *cough* forgot to start the pintos yesterday) and Baby D is watching his video on sign language. I'm attempting to study for the TEAS test I'm taking next week, but it's not going so well. I keep getting distracted by other blogs (such as this one, which I just found) and by my daily dose of celebrity gossip, which, I freely admit, I am slightly addicted to. Mostly because it gives me an excuse to be snarky when I'm feeling a little stressed.
Anyway, back to the TEAS test. TEAS stands for Test of Essential Academic Skills and it's needed to get into the nursing program at my college. Now, I'm not normally completely slow, but you give me a book with math problems more difficult than basic algebra and I'll give you a look of confusion. The TEAS doesn't have math that's too difficult, but it does have some geometry and I have to say, I've never understood the importance of it. Why do I need to know the circumference of a circle? Why do I even care? I'm not going to be an Astrophysicist, so it shouldn't matter, right? Wrong. Someone, somewhere decided that I needed to know geometry, so, here I am, plugging along, trying to remember formulas. As you can tell, I'm seriously excited about it, too.
So, instead of staring blankly at the book while trying not to nag myself to death (see this post), I decided to write a blog post. It gives me a few moments of distraction and allows me to clear my mind, at least for a bit.
How are all of you today?
The pintos before I put them in the Crockpot.
Note: Don't forget to chew gum while chopping onions. It's the only thing that keeps the tears from flowin'.
Most of us with children are on a tight budget and it can be hard to find items that beautify your home without breaking the bank. I'm a tightwad when it comes to money, honestly (with most things anyway), and I won't buy things that are more than I, personally, think is reasonable unless I absolutely have to. It just kills me to pay way too much for anything and I get a small tic in my eye when I have to. Okay, not really, but you get the gist. ;-)
I've been searching for an inexpensive way to make the cabinets in our apartment look better and I found it! While browsing at Wal-Mart (which doesn't happen often since I like to go in, get what I want, then leave) I came across garlands of flowers on sale for $3.00. I bought one of those, along with a few separate pieces that were on sale for $1.00 each and had my wonderful husband place them on the cabinets since I am too short to do so, even with a stool. The picture below just doesn't do it justice and I couldn't get a really good one. It definitely warms the kitchen and the colors match perfectly! Next, I want to get some small ferns to place at each end, but for now, this will suffice.
What do you think? Does it go well with my other home decorating project?
This recipe is extremely easy and fills your home with the moth-watering aroma of cooking food. I make this at least once a month during the winter months and it's a family favorite. This recipe was made through trial, error, and figuring out what my family enjoys most. I don't usually use exact amounts on recipes, preferring to go by "taste" but, I've tried to get this down for you. I make this in the crock pot, but it can be modified for stovetop. I've had to do that before when I've not had much time.
Please enjoy!
Ingredients:
2 lbs Stew beef or beef cut into chunks
1 2/3 cup chicken stock (I prefer chicken stock because of the added spices)
1 12oz can of cream of chicken soup (or 1/2 a 26 oz can)
1 package hearty beef stew mix for the slow cooker
3 15 oz cans diced potatoes
1 14.5 oz can cut green beans (you can use more, but my kids aren't fans of green beans)
1 15.25 oz can corn
4 carrots diced (I omitted those today due to not having any....oops)
Minced onions
Remember, fresh vegetables can be substituted, I just use canned to save time and it still tastes great. Do not use frozen vegetables. If using fresh vegetables, I use approx 2 - 3 lbs potatoes cubed and 1/2 - 3/4 a whole onion.
1. In a medium bowl, mix the cream of chicken soup and chicken stock together. Add in package of beef stew mix and stir until blended. Add onions and set aside.
2. Add 2 lbs thawed stew beef or chunked beef into crock pot, then add vegetables.
3. Pour beef stew mixture over meat and vegetables, then stir well.
4. Cook in crock pot for 8 hours on low and 4 hours on high.
Enjoy!
My husband and I have been working on a new daily routine for the girls since we have moved. It's actually been an easier adjustment for them than it has for me. Since I drive them to school and pick them up, they get to sleep later and get home earlier than they did when they rode the bus. In addition, they get to eat breakfast at home instead of at school and they really like that (plus I can make sure that they are eating well).
Anyway, back to the schedule issues. My girls are messy, very, very messy, especially
MORNING:
AFTER SCHOOL:
BEDTIME:
This is how they left their room this morning. I can't believe I'm actually showing this since it's embarrassing, but at least you know what I'm dealing with here. And, this isn't even showing all of their room! Alex likes to complain about it because she feels that she doesn't need one, however, she's the first to not make her bed or leave the straightening iron out. I'll update you and let you know if it works.
Tomorrow we'll get into the chore list and what Nate and I are trying to implement in regards to their electronic Christmas presents from Santa. It goes along with this routine.
Have a good day!
Update: They picked up their room and made the bed when they got home from school and it took 5-10 minutes. They did a great job!
Just a quick update on my wall decorations.
I have one of those round, wooden tables with the screw on legs that was just sitting at the top of the stairs, so I put a white table skirt on it and bought a new plant to place on top of it. I put the table under the new wall decoration and here is what I have.
Does it look wonderful? I'm digging it!
The girls were out of school today, due to teacher's professional day, so we just relaxed and worked on the house a bit. Since we live in an apartment, we are unable to paint or stencil, so I have to use what I've been given. However, at Wal-Mart, I found stick on wall art that was gorgeous and just what I was looking for. I bought two of them and here is the result of one.
It was much harder to put up that I thought it was going to and I'm still not satisfied that it's straight. I'm going to have Nate look at it tonight or tomorrow and see if he can get it straighter. I just hope that the sticky doesn't come off of it from moving it around.
School is going well. I've got almost all of my homework done for the week, I just need to study more. My first face to face class this semester is on Saturday and I'm nervous. I'm really very shy and prefer to hide behind my computer screen. Oh well, I can only hope for the best.
Tomorrow, I may show picture of my next project; my laundry room! I've been washing every single article of clothing from the old place and I'm still not even close to being done. To get my butt in gear, though, I might post pictures on here so that I can show exactly what I've done.
Have a great day!
