Freezer Dinner Attemp #1

The most important part of this whole freezer cooking thing is to find a cookbook that has the freezer recipe's and the shopping list included.  This is key.  It saved me so much time to just print off an already compiled grocery list. 

I used this ebook and it is fabulous.  She arranges your shopping list by combining three meals. 

So the first step is to find or create a shopping list and then do the shopping.  I recommend going after the kids are in bed.  It makes things much easier.  I love my precious ones but I despise taking them both to the grocery.

Next you need to slice and dice every little thing.  I like to use two different cutting boards, one for veggies and one for meat.  I hate raw meat.  I don't want anything to touch anything that's been touched by raw meat.  I also wear gloves because I feel like if I touch raw meat, inevitably it will get on my faucet or on the counter.  If I wear glove, I just chop chop and then throw away the gloves.  It's perfect. 

I recently saw on "Shark Tank" a fantastic idea.  It was a form that will make any bag a bowl.  So I used that same idea using big cups to make my baggies into bowls.  It helped keep the raw grossness off the outside of the bag and made assembly so easy.  I just tossed all my chopped items right in.  And can you believe the people on "Shark Tank" didn't bite?  I thought it was genius.

So that's about it, chop chop, throw and toss.  Then you zip those suckers up, put a label on it, and stick it in the freezer.

Today I actually put one of those freezer meals in the crock pot so I'll keep you posted on the final product.   

Super Mom

Super mom...I am not. 

I have had these unexplained burst of adrenaline where I've tried to attempt something that would unequivocally place me in that category.  Let's take cloth diapers for example.  I jumped on that band wagon without looking back.  Before Stella was born, I was avidly stalking eBay for awesome scores on cloth diapers.  By the time she came around, I had quite the collection.  You all know how this story ends. 

They leaked.

They leaked and they leaked and they leaked.  I tried washing them with Dawn.  I tried washing them with vinegar.  I tried it all people and I'm telling you they leaked.  So I put them right up on eBay. 

And just for the record...I made almost double what I paid so I count that as a win.

The next trick I had up my sleeve was a really good one.  It was gonna make Jonathan swoon at my frugality and my children would sit at my feet and adore me.  Couponing.  I really thought I could do it.  I have seen enough episode of Extreme Couponing and let's be honest, those people aren't geniuses.  How hard could it be?  Well, I live in Whitesburg, Ky with approximately one and a half grocery stores and none of them double coupons, not to mention the fact that we get one newspaper a week and there aren't exactly circulars included. 

Fail.

So tonight I'm beginning my third act of stay-at-home mother bravery.  Freezer cooking.  I realize I'm probably the last mom to try this but I've never been known to be on top of the trends. 

Freezer cooking.  Sounds awesome.  You do one big shopping trip, throw a ton of junk into gallon  Ziploc bags, throw it in the freezer and you are done.  How hard can that be.  Well my friends, when you live in a small town, it's pretty stinkin hard.

For starters our grocery story was out of about six crucial ingredients.  Nothing is more frustrating.  So I did the best with what I could find and I plan to make the drive to the beacon of light, Super Walmart in Virginia, to complete my list.  Hopefully I can just add those ingredients to the already frozen bags with no problem. 

I'll give you the play by play in the next post and let you know how it all goes.

Dropping the Ball

Wow, I totally dropped the ball on this blog.  I was looking back at some older post and saw the one from Addis's four month home marker.  It was about hunkering down.  I think after that point, I really took that to heart.  Don't get me wrong, we have been on about 17 road trips since then and two of those required leaving the kids with family, but my overall attitude has been to try to slow down and help Addis fully adjust to his new life.  My biggest mistake in all of this was thinking we would have no problems since Addis came home at 10 months. He was just a baby. The adjustment would be simple. Realistically, our journey has been very blessed and semi smooth, but still rougher than I had anticipated.

         

 

The bottom line here is that, despite these seriously cute faces, I felt like I was failing.  Addis was screaming more than not and I felt constantly on edge and overwhelmed.  Then a miracle happened.  Some friends decided to come visit us on a whim.  Our friends Zach and Rockie and their two babies had the weekend off and decided to come spend that time with us.  Our other friends Ben and Carrie and their baby jumped in the car at about 9pm and made the drive from Louisville.  (My absolute favorite thing about Ben and Carrie is their spontaneity...need I remind you of our trip to Niagra Falls?)  I digress. 

For these dear friends, they were coming just to hang out with some buddies.  For me it was a lifesaver.  I think I just needed to be able to talk about the struggles I was having and my dear friends were so great to remind me that I'm not failing...I'm surviving...and there is nothing wrong with that.

 

This is pretty much how we spent the entire weekend.

 

As if the weekend wasn't great enough already, we decided to all hop in the car and drive to Louisville to surprise another friend for his birthday.  It was an added blessing to be with Ben and Julie.  

Doc's surprise birthday party

 

 Getting to spend time with these friends really did change my perspective on mothering.  They encouraged me to get a book called "Loving the Little Years" by Rachel Jankovic, which I ran out and bought that day.  I have to say, it is amazing.  I love how she talked about how "fat souls are better than clean floors" and that even if the chores aren't done or if the laundry is piling up because you spent some extra time with your little ones, it's okay.  So, my goal is to not simply survive but to thrive. We can all dream can't we.

 

And since my kids are exceptionally cute, I'll leave you with a few more pictures...you're welcome.

 

"Helping" make sugar cookies...note Addis is sampling.

Sneaking icing as the cinnamon rolls cook.

Cutie!

Tea Parties are our favorite.

 

 

 





 

Too Much Mom

As you may know, I have a stage 5 clinger on my hands.  My precious son Addis is a total clinger.  If I'm sitting in the floor with him, he is quite content.  If I am moving about or in the kitchen or heaven forbid sitting on the couch, he is usually in a full blown melt down begging to be held.  Although it may seem sweet that he likes his momma so much, let me assure you, it adds stress. 
So today when I put up the baby gate to block off the play room so I could sweep the kitchen, I fully expect pandemonium to ensue.  I figured Addis would last two seconds and then hang on the baby gate screaming for freedom.  I was wrong.  He as Stella played for an entire hour.  No one was fussing and both seemed to be fully enjoying their time in baby jail, so I got some work done.  Usually I have to squeeze in chores during their nap times but today was different. 
After their naps, I put them back in the play room with the baby gate up as an experiment, figuring it was a fluke.  I was wrong again.  They are just so content playing without me.
So I began to wonder.  Do my precious ones get "too much mom?" I love staying home with them and yes, "stay at home moms" typically have clinger children.  And I was prepared for that.  But maybe they are getting too much mom.  It's good for them to play by themselves and with each other.  It's good for them to try sharing without me instructing them all the time.  It's good for their imaginations and little minds.  And it's good for my sanity.

I'm not saying I will always be locking them in their playroom and taking time to write a blog post (or check facebook) but I am saying that I am going to allow them time to chill by themselves and see what happens.

Alas, all good things come to an end.

Hunkering Down

This week will make four months since we brought Addis home.  I can't believe it's only been four months, it really seems like he has been with us forever.  In fact, I can't really remember what life was like without him.  He brings so much fun and joy to our home.  I'm sure Stella would be lost without him, they are best buddies. 

With that being said, he is still a little fussy.  I can't help blame myself.  In the four shorts months he has been home we...

Went to my little sisters baby shower in North Carolina

Visited the Berry's in Mississippi

Attended a wedding in Ocala Fl.

Went to Disney World

Visited my family in Paducah

Made the trip to Lexington numerous times

The list goes on and on.  What I'm trying to say is, there may be something to this "hunkering down" thing with newly adopted children.  My theory was that he was so little, he could just join ranks with this crazy family who lives life on the road.  Plus, it's hard to say no to occasions that are so important.  I can't go back now and even if I could I probably wouldn't change anything however...we are officially hunkering down.  With the exception of a day trip to see my Grandmother and maybe a quick weekend getaway, we are staying put.  For one thing, I'm wiped out.  Traveling with two one year olds is hard.  Secondly, it will be a fun little experiment to see if staying settled for a bit will help with Addis's fussiness. 

I've never been one to stay put for long so luckily, Carrie and Julie came in for a visit earlier this week.  It was literally a 24 hour visit but it was so much fun!  We ate, fed kids, talked and just enjoyed being together.  It was such a blessing.

I'm sure I'll be eating my words because something will come up and inevitably we will find ourselves throwing two pack-n-plays in the car and heading out, but for now...I'm staying home.  

 Stella in her new dress from Granny Fern

 So serious

 The girls playing in the water

 So sneaky

 Kata, Stella, Emma, and Abigail enjoying a Popsicle

 Carrie and Kata

 Poor Addis

My little artist

10 Days of Fun

We just got home from a whirlwind trip to Padcuah and back.  I was finally able to introduce Addis to my grandparents and show him off in my home town. My cousin Jill and her massive crew were in town too so it was a blast. We also had a little meet and greet for Addis to meet my Paducah friends.

 Getting ready for the meet and greet.

 Playing with Malia

 Being reunited with Cella.  This made me cry, it was so special to see how well these babies are doing.

 Reunited

 Riding the train at the mall with Granny Fern and Grammie

 The caboose

 Train ride with the Baker crew

After a few days in Paducah, I left my kiddos behind and headed to camp.  It was really hard to leave them for a week but I had so much fun being back at Crossings, this time as a participant.  As always, Crossings was amazing.  Our group had so much fun, bonded as a team, and grew in our relationship with the Lord.  What more could you ask for?

 The girls

 Jonathan and Goose trying out the water zip line

 Our group minus Jonathan

After camp, I came back to Paducah to get my kids and got to spend a couple of days with Jess and June.  We went swimming one day and to the park another day.  It was so much fun!

 We gotta get this kid a swing

 Jess meets Addis

 So thankful for Granddaddy...

 and Grammie

Picnic at the park

 Cousin Time.

More park fun

Where did June go?

I can't believe it's July!  The days are just passing me by.  Our sweet Addis has learned to walk, (well at least 10 steps before crashing) and Stella just gets sweeter and sweeter by the minute.  She is always asking for hugs and kisses.  Are all kids that awesome?
I confess that I still have my hard days with Addis. I love that kid so much but I will say, he is much more "vocal" than Stella ever was.  By "vocal" I mean the kids screams and cries for no apparent reason.  It's teaching me patience (I think) and it's a reminder that this sweet baby just needs a little extra care and attention.  Maybe it's because of his history or maybe it's just his disposition.  That's the hard thing, not knowing.  I feel like I knew Stella's little disposition from the beginning.  With Addis I keep wondering...Does he feel bad?  Is he sick?  Is he tired?  Is he hungry?  Is he just needy?  Jonathan is good to remind me that he won't be a baby forever and at some point, he will be able to tell me what's wrong.  Until then, I just hug my babies and ask God to give me grace for this season.

 Stella busted sneaking a bite of Addis's Birthday cake

 Love this little girl.

 Happy Father's Day

 What a cutie!

 Love this little man

 Oh yes we did!

 Baking in style

I love my children but what a huge blessing to spend three days with these precious friends in New Orleans.