February 2010

Getting to Know You

by Stacy on February 23, 2010

Ok Ladies, I’ve got a fun little experiment for us today – consider it a “Getting to Know Each Other” exercise. I’ll ask a series of thought provoking questions and provide my own personal answers. Hopefully you’ll be inspired to answer one or all of the questions in return and we’ll all know that much more about each other. OK, here goes …

Are you what you wanted to be when you grew up?

Actually, Yes I am. Growing up I dreamed of being a roller coaster test pilot, a super sleuth, owner of a children’s orphanage and the World’s Greatest Wife. I may not have accomplished all these feats, but I am confident I rock at being the World’s Great Wife. Now, some of you may argue with me on regards to that title but if you were to ask MY husband, I’m sure he would say I’ve earned it and in reality, we only have to be the “World’s Greatest” according to that one very special person. Lucky for me, that one special person is not only my husband, but he’s also my best friend.

Do you have a true passion?

I’ve never felt more passionate about anything than I have about being a Mother. You hear folks talk about finding their “calling” and I honestly believe I found mine the day I became a Mother. Nothing else in my life has consumed me more, filled me with more joy or felt quite so right. So right, in fact, I felt the need to do it three times. So right, that if given the chance I would gladly do it three more times. And a few more times after that if God was willing. Have you ever seen the movie Cheaper by the Dozen? Well, it’s sort of a dream of mine. Really. For now though, I’m relishing all the moments I have with my knee high trio.

How do you center yourself?

Very Quickly. Being home with a 9 month old, soon to be 3 year old, and a 4 year old doesn’t leave much time for solitude, quiet time, or meditation. I steal my moments whenever I can. That’s why I do all of my soul searching, chatting with my angels, and spiritual contemplations in the shower. I try very hard to be as eco-conscious as possible and this 15-20 minute extravagance is probably my worst vice in regards to the environment, but for now I think Mother Nature would commiserate with me. I also try to recite this prayer everyday – it has really helped me stay focused and centered on being the woman/wife/Mom/friend/human I want to be.

Are you a prisoner of your possessions?

Proudly, No – I’ll be the first to tell you I’m a horrible pack rat but as you’ll be learning more about very soon, I have greatly downsized my personal belongings (by about 40% actually) but I still have a long ways to go (I’ve got another 30% to purge). It gets easier as time goes by and my “need” for things is diminishing more and more each day (Hurray!) This is something I’m incredibly proud of.

How old do you feel?

Well there’s a trick question. Much of me thinks and acts like a child, but with more wisdom and awareness. My body is more capable than it was in it’s early 20′s, but the Wii says I’m about 34 (what does it know anyway). According to my birth certificate, I’m 31 but it’s already full of spelling errors {Yep, I mean my name – story for another day} so I’m not too sure if I should believe that Guess I’ll go with how I feel, so I must be about … 24! Yeah, that sounds about right.

I hope you think this Q&A was as much fun as I did, if so let me know – maybe we can make this a regular occurrence. If you’ve got a question you’d like me to answer email me and I’ll add it to the next segment.

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Almost Homemade …

by Stacy on February 17, 2010

I’ve been making an effort this year to feed my family less packaged and processed foods [fun new recipes and how-tos coming soon], BUT in an effort to transition our lifestyle in the most frugal way possible, I have been slowly phasing out our existing stock of pantry items.

I made this version of Blueberry Muffins with a Semi-Streusel with the kids this morning and they were such a hit, I just had to share them with you. When I finally perfect my healthy, homemade version, I’ll post an update for everyone. In the meantime, enjoy this super simple version you can have on the table in just 20 minutes.

You’ll Need:

x2 (makes 12)

+

X1

- Follow Muffin Mix Directions on package, add in a carton of YoPlus+ [We LOVE the strawberry kind too] Blueberry Acai yogurt

- Pour batter into Muffin Tin

To make the Streusel Topping: Mix 1/3 cup of oats, with 2-3 spoonfuls of brown sugar, sprinkle in some cinnamon sugar to taste. Then sprinkle this topping on each of the muffins

Bake for 17-21 minutes (whatever the package dictates), mine were perfect after 18 minutes.

And enjoy!! These babies are tasty enough to fool guests and in-laws and hit the spot on a weekend morning when you want to surprise the family with something a little special.

If you try these, stop back by and let me know what you think. If you’d like me to feature more recipes in the future, take a moment and tell me that too. I thrive on feedback

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A Year Ago Today

by Stacy on February 16, 2010

I can hardly believe an entire year has passed since I packed away my military uniforms and donned my full time mommy gear. A decision, my husband and I worked towards for three very long years before we could justifiably make me staying home full time with our children work for our family. Each and every one of those days leading up to that monumentus three year mark grew harder and harder for me to get up in the morning and force myself to go to work.

I know this is an issue each and every mother goes through when returning to the work place. I also know, each and every one of us has our own distinct set of circumstances, but I’m here to tell you if what you really want is to be with your children, the Mother Bear inside of you will find a way to make it work. Even if you are about to have your third child by the time you get there

All the saving we did, the sacrifices we made, the changes we’ve implemented. Each and every one of them …. was worth it. A million times over, a trillion times even.

Nothing could have prepared me for the rewarding, invigorating, awe-inspiring journey I was about to take and while I won’t claim to admit its all sunshine and roses, my memories are far more filled with special moments than dirty diapers or tantrums (today’s breakdown at the supermarket included).

I’d like to slowly let you in on my secrets, how we did it and why, in almost every aspect, we’re thriving now on a one income family and not sacrificing any of our wants for our children.

One of those, “If we can do it, Anyone can do it” type of feel good stories.

I hope you’ll find something in our story you can take with you and incorporate into your family’s way of life.

But for today, I thought I’d share a few of the reasons why I couldn’t imagine life any other way:

That Brotherly Bond

See what I mean?

The Three Musketeers

Afternoons of Puddle Jumpin’

And All-Together Family Outings

That’s what my dreams are made of

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Our Perfect Valentines Day

by Stacy on February 9, 2010

The Westin La Cantera wants to know what the KSW toddlers, perfect Valentine’s Day would be like. Here’s the general consensus of what a perfect V-Day looks like for these two crazy tots.

Begins With This:

Mama’s Sweet Potato Heart Shaped Pancakes with Fresh Strawberries … YUM!!

Followed by a little of this:

Valentines Finger Painting

{We borrowed this awesome piece of work from the Art Emporium}

Then its outside for a little of this and this:

Valentine’s Sidewalk Chalk Murals

Popcorn Bird feeder from Ordinary Life Magic

After feeding the birds, we’d love to make some of these with Mom:

We found these at Grumpy’s Honeybunch

For Lunch, nothing is better than some tasty PB & J:

Sister likes hers with grape & strawberry jelly and tons of PB. I prefer mine with PB & honey and maybe a few slices of banana – I’m a wholesome, natural kind of kid

Image from here

We’ll take a tiny little nap and then wake up just in time to watch:

‘Winnie the Pooh: A Valentine for You Special Edition’

If we’re really good, Mom says we can make these

Mom found this idea from this awesome lady at Makes and Takes

For dinner, of course we’ll have our ALL TIME favorite – line noodles with red sauce

Then it’s pajama party time, dancing around with Mom & Dad, jumping on couch cushions on the floor and playing with flashlights before we get whisked away for a bedtime story.

Now, that’s a perfect Valentine’s Day!!!! Of course, it would be really great too if Mom & Dad could win a hotel night stay at a fancy, schmancy hotel. I’ll bet jumping on that bed would be EVEN COOLER!!!

This post is part of The Westin La Cantera Resort‘s Valentine’s Day with a View contest. Enter between Jan. 25 and Feb. 8 for your chance to win a one-night stay for two at The Westin La Cantera Resort on Saturday, February 13, which includes a romantic dinner for two at Francesca’s at Sunset and two rounds of golf to be played at either of our championship courses during your stay. Learn more at http://www.westinlacantera.com/Valentines-Twitter.html

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Beyond Cute Valentines

by Stacy on February 2, 2010

These adorable Valentines CutOuts from Secret Agent Josephine were sooo cute, I just had to share them with you – Click on the images to download a copy & give these babies to everyone you know. Upload the whole image to facebook and tag each square to a close friend as a quick way to wish everyone a Happy Valentine’s Day!

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