March doings

This is proof Walker is from another planet. He eats raw broccoli!?!?

 

Julian's first day for nursery! He was such a champ and loved it.

Humm...Walker being Walker. He's first Sunday to wear a button shirt. It helps that he wants to be like little brother sometimes.

Down at the Rio Grande. It's not so grande but Julian's fall in the mud was. hehe

Sticks and water, what can be better for two little boys.



 

 

Julian got 4 stiches, poor baby.

Hiding from me so I can't take their picture.

El Paso Zoo

loving daddy!

Thoughts

There a few things that have been bothering me lately and I feel like I need to share them because it might help someone or just me.

I have had a few people say some things to me about my kids on more than one occasion at church. But let me give a little back story. Unfortunately I have to attend church by myself with the 2 boys because of Eric's work schedule. On top of that we also have to walk to church because we have been down to one car, and everyone knows we walk to church. It was stressful at first trying to get there on time but I honestly don't mind walking, I really enjoy it and plan on doing it once we get another car pretty soon.

Here are the two main comments of the many (and I mean many) that people have said to me or to the people behind me that bother the most...
  1. why are your kids so bad
  2. her kids are like that because she is a stay at home mom.

Ok, lets address the first one. Number one, never, and I mean never say that to a mom or to a dad for that matter. It is rude and you have no idea what's going on. Secondly, my kids are not bad. They are a typical whatever age they were at that time. Yes they may annoy you, just like your kids might annoy me sometimes but they are kids and I don't expect mine to be perfect during sacrament meeting when it is two against one, really come on. Thirdly, seriously just don't say that.

"Her kids are like that because she is a stay at home," really what does that even mean. People this is the one that bothers me the most. This was said by people sitting behind me at church, at least you could have whispered it. So what if my kids want to be with there mom and don't want to go to class or don't want to go to you. My kids love there mama and might even be mama boys right now. I still don't get that comment. Is being a stay at home mom not something to be commended for? I totally believe in the "Family Proclamation" and that it was divinely written. Our church leaders and Father in Heaven are fully aware of the attack on the family. I am grateful I am a stay at home and I hated it when I had to work in Wyoming and send Walker over to a friends house (she was fantastic, I do have to give here credit). There is no better job in the world than to be able to be at home with your kids and give them love and nurture they need. Also, going along with this I have also had people tell me to put Walker into daycare/childcare/preschool ( I don't know what to call it ). I have my own opinions about that as well but will keep them to myself so I don't offend anyone because things read can be taken out of context.

When most of the comments where being said to me I was really struggling with going to church because of all the stress that came with it. If it wasn't for some answered prayers I know I wouldn't be going every Sunday like I need to. I hate to admit that but it is true. I was already feeling like why am I even bothering to go and then to get rude comments on top of it was not helping. I don't think my testimony had been strengthen in pray so much until this happened. I am so grateful for my testimony in the gospel of Jesus Christ and that I am blessed to have a growing testimony of it.

There were/are some encouraging ladies and they do deserve credit and they have been given credit because I have told them that they were an answer to my prayers, because it came at the brink of my breaking point.

If you are experiencing something like this please don't give up. Put yourself out there a find a friend. The blessings that come from attending your church meetings out weighs the stress you are going through.

Lastly, it is hard to attend church without a spouse. Please give them encouraging words or offer to help. I was in a ward once where someone made a rude comment to a single mom who brought her two young kids with her and she never came back to church. Lets be loving, compassionate and encouraging.

***this is not a cry for help, we are doing great and I have a great support system***

(after some comments and e-mails I feel that I should add, that this stuff has pretty much already stopped and it's not going to stop me from going to church, It has happened some what recently but for some reason the past few days I just can't stop thinking about. I have a strong testimony in the gospel, Satan just tries to get you in your weakest moments, sorry dude you lost. :) Also after some of the e-mails I have received I am not the only one that has experienced this so please seek those out that need a friend, you might be the one to keep them coming. )

Jan and Feb.

Can you believe it we are almost into April!!! As a kid time seemed to drag on forever and now, well I can't get it to drag and some days I wish it would (but still there are days where I feel like it doesn't move fast enough).

Anyways, Things from Jan. and Feb.

JANUARY

 

city of rocks

 

Julian is into putting pants and underwear on his head.

FEBRUARY

 

shaving cream + buried cars= confusion

san larenzo canyon

walker pointing out horse poop to julian

seriously this kid points out poop every time we go on walks.

Crockpot Southwestern Chicken

1 small bag frozen corn
1 can black beans
2-4 large frozen boneless skinless chicken breasts (it’s safest to thaw them first before placing in the slow cooker, although I usually add them frozen)
1 16-oz jar medium salsa, such as Pace medium picante sauce

Pour bag of frozen corn in bottom of crockpot. Place chicken breasts on top of corn and cover with rinsed and drained black beans and jar of medium salsa. Cook on high for 1 hour, and then on low for 4 hours. Shred chicken with forks. Serve with tortilla chips and add toppings to individual servings.

**It is very important that you use MEDIUM salsa in this. Mild simply isn’t flavorful enough. Be sure to serve with tortilla chips, and not tortillas. The salty crunchy chips make this so good!

***freezes well***

Fish Tacos with Peach Apricot Salsa

 

Ingredients

PEACH APRICOT SALSA

• 1 cup chopped fresh or frozen peaches
• 3/4 cup seeded, chopped cucumber
• 1/3 cup chopped red pepper
• 3 tablespoons sliced green onion
• 3 tablespoons chopped cilantro
• 2 tablespoons lime juice
• 3 tablespoons Smucker's® Orchard's Finest® Coastal Valley Peach Apricot Preserves
• 1 teaspoon chopped chipotle pepper, or to taste

SOUR CREAM SAUCE

• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon lime juice
• 1/8 teaspoon adobo all purpose seasoning

 

FISH TACOS

• 1 pound firm white fish, such as cod, tilapia, haddock or pollock
• 1 tablespoon lime juice
• Salt and pepper
• Adobo all purpose seasoning
• 8 corn tortillas
• 1 1/2 cups finely chopped nappa cabbage
• Lime wedges

Directions

1. STIR together chopped peaches, cucumbers, red pepper, green onion, cilantro, lime juice, preserves and chipotle pepper in medium bowl. Stir together sour cream, cumin, lime juice and seasoning in small bowl.
2. HEAT grill to medium high heat. Brush remaining lime juice over fish. Season with salt, pepper and seasoning. Grill 5 to 6 minutes or until just cooked through.
3. HEAT tortillas in skillet or on griddle about 30 seconds or until soft and hot, turning several times. Place on serving plate. Divide fish evenly and place on each tortilla. Top with a dollop of sour cream mixture, cabbage slices and Peach Apricot Salsa. Serve with lime wedges, if desired.

***we didn't use the adobo all purpose seasoning, we baked the fish and we also shredded the fish once it was cooked.***

Spiced Pork

	1 pork butt roast from 3 to 4 pounds
	1 Tbsp. vegetable oil
	1 Tbsp. chili powder
	2 tsp. pepper
	2 tsp. cumin
	2 tsp. coriander
	2 tsp. paprika
	1 tsp. all spice
	1/2 tsp. salt
	2 cloves garlic minced
	1 1/2 cups Heinz® Tomato Ketchup
	1 cup Heinz® Apple Cider Vinegar
	1/2 cup molasses
	1/3 cup Heinz® Yellow Mustard
	2 tsp. cornstarch
	soft rolls Preparation Remove all string from the roast and trim away excess fat. Blend oil, chili powder, pepper, cumin, coriander, paprika, allspice, salt, and garlic to make a paste. Rub all over the pork, working the spice mixture into the meat well. Marinate for at least 30 minutes. Transfer the roast to a crock pot. Blend the Ketchup with the vinegar, molasses, and mustard. Pour mixture over the roast and cook on low for 8 to 10 hours or until very tender. Transfer the roast to a large bowl; discard any visible fat. Use two forks to separate the meat into long strands. Cover bowl and keep warm. Remove cooking juices and strain. Place juices in a saucepan; whisk in the cornstarch and bring to a boil. Cook, stirring, until thickened and bubbling. Place shredded meat and sauce back into crock pot to keep warm. Serve the meat on soft rolls. ****we also make other things (stir fry, tacos, etc.) with the meat and it freezes well****

Three Fruit Marmalade Chicken

We had this today for dinner and it was really good.



2 tbsp. of oil
4 boneless skinless chicken breast
salt and pepper
3/4 cup smucker three fruit marmalade
1/2 cup chicken stock
1 tbsp. lemon juice
1 tbsp. orange juice

Salt and pepper the chicken and pan sear the chicken until it is cooked in the oil.

• We cook the chicken on the stove on each side for 3-4 minutes each and then place it in a pre-heated oven at 350 for at least 10 minutes.

Once chicken in cooked remove it from pan and drain the excess stuff out and add all the other ingredients (leaving the chicken out). Bring the ingredients to a simmer and then add the chicken back in. Continue simmering, turning the chicken from time to time, until the sauce reduces and thickens around the chicken, about 3 to 4 minutes. Serve with some sauce on it.

 

***This was super easy. If you don't have orange juice I don't think it really needs it or makes a difference. I also didn't use chicken stock because Julian can't have store bought so I just made 1 cup water with 1 tbsp. butter and just halved it. I also thinned out my chicken to make more pieces***