If I Had a Dollar....

.... for every time I've said:

• Micah, NO!!
• Micah, no buttons!
• Micah, no remotes!
• Oh no, not the toilet! 
• Ewwww yucky!  Micah, spit that out!
• Micah, smaller bites please!
• Isaiah, please eat your food.
• No Isaiah, do not swing like a monkey!
• Isaiah, get off your brother!
• Micah, you little stinker!!
• Isaiah. RELAX!

.... or for every time:

• Micah has started the dryer or the washing machine.
• Micah has tipped over the garbage can.
• Micah has thrown away a cup/toy/fork/book/etc. in the garbage can.
• Micah has eaten something out of the garbage can.
• Micah has been busted playing in the toilet because someone forgot to close the bathroom door again.
• Micah has emptied the box of tampons all over the floor because someone forgot to close the bathroom door again.
• Micah has hit his head on something.  Anything.
• Micah has gotten into the dog's bowl and I have to fish kibble out of his mouth.
• Micah has flashed me his devilish grin every time I catch him doing something naughty and he knows it.

Add all those dollars up and I'm pretty sure we could go on Dave Ramsey's show and scream WE'RE DEBT FREE!!!!!  Any way we can arrange that?

Stinkers.

I'm So Over It!

It was snowing again this morning.  I had to drive 40 mph to work and Isaiah got all bent out of shape when the snow was falling on his blankee as we walked into daycare so he tried to run and dang near biffed it on the sidewalk.  Then he forgot all about me as soon as we walked in the door.  Hey, have I mentioned that the new daycare is going well?  Isaiah runs and hides every time Evan or I show up to pick them up.  He doesn't want to leave!

I still feel cruddy.  I wish I could share better news, but the truth is that I'm surviving on my prenatal vitamin, apples, and bowls of cereal.  Cooking dinner for everyone else is the WORST.  Just the smell of the "real food" makes my stomach do back handsprings.  Take Tuesday night, for example.  I made chicken quesadillas and the second the onions hit the pan with the olive oil, my tummy jumped into my throat.  When I tossed in the chicken and sprinkled on some taco seasoning.....I was done for.  Evan said it was delicious while I choked down my bowl of Special K. 

The chicken noodle casserole I made on Monday was a hit with everyone but Isaiah (but he's a freak when it comes to food) and my preggo tummy.  When I posted on Facebook that I was making it, I had three people request the recipe, so I'll put it on here too.  Caution:  Not recommended for Mommys in the midst of morning sickness.

Chicken Noodle Casserole
1 can Cream of Chix soup
1/2 cup milk (or add more if you want it more creamy)
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup frozen peas (I pre-cooked mine a bit)
A good shake or two of garlic salt
Fresh ground black pepper to taste
2 cups of cooked, diced chicken breast
2 cups (ish) of cooked pasta (I used linguine, but egg noodles would be fine too)

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Cook chicken in a skillet with a bit of olive oil and cook your pasta.  In a mixing bowl, combine soup, milk, Parmesan cheese, about half of your cheddar cheese, peas, and seasonings.  Stir in chicken and pasta when they are finished.  Transfer the whole works to a casserole dish and cook for 25 minutes.  Sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese on top, allow to melt.  EAT!

Sounds decent, right?  Evan assures me it was good, but I didn't last more than two bites before I grabbed the cereal box.  I'm so over it.

Project Life Tuesday - January Week Three

Hello and welcome to Project Life Tuesday! I am taking a photo every day in 2011 and putting them together in an album to create a unique keepsake of this year for our family.  Be sure to check in on what others are doing with their projects over at The Mom Creative!


Sunday, January 16th - What is it about pillow fights that kids just love so much?  Isaiah just loves to grab a pillow and start wailing on one of us. 

 
Monday, January 17th - It snowed all day long today!  I can't remember the last time school has closed early due to snow, but the high school cancelled classes at 1:00 this afternoon.  It looked like we were sitting inside a snow globe.

 
Tuesday, January 18th - Micah's 16 month checkup!  He has officially landed back on the charts, weighing in at 30 pounds, 9 ounces (97th percentile).  I can really tell how much he has leaned out in the last 4 months because he actually has a neck in this photo!

 
Wednesday, January 19th - I don't even know what Micah was focused on in this photo, but I love how the light bounces off his hair, how he's sitting, and how he just looks like such a little dude already.

 
Thursday, January 20th - Micah received a bumblebee Pillow Pet for his birthday in September.  Isaiah then claimed it for his own.  Shortly after that, Brian (our dog) chewed off the bumblebee's antennae.  The nose was soon to follow.  Now Isaiah is the proud thief of a deformed, mangled, noseless Pillow Pet.

 
Friday, January 21st - It took Isaiah until he was dang near 2 full years old to be interested in sitting and reading a book.  Not so with Micah.  This kid has loved to read books with us for months now and has even started grabbing them and flipping through them on his own.  Here, he is raiding his brother's book basket.  Revenge for the Pillow Pet perhaps?

 
Saturday, January 22nd - Our best friends' daughter, Ali, had her 3rd birthday party today!  As you can probably tell, it was a Toy Story themed birthday party and Ali just loves Jessie!  She rode her "Bullseye" around the room and put on a great party.  Happy Birthday Ali!


Have a blessed week!

Well, ain't that just SUPER?!

It wasn't exactly pretty.  I got plenty nervous throughout the 60 minutes, despite the fact that we never trailed on the scoreboard.  It was a strange game to be sure.

But it's a win.  And that win just earned my Green Bay Packers a trip to Super Bowl XLV.  I can't stop smiling.

And now....the Steelers. 

Have I mentioned that I can't stop smiling?  It's just surreal.  So happy!

Game Day.

Aaron Rodgers, who art in Lambeau, Hallowed be thine arm.
Thy bowl will come, it will be won, in Dallas as it was in Lambeau.
Give us this Sunday our weekly win and forgive the less-passers as you will not let them pass against us. Lead us not into frustration, but deliver us from Da Bears.
For thine is the MVP, the best of the NFC, and... the glory of the Cheeseheads, now and forever.
Go Pack.

Just for a moment, imagine you are Jay Cutler.  I know, it's disturbing, but go with it.  Now pretend you are lining up over the ball and seconds after the snap, this happens:

As you roll over, thanking the heavens that at least you didn't throw another interception, you see this:

And suddenly you think maybe, just maybe, you might be better off just staying on the turf.
 
Maybe we'll get really lucky and Jay Cutler will have this kind of game:


Long story short, Go Pack Go.

Until we meet again, on the other side of the NFC Championship.  I hope to be SUPER excited!!

Aaron Rodgers Steals the Show!

I love this.  Fast forward the video to about 2:30 (if you're impatient) to see Aaron Rodgers stroll onto the stage during the Brad Paisley concert in Green Bay a couple days ago.  Here's what I love about our fans - the place gets so crazy loud that Brad has to stop his song and you can't even hear the guy talk over the screaming!  Only in Green Bay would the Entertainer of the Year get totally trumped. 

Awesome.



Best new line of a country song:  "I don't root for the Bears; I've still got a pair!  Oh thank God....I'm still a guy!!!" 

GO PACK GO.

Blech!

It's been kind of quiet on my virtual home simply because it has been anything but quiet in my real home.  The yucky part of my pregnancy really hit me on Monday, so my tummy and I have not exactly been good friends this week.  I wake up feeling nauseous and there have been a couple days so far where I have spent my entire morning running back and forth to the bathroom to throw up.  Tuesday morning was especially bad.  Isaiah would follow right behind me, stand next to me as I knelt, and then rub my back while reassuring me, "I sorry you puke in potty, Mommy.  You be ok."  What a sweet boy.  I'm just counting my blessings that it isn't worse.  I know of several people who have dealt with horrific sickness during pregnancy where they are throwing up constantly and even needing medication to try to control it.  Here's to hoping I don't get to that point. 

On the bright side, I can only hope I've lost weight since I've eaten next to nothing in about three days!  Always looking for a silver lining here, folks. 

Evan's uncle passed away on Saturday and we went to his funeral on Tuesday night.  He was born only a month before my mother.  Freaked. Me. Out.  The funeral was small, tasteful, and somewhat stifled.  Considering she was saying goodbye to her son, Evan's grandmother was the absolute picture of grace and strength.  I admire her more than I can say. 

The boys start at their new day care tomorrow.  Please say a quick prayer for them and for me (that I won't be freaking out thinking about them all day long).  Not that my kids could cause any trouble.

See, look at those faces.

No chance of trouble there!

Project Life Tuesday - January Week Two

Hello and welcome to Project Life Tuesday! I am taking a photo every day in 2011 and putting them together in an album to create a unique keepsake of this year for our family.  Be sure to check in on what others are doing with their projects over at The Mom Creative!

Sunday, January 9th - (Phone photo) To get pumped up for the Packers wild card playoff game against the Philadelphia Eagles, we all donned our Aaron Rodgers jerseys.  The Pack won and advanced on to the Divisional Playoff!


Monday, January 10th - One jungle comforter on the floor can become a boxing ring, a baseball diamond, a bowling alley, and a ice skating rink!


Tuesday, January 11th - I love how much Isaiah loves reading lately, but having this book basket right next to his bed is proving to be dangerous.  He's reading rather than napping! 


Wednesday, January 12th - This is what I have to work around while I make supper.  Usually there are more tupperware lids and toys on the floor, but you get the idea.


Thursday, January 13th - Even when I'm making a quick run to the grocery store, I make sure to have my coupon binder!


Friday, January 14th - Somebody woke up early from his nap with sleepy face.


Saturday, January 15th - This fascinated me.  Isaiah collected all his puzzles together and dumped all the pieces into a bucket.  He then would pull a piece out and would look at all six puzzles to find its spot.  It was crazy!


Thanks for looking and I hope you have a great week!

Owning It

I choose to be excited.

I will not be stressed or worried about how we'll pull this off.

I trust that God would not give us anything we cannot handle and that he is in control.

I understand that changes will need to be made to our priorities, our my work schedules, and our budget.

I acknowledge that many will think we are crazy.

But you know what?  I'm owning it.  We can and we will make this work.  Better yet, we will thrive.  With a little planning ahead, we can make sure our bills are paid.  By being willing to accept some changes, we will find a balance for our family. 

Now, we didn't think it would happen this soon so the timing (in our world) might not be ideal.  But God doesn't make mistakes and I refuse to be negative any longer.

We are pregnant with our third child. 

I am ready to fall in love again.

A Good Start

Paying off debt is hard.  When we started this whole whack job idea back in May of 2010, I had fantasies of writing out massive checks to my creditors and being able to breeze through life without the stress of money.  What I forgot was that we had to put in some real effort to get ourselves into the situation we are in, so it stands to reason that we would have to work even harder to dig ourselves out. 

That being said, we're making progress!  When we started our Total Money Makeover, I wrote a blog post where I confessed, in big red numbers, that we had $41,740.37 in consumer debt.

OUCH.

We read Dave Ramsey's book and started to make changes.  According to his plan, we made a list of our debts from the smallest amount up to the largest and started attacking them with as much firepower as we could muster.  Our debt snowball grew as we paid off one loan, then a credit card, then another credit card, then a student loan, and then yet another credit card.  We find we really enjoy destroying our credit cards in photos.  Which reminds me, I need to come up with something creative to do for annihilating the third card.  Fire, perhaps?

So where are we at now?  We are down to only two, count 'em.....two consumer debts! We still have one credit card to pay off and finally what I like to refer to as "The Big Kahuna" - my student loans.  It may still seem like a lot, but we know that if we keep at it and refuse to give up, it is possible to be debt free.  We've gone over budget along the way and come up short on cash.  I know I have over-spent and under-saved.  I know we haven't been as "gazelle intense" as we should have been and perhaps we should have scrimped more in order to throw more money at our debt.  At the end of the day, I am pleased with our progress and I hope we can only improve.

Since May 1, 2010 we have :

• Paid off $6,205.35 of consumer debt!
• Saved up nearly $7,000 to replace our roof!
• Not gone one more penny into debt!

Oh yes, we have a long way to go before the remaining $35,535.02 is a distant memory, but at least we have a good start.

Stupid Shoes

I think we need to clear the air about something.  Sure, I realize you're probably going to think I'm a stuffy old fuddy duddy (who can't believe she just used that term), but I just can't take it anymore.  Every time I step in front of your scowling smiling faces as a substitute, I am baffled, befuddled, and sometimes downright flabbergasted.  Let's chat, shall we?

Shoes

Oh my goodness, your shoes.  Slippers are not, I repeat are NOT, shoes.  They are meant to be worn as you sluff about the interior of your home, not traipsing about the hallways and trodding over the tile floors where that kid from your social studies class puked last week.  Nasty.  Save 'em for at home, sweetie. 

Next, let's discuss these goofy skateboarding shoes I see you walking around in.  They have neon trim and you can't even tie the laces.  All I know is you look like you're preparing for your audition to clown college when you go flopping through the hallway in those beasts since you can't even pick up your feet when you take a step or the blasted things will fly right off!  Pair those things with some skinny jeans and I can feel my retinas burning.  Here's my other question:  Why are you even wearing skateboarding shoes if you aren't on a skateboard?  You don't see anyone going to math class in football cleats, do you?

Whew.  I feel better now.  Maybe next time we'll talk about your jeans and how I really, really don't want to see your panties peeking out to say hello. 

He's Not a Numbers Guy

I needed this kind of morning with my kids.  We spread Isaiah's jungle comforter out on his bedroom floor and it suddenly transformed into a bowling alley, a boxing ring, a baseball diamond, a swimming pool, and a wrestling mat.  There were no tantrums, no bullying, no crying (except when Isaiah accidentally jumped on his little brother's head), and no whining.  Just pure, imaginative playtime. 

This little video I took of the boys during our play session just cracks me up.  I love how Micah can't wait until the count of three to run toward the blanket.  My favorite part, however, is how Isaiah goofs up his numbers.  The poor child didn't inherit his father's aptitude for numbers. 



Yup, that's my boy.  Let's hope he has other talents.  :)

Project Life Tuesday - January Week One

Hello and welcome to Project Life Tuesday! I am taking a photo every day in 2011 and putting them together in an album to create a unique keepsake of this year for our family.  If you're new to Project Life, I hope you enjoy the journey of documenting your life as you live it.  I chose to go the photo every day route, but there are many ways to make this project work for you.  If you'd like to see my 2010 Project Life photos, click on the Project Life link at the top of the page. Be sure to check in on what others are doing with their project over at The Mom Creative!

Sunday, January 2nd - My Badgers may have lost the Rose Bowl on Saturday, but the Packers clinched a playoff berth with a win over the Bears today! 
 


Monday, January 3rd - We try to keep Isaiah from hitting us with his lightsaber, but he just loves to "stab" his Daddy with it to watch his reaction. 


Tuesday, January 4th - If you ask Micah, "Where's your belly?" he will happily oblige and lift up his shirt to poke that portly baby tum.  I love it.


Wednesday, January 5th - Instead of flipping channels to find the least objectionable show to watch, we've been popping in episodes of The Big Bang Theory.  I honestly find it to be one of the funniest shows on TV.  Really going to need to watch for a sale on Seasons 3 and 4!


Thursday, January 6th - I don't have all the photos printed yet, but I have officially finished writing all the journaling cards in my Project Life 2010 album.  Yay!  All that's left is to add in the final couple weeks worth of photos and figure out what to do with the additional 12x12 paper that came with the kit.


Friday, January 7th - This was my attempt at a healthy lunch for the boys - kiwi, oranges, diced ham, a hot dog, and a pumpkin nut muffin.  I'm calling it a victory since my picky eater actually ate his whole meal for a change.  Micah, no surprise here, finished his plate too.


Saturday, January 8th - I met up with my sister-in-law for a little girl date and we stopped in at Anthropologie before seeing Black Swan.  Two things: 1.  That store is amazing and I am super-bummed I didn't win the $250 gift certificate from The Pioneer Woman.  2.  Black Swan was crazy, creepy, and seriously amazing. 


Are you taking on Project Life this year?  Introduce yourself!  I hope to see you this whole year as we document life!

Sunday

Once again, they kept me sweating it right up until the end, but the Packers pulled out a win in Philly tonight and advanced to the next round of the playoffs.  Almost as wonderful as the win was getting this photo with my phone of my boys and I in our Aaron Rodgers jerseys.  Sure, it was taken with my phone so the lighting is too dark, the grain is super noisy, and Micah is a little blurry.  Still, I love it.  They're both looking at the camera and aren't trying to slap one another for a change. 

I know I haven't been blogging much lately.  Truth be told, it's probably better that way since I haven't really been all that much fun to be around in person.  Despite the fact that the Packers just pulled out their first playoff win without Brett Favre since before I was born (FACT), I am on edge.  I suppose it's just been that kind of week where a lot of things have been piling up on me at once.  I realize I'm being about as eloquent as stuttering sloth right now, but it's the best I can do.  I'm due to write you an update on our Total Money Makeover, but I'm hiding like a rodent in its hole because frankly, our progress has been less than impressive as of late.  We're struggling to get a handle on how to move forward into a new year that is complete with a whole new set of challenges.  I don't have any scrapbook layouts to show you because I haven't been able to work on any since November. 

Long story short.....I need to get a handle on things.  I'm confident a victory in Atlanta will help with that.  Go Pack Go!

Random note - I saw Black Swan with my sister-in-law the other night and it was AMAZING.  Psycho, crazy, and creepy, but super good.

Love to all of you.  

Stalling

Bedtime is getting ridiculous.  It used to be that we would get Isaiah's PJs on, go potty, and brush teeth at 7:30.  Then we would go into his bedroom at 8:00, read two books, and he would be asleep shortly afterward.  I could usually count on being out of there by 8:20 or 8:25 at the latest.

He recently discovered stalling tactics that are driving Evan and I up the wall!  Here's the way things have been going for the past several nights.

7:00 - Micah goes to bed. Easy peasy.
7:15 - Isaiah gets PJs on and brushes teeth.  We go to hang out in the living room with Daddy.
7:30 - Bedtime!  We diffuse the first round of tantrums and finally coax Isaiah to leave the living room.  We go to the bathroom for potty time.  We proceed to sit in the bathroom for a solid 15 minutes before I can finally convince him that he's finished.  He has likely gone both pee and poop.
7:45 - Isaiah chooses two books to read.  I start out reading one of them to him, but he snatches it away from me, insisting "I wanna read it myself."  He stares at each individual page, analyzing every detail of each illustration and points out little tidbits he finds interesting.  When I try to turn the page, he pushes my hand away and hollers "NOOOO!!!"
8:00 - We finish the second book, which I have to pry out of Isaiah's vice grip.  He protests while I tuck him in and then insists on getting out of bed to go turn out the light himself.  "I DO IT MYSELF MOMMY!!!"
8:05 - Now in the full height of his tantrum, Isaiah is screaming at the top of his lungs. 
8:07 - Calmed a bit now, we say prayers and kiss goodnight.  I go to sit in the chair next to his bed for a couple minutes.
8:10 - As I start to close the door and whisper, "Ni Night" I hear Isaiah say, "Mommy I gotta go potty!"  Thankful that he can't see my exasperated eye roll in the darkness, we go back to the bathroom where he proceeds to go pee and poop.....again.
8:17 - Isaiah is tucked back into bed and I am about to leave the room yet again when I hear Isaiah say, "Mommy I sick.  I need medicine."  I tell him he's just fine, that I love him, and that it's time to go to sleep.
8:20 - I finally exit the room, trying to ignore him crying.

Whew.  It's exhausting just re-living that mess!  For a kid who used to go to bed with no muss, no fuss....this is getting infuriating.  What can I do to stop all the stalling?

By the Numbers

5 - The number of dollars (maximum) it costs to make meals out of the new cookbook I received this week.  I'm hoping it will help me get my food budget under control! 

12 - The number of days I have left to find a new daycare for my kids. 

2 - The number of job applications I have filled out in the last 24 hours.  There is little I despise more than having to fill out these cursed forms!

3  - The number of summer school classes I am trying to throw together materials for so I can get the application in by the 10th.

6 - The number of weeks behind I am in my Project Life 2010 album.  I just need to handwrite the journaling cards and get the photos printed!

40 - The number of minutes it took me to get Isaiah to bed Monday night.  He's becoming very good at stalling for time!

15 - The number of times I have felt like crying in the last 4 days.

4 - The number of cookies I ate in lieu of crying.

35,000ish - The number of times in the last few days Evan has said to me, "We're going to be just fine."  I love that guy.

Project Life Tuesday - December Week Five

Welcome once again to Project Life Tuesday! I am taking a photo every day in 2010 and putting them together in an album to create a unique keepsake of this year for our family. Be sure to check in on what others are doing with their project over at The Mom Creative!

 Sunday, December 26th - I swear to you, this photo is not staged.  Those little buggars came up with this little activity all on their own!



Monday, December 27th - Project Life 2011 arrived today!!  I can't believe I made it all the way to the end of 2010 taking a photo (almost) every day!  I'm really looking forward to doing this all again in 2011 with a gorgeous new kit.


Tuesday, December 28th - Fat Man's Christmas was a resounding success!  I can hardly believe we and our friends were blessed enough to have such cute kids.


Wednesday, December 29th - This Moon Dough set has been a big hit with Isaiah.  It makes a royal mess, but he has been asking to play with it twice a day!


Thursday, December 30th - Isaiah finally busted us playing Mario Kart when he came down after his nap today, so he immediately had to join in.  Evan was doing the actual driving, but Isaiah was convinced he was finishing in 1st place!


Friday, December 31st - (Yay!  I can do vertical photos now!) I got to go shopping all by myself today and I was actually able to find a pair of skinny jeans for non-skinny girls to go with the gorgeous boots I got from my mother-in-law for Christmas.  Isaiah was excited to get Toy Story bubble bath.

Saturday, January 1st - Happy New Year!  We sped back to Waupun after I finished work so we could make it to my aunt's house by kickoff of the Rose Bowl.  Unfortunately, my Badgers lost to TCU in a heartbreaker, but at least my Micah had a good time pretending to monitor my heartrate.


Thanks again for joining me on this Project Life journey!  As soon as I get my 2010 album at least mostly finished, I will share some photos with you.  Next week will be the first official week of Project Life 2011!

Struggles

It's been a hard couple of days in our house.  We went over our budget last night, like we do every Sunday, and had to make some big changes.  We have to replace our roof this spring or summer and we also realized we needed to start planning ahead for the summer months when I won't be teaching.  Unfortunately, trying to save money for all the things we need to save for didn't leave us enough funds to go around.  The income just isn't there. 

The stress of realizing that we'll need to live on bowls of cereal for the next few months combined with the understanding that, yet again, I need to pound the pavement in search of a summer job was enough to turn on my waterworks. 

And then today, my babysitter gave her two weeks notice.  I have no daycare.  Yup, I'm struggling a little right now to keep a clear head, but I'm trusting that a solution will prevent itself and we'll make it through this. 

Rose Bowl Prayer

Dear Lord,

You and I are going to be talking a lot this weekend.....about football.  You see God, I'm not sure if you're really into sports much (or at all), but seeing as how you're omniscient and all, I figure you understand where I'm coming from when I appeal to your gracious self today.

It's Rose Bowl day, Lord.  Yes, I realize my beloved Badgers are taking on the Horned Frogs of one Texas Christian University.  It seems almost blasphemous just to ask you to even consider sending a little love in my alma mater's direction, but I hope that you will hear my prayer regardless.

May my running backs be swift, strong, and sure of foot.  May they hold on to the ball for dear life.  May my quarterback be accurate, quick, and focused.  May J.J. Watt be....well, J.J. Watt.  May my receivers juke defenders out of their shorts as they streak toward the end zone.  May our field goals be true, our punts be few, and our victory be sweet as roses.

Amen.

P.S.  We'll have a little chat tomorrow before the Packer game too.

Welcome 2011!

When I was growing up, I always loved staying up late with my parents on New Year's Eve to watch the ball drop in Times Square.  It was so iconic and impressive that it was worth the sometimes daunting task of keeping my eyelids open until midnight.  Now that I'm older and have two small children, I often find it even more difficult to stay awake that late.  While others are out partying it up and just getting their night off to a kickstart, I'm here thinking about how my eyes are burning because it is clearly past my bedtime.

Be that as it may, it was really nice to watch the ball drop to welcome in 2011.  Evan took a break from Mario Kart to switch the TV back over to cable, we watched it count down the last 20 seconds or so, shared a New Year's kiss and enjoyed a toast in our wedding champagne flutes.  Mind you, that whole sequence of events took about 45 seconds and then Mario Kart resumed.

We party hard here, people.

Wherever you are, whatever you are doing to celebrate the new year, I hope you enjoy it!  I don't know about you, but I am really excited for 2011! 

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!