fun family pictures

I'm so glad we took the time to get these done. I keep reminding myself that our boys will never be this little again. These pictures make me smile..






“Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.”
~Laozi

adding some green

Here is a picture of those wonderfully delicious blueberry muffins I made last week. Oh so good. I'm also finding ways to add more GREEN to my diet.

Source: getmestronger.tumblr.com via Joysie on Pinterest

My own version this week...

1/2 c. almond milk/2% milk
2 heaping c. of fresh spinach (or fill your blender to the top)
a few frozen banana slices
1/2 c. greek yogurt
1-2 tbsp almond butter

Healthy and delicious! Thanks, pinterest!

a wonderful daddy...

Daddy...
can make the best paper airplanes
can always fix the LEGO creation problem
turns crying into laughing faster than anyone I know
can make homework fun
plays a fun hand of skip-bo junior

We love him!

be happy!

As I looked at my 'to do' list again, I realized #7 is going to be an ongoing project. But I think the article I'm linking below will help me a lot. Feel free to read!

12 Things Happy People Do Differently

2012...off to a good start!

Well, here we are - well into our first month of 2012. So far things are going great in our household. The boys are happy & healthy. We've had no more accidents since our minor emergency which found us scurrying off to ER with Trevin. I've decided to make a list of things I want to accomplish this year. Here's part of my 'to do' list for 2012. I like the satisfaction of crossing things off a list, so here goes...

1. Get rid of clutter - this is already well in progress
2. Work at least 5x a month (really??) - this actually makes me a better mother; I'm always so happy to get home to see my kids & spend quality time with them. It is a good breather for me, very mentally stimulating, & I love being able to contribute a little chunk to the piggy bank.
3. Learn to cut my boys' hair - can it really be that hard? My Dad reminded me tonight - it'll always grow back...so why not?
4. Quit scrapbooking - I'm completely in love with making memory books thru Picaboo. It saves so much time, money & effort. I have so many other things I want to spend time doing. With that said, I want to keep card making/stamping - it is fun & less involved.
5. Learn a new game. Suggestions?
6. Read this book.
7. Love more, express gratitude & worry less.

Benjamin's goal for 2012:
" Be more caring to others." - I love it! He came up with himself

Trevin's goal for 2012:
Sleep all night long! - We helped him with this one. :)
Hope you are having a good year so far!

Multigrain Blueberry Muffins

Great Recipe passed along by my sister - Thanks, Amy.


1 1/4 C whole wheat flour, spooned & leveled
1 C old fashion rolled oats
1/4 C flaxseed meal
1/4 C pecans (I didn't use nuts in mine)
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp kosher salt (I used TJs sea salt)
1 C plain non fat yogurt
1/2 C packed light brown sugar
3 Tsp unsalted melted butter
1 T grated orange zest, plus 1/4 C orange juice
1 lg egg
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
2 C fresh blueberries or one 8-oz bag frozen blueberries.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line 12 cup muffin pan with paper liners. In a food processor, process flour, oats, flaxseed meal, pecans, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until finely ground.In a large mixing bowl, whisk together yogurt, sugar, butter, orange zest & juice, egg, and vanilla. Add the flour mixture & mix until incorporated. Fold in blueberries.Divide the batter evenly among the muffin cups.
Bake until tooth pick inserted in the center comes out clean, 22-25 mins.

Muffins will keep at room temp for 3 days, and in freezer for 1 month - warm in mircowave 1-2 mins

something to ponder...

"I can choose to let it define me, confine me, refine me, outshine me;
Or I can choose to move on and leave it behind me."

Recipe

Here is the link to the great slow cooker pork recipe. We've enjoyed the leftovers too!

http://quick-dish.tablespoon.com/2011/05/18/3-ingredient-slow-cooker-pulled-pork/

Hello 2012!

Happy New Year!

I turn my mind from days gone by to that which lies before,
A sea of possibilities and I upon the shore;
There seems much that would invite;
So much that would dismay,
But courage rises with the thought -
that God will plan the way.
[author unknown]

I found this in one of Jean's notebooks....love the inspiration & encouragement from those books. It makes her feel so close again.