Long time no blog!!!

Well as I opened my blogger to dive back into blogging I noticed my last post was two years ago. WHAT???  Two years ago we lost our sweet Abri and that was by far my hardest trial yet. Looks like I pretty much dropped everything then mentally and physically. It has taken me just about two years to get back on here and blog again. LAME! Blogging is fun...it helps to empty my mind and acts as a family journal.  

So in the past two years we have gone through a lot of changes and trials. I won't get into all of them right now because there are just way too much to talk about. I will blog about various things at a later date. All in all we are back in AZ and our family is bigger than when we left. Wahoo!!

My new job!!

     Since our move back to Az. I have been unemployed. That has put a huge financial strain on our family. I was planning on opening up my FCC day care again here in Ft. Huachuca but I just kept getting a sick feeling about it when I would try to move forward. I chalked it up to stress and what not. With Declan and how high needs he was the struggle to get things done was overwhelming for me and I would end up with anxiety and panic attacks. Finally I took it to the Lord....what else could I do? Next thing I know this job opportunity to work at home fell into my lap and I was so excited. So far working for Uhaul has been good!! I am learning a lot. I hope this is a job I can work for many years to come. *fingers crossed* My challenge right now is making sure Declan stays sleeping or someone is home while I work.

Rad pic eh?! ;)

Give away!! YAY!

http://www.frugalfamilyfunblog.com/2011/02/giveaway-kids-gardening-prize-pack.html/comment-page-2#comment-57679

Totally excited about this giveaway!! I have been longing to garden for years...in az it is just so much work. Now that I live in MD gardening with my kids will be so much fun. I have already been day dreaming about what to plant...flowers....vegi's... the list goes on and on! :D

My Favorite blog this week....

Ok so I have been searching for recipes and I stumbled upon this blog and I just fell in love. I LOVE her recipes maybe because a lot of them I already make so I KNOW I like her kind of cooking. But she has step by step pictures of the things she uses and the process with the finished product. So far I have tried two of her recipes that I myself already make but tried it her way. LOL, I say fantastic results, my kids say otherwise and a few have opted to go to bed rather than finish dinner. Sounds bad I know but I have to say I thought it was very good. One night was carson because he said he didn't like tater-tots, well that is just crazy.

Today I am trying out her Amish Bread recipe. I am excited to see the results because I have been on a quest for a decent bread recipe with the right texture and flavor. The next recipe I want to try is Baked Ham Rigatoni....don't know why but it just looks good...

But anyway, on her site she also does meal planning, another one of my favorite things. She has a family of 5 and is able to keep her grocery bill around $350 a month including toiletries. I say that is amazing!! I am going to keep trying recipes from her and see how it goes. My kids are the guinea pigs while hubby is away! lol!

The Ol' Hathcock chore chart!!

Ok so I broke down and made one, certainly not the most beautiful but I wasn't going for beauty as much as I was help. I hated this thing when I was younger. But now after trying method after method this seems to be the only way to get things done. Now I understand my mom's insanity. But the kids seem to like it so far and it has helped me out a lot!

Happy Birthday Layton....

It is a bitter sweet day the day my little boy turns 8. Every year I think back to when he was born....I tried for 2 1/2 years for him. I was about to give up and was on fertility treatments. Finally I end up pregnant I was so excited and went to my first dr. apointment and the dr. did an Ultrasound and he couldn't find him....I was just devistated. I went to the Hospital for another ultrasound and there he was...happy as a clam. Layton was my hardest baby by far, he loved his mom and never wanted to be parted from her, even when it came to things like showering, sleeping, cooking, etc. But I have to say Layton sure has been a child like none other. He is so tender hearted, friendly, creative, funny, and just an all around good kid. He can make anything out of pretty much anything. He fashioned his own sled out of cardboard, built shields out of cardboard and computer cables, an arrow quiver out of a toiletpaper roll and a belt, arrows out of any stick he could find. I adore his spirit and his energy.

Brian....gone....

Yeah, I know part of military life I accept and support that 100%, but still doesn't make it any easier to have him gone for two months. He is attending ALC (Advanced Leadership Course, I think) at Ft. Huachuca in AZ. He left this week and I hope the time passes quickly because the past 5 days has litterally seemed like two weeks. Maybe it was all his flights in and out of Az the past month...work...idk it just seems like I haven't seen him in a long time. He calls every evening before bed so it helps to hear his voice. It is just way too quiet with out his singing and laughter....