MIA Apologies and Freezer Meals

Ah! My last post was Feb. 4th. Im obviously WAY behind!

My Excuse: This past semester of school was crazy! My schedule was 7:00 am (somedays earlier) to 6:00 PM (some nights later) Monday- Friday. From 6-9 every night it was homework. Im not complaining, it was just busy! Glad thats over:) Im slowly adjusting to having a life again (at least for summer). Only ONE more semester to go!

I interned in a 4th grade classroom this past semester. I really enjoyed it. Im so used to working with younger kids that it was an adjustment for sure. Now, its a waiting game to find out next semester's student teaching placement. I've whined and complained that this time would never come, but now that the "end" of school is coming, I suddenly want time to slow down. With that being said, Im taking one of my state licensing tests next week, so be praying I pass :)

NOW: The more fun part of this whole post!

Since school has been out, I've gone back to working and working and working. I am currently running overtime hours so by the time I come home I don't really feel like whipping up a whole meal from scratch. I really like cooking, but I need something simple at this time. So, after some perusing around Pinterest I thought I would give some Crockpot Freezer meals a try. I typically have extra time on Saturdays to prepare, so I am going to give this a try! Im thinking if I like this, I can try it during the semester. We'll see.

You prepare these ahead of time, put them in the freezer, and then when you are ready to use them, turn the Crock pot on and put it in! When you get home from work, you've got a whole meal ready! I only did 2 meals today. Like I said, this is a trial so I just did a little bit. I will probably use one of them this week and one next week. SIDE NOTE: I split the recipe in half since there are only 2 of us eating in this house.

Teriyaki Chicken: 
Medium – Large bag of carrots
Red Onion into Large Chunks 2 large cans pineapple (undrained)4 Garlic Cloves 4 Chicken Breasts 1 cup teriyaki sauce
Follow directions above, and split everything into two gallon freezer bags. shake it up, seal, label and put in the freezer. Instructions for Bag: Add 1/4 cup teriyaki sauce to crock pot, Cook on low 8 hours or high 4 hours. Serve over hot rice

Divine Chicken
6 chicken breasts
4 cups baby carrots
4 cups fresh broccoli (chopped)
2 onions
salt/pepper to taste
2 cartons of cream of chicken soup (add 1 each at cook time)
2 cup milk (add 1 each at cook time)

Split everything  into two containers. shake it up, seal, label and put in the freezer. Instructions for Container: Add 1 cream of chicken soup and 1 cup of milk, cook on low 8 hours or high 4 hours

I would love to hear if anyone else has tried this and their experiences! 

Sweet Notes and Hymns

Two of my most favorite things: Sweet little notes and hymns.

A couple of weeks ago I had probably one of the roughest weeks I have had in months. I won't go into all of it but by Friday, I was physically and mentally exhausted. It was just one of those weeks for the books! We all have them sometimes!

 It was Friday afternoon and I was saying goodbye to the crazy week! I was leaving work and getting into my car ready to just head home and chill for the night. The weekend was going to be hectic also so I was just preparing myself and praying as I walked to my car that I could relax for a minute! I slip into my car and see a sweet note from my husband. He will hate me but this is what it read ( oh and pardon the Pryor taught spelling:))

I wont leave you hanging either, this was the song playing:

My love for hymns goes way back. I really do like new music and its awesome but sometimes I think the words and images captured in some hymns have no match to some songs today. Call me traditional, whatever, but my husband knows me so well and knew exactly what I needed to hear that day. Hymns are really not the way he worships but I love that he supports me! Its so encouraging to have someone looking out for my spiritual being and reminding me that even on the worst of days/weeks, there is someone greater that I should look to and lean on. When my husband has no words to relieve my stress, there is someone greater that does:) Im so thankful!

Laundry Soap!

Pinterest has become my new addiction. I have found SO many things I want to try. So every once in awhile when I have time, I try it!
Here is one:
Homemade Laundry Soap

This makes about 168 loads for 10 bucks!!

You need: 
4 bars Fels Naptha soap
1 box Borax
1 box Arm&Hammar Washing Soda
1 container
*All of this stuff can be found at Walmart on the same aisle as the laundry soap!

First: Grate the soap with a cheese grater. This takes some work so feel free to make someone help!

Next: Put the grated soap into your container.
         Pour 6 cups of Borax into the container
         Pour 6 cups Arm&Hammar into the container

 
When it is all in the container, SHAKE it UP!

This makes about 168 loads for 10 bucks!

Just some notes: I did this with a friend so we split it in half. We will each have about 85 loads for 5 bucks each! This soap doesn't have a scent but you can either get the scent from fabric softener or there is power scent stuff you can buy to add it in if you really want it. Also, it does not suds as much as a normal laundry soap, but it still does the job!

Family

For some reason or another it it always late at night that I feel like I should write a blog. This particular night, I can't sleep with all of this on my mind. I had to get it out. I don't even know where to begin.


Family:
The most basic definition(s) follows: a group of persons closely related by blood, as parents,children, uncles, aunts, and cousins:  all those persons considered as descendants of a common progenitor.


I have really been struggling with this for a few days. Family is so important to me. These are the people that have your back. These are the people that support you. These are the people that are there FOREVER. Friends really do come and go throughout our lives. Family is CONSTANT. We are blood-related. We can never get away from that no matter how hard we try. This means something to me. I cant get away from it.

Growing up, I remember my extended family being close. We talked, we shared, we cared. As the years have gone on something has changed. I don't really know the change, but I just know that I don't like it. I suppose this is natural and at some point, every family probably experiences it. It's a separation. Time and distance are much to blame. Our busy lives are much to blame. Petty disagreements are much to blame. It's not one single reason. It's not one single person. Over the past few years this has especially bothered me because I see it getting worse with time. I dont have the answer and I dont know how it can change or be made better. We are all so different and   I think the only thing we can do is embrace that and accept it. We are all so unique and that what makes this family so special. Just embracing each other and our different paths would make a world of difference. I hope that you feel the same way. One of my biggest fears as of now, is that it will take some type of tragedy to help this. I REALLY hope not. I REALLY hope that even if it starts with me, that something can swing this separation the other way.  

I know that some of my family is reading this and I want them to. That was the intent of this. Not to make anyone mad at all or stir some drama, but just to bring it to the table. Just so someone knows that I want us to be closer. Just so someone knows that we are here to support each other. We may be far away, but we are family and we are never too far away to have contact. Feel free to leave me your thoughts:) I would honestly love to hear them!

Karen

A Dog's Life

Taz went to the groomer today. I think he likes this place. He comes home and sleeps the rest of the day. Lazy dog. Next time I will do a before an after shot of going to the groomer and coming back. I always laugh hysterically when he comes home. He looks like a totally different dog. He looks handsomely wimpy. His hair does a lot for him. It really does! Poor thing, it will grow back.

That was fun! Anything else!?

                                   This all happens in a matter of ten minutes of being home!

Oh bummer Im back home. Time for a nap!

23.

I know, I know, no need to say it. I havent blogged in too long. I keep telling myself I will get better at this, but I never feel like I have anything "interesting" to talk about. I dont have babies, I don't cook magically, and Im flat out busy. I just go to school and work, how "interesting" is that?! IDK, but it's interesting to look back at a later date, and as everyone says, "you're gonna miss this."

Well I'm a few days late, but birthday number 23 has come and gone. How do I feel about 23 you ask? Well I really think its no different than the rest. It's not a milestone birthday, just another year older. I did have a fun birthday weekend though! Started out on Thursday, my actual birthday, with a few morning texts and calls. Went to work, a sweet friend bought me lunch and I enjoyed it while my babies were napping:)
Later, one of my parents brought me a balloon and gift basket full of goodies! Its SO nice when parents go above and beyond to appreciate their child's teachers!

Went to class and later came home to my sweet husband. He had Chinese food and flowers:) Thats all I needed, a nice day! My parents came in this weekend and we celebrated with a birthday dinner and cake.

My birthday dinner of choice: Lasagna! Some of you should have guessed it.... my best friend growing up, her mom could make the best homemade lasagna and perhaps that's why its one of my favorite foods now:)

And my birthday present (thanks to all who contributed): I'm redoing our master bedroom:) Which side will I choose? I have no idea yet, but Im anxiously waiting this project!

It was a super 23rd birthday!

CD's from Mom

Since I moved away from home almost 5 years ago, my mom often sends me little things in the mail.
My mom is amazing at finding random songs. Sometimes I will call and say 'hey mom, theres this song that goes like this....what is it?" She usually knows it. I have no idea how. I can never ever remember titles of songs or who sings what.
Anyhow she will often send a cd of random songs that I have either requested or random ones that she has found. I sometimes get tired of listening to the radio so I will pull out a random CD and listen to every song that Mom has picked.
 Today I found this song on one of the many cd's she has given me. (Im not a fan of the video but its all I could find)

Somedays the "routine" of life is somewhat boring. Let's face it, it's true! For some reason though, I found myself reflecting on the words of this random song today. It's really a crazy life sometimes, but it's worth it. It's exciting even when it just doesn't seem that way. It's an adventure even when this routine girl would like to just stick to the routine. We don't always know where we are going, but would it be exciting if we always did!? Im not one that embraces change easily, so as I'm writing this I realize how much God has taught me to RELAX in recent days! Its much easier said than done.

 I choose to live in each moment, even when I would like to forget it. I will keep changing poopy pants at work everyday, even if I really don't want to.

Its a crazy life, but the happiness outweighs the sad. The good trumps the bad. My Jesus guides me through even the most routine, boring, and not so fun moments of my day. My Jesus makes this life so much more exciting.