K-town

Grandpa S with Edward and cousin Logan

Grandma S helping Edward down the stairs

I had a fantastic visit to my hometown of Kingman over the last week. Edward and I played outside with Grandma and Grandpa S all day long. I caught a little more sun than I hoped while Edward stayed protected under a few layers of sunscreen.

Edward and Logan

Sisters


Cash and Edward

We helped pull weeds, feed the horses, pet the dogs, and, of course, eat! The weekend before I was in a show "Sounds of Broadway". My parents drove the grueling 7 hours just to see it. For a surprise, they brought my amazing niece, Amanda.

sometimes...

Sometimes I just want to sleep all day.

Sometimes I listen to others problems and think... mine are worse.

Sometimes I am completely grateful for every blessing in my life without any cause or worry.

Sometimes I really miss my husband when he is at work.

Sometimes I wish Edward would take longer naps.

Sometimes I wish I could live with my parents and all my troubles would go away.

Sometimes I find it unfair to speak ill of your spouse to your children, no matter what the situation.

Sometimes I am completely and utterly jealous of everything and everyone.

Sometimes I just can't understand why some people struggle much more than others.

All the time...
I love my Savior, Jesus Christ, my family, my in-laws, and each of God's creations.

I hope I can one day appreciate the hardships we go through that will make us stronger. I am so happy to spend the week with my family in Kingman. I feel totally and completely blessed and spoiled.

See you soon ABQ.

ugh,

So many things are happening in my life right now and I can't seem to keep everything straight. I have been forgetting some important things, like my blog, for example. Edward and I have been taking many trips to the different parks around the Albuquerque area and visiting the zoo and aquarium regularly. We also took an unexpected trip to see the doctor. Turns out, our three weeks worth of sickness has turned into allergies. After spending $200 bucks on equipment, Edward, finally, slept through the night again. AH!
After missing so much sleep and days we could have been outside it finally feels good to be doing something. This week we are eating Mexican style food. Tostada's, deep fried bean burritos, and enchilada's. So don't worry, we are alive out here, just starting to finally feel like ourselves again.... maybe....

Grandma B and the Aquarium

We had a wonderful weekend with Susan. We are truly blessed to have grandparents who want to come and spend time with Edward. We took a trip to the aquarium where Edward could try out his new word "ish" or Fish. I think he misses grandma already. She would wake up early with him and play all day. She also left us with a weeks worth of food; therefore, I didn't have to make a menu for last week. I will; however, get back to my normal routine this week (hopefully).

Hope Everyone had a great Easter weekend!

Blessings

Why is it so easy to see blessings in others lives? Why is it so hard to see the blessings in my own life? Sometimes I find myself jealous over such small things that I spend my day thinking about it over and over and over and over.
I wish I lived by family. It is no secret that I truly love my entire family. I miss them. I miss being surrounded by people that I know love me and my little family. I am even jealous of the small spats they have with each other.
If you are blessed and live by family, please don't take it for granted. One day you may be asked to move away to a far off country called Albuquerque and live alone. Sounds exciting. Maybe it was fun for a while but now I really want to be back by family and enjoy the perks of a loving family just down the road.

Now to count my own blessings...
I have a wonderful husband who works hard each and everyday to support his family.
I am blessed to stay home with my beautiful son, Edward.
I have a few good friends in Albuquerque who care about me and invite me to be a part of their lives.
I am young, healthy, and strong.
I have the Gospel of Jesus Christ in my life that continually blesses me.

To have my family near would be an added bonus that I someday hope to be a part of again.
Happy Saturday!

Success!!

I started creating my menu in February to, hopefully, save some money. In January I spent $775.59 on groceries for the month. (WOW, right?) Well my venture has been successful. For the month of March I have spent $391.23!!! A savings of nearly $400 dollars!!

To all who do the grocery shopping in the family I would suggest planning your meals. This has been a huge time and money saver for our family. Feel free to take from my menu each week. I will be better about posting our meals.

Happy Saturday!

*side note: We do not go out to eat, so the money we were spending on food was strictly from the grocery store.

Partial Menu for the week

Does your house suddenly become uninhabitable when you learn the previous renter committed suicide? Just food for thought.

I have been incredibly sick this week so all regular routine items have been disregarded. Today is Friday. I know. I am behind. I usually write my menu Tuesday, then shop, then blog. To top it off, Edward is sick and getting his sixth tooth. Yeah!

Friday
Wild Wedges
2 eight inch flour tortillas
cooking spray
1/3 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/3 cup chopped and cooked chicken (or turkey)
1 green onion chopped
Salsa

Spray one side of tortilla place down on skillet. Top with cheese, chicken, green onions, and salsa. Place other tortilla on top. Spray with cooking spray. Cook both sides. Cut into 8 triangles. If you don't want the meat use beans instead.

Saturday
Bean and Pasta Soup (because we are sick)
1 cup uncooked pasta
2 celery ribs, thinly sliced
2 medium carrots, thinly sliced
1 onion, chopped
1 garlic cove, minced
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 cups water
1 can diced tomatoes
1-1/4 vegetable broth
1 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1 can (15 ounces) white kidney or cannelloni beans, rinsed and drained
2 cups shredded fresh spinach
1/4 Parmesan cheese

Cook pasta according to package. In large skillet saute celery, carrots, onion, and garlic in oil for 5 minutes. Stir in water, tomatoes, broth, basil, rosemary, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes. Drain Pasta; stir in vegetables mixture. Add beans. Heat through. Stir in spinach; cook until spinach is wilted. Sprinkle with cheese.

Sunday
Chicken and Shrimp Stir Fry

Chicken cooked and cut into strips
Shrimp cooked
Stir fry Vegetables in a bag
Stir fry sauce

Add together and saute. Yum!

Desert in your crock pot
Decadent Chocolate Delight
1 package chocolate cake mix
1 cup sour cream
1 cup chocolate chips
1 cup water
4 eggs
3/4 cup vegetable oil
1 package instant chocolate pudding mix

GREASE inside of crock pot!!! Combine all ingredients. Mix well. Cook on high for 3-4 hours.

Monday
Pizza and movie night

Tuesday
Southwest stuffed peppers
4 green bell peppers
1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 cup shredded pepper-jack cheese
3/4 cup salsa
1/2 cup frozen whole kernel corn
1/2 cup chopped green onions
1/3 cup uncooked long grain converted rice
1 teaspoon ground cumin
Sour cream

Cut thin slice off top of each pepper. Remove seeds. Combine beans, cheese, salsa, corn, onions, rice, chili powder and cumin in medium bowl. Spoon filling evenly into each pepper. Place peppers in crock-pot.
Cook on low for 4-6 hours. Serve with Sour cream!!

Happy Cooking!