Background noise

This past week has been one of the most fulfilling weeks I have had in quite a while. 

On tuesday morning my mom came up here to Columbia to spend the week with us! We had so much fun. 

My mom is the type of person who is there to help and take charge when you need her. She is faithful, honest (even if you don't want her to be,lol) kind, generous, compassionate and loves the Lord above all things. I love my mom so much.

This week she helped me out with the kids while I went to appointments. She took us all to party city and even though Jude's birthday isn't until August 2nd, she bought all of his party stuff so that it would be one less thing I had to stress over(Just because she is good like that!).

When Stephen and I moved to Columbia we got season tickets to Riverbanks zoo so we decided to make wednesday our zoo/movie day!

This is a pic of my mom and Jude on the train ride at the zoo

She also bought masks for the kids for before we took them to see Madagascar 3;-)

Oh and I didn't mention that my daddy was able to be here for evening and spend the night with us too. I Love this man dearly! He is a man of few words but when he speaks I listen. Even as a child he never said much but I knew when he spoke it was important. He is kind, quiet, and gentle, but strong, steadfast, and unwavering in the things he believes in.

Here is a picture of him and Ellie Kate

I hated to see everybody leave because as much as this only child enjoys quietness, there is something about background noise that makes my heart feel full! Which is why......When my friend Anna called last week and asked if I would keep her two boys yesterday, without hesitation I said ABSOLUTELY! I knew my mom was going to be leaving the day before and the quietness after that extra background noise is always the loudest! 

Whether its the sound of my mom or dad's voice; the sound of laughter, screaming kids, chit chat, whatever it may be- there's something about those sounds. The sound of feet running up and down the hall, the sound of the dishwasher running from all of the dishes, the sound of the washer and dryer constantly running because of all the laundry, All of this  background noise in my home is the sound of life and as much I love quiet nothing makes my heart feel more full than these sounds!

Here's a pic of the kids (oh add a set of twin girls to the mix! Grace and Zoe. Two sweethearts!!)

Part 2 coming soon!

Jalapeno popper grilled cheese and honey roasted almond fruit salad with lemon vinaigrette

This sandwich. This salad. The fruit.

This meal is the ABSOLUTE PERFECT combo of spicy sweet and if  your a fan of grilled cheese and spicy peppers. Have a bite of heaven.

I saw the recipe for this jalapeno grilled cheese sandwich on Closet Cooking and immediately went to the grocery store to purchase the ingredients in the recipe as well as a few ingredients of my own!


Ingredients for the sandwich

• 2 jalapeno peppers, cut in half lengthwise and seeded

• 2 slices sour dough bread(I used italian bread)

• 1 tablespoon butter, room temperature

• 2 tablespoons cream cheese, room temperature

• 1/2 cup jack and cheddar cheese, shredded(I used sargento medium cheddar cheese)

• 1 tablespoon tortilla chips, crumbled (I omitted)

Directions for the sandwich
1. Place the peppers on a baking sheet with the cut side facing down.
2. Place the baking sheet on the top shelf in the oven and broil until the outer layer of the skin has blackened(about 10 minutes)
3. Place the peppers in a zip-lock bag or other sealable container, seal and let them cool until you can handle them(about 15-20 min)
4. Remove the skins from the peppers. 
5. Butter the outside of each slice of bread and spread the cream cheese on the inside. Place sliced cheese on top of the cream cheese.
6. Heat a non'stick pan over medium heat.
7. Add the sandwich and grill until golden brown and the cheese has melted.


Ingredients for the honey almond fruit salad
1. Mixed green lettuce
2. Honey Dew melon
3. Strawberries
4. Mozzerella Cheese
5. Honey roasted almonds
6. Lemon
7. Balsamic Vinaigrette
8. 1 1/2 tablespoons of sugar


Directions for my lemon vinaigrette
I like to use an entire bottle of ken's balsamic vinaigrette and mix it with the juice from 1-1 1/2 squeezed lemons mix the ingredients in a bowl with 1 1/2 tbsp of sugar and chill until the salad is prepared.


Directions for Mixed fruit
Place the chopped watermelon, cantelope and honey dew in a mixing bowl sprinkle with sugar then serve.
Prepare your plate with the 'slap yo momma good' grilled cheese and honey roasted almond salad then garnish with a jalapeno pepper, a bowl of delicious fruit and enjoy!

Quick remedy for a stomach bug and ramblings of an exhausted mommy!

This is what my morning is looks like thus far.

I just wanted to share this remedy that has been passed down in my family for who knows how long. Coffee for Mommy, a thermometer, Emetrol and ginger ale for baby:(

I'm no stranger to late nights and cleaning up throw up messes. For the first two years of Ellie Kate's life; my early mornings, midday's, evenings and nights were spent cleaning up throw up messes and comforting my sick baby girl. (We didn't find out the cause of her stomach issues until she was 2+ years old she had celiac disease) Unfortunately this remedy didn't help with her Celiac disease but it was always a quick fix to a stomach bug!

I'm full of ramblings tonight because I need some time to wind down from the adrenaline rush of a sick kid. (I know all you Mom's out there know what I am talking about!) 

Blogging helps me do that so, I thought I'd also share my innermost thoughts of the moment with you....

It never fails, as i'm whispering "its ok" while rubbing their backs, getting them cleaned up and into some fresh p.j.'s, then tending to the awful job of leaning over that awful smell to clean up the aftermath, I am beyond humbled.

In my short 5 1/2 years of mothering, I have learned a big life lesson-

Being a parent is full of humbling moments. It's full of laughter, tears, frustration, and sometimes what feels like insanity

BUT

I would not trade the gift of mothering for any other thing on earth.

 Not only is it a gift, it is my full-time job. My career. My occupation. 

 I would not trade changing dirty diapers, cleaning up throw up messes, toy trucks, barbie dolls, bedtime stories or smiles that could light up a night sky for anything in the world!

Sure, There are times I'm so sleepy I could cry. 

There are times I'd like to take a vacation without a care in the world or put my make up on without a certain little someone dumping my powder on the floor or using my eye-liner for a pen...... 

However, I do not believe that there is anything- no amount of sleep, no vacation on earth or endless supply of material things that could ever come close to making me feel as full-filled as the love I have for my children and knowing that God has entrusted me with the responsibility of raising these two precious, sometimes naughty, needy, and way too energized kids.