A Few of My Favorite things....

I know Im not Oprah, and there are not millions of people who care.  But here are a few things that make my life sooooo much easier, and that I have grown to love!
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This is one of my new loves.  It literally does what it says, takes all the baked on cheese, grease, BBQ sauce whatever has been baked or fried on your pan, and gets rid of it.  I let it soak, and I dont even have to use a brush just rinse and put in dishwasher.  It is AMAZING!


There was a coupon kick that I was on that landed me with lots of bottles of this, and I am now hooked.  The smell is super mild, and it keeps my dry skin in the winter soooo soft.  Love Love Love


I love to read, I have the older version, but I love my kindle:)! Now our local library has downloadable books, so it is soooo great!


Yes, old trusty simple rice cooker with 2 settings.  Why cook rice any other way?? Also cook Jambalaya in here, it is easy and awesome. Lemme know if you want the recipe.


Ok, so for our wedding we got the 100 dollar super nice coffee maker.  It broke in like 3 months.  Now, I have this $15 one, and I love it.  I can program it and wake up to the smell of fresh brewed coffee. And the BEST part is, it hasnt broken yet!


I have kids and messes, enough said.


Work just as well as the Cascade, and a couple dollars cheaper.  Love them!


Thats enough for today, try some of these out, they will make your life easier:)!

Busy Busy Busy

Did I mention I am not addicted to Instagram (I know I am WAYYYY behind on this)

I have been so behind on blogging, since the last week has been crazy.


1. Hubby car in shop last week
2. Put on and spoke at a youth conference here at the church last weekend.
3. Sick baby who ended up with a ruptured ear drum -- while youth conference was going on
:)
Advent has been crazy, even though loving our nightly prayer around the wreath.  As both kids seem to be sick with a cough or something at night, I am beginning to feel a little bit like I have a newborn (even though I dont)
Christmas shopping has barely been started, and Christmas cards, well, havent even been thought about.  So sorry if you were checking your mailbox for a pic of our lovely clan, you will be waiting.....probably till next year, if I can get it together by then.  But on a positive note kids are on the upswing with their health, and I am beginning to get into the Christmas spirit.
PS I got an I phone, and I like it so much I feel guilty. I am loving taking pictures of my kids!
Heres an Advent Prayer, because I def need today!!

Come, long-expected Jesus. Excite in me a wonder at the wisdom and power of Your Father and ours. Receive my prayer as part of my service of the Lord who enlists me in God's own work for justice. 

Come, long-expected Jesus. Excite in me a hunger for peace: peace in the world, peace in my home, peace in myself. 

Come, long-expected Jesus. Excite in me a joy responsive to the Father's joy. I seek His will so I can serve with gladness, singing and love. 

Come, long-expected Jesus. Excite in me the joy and love and peace it is right to bring to the manger of my Lord. Raise in me, too, sober reverence for the God who acted there, hearty gratitude for the lifebegun there, and spirited resolution to serve the Father and Son. 

I pray in the name of Jesus Christ, whose advent I hail. Amen.


FEAST OF IMMACULATE CONCEPTION TOMORROW!! 

Morning Date

My friend Mandi and I went to the zoo today with our kiddos, minus one for each of us.  It was so nice to have some adult convo while the kids played and ran, or strolled in my case.  I loved talking about our family, husbands, kids, and our struggles as moms and as daughters of Christ.  It reminded me as Mandi was sharing with me her daily prayer routine, that I might be able to find a litttttle more time for prayers, novenas, mass and Rosary. 

Yesterday, a priest told me during confession that as mothers, we are the root of our home.....great, a huge ugly white thing, even tho at the present momento i feel like that.  haha....what he mean't isss that my moods, reactions, prayer life, service.....everything I do at home or away from home affects my family directly and I keep us rooted in Christ.  I can bring peace or I can bring negativity and conflict.  Its my choice.  My selfish choices always affect 3 other people at least.  

So this is my new task, to remember I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me! 

Also, our 1st school picture.  He is such a ham and I am the proud mama with a key chain picture.  I even like to show people at the check out how cute my little boy is, while they are smiling at baby Gianna.....so anyway, yes I am one of those mommies:)!

And my sweet baby girl, who never cries, sleeps through the night, and is just a joy all the time. 

Professional Rationalizer

Ok, so here is the top three things I rationalize to make my behavior acceptable.  I know, kinda sad, but admitting you have a problem is the first step to recovery Right?????

1. Cook dinner or pick up something?  Liz train of thought.....hmmm well cooking something would be more economical and healthy and better nutrition for my kids.  BUT BUT BUT they probably wouldn't eat it anyway, and they Love chicken nuggets.  And I wouldn't have to clean the kitchen? And they could eat in the car on the way home!  SOLD

2. Folding Laundry -- I am just going to wait until all of the laundry is washed and dried before I sit down and fold.  See this would be great, if the actual every bit of laundry being clean ever happened in my house.  But it doesn't.

3.  Nagging my husband -- It is my responsibility to help get him to heaven.  Who else is going to tell him if he is not doing things to my specifications.  NAG NAG NAG -- see I am just helping him out, since I know whats best for him.  

Ok, so don't judge.  Rationalization happens hourly in my case.  For those of you who are self controlled and able to temper your mind to only do what is best all the time, I need a lesson, please!!! 

Also, for your viewing pleasure:  PREK POW-WOW

1 little 2 little 3 little Indian

Professional music world.....watch out!

Mommy please stop taking pictures of me

tee pee!

Wasnt i just pregnant??

G is 5 months old today and I can't believe it!  It seems like just yesterday I was pregnant with her, and yet I cant remember my life without the little happy bundle of joy.  She is my little chunky girl, and likes to eat her solid food and nurse.....it seems like 10101010 times a day.  She has slept through the night since about a week old, and now going through a little growth spurt has decided to start eating about 2 am........WHAT?!?! I know, I have no room to complain, but really?  I am not used to waking up at 2 am unless its for JG who is crying because he wet the bed.  Maybe if i add another jar of baby food before going to sleep at night she would sleep all the way through again, or would I be turned into worst mother of the year for gluttoning my child.  Anyway, she has been a complete angel and joy to our family, and unlike her big brother (who had to be held CONSTANTLY and slept in our bed until G was born) can play and entertain herself for minutes at a time.  Small increments to be able to go to the bathroom without a baby in your arms is definitely a win in the life of a mother.  Now that JG is potty trained he likes "trivacy" when he goes to the bathroom too, so he just knocks on the door now instead of barging in.  Peeing in peace is a wonderful thing!

For those of you that know me well, you know that nursing is not my favorite thing in the world.  I know I am blessed to be able to feed my baby, and should enjoy it like everyone else I know, but I just dont.  It is hard for me, and so this 5 month milestone also begins the 7 month countdown to having my body back.  JG nursed for 1 year 3 days (the 3 days was just once at night).  For those moms who marathon nurse, I commend you, for I do not know how you do it.

So St. Gianna, Patron Saint of our bunny as her daddy calls her, pray for us!