Semi-Wordless Screams of Joy!

For our anniversary my husband got me an early gift last week.  We normally don't do gifts, but he knows I have wanted this for a long time, and we finally did it.  I got my Iphone!  My husband got one (through work) last week and I couldn't even make it a week before I needed mine.  I L-O-V-E it!  There are many things I like, but by far my favorite is how much nicer the camera is than what was on my blackberry.  Here are a few pics I have taken in the few short days I have had it. I used Instagram (which I am still learning to use) on all the photos.

A BEAUTIFUL day in Northern Virginia, spent at the Outlets.

 9/11 Exhibit at the Newseum

 View of the Capital from the Newseum Rooftop

Headlines from Newspapers on 9/12/01

 

 

Why Time Away From Our Kids is Important.

Do I love my kids?  Of. Course.

Do I enjoy spending time with my kids?  Almost Every Minute.

Do I occasionally need a break from my kids?  Absolutely.

Last week my kids went off to their Grandparents house for four days.  I have never been separated from them for that long.  I missed them like crazy, and I wondered how and what they were doing, but I also got a much needed break.  And now that they are home I feel really good, and so refreshed.

As a stay at home mom with a husband who has a very demanding career, I feel that time to myself is non-existent.  I luckily still get about an hour and a half or naptime each day, an occasional moms night out with my wonderful friends, and grocery shopping twice a month if I am lucky.  When my husband is out of town I am expected to be on 24/7.  Even when he is home week days are hectic and weekends go by too quickly.  At that pace one can get burnt out real quick.

 I take advantage of the time I can find.  When my husband is slow at work I go off to the outlets for an afternoon during the weekend, if we are on a trip to PA, I sneak off for some time to myself while my kids eat up the time with family, and any opportunity to sleep in or take a nap I take without question!

Now that we are back together the snuggles are so loving, and the playtime is no longer feeling mundane.  I am excited to read every book, put together yet another train track, or even pull out the play dough.

 

Menu Plan Monday and Chicken Recipe

I love cooking for my family, I really do, but it was so nice to have a break from the prepping, making, and cleaning up.  My kiddos were on "vacation" all last week, and Matt and I ate out most of the time.  I was able to plan out the next two weeks in a completely quiet room with no distractions, go shopping with no rush or time limit, and put away/prep foods by myself (although I did miss my little ones taking the bags up to the kitchen).  It was nice, but oddly quiet.  Anyway, we are all back together, so my life is back to revolving around meals!


Here is what things look like this week.

Monday- Chicken Stuffed Shells with Broccoli

Tuesday- Homemade Stromboli with Pasta and Salad

Wednesday- Fajitas with Spanish Rice

Thursday- Chicken Cacciatore with Garlic Bread

Friday- (No Meat for Lent) Parmesan Crusted Talapia with Roasted Potatoes and Asparagus

Saturday- Our 5 Year Anniversary (but we already celebrated while the kids were away) so I am making a Roasted Chicken with Mashed Potatoes, Gravy and Green Beans

Sunday- Pork Chops, rice, and Peas

Last week I did manage to make at least 1 meal.....

Stuffing Coated Chicken Breasts

Ingredients

4 Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts

Pepperidge Farm Stuffing Cubes 

Provolone Cheese

White Wine (or just water)

Cream of Chicken Soup

3 Tablespoons of Melted Butter

 1. Spray a baking dish with cooking spray then place the chicken breasts in.

 2. Cover each piece of chicken with provolone cheese slices.

 3.  In a separate bowl mix 1 can of cream of chicken soup with 1/3 cup of white wine or water.

 4.  Pour that mixture over the Chicken.

 5.  Then top with the stuffing.  And pour melted butter over that.  Cover and bake 50 minutes in a 350* oven.  Uncover and bake 5-10 additional minutes.

 Enjoy!