Break the Silence

Every 9 seconds in the US a woman is assaulted or beaten.

If you, or someone you know is being abused.  Please get help.  It is not your fault. You and your children do not "deserve" this.  Break the silence, before it is too late.

To find help in your area, please visit:  http://www.thehotline.org/
or call 1.800.799.SAFE






In memory of Traci Raymond
http://www.giveforward.com/fundraiser/0552

Ode to a Crockpot

I love my crock pot!  A crock pot is a busy mom's best friend!  The crock pot forces me to plan out dinner.  I can think about it and start chopping my vegetables the night before, or early in the morning after my son gets on the bus.  I love the simplicity of it - throw everything in one pot and your done.  This has give me so much more free time in the afternoon to help with homework, play with the kids and I actually manged to have a phone conversation yesterday! 

This week is Crock pot Week in our house!  I am on day three of using it for dinner, making a different recipe each day:

Monday was Vegetable Soup, I served this with biscuits
Tuesday was Sausage and Peppers, I served this with a side dishes of pasta and broccoli
Wednesday is Turkey Meatloaf

This is my first time making a meatloaf in the crock pot.  I will be sure to let you know how it comes out!  I reviewed several recipes on the Internet and modified it with my own famous meatloaf recipe!

First I sprayed the crock pot with non stick cooking spray.  At the bottom I layered my vegetables: baby carrots, sliced onions and sliced potatoes.  I formed my meatloaf, put it on top of the veggies and I was done.  One hour on high, 5 hours on low.  By the time 6 o'clock rolls around I will have a complete meal.  I will chop up some fruit for the kids, maybe make a small salad and dinner is served!

Please share your favorite crock pot recipes!  I am always on the look out for new ones to try.

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!

My AHA Moment

I had one of those "Aha moments" today.  You know, the ones that Oprah is always talking about.  The ones when a light goes on in your head and things seem to click and fall into place.

I was sitting in the waiting room at the Ballet Studio.  My oldest daughter (6 yrs) was happily tap dancing away in one room, and my youngest daughter (4 yrs my baby b) was happy in her ballet class.  I was sitting there, just me.  The boys were home with their dad.  Just me, my new iPhone, my kindle and a cup of coffee.  But, I was not alone in the room - I was sitting in the middle of utter chaos.  Saturday morning is not our "normal" time, so these were not "my people" in the waiting room, we were there for some make-up classes.  The studio had three classes going on at the same time.  Three classes full of little girls - girls that couldn't find their ballet slippers, girls that needed to go potty, girls that wanted to wear a tutu.  Once the girls went in, that left a waiting room full of parents and the girls' younger brothers and sisters.  A waiting room of toddlers, crying toddlers, toddlers that attempted more than once to take my iPhone with their sticky hands.  It brought back memories of when I was at the ballet studio and my oldest was three and I had my twins in the double stroller.  Trying to keep the twins entertained with bottles and cheerios. Trying to keep my five year old entertained with promises of stopping by the pizza place after his sister was finished.   This was back "in the day" before my iPhone and tablet!  Memories of watching the clock and 45 minutes felt like two hours and could not go by fast enough. Then I realized, I am done with that.  No more bottles, no more running up and down the hallways chasing babies.  No more crying "I want to leave, NOW!" (me and the kids would say that!).  I can now go and sit and drink my coffee and watch my girls.

I made it.  My twins turned four last month and I did it.  Now, I know that I did not do it alone.  I am very Blessed to have a hands on husband (most days - smile!) and a very wonderful support system of family members, friends and neighbors.  But we did it.  Our babies are four, our oldest is eight and our middle daughter is six.  They are wonderful, healthy, happy, curious kids. 

Winter 2013 Issue of Multiplicity Magazine is Here!

The Winter Issue of Multiplicity Magazine came out today.  This issue marks the one year anniversary of the magazine!  I am so proud to say that I have been apart of this magazine since the beginning.  Please be sure to check out my most recent article on page 24 Kitchen Comforts.  Please make and enjoy the receipes I share with your family.  As always, please leave some feedback to let me know what you think!



View the Issue Here!

 

Christmas Greetings

 

 

Wishing you and yours a Blessed Christmas

and

Best Wishes for a wonderful New Year!

 

 

 

 

 

Playdates from HELL!

Folks, I need some help!

The last few playdates my 6 year old daughter has had have been quite hellish.  Now, I do not like to use that word, especially with children!  But, we clearly have some issues.  We always talk about the playdate in advance, plan snack or lunch and some activities to do. Her input is valued and she knows it.  We also talk about some toys that she might not want to share (American Girl Doll) and put those away.   I also try to schedule the playdates when the twins are at school so it is just her and her friend at the house.

She is going through a phase that my son did not go through.  She is bossy, she doesn't share.  She is mean to her friends. She is bratty.  I do not know where this creature is coming from!  We all schedule playdates to keep our kids occupied so we can get stuff done.  This has been backfiring on me with children coming in every 2 minutes complaining about something.  I am a big fan of working it out amongst yourself, but that just isn't working!  This morning I have spent more time as a referee then getting things done.

Any suggestions?  Eliminate playdates all together?


(Now I know with everything going on this may seem trivial.  I am so Blessed to have my children. But any suggestions would be appreciated!)

Honoring Noah Pozner

Noah Pozner was the youngest victim in Friday's massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary.  Little Noah was six years old and a twin.  His twin sister was there that day in the school, in another classroom.

As a mom of boy/girl twins and a 6 year old, Noah's story especially pulls at my heart.  A twin group that I a part of is raising money to honour this sweet boy with a tree in Central Park, NY.

Please consider making a donation.  Every little bit helps. 

May God be with and Bless the families of Newton, Connecticut.

To make a donation for Noah's Tree, please visit:

http://fundly.com/honor-noah-pozner