Christmas Songs

Memories are a big thing and Christmas songs really help those memories. I know for myself that one of my fondest memories is when my mom used to make us each sing a Christmas carol before we got to open presents. She always started with "What Child is this". I miss my mothers singing. She passed away 6 years ago and every Christmas is still hard without her. It always turned into a weird little battle though. My mom would sing beautifully, I would then sing something quick and then my sister would sing a song that changed the words to be a bad song ha! My dad would laugh, my mom would get upset and then we would open presents. Every year we did it. Every year the same thing happened. Looking back at that even with all the groaning from us girls....it was a great Holiday Tradition. If you are looking for a great tradition I suggest you sing one of the Top 10 Classic Songs with your family. Doesn't matter if you are a great singer or a horrible one. Just have fun with it!

Top Ten Classic Songs:
1. Do you hear what I hear? Bing Crosby
2. Have yourself a Merry little Christmas. Frank Sinatra
3. A Holy Jolly Christmas. Burl Ives
4. Its the Most Wonderful Time of the Year. Andy Williams
5. Jingle Bells. Roy Rogers
6. O Holy Night. Nat King Cole
7. Rockin Around the Christmas Tree. Brenda Lee
8. Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer. Bing Crosby
9. Santa Baby. Eartha Kitt
10. White Christmas. The Drifters

Check one or ten out! Its going to help bring some Christmas Cheer and even some great Memories.

I hope that you have great Memories this year no matter how you celebrate. As my mother used to say you can always Live, Laugh and Love~!

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It's that time of year

Every other year is a shocking Christmas for us. Being a blended family every other year at Christmas time we do not have kids. They are at their other parents house. Why do I say shocking? Well gee hmmm oh yeah....when you have four teenagers and a bustling house and they leave it's well...QUIET!11

Every time the kids are at their other parents house for Christmas we generally go somewhere too. I don't particularly love being at home on Christmas Day without the kids. I do however like having a bit of a break and some romantic time with hubby. Usually we go to Cabo but like most of you who read know that is not happening. So we are going to do things that are romantic to us. Plus we will go out for a couple days. We got a groupon ( yes I am cheap ) to a spa suite at a casino. Then we got tickets to a comedy club ( again a groupon ha). Okay don't laugh but the reason I picked this place besides it's a spa suite...is because it has an oyster bar. I have always wanted to go to an oyster bar. I have had oysters in my life but I think it would be neat and kind of sexy to go to one. So yep....oysters it will be.

Plus I am starting a business that you will all see soon enough. I am crazy excited about it! I am still waiting for some of the materials to come in. I am homemaking them even! I will give you a little hint. It smells great and I think all woman need it daily! You will have to wait and see but I am over the moon excited! I should of really started it before Christmas to get more sales but I just have t had the time to get it going. Once it's all set up it won't be an issue at all however.

It's that time of year I think when everyone is busy but wants to do crafty things. I know when the kids are gone I am going to be working on my projects while ryan works. On our off time though we are running away to have some romantic fun together. It's our time of year that really gets us refreshed for the new year. I think everyone needs that time. Even if it's a day without kids to spend me time or romantic time with your significant other.

Don't get me wrong even though I look forward to some time....I hate it when my kids are gone. Even though I know they will have fun at their other parents house it just doesn't feel Christmasy without them.

We are going to have to make sure we have holiday cheer before they leave of course and again when they come back. I think it may be weird too bec two kids go one way to their dads and two kids go another way to their moms. Must be weird to not have each other too bec the four kids are so close. We have to be so thankful that we are blessed that they get along so well. It's Funny because when I ask them who their favorite sibling is. Each one of them doesn't answer their biological sibling. Kind of cracks me up.

It's only December 9th and I am looking forward to Andy yet not looking forward to Christmas. Any one else ever feel this way?

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Adulting

Adulting.....Man, Adulting is hard. When I was younger I used to want to be an adult so bad. I thought my life would be amazing and I would be able to spend what I wanted and do what I wanted. Boy was I wrong. Its interesting now that I have two 18 year olds how their mentality has changed because they think they are a bonified adult.

I remember the first time I bought a real fridge that had an ice maker and extra drawer. I for sure felt like I was some kind of adult. Then when we had a half of cow worth of meat in our freezer I felt like an adult. These were exciting times for sure. The first time I got a REAL purse that was brand named or the first time we bought a car without payments. Man I felt like an adult. These were times that made me proud to be an adult.

Then came the first time we bought our own land and our own house. That actually was this year. The problem however is the land and the house aren't in the same area. We have to move the house onto our new land. There is so much that goes into doing that. Getting a well drilled, septic, water lines, electricity, building a road etc etc etc. I was so excited about getting a home that was ours. NOW THAT made me feel like an adult.

Then there is today when being an adult means doing things you don't want to do because you have to get things done and want less stress. Today we decided to cancel our trip to Cabo for Christmas so we could save money and get things done for our house. This is the kind of adulting I don't like. You know the kind where you don't just run off because you know you will have the time of your life but rather you do the right thing and stay at home. Boring. That what its like to be an adult though sometimes...boring!

I am proud of the decision we made don't get me wrong because in the end this will work out much better. I will be happier in the long run when we are in our own home that we can do what we want to it. So tis the season....I am going to start decorating in my head and know that adulting isn't always about the now but about the future. Money doesn't grow on trees so you have to make sacrifices to better your family. At least I know our kids will be at their other parents house having fun. I will have alone time with my husband and we will just have to have a different type of Christmas this year.

I would love to hear what made you feel like you were adulting? Also have you ever given up something fun to better your future? Would love to hear about it.

College already? She is just a Senior!

I am seriously freaking out. Wouldn't you? Ok, as most of you know I have four teenagers. Jackson graduated last year but we didn't do applications for school or scholarships as he is going in the US Army. I love the fact he is going to serve our country and get a great job Welding. I mean heck they give you every certificate so when he decides to leave the Military he will have a great paying job. I am so proud of him!!

Next is Cassie. She wants to go to a UC school. She also wants to be a Nurse. Its amazing how much UC Davis or UC Irvine or UCLA is! I mean MAN!!!! Its crazy!!!!

Cassie thankfully has the grades to get into those schools. She has a 4.14 GPA. Today we literally spent hours upon hours doing the application to the UC schools. It amazes me that she is a Senior ....Its ONLY almost OCTOBER and we are having to turn in all applications by Nov. 1st! How are parents suppose to know this stuff? I am so glad today we decided to sit down and start looking for scholarships for whatever nursing program she decides to go into. She would like to get a Bachelor in Sciences for Nursing.

I actually pulled my other two boys into the kitchen today to talk to them about what Colleges are asking for. Its not JUST GPA but also extracurricular activities, Awards, Jobs, Volunteering for your community, and much much more. Seriously you have to be an all around child to get into College these days. It was cute to see the boys talking about what they have already been doing and what they were going to add just to be able to get into college in a couple years.

This year Cassie graduates, next year is Joshua and the year after that is Jason. I swear by the time Jason graduates I will be totally a pro at this! You need a scholarship! Bam here is one! You want to get into what college? Oh I know the deadline! Bam! :) I cant help but to laugh at myself.

I feel like everyone can get into some sort of College or University. There are so many programs to help pay. Even Scholarships! Did you know we filled out a scholarship because Cassie's Great Great Grandfather was in WW1 for more than 4 months. YES THEY EVEN HAVE A SCHOLARSHIP FOR THAT! Crazy huh!

I am thankful I have good kids. We are lucky this year with Cassie since she does always have straight A's. She also has played sports (Volleyball, Basketball and Softball). She has been on ASB and also Class President and Leadership. She has worked during the summers and all our kids have always volunteered in our community. Makes me feel good like we are doing a semi good job. All our kids have always gotten good to great grades, sports, working and volunteering. Oh and lets not forget they do have plenty of time to be crazy teenagers too (and even sleep in). Totally off the subject but I probably am the only mom in Big Valley that has a 930 bedtime for my kids. Ten o'clock if your a Senior. I think with all the stuff the kids do they need to have good sleep!

Anyways, I am excited and yet a little nervous about the up and coming months to get this all done. I hope that Cassie and I are organized enough to get everything done in a timely fashion. You should see how many things are on my calendar now just for deadlines. Man! Deadlines! Yikes!

Its kind of fun though because you are spending time with your child. Each year I will have that time with each of my boys too. By the time Jason Graduates I am going to be a pro~!

Pray for us so we get into the right schools for what she wants to accomplish in life. If you know of any Scholarships opportunities please make sure to write to me in the comments! We could always use the help!

Tuesday will be the ending of the Gift Certificate to Starbucks Entries. So make sure to comment to get more tries for yourself. Sorry I didn't blog for two days but I had migraines! Hate those!

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Organize my Life

I need someone to come organize my life. Oh and for free ha! This morning I was up and out the door by 6am. Had to meet the Cargo Container guy in town and take him to our new land. Of course I had to grab a coffee first at our only gas station in town. She laughed at me when asked how many shots I wanted. I said 22 please :) She decided for my health and the fact we are friends that maybe 3 was good. All I have to say is the world is lucky I managed to put on eyeliner and mascara:)

The kids were having big days too. Picture day, Field trip to a College, Cake Sale (for which I made the creepiest cupcakes), a Junior Feed at the Volleyball Game and Football Practice.

I need someone to come organize my time and my life. I am falling behind. Do you guys feel like your ever falling behind? I met with my contracting friend Christine at 8 and we started working on permits for our house, construction and the land. Did I say her mind works better in the morning than mine. Went to our new land. We bought 20 acres in town. All I can say is I will be sooooooooooo excited when I don't live on a 15 mile dirt road. I am not even sure what color my new car is. Come to think of it. Not sure what any of the colors of the cars or trucks are. Dirt! Is that a color? It should be!

It was a nice day to walk the whole plot and measure every last inch of where things had to be and where they are going. Thank goodness for Christines contracting mind~! Love her! It helps she is my friend too so its not boring while we are doing everything. After hours of paperwork, walking, her drawing plot plans I was off to go back to my house. The kids actually beat me home for once.

As soon as I walked in the door the questions started:) Love that about my kids. Also that they want to tell you about their day and what have been going on. Some days they really can be a breath of fresh air.

I got a lot done today but I need someone to come and organize my life. I have more paperwork to do and organizing it to go and turn it in tomorrow. All I can see right now is that I need to do another load of laundry and have to water my plants and lawn first. How do you guys do it all if you have had a long day? Do you let some things go? Or just get it done because its not going to do it itself? I personally am just gonna do it anyways.

All I know is 22 shots of espresso would be great right now:) I am super excited about our land and house though. Now we just have to get it so the house is on the land. Its going to be a big process but once its done I am going to sit on my porch and drink as many coffees as I want. Oh and sleep in:)

Remember to comment. We have a contest going on for a drawing for Starbucks Gift Card.

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Who loves Coffee??? Who loves FREE Coffee even more???? Well you have a fabulous chance to WIN a $25 Starbucks Coffee Card! MMMMMMM!!!! Caramel Macchiato is my personal favorite!!!! This is how you can win! In one week from today I will be looking at who has been commenting on my Blogs and put them into a Raffle. Winner gets $25 Gift Card. The more you read, the more you can comment and the more chances you will have. Make sure to Subscribe to this blog by Email, Google+ or Bloglovin so you don’t miss out on chances to comment. PS one day in this next week I will be asking a Question and if you answer it you will be entered double! So lets get to it!!!! J

BAD MOMS (no spoiler)

I have been wanting to see this movie forever. A bunch of us planned on seeing it at our own screening but that feel through because well....we are moms and everyone is busy. I did end up seeing it thought two days in a row. Yes...I saw it twice. I laughed just as much the second time as I did the first!!

The first day I went with my friend Christy, MIL and she invited some fun friends as well. We went to Mexican and then the movie. It was GREAT! Laughed so hard I thought I might pee myself.

The second day I finally talked my friend Megan into going. Cassie and I went and picked her up and away we went. It was interesting because the first time I saw it I was not going to take Cassie but then I realized I have to let go a little because in a month she is 18. She probably hears worse at school. Actually I know she does.

I laughed just as much the second time as I did the first!

Now lets get to the nitty gritty of this blog!!

I loved this movie because it really showed that no mom is perfect. NO MOM!! That everyone has dirt on them in some way or another. It also shows how much us moms care about our kids and try to do our best. Not the "best" of someone else's standards but to OUR best! It shows you no matter what your kid is doing, even when they drive you crazy... that we still love them very much! It even showed that realisticly  we should be not judging others. We don't know what's going on in their lives.

Now this may not be a God movie and maybe a lot of Christians wouldn't go to this movie (or maybe they would....I am not judging) but it really showed me some similarities.

Who knows I will probably be judged for writing this but just know that we all have different views on things. I took some of what I saw and laughed at it because I could relate to it in the movie and thought about it in the Christian sense too.

Treat others as you would want to be treated. Lets try and stop judging. I know I do it too and I am always working on it. Does it matter if you bring donut holes to a bake sale or you spent hours making cupcakes yourself? As long as the money is going to your kids right? I am not saying that those beautiful cupcakes didn't take you a long time and that you aren't awesome for it but the person who is working a lot and maybe who doesn't have time to make cupcakes instead  grabs the donut holes is just as amazing.

Lets stop judging. I mean seriously none of us like to be judged. We all know how it feels to be judged in life. None of us has escaped judgment I assure you.

Being Vulnerable and Real and Raw is okay! Personally I love my friends who can tell me their real stuff. It makes me feel more normal. I feel more connected to them. I even feel like I have a deeper friendship because they are willing to share with me their REALNESS and RAWNESS. If you aren't that way though....I get that too. Not gonna judge!

We all love our children. We all do it in different ways too. If you think about it though and look at all your friends whom you love dearly and who love you dearly......they ALL came from different backgrounds and were raised differently. That's what makes us unique. We love our children we just love them in different ways. Even if its the ones who loves them enough to give them up so they can be loved by someone else even more so.

I really loved the message in this movie. To be honest I loved that I could laugh at situations too. I saw myself in so many of them. In the end though....we are all bad moms. In the sense of NON of us are perfect. Its just not going to ever happen. I know I will keep trying my best but that's all I can ever do is MY best.

Hope I don't get judged just by this blog:)

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Morning Brain Fog

Have you ever woken up and still felt like you were asleep? Yep...that's how I feel. I have gotten dressed, put on make up (ok so I only wear eyeliner and mascara but its still something) and made a cup of tea and I still feel like I am sleeping. My hair is a mess still as you can see because doing it seems like too much work right now.

Lets be honest...how many days would you just like to have nothing to do in the morning? I woke up at 615 with the kids and by 7 I was thinking what would another hour of sleep hurt. So I slept another hour. Now I am up and feel like walking around not really accomplishing much.

This blog really isn't about anything in particular just my thoughts of this morning. You know after I just folded the kids laundry this morning I was thinking...Why is it they give it to me right before bed? Do your kids do that too? Usually they do their own laundry but lately I just have been doing it for them so I don't have to wait on the washer for my own clothes. Seriously....Do your kids give you laundry right before their  bedtime and tell you that they need a clean this or that the next morning? I seriously was thinking of going to bed when they did but NOOOO I had to stay up till it was done so I could put it into the dryer ha!

I guess I am trying to figure out if this or that is normal to other people. Like for me every morning whatever has been bothering me maybe that week is the first thought on my mind. WHAT THE HECK! Like I want to wake up to something that has been on my mind enough. I automatically say NO. And yes I say it out loud. Then lets be real I go to use the restroom and check my facebook. Oh don't think of me as a weirdo I bet you do too. Well unless you have a huge computer then maybe only half of you do:) After washing my hands....yes I wash my hands at my house too...I start reading a devotion or two or three. I think reading my Bible App really helps to ground me in the morning. If I don't read it somehow I feel like my day isn't just right.

So here I am sitting here now thinking of all the stuff I have to do today. Thankfully it may be chores but its fun stuff because its about getting our new land and house put together. Yep! I feel like an adult! Maybe I should get to it since for the last couple minutes in between sips of tea (didn't feel like coffee this morning) I am looking at an empty kitchen since I have been packing, a huge bag of carrots my husband ALWAYS buys and forgets to give to the horses, and two basketfuls of laundry that my kids can take up themselves when they get home.

So what was this blog about today. Well kind of nothing. I guess I just wanted to be real and talk with you guys over a cup of tea or coffee. I often wonder who actually reads these? If you do and dare to show yourself leave a comment. It would be great to say hi! Oh and I am sorry I write like how I talk. Okay actually maybe I am not sorry since I don't have to worry about punctuation which is nice.

I am starting to slowly come out of my morning fog. Maybe I should actually do my hair for the day and get a going. Just wanted to say hi to anyone to reads this and hopefully I will get a hi back!

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Paper Plate kind of Day

Today has been a paper plate kind of day. That is literally one step higher than a Pizza night for me:) MIL and I have been busy today with packing, permits for construction, etc etc.

It was a good day. Actually I got to spend it mainly with my MIL (Mother in Law). Love spending time with her because well...its easy. We talk, laugh and sometimes just drive without talking. That last part usually doesn't happen that often just because well...I am a talker! She probably sits there and listens more than talk ha!

We had a lot of errands to run today. Some of the stuff was 50 minutes away just because of where we are. We ran into one of our friends though which was neat and had a moment to chat with her. HELEN WE LOVE YOU! Its nice when everyone has a busy life but you make time to see each other when you bump into each other. Not just a friendly hi but more of a hey sit down lets talk kind of hi! Love that about where we live.

We are moving furniture and packing to get ready for our move to our new house. First land and house we have ever bought that we actually own. Makes me feel like an adult. I mean I thought I was so cool when I bought an expensive fridge but this really made me an adult. Come to think of it lots of things make me feel like an adult. I know...I am weird but seriously! When we got the fridge I felt like an adult. When we bought a half of cow to put in the freezer I felt like an adult. When Jackson graduated High School this last year I felt like an adult. I guess at 40 I have to just figure that I am adult. Not that I want to be all the time.

Anyways its a paper plate kind of day. MIL and I stopped at Landis which is this little nursery that also sells fruits and veggies. I said looky here this would be our dinner. And it is. Man I love grilling. Its easy, less of a mess, less dishes (especially when its a paper plate day!!!!) and well it just tastes so good!

I am stopping this blog at this very moment because my daughter just walked in and said what are we having for dinner? Seriously she just walk right past the plates of food that are sitting there. Please....someone tell me that my Senior in High School that is actually a straight A student is smarter than that! HA!

Man I love my kids! Well I guess I should go eat but I have been waiting for MIL and the boys to come in. Maybe its not just a paper plate night but it might be a movie night. I am thinking Jungle Book sounds good. Homework is already done so YEAH! Maybe we can relax for one night.

I hope that you all are having a paper plate kind of night. Sometimes its awesome. Heck all the time its awesome! Have a great night! Remember to subscribe to get daily blogs in your email.

My True Weight

Okay, I am about to talk about that ONE subject that is so hard to talk about. My struggles with losing weight.....and my successes too!

I feel like I am a pretty normal person. I mean I have good days and bad days. I like to eat yummy foods but I don't particularly overeat. Actually my husband says I don't eat enough. I think that is because he is the cookie monster and I never eat cookies ha! Damn him though because he is skinny ha!!!

Most of you who read my blog know that I had Cushings. Its a disease that makes you gain weight even if you are eating 500 calories a day and all fruits. I even tried dieting but I would get oh maybe 5 pounds loss and it would never budge from there. I was SO frustrated as I watched my body change and my weight go up on the scale. The scale was my arch enemy! Some days still is!

I gained 120 pounds. Yes you heard me. In 5 years I gained a 9th grader! I was literally carrying around a 9th grader....ok not literally but seemed like it.

I am going to do what no one probably ever does on a blog or even in secrecy with their best friend. Yep! I am going to tell you my weight. I am even going to tell you my highest weight and my goal weight.

First I will tell you that I no longer have Cushings or a tumor. After three surgery in two years (two of them being brain surgeries) I am Cushings free! So that also means that my body no longer gains the weight. Actually the excess weight that I had gained starts to come off on its own. I have never been a huge eater. Maybe when we were on the Cruise ship I ate more but that's because it was vacation. Even then I didn't get the extra ice cream or such like my family did.

I am 5'11 my husband would like to think I was 5'10'' but realistically sometimes I slouch. I am suppose to weight 190 pounds for my height and my age. Yep I am old! I am forty this year. After Cushings and before my last surgery I had gotten to 334 pounds. That is crazy!! Thankfully I have always had a supportive family who understood as I would sometimes gain 5 pounds in a day...that is no joke. My husband never said a word and loved me all the same. He was my rock. He is amazing. Most men wouldn't be that way.

Today I weight myself and yes I am still very much over weight but I am 269. I was just excited that I had gone down another tier. THAT IS 65 POUNDS IN 6 MONTHS!!!! And until 3 weeks ago that was me not changing a thing. Once I started losing pant sizes and seeing my face go down I wanted to boost it along. So now I have lost a 1st grader and still have 8 more grades to go :)

I am starting to feel so much better about myself. My goal is to be the same weight I was when I met my husband by the time we go to Cabo for Christmas. That would be so amazing to me! I know I will continue to lose weight even if I didn't diet only because I gained it in the first place because of a horrible disease.

It really does make me think that in a blink of an eye you can gain or lose weight. Its a hard thing for woman. I shouldn't be proud that I weight 269 but gosh darnit I AM!!!! I am one tall lady and the fact that I am losing weight and able to move around easier and feel sexier is amazing to me!

I guess realistically I feel strong and happy. I mean I don't know many woman who tell their true weight....especially where anyone and everyone can read it. This is a very promising thing for me. I am happy! Cant wait to see what my body has in store for me in the next couple months. Doctor said by one year my weight will be off. I am overjoyed by that.

I have one last secret though.....the other day I renewed my license and I did lie on that. I mean....I still am a woman ha!

Do more of what makes you happy!

Do more of what makes you happy! I have been looking at that sign in my kitchen kind of a lot lately. I am someone who goes through phases of things. Its funny because Ryan does the same thing. Maybe that's why we are such a good match. I have gone through painting, scrapbooking, blogging, vlogging, etc etc. I have been in a rut lately. So I am going to do more of what makes me happy! I am going to start back to blogging again. I love it. I don't know why I stopped. Life just seems to get at you sometimes and you are so busy you kind of forget to do YOU.

I am doing me! I am still taking care of my family of course but I am putting a little more attention into myself. The happier I am....the happier my family will be.

My life is good don't get me wrong. I just would like to do some extra stuff while I have time. While the kids are in school. So this is my little get back to daily blogging notice.

So please subscribe! You will get an email every time I blog and can read it....or even choose not too. I mean seriously sometimes the only thing I have a chance to read is my bible app or yah...Facebook. I am a junkie in both of those apps. I cant see if you subscribed but I surely would feel great if you did!

Up and coming....tons of pictures of my family, what we do, and just real talk with all of you. So if you are going to read this remember I write like I talk. :)

Hello Fresh (pictures included)

We love Hello Fresh. Its very new to us but when you live in a rural area I swear this is the easiest and best way to make healthy dinners. We saw it on TV and I had to have a try at it. Decided that I would show you the meals we got this week also.


So the basis of Hello Fresh is you can get delivered to your house 1-3 meals of FRESH foods to cook with the easy to follow recipes. You can choose out of 6 meals which ones you want. Since we have a big family and also since we live 70 miles from a good Grocery store this is VERY convenient.


I was afraid however how it would work on getting to us. Would the meat go bad? The veggies not do well? Nope, it was all pretty awesome! I wanted to be able to show you the layers that protect your food as it comes in. We have a big family so we order a lot more hence the two boxes. This is the layers as you open it.

Its surrounded by Styrofoam and then in a bag that keeps things cold and fresh

Then you have the containers of food which hold the ingredients you make except the meat or fish. Mind you that they provide EVERYTHING you need for the recipe in the right amounts. Only thing you ever have to have on hand is milk, butter and oil. It gives you all the seasonings also.

Underneath that layer are hard ice packs that hadn't even melted at all. Mind you I got this after the kids school and my son had it in the car for baseball.

Then you have the meats, sausages or fish that you need for your meals.

Like I said we had three meals so this is what it came in as and what the recipe says it should turn out like. Pretty yummy I personally think!! This was the shrimp meal...

and the Sausage meal...

and the Chicken Breast meal.

Its easy enough to cook that even our teens are getting involved in cooking it as you can see Josh here making the shrimp meal.

This is how his meal turned out. I feel he did a great job.

Now if you are interested in Hello Fresh you can check it out online under HelloFresh.com and if you decide to order put in this coupon "AQGNBK" and you will get FORTY DOLLARS off your first meals! Check it out. We cant wait for next weeks box!


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Prom Drama

This weekend was a fun, stressful weekend of prom dress shopping. The great part was it was a Girls out weekend. Just MIL, Cassie and I going to the city to look for prom dresses. There is no where close to us to buy them except in the city which is 2 hours away. Even then because all the girls go there its something that might be kind of hard.

We had a great time! Went after school on Friday to look and booked a hotel room so we didn't have to head back late at night. We went to many stores and tried on dresses. Looking back its kind of funny since the dress I liked and Cassie didn't on the hanger is the one she ended up with. I had her try it on with all the other ones she picked out. That was her number two dress. She still wanted to look the next day incase we found something better.


We treated ourselves and ate out at Red Lobster which I haven't been to in a long time and Cassie couldn't even remember being there. It was soooooooooo good. YUM!

Then we went to the movies that night going to THE BOSS because MIL hadn't seen it and it was funny enough for sure to go a second time. After the movies it was late so we headed back to the hotel only to dream of the dress that might be picked the next day so we could go home even though it was a fun time just us girls.


The next morning we slept in! AHH yes that was so nice! Then back to shopping we would go. We went to another place that had a sale and Cassie found a very lovely dress. She decided on this one but because it was a bit snug under her arms we ordered one to be sent to the house before prom. YES SHOPPING WAS DONE. This was my face by then!

We decided since we saved money that why the heck not lets go to another movie! We got tickets to see THE Jungle Book in 3D. While we were sitting there waiting for the movie to begin and getting our popcorn Cassie got a text saying that one of the girls had already bought the exact same dress. I am thinking too myself how funny, no big deal they will both look beautiful in that. Well that is NOT how teens think of it. The girl was a little upset which Cassie understood. The movie started and I told her to shut off her phone. We watch the movie and it was GREAT but I worried as Cassie was I am sure thinking about the dress situation the whole time.


After the movie MIL was trying to come up with ideas. We finally decided to go back and try the dress that I liked on her the most. She tried it back on and decided on that one. We would just have to take the other dress back once it is shipped to us and get our return on it.

In the end I think Cassie actually ended up looking much better in the dress she got. It suits her and it is stunning. Not to mention on sale haha (hey I am a mom of four I like that).  The weekend was a triumph and we had a great time! No matter what MIL, Cassie and I are doing we end up having a great time but this was a precious time that she will be able to look back on and see her Grandma and Mom really cared.


Cant wait for Prom now. But wait....still have to have a boys weekend and get three tuxes!


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If you want to follow us you can also follow us on our two You tube channels.


One is where we get boxes from all over the world and do taste tests as a family.
Click here...http://www.youtube.com/c/InternationalSwapNStuff


And one is for our family videos which we will be starting to Vlog starting this weekend and every weekend after that.
Click here...http://www.youtube.com/c/jonescollinsfamily101

EXCLUSIVE Interview with the TravelKatz Family

I am over the moon excited to be able to have an interview with the Travel

Katz family! I was able to catch up with the mom Rachael and ask her some questions I wanted to know. You know me....I always want to know more than probably I should ha!

First let me tell you about the TravelKatz family if you haven't already heard of them (if you haven't...you should!). Rachael has decided to travel the world with her daughter Alex and two sons Richie and Ethan. You know....do that thing that we always wish and dream and talk about doing but never do. SHE IS DOING IT!!! As a widowed mom I am so impressed with her and her willingness to teach her kids about other countries by actually EXPERIENCING it! AMAZING!


They have a You tube channel that you can follow their daily vlogs and see all their adventures. Its like experiencing the travels right along with them. I think they are fun to watch and have such great personalities.


So, Lets get to the nitty gritty of the things I wanted to know more about. This way you can know more than others do with this EXCLUSIVE interview.


What made you decide to pick up and take off and travel the world?
I have wanted to travel for many years but it was only talk and no action. Finally, I decided that it was time to put my dream into action and make travel a reality. I have wanted to travel for the past five years or so. I just finally made it happen.


Why was Thailand your first choice for a country?
Thailand was my first choice because it is a inexpensive country to travel in and because I knew someone here who I have known since Jr. High School. I had never been out of country and felt safer to know someone on my first out of country experience.


Do you work while traveling?
I make a small fixed income as I have been a widow for almost 7 years. I have been able to stay home with my kids. Survivors benefits is my main souse of monthly income at this time.


How do the kids attend school as I know you have two that are still in school?
The kids do not go to school in every country, although I have considered putting them in school here in Thailand. Since we will be traveling the world, they will mainly do homeschool/worldschooling. If we stay long term in a country, I may consider them attending school to have that experience.


What are you hoping are the best memories for your kids?
I want my kids to have wonderful memories of us as a family experiencing different cultures and foods. It would be great for them to be able to meet friends all over the world on our travels too! I just think this is such a great experience and will give them wonderful memories for years to come!


Did the kids Agree or Disagree at first?
My kids have had different thoughts on my choice in travel. There have been times where they were unsure of travel (mainly my 2 oldest), but I feel it was fear of the unknown. Once we really made the decision to travel, they were all on board and happy to prepare for our journey. I think new experiences can be a little scary for anyone...but the learning lesson for us all is, don't let fear stop you from new experiences. New experiences can only help us grow in life.


You are doing something that most only dream about...What do you have to say to those people?
If you have a dream, don't let fear stop you. Fear of the unknown is a dream killer. Talk about it and make plans...and when the time is right...put that plan into action. I think so many of us miss out on so much because we allow fear to stop us from doing what we really want to do. Sometimes you just have to do it!


What is a day in the TravelKatz family like?
A day in the TravelKatz family is amazing! We get to see things we have never seen and experience things we only saw on tv. Other than that...our days are pretty normal...we just get to wake up on the other side of the world.


Last question...What is something that is funny to you?
People here in Thailand love kids and they will see a foreigner kid and just put their head and talk to them and smile and shower the child with attention. I think its funny and cute. The whole culture is filled with so many interesting things.


This is an amazing family with an amazing adventure! Check them out and subscribe to see all of their videos. Its free to do! Just click this link.... https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCSxhYDQQlagCWLr_21MCTw?view_as=public


Thank you so much Rachael for this interview and a peak more into the TravelKatz life!


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Teenagers

When you have four teenagers you have a lot going on in the house. I am happy however that I am a mom of these amazing four. Its funny how the week goes by and all the questions I get asked. Who every said that teens didn't want advice from their mother. I get asked questions all the time. Here are just a few that I can think of that happened in the past couple days.

• Does this outfit look ok? (Boy) My answer: Yes!
• Is my hair ok or should I put more gel in it? (boy) My answer: I think it looks good now don't put anymore because if the wind blows your hair wont move.
• Should I wear glitter eyeliner today? (girl...thank goodness) My answer: Sure if you want but just know I am doing it today too:)
• How should I ask her to prom? (boy) My Answer: First you have to ask her dad for permission which you already know. Then you have to make it memorable for her. Girls like that.
• Should I go with my friends to prom so it will be more fun? (girl) My answer: I think if you are going to have more fun going with a bunch of friends then do that.
• Are you sure my outfit looks ok? (boy) My answer: I specifically remember saying yes already.
• How do you know if someone is telling the truth? (boy) My answer: Parents always know! Even if you think they don't know. We do!
• What should I do for my first date? (boy) My answer: Make sure to open her car door because you are a gentleman. Your dad still opens my door after all these years. Movies are fun but make sure to get a soda or go to eat so you have time to talk. Probably a soda because she will say she isn't hungry.
• Do I look taller today? (boy) My answer: Honestly....yes.
• What is for dinner? (boys and girl) My answer: Not sure its only 11am but I will have it made by dinner time.
• Can we sleep in? (boy) My answer: As long as you get up when we say its time without being cranky.
• What is my curfew? (boy on first date ) My answer: Depends on what you are going to do. What time was the movie again?
• Where is the best place to get flowers? (boy) My answer: At Awesome Blossom as you want to shop local. Online can be hit or miss.
• Are you really sure my hair looks ok? (boy) My answer: YES! Do I look like I was lying to you the last two times you asked me?

I love having these teens. They  make my days complete. I really love when they ask for your opinion AND then do it too. Craziness! I remember being able to talk to my parents too. I like having an open door policy. I cant say that I wont be disappointed sometimes but I like that the kids can come to us and know we love them unconditionally no matter what. Its funny though because most of the stuff they come to us lately for is all the stuff that brings good memories for me when I was a teen. Gotta love it. The dates, Proms, friends, how we are always afraid of how we look, movies, funny teachers that they talk about at dinner, etc etc etc.....  Ahhh the good ol days! Except the only difference I think at this moment is our hair in the 80's WAS bad and DIDNT look good. HA! Cant wait to see what the next week holds on questions and answers.


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Swing Batter!

When you are a parent of four kids and they all like sports its an interesting situation. This year Jackson is in Varsity Baseball and Cassie is in Varsity Softball. I love watching them play ball. Its both their first year in High school for the sport.

The only thing that is hard for us is when they have home games. You would think that was easy right? Wrong! They both play double headers at the SAME TIME. So we find out who is starting first which is usually Cassie and go to her game. Once we done watching her play for at least half the game we drive quickly over to Jacks game and watch him for another half of the last game. Then we continue to watch for the first part of the second game. Once its halfway there we head on back to Cassie game. Are you confused yet? I sure am!

I always feel bad when we miss a great hit or something. I am hoping they just both remember how we were in the stands cheering them on as we eat our sunflower seeds. I think Josh and Jason love home games too because they get out of school an hour early to go watch their siblings play. Cant beat that right?

I am pretty excited to see Jackson play his Senior year. I am glad his friends talked him into it.
He use to play in middle and elementary school but never wanted to play in H.S. Baseball is so much faster than Softball I am always amazed at how he hits or catches the ball.

Cassie I am proud of because this is her first year ever playing Softball and she is doing fantastic! It nice to see a sport she comes home excited about and is excelling in. I cant wait to see her play next year too. They haven't had a softball team for many years and finally have enough girls to play! YEAH!

Who doesn't love watching their kids play. Who doesn't love hotdogs and sunflower seeds. Who doesn't love watching your kids get way tanner than you are. Wait...I don't love that one but they do ha! The home game happened. This season is going by so fast. I am thankful to be able to watch them though. Next year we will have Cassie playing again and Jason too! It will be another great year!


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BLA Recovery (Addisons)

5 weeks ago I had some organs ripped out of my body.  Doesn't that sound crazy? Ok, so 5 weeks ago I had a Bilateral Adrenalectomy where a surgeon (not some back alley surgeon) took out my adrenals. I went from having Cushings Disease to having Addisons. It was the best thing I ever did.

I am amazed at how tired I am. Seriously exhausted. I don't have my chipper jump around talkative self yet. Its coming but its not here yet. I feel like I always want to sleep and I always want to lay down. I did have an open surgery on one side of my body so I am recovering from that however.


I have gone from never sleeping with Cushings to sleeping 19 hours a day for the first two weeks. Five weeks later I think I sleep 12-14 hours and that is me trying to keep myself awake. I know it will subside in the next coming weeks but I am curious how long this will take.


I feel like I am pretty adverse to Cushings and all the things you learn about it through your sickness. Now its like I have a whole new ball game of having to relearn and teach myself about Addisons. I know the important things. Take my medicine at 8 and 2 everyday and NEVER skip a dose. My body does not create cortisol at all. So basically from what I have read if I don't take cortisol for two days or even one I will be in a coma. Lets hope the Zombie Apocalypse never happens because I will be dead from stress or not having medicine for the rest of my life ha! I think I have been watching Walking Dead too much lately.


Symptoms of Addisons:
Chronic Fatigue (check)
Loss of Appetite (check but its coming back finally)
Low Blood Pressure
Dizziness (check)
Darkening of Skin
Nausea (check)
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Inability to cope with Stress
Moodiness (check....my hormones are still straightening out)
Intolerance to heat or cold ( CHECK!)
Craving Salty Foods


Some of these I will have for the rest of my life. Some may dissipate and go away in time. I am learning and trying to figure out my way through this. I am hoping as time goes by I will be less tired and have more energy. I got this! With the support of my family I have this even more! Addisons you and I will be friends but its going to be a good friendship....not one where you drag me down to having crisis. Lets just be friendly!

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Cushings is gone forever

I have been missing for a month. Yep a whole month. Bet you thought I would never blog again but then whammo here I am writing once more. I am going to imagine applause in my head. Why not right?

Lets get started. As most of you know I have been suffering with Cushings for many years. I had my first pituitary surgery and went into remission for 8 months. Then the tumor was back in full force. I had my second pituitary surgery and I got better for 2 months but then my numbers for cortisol weren't good so I knew I wasn't in remission. I cannot even tell you how much of a blow that was to me. Back to the doctors again and decided on the very drastic surgery of taking my adrenals out so I will no longer have Cushings ever again. Its not a surgery you can start off with at all (in case you were wondering) as it makes it so you will had Addisons (produce no cortisol at all which you need to live).


So Feb 25,1016 I became Cushings free! They took out my adrenals and I am now steroid dependent for the rest of my life. Its been almost a month and I am still recovering as one side they did laparoscopic but the other side had trouble and had to open me up. I have to lay down  A LOT and sleep A LOT now too.

They believe according to my organs (that are twice the size of normal ppl because of excess cortisol) that I have been dealing with this for 10 years. I have only known myself though for about 3-4 years. There is a lot of why I decided to do such a drastic surgery but I can put it into two simple pictures. Here is Cushings Symptoms and here is Addisons. Which would you choose. Plus Cushings I CANT control. Addisons its all in my control.

So its been a month. Things are getting so much better. Today I weighed myself and I have lost 40 out of the 120 pounds I gained on Cushings. One month!! I feel so much happier. My blood pressure that was high and erratic is now normal and perfect. I sleep. I sleep a lot actually because I am still recovering. It takes 6 weeks for an open surgery plus withdrawals from Cortisol that I had 4-8 times the normal amount. Each day I am getting better, stronger and happier! Once I am up and about more WATCH OUT WORLD because here comes Rae-Rae! For the next two weeks though my bed and I will still be good friends!


So that's my short story to catch everyone up. Now I can get back the daily program of good blogging:) Funny weird stuff that is always happening in this house like when I heard one of my boys say this week that when they were little they peed in their own eye.:)  Love you all! Its good to be back!


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Zero to 18 in no time flat

Zero to 18 in 22 seconds. That is truly what it feels like when my oldest child is now OFFICALLY an adult. I am one lucky mom. Even today he asked me “Does it feel weird we are all growing up?” My answer was……DEFINITELY.

He has always been a dirt biker

I have been struggling with Jackson this year. Not with him but the fact that he is now 18 and a senior. The fact that my oldest kid is going to join the Military after Graduation. The fact that he isn’t a little boy anymore with big ears and an even bigger smile.  I guess every parent struggles with the fact their kids are getting older. I sometimes look at him when he is speaking and can see WAY down the line when he has a family of his own. I see the growth. I see his caring nature. I see his joking side. I see how much he has grown. I see him turning into a man.

Me and my Adult Son

For Jacks 18^th bday he wanted to go to an All you can eat Sushi place. There is nothing like that around where we live although we do love us some sushi. His Mom and I talked and decided we would bring him to Reno so both sides of the family could meet up. We wanted him to have a big birthday with her and her side of the family plus Ryan and I and our side of the family. It was going to be great! Sushi, bowling and staying at a Casino. Cousins everywhere. I think Jackson was worried it was going to be a little babyish but in the end he said he really liked it.

We did the all you can eat sushi with 21 of us. Everyone chatted and had fun. It was all for Jackson and he was the star of the show. I wished I would have gotten a picture of him when the whole restaurant sang to him. The embarrassed look on his face was classic. We all laughed, ate and had a good time. After filling our bellies full we went over to Grand Sierra Resort to do Black light bowling.

A whole bunch of us

 

Jack with his mom on left and MIL on right

 

Cassie, Josh and Aunt Kelly loving Sushi

 

 Jen and some of the younger Cousins

 

Ryan and I loving Sushi

Ok I am going to stop for a second and say something important to me. I may not be Jackson’s biological mom. I am technically his step mom and have only been in his life since he was 10 but I love him like he is my own. He has my heart. I am thankful that his Biological mom and family understand that. They even call me the “other mom” as I am just that. The other mom. I am not the wicked step mom in Cinderella. I love Jackson and have since I laid eyes on him and his brother. Ryan and I have never treated the four kids differently. They get loved the same and punished the same. We are very blessed they get along so well and they view each other as brothers and sisters. My heart aches when any of them are hurt and is over joyed when something happens good to any of them. I am also very thankful that you can take two families that have been through a divorce and still be there for the kids. And have fun mind you too.

Ok so back to my kid turning 18. We all went bowling for two hours. It was a blast. Not only was it fun for the little kids but it was fun for the adults too. I laughed so many times. I laughed when my dad took off his shoes because he was afraid to slip. I laughed when Jacksons Uncle John told me how he was a great bowler but only on Wii. I laughed when any of us would get a strike and see the ultimate joy in our faces or rather surprised look that we did it actually. It was a good time. I loved getting to know Jackson and Jason’s Mom side better. Everyone was really nice and never made anything awkward. I loved seeing my nieces Kylie and Mariah bowl with their bumper pads and thinking to myself maybe I would do better if I used those too.

Jacob and Jackson going head to head

The thing that I hope Jackson saw in the end was there were so many people there who loved him. So many people who wanted to share in his bday of turning into an adult. He had Uncles and Aunts from both sides there, His Grandma Sally, His Papa Vaughn and Grandma Andy and then he had a slew of cousins from young to old there plus his siblings and all his 3 parents. I think that is how every big birthday should be. Full of fun and love for your child. Not many divorced families can pull that off but if you truly love the kids....you will.

It was an amazing night. Lots of laughs and lots of love. Jackson later went out with his older cousin Jacob to have a little one on one time too. Also shout out to Jacob. I like that kid (whelp technically adult) and I promised him if he won in bowling I would give a shout out! HI JACOB!

It was a good night. My son is finally 18. The skies have opened up for him and he is an adult. Just a couple more months and he will be graduating too. I love you Jackson. For the next couple months I may hug you a little longer and a little tighter…..you just have to stop growing up.