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madison {isms}

This literally just happened while I was writing an email

As she is walking out of an empty room:

Madison: "Someone farted?!"

Me: "Well you are the only one over there, did you fart?"

Madison: "I farted" {Silly grin and giggle}

Me: Laughing

Madison: "I like it!"

aunt kari's visit

We could not have been anymore excited for Aunt Kari to come and visit, and with no kids {I would not have minded the boys coming (I miss those sweet faces) but more quality time was had for my two munchkins having her all to ourselves}.

Most days were spent shopping, doing puzzles and reading books.  I think Kari may have done the map puzzle 50 times while here.  She is even better at US geography now!

Kari helped all day, everyday with the kids.  Just getting them in and out of the car during shopping excursions or helping put everyone to bed, but the best one, giving Ben and I a much needed date night.  Do you know the last date night we had was for our anniversary {May 7th} and that was after putting the kids to sleep at 7.  Having the full evening and night was absolutely amazing.  What a refresher. 

The memories we created with Kari are priceless.  I could not be more thankful for such a wonderful Aunt to our children.  We are a truly blessed family.

Kemah boardwalk was fun.  We enjoyed looking out into the ocean and then stopped for dinner at SaltGrass Steakhouse.  Fabulous day but just a little warm {101 degrees warm}.



Just relaxing in the shade

Do you see those rosy cheeks?!?

Ben and I enjoyed a great dinner at Longhorn Steakhouse {Thank you to Pia and Jannic for a long overdue use of the gift card}.  We then did a little shopping at the nearby stores and traveled farther into Houston to enjoy a Improv Comedy Show.  The show was funny but sorry Texas, Denver kicked your butt on the funny!  Next we stopped at a great shopping/restaurant district called Memorial City.  The trees were lit up, fire pits blazing and just an overall romantic evening atmosphere {other than the 1 year olds running around at 11:30 at night}.  A great recommendation from none other than Lynn :)  We sat on the patio and enjoyed a very southern dessert, bread pudding {I believe that was my first try} and wow, deliciously sweet.  Just what I needed after an over indulging dinner.  The night was cliché as the saying..Magical.

great recipes

I have been trying more and more new recipes.  I am in that slump where none of the "classics" sound good, maybe due to us eating them every.single.week.  Venturing out to the treacherous and tedious Internet I found a few keepers.

As you can tell by the links, I did not get very far in my gigantic Internet search.  My favorite website for healthy and tasty recipes helped narrow down the choices.  Here are a few of the flavorful finds.

Cilantro Lime Tilapia Tacos

AMAZING.  These tasty, easy and quick tacos were perfect last night after a long day of shopping.  The flaky tilapia and the lime are perfect pairs and the avocado cools the heat.  I only used 1 jalapeno and thought I was on fire.  The 2 peppers will never be present in our fish tacos {Ben said he only tasted the slightest of heat...so I am a slight wimp, I understand!}.


Mushroom Stroganoff

If you love mushrooms like me...This is for you.  I added ground turkey due to our carnivorous behavior.  This completely reminds me of when I was younger.  Beef stroganoff was that "classic" we ate almost every week {only with deer meat instead}.  I loved this one!  Again...also healthy!

Chicken and Broccoli Noodle Casserole

I don't do many casseroles but this will be had often at the Stewarts.  My friend Lynn had this dish for Bunco one month and ever since I have been addicted!  Mom, Dad, Gary, Mary you can plan on this one for when you come out.  Delicious!

Let me know if you have any great recipe finds.  I am open to trying anything!

five minute friday

Five Minute Friday

Word:  Story

I begin my story at the end where I have just put Madison to sleep and she is begging me to come back into the room with her.

That was the end of our trying toddler day.

The day was filled with time outs, apologies from a very convincing 2 year old and a thread as thick as my patience.  These are the days I wonder, where is the appeal of a stay at home mom gig?

Then I remember our story.

The day I held my first born daughter in my arms.  The way my husband looked at her with such awe that I physically could not breath.

The way we swaddled her for the first 12 months of her life.  She would just sink into my arms and close her precious blue eyes.

Or the way she runs to her Dad to hug him when he comes home from work.

The way she say "Have a Popsicle mom? How does that sound?"

The way she informs me that Carson is too loud.  "Carson too tired.  Night Night time."

Although the trials of toddlerhood are present every.single.day I try to focus on those great moments that make our story amazing, unlike any other.