Saturday's Dinner-Stuffed Shells

Stuffed shells super easy-
1- Box stuffed shells (I use 1/2 box)- cook according to directions & set aside
1-jar your fav pasta sauce
1-container ricotta cheese
1-bag shredded motz cheese
Parm cheese

layer a 9x13 baking dish with half jar of sauce
Mix some parm the motz save 1/2 cup & ricotta in a bowl
stuff the shells
pour over rest of sauce sprinkle with more parm & remaining 1/2 cup motz
Bake 350 for 1/2 hour-45min covered

you can also use 1 cup motz cheese & add in spinach & sauteed zucchini to make it healthier we have done that & is amazing but I didn't have any zucchini on sat :(
Enjoy -Candice-

Im back. Finally Im back.

I purchased a ipad shortly after Christmas. It was awesome. Until I wanted to blog, and wanted to copy and paste, or post something exciting in our moms group. Wasnt happening. No keyboard, and all touch screen. Yeah- fail.
So I returned it, and went and bought a laptop. A Samsung. So far so good. Im up and running, posting a blog, and smiling while doing so.

Well, today has been quite an experience.

First off, I got up seen some not so nice and rude bashing going in the moms group. Candice and I talked and took care of that mess. Then met two awesome ladies for breakfast; Shannon, and Candice, then went to the mall to get a phone cover. While there I found something cute to add to the basket for Carsen; Candices new one who will be here in May. After that I went to verizon, and received shitty customer service. I ran out in the rain with Dailee from in there, made a phone call to there phone customer service about getting Ron a phone, and spoke with a awesome lady. Who told me to go shop around online. Well I did that, and ended up getting Rons phone for free. :) Yah!

Check back into facebook to find a bunch of mess going on in the group. Stuff we refuse to tolerate. Were all adults and we act like it. Minus a few women who have nicely removed themselves so we didnt have to do so. Apparently were no the ones who the problem if we dont have to remove them ourselves. Makes it much easier on Candice and I. We just want things to run smoothly and for everyone to get along. Our moto: To each its own. Its that simple.

So, Ive got the house cleaned this afternoon. Are having some girls over tomorrow to do hair, and will complete the weekend with Riley returning Sunday from his trip! :)

Tootles
Karmen

Gonna Lose It!!!

Today has been a day I mean a day! WOW! I have a few mins so I figured maybe if I vent I will ease some stress. I think I very well may lose my mind, my marbles my something today! I feel my blood pressure rising today that is for sure! I am being pushed to the limit!

 To start last night I slept like complete crap tossed & turned could not get comfortable, after about every hour of getting up to pee & blow my nose b/c i'm all stuffed up 3am rolls around & I am WIDE awake (really??) So I lay there desperately trying to fall back asleep no luck then Aiden comes in well Brandon herd him so he got up & tucked him back in! I just about fall back asleep at 4:50 am when beep beep beep Brandon's alarm goes off (jdgfsdfskjhk) That's how I felt! 

5:30am rolls around & Aiden & Brycen are up (oh freakin joy!) I laid in bed for a few mins hoping Brycen would go back to sleep no such luck so got up Brandon had already got Aidens milk & got Brycen's ready so into change him & give him his milk. Brandon heads to work & I get the boy's some breakfast, let the dog's out feed them vacuum quick ok so it's not so bad!

7am hits and hell breaks loose! Aiden has started with the attitude from well, hell! Screaming at me he wants to take a shower now! I'm like hang on I'm washing dishes I'll start your shower in a minute, he's screaming he wants to shower now & in my shower. I'm like no your shower & I will get to it in a minute mind you Brycen is now trying to climb the kitchen table the cat is trying to chew the computer cord & I just about want to scream! I really don't like being yelled at by a 4yr old

8:15 Brycen goes back to bed after a meltdown b/c he is tired & I am feeling like I am about to throw up, Aiden is playing nicely & I decided to lay down so I don't start barfing my brains out, well then starts I need juice, I want a snack, I want this, I want that arrrrrrgh!

9:30am Brycen is back up all over the place pulls the kitchen chair on top of him, everytime I go to use the bathroom he is climbing the step stool & trying to climb the toilet.
Then we have Aiden instigating bringing out toys & teasing Brycen, which leads Brycen into a screaming fit, Brycen trying to climb his rocking chair & unplugging his monitor. YAY!

11:00-1130ish ok it's time to make lunch so we can have kids sitting & quiet or so I think, I make grilled ham & cheese what Aiden asked for & then I get I don't like this, I want cold ham, I said well when you eat 1/2 your sandwich you may have some cold ham, & the temper tantrum starts, finally I yell just go to your room if you can not be happy with what you have you get nothing. (because let me tell you at this point I have HAD it). I am sick of always giving into what he wants b/c he changes his mind! NO MORE! You get what you get & you don't throw a fit! Mind you I am having alot of pelvic pain today & siatic so I feel as though I am limping around, I am so over being pregnant! I need a fast forward button!

Needless to say Aiden is now in his room & being quiet I think he may have fallen asleep however I am to afraid to go in & see I don't want to disrupt this quiet & Brycen was playing nicely but now is smacking his toy hammer on the chair! Is it 4pm yet??? Because this tired preggo momma is ready for daddy to come save the day! -Candice-

Rainy Day Fun!!

Well it's raining today blah! It's cold yucky, and were trying to get over a cold (well Brycen & I) So I needed something fun to do hmm... I had to put my thinking cap on! My boy's have been up since 5:45 we needed a project Aiden loves to paint but Brycen tries to eat paint Fail! Or was it???

 I decided I was going to let my little man paint, like big brother but obviously I don't want him eating paint so I came up with an awesome soloution... PUDDING PAINT! Yep & I used food coloring to make it more fun & exciting...

I used vanilla instant pudding mixed it seperated it into serving dishes & added food coloring :)



                                    Brycen painting we had a plastic fork, plastic spoon & a little paint brush

                                                         Aiden thought it was cool!

                                          & then of course it turned into this as I expected :)

Aiden loved eating the pudding

But not as much as Brycen :)

But hey they are having fun painting/eating so it's all good

here are some of the creations....
it may be a little messy but messy is fun & hey they can eat it :)  -CANDICE-

Friends

When life throws you curve balls you always have your family and friends there to help straighten things back out. Although threw out time your life changes. Everyone starts there own families and has children and lives seems to get very busy. But threw it all the friends and family who take the 5 minutes out there day or week to call, email or text to say hello I'm thinking about you are the ones to keep! I'm so thankful for my amazing family & close friends!

Cranberry Potroast!

Ingredients:

1 (3 pound) beef chuck roast

1 (16 ounce) can jellied cranberry sauce

2 tablespoons butter

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

Directions:

1.Place onion soup mix in the bottom of a slow cooker.

2.Top with roast; cover with cranberry sauce.

3.Cook on low 8 hours, then remove roast and set aside.

4.Turn slow cooker on high.** I also added 1/4 cup water wanted to make sure there was enough liquid so wouldn't burn & I am glad I did :)

5.Whisk butter and flour in a bowl and then slowly mix it into the remaining liquid the slow cooker to make thick delicious gravy.

It was really yummy Enjoy -Candice-

My day

So I found this on pinterest & it kind of upset me maybe it's the preg hormones but I'll tell you why....

I'm a good mom but guess what? My floors are not sticky, my oven is clean & my kids are beyond happy! My 4yr old tells me everyday I love you mommy your the best mommy & my 14mo is a happy little boy. Some people think that by neglecting your house you have more time with your kids, I think the opposite. If I let everything pile up I would spend a whole day neglecting my kids & cleaning um no thanks! So I will tell you my secret for having a clean home & happy kids (yes you can have both!!)
 
Now I'm not bashing anyone who does not clean as much as me I'm an ocd neat freak sorry I am & I'm not saying anyone should be like me I'm not perfect by any means, but this is how I live my life & we are all happy.

We sart our day at 6:30am this is when my kids wake I get 2 cups of milk ready every morning for my boy's they have their milk & we sit on the couch & cuddle. Then a few mins after they are ready for breakfast so I start breakfast somedays I make them pancakes or Belgian waffels, or eggs, somedays it's a cereal bar or pop tart. While they are eating I  clean my counters & vacuum yep that's what I do I vacuum the 3 bedrooms first & then I vacuum my hardwood floor & my kitchen. It does not take me long at all bc I do it everyday so its not very messy :) Every other day I run my swiffer through to mop, I like that the best.

Then the kids p & I play for a little bit or we may decide to get showered & dressed right away depends on the day. M,W,F Aiden has preschool from 9-12 so we drop him off I come home with Brycen & he is usually ready for his morning nap by 9:30am I lay him down, I unload the dishwasher & wipe down the bathrooms & then sit down with my clean laundry to fold while I catch up on a dvr'd show! about 10:30-11 Brycen is up & guess what my house is clean yay!! I have the rest of the day with my kids, we play & sing & read books.

I pick Aiden up at 12 come home make lunch we sit & eat & talk about his day & then we play a game or play with his toy's. When Brycen lays down for his second nap Aiden usually has quiet time he does not take naps anymore but he still needs some chill time this is when he is allowed to watch tv or play quietly whatever he chooses sometimes we build Lego's or we play his new fav game candyland & he kicks my butt everytime! Somedays we go grab lunch with friends somedays we go to the park. But I assure you I make the most of the day with my kids they are happy & never neglected. Usually during this time I also prep dinner unless it's a crock pot recipe then I throw in as soon as I'm back from preschool morning drop off.

We like to eat dinner around 5 so we eat shortly after the hubby has come home & then he plays with the kids while I clean up dinner then it's bath & jammy time, then we hang out & play till bedtime.
Some people may feel that my life is stressful, but I feel stressed if things are not clean (I get it from my mom) She was a clean freak & she passed it down but guess what I had an amazing childhood & have so many great memories. This is just my routine I like routine it's what works for me :)

I also have 2 dogs & 2 cats & hair drives me crazy I don't want my kids covered in hair so this is another reason I clean everyday if I didn't have all my pets maybe I would not clean as often, but I've had my pets since I've been married & although they drive me crazy & I'd rather not have them most of the time they are not going anywhere till they pass so I need to keep the hair away lol :)  I'm anxious to see how I will have to adjust my routine when we throw Carsen into the mix in May. Oh the challenge but I'm up for it!

So yes maybe I'm a little crazy for my cleanness but it's what works for me & my family to each is own. -Candice-

And this is life

Well last night was not fun! Not only did I have a sick husband breathing his ick on me, I had a 4yr old wake up whom had to be put back into his room & then little man woke up screaming. I went in his room to find him sitting on the floor with a stuffed puppy so I tried to lay him back down & leave he was not having it. I ended up in the toddler bed with him for an hour & my back is not liking me today. This is life!
  This morning we met up with a friend & fellow preschool mom at gymnastics it was bring a friend day, Aiden had a blast. Brycen watched & loved to see big brother. I think we will sign Aiden up for gymnastics to give him something to do that will burn energy. Well after our play date had to come home to give Brycen his nap. Aiden had quiet time in his room & was allowed to watch tv, while I folded laundry & caught up on one of my fav. new shows Revenge (super good)! 
  When Brycen woke up he was & still is crabby  on & off he's currently running around with my sweater babbling & the next whining, Aiden was playing nice with him & then he turned into yelling at him, again this is life! LOL I have a pot roast cooking in the crock pot & if it's yummy (new recipe) I will share with you all :)
 Tomorrow is no preschool for Aiden & I have alot of running around to do, so of course there wouldn't be school so I have to take both kids right? This is life. I'm sure Aiden will tell me how bored he is, he is a character. Soon I need to start my mashed potatoes to go with dinner & then the hubs will be home he texted me earlier to let me know his voice was about gone & he was going to get medicine so I'm sure he will be a pure joy this evening, I swear men are worse than kids when sick! This is life!
  But... I wouldn't change it though things may get crazy & hectic & I may have children that are fighting one second, whining the next, & happy the next they are my life & I love them & their craziness :) -Candice-


                                Crazy boy with my sweater he is a drool mess working on more teeth

                                                            Trouble ;)

Some more chicken crockpot recipies

Sorry if some think I post to many recipes just trying to help out busy momma's this way you can still eat good but you don't have to spend hours prepping cooking :)

BBQ Bacon Apple Chicken
3-4 chicken breasts
1/2 cup BBQ sauce (add more other wise it's dry) I learned from when I made :)
1-2 apples, peeled and grated
1 lemon, juiced
6-8 slices bacon

Directions:
1. In small bowl, combine BBQ sauce with grated apple and lemon juice.
2. Place chicken breasts in base of crock pot, pour BBQ/apple mixture over the chicken. Wrap 2 pieces of bacon around each chicken breast. Set to low and cook for 8 hours.* I would only cook 6-7 I did 8 & chicken was dry!
 serve with sweet potatoes, baked potatoes, mashed potatoes or rice.


Creamy Chicken & potatoes
4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves
2 tsp poultry seasoning
8-10 small new (red) potatoes w/ peels
1 can cream of chicken soup
8 oz sour cream
* I would also add a little garlic powder, onion powder & pepper for some more flavor :)
Sprinkle chicken w/ poultry seasoning and place in sprayed slow cooker. Arrange potatoes around chicken.
Combine soup, sour cream, and a good amount of pepper in bowl. Spoon over chicken. Cover and cook on low for 4-6 hours.
Serves 4.
Enjoy -Candice-

Ranch & Bacon Chicken(CrockPot)

I made this for dinner last night it was soooo good! You serve with egg noodles & FYI: Don't add salt it has enough! Here is the recipe:

3-4 Boneless skinless chicken breasts

2 tbsp real bacon bits ( I used real bacon I cooked 6 pieces & cut up small)

1 tsp minced garlic

1 pkg

Directions:

 ranch dressing mix

1 can cream of chicken soup

1 cup sour cream

egg noodles

 Directions

1. Combine bacon, garlic, ranch dressing mix, soup, and sour cream; mix well.

2. Pour over chicken in the crock pot.

3. Cook on high 3-4 hours.

4. I then shred the chicken and put back in the pot and add the egg noodles; mix together