July's

• Went Crabbing
• Still nice weather
• Arizona family visited
• B got his car fixed
• My friend had her baby ♥
• I am battling with my lazy twin. (yup this is a happy!)
• We paid off a loan $$
• 4th of July was fun.
• I live on the beach
• New bed, YES!
• My cousin is pregnant with #2!!
• Best summer ever
• Bryson sleeps through the nights!!
• A DIFFERENT COUSIN GOT ENGAGED!!!! 
• Bryson is so amazing! 
• Love the night talks with my honey

& 

• My insomnia came back, grr!!!
• Hormone change, super.
• Bryson fell off the bed :(
• Zoe almost got trampled by a deer
• My car needs fixed
• Food loves me, ug... ok I LOVE FOOD!
• Summer is halfway done
• Bryson is teething, poor baby
• I'm not tan yet

P.S. Five more months until Christmas! 

Excitement Vs. Respect of Privacy

With all the social media out there, paparazzi, and news it seems privacy is off limits. I understand if you have a higher title (Kate & William, President) or you live the a life of a celebrity because it comes with the job but I want to talk about your personal "hometown" Excitement  Vs. Respect of Privacy. The one thing that really gets under my skin (mostly through Facebook) is when you scroll down your Homepage and there is a picture of a Bride & Groom saying their voes...Two...Minutes...Ago... What gets to me is its not from the Bride or Grooms page. They are probably tagged in it. Come on people, I know its an exciting time but have some respect for the couple. Its not about you right now and let the two people who have planned this day for over a year post their photos first unless told otherwise, by them. I love seeing pictures and announcements but this world gets so caught up in the excitement and "who can get the story first" we forget what respect for a persons privacy is. Posting "Congratulations" on a persons page before they announce anything is making it about you. If you really want to congratulate someone call them, private message them or text them if THEY have not yet made THEIR news public. You probably know the news because they told you being respectful to YOU so you don't hear it through Facebook first. There are very few things left in this world that are precious. Try to hold onto them. Try and be respectful.

Oh, What Did I do...

Oh boy did I create a mess with my blog, links and bloglovin ads. Yikers! A few hours later and 0,
Z E R O bloglovin followers because I switched my blogspot address and boy did I create a mess!! Everything is fixed but please re-follow us on Bloglovin and SO SORRY for the mix up. Sheesh, I wont do that again!

Sugar, Butter, Beautiful

My older sister has a talent for baking. She bakes some of the most delicious cakes all from scratch. I love my Birthday even more because I know I'll get something good from her. Today I got to help her decorate this beauty for a close friends 60th Birthday. I usually help decorate and just watch her bake. I don't think you want a cake from me unless it comes from a box :) The best part... We get to help eat this one! Yum!!

Misty's Cake Bar

Why I Blog

Great question. I often ask myself this and find a new answer every time.

Blogging for me is a great way to connect with other Moms doing just about the same thing I am doing. I feel a closeness to them even without ever meeting. Some ladies live on the other side of the world but there is no difference in raising children and still fallowing your passions.

I love having a "journal" if you will to share my thoughts, passions and most of all my growing family. My greatest achievement ever. I love the idea of my kids being able to look back one day and read my journey as a Wife, Mother but also have their story of childhood.

Facebook is a great way to keep in touch with distant family but I feel blogging has more of a personal touch. Its hard when you have relatives that live out of town and your little grand-kids/niece/nephew are growing up without you. I love to feel like I am doing everything I can to keep them apart of my growing family. Thanks goodness for Skype!

I'm not alone. This was big for me when I was a new Mom. Those first few weeks home alone and goggling everything new this little guy would do is lonely. When I would read other Moms struggles and would read how they got through those times was uplifting and bright. This is why I am so honest in my blogging. I am her for me with the hopes of helping others if their life takes the same path mine is. This is my little spot to love, vent, tote my own horn but most of all remember who I am and what I have.
This is how I want to be remembered.


If you haven't already jump on over to Bloglovin and follow us! Or not :) Bloglovin is a great way to have all you favorite blogs in one place and its private so your sneaky side is safe with....you. No more bookmarks on ten computers just one click and its a menu of blogs!

Mom, What's for dinner?

 I get stuck in a food rut. Its usually Tacos, Spaghetti, This recipe, cereal and steaks... repeat. I love Skinnytaste.com  they have some great recipes and new ideas. I wish I was a better cook or just had more time to do so.
I love passed down family recipes! Here is one from my great grandmother that I added to. 

So, Mom whats for dinner?...  Sweet and Sour Chicken

What you'll need:

• 1lb Skinless chicken (any parts)
• 1 bottle Russian Dressing or Catalina Dressing
• 1 packet dry onion soup mix
• 1 jar apricot/pineapple jam
• 1/2 yellow onion
• 4 Sweet mini peppers
• 1 Can pineapple chunks
• Preheat oven to 425*Serving size 4.

Mix together Russian dressing, apricot/pineapple jam & dry onion soup mix. 

Cut Yellow Onion and Mini Peppers to desired size. Add Onion, Mini Peppers & Drained Pineapple to your mix.

Mix well.

 Place Chicken in a 9X13 non-greased baking pan, then pour your mix on top covering the chicken.

 Cover with tinfoil and cook for 30min. Remove tinfoil, and cook for another 15-20min. (Depends on the size of chicken. Cook all meat products to accurate temperatures and check before serving.)

 Serve over rice and enjoy!

Yum Yum, now who made dessert? :)

{This Moment}

{this moment} –A single photo – no words – capturing a moment. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. 

Chuggin along

Being a stay-at-home-working-mom is busy. Way busier then an 8-5 job. Weekends... whats that? I love it! It did take me about Five months before my mind knew this was my "new" job, then I had no desire to want to work 8-5 all week. I do miss being social but some days being home all day is peaceful with no drama unless I turn on Facebook or the t.v. Here are some things that help get me through the week... 

 

Boy Time & Water Love

We have a lot of girls around here and poor Bryson can tell. When our friends from Arizona came to visit with TWO boys Bryson was in heaven. He watched everything they did and wanted to be right there wrestling with them. After watching the two boys play with each other and have so much fun it made me want another boy (but not quite yet!) so Bryson could have someone to wrestle with. I think a trip to Arizona is in the works...

Our Summer has been amazing! I wanted to get Bryson a blue kiddy pool for our deck but they are sold out in town and not getting anymore this summer. So, like any creative Mom that wants to make their kid happy I fixed up a makeshift pool out of a diaper box and garbage bag. My baby loved it!

In the Moment

Good morning Monday!

Over looking my blog for this past year I notice a small pattern. One that truly defines my inner soul that I try to be conscious of every day. The pattern- Be in the Moment, Just breathe, live in the now and focus on this day the....right....now.  I love to plan and a few years back I noticed I was so involved in the future and whats next I didn't live for the right now.  You miss so much when your mind is no present. Watching the news this morning I realize how hard this world is making if for us to just enjoy one thing at a time. Just be still. The broadcaster was telling the news, there was a still information box below him on the screen and then a moving information bar at the bottom of the screen. So at one time we are trying to take at least three things in at once and usually they are all different stories. No wonder why society is so demanding for more then what needs to be giving. We are learning to be satisfied we need ten things going on at once. After a while you will start to give up the important things to just try to keep up. Don't try to keep up! The only satisfaction you get is the highlight of the technology buzz and you'll look back one day and I bet you only remember one of those "three" things on the tv screen anyway!  It took lots of practice and patients for me to unfilter what my mind thought was important. The outcome is more relaxing, and peaceful then I could ever imagine. I will continue to keep this pattern in my blog for this is my inner soul. This is what I want to pass on to my children. My right now says "Coffee time".

Update: July's personal goal...

So, I'v kinda been dreading this update from my July's personal goal post. Truthfully because I'v done nothing! Ugg! Sooo many food gatherings this month but number one I'm just being lazy which makes my personal goal go nowhere, nada, zero. But its still not to late to start!
Weight lose and weight gain has always been a part of my life. It used to control me, Sad. I truly believe food addictions are the HARDEST "drug" to get free from because its also a "drug" your body has to have to survive unlike any other addiction. I know my weaknesses and strengths but also know to well how to settle. Once I start its no turning back KEY work START and I love it but deep down their is that voiced that says...

I would love if you know of any weight loss blogs out there to give me some motivation :)

Seven Months

Giggle, Giggle

On a roll

Likes walks

Played with cousins

Handsome
Claps his hands

Clothes size 9-12

Weight-19.8

Height-28"
Diaper size 3

Sleeps 4-5hrs at night
3 naps a day

Says, Mooomaaa (sounds like Mama!)
Ok, and Daaaadaaaa :)

Bouncing maniac
Went swimming
Sleeps in his room & ours
Gives hi fives
Curious little man
Pat-a-cake
Found Mr. WeeWee! :o

 Stephanie Brissette Photography

Water, Sunshine, Deliciously Yum

The perks of living in Alaska! I loved our weekend!! B, Bryson & I tagged along with my sister Misty & Sam to get some crab for our seafood boil. The weather was beautiful, the waters were calm and the food was magnificent. Our out of town "close enough to be family" friends are here from Arizona and we pampered them with a great fest after their day of fishing. We even fit in some yard work while Bryson sat in the stroller and blew us some mouth bubbles.

  Our path was being eaten by the yard.

Bryson's First Swim

HE LOVED IT! We took him for his first swim and this kid almost splashed all the water right out of that pool he was so happy. We took along a disposable waterproof camera and will never do it again. The pictures are garbage. So I will be purchasing a much nicer one soon. Here are some "lovely" pictures from Bryson's first swim with the family.