Fun at the beach!

School is starting this week and it's going to be cold here in the NW very soon! So this last weekend we took a trip to Garibaldi for a few days of camping at the beach. We also did some school clothes shopping in Lincoln city at the outlet mall. I'm so glad I did, I got almost ALL of the shopping done for less than $300 I think that is really good for 3 kids! Anyway I love love LOVE the beach and last time I forgot my camera so this time I got a little carried away with the pics.

Okay I guess that's enough. Can u tell we love the beach? I didn't even take any pics at our camp site.

7 meals in one day!

For a while now I've been wanting to do the whole Once a Month Cooking thing. But it's seemed kinda hard because first of all that is a lot of food and supplies to buy all at once and also because I have a pretty small kitchen. But since I have been really trying to save money and not eat out, I thought now would be the time to try it out and start out simple just doing one week at a time. I wont actually have all these meals this week but at least I can start stocking up for when I am in the mood for each one again.
It's much easier than I thought it would be. Not that it should suprise me, I always think things are going to be harder than they actually end up being. So I did my grocery shopping this past weekend. I only spent $150 and I still have at least 10 more dinners to make.
So here's what I made, not exactly from scratch but all with fresh veggies. I'm a semi homemade kinda girl.

A big pot of chili which can be for just a bowl of chili, or chili baked with cornbread on top and also chili dogs or chili mac

Creamy chicken and veggie stew (I'll top with buscuits when ready to eat) enough for two dinners and lunch the next day

Creamy chicken and rice casserole

Sloppy Joe's enough for dinner and lunch the next day

Chicken and Rice soup enough for two dinners or lunch the next day

Chicken tortilla soup enough for dinner and lunch the next day


Most of us have our own favorite recipes for all of these dishes, but incase u were wondering how I make mine

For the chicken tortilla soup
Chicken broth (any store bought or homemade)
Chicken breasts cut up or shredded
heavy cream or I use half and half
salsa
tortilla chips
Black beans

For the creamy chicken and veggie stew
I use cream of chicken soup and milk
a bag of frozen veggies or your own mix
cut up chicken breasts
and top with buscuit mix and bake till buscuits are done

Chili

I use all kinds of beans
Kidney beans
black beans
pinto beans
chili beans
red beans
stewed tomatoes
diced tomatoes
tomato sauce
onion
bell pepper
garlic
masa (to thicken)
salt
chili powder
cumin
pepper (black and cayenne)
and ground beef or turkey
u can also add beef or chicken stock instead of water

and for the chicken and rice casserole this is a new recipe for me, I haven't made it before although I've seen many variations
here is the recipe for the one I made

A huge money saving tip!

So lately I've been trying to think of ways to save more money or at least to spend less money. We've decided that we wont be eating out anymore. No fast food or ordering in. Except for special occasions which then we will have to be careful about. So today I found this awesome website where u can buy gift certificates for 50% or more off at local resturaunts. Some have rules but it's very worth it if u ask me.
My 7 year anniversary is coming up next monday and I plan on going out somewhere using the discount. I hope it works out like it seems it should. Anyway u can check it out by clicking here

What Happend?

For some reason all the blogs I was following are gone and it says I am not following any, has this happend to anyone else?

I went on an airplane!

A small and very tight 4 seater plane. It was so much fun. We flew right over Mt. St. Helens. It was so beautiful! Not a great pic but I'm trying to get some better ones and then I can tell you all about that adventure.



So far our summer has been pretty good. I hate the heat but it's not as bad as last summer in Tulsa so I can't complain too much. I do miss it but it's nice to be with friends and family again. We've been busy and it's just now getting to one month since they've been out of school. We took the kids to play mini golf and they loved it! Good thing we only did 1/2 cause it took forever!! So here are some recent pics of how our summer is going so far.

So sad... No other words

So So sad!
Michael Jackson and Farrah Faucet

Rain Rain Come and Stay!!

I't a dark and cloudy NW kind of day! Perfect day to be home doing laundry if u ask me. It's been pouring off and on and there is a river going through the parking lot of our complex. I LOVE IT!
I love the bright and sunny days too but after the hot sweaty weather we've had lately, (it's actually only been in the 70's and low 80's but I have hot flashes!)
a day like this is a breath of fresh air. I actually thought of going outside with the kids to play in it, but even the kids said they didn't want to. Maybe when it's starts up again tomorrow I'll take em out in it to show them how fun it can be. It's not cold, just cool and rainy. Usually I hate when they get dirty and don't even let them play in the dirt or grass, but where's the fun in that. Oh and as I look out the window the sun is coming out. Oh well we live in Washington so it's not like that'll last long.

Cosmetology school

I'm finally ready to go. I have a lot of goals that are so far apart from each other like cosmetolgy school, midwifery, singer, Suzie Homemaker, artist....
Well I've decided that in the fall when my boys start kindergarten I am going to school also. I have someone really close that can watch them. Javier's family, which is good because it's family AND they can learn spanish finally.
Well they'll only go every other day but all day, But, it's a start right?
I don't know anything about this really. Like how to apply for loans or financial aid or enroll and how it all works, I'm really scared. I feel like a fat frumpy old mommy lady and I'm going into a business that I love yes!, But that I feel like people are going to see me and say "what are u doing here? what do u know about style?" But I also feel like maybe it will help to get the "Lisa" back. Who I used to be before all the kids and being a wife. It's hard to remember what that was like and who that person was. But I miss her. The closer I get to 30 the more I realize that. And since my birthday just passed maybe that is why I'm so determined? I always thought I had to be perfect to be Mommy and Wifey, and leave the old me behind. But now that my children are getting older and starting to have their own interests, it reminds me how important it is for them to know who they are and not to every lose it or let the hard times in your life change who u really are. I've gone through a lot of chaos in my life, and now it's so boring that I am affraid to take any chances. But I want to quit daydreaming about all the things I want to do and instead experience them.

Anyway I didn't mean to get all sappy so to show u how excited I am about going to school, I want to show u what I can't wait to learn. First, (I don't know how I found this website but this girl's make-up is awesome! See it here >>> Queen Bee Chronicles
and also take a look at this girl. I LOVE HER! www.makeupgeek.com
I can't wait to go shopping for new brushes!

A Great Find!

Yesterday I found an awesome website with tons and I mean tons of free tutorials for sewing. It's called Everythingyourmamamade.com

How to make your own bodyform

I found this awesome video for a very cheap DIY bodyform and it's completely custom to your body. Check it out here

My family

This weekend Javier's family had a huge gathering. His parents just came for their annual visit a couple weeks ago (they stay about 2 months out of the year) and this weekend the whole family came to Vancouver to visit. There were so many people, so many kids, so much food! It was so nice though. For the kids to play with their cousins and even though I don't understand much of the language, just being there around family that isn't all messed up is really cool! I am so blessed that because of my hubby I have a really great family for my children to grow up with!
Oh and I am ordering Rosetta Stone! I can't go another year not speaking spanish!

Going to be a Lovely Day

For the last week or so it's been beautiful! Bright and sunny almost every day. The kids have either had school or something has been going on but not today. It's bright sunny and the kids don't have school and even better it's going to be in the upper 70's so we are headed to the pool!

U learn something new every day

Did u know that if u add an apple to your potato sack it wont grow sprouts?
Awesome! I hate those nasty looking things. I absolutely love tips like this that u would never think of. Like a saltine cracker in the sugar jar. Even beauty tips, like did u know that putting a little foundation on your lips before you put lipstick or liner on will help it to last longer and IMO look better too! I don't wear it much anymore but when I do it's a must. Also I put consealor (is that how u spell it?) on my eyelids before I put eyeshadow on it stays put all day and I think it makes the eyeshadow smooth on better.
Send me new tips if u have any!

Jealous Women are so annoying!

I wish that women weren't so jealous of each other. They would stop being so competitive and building up bad feelings about each other (which usually reflects how they feel about themselves) and maybe starting learning from each other or better yet start learning about each other.
If u start to look at another woman and u start feeling jealousy, why not ignore the thought and try to get to know that person and see what she's about and what it is that u admire instead of getting jealous about something she has or is that u don't or aren't!

If u don't laugh you'll cry

So today while I was attending to my growing pile of laundry, I got an email and found out that my last landlord is ripping me off! I can't believe it! It wasn't the nicest place to begin with but that place looked better when I left than when I moved in. Out of $850 she's only giving me $140 something back. She is charging me for things that were messed up when I moved in and even when I told her about them she never fixed them. When I read all the rediculous charges I was livid! I was so upset I was shaking and wanted to cry. How can I prove my side when I have no pictures or documentation and I live half way across the country. I mean $700 might not be a lot of money to some people but to my family it's almost a whole months rent and it's at least a months worth of groceries and gas. I just can't believe how dishonest and greedy some people are!
I know that I can't let it eat away at me and let the anger control me so, since I'm not rich I am just going to pray and ask God for the strength to let it go.
I have so many other things to be thankful for, I'm too blessed to be stressed!
(I'm trying so hard not to call and let the Italian temper come out of me)

Anyway I think maybe God was trying to teach me that anger doesn't solve problems so he wanted make me laugh...
Because I've been so busy lately and haven't kept up on my Mommy duties like I should be, I realized that the boys were completely out of clean underwear. This was only after they spilled milk on their bed and all over themselves (I keep telling Javier not to let them take those cups out of the kitchen)
So Lorenzo would not go to sleep. He kept crying "I need underwear!" I tried putting a pull up on him and finally he actually let me put a pair of Gabriella's underwear on him just to sleep in. It was the funniest thing I wish I would've taken a picture! So today Gabriella was outside playing with some of the neighborhood kids when Lorenzo looks over the balcony and yells "Gabriella I wear your underwear last night"
It was the funniest thing!
So anyway back to laundry duty!

I am such a dork

Can I just say something so random?
I love blogging! Not actually what I blog about but reading other peoples blogs. I could do this for hours! From fashion to Mommyhood to cooking to being craft and saving money oh my it's so fun to me I don't know why. I guess I love learning about things that I've always admired but never had anyone to teach me about. Even just learning different ways to do things or what places have really good deals when shopping for kids. I think I am really turning into like Suzie Homemaker or something. I used to get hurt when people would tease me with that name but honestly I don't really mind anymore. If I am a stay at home mom what is better to do in my very rare free time but learn ways to brighten up the house for really cheap? Learn how to make a new recipe that's quick and easy, find really cheap earrings on etsy and see the beautiful knitted things that other mommies make, that I know someday I will have on my blog to show off.
The other day I told my friend I wanted to try an organic garden and then can the veggies and fruit. She laughed at me and said that is what her Grandma used to do. I don't know why but this kind of thing really sounds fun to me. I don't know if it's just the kind of girl I am or if it's because my own mom was domestically challenged. Either way, I can't wait to post pics of the pillows and curtains I plan to make. As far as the garden goes, I will keep ya posted. It's just now spring in the NW and still some very cold mornings.

Life

So here I am back in the NW. I keep saying Oregon even though it's actually Washington. But it's right over the bridge so I still go to Oregon all the time. Anyway the kids are great. Gabriella is in school and seems to like it. The boys have been talking about and wanting to go so bad but with the whole process I have to do with them it's been taking a little while so they're starting on the 6th. They'll have pretty much the same schedule except no fridays. We have a townhouse.

It's only two bedrooms but they're just fine for us for now. And we have a garage which makes it so much easier, we have a lot of junk.
I have been able to visit with family and it's all been really good! Javier's Mom is coming home soon and I know that will be so awesome. He's still looking for work but right now we're still doing good! I've been able to get more done than I would've been able to if he were at work that's for sure!
I've decided on Cosmetology school for sure I just need the right timing because of the job thing and the kids being out of school soon.
It feels a little different than I thought it would being back but it's pretty nice. I miss Tulsa though. The peace and quiet and the calm. But it's really nice to see people I know. Anyway not a lot to say but here are a couple pics of the new place and one of the boys playing on the stairs. Oh and notice I painted my ugly gold mirror!

No More Diapers!

My last child is finally out of diapers! Finally after 7 years of diaper duty, I'm done! So So So happy!
Just in time for moving, just in time for hopefully a regular kindergarten class next year and just in time cause I was about to lose my mind, lol!
We took him to Chuck E. Cheese's last week (which might've been a little early to celebrate) and then today he got to pick out his new big boy underwear. So unless I can talk my hubby into another baby within a few more years, my days of diapers are over!!!

Me Me Me

I wonder how many girls my age are feeling like they don't know themselves or maybe like they are just getting to know themselves. I am going to be 27 this year and I am just starting to really get to know me. I don't know how or when I will feel content or if that can ever happen but I do know that once I hit my 20's I started to realize that this person I thought I had become, through careful thought and planning, wasn't necessarily who I was meant to be. I have always thought of myself as different. Never really fitting in with anyone around me but always having at least one person around I could connect with on some level. I have always had a set of beliefs and morals and opinions about how life should be. It was so different from my disfunctional family that I had no reason to think there was anything wrong with how I viewed the world. It wasn't until I was married with children that I started to realize that life changes when u become an adult and not just your surroundings that change but who u are really changes. It can be really confusing for some girls who haven't had any normal or healthy role models. I knew a few people I thought were fairly normal and tried to live their lives right but no one who I really thought had all the answers. I have searched so long for someone who could give me answers. How can I be happy. How do I become a better mom, wife, friend? How can I be closer to God? How can I be sure that what I believe of God is true. How do I keep healthy relationships with people who think and believe so differently than I do, without judging them and without being hurt if they judge me.
I still don't know those answers but here's what I've come up with for now.
I don't want to waste my life trying to be what everyone wants me to be. Living where someone thinks I should live. Going after what someone thinks I should go after, believing what someone else thinks is the truth, loving the things that someone else loves. I have to learn that even when someone else seems to have all the answers doesn't mean they do. And if they have some of the answers that doesn't mean their answers should be my answers.
I want to be confident in the choices I make and not hear other peoples opinions in my head as I'm thinking about what choice to make. I am an adult aren't I entitled to that at my age? My husband should be the only person allowed to give me advice without me asking for it.
When I am thinking of what choices I should make, I first think of how God would see it and then how my husband would see it and then how it will affect my children and that I think is all that should matter.
So why is it that I still feel bad when I don't do what other people want me to do and how do I break the cycle?

Someday if people actually see my blog maybe u could answer and let me know if u know what I mean and if u have gone through a "finding yourself phase"


Well to change this to a more happy mood I would like to share that I have started to find some of my own passions and tap into my creative side.
I've wanted to learn so many crafty things for so long and I am finally starting to.
Last year I went out and bought a book to teach myself to crochet and knit and also a bunch of yarn and hooks and I didn't get too far I have to admit. I did get far enough to see that I love it! If it takes me a few years to finish a project then so be it! I love the feeling I get when I am creating something! Even though it may end up looking like just an ordinary scarf or blanket. Still it's something that I made with my own hands.
More recently, my husband bought me a sewing machine. After months of begging! I think it was finally the right time though because I now have someone (my new and very crafty friend Sally) to teach me how to use it! So far I've started and am now almost finished with a purse that is going to be sooo cute! I actually stay awake at night dreaming of what I can make. So when I get back to Oregon I think I will start some pillows and a quilt and then my next passion to pursue is pottery.
I took pottery in Highschool and Middle school but never really made anything great but now I think about it all the time. I want to make my own dishes and paint them maybe create some decor for my house. I can't wait!
I'd also love to find some old furniture pieces and bringing new life into them.
Also I would love to do some painting. Nothing that would be hung in a gallery or anything but ya know one of those do it yourself painting projects like on Design on a Dime.
Incase u haven't seen on my profile, some of my other passions are Singing, making music, writing poetry, doing make-up, and cooking. Some of those things have been on the back burner for a little while but I know eventually when the kids are a little older I'll learn how to fit it all in.
Anyway these are just some things about me that I'm learning. This is why I call myself an artist. Not that I think I am talented but because everything that interests me is some form of art.
Boy I really changed the tone here didn't I? Time for me to get to bed before I start on some other subject!

Time goes by

I realize that the last post was kinda depressing and I didn't want any to end up that way, So I must share something that in my opinion is quite beautiful but maybe only to mommies!
and just incase u couldn't already tell I am known for making short stories long!

So this week has gone by so slowly!
Since Wednesday or so both of my boys have had a cold. At first it was just runny noses and a little coughing. But around Thursday evening My little Enzo started running a fever and saying that his ear hurt. I don't really like giving them antibiotics right away because they had them so much when they were babies. So he's been in bed for the last few days. Suprisingly he even let me get tylenol down his throat two or three times, usually I have to put it in with strawberry milk. He still fights me but it's much better than it used to be. And most shocking Lorenzo has been drinking a lot of water. Usually he'll sip it only when he tastes his food but today he asked for it in a sippy cup and was drinking it down. But getting to the point of my story, He luvs his Bubba so much that whenever the tylenol kicks in he gets up to play with him and says "I go pway with Luis now" and in the middle of the night he wakes up and says "I go lay with Luis" and then comes back a little later when his fever is back. In the morning when they get up Luis comes in and says "c'mon Enzo let's pway" and Enzo says "sorry Luis I sick, maybe wayter"
It's so sad and yet so cute! I'm so lucky to have such loving kids, they really are best friends!
Anyway I've been spending most of my time laying next to Lorenzo and taking care of him so now I'm also sick but ya know how moms are we can be sick and still get up and cook for our hubbies. As far as cleaning goes, well that's another story.
Well my loving husband is doing all the grocery shopping for me so I better get to my grocery list.

Moving Home!

As many times as I have moved away from home I always seem to be drawn back there. I don't know why really, I mean it's so beautiful in Portland. There is so much to see and so many different kinds of people. I really do love it! What's hard is having family that I love so much and not being able to have the relationships that I want so much! I just don't get them and I don't think they get me.
But now that I am married and have a family of my own I have to learn that it's not only me that matters as much as I want to run away from my childhood nightmares. I do still have so many good relationships at home that I don't want to ignore. Javier's family is there also and I just can't imaging having our kids grow up without them. His family is so opposite of mine. I don't want to keep the kids from knowing their large family. As disfunctional as my family was, I loved that I had so many aunts and uncles and cousins around and even though we may not be close now. Those are memories that are so close to my heart.
I feel like leaving Tulsa isn't going to be as easy as it seems like it should be. I haven't really made a lot of connections here but the ones I have made I think are what kept me from crying everyday being away from anything familiar. I've learned so much about myself this year though. I don't want to let life pass by me anymore. I want to go after my goals and not be lazy anymore. I want to get closer to my friends and family who are good for me and learn how to keep my distance from those who aren't so good while still loving them. I think that life here is so much slower and people really care more about other people and that's what I really love about Tulsa. Family and friends are most important and not getting ahead and what u can gain. I wish I could stay here and have all my family move here but that isn't going to happen. I hope that I will be able to keep in touch with people here and I hope that going back home wont mean moving backwards for me. I don't want to want too much but I also don't want to want too little. I think God has so many blessings that are here for us to experience I want to take advantage of every one that I can!

My Looooooooooooong Sunday

Today I planned to get up early... that didn't happen. I got up around 10 and had some really strong coffee hoping it would get rid of my awful headache. I had planned to make Mole Poblano today and I just couldn't let my husband down. I bought the million ingredients and even new pans since I have almost none.
So I haven't made this before and I was very nervous but I did a lot of research on Youtube and I even watched the ones in spanish, which I understood almost nothing of.
So I made it and it did look right but at first didn't taste like I thought it should. However, after simmering for about 2 hours I was very impressed with myself and so was my hubby! It was so good that he even said it was better than the resturaunt version we love so much. Wow! He doesn't hand out compliments like that often, lol!
Anyway my house was a mess all day long. Toys and blankets were everywhere video games on all day and with my headache that never went away I decided to take a late nap. I just woke up at 7:20! But I did get right up with no headache and clean and get the kids into bed.
Even though it was a very lazy day, I feel like much was accomplished, and now my husband is on his way to Braums for ice cream!
Today was a good day, I have to admit.

Oh and I'll add the recipe for mole poblano on my other blog.

New Blog

I'm getting to know a little more how to do this blog thing, So this is my second one. This is everything about me. The girly side, the mommy side, the wifey side and the friend side!

I am 26 and just starting to really know me and be me.
I have 3 kids ages 7 and twins age 5
I am happily married to what I call the closest thing to perfect!
I don't always treat him that way but I love him deeply and hope he knows that!

A few things about me

I've always dreamed of being a singer, I love all music! I'm kinda shy though, If I don't know u so I don't know how well I would do in public, I've only performed a few times and that was soooo long ago!

I use exclamation points way too much! Lol!

I am an artist at heart so I love anything that is creative.
I want to be a hairstylist, a make-up artist, a painter, potter, interior designer, chef, fashion designer and a musician.
But if u came to my house u wouldn't be able to tell any of this other than maybe a singer and chef.

I am slowly teaching myself to crochet and knit and when I can afford a sewing machine I will do that as well.

I want to be a nurse or a midwife and photographer on the side but I am also thinking about being a speech therapist or occupational or physical therapist because I have two autistic children and it has made me see children with disabilities as an inspiration, even with all the things that hold them back I think they have a magic about them! But for now I am just getting my GED and I will be starting school this year so we'll see what happens.

I've gone through a lot of tough things in my life and even though I didn't realize it, I've let it bring me down and keep me from following my dreams. I've used being a stay at home mom, as an excuse. Now that they are getting older, I want them to learn that following your dreams is the real key to happiness. I know that I can only show them by example.

I am ordinary but don't consider myself someone who "fits in". I'm unlike anyone I know. I love people who dare to be different.
I always try to do the right thing and I think other people should too. I'm a little judgemental but I love unconditionally.

I have a strong faith in God I just don't know how to share it with the world yet, if that makes sense.
I love entertaining people and cooking for people and learning from people and I love it when people can look past what they see and realize that there is more than meets the eye to everyone.

I am always all over the place, I'm totally random and I don't know why but I'm okay with it now.

I think the most amazing people I've ever met are my kids, they are so smart and even though they drive me nuts. I fall in love with them over and over again!

I lost my mom almost 2 years ago and it really changed my life, I realize now after being depressed for so long that I am done with it. I've made a choice to change it. Everything I do from now on will be to make sure that I open to all the blessings God has to offer!

I want to be a happy girl a happy mom a happy wife and a happy friend!