Kitchen tools that are essential!

Do you like to cook and bake a lot? Maybe you don't necessarily "like" to, but being a mama or wife, puts you in that role?! Here is a list of my have kitchen tools, that are essential! Take a peak at Sweetlifeaswife for other ideas!

Pop over to my cooking blog and check my latest recipe; Apple Ginger Pork chops found HERE

1. My Crock Pot. I don't really use this a lot, but I use it for soups, roast, and bbq. My husband and I aren't really a fan of chicken in the crockpot, so I don't use it for chicken recipes!

2. My super large skillet. I use this ALOT. Its ginormous. I use this when I'm frying pork chops or chicken, and need all the meat to fit in 1 pan!

3. My gorgeous red mixer

4. Tons of spoons. I routinly use 3 or more spoons while making dinner. When you have multiple pots or skillets going, you need to make sure you have enough spoons!

5. My wonderful stainless steal, gas range. LOVE

6. My Red Dutch Oven. This is great for things that need to simmer (like soups, rice, etc)

7. My hand meat tenderizor (found at bed, bath, and beyond). You really need one of these if you don't have one. I use it every time I'm cooking meat.

8. Plastic cutting boards. These are super easy to store, use, and clean

9. My huge food processor. These babies are expensive, but so worth the investment! You can put a whole onion in; love it!

10. My family griddle/grill

I hope that might help if you're looking for some cooking inspiration! I"m linked to Welcome Wednesday from Take It From Me. Hop on over if you're looking for more mom's!

1st birthday inspiration

Our babies first birthday is coming up in May. I CANT believe it; seriously. It makes me sad to think how big he's getting, but so happy and excited for each new stage with him! One of his favorite things is balls. So I think for his party, Im just going to get plates and stuff that are polka dots like ball pit balls, and go off that. He has a little ball pit, and I thought it would be cute to use the balls to decorate with. Also, I may fill a baby pool outside, with some ball pit balls. Here are some inspirational pictures! Come dream with me (because I'm too cheap to do anything close to these pictures! And lets face it; with 4 kids, a huge blow out expensive party just doesn't happen!)

Love these cupcake toppers

LOVE this cake! I wonder if I can do it....I like the apothecary jars with candy too! Im sure I can do that Love all the bright colors here Another super cute, not profesional, polka dot cake

Cute idea for cupcakes!

Now here's a cheap way to get polka dots; colored plates!

Love this.

Polka dot cups

polka dot plates

Cute ideas huh?! All it takes is money and the imagination!

*Most of the pictures were found at PolkaDotBirthday.

*I'm linked up to Things I Love Thursdays And SnackbarReviews And Blog Hop Tuesdays!

top 10 summer essentials

Today over at SimplySweetLife, the Tuesday topic is your top 10 favorite summertime memories or activities. Here's my list that I came up with! It certainly gets me in the mood for summer! 1. Having my husband home all summer! (lets face it; having some help with 4 kids ALL summer is pretty nice!) 2. Snow cones and Sonic drinks 3. Vacations (A possible Florida trip is in the works; I hope it works out!) 4. Sleeping In (I put this because its a memory I USED to have. Not so much anymore, with 4 kids. DONE are the days of sleeping in! 5. Birthday's! (we have 5 of 6 birthday's during the summer!) 6. Pool time 7. Sun dresses 8. Cuz Camp (Every summer our kids and 2 of their cousins on my side of the family, get together with my parents and have "cuz camp". My parents plan a trip and we all go. Its a very special time, as my parents lead bible studies, have them memorize verses, and the kids have a blast! Last year we did this in Florida, this year we're going to my parents cabin out in East Texas. 4 wheelers, dirt bikes; etc. Fun times! 9. Baby pool in the backyard (this is a new memory I want to have with my little one this summer!) 10. Popcycles

Ready for summer!?

What are your top 10 life essentials?

Yes, I realize today is Monday, but I"m posting a little early, because Tuesdays are busy for me!

Everybody has those "things", they feel they can't live without. Over at Simply Sweet Life, has put together Top 10 Tuesdays. This week, the challenge was to make a list of your 10 essential items, you can't live without. My first thought was, I dont know if I can come up with 10! Maybe a top 5?! But the more I thought about it, the more I realized it was an opportunity to ponder over the things I love and desire most. And certainly I could come up with 10!

If I were stuck on an island, what are the 10 things I would most want with me?

Let me begin by saying, some things on my list are simple. Its the simple things people! I'm not trying to say my relationship with the Lord isn't important, and that a bible or devotional didnt make my list. I"m merely saying I'm trying to be honest, and if I"m being honest, there are a lot of other things that come to my mind as well.

So let us begin! In no particular order...

1. Caffiene: Coke and Sweet Tea (no further description necessary!)

2. Clothes and Shoes (that's kinda essential eh?!)

3. My husband (I would NOT want to be stranded on an island alone. All the things that go bump in the night?! shiver. I would need my husband! And if we're stranded on an island, it might be up to us to repopulate!)

4. My children (they are life.)

5. My parents (I mean, they've been in my life for almost 30 years now. They're pretty essential to me)

6. A bible, devotional, and journal (is this cheating to lump it all together?!)

7. Some kind of chocolate (FOR SURE)

Is there a mall or target on this island? I kid, I kid

8. Family (my siblings and inlaws. They have such an influence in my life, and in my children's lives. I cannot imagine or picture life without them. really. And I'm sad that we dont live near all of them, but thankful we're close to some!)

9. Friends (I'm super horrible at staying in touch with long distance friends. really. I always have been. Life keeps moving and I move with it. I always seperate myself from my different walks of life, and I wish that wasn't true. BUT life is not life without fellowship, friendship, and accountability. I have been so thankful for having this in my life, and the friends God has given me.

10.umm; can I say my Iphone? I just did. There; I said it. My Iphone. I use google maps all the time! solitaire! Angry Birds! Twitter! Gmail! You get the point.

So there's my list. Some serious, some silly. They all encompas what make up my life, or what SHOULD make up my life. Certainly chocolate and sweet tea are not life or death essentials, but they are wants and likes, and sometimes those just gotta make the list.

What are your top 10 essentials?

Funny 1 liners from my labor with Kase

My mom wrote down all the funny stuff I said, while in labor and delivery with Kase. She just found the piece of paper and shared them with me! Im a pretty funny girl. I was drugged up pretty good (had preclampsia and was on all sorts of stuff for it, that made me pretty loopy and feel really groggy!) I dont remember saying half of this stuff!

Enjoy!

* Nurse- "Michelle, whats your highest level of education, and your job?"
Me- "Masters, and homemaker. I make smart cookies!"

* Foreign anesthesiologist- He asked me three questions with his BACK to me.
Me to Nurse- "What is he saying?!"(I couldnt understand him!)
Me to Anesthesiologist- I'm putting my life in your hands; can you please look at me?!"

*Me- "I haven't eaten in over 24 hours. I would like to be eating a Cinnabon during my last push, followed by french toast, and a Citrus Squeeze from Jamba Juice"

*Nurse to me- "the contractions are getting stronger now, so this will really test your pain tolerance."
Me- "I have IBS, it can't be worse than that!"
Nurse- "Oh, you'll be fine then!"

*My Dad was standing behind a curtain during delivery, auto taping the delivery
Me- "That has to be illegal!"

*We had not made up our minds on Kase's middle name; Holden or Michael. The lady to complete the birth certificate walked in and asked, so we told her to come back in 5 minutes!
Me- "What's his middle name?!"
Edwin- "Let's play rock, paper, scissors for it!"
My Dad- "Since Edwin likes poker, I think it should be Kase Holdem"

Hope that gave you a good laugh!

Father's day ideas/man food and gifts

I dont really think we're going to do much for Father's day (which is also my dad's birthday and brother and sister in law's anniversary!), since Edwin just had surgery this morning! He's doing well and recovering, aka; sleeping. Continue to pray for healing and his recovery, as well as for my mom (she had surgery yesterday).  If he's up for it, I'll cook some man food! Here are a few ideas for some yummy man food you can cook! 

Pan-Seared Steak with Spinach, Grapes, and Almonds

Recipe Here

Yummy slow cooker ribs

Recipe Here

Herbed Beef Tenderloins 

Recipe Here

Beer Dip

Recipe Here

Bacon wrapped teriyaki chicken skewers 

Recipe Here

Desserts

Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars

Recipe Here

Cupcake Fun from Bakerella

Recipe Here

Golf Cupcakes 

Recipe from Martha Stewart

Need homemade gift ideas for your husband or father? Check out ideas; Here, Here, Here, Here,

8 Things...

Two posts in one day! Aren't you lucky!? One mom, five kids tagged me in this little bloggy game. Thanks a lot! haha. 

8 Things I'm looking forward to

1. Having a baby

2. Our floors being completed!

3. Selling our house QUICKLY

4. Going to dallas for my grandpa's 87th birthday party

5. Moving to Dallas

6. Continuing to learn how to cook, and find good recipes my family loves

7. A date night

8. The summer with my husband and kids!

8 things I did yesterday

1. Took the boys to school

2. Watched Mary Poppins with Keira in her bed

3. Ate Easter candy

4. Got sweet tea from McDonalds

5. Took Kai to his baseball game

6.  Emailed with my husband at work

7.  Bought the boys some clothes at Target

8. Had sonic for lunch with Keira (I can't cook or walk in the kitchen!)

8 things I wish I could do

1. Scrapbook better

2. Dance beautifully

3. Be prego tomorrow 

4. Make money from home (who doesn't!?)

5. Redo our loft game room! 

6. Be more confident and trust in God's timing

7. Snap my fingers and have my friends and family all in Houston; or snap my fingers and have us there

8. Find jeans that actually fit me; they're all too big. 

8 shows I watch

1. Lost

2. The Office

3. American Idol

4. America's Next Top  Model

5. Gangland (my husband and I like this show on the History channel. I think.)

6. Phinneas and Ferb (This is on WAY to much; but its Kai's favorite). 

7. Intervention

8. Penguins of Madagascar (a new kid favorite)

8 people i'm tagging 

Just enjoy reading my list, and do it if you want to! 

Laundry, cooking, and cleaning; not today!

This is day two on the work, of our new floors! Our house is such a mess; much more than when the painters were here. ALL of our kitchen appliances and decor are in our family room; dining table and chairs, stove, and our refrigerator. At least the refrigerator is still plugged in! Our garage is still filled with stuff and now our washer and dryer (no laundry, cooking, or cleaning for me!).  I don't know about you, but I don't feel completely comfortable leaving the house all day, with other people in my house. One of the reasons is the garage door is open (its easier for them to carry all the materials in the house that way) and our garage is filled with so much of our furniture and things! I just don't want anybody to walk by and see a nice full garage; ya know?! 

The demo in the dining room/eat in kitchen. Apparently there were three different floors. 

This is our bathroom. Edwin needed a jacket at Kai's baseball game (it was chilly and raining!). We couldn't get to our closets. 

Can I get you a drink?

Tonight we're going to have a nice family dinner, around the dining room table. 

Kade's trying to figure out how to get a snack. (they pulled everything away from the wall, so the furniture looks even more cramped) 

And the floors being laid down! 

AH! 

Today they're going to finish laying the tile in here, and put the grout in. 

At least my bedroom is back together, and my bed is made! 

I can't wait for everything to be done! I think they're starting the wood in the family room on Saturday.  I have a bad feeling, we're all going to be confined to our master bedroom tomorrow! The kids won't be able to get to their rooms since the floor is being laid all down the hall by their bedrooms. This will be interesting (as if this process hasn't already been interesting enough!)

Stay tuned for more pictures and finished rooms! 

April fool's part two; pictures

So April 1st is pretty much over (since the kids are home from school, and there isn't much else to do!) Here are some pictures from the day and a few things we did to have a little fun on April Fool's day! Edwin isn't home from work yet, but I'm hoping he doesn't have anything up his sleeve! He actually told me he was going to put a rubber band around the hand nozzle (whatever that thing is called), on the kitchen sink so when I turned the sink on, the hand sprayer sprayed me! BUT I apparently woke up in a bad mood (don't judge me; I was tired!), and he didnt think I would laugh!

First; I made all the beds backwards. It looks funny since they dont have Footboards! This is Kade and Kai's room

This is Keira's room. She actually saw this, and fixed her bed and I had to make it like this again! She's very organized and meticulous!  (and she's 4)

And this is our room

I woke up this morning, to this LOVELY football helmet on my dresser, and my decorations gone. I found them later though! Thank you Edwin for redecorating our room for April Fool's! ha.

And now; THIS is Edwin's closet! Yet; its filled with my clothes! That's right. I switched our closets. So when Edwin gets home and goes to change his clothes, he'll find mine in his closet! This is just one side of the closet. We have large closets and lots of clothes! Both of us.

This is my closet (yes and some storage stuff) with some of Edwin's clothes and where I put his lovely football helmet. Dont you think it looks better in a closet?!

I even put his shoes, hats, shorts, and pants in my closet.

So that's it on the pictures! Kai wore a sticker to school that says "I eat worms", and I sent both boys with a card that wouldn't open. When they got home from school, I put a different color of food coloring at the bottom of a cup, and when they asked for milk; it poured out white, but filled the cup a color! Kai and Keira said this was the best day ever. They're dying for Edwin to get home to see his closet! 

Now, I have to worry about changing the closets back later! UG. BUT it was worth it. The kids felt special and loved today, and had a good laugh! Keira said, "my mommy is so funny!" Isn't that what it's all about?!

April Fools Day Ideas!

Looking for some April fool's ideas for your kids?! Here are a few ideas I've found. 

Serve ice cream first! It's really mashed potatoes and gravy!

(courtesy of Martha Stewart)

Turn the facet water blue!

(courtesy of Martha Stewart)

Put a fake bug in your kids (or husband's) shoes

(courtesy of Martha Stewart)

Tint the milk or juice a different color

(courtesy of Martha Stewart)

Want to put a fun card that doesn't open, in your child's lunch box!? Click here or here to download some!

Printable name tags and stickers for you or your children to wear! Click Here

to download some. 

Disclaimer: I don't really think they're all appropriate for kids to wear, so i'm not advocating all of them! I like the "I love homework", and "I like broccoli" stickers. 

Other ideas-

 

Wait until your kids fall asleep, then put everyone in a different bed! They'll wake up the next morning in someone else's bed and be confused! 

Set the clocks an hour early, after your kids go to sleep. Once they're dressed and ready for school, tell them its an hour early and take them out to breakfast! 

Serve colorful cupcakes for dinner! (surprise; they're really a muffin tin with meatloaf and mashed potatoes!)

The sink surprise! (I will NOT be doing this one! I dont think Edwin would laugh!) 

Let me know if you decide to try anything tomorrow! I'm not sure if or what I'm going to do, but I'll let you know if I decided to try anything!