Hotel Living, Part 1

What do you do when you're stuck living in a hotel for a month? Play board games, duh!!!!

Hope you guys enjoy your weekend. We're going to attempt to get out and explore the Wisconsin campus. Let's hope our toes don't freeze off. It is definitely cold in Madison. I guess we better bundle up!

 

The boys playing Operation

Tyson in daddy's pants

Orlando wearing daddy's gear

There was lots of noise that came with this face.

Our quick trip to Chicago

Me and my boys

Orlando and Tyson in the hotel lobby

On our drive from West Virginia to Wisconsin the boys and I made a short stop in Chicago. I've been trying to get to Chicago for some time now, so I was really excited to finally get a chance to visit. Although it was a quick visit, I really tried to make the best of it. I was a little apprehensive about exploring the city because once I got off the expressway, driving to the hotel was a bit stressful. I'm from a big city (Atlanta) but Chicago was different...really different. More people walking, more traffic, and more cars. It was a real city!! I felt like cars and people were coming at me from every direction! A nice gentleman even relaxed his hands on his horn to let me know that I was driving too slow !! I thought that was so kind of him (not). It really freaked me out. Luckily, the hotel was close and the valet was nice enough to take my car off my hands for the night(for $60/night...I thought that was ridiculous but I was so frazzled I didn't even care). We stayed at the Wyndham Grand Chicago Riverfront. It was really nice and I would stay there again. When we finally settled in, I decided that the boys and I would lock ourselves in our hotel room to stay away from the "crazy horn people." After calming down and realizing that I only had one day in Chicago I decided to go out and explore with the boys. We grabbed a cab and headed to The Children's Museum of Chicago, and I'm so glad we did. Chicago truly is a beautiful city! The Museum was located at the Navy Pier which was a nice experience. I can only imagine how beautiful the Navy Pier is during the spring/summer months.The boys love going to Museums and they thoroughly enjoyed the one in Chicago. Of course the visit wasn't complete until they scored something from the gift shop (they negotiate well). After leaving the museum we took a stroll down Michigan Avenue and let me tell you, that's a shopper's dream! After drooling over retail we made our way back to our hotel and enjoyed room service while watching cartoons.  The boys had to wear the same shirts two day in a row, but that's a story for another day.
The next morning we headed out but not before grabbing breakfast at the hotel's restaurant downstairs per Orlando's request. I was thinking about picking up breakfast on the road but Orlando wanted to go all out before leaving the "Windy City!"

Since Madison is only 2 1/2 hours from Chicago I'm hoping we can visit again during the summer. I'm sure my little travel buddies wouldn't mind and maybe daddy can make a cameo appearance. He has a lot on his plate these days...a good problem to have.  I'm extremely grateful that he works so hard to provide all these opportunities for the boys and I. I'm so Thankful.

Their first cab ride

Tyson trying to be cool, Orlando always doing the right thing! Lol

My little builders

 

 

Orlando walking through the obstacle course

Water table. They loved this. They also had this one at the Chattanooga Museum

Quick photo. Can you tell that we were tired but trying to pretend not to be?

Navy Pier (frozen)

What would a visit to the Museum be without a photo with T-REX!

View from our hotel room. Beautiful.

 

Room service - Calamari

 

Hotel room view

                          

Room Service (for the boys)

Room Service (crab stuffed Salmon w/risotto)

 

Breakfast with the boys at hotel restaurant

Boys eating good!

Wisconsin, Our New Home

Another year, another move. Last year around this time we moved to Georgia. A month later to West Virginia and the year before that we were in Tennessee. It's been quite an adventure thus far but I'm extremely excited for the adventure ahead. This year we will call Madison, Wisconsin home (and hopefully for years to come). This will be the furthest I've ever been away from my family and friends. I have mixed feeling, as with every move. This life comes with a lot of uncertainty, excitement, fun, pressure, and anxiety....throw two kids into the mix and you have yourself a party!! Although we are over the moon excited we also know the stress, long hours and hard work that comes with moving and entering a job like this. All we can do is remember that if God brought us to it, he will bring us through! I have to remind myself of that daily.Getting the job was the most exciting part so far. Now the work begins! Even though I'm not reporting for a job, my job is to keep it all together. Make sure the house is packed up, remember to keep all the bills at the last house paid, travel to new location with kids, find a new house, find a new school for the kids, arrange for movers at old location, make sure utilities are turned on at new location and turned off at old location, remember to pay everyone and make sure funds are available (balance the checkbook), keep the kids entertained and quiet while staying at an extended stay hotel (mommy guilt really sets in here), be my husband's biggest supporter, remain positive and transfer all the mail to new address. All this plus my regular mommy and wifely duties (and I'm sure I'm still forgetting something). 



A few boxes...

Not that I'm complaining, but this is a job all in itself. This year, I'm learning to enjoy the process, chaos and all! So for the next couple of weeks I will be posting pictures and writing about our journey to the mid-west.  I can truly say that I am blessed and wouldn't ask for anything different. Please keep us in your prayers and wish me luck with my never-ending to-do list! Oh, and let's not forget what all of this chaos is for.... FOOTBALL. Yep, gotta love it!!  Can't wait to get some new gear. The boys are already asking for a Wisconsin helmet and jersey (no surprise there).

Rosemary and Garlic Roasted Pork Tenderloin

I didn't do much cooking last week, so I thought I owed it to my family to cook something good and filling. This pork tenderloin was just the right choice. I'm more of a saucy person so I was a bit concerned about this recipe since it didn't have a glaze or sauce for it. Overall, it was really juicy and flavorful. I paired it with some broccolini (which is becoming one of my favorite sides). The family was pleased.:)  Click on the link below for the recipe. Let me know what you think.
                                                                           Enjoy!

Click here for recipe

Weekend Recap {Is there a support group for sugar addicts?! }

 

 

 

 

Our weekend was pretty low key. On Saturday Thomas and I attended an event for the Marshall University Quarterback Club at the Embassy Suites in Charleston, WV. It was nice to get out of the house and have some fun, plus the boys love having a babysitter. They like to cut loose from us every now and then. Usually when we have events I get excited because it gives me a reason to go shopping for a new outfit, but since I have a good 15 pounds to lose STILL from the holiday (which was like 2 months ago...ahhhhh) , I refuse to buy anything new until the pounds are gone. So I frantically searched through my closest until I found something that fit (it was a nightmare and my husband thinks that I'm insane). Anywho, the event was a success. They had a photo both there which was pretty funny! I included one picture but we had others that were simply hilarious. I figured I better not share them or my blog would come up missing(all finger pointed at my husband). The boys were sound asleep when we got home (they usually try to stay up for us) so I guess they had a blast.  First thing on my agenda Monday morning after dropping the kids off at school, HIT THE GYM and STOP EATING SUGAR.

Is there a support group for sugar addicts?  "Hello my name is Jessica Brown, and I'm a sugar addict."....HELP!

 

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend!:)

 

 

Happy Valentine's Day!

I got such a sweet surprise for Valentine's Day! My wonderful husband sent me flowers and chocolate and I LOVE flowers and chocolate. Although I had to hint at it a bit, he obviously got my point. Maybe, I should throw more hints around. I hear Hawaii is beautiful in the spring...hint, hint! :)

Hope you guys enjoy your Friday!

Valentine's Day Craft...

I will be the first to admit that I'm not a crafty person. I think my sister got that gene, but I am trying to get better at it. Since the boys aren't allowed to bring Valentine's Day treats (candy) to school with their little valentine cards, I made a little craft...well I made one for the girls. I found these little dinosaurs at Walmart (98 cents a pack) for the boys and found a printable label online and voila, the boys are checked off of my list. For the girls, I made these little pom pom critters (attached to heart stickers). The girls can stick these little sticker wherever they'd like. We wrote their names on the back and there you have it, a simple yet cute Valentine's Day craft for the class to enjoy.

Maybe I'll take it up a notch next year...add some glitter into the mix! Lol It's the thought that counts right?!

 

What crafts are you doing for V-day?

 

 

 

Renovation Wednesday!!

   Happy Wednesday Guys! Today I wanted to share some cool renovations that I ran across. Architectural Digest is conducting a contest for best home office renovation. Readers have until April 2nd to vote and because I love décor and beautiful spaces I wanted to share two spaces that I thought were great renovations. If you've recently renovated a space or plan to in the near future look into submitting your renovation photos for their next contest! I may have to share my little office renovation next time. :)


Click here to view all the renovations!

                                                                   Before


                                                                               After

                                                                   
                                                                            Before
                                                                                      After

Weekend Recap {birthday party fun}

Overall, we had a fairly relaxing weekend. The boys had their last basketball game on Saturday followed by a birthday party. Since recruiting has died down a bit, Thomas was home to join in on all the fun. I really believe that my kids love birthday parties more than most, especially Orlando. He is always looking forward to someone's birthday, it doesn't matter whose it is, he just wants to be there. Yes, he's a sweet kid and loves to have fun and celebrate but most of all he wants CAKE! We've been to parties where he would just stare at the cake or try to get the kid to rush through their activities just to get to the cake...LOL  My poor child has his dad's sweet tooth!
Tyson on the other hand just wants to party! He wants to dance and laugh....pretty much be the entertainment. As we all know this winter has restricted us to staying indoors so watching the boys get out and have some fun, especially with dad, was really nice!
How was your weekend?
 

Dad's idea of fun...

Orlando eying Tyson's cupcake..lol

Try this 5 day cleanse!

I know when you think of a cleanse "starvation" or "lack of food" probably pops into your mind. Well, this cleanse is not like that.  Dr. Junger's 5 day gut flush cleanse is designed for those of you who struggle with bloated mid-sections. For me, if I'm not drinking enough water or have been consuming too much sugar my mid-section can get out of hand.
I'm on day five of this cleanse and I must say, it's been one of the best cleanses I've tried (and I've tried all kinds of cleanses) and of course Dr. Oz approved!:) The recipes were tasty and different from what's usually on my weekly menu. If I had to choose a favorite recipe it would have to be the Thai Chicken Salad and the Vanilla Almond Shake on day three. I plan on incorporating those two recipes in my weekly diet. Overall, the cleanse did exactly what it claimed it would do, reduce mid-section bloat. Click here to get the entire cleanse

What cleanse have you tried that have been successful?

My Almond Vanilla Shake

Tyson and his red balloon!

 

During our early morning visit to the grocery store, the nice lady at the flower shop gave Tyson a red balloon. Although I was very much grateful, all I could think about was Tyson dragging this balloon through the store followed by him accidently letting it go and begging for  another one. Well, neither happened. The lady provided a little clip for Tyson to clip onto his jacket and that surprisingly worked. When we got in the car Tyson introduced me to his new friend Ballooney.Yes, he named the balloon. Not only did he name the balloon, but apparently the balloon talks, gets hungry and has feelings too! He told me that Ballooney would like Cheez-its for snack which really meant that Tyson wanted Cheez-its for snack. Ballooney's request didn't sit well with me since Tyson is clearly a Cheez-it addict and is supposedly going through Cheez-it rehab! Ballooney also told me that he needed a nap after lunch and would read a book tomorrow. As much as I would like to tell Ballooney off and inform him that I run this ship, I couldn't help but indulge in this whole imaginary friend obsession. I love Tyson and Orlando's imaginations. It reminds me of when I was a kid and would put on little skits for my grandfather. I too made up little imaginary friends as a kid. It was the best thing ever!

Not only are the boys inviting imaginary friends into our home but by the looks of things they are absolutely sick of this cold winter. I walked into their room the other day and they were laying out on the rug. Orlando with his sunglasses on told me that they were at the beach enjoying the sun! I told them I didn't want to disturb their Zen so I quietly turned around and escorted myself out of their little paradise. Kids and their little imaginations. Maybe us adults could learn a thing or two from them.

Lamb Tacos

 

After Super Bowl Sunday, I thought it would be appropriate to participate in a cleanse with my good friend. I love this cleanse because you actually eat food! Well, yesterday the cleanse had us eating these lamb tacos and they were delish! Try them for yourself. I think you will be pleased.:)

 

Ingredients
4 oz. ground lamb
2 tbsp. extra virgin coconut oil
1 medium summer squash or zucchini
1/4 cup minced onions
1 tbsp. taco/fajita seasoning
Sea salt
Romaine lettuce
1/4 cup minced red onion
Freshly chopped cilantro
Freshly made guacamole  ( I didn't do the guacamole)

Directions:

Heat a large sauté pan over high heat. Melt the coconut oil and continue to heat until oil is lightly smoking.
Add the lamb and allow it to brown. Once the lamb has browned add the squash, onion, garlic, and taco seasoning. Stir well to incorporate all ingredients. Continue to cook through until all vegetables are soft. Taste, season with sea salt.

Serve on romaine lettuce.

Weekend Recap { fun in the sun}

After weeks of extreme cold weather, the heavens opened up and we received a sunny Saturday with the high reaching 61 degrees!!! It was simply lovely. After the boy's basketball game (Orlando hurt his knee but scored 2 pts. - that's a lot in itty bitty basketball league) Thomas took them with him to work (yes, football coaches work on Saturdays during off-season) and I was able to make my weekly trip to the grocery store alone (woohoo)!! After making my way through a busy grocery store filled with crazed football fans (including myself) preparing to wow their guest with dips and booze I made it home to a quiet kitchen where I was able to put away the groceries without the boys pulling on me for a snack. After a few hours of relief, I swung by to get the boys and we headed to the park. The weather was perfection. The boys  and I enjoyed getting out in the sun and it gave us a sneak peak of what we have to look forward to - SPRING!





Orlando endorsing Neosporin

How was your weekend?