We Moved - New Website!!!!!

Oh, the joy of settling in!

 If feels like forever since my last blog post but I'm back and ready to roll! This move has been one heck of an experience. Just a quick recap: We moved from West Virginia the last week of February, found a house but had to wait until July to move-in, lived in two hotels over the course of 4 months and finally, yes FINALLY we've settled into our new home!!!

 The boys are overjoyed and couldn't wait to have their own rooms. Even though we have had extra rooms in our homes in the past, I always made the boys share a room. I had this thing about wanting them to be close so I thought sharing a room would definitely do the trick. Since they are getting older and have completely different interest, I figured why not let them have their own space this time?

As expected, they were super excited until they realized they would be sleeping in their rooms ALONE (cue the violins). The boys cried about sleeping alone but we figure they'd adjust in not time. Operation nightlights in full effect (still trying to find the right ones for the hallway so we just keep the hallway light on until they fall asleep)!!!

 

   One thing's for sure, the boys couldn't wait to cook in the kitchen. We made homemade pizza rolls  for our 1st Friday 'family cook night' and they turned out delicious! Looking forward to cooking more delicious meals in this beautiful kitchen. Definitely beats living in a hotel and eating out everyday.:)

 

                          

 

 

 

 

Orlando chose Spiderman for the theme of his room and Tyson has a thing for Dinosaurs. Different interest for sure.:)

 
 

 
 
 
 

 

Countdown to Moving Day Part 2....

 

 

We're headed into the homestretch of our big move to Wisconsin and I couldn't be more excited. Hotel living has been an experience that I wouldn't wish upon anyone. Yes, you have a maid service, a free indoor pool to use at your leisure, and lets not forget room service...oh yes, room service - my favorite accommodation. Needless to say, those things don't compare to the comforts of a home. I literally haven't cooked, made a bed, or washed linens in 3 months. What a wonderful break from house chores, right?  Yes and no.

I desperately miss home cooked meals but the thought of having to prepare 3 meals a day again terrifies me. I literally almost had an anxiety attack watching a woman walk through the grocery store with her perfectly organized list in her hand searching the aisle for just the right seasoning for what I could only imagine to be a dinner that she will slave over for her four year old son/daughter to pick over and claim to have a sudden food allergy to and explain why a simple peanut butter and jelly sandwich would suffice - sigh.....
Hopefully cooking and cleaning is like second nature and I can jump right back into it because before all of this I had a system that was one well-oiled machine and you couldn't tell me a better way to run my household *pats self on the back *.
 Looking back at the months before this new job and move, I realize how much running around I was doing just to keep the house running smoothly. Not saying that I'm not thankful for the break , but 3 months is way more than a girl could ask for. :)  Thank you Lord for the break but I think (key work "think") I'm ready to jump back into the saddle. If anything, we all miss our beds and the boys miss their toys in storage. So, Although I am tired of living out of a suitcase, I will miss the easy dinners at the Whole Foods deli, calling in orders at local restaurants and someone else making our beds but what an experience it has been and to that I am grateful. With that said, let's get this show on the road!!!! 13 days and counting......:)

While I was away...

personality shining through

 

I really haven't been able to blog lately but hopefully my hiatus is coming to an end. Although we found a house, it isn't available until July 1st! The tenant has been really good with trying to get out early so I'm keeping my fingers crossed in hopes that everything works out on her end so that we can move in sooner.

So my days have been filled with trying to referee two kids in a hotel room. Luckily, the weather has been gorgeous in Madison the past few days. A little bit of sun always helps my mood. Since I knew that we would be stuck in a hotel for a few months, I was on a serious hunt to find the boys a school. Finding a school has always been tricky because every state is different with their policy on school age start date. Both of my boys have late birthdays so I always have to find a daycare or private pre-school/pre-k for the boys. That's where cost comes in. I'm all for investing in my child's education but geez, people have to eat. Childcare is more than a mortgage payment! Thankfully I found a Christian school close by with great prices and space for the boys. Praise the Lord, mommy gets a break! Now, I can orchestrate laundry(that's a whole other story), grocery runs, making and returning phone calls and all that jazz. We've moved to a new hotel with larger rooms which is great but the on-site laundry isn't accommodating and there is no real kitchen.

Food has been such a mystery. What do you eat everyday when you're living in a hotel? Eating out becomes costly and unappealing after doing it for a month straight. So my friend suggested I get a griddle. That way I could buy groceries and cook it in the room. Although the room that we're in only has a mini fridge, I managed to grocery shop for two days at a time. That way I can fit what I need in the fridge without becoming overwhelmed with too much food or my food going bad. So far so good. I was able to make eggs and sausage for breakfast and burgers for dinner last night. I guess now I can research griddle food ideas. The griddle that I purchases also has a Panini press and a grill. So I can make almost anything, which is great. 

Anywho, That's a quick update on our move. I plan to post more often. Trying to get back into my rhythm and find a schedule that works. I need to dust off my camera and get out and capture some pictures for you guys. :) Madison is very pretty.

Hope you all have been well and enjoying the little glimpse of spring. I know I am!

 

 

puppet show goodies we found at a local toy store



I finally had time to breathe!! Kids were in school! Can't you see the joy in my cheeks.:)

Found these cuties at  Macy's for 20% off. So comfy. Got them in all black too.

After a scrimmage the boys raced daddy

Wine and a fire...perfect evening with the coaching staff

We are all in love with Coach Andersen's dogs. Orlando resting on Blue.:)

Spring Break Fun

 

 

 

Spring Break 2014 has come and gone. The boys and I got a chance to spend some extra time with daddy. Just one of the perks of working for a University (or any school system). The last two days before he had to head back to work, we took an impromptu trip to Chicago. It looks like this will become a regular thing since it's a hop, skip and a jump away! Because it's still cold out, getting a last minute hotel room in the city was easy. I'm guessing when the summer months roll around this won't be the case. We stayed at the Sheraton Downtown Chicago. I try to stay somewhere in walking distance to Michigan Avenue ( shopping heaven *wink, wink*). As much as I like to score a new pair of shoes or jeans, everyone did a little shopping except for little old me. I think I will wait until summer so I can stroll Michigan Avenue solo...I need to focus! So many beautiful stores! :)  I was glad that Thomas treated himself to a few things. Sometimes I worry that he's working too hard and not enjoying anything. The boys did their shopping at the Lego Store, which I'm regretting now. Too many small pieces. I'm glad that they are constantly building things but the tiny pieces are driving me nuts. I bet if we go to the Lego Store in the near future I will let them get a million pieces all over again. I'm a sucker for a child's imagination.

I think the best part of the trip was The Shedd Aquarium. It's probably one of the best Aquariums that we've been to. The aquatic show was great, as well as the 4D movie. Everything about it was nice. Before we left we made a stop at Homeslice for some pizza. Although it wasn't the famous Chicago deep dish pizza it was delicious. The slices were huge. Of course, Tyson was in heaven. First a visit to the aquarium to see his animal friends, then pizza!! He couldn't have asked for a better day.:)

Overall, we had a great time. It's out of our character to just jump in the car and take a trip but I'm glad we stepped out of our comfort zone and went for it!

I'm hoping to take a trip back in the summer - just in time for Taste of Chicago.:)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!!!!

Yesterday I celebrated my 29th birthday!!! My husband refuses to say that I'm 29, he just reminds me that I'm almost 30! Lol

I don't mind getting older. It seems like life just gets better with time. I received a beautiful flower cake from my husband (who will be 28 in May,so he's right behind me in age). I love that he has accepted the fact that I LOVE flowers. Who needs a cake with all the calories when you can have a beautiful display of flowers.

Just so you know, in our home when one person is celebrating a birthday it's like it's everybody's birthday. The boys light up at the thought of cake and the possibility of fun activities. Orlando even tried to convince me to celebrate my birthday at Chuck E Cheese. My husband wants all the good food and Tyson just wants an excuse to possible make it to the toy store since everyone is in a good mood. Believe me, he doesn't mind gaining a toy or two from someone else's birthday.

We ended up having dinner at the Melting Pot ( a fondue restaurant) on Sunday to kick off my birthday week. I chose fondue because I thought it would be a great experience for the kids, the dessert and cheese dips are excellent, and the kids ate free on Sunday..so this was a no brainer! Of course Orlando enjoyed every last bit of it and Tyson constantly called his entrée (shrimp & chicken) creatures. He didn't touch one creature! Typical Tyson...
Because it was my birthday, I left with some chocolate covered strawberries which were delicious (I didn't share).

Yesterday, on my actual birthday we celebrated by simply having a family day. We explored Madison a little, had lunch at a new steakhouse close by and enjoyed sushi for dinner (I love sushi).

Oh I can't forget, my Gigi's Cupcakes were delicious. The last two years I've been celebrating with cupcakes instead of a cake. This helps with portion control!:) I would definitely eat an entire cake if you let me (remember, I'm a recovering sugar addict).

Overall, it was a good day! I'm just so grateful for my health and my family. Life is good.:)

 

 

 

 

What's Cooking?

Since we're in the hotel, I have to think of recipes that accommodate our situation. Yesterday, I made sweet Italian chicken & turkey sausage with sautéed peppers and mushrooms over brown rice for Thomas and the boys. It was quick, filling & delicious. Sometimes "simple" does the trick. I wonder what other recipes will be created during this "hotel living" phase?