We have a basement!

The other day we drove by our property and was surprised to find this sings with our address

And a hole in the ground.

I gotta tell you I never thought I would be so excited to see a mound of dirt.

For the first time building this house seems real.

We had some meetings with land scapers and the building super on Monday.

It was fun to see more progress.

They were doing some digging to put some drainage down.

From the street all you can see is this pile of dirt but when you went to the side you can see the basement walls.

How cool is this we now have a basement.

Next week framing will start I cant wait to see more progress.

We also learned the rest of the lots on our street were sold except the one next to us on the right.

I was worried that we were going to be the only ones on the street for a while.

I am excited that we will be having neighbors.

I will share new pix next week.

This house building business is so much fun!!

I guess we made it!

22 years ago today words there were whispers of they are so young they will never make it as Dale and I happily said I do to each other.

After 8 kids

5 moves

21 years in the military

2 deployments to a war zone

The death of a child

Planning a wedding for our daughter

Driving from Alaska to Colorado

Being unemployed

And endless amounts of tears and laughter

Looks like we made it!

Happy 22 years of marriage Love ya Babes.

I guess being married on Valentines day was good luck for us!

Reaching my goals!

For the last 4 and a half weeks I have been working out and doing what I need to reach my fitness goals despite being sick 2 of the 4 weeks.

I am feeling great and looking great too.

  

I found this fun encouragement I will call it on pintrest.

I like what it says and feels that the info is true.

I am defiantly seeing a differences in my body but more so in my energy level which was never really lacking.

I just feel like I did when I was younger in the part I need very little sleep to function well on.

Now in the guide line it says your family wont notice 8 weeks but my 17 year old is defiantly noticing.

She is super blunt and the other day I was walking up the stairs in when she yells out nice but mom.

I said what do I have a wedgie?

She said mom no really nice but its round and cute and no longer flat.

Totally made my day!!

I have noticed the big change in my bum too in fact it is one of the biggest changes on my body.

I also have started a blog to track and encourage my fitness goals I f you want to check it out click HERE .

I hope every one else is having the same success as me it's not been easy but I have to tell you so worth it!!

Chiken and stuffing Yum!!

As I was browsing pintrest I saw a familiar recipe that I have been making for over 20 years it was just cooked in an unfamiliar way.

Like I have said I have been making Chicken in stuffing for over 20 years but I have never made it in a crock pot.

Brilliant if you ask me!

So here is how you make it.

1 package of stuffing.

One package of frozen mixed vegetables.

A can of cream of chicken soup. (Or make your favorite Chicken gravy recipe)

I used 6 tenders

1and a half cups of water.

Place the vegetables in the bottom of the crock pot.

Then place the chicken on top

salt and pepper it.

Then put the can of cream of Chicken soup on top or gravy.

Then place the uncooked stuffing on top add a cup and a half of water.

Cover and cook on low for 6 hours.

Then you are done eat and enjoy.

I made mashed potatoes and homemade rolls to go with it.

It was so yummy and an easy Sunday dinner.

On aside note the chicken was so tender and it was much easier than the usual way less clean up too.

Reward!

I have perfect children that never fight they always obey and they would never say any thing rude to each other.

They are always loving and kind to one another they share and always agree on what to do together, they help each other with there chores and sing songs as they are doing it.

If you haven't figured it out yet this statement is a total lie.

The bickering and rudeness had gotten out of hand in my book.

So what is a mother to do?

Bribe them that's what she dose.

I told them if they could get along with out being rude to one another for 3 weeks I would take them to a movie and out to pizza.

So I paired each child up with a sibling and had them mentor them.

I asked them to teach by example.

Since we have an uneven number of children I mentored Mylissa the oldest.

I started to see a miracle happen everyone was getting along and my first statements began to come true.

My kids really impressed me and I think they also enjoyed the new found peace in our home.

So true to my word Dale and I took the kids out to a movie and pizza.

We went to the dollar theater I cant remember what we saw but I do remember sleeping through the movie.

Then we too them to Fargo's.

It truly is one of the coolest pizza places I ever went to.

If you have been to Disneyland and have been to the old west saloon its a lot like that.

We ordered Pizza and root beer.

We ate and giggled the whole time.

It was one of those great family days we will talk about for years to come.

I am truly proud of my kids for meeting there goal and I cant say everything is perfect now but my home is a much more peaceful place to be.

Guess What?

My daughter Shelly has always been a challenge to me and some what of a mystery.

She was always very independent and did things her own way, she still is this way.

If I said the sky was blue she would say no it is indigo.

I have always blamed it on her being an Artst.

I know now it's just who she is and I may not always like or agree what she dose but I still lover her for who she is.

As I have come to love her for who she is we have become better friends.

Other than Shelly being an inccredible artist she is super funny.

She always makes us laugh and she is just fun to be around.

On Christmas I was talking to her on the phone we were talking about a lot of things and then she shocked me a little when she announced she was pregnant.

I was really surprised at just how calm I was I told her I loved her and that we would help her out best we could.

Shelly is not married and It was the last thing I was expecting to hear.

As a mom I felt a little helpless and scared for her.

We are so far away and there is not much in the way of help other than things and money that I can give her.

She has chosen to keep the baby and will continue to work and go to school.

I proud that she is choosing to stay in collage but I know it will be hard.

I am excited for my new grand baby in April and hope that I get to go to Alaska to meet him.

Yes I am having a little grand baby boy!!

I pray that he is healthy and a good baby.

Now I just need to double time  making the Grand baby gifts.

Cute Valentines wreath tutorial!!

The other day I made this Cute Valentines day wreath.

As I stated before I love Valentines day !

This wreath was quick easy and fun to make.

Here is what you need!

1 wreath mine was an 18 in willow wreath that I got at the dollar store.

I used one and a half rolls of tulle on the roll.

Ribbon for the bow if you want it.

Now you just need to cut your tulle into strips I cut them in to 5 in strips. ( this is the non fun part)

and

lastley if you want a cute little wooden plaque.

After you cut all the tulle into strips start tying them onto the wreath . (I doubled knotted them)

Contune tying them untill you have filled the whole wreath.

Next make a bow place it and the wooden plaque onto the wreath.

Then hang and enjoy.

Easy as eating a cup cake.

PS. I miss my beautiful front door in Alaska.

I cant wait until my house is built here my door will be prettier but not as pretty as my Alaska door.

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Corn casserole

We have enjoying internet recipes as Maddie calls them.

I have been good to my new years goal of trying a new recipe a week.

In fact some weeks it is 2 or 3 sometimes for.

Yesterday I tried Corn Casserole.

It was yummy and everyone loved it.

I have had smiler casseroles before but this one just seamed extra yummy.

Maybe it's because its a Paula Dean recipe if you know know my mother in law she says every thing Paula makes is yummy.

Here is how you make this yummy concoction.

1 (15 1/4 oz) can whole kernel corn, drained

1(14 3/4 oz)  can of cream corn

1 (8oz) package Jiffy corn bread mix

1 cup of sour cream

1/2 cup of butter melted

1 to 1/2 cup of shredded Cheddar ( I used Colby Jack)

Preheat oven 350 grease a 9-by 13 baking dish or a large casserole dish.

Mix together the corn jiffy, sour cream and butter in a large bowl next stir in cheese. Pour mix into greased baking dish.

Bake for 55 minutes, or  until golden brown , let it sit for 5 minutes before severing.

Believe me you want to do this or you will burn your mouth.

Then eat and enjoy It is so super yummy!

I cant wait to eat the left overs today.

Red Pink and White

I love the colors red pink and white they really make me happy.

They also make me think of Valentines day!

I Love Valentines day I love it so much that I got married on Valentines day.

Every year when the stores bring out there Valentines day stuff it makes me happy and giddy and feel like a kid.

I love all the hearts and pretty confetti and sparkly boxes of heart shaped Chocolates.

I love Valentines day cards and all the cute goodies that you can buy .

Valentines day really makes me happy.

I cant wait to see what My Husband dose this year for my On our Valentines day Anniversary.

He is always so good and making this day extra special.

My question to you all do you Love Valentines day or do you dread it?

Being sick sucks!!

I am never sick but when I do get sick I am super sick!

On Monday I woke up with a cold I worked out and then felt like I was going to die so I napped the rest of the day.

Tuesday I woke up with a cold and a sore throat I worked out then slept all day.

Wednesday I woke up with a sore throat cold and a head ache I worked out then I slept most of the afternoon until I had to go to our finale house appointment I tell you I was so ditsy I kept spacing things and I am not sure if I made the right choice on my roof color or not.

Who new there was so many different color choices for singles.

Today I woke up with a head congestion I went and visited a friend and then cam home to curl up on my couch and sleep then the phone rang and a friend invited me to lunch at the park I was glad  I went now all I want to do is take a nap I feel so worn out.

I hope I wake up tomorrow and feel like conquering the world or at least all the house work that has been neglected this week.



A name whats in a name.

Since I was born my family called me Jenny.

When I was in JR high I decided Jenny was a baby name so I started going by my given name Jennifer.

When I moved to Alaska in my mid 30 friends started calling me Jenn.

Now here in the Springs every one calls me by something else some people call me Jennifer others call me Jenn I am even called Jenny.

I hate to keep correcting people so I just answer to all.

It s strange I do have to say when people call me Jenny because mostly only family dose.

Here is a funny story when I went to my Grandfathers funeral I kept introducing my self as Chucks daughter Jennifer.

They would look at me puzzled and said oh Chickie's daughter Jenny.

My grandfathers name was Chuck and I guess in this small town that my Dad grew up in only new him as Chuckie.

It was cute and sweet so for 4 days I was only Jenny no Jennifer no Jenn just Jenny.

So how picky are you all about what people call you and do you have a name that only family calls you?

White trash dip!!

Yep you read the title right whit trash dip.

You might be saying what the heck is white trash dip?

I tell you it is super yummy!

So you want to know how to make it?

Here we go.

1 can chili (15 oz)

2 packages of 8 oz cream cheese softened

2 cups of Cheddar cheese.

1lb of bacon

4 green onions chopped

1tsp of red pepper flakes

Heat oven to 350

cook bacon and crumble

Mix chili, cream cheese, cheddar cheese, bacon and green onion in a large bowl.

Spread mixture into a baking dish

Cook for 20 minutes in a 350 degree oven.

sprinkle with red pepper flakes

serve with chips

My whole family but Ben (major picky eater ) loved it!!

I was also yummy on crackers and warm tortillas.

Reaching my goal!

One of my biggest goals this year is to leave my 30 in the best shape I can be.

I don't have a lot of wight to loose I just need to gain mussel get rid of the fat I have and tone my body.

The first week of the year I only got to work out twice since I was at my Grandpa funereal I was a little bummed but it was something.

This week I went all out and I feels great.

I started Jillian Micheal's ripped in 30 days.

The nice part is there is an online eating plan that is super easy to use and follow.

The only thing I did not like was there was no portion sizes or if there is I missed it in my reading.

The good part is that there is recipes.

So I have took what she suggested and what I know about eating right and put it in effect.

I took pictures as she suggested and weighed and measured my self.

I love the work outs she boast they are her hardest I think they may be hard but I think it is her easiest work out video it it 37 mins and I think it is fun and easy to follow.

One of my other new year goals is to run a half marathon.

Now I am thinking 10 K is good (just kidding) (Or maybe I am not)

I really hate running but I know it is good for the body and the mind so I am doing it and hoping to love it in the end.

I remember in JR high loving it and I was good back then too.

So I hope I find that love again soon.

Right now its all I can do not to talk my self out of my every other day runs.

Today I ran in 19 degree weather with ice cold wind in my face.

By the time I was done with my 2 miles that I wish was 3 my Bum and face were numb from the cold.

It took my 20 mins to go 2 miles I guess it was not bad but I will get better.

My goal is to run 5 K in 28 mins by the march 1st with hopefully running 6 miles a day by that point.

I also started a get fit blog just for my self for know if you really want to see it let me know and I will share.

I just needed a place to share Quotes and write down my thoughts.

So who Else has fitness as there goal this year and if there is any runners out there that want to give me advice please do !!

Yummy oven Chili dogs!

As one of my new year goals I am trying new recipes every week.

My kids love when I cook Internet as Madie calls it meaning recipes I found on the Internet.

When I am on pitnrest I am drawn to pinning food I have over 400 food items pinned kinda silly for a girl who dose not enjoy cooking.( something I am working on)

I went through my pintrest yummy food pins and picked some out to start with.

Last night I made these super yummy Oven baked Chili dogs.

They are super easy and oh so good my kids loved them!

So here is how you make them!

Oven  Chili Dogs

8 hot dogs more or less depending on your family size.

8 buns depending on your family size.

one can of chili

half of a diced onion

Cheddar cheese

mustered

Mayo

and sweet relish.

Line a 9x13 baking pan with tin foil then spray it with something like pam.

Next line the inside of hot dog buns with mayonnaise and sweet relish. Evenly add mustard. Fill with hot dogs and squish into a 13×9″ baking pan.

Top hot dogs with chili, cheese, and diced onion. Cover with aluminum foil and bake at 350F for 45 minutes.
 
Its kinda a messy meal but so yummy, we also had black bean chips and carrot sticks and celery.
 

Enjoy I hope you like it!

 

PS... If you are saying to your self what the heck is pintrest it is only the most amazeing thing ever.

If you look at the top right hand corner you will see a link to pintrest.

If you want an invite let me know it is faster to get in with an invite than trying on your own.