Oh TWO-dles, Maren's Party

 Meltdown proof! 

Someone explain to me how this little munchkin is already TWO?! I can't even handle it.  I mean, as a kid, time seemed to move SO SLOW and then you grow up and have your own kids, you blink and two years go by.  

And would you believe me If I told you that this little TWOnager did not nap on the day of her party and she threw a fit 15 minutes before it started? Yep. She was a hot ass mess.  But that is ok, once she found the M&M's, life was good. 

The party theme this year, if you didn't guess already was all about Mickey Mouse Clubhouse! This girl LOVES her Mickey Mouse.  I seriously can't wait to take her back to Disney (hint, hint, Aaron) so she can see her best friends! 

I went ALL out on her party last year, stressed myself for months. Planned every little detail, practiced smash cakes and cupcakes until I could do them in my sleep...not this year. This mama got smart.  I realized I am not competing with anyone and just because I saw it on Pinterest doesn't mean I have to do it. 

I had a friend from college who had the same theme for her daughter so I purchased some of her leftover items then came up with a few ideas and details of my own and I definitely let someone else make the cupcakes this year! Totally worth my $30. And my sanity. 

I did a photo booth, an idea I got from the room mom in Mason's class, she does it for each of their holiday parties at school and I love it. I think I had more fun using it than the kids!

I also kept it really simple with appetizers, beers & wine, plus like I said, someone else did the baking! Ahhhh. 

The cupcake toppers and food tents came from Etsy, Kerrie, who owns the shop I used was really great to work with! She also did our invites. 

I would say that even with the meltdown before the party, it was a success and she loved every minute of it (after she got M&Ms to calm her down).  She enjoyed having her family here and getting presents, some of her facial expressions were so cute! She is so dramatic...already! Must be a girl thing. 

 

And of course I have to share some of the fun photo booth pictures! I have no idea what faces Aaron was making...and for the record, he thought headbands go in front of the ears, which cracks me up! 

Thanks to all of our friends and family who came and made the day special for our little princess! 

Valentine's Reality

Given that it was just Valentine’s Day and I did not even get a verbal "Happy Valentine’s Day" from my husband (I can hear you all GASP as you read that...don’t worry, I have come to expect it after almost 9 years of marriage..or is it 10), I figured what better time than now to drop some reality bombs. 

I get comments ALL the time about “you and Aaron are so cute,” “you guys are the perfect couple,” “I wish my husband and I were more like you two….” and I just laugh and say, we are FAR (and I mean FAR) from perfect.

Let’s be honest here folks, we have had our (and still have) our ups and downs. We have been through couples therapy and there are still days I ask myself “What the hell was I thinking when I said yes?” Don’t worry, I know he has those days too, I am sure we all do at some point, we are human, however some of us just don't like to admit it. There are days where I want nothing to do with him because he spoke to me in the wrong tone or I feel like he is being mean for no reason so I want to punch him in the nuts (yep, you read that right)…but do I post it all over social media? No. Most people don’t because no one needs to read about your dirty laundry all over their newsfeed. No one wants to know that you and your spouse just screamed at each other for 30 minutes because your kid had a meltdown over homework that stressed you both out or someone left dishes in the sink when the dishwasher was clearly dirty and waiting to be filled or they parented in a way that you don’t agree with...

But there are also times I remember why we got married like when he makes me laugh so hard I can’t get through a workout, when he is being goofy with the kids or when I listen to him singing in the car on the way home from one of our random date nights (one of the main reasons we even started talking at Harpo’s Karaoke for those who don’t know). Or when he leaves an appointment to bring our son clean clothes 30 minutes from our house after he vomited all over himself in my car on the way to the Dr and he also is smart enough to bring all of the stuff to clean my car up in the parking lot of St Luke’s.

We have to work HARD to make things work sometimes. Marriage is not easy. Raising kids is not easy. Adulting is not easy. 

So to all of you who are scrolling Facebook thinking, “Gosh, I wish my husband got me that for Valentine's” or “I wish my marriage/relationship was more like theirs…” STOP. Stop right now. The grass is going to be greener where YOU water it.

So here is to all of the couples on this Valentine’s Day that aren’t perfect. The ones that know the struggle of marriage is real but still choose to find the positive when there can be so much negative in our world. The ones that know that while you may not always be happy with each other (or speaking to one another), you are still there and that, in and of itself speaks volumes.

Buffalo Chicken Lettuce Wraps

Anyone else a huge fan of buffalo chicken ANYTHING?!  I stumbled across a few recipes for crockpot buffalo chicken but they all called for stock but I wanted to keep it more simple than that! 

Feel free to double the recipe (I would keep the chicken to just a single layer on the bottom of your crockpot though).

What you need:
1 lb chicken breast
Water
Garlic (I used the freeze dried diced garlic)
Onion Powder
Frank's Hot Sauce (original not buffalo)

If you prefer, you can omit the onion powder & garlic, instead throw in a 1/2 onion (just cut in 1/2) & a couple of celery stalks for flavor, both are great options. 

Instructions: 
1. Place chicken in the crock pot. Cover the chicken with water.  
2. Sprinkle in some onion powder and garlic to taste. (I did not measure, just winged it)
3. Cook on high for 3 hours.
4. Remove chicken, shred it.
5. Discard most of the water from the crockpot (and any funk in it). Keep about 1/4 cup water in the crockpot.
6. Add chicken back into the crockpot with the water and 1/3 to 1/2 cup hot sauce (depends on how much you want). Cook for an additional 30 minutes. 
7. Serve over Romaine Lettuce.  Add cheese and ranch.

Mixed Emotions

Of course my "twonager" decided to sleep in today, when she has school.  

Let me start by saying, I am not your typical "STAY AT HOME MOM."  I quit my corporate job with the intentions of going back to work someday and getting her back in daycare full time.  It was a struggle for us to even keep her there 2 days a week with one income but I insisted when I left my job that we make it work and my husband didn't disagree, it is good for her, especially since she had been going full time for about 5 months before I decided to leave my job. I did not want to pull her out of there completely.  

I have worked hard in my online health & fitness coaching business and I was able to grow enough in the past year that I decided to to get her on the wait list for a 3rd day of school.  I was told it would be around summer when something opened up...(phew, I was sort of relieved). That gave me time to process the fact that I was "giving up" one more day with her during the week. But apparently that spot opened up way sooner, like 2 weeks after I put her on the list so here we are today, starting our new schedule and my emotions have been all over the place! 

I LOVE being able to be home with her and having more freedom with my business but I also love working and having that time to myself to get stuff done.  That is the beauty of this business I am running, if I want to take her into school late one morning because she needs extra snuggles, I can do that.  If I want to pick her up early and take her somewhere special, I can do that.  I have the flexibility to do what I want with my kids and that is amazing but I also feel that the school setting is super important for them.  And even if I am home and have the option to have her here with me, I still feel it is best for both of us that she is at school 3 days a week at her age.   

Now, you may disagree with me and that is fine, I don't expect everyone to understand my logic but that is why this is my blog, so I can voice my opinion. Hell, some moms leave corporate jobs and start home business so they CAN be home with their kids and that is great, but I would be lying if I didn't say I am working really hard to ensure she has proper schooling before Kindergarten and that I can get her brother back in some type of Summer Camp.  My kids are such creatures of habit and need structure, especially the older one, so school and camps are great for him. 

Everyone is different and I know for fact that I am a better mom when my kids get their time and I get mine.  

Mason was in school full time starting at 3 months of age up until K and I loved seeing how much he thrived in that environment, the schedule, the learning, the socialization, all the stuff I know I can't provide as well as their school can. I am not your Pinterest project mom. I mean, don't get me wrong, I pin A LOT of shit, I just don't ever take the time to do it. LOL.  I am not crafty, I decided not to be a teacher, because, well....I am not good at teaching.  So when it comes to my kids, I like to let the experts handle it.  

I digress. So last week when they told me she would be able to start 3 days this week, I had so many thoughts running through my mind, Should I take her 3 days? Should I tell them never mind and keep her home? Will she be sad if she is with me one less day a week? Hell, will I be sad? But she must have known how her mama was feeling because she immediately put my mind at ease yesterday morning when we told her it was a school day, she was so excited to get her coat on and leave that she was pretty much angry until we walked out the door (30 minutes later)....she didn't realize that while, yes, it was a school day we still had to wait for Mason to eat and then get him on the bus before leaving.  And even though when I drop her off, she is quiet and shy, (unlike her brother was at this age) she doesn't cry, she walks over to her friends and joins in whatever activity they are doing.  She doesn't even blink when I say "I love you, bye" and walk out the door. 

So while some may find it selfish of me to put her in school when I am home and have the ability to have her here with me, I personally feel the opposite.  I feel like it would be selfish of me to deprive her of the same experience her brother had growing up.  I feel like she deserves to play with her friends, have gym class, music class and learn Spanish (yes, her school is awesome). 

Even though it was really hard for me to bite the bullet and do it, I know we made the best decision for her.   I know she is in good hands and loves being there.  

BUT, I also realized this weekend that there is a second piece that I was worried about but afraid to admit...my business. By me making the commitment to send her to school 3 days a week, I am committing to continue to grow in my online business. If I were to move backwards, slack or not spend my days wisely, it would definitely be hard to pay the bill to keep her there 3 days a week.  And I am not going to lie, that scared the shit out of me! I mean, don't get me wrong, I LOVE what I do, I have no doubt in my mind that I am only going up from here but making this decision makes it REAL.  It becomes so much more real when things you envisioned for your family and your business start to come to life.  And it leaves me anxious to see where the rest of 2016 is going to take us! I know it will be hard, building a business is not easy, there are sacrifices to be made, but I know the end result will be worth it. <3

Believe you can & you will. 

Southwest Burgers

Southwest Burgers.  Don't worry, they are not spicy, they are just a perfectly seasoning burger, although adding some fresh jalapeños sounds amazing! 

This is a staple in our house, we probably eat them 3 weeks out of the month! I love them topped with homemade guac or even plain! 

When I made these, I double up! I love to individually wrap these bad boys and keep them in the freezer for my weekday lunches or quick dinners! Have you guys learned by now, I have to simplify meals?! 
 

What you need:
2 lb 93/7 or 94/6 Lean Ground Beef
2 tbsp Southwest Seasoning
2 tbsp water
2 tbsp mustard

1. Put all ingredients into a bowl except for the ground beef, stir them together.
2. Add ground beef, mix well by hand.
3. Make your patties (I make 7 4oz patties for Aaron and I, then 2 2oz, for the kids). I am a fan of measuring and using my burger press. You do not need these items though. 
4. Place burgers on grill or heated grill pan. Press thumb into middle of burger, this helps them cook evenly & not plump up, do not smash the burger with your spatula or you squeeze out the juices.  
5. I cook about 10 minutes, flipping 1/2 way through.  You can cook until your desired doneness. 
6. Throw on your favorite toppings and enjoy OR wrap them and freeze!

And if you have not learned by now, this seasoning is a must have in your kitchen at all time! You will see it on my blog often!

Southwest Seasoning:
2 TBSP chili powder
4 tsp ground cumin
2 tsp coriander
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp dried oregno
1 tsp paprika
2 tsp sea salt

Mix seasonings together and put in a container, there should be some left after you season the chicken! I use this seasoning for taco meat, chicken, anything really!