The ESL test is finally behind me. Now I just have to sit and wait for results.  It took me over 4 hours to answer 70 questions.  I'm not sure if that is a good thing or a bad thing.  I am just glad it's over and hoping that I passed.  It would be nice to have that certification to add to my resume.

Speaking of resume.  I didn't get the teaching position I was hoping for.  I guess it's just not meant to be.  I do love the school I'm at right now; but I was hoping for a pay increase.  It would have been nice to have that extra money.  I talked with a friend today and she told me about starting a 529 for Cade. So I'm going to look into that and set something up where my paycheck goes to Cade's college fund.  I'll be less worried once I see that start to grow. 

So now that my studying days are behind me, Cade and I have done some fun things this week.  We started off by visiting Julie and her 4 boys, then Tuesday was gymnastics and story time at the Library and today we met up with a group of friends at the splash pad.   Tomorrow we might hit the $1 movies and then meet a friend for her birthday lunch.

The rest of the week is up in the air. I'm dying to go out of town and I found a great deal at the Magnolia Hotel in College Station, $80/night with milk and cookies at bedtime!  I know it's Aggie Land but just to get out of the house and GO SOMEWHERE.. would make this gal, happy.

I don't think Travis is up for it... maybe Cade and I will go!  He LOVES cookies!

Oh, I love a rainy night....

I've been waiting all day for the rain to come.  There was a teaser of shower this morning, then a few sprinkles around lunch and full sun until this evening when the storm clouds rolled in.  At first I couldn't tell if it was thunder or if I was hearing or the loud, obnoxious 4x4 truck across the street that gets fired up every week; but soon enough I heard the first drops hit the window and now I'm in a dark house watching the sky light up!

Today I took Cade and his pal, Micheala to Toddler Time at the library. It was so cute! Stories, finger plays, and dancing!  They loved it! I'm going to take Cade next week after Gymnastic for the pre-school session and then again on Thursday for the Toddler Time.  Now that Travis has his new sleep schedule I find it easier to be out of the house until noon....and this will certainly help fill up our morning.  This afternoon, Travis took Cade to the pool in the neighborhood.  I think he enjoyed it! I need to sign him up for lessons.  He has yet to go underwater in all of  his 3years of being in water.

Tonight we sliced opened our delicious seedless watermelon from the farmer's market... it was so sweet and juicy!  I sliced up half of it and brought it over to my neighbor's house and then as I'm walking back to my house the neighbor across the street is walking over to give me home grown tomatoes.  I thought that was pretty neat...

Well... time to study only one more day until my ESL test.

"The Texas Ball Did It"

This morning we somehow managed to sleep until 8:20, which would have been a great thing if we didn't have to be at gymnastics at 9. Luckily Cade LOVES gymnastics and was all about getting out the door.  I'm proud to say we made it and had 5 minutes to spare! Go Mom Go!
Cade did great in class. I watched from the upstairs viewing area as instructed by Cade himself.  Today they worked on the balance bean, roll overs, hand stands and of course their "tah-dah!"  Today I realized that Cade's little buddy (Kade) from church is our class....so happy he has a friend there!

During rest time Cade and I were watching Toy Story One. We came to the part where Buzz was being chased by a runaway globe and gets knocked out of the window and into the neighbor's yard. I asked Cade if he knew what had just happened to Buzz and he says, "the Texas ball did it!"


Lately whenever my mom watches Cade he'll pull out her United States puzzle that has way too many small pieces that some how all manage to not get lost. Cade can point to Texas, Florida, California, Oklahoma, and a few others. He also has quite an ear when it comes to announcements or ads on the radio/tv that mention a state's name, "they just said California!"  I'm pretty impressed.

Tomorrow is Kid's Day at our church. I'm looking forward to meeting up with a few of the members and of course letting Cade wear himself out enough to take a nap....he is holding out on me! No naps make for a long day... but we some how manage to make it to bedtime with little to no tantrums.

---  food/recipe update--

The VOO (vegan overnight oats) I made last night were super yummy! Sweet and creamy!

Tempeh enchiladas had a very unusual texture- but were good.  Travis actually ate 2 to my 1.  I guess he was a fan!

Tomorrow will be Eggplant Parmesan with fresh corn on the cob.  

Happy Birthday Mom!!

For Father's Day we made a day trip up to Buffalo to see Travis' Dad.   We made up there by 2, ate lunch and then the boys headed outdoors to do "guy stuff."  While they did their thing, I had the chance to catch up on important things like... Real Housewives and Cupcake Wars.

It was a pretty short trip but I think everyone had a good time.  We headed home around 8 and Cade was asleep before we got to the Interstate.  

This morning I had my monthly appointment with Dr. Yezak.  My back is still feeling good.  I had a slight twinge of pain in my hip but since his adjustment earlier today I'm doing just fine!  He did tell me that he didn't like my shoe of choice-- actually I think his words were, if you wear those shoes again I'm going to cut off your feet.  So, I guess flip flops are a no... or at least a no on days I have to see him. ;)

This afternoon Cade and I went to the Farmer's Market downtown to get some produce and of course to see Travis.  We picked up a ton of veggies and a few pieces of fruit.  I'm planning on making eggplant Parmesan and tempeh enchiladas for dinner this week and green monsters in the mornings.   I also made my first batch of Vegan Overnight Oats tonight.  In a bowl I mixed oats, 2 mini bananas (smashed), 1/4 tsp vanilla, 2 tbs chia seeds, and 3/4 cup almond milk. In the morning I'll top it off with a touch of maple syrup.  VOO is another recipe from OhSheGlows.

Tomorrow we are going to gymnastics.  Cade has been imitating Maxie's back bends all day.... monkey see, monkey do.   Should be a fun morning!

sneek peek

Our friend Erin took our family pictures last weekend.  We went to Montgomery and strolled around town. She is such a talented photographer!  So lucky she captured these precious snapshots!  More are to come in the next week or two.

Weekend/Father's Day

What a great weekend! Stephanie and her family came into town for a quick visit. It was great seeing them and hanging out at the house.  Friday we took the kids to get their picture taken at Portrait Innovations in Champions.  The picture turned out so cute!  I will scan it in and post.

Travis took off today so we could spend time together.  We dropped Cade off at my mom's so he could play with Maxie and then we went to Gringo's for 'ritas and chips. Then we went back to my mom's to celebrate Father's Day. My dad cooked out- ribs, chicken, and sausage.  He enjoyed using his new grill gadget- a pig tail food flipper. It's the perfect tool for flipping meat on the grill. It hooks the meat and with a twist of the wrist it flips the meat over. It's pretty handy and for $10 a must have for all men.  Cabella's in Buda,TX is one of the few outdoor stores that carries them. Thanks to Stephanie's Travis for picking one up for my dad! He bought the last one.... so they are now officially sold out! I hope they get more in because I know someone else who had their heart set on one. 

After dinner we headed home with one tired little boy! I love carrying him to bed.  I'm off to bed. It won't be long before I hear his little feet run across the floor, come into our room, and say pick me up mama.... Hopefully tomorrow he'll sleep in and not be SO eager to get up before 7. 

Today Cade had his second gymnastics lesson.  He did really well! He even told my sister that he made a new friend... but he doesn't have a name.  At least it's a boy!

Today in class, they focused on having fun, jumping, ta-das and lot's of hanging from a bar with legs up and with legs out.  I think he likes it- so glad we joined.

After gymnastics we headed to the gym for playtime for Cade and Pilate's for me.  This was the most intense Pilate's class I have even taken.  I thought my legs were going numb at one point... but once I was up on my toes I had feeling back in them.  Kind of a weird feeling-- kind of like jello. 

Tomorrow we're headed to the splash pad at market street.  I took Cade there the other day and he loved it.  Hopefully a friend or two will join us.

Afterwards, I'm going to attempt to bake cookies!   I found a new website called abbynormally.com.  The cookies look just like chocolate chip... except they are "green" as in "healthy".

1/2 cup pureed avocado (about one medium avocado—thrown in the food processor)

1/2 cup honey
1 egg
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1/4 cup chocolate chips
1/4 cup chopped dates/raisins
1/4 cup chopped pecans/almonds

Preheat oven to 375.
Mix pureed avocado, and honey until “fluffy”. Add in egg.
Sift flour, baking powder, and salt, then add to the honey mixture. Add in vanilla and mix.
Fold in chocolate chips, dates, and nuts.
Spoon onto lightly greased baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes.

Keep in mind that honey browns more easily than sugar.
Dang it, looks like I'll be making my daily trip to HEB to pick up an avocado and some honey.  I'm all out.... whah.

Tonight I dropped Cade off at my mom's house for the night. He always goes back and forth on wanting to actually sleep over but somehow today I talked him into it. I think it was something along the lines of, "Nana bought you new Cars underwear..."  That did the trick and now I have the house to myself for a few hours before Travis comes in from work..... Every night (with exception to Sundays) he wakes me up with  his darn phone light.... .... argh! It's not the truck engine rumbling, or the garage door opening up, or the opening and closing of our doors... it's the darn phone light......I think I need a sleep mask.

So back to Cade, he is officially potty trained. We've done it all. No. 1 and No.2 in the potty! Maybe that was TMI but when you're a parent you'll understand. Pottying is a BIG deal and I'm so glad that we have that under our belt.

Tomorrow morning after I pick Cade up we're going to ride the carousel at the mall. That was his reward for "telling me" he has to go potty. Each time he "told" me he earned a quarter.  4 quarters equals 1 dollar/1 token to ride Wilbur the pig.  We'll probably do a little shopping too.  Sunday is picture day.  Family pictures and Cade's 3 yr old pictures taken by our friend Erin.   We're looking forward to that!

Well it's time to study then bedtime... morning will be here before I know it.


I'll post tomorrow night after I make stuffed peppers with black beans and quinoa.  yum!

food fotos

Tonight I made pecan crusted salmon with a mixed green salad topped with a homemade vinegarette.  Both recipes I found on ohsheglows.com.   This is easily one of the best meals I've ever made.  Even Travis called me from work to tell me how much he loved it.  

Adapted from Dreena Burton’s Eat Drink & Be Vegan ‘Back-to-Basics’ dressing.

 Dressing Ingredients:
2.5 tablespoons balsamic, white, or red wine vinegar
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard or regular mustard
2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
Ground black pepper to taste
1/2 minced clove of garlic (optional)
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
Directions: Toss all ingredients into a bowl and whisk! Makes about 1/2 cup of dressing.

** I did not have the apple cider vinegar and I forgot to add the EVOO and it still turned out sweet and tangy.  This dressing is better than store bought. and so simple to make.  Definitely something to keep on hand when you want to impress your special someone**
  

                                             My own Salad creation
In a large bowl add Spring Mix in the bag salad mix, 1 mini can of mandarin oranges (drained and rinsed), a handful of blackberries, feta cheese, 1/2 of an avocado chopped, and chopped pecans.  I just eyeballed the amount of each ingredient.  Add dressing- toss and plate.

Here is the recipe for the salmon.  


1/4 cup butter, melted
3 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1 1/2 tablespoons honey
1/4 cup dry bread crumbs
1/4 cup finely chopped pecans
4 teaspoons chopped fresh parsley
4 (4 ounce) fillets salmon
salt and pepper to taste
1 lemon, for garnish
Directions:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
In a small bowl, stir together butter, mustard, and honey. Set aside. In another bowl, mix together bread crumbs, pecans, and parsley.  Brush each salmon fillet lightly with honey mustard mixture, and sprinkle the tops of the fillets with the bread crumb mixture.


Bake salmon 12 to 15 minutes in the preheated oven, or until it flakes easily with a fork. Season with salt and pepper, and garnish with a wedge of lemon.
 
**I baked ours for 20 minutes**

'nastics

Today Cade asked me if he could go to a 'nastics class.   Being the cool mom I am, I told him I would look up a place and see what I could find.  Well there happens to be a place just up the road called Woodlands Gymnastics.  They offer free trial classes for toddlers... how perfect.   So we went at 5:30 for the "twinkle stars" class.  Cade had 15 minutes of warm-up/stretching, followed by 15 minutes of gymnastics.  

Cade did great!  I sat and watched him from the viewing deck.  He completed all the activities with a smile on his face and a pep in his step.  

For some reason I can't upload a video to my blog.

Check back later for it....

We will most likely enroll him in a class that meets once a week and pray that there will be some boys in the class too.

Cade is in need of some boy time! It seems as though all of his friends are girls.... which is fine but he needs some guy time.   All this wanting to dress up, sing Carrie Underwood, and listen to the P-I-N-K color song over and over again has me a bit worried.   :)

So friends with boys please have us over sometime.   Friends with girls please hide the dress up clothes.

5 things about Cade

1. Well, the potty fairy has come and gone. She brought Cade a cool blue pool with a slide like he requested. He has been dry since we started with one or two minor accidents. So I'm really proud of him. He still isn't telling us he has to go but he is much more willing to go....so yay Cade.

2. Today we went to Subway for lunch. We're in line paying and he looks at the people behind the counter and says, "they're stuck back there." He just couldn't figure out how they were going to get "unstuck" from behind the counter. He has said this once before at Frost bakery....too cute.

3. Cade is addicted to iPod apps. He constantly wants a new game. Today I found him in the App Store selecting a red, face monster game. Ummm, thank goodness he doesn't know the password. I need to find him a new hobby....

4. I taught Cade his or as he says "not mine, yours" phone number. I had him in the tub the other day and wrote down the numbers using the washable crayons. I had him point and say the numbers to me. I told him those were the numbers to call mama on the phone. So I started to sing them and he repeated them back. Such a proud Mom this week.

5. Cade moved his bedtime up to 730. I love it. I don't love 630 in the morning...but this morning we used it to our advantage and took a walk with the dogs.

potty fairy

Yesterday we headed over to Amanda's for some pool time fun! Cade is hoping to get a pool with a slide at the end of the week..... it all depends on how his potty training goes.

With the help of my good friends, Susan and Kristine I have reintroduced potty training to Cade. The past 2 nights one or the other has called and pretended to be the Potty Fairy. They use their own, unique Fairy-ish type voice and somehow create magic over the phone line.

This morning I filled Cade's bathroom with balloons and wrote a note from the Potty Fairy.

He has been dry all day. ALL DAY. That's pottying every hour from 7am to 8pm. Tomorrow I'm going to try to go a little longer but I'm so proud of him. I hope this is the end of pull ups and the beginning of big boy pants!

Tomorrow he will wake up to find ribbon curls and another note. Maybe he'll even be dry over night. Let's hope!

Ten things

1. Summer has officially started for me!

2. This past weekend Cade and I rode up to Austin with my parents (yes it was a long drive, but I don't remember complaining about it). Saturday evening Maxie preformed in a dance recital. She did an amazing job! She has grown up so fast and her dancing has really improved since last year!

Here she is in her ballet dress and her trophy.
maxie's first dance recital.

Macey did an awesome dance to this song, Storm by Lifehouse.

3. Keep your fingers crossed about a pre-k position that just opened up! It would be perfect for me!

4. Cade is going to be visited by the potty fairy. She is going to take away the pull ups and leave a wrapped gift for him to open if he's dry. I hate to be like this but he will just stand there looking at me and tell me he just peed in his pull up. ahhhh so frustrating.

5. If you haven't driven through the town of Roundtop, you need to. My Dad decided to take a "short cut" through Roundtop on our way to Austin. I would have loved to have stopped to take some pictures but of course that didn't happen.

6. Travis has been gone since Thursday working on his Dad's roof at the farm. The guy that designed the farm house had a real clever way of building it. He basically threw up some boards, found whatever kind of fastener and pieced it together. That might be good with other types of structures but not a house. Travis has spent probably 30 hrs working on tearing down the old roof and puttin the new one on.

7. I'm still doing my green smoothies. I've increased my elliptical/treadmill time and added more YOGA to my weekly schedule. I'm definitely feeling better and I can tell a difference. =)

8. I can't believe LOST is over. Actually I'm kind of glad.... I will finally know how it ends.

9. For some reason I keep thinking about Papa lately. I really wish I could go out to the ranch and clean up the place.... I haven't been out there in over a year, if not longer. The song House that Built Me by Miranda Lambert reminds me of him and his house.

10. The potty fairy is coming.

TOT

We'll see if I can get a full TEN on Tuesday...

1. I am still drinking my GREEN smoothies- usually two a day. I just upgraded in my greens to Kale.

2. I'm starting to do more YOGA. I just had my first one on one with Summer @ Dr Yezak. office. I could actually feel my muscles this morning.

3. I'm up to 50 minutes on the elliptical which is 4 miles for me. I need some good work out music to keep me going.

4. Only 3 more Mondays until school is done for the year!

5. Travis is turning 33 next week! Saturday I'm throwing him a party out at Sam and Charlie's house. I figure that would be the perfect place since the all the toys for the BIG boys are out there! Can't wait!

6. Cade is still potty training. Today Travis put him in underwear and apparently he was dry most of the morning until I got home. Then he had an accident.... boo. I hate to force it but I wish there was just a button to push to make him just go on the potty! So my thought is just let me use the pull ups until he is ready. I've heard that one day it happens...

7. Thursday will our 4th wedding anniversary.

8. Travis and I need a vacation. I want to go to the hill country and just be with him like old times.

9. Why do I hate laundry so much. I guess I don't hate doing it; I hate putting it away. I can finally see my dresser.....

10. Wondering who will be next friend to say she is pregnant! Will it be you? ;)

Since I haven't updated in forever I give you:

My top 5 On Thursday

1. I started seeing a nutritionist at Dr. Yezak's office last week. She has me on a green smoothie plan and mostly raw diet. You may be wonding what a green smoothie is? Great question. A green smoothie gets it's name from the green vegetables that you add to your smoothie. For instance: spinach, kale, collard greens, etc... At first you may think that this would never EVER ever taste good....but it does. I make two a day and I haven't complained once.

Here is a basic recipe you can try yourself. 1-2 bananas, frozen strawberries, 1-2 tsp flaxseed (ground), tsp of raw honey (not from honey bear), frozen peaches, and 1-2 cups of fresh spinach. Blend it all up and enjoy! Surprisingly filling and oh so good! You can't even taste the spinach.

The other part of the plan is raw. Eating organic when possible. Eating greens, nuts, lentils. I'm slowly introducing myself to new things. I never thought much of almonds but that's been my number one snack all week. I also tried Ezekiel bread, which is a sprouted whole grain bread. I really enjoy the cinnamon raisin bread toasted. Even Travis enjoys it.

Next week I'll add Yoga to the mix and continue my sessions at the gym. Still looking for a partner....

2. We (as in Travis) moved the daybed into Cade's room. Hopefully he'll sleep there all night. He has the tendency to wake up around 3 a.m. Slam his door. Run across the living room. Open our door. Slam our door. Run to my side of the bed. Climb over me and fall instantly back to sleep....sometimes with his feet in my face.

3. Tomorrow our dog Lucy has a play date with Zack the pug. Travis and I both noticed that she seemed to be depressed. She's always trying to get in the car and go with us wherever we are going. When we mention another dog's name she tilts her head and perks her ears.... So when I told my friend Mary about Lucy she was all for getting our dogs together. So hopefully this will get Lucy out her funk.

4. I only have 15 more teaching days of school this year!

5. Travis and are debt free! woo hooo!

So there you have it! 5 things on Thursday. good night.

Yes, I still blog.

TEN on TUESDAY....or almost Tuesday.

1.Cade is 3. Although I have no pictures to show of it. He is 3 and we had a fabulous party to celebrate his BIG day.

2,Our Dell laptop is busted again. I will never buy a Dell again. We have only had for a little over two years and we have already sent it in twice, only to have it break down again.

3. The quilt I have been working on is coming together. I have the borders left to sew and then probably some sewing to do by hand. I should be done by spring break. I'm making this quilt for my grandma. I don't think I've ever been so excited about giving something to someone....

4. This week we're going to see Kenny Chesney at the rodeo! Should be a great show!

5. I start volunteering this weekend at our church- Northside Christian Church. I just love our church!

6. I made the best bruch the other day for my mother in law. She works so much during the week that she never quite gets the chance to come down during the week....so I offered to make brunch so that she could come down to see Cade. I made Mixed Berry Galette- it was so yummy! You'll want to make two doughs when you make this dish! I also made a sausage, egg and cheese dish a recipe from a friend at school. The table was set with our "good" silverware and I even served our OJ in ourWaterford pitcher.... and she noticed! Can't wait to make the Galette for my parents-- they were both out of town this weekend and missed out. =(

7. A certain person in my life has been a little nicer lately and that makes my day a little better.

8. Loved that I got to spend Saturday on the couch with my husband. We watched Benjamin Button, which was really good. Cade took at trip to Conroe with Julia.

9. Say a little prayer for a precious, little toddler named Layla Grace. Go to laylagrace.org for more information.

10. Chacos Tacos with hubby in just a few.

the sweetest thing

Tonight after putting Cade down for the night I walked out of the room and stood by the door. A few minutes pass and then I hear the sweetest thing coming from his room.... he is saying his prayers all by himself. It was the most precious thing I heard all day.

The sweetest image flashes through my mind... two little hands and a bowed head.


He is the best.


rest well.

Cade has left the building

Oh thank God for mother in laws (and mothers). I have the day all to m self today... minus the sleeping grouchy pants in my bed (Travis). So far in my 38 minutes of being alone I have: successfully sewed 3 strips of fabric, ironed and pressed the pieces. I have flipped the channels and seen bits and pieces of shows without a goofy character or annoying music playing. I'm about to go to Kroger and get a few basic supplies and then let my day unfold from there.

peace and quite.... love it!

"It's not what you make, it's what you save."

I heard that on the radio this morning on my drive to work and loved it.