Becoming more than just a woman

On June 8, 2009, I found out what it was like to feel like more than just a woman. I became a mother. From the moment that I saw my beautiful baby girl, I teared up with the most fulfilling love and joy I have ever felt. It is true what they say, that you can love someone, but until you love your own child, you won't really know what love is. Being a mother is such a miracle and blessing all at the same time. Being able to watch her grow and the amazing things that God allows them to do at such an early age. Everyday that Hailey does something different, I just sit back and think... WoW! how cool is that. She has brought smiles and laughter into my life. I can be having the worst day, and no matter how small or how big my stress level may be, that small little girl can bring happiness to my world with one little flash of a smile. She makes you feel like you are the only person in the world when you are holding her. She has full trust in you as her parent, and that is something that I find both scary and proud of all at the same time. She is dependent on me to get the job done for her, no matter what that may be. 5 years ago, I never thought the topic of my discussion would be, when was the last time the baby pooped, or it's time for her to eat, or we can't go there cause HB has to nap, or even in a million years thought that I would sit in the back of a car (or drive for that matter) with all of my friends and "pump" while going down the road ;) My o my how things have changed! But there is nothing in this world I would trade one second of my time with her for. She is my world now and Dustin and I together fill so much more complete with our little blessing and what she means to us. Each and every day I thank God that he wanted to bless me with such a sweet, happy, and loving little girl. This Mother's Day is going to be so special for me because it is my first, and I will now get to know what it feels like to to celebrate being a mother and the love that you have for your child and the love that you get in return. This Mother's Day I want to say "Good Job" to all you mother's out there. I had respect for you before, but now it is much deeper and on the same playing field. Here is to every mother who sacrifices, reschedules, eats cold dinners, cooks with one arm, watches Yo Gabba gabba, traded in Aerosmith for "if your happy and you know it", passes up a day at the shopping mall for a day at the park, and has gray hairs from the stress of being a mom. You are truly a blessing to someone who loves you so much and could never live without you!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY :)~ hope everyone has a great day

~~**Nicole~**~

Our little escape artist

We put up a huge gate in front of the tv to prevent Hailey from getting to all the wires and goodies! The gate is big enough to pull over to the sofa to make it where she can't get out of the living room. Well the days of keeping a mobile child in one area is gone. She has now learned how to get OUT! haha. I decided to video her doing it and she gets frustrated and cries a little bit but then gets out :)

Menu Monday

I am going to do something a little different for this recipe. Dustin loves to have Breakfast for dinner sometimes! So this is a great casserole to make for one of those kind of nights. You can pair it with some meat and it makes for a good and fulfilling meal :)

Makeover Sunday Brunch Casserole

Prep 20 min Bake 30 min 8 Servings
6 bacon strips
1 sml onion, chopped
1 sml green pepper, chopped
1 tsp canola oil
2 cartons (8oz ea) egg subsitute
4 eggs
1 cup fat free milk
4 cups frozen shredded has brown potatoes, thawed
1 cup (4 oz) shredded reduced fat cheaddar cheese
3/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1/4 tsp dill weed

IN a large skillet, cook bacon over medium heat until crisp. Remove to paper towels; drain. crumbe bacon and set aside. In the same skillet, saute onion and green pepper in oil until tender; remove with a slotted spoon.
IN large bowl, whisk the egg substitute, eggs and milk. Stir in the hash browns, cheese, salt, pepper, dill, onion mixture and reserved bacon.
TRANSFER to a 13inx9in baking dish coated with cooking spray. Bake, uncovered, at 350 for 30-35 minutes or until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean.


TIPS:
*Add diced tomatoes to this dish to make it a little juicier. Make sure to drain them before adding so it still cooks the same
*If bacon isn't your favorite, take it out and substiture another meat that you like. Ground Turkey or Turkey sausage in small pc. would be great with this.
*Make it a complete meal by adding grits/oatmeal, meat (if you don't add to recipe), pancakes, and fruit for a sweet taste as well!

ENJOY!!

~**~Nicole~**~

Pigtails and Strawberries

I put Hailey's hair in pigtails for the first time this week. She, of course, looked absolutely adorable!! She has been pulling her bows out lately, so this time when it was time to play outside, I did the pigtails. It was really funny cause she kept feeling her head cause she knew something was done with her hair, but she just couldn't figure out where the bow was?!?!?

Pigtail cutie ;)

We went and picked strawberries today and Hailey LOVED THEM!!! I know I probably shoudn't have given them to her in the field, but to my defense I DID "wash" them off first! haha. But she's a kid, she's going to eat dirt one day... what's a few years early right?!?! She was chowing down on them and couldn't get enough. Her outfit was soaking wet with red juice! She had it anywhere you could imagine, even the back of her hat?!? We met some of our church buddies up there, and another friend for a fun play date. I got some really cute pics of all of them :) And YES Hailey is in a Strawberry outfit, but come on now, did you expect any different from me??

Pickin Strawberries

Menu Monday

The one dish wonder is sure to become a classic in your home. Everyone loves pizza night, and this is a way to "fancy it up" a bit. We love this casserole at our house and there are many variations of it, but this one has always been a pleaser!

PIZZA CASSEROLE
Prep 25-30 min Bake 30 min Serves 4

1 cup and 2 tablespoons uncooked egg noodles
5 ounces lean ground beef
5/8 onion, chopped
1-1/8 cloves garlic, minced
5/8 green bell pepper, chopped
1/2 cup and 1 tablespoon sliced pepperoni sausage
9 ounces pizza sauce
2 tablespoons and 3/4 teaspoon milk
1/2 cup and 1 tablespoon shredded mozzarella cheese

PREHEAT oven to 350 degrees F.
COOK noodles according to package directions. In a medium skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef with the onion, garlic and green bell pepper.
DRAIN excess fat. Stir in the noodles, pepperoni, pizza sauce and milk, and mix well.
POUR this mixture into a 2-quart casserole dish.
BAKE at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 20 minutes, top with the cheese, then bake for 5 to 10 more minutes.

TIPS:
*Egg noodles are really soft, so if you want to add more of a chew and heartiness, try a differnet style noodle.
*Try ground turkey and turkey pepperoni to give this dish a healthier side.
*They now sell mini pepperonis, try these in the dish and to decorate the top to give it extra appeal if bringing to a party :)
*You can substitue any veggie or other addition you would like. If you are not a big bell pepper fan, try black olives
*For a little extra flavor, buy Italian blend cheese instead of just mozzarella
*Pair this meal with garlic breadsticks to make it complete!


ENJOY!!

~**~Nicole~**~

a couple of random videos to enjoy

here dozi, have a treat:



is this how you use the jenny jump up mom??

Look what i can do.........

sorry you will have to use your imagination cause dustin didnt realize that you couldnt turn the camera sideways!! haha. but HAILEY CAN WALK!


and this one is just for laughs ;) she gets so excited!!