I'm just an ordinary girl doing ordinary stuff.

I just happen to be a single mom in the military.

My kids are part of the military too.

When I deploy, their heart breaks too.

They're strong little guys.

Being their mom is the most humbling experience I've ever had.

Follow the adventures

See if you can keep up with me as I serve my country holding my kids in my arms.

Sunday, May 5, 2013

Exploding Pork Roll

This pork roll is done all over the nation and in many different ways.  I call mine the Exploding Pork Roll because it looks just like it sounds.  It has an amazing blend of sweet and salty.  I'm leaving you the recipe and instructions below, but remember-- I usually don't do measurements.  I go by taste, so you'll have to figure out what works for you.  Thankfully, this recipe is super easy!  I hope you like it as much as I do.

What you'll need:
Pork loin (the unseasoned package)
A few strips of bacon
1/2 onion minced
Dried cranberries
Dried apricots (diced)


What to do:
Saute the cranberries, apricots, and onions in a little olive oil
Season the mix with salt and pepper
Set aside
Slice the pork down the middle to make it open up like a book
Pound the crap out of the pork with a meat tenderizer
Cover the pork with strips of bacon
Pour the fruit/onion mix over the bacon
Roll the pork until it is one big fruit roll
*You can use a toothpick to hold it all together if you like.
Wrap it up in foil and place on a baking sheet
Bake at 375 for 45 minutes or until fully cooked



Doodling

I love doodling. :)
I can do anything I want
Patterns
Swirls
Eyes
The weirdest combinations
To compliment my inner self
I'm weird
And it's cool. 
:-)









Saturday, May 4, 2013

Coconut Salmon Dinner

Tonight's dinner was fantastic! It's one of my favorites.
I usually don't do a whole lot of precise measurements when I cook. I just go by taste, so if you make this and you're a stickler for measurements, try to go by taste just once and take note of how much you end up using!

You will need:
Salmon
Onion
Garlic
Green onion
Zucchini or squash
Olive oil
Can of coconut milk
Lime juice
Salt
Red curry paste
Cayenne pepper
Cilantro

Don't forget to cook your jasmine rice!



Dice half an onion.
Sauté it in olive oil and some minced garlic.
Carefully lay the salmon down. Be careful not to smash it or break if apart.
Season the salmon with salt and some garlic powder.


Brown the salmon evenly. Turn it only once.



Pour the coconut milk in.
Squeeze the lime juice over the pan.
Put in half a teaspoon of cilantro.
Drop in about 2 teaspoons of curry paste.
Stir it all up around the salmon. Then gently fold the sauce over the fish.


Add chopped zucchini and half a chopped onion.



Cook covered on medium high until the zucchini is both firm and tender.



Serve with jasmine rice.

Wednesday, May 1, 2013

Caden's Tree

My little artist came home with a canvas painting of a tree and mountains.  He was so excited!
 

Snow White

My own version of Snow White. After Prince Charming rescues her.


Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Drawing Contest

Caden:
(showing me a drawing)
"Mommy look I made a speedy car!"
Sean:
(showing me a blank paper)
"Well Mommy look! I made an invisible man!"

Spelling Optimus Prime

Sean:
Mommy do you wanna see that I can spell Optimus Prime?
 
Me:
Oooh. Sure!

Sean:
S-E-A-N. Optimus Prime. YEAH!!

Drama Starts Too Young

So I was watching Elora, Sean's classmate.  They were being so cute and having a grand old time, playing and laughing.  And then Sean got in trouble and I told him to sit in time out. 

 Elora:

Why are you sitting there?
 
Sean:
I'm in trouble. 
 
Elora:
Why?
 
Sean:
I was lying.
Elora:
No you weren't. 
 
Sean:
Yes I was. 
 
Elora:
You were NOT lying!
 
Sean: 
YES! I! WAS!
 
Elora:
(stands up and walks away. Then looks back.)
No you WERE NOT! I'm not playing with you!
Sean:
I was lying!!
 
Elora:
Ugh!!
(She flips her hair and stomps away, then looks back again.) You're disgusting!

Friday, April 26, 2013

Back On It

Whew.  Yesterday's rest day was awesome!  But getting back on it today was a little ... tough.  Here was today's workout:

AM
70 squats (Holy crap, my legs were a little tight at 60)
23 sit-ups (Felt like somebody stabbed me in the gut)
7 crunches (I love that crunches are wayyy easier than sit-ups)
15 seconds planks (Wayyyy better than the 1 minute I did the other day)
12 push ups (Not too bad, although for my PT test I'm supposed to do about 48 so that's not saying much)

After we did this small workout, four of us went to move some choir risers.  Carrying risers SUCK after a week of crazy squats.  I can't wait to do more exercises tonight.

Thursday, April 25, 2013

Toning Up

I am so excited! A few coworkers and I started on the 30 day squats and 30 day abs challenges. It's been hard for me to work out outside of duty hours, so being able to take a few minutes out of the day to do some quick but effective work outs has been so helpful!!

Before the kids came around I was a true gym rat. Now that I've been doing only the minimum when it comes to fitness, I've realized how sluggish I've been feeling. My goal is to tone up, gain a little muscle and just feel good.

Today is Day 4 of the challenge and it's a rest day!! Thank goodness too because I am beat!!

Here's yesterday's work out:

AM
60 squats
19 sit ups
6 crunches
12secs planks
11 push-ups

PM
50 sit-ups minute
25 push-ups 1 minute
1 minute plank
60 squats
30 abs weight machine
15 leg curls 50lbs
40 Russian twists
40 crunches with weights

After yesterday, I am definitely thankful for rest today! But I am so excited about this new journey. Lets pray I keep up with it!