This and that

It's been awhile. Been so exhausted I could barely function. Nausea, driving kids to and from school, taking care of a baby, house,animals and much more in the midst of the first trimester of pregnancy has been alot. I am finally starting to get a little bit of energy back (just a little) and the nausea is definitely getting better.

We celebrated Prob's 33rd birthday on the 15th and we got a rare night out alone to one of our favorite places, Mancini's restaurant, it was a short date but it was nice.

I was the parent volunteer this past week at a girl scout meeting for Olivia's troop. The girls came up with ideas for a community service project and then voted on their favorite. Helping out at the humane society was the top choice. Gabriel came with and he was a big hit with all the girls. Olivia however did not like sharing her baby brother and was so worried about the way the girls were holding him.

 I have been so proud and happy lately when I watch the kids with Gabriel. Olivia especially. She has always been such an overachiever, good helper, rule follower, amazing child and definitely wise beyond her years. Since Gabriel has been born she has been an amazing help and wonderful big sister. Today she was giving Gabriel a massage. She is always making him things, the latest being a book dedicated to him. She knows how much he loves smiley faces so if she isn't making him one at school she is pulling up an image online when he is fussy while playing lullaby's in a separate tab to keep him happy while mommy is busy doing something else. He loves her so much already. When he sees her his whole face lights up and they already have an amazing bond, even though they are 8 years apart. She is something else and is the kindest person I know. I love all the children so much and am so blessed to have them.

Feeding her baby brother



Spring break this week for the children, which is very nice when I don't have to drive them to and from school. It is supposed to be nice and the children have really been enjoying being outside so hopefully they can get alot of that in. The snow has finally melted enough too so that the dogs aren't walking over the fence which means they get to be outside more too, which is much needed.

That's just a little bit of whats been going on around here, haven't been taking many pictures because my cameras aren't great, my new phone actually has a better camera on it then my camera. A new one is in the plans soon but I want to do alot of research before we  buy one so we'll see, sometime before baby #4 is born, we have some time.



BEST FAMILY EVER!

Girl Scout Encampment

This past Saturday Olivia's girlscout troop went to the annual encampment at camp lakamaga for a day of fun with other girlscout troops from around the cities. They exchanged pins and did a bunch of different outdoor activities. Prob was a volunteered driver for the troop and spent the day surrounded by hundreds of women and girls and only a few men, what a brave and good daddy! Here are some pictures he took.

Snowshoeing

cross country skiing

The troop learning survival methods

While they were doing that, Romeo, Gabriel and I had a mother/son day and went out for lunch and got a chance to just chat and reconnect, we actually had a lot of that this past week since he was home from school sick for 3 days. It was sweet though, he just kept telling me how much he loves me and thanking me for all the spoiling I did to him while he was home. It helped me to realize that we really need to remember to esteem our children as individuals and often.

Otherwise the week and weekend consisted of our normal routine with the addition of our new "son" Robert (Romeo's friend) who practically lives here these days. I'm sure glad I don't have two boys close in age all the time because it gets quite rowdy around here and I am constantly worried someone is going to get hurt with all the wrestling and boy games. Oh well, I'm glad Romeo has someone his age and gender to hang out with.

A new recipe we tried this week was zesty minestrone in the crockpot from kraft recipes, which we weren't too fond of so I wont share that one. I did make chicken stir fry last night which is a favorite in our house and Prob's very own recipe.

Chicken Stir Fry

INGREDIENTS

• Chicken breast cubed ( how many you want to make)
• 3 cloves minced garlic
• 1 Tbsp sugar
• 2 Tbsp oil
• fresh or frozen vegtables of your choice
• oyster sauce to your taste

In frying pan or wok add oil, garlic, sugar and cook until garlic is slightly brown, add chicken and oyster sauce. Cook until chicken is cooked through, add vegtables. Cook until vegtables are tender to your liking. Serve with white rice. Beef is also good with this recipe.