The Back Forty

I am blogging from The Back Forty in Fredericksburg Texas. Sean is fly fishing right now, and I just back from an amazingly relaxing message. We ate at this diner last night called The Hill Top Cafe...Cajun meets Greek food. Yes, and it was oh so good! The owners are from Louisianna, and once inside, it felt like you could have been dining somewhere on the buoy.
We may have to go back tonight...

The hammock is callig our name..

AT

Flowers for Him

Today I bought my birthday man some flowers for his birthday eve. Yes, I like to buy him flowers.  I have been know to send them to his work....hehe

By plucking her petals, you do not gather the beauty of the flower.

For man, as for flower and beast and bird, the supreme triumph is to be most vividly, most perfectly alive.

I want it said of me by those who knew me best, that I always plucked a thistle and planted a flower where I thought a flower would grow~ Abraham Lincoln

 



Weekend for Two

Today I booked two nights at a place in Fredericksburg for Sean and I to get away and relax. We are celebrating his birthday, but more than anything we are going to get away and get refreshed. Let go and breath. If it is possible to turn off your head, or not think kids, that is what is going to happen. No work talk, no kid talk, just Sean and Erin talk. Or no talking, that works too. No shopping on Main, just relaxing and spending quality time together. Did I mention relaxing? More than anything though, my focus is going to be on my husband. He works so hard at his job, not to mention drives over 45 miles to get there. And when he comes home he still finds the energy to give the boys attention and help with bath and bedtime. He helps with dinner when he can, and helps out with more around the house that I am not even proud to admit. I could not ask for a better example of a great man for my boys. He is not perfect, but he is always learning and trying to be a better person. He is stubborn and grumpy sometimes, but he is the most faithful and patient husband to me. He does not call names or belittle me, and he encourages me in everything I do! I love that my boys get to see how they are to respect and love a woman right in their own home. He strives to be the "do as I do, not do as I say" parent. He shows his boys he loves them, and he tell his boys he loves them. Sean has a really hard time telling me no, hehe, but when it is important, he speaks up and challenges me to be a better person. He always speaks the truth in love...and when his temper does get the best of him, he finds the strength to say sorry. He puts up with all my shenanigans and participates in my deep thought conversations. I think his biggest downfall, if any, is that he has put aside a lot of his own dreams and desires to focus on ours. He is the dream achiever. lol...but that is something we are working on, more Sean time for Sean. I love him so much, and feel so blessed that we get to do life together. SO, with all that mushy stuff said, I have arranged a fly fishing lesson on the property for him. He has gone fly fishing before, but has wanted to take a lesson. I may have a couple other little surprises too...picnic for two, romantic campfire by the river under the stars..who knows what else! The B&B also brings the breakfast to  your door at whatever time you tell them the night before...so I am thinking we are sleeping in until they bring the grub! What a treat! He also has not been to Enchanted Rock, so we may go hike.
I honestly don't care what we do, I just want to spend time with my sweetie and love on him. And maybe annoy him a little. ;)

I grabbed a couple pics of the place we are going to...of course I will have plenty more when we return.

( just FYI, that is a spa above, even thought it may not look like one, it is, and I plan to be there while he is fishing)

FF( fun fact) So the place is not fancy, but Prince Charles and Camilla spent the weekend here once. Pretty cool....I guess. 

I plan on turning off my phone as soon as we leave, and not turning it back on until we get home....is it Saturday yet? xo  

Enchilada casser-ole!

Ok people, I have been on the hunt for some healthy, but YUMMY new dinners! I am not Martha, so I am not coming up with a ton of new ones all on my own YET, so a lot of what I make are recipes I have found or have been given to me. I have been getting better at taking the time to think and play around with recipes, but there is nothing wrong with using others recipes to make your family happy!
So, I found a new magazine with a bunch of yummy recipes that are geared to lower calorie counts. My goal is to be healthy and balanced. I won't lie, I have a lot to loose. I could go crazy and just eat Special K all day, or just snack on nuts and fruit..haha, but I want to do this the right way, the balanced way. I also have other members in my family I have to think about...pretty sure they don't want to eat Special K for dinner. My goal is 1,300 calories a day, 3 meals and 2 snack. 300 or so for breakfast, 450 for lunch, 450 for dinner. Two 50 calorie snacks.
I tried this dinner tonight, it was SOOO easy to make, and jam packed full of flavor! My husband, 2 year old, and 18 month old, ALL ate it! SCORE! Give it a try, I am certain it will make many returns to your menu!

Enchilada Casser-Ole!

Ingredients:

•  1  pound lean ground beef (90% lean)
• 1 large sweet onion, chopped
• 2 cups salsa
• 1 can (15 ounce) black bean, rinsed and drained
• 1/4 cup reduced-fat Italian salad dressing
• 2 tablespoons reduced sodium taco seasoning
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
• 6 flour tortillas (8 inches)
• 3/4 cup reduced-fat sour cream
• 1 cup (4 ounces) shredded reduced-fat Mexican cheese blend
• 1 cup shredded lettuce
• 1 medium tomato, chopped
• 1/4 cup minced fresh cilantro (oh yeah)

Love Notes: So I bought mild salsa for the recipe bc of the toddlers, but instead I had bought a small can of chopped jalapenos to use as a topper for us grown folk to have some heat :)
I also gave the boys some tortilla chips on the side, Coop liked scooping some of the casserole on to his chips.

1. In a large skillet, cook beef and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink: drain. Stir in the salsa, beans, dressing, taco seasoning and cumin. Place three of the six tortillas in a 2-qt baking dish coated with cooking spray. Layer with half of the meat mixture, sour cream and cheese. Repeat layers.
2. Cover and bake at 400 for 25 minutes. Uncover; bake 5-10 minutes longer or until heated through. Let stand for 5 minutes or so before topping with the lettuce, tomato, cilantro and jalapenos (if you can hang)

Yields 8 servings

Nutrition Facts: 1 piece equals  357 calories, 12 g fat (5 g saturated fat) 45 mg cholesterol, 864 mg sodium, 37 g carbohydrates, 3 g fiber, 23 g protein.

Enjoy! AT

FF~ Cooper still has not had any accidents! Night or day, I am so proud and so relieved. I don't even really have to ask him about it. In public or at home he just goes to the bathroom or asks. He has told me a couple times in the car, and waits til I find a good place to go. I am amazed at how fast he just went from accidents every day to NONE! Diapers, pull ups, accidents all gone before 3...not too bad my for my first kiddo. At least in my head...don't write and tell me about yo' sistas baby gettin' trained at 12 months...I ain't hearin' it! ;)

Fast Healthy Breakfast & Lunch

Do you ever have those mornings when you feed your kids something not healthy or nutritional because you were in a hurry? More and more I am learning that if it isn't in the house, than it is not an option! Profound, I know! pshh. The makings of this breakfast are always in my fridge. Unless I have not made it to the store..than there is nothing in my fridge. And no one is happy when this happens. .

These french toast sticks are mostly organic and all natural, and best of all they are so fun for the kids to hold and dip into the yogurt, even my 18 month old totally gets into it!

We always have strawberries in the house. We burn through them like crazy.

Yogurt is so good for our kids, and us..this one in particular is called Pro Bugs Organic

Whole Milk Kefir. It is a cultured milk smoothie. It has 10 live & active cultures! So good for their little bodies :) This one is called Goo Berry Pie..haha. You can use any yogurt though, spoon it on the plate so they can dip the french toast sticks into it.

So good, and so easy!

So my easy yummy lunch is something that a lot of you probably do. PB and honey sandwich with banana. But being that I am a "choosy mom"...I DON'T choose Jiff! lol..there is a reason why that peanut butter is so smooth and yummy, and it isn't good! This peanut butter I use is full of flavor and very smooth, all organic, and such a healthier option! If you start them on it now, they will never know what Jiff was! lol...My boys love it, and so do I. The other thing I choose to do is use local honey. It may cost a little more, but it helps with allergies and supports the local businesses. I love honey.

FF~ One day I saw Sean cutting the crust off the sandwiches, and I told him that he didn't need to do that, the boys don't mind the crust. He told me, "I know, but I wish my mom would have cut the crust off my sandwiches".  Ooookay sweetie...cut the crust. XO

God's Best

I had been planning on going walking on Friday all week. All I was hoping for was; no snow, rain or cold weather. I wanted sunny and in the low 70's...that would be nice walking weather. I like my vitamin D. So Friday comes and it is overcast and looks like it is going to rain. Blah! I got ready anyway and packed the boys and my Bob (stroller), and headed out. Sure enough it starts sprinkling on the way to the park. GRRR. But getting back into good habits and routines is a must right now. I am horrible at that. And by that I mean routine. And by that I mean, good routines. I started having negative thoughts like..why is it every time I try to do something positive, something tries to ruin it?! Which is a little dramatic, but that's how I was feeling. Dramatic. I parked the car and got out...with an overwhelming sense of humility. It felt so good outside, and was absolutely beautiful down at the park. It wasn't misting really at all by the time we got down there, and it was amazing out. Georgetown Park has a river that runs through it, and one of my most favorite things is water. And another is when it is misty, foggy, cool, etc..by the water. I love how the water gets dark and still. Anyway, it reminded me of how we think we know exactly what is going to make us happy, but really God knows best. I think if we trusted a little bit more, we would be pleasantly surprised. Lets quit expecting and praying for our way, and just see what He wants to do for us and the people around us.

Proverbs 3: 5-6

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;  in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

 

1 Peter 5:7

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you

 

Jeremiah 29:11

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future"

 

Isaiah 40:31

but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint

 

Matthew 11:28-30

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

 

Romans 15:13

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit

 

 

 

 

FF(fun facts) We may not all love each other just the way we are all the time, but God does. He loves me and my big mess.  He loves you too.That's just what I believe. Period. End of story. XO  I need a drink of water, my head hurts from looking at this computer. AT

Bathroom Party

This morning we had three lovely ladies in our home. Kim, Ella Bella and Reesey poo. Those are not their names, well they are, but not. The minute they hit the door, there is not a dull moment. Not a dull second. It's more like hours of entertainment, surprises and cute moments. My mom remarried, and this is one of the best perks of the whole thing, a beautiful extended family. This morning when Cooper was getting dressed before they came over he told me "Kim and Ella will like this shirt, ok mom?"  Ok Coop.
For me the best part is Kim. We need more Kim's in the world. She is honest, compassionate, thoughtful, fun, chill, punctual, and beautiful. When I vent to her, she listens, validates and gives feed back. Ahh..what more could you ask for? I love honest people...it is a breath of fresh air. When we are having play dates, well, there isn't much time for "talking". But we try.The phone works better for those conversations. And yet those conversations are still interrupted as well. lol..

So you are about to get bombarded with a ton of pics from this morning.....so if you don't want to see cute kids, don't look below.  And it will only get worse next month when Cooper and Ella are playing on the same soccer team...oh my. 

So Kim found them all in the bathroom. It was a bathroom party. Toilet exploration, brushing teeth, and God knows what else...I'm not sure why Cooper is wearing his tool bench safety goggles.

Immediately after taking this next picture I was told "Goodbye Mom, shut the door!"

Such a free spirit



Bike rides are always fun inside



This is rare, sitting is rare. And usually forced, as it was here.

I'm not sure who is leading, but it sure is cute

Random cute jean butt pic

Such a beauty

My sweet boy loving on his Reese

Beauty and love are just exploding from this picture!

I don't know who took this pic or posted it on my blog...

Reese trying to play with the big kids just scared me...tough cookie. Her, not me. I'm a wimp. I don't even like to be tickled. Ever.

She can smile at me all day

He was trying to be patient with her, bless his heart...

Auntie Kim's shoes were so pretty we had to try them on.

Oh to be four

Peek a boo Reesey Poo! I think she like me taking her picture...I like taking them.

Sweet, tight, hugs goodbye

XO

Body Art

Ever let your little ones kind of just be free so you can get stuff done? It is rare that I do this, only because my boys are only one and two...so not safe, or smart! I have encountered way too many crazy things when doing so. Cabinets emptied, carton of milk spilled on the floor, pile of poop on the floor, clothes dumped out of dresser drawers, fish food all over carpet, new movies playing in the DVD, diapers pulled off, eating out of the trash, all bubbles dumped out in bath....I could go on, but I am sure most of you know this story.  So, even knowing all of this, I decided to let them loose in the backyard yesterday so that I could make some chocolate sheet cake for Sean, for Valentines Day. To be honest, I have been wanting to try this recipe so it worked out great. Now I just need somebody to come take this cake out of the house. This cake is evil. 
Anyway, I had the back door open so they could come in and out, and I could enjoy the nice weather, rare lately. I didn't really see them that much to be honest...they were happy in the sand box and fighting with each other. Well, eventually I did see them, and this is what my eyes happened on.

I try to look it as beautiful art....thank Crayola for washable markers.

Here are a couple more pics from Valentines Day and our park visit today.

FF(fun facts) Tonight, at dinner, Cooper stopped eating two different times and wanted us to grab hands and pray for our dinner again. Even as much as he loves dessert, he wanted to give thanks before eating. It is so adorable to see him hold our hands and squeeze his eyes shut tight. Now if I could just get him to be a little neater when he ate, well, that would be heaven on earth.  xo