For the New Year.....

Well, I am sure you can guess that on my list of New Years Resolutions is to become more consistant with this blog!!!!!!!! Uuuuggghhh, what is the secret people?

I have GOT to become better at it, on the list is also to learn how to post pics inside a post. I know there are tons of cool things to do with these blogs, I just need to learn them. Anyone have a copy of "Blogging for Dummies"?

I hope everyone enjoyed their Christmas and are getting ready for the New Year. We had a busy fall, and to be honest I don't even remember much of September and October! Adam and I had our 8th anniversary at the end of November and took an awesome trip to New York to celebrate. Then our sweet little baby ChanChan (what we call Channing)turned one. On a side note-she is seriously the cutest thing we have ever seen! Then we had all kinds of fun Christmas stuff to do. I turned 26 (again) on Christmas and we had all our family over for dinner Christmas evening. I feel so blessed to still have my grandparents with them and love that my kids have the opportunity to know them.

I am looking forward to a new year, with all its hopes, promises, and possibilities!

Fabulous Finds Friday....

So, I don't have anything super "fabulous" for my find this week, but I am pretty excited about it. Those of you who know me know I am a HUGE fan of Charlotte's YMCAs. I just recently found out that they do a FREE parents night out...usually once a month at 10 of the metro area YMCAs. Of course it was completely booked when I decided to sign my little chicklets up, but I will definately be on the look out for the next one! SO, if you are a Y member...take advantage of that, just think- a meal that could consist of more than mac n cheese, spilt milk, and endless conversations about bodily functions! SIGN ME UP!

Have a FAB-U-LOUS Friday ya'll! :)

September?????

Is it really September already??? I have NO idea where August went...or the rest of the summer for that matter!

Let's see, August was filled with pool time, a birthday, my fabulous trip to the Emmy's in L.A, and lots of other fun stuff! It just seemed like August was so busy. I was looking over my September calendar this past weekend and realized this isn't going to be a slow month for the Wilsons either. Between Siena's preschool and dance lessons, my co-leading the Charlotte Film Community, Adam running two businesses and coaching a youth football league, and our intent to be more involved in our church family...it's looking like it will be a very busy fall!

I LOVE this time of year! I start getting excited now about all the "fallish" things I get to cook and go do now. For some reason I just cannot bring myself to cook anything pumpkin flavored until at LEAST September...just doesn't seem right. I can't wait to take the kids to an apple orchard again this year and come back and make homemade applesauce. I love getting to take them to the pumpkin patch and seeing what beauties they pick out for us to carve. I will just stop there....if I keep daydreaming about this time of year I will be getting out the Christmas Cd's before you know it!

One of these days I will figure out how to post pictures in a post and that would make these a whole lot more interesting!

My Princess is 5!

I heard a quote once that went something like this: "Having a child is like letting your heart fly around outside your body". Exactly five years ago today I came to truly understand the meaning of that saying. Siena Leigh Wilson came into my life and forever changed me as a person, for the good. I am more sensitive, more selfless, more compassionate, and more patient since becoming a mother.

I always pictured I would have a large family, I wanted 4-6 kids. I also wanted ALL boys! When I found out I was pregnant with a girl I think it was more fear than disappointment that I felt. I know that those mother/daughter relationships can be so difficult sometimes and I thought if I just had boys I could avoid that completely! I didn't avoid it, I hit it dead on, and she could not be more girl if she tried. I wouldn't trade her or our relationship for anything. I love that I can look forward to always having someone to do "girly" things with.

In the last five years I have learned more about myself as a woman and a girl through Siena than I have in my entire life. The innocence she has and the inate things we as girls/women need are just in us, that's how we are wired....I see those things everyday in her and it makes me smile. Today was a bittersweet day for me. I love all the things she is learning and just enjoying watching her grow and change. I hate that it has to happen so fast. I feel like these last five years have just flown by and I wish I could slow them down. I always tell Siena that she is not allowed to grow up, and she always says, "Yes, I'm going to!". The other day when I told her that she said, "Well, I am going to grow up mommy, but I'll still be your little girl." Of course I turned around, walked into my bathroom...and cried!

Happy Birthday my sweet Siena girl! I love you.

Thankful Thursday.....

I am thankful for a ton of things! The one thing that I am most thankful for today is the opportunity I have to stay at home with my kiddos. I am thankful for all the things this allows me the time to do with them. I am loving every second of it...temper tanrums and all!

What are you thankful for today????

Dinner on the fly

For those of you who have worked in the restaurant business you know that anything "on the fly" means.....QUICK! I was usually running back to the kitchen asking for something on the fly when I realized I had forgotten to put an order in.

Occaisionally dinner is like that for me! I will completely space thawing something out or even forget to look at my menu for the week to see what we were "supposed" to be having that night. Oh well...it happens.

In the words of the great Rachel Ray...."this meal is YUMMO". I found this recipe one day when I realized I had gotten a little excited at the Farmers Market and bought WAY too much Zucchini. I have now made it several times and its even a hit with the kids.

Most of the ingredients are things I tend to have on hand. To make it even quicker I will put frozen chicken breasts in the crockpot just by themselves first thing in the morning. Then I have cooked chicken that I can cut up and use in this recipe, I usually do extra and freeze the rest of the cooked chicken to use for another recipe.

Enjoy!

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Chicken-Zucchini-Casserole/Detail.aspx

It's Tuesday again....

It's time for a terrific tip....but I was wondering if anyone had one for me??? I am really interested in getting this blog all fixed up! I would LOVE to know how to add pics to a post...you know, how they are actually in the text of your post? I would also love to know how to change my layout...so it's not so generic. I see all these beautified blogs and I only see the option to use their pre-made templates. I realize I am missing something...so anyone got a tip for me??? :)

Some Summer Fabulous Finds

Those of you who know me well know that I NEVER pay full price for anything. I guess part of it is I am cheap, but the other part is I know that it will be on sale at some point, so paying full price seems silly to me if I can just be patient.

When we go to a store and my kids of course find that one item that they just "have to have", they always ask me if its on sale before even bothering to ask if I will buy it for them. I decided to just not make an issue of it-this is how I explained it to them. There was something Siena wanted one time and it wasn't on sale (and really over-priced!) and she asked if we didn't have enough money to buy it. I told her that we did have enough money, but that we just want to be wise in how we spend our money and so we needed to wait and see if it went on sale. Siena loves finding good deals....she actually has a blast with me at thrift stores. Yes people, I said thrift stores, they are my guilty pleasure!

ANYWAYS...the point of this post was to tell you of some of my favorite deals I have been taking advantage of this summer.

My all time favorite is Sonic's happy hour! There happens to be a Sonic on our way home from Siena's gymnastics and so if everyone has been on their best behavior they get a slushie. Why this is such a great deal is that from 2-5 (some locations are only 2-4), all drinks and slushies are half price. This makes the size small slushie 50 cents. I treat myself to their new Sparkling Strawberry lemonade and we all get out of there for $2.

Another great one is Qdoba. Every Saturday in June (not sure about all locations) kids eat free with the purchase of an adult meal. So, how I basically robbed poor Qdoba is I had a coupon for a meal deal (entree, chips & drink for $6) too! So the four of us eat for under $15.

My last one for this post is the summer fun movies. They are doing these at both AMC and Regal theaters. Regal does it completely free, and AMC charges $1. They show kids movies all summer on certain days at 10am-my kids love it! Of course they are not new releases, but my kiddos don't know that!

So there they are....enjoy!

This bloggin stuff is harder than it looks!

I have GOT to get into some sort of routine with blogging! Right now we are spending alot of our time at the pool and outside. I just need to make a point to get blogging :)

SO, of course I have a story for Maniac Mommy Monday! How much more fitting that this series of events happen on a Monday anyways.

We headed out this morning for the pool and then I had a few errands on the other side of town that I needed to get done. I settle into my seat at the pool to feed Channing and Hawk comes to tell me that he has to go #2. Of course he does. So, I get everyone together and we truck on over to the nasty, humid, pool bathroom. He proceeds to do his business and we make our way back out to the pool. We are out there no more than thirty minutes when he comes to the edge of the pool where I was sitting with Channing and announces (loudly) that he pooped. I said, "WHAT"? You mean you just went poop, right? I notice the look on his face and it becomes very clear to me what he meant. I tell him to get out of the pool quickly and come with me. Of course he throws a fit, so I grab him, trying not to make a scene-not successfully. I get him over to our chair and take a peek....yep, he sure did have to go.....again. So, I called it a day at the pool! Anyone know what its like to get a nasty, wet, poopy bathing suit off a little body????

I had to make a stop at the grocery store and figured, well the worst that could happen today has, so I should be safe. Well, its not a successful trip anywhere unless Hawk has to pee someplace inappropriate! It does not matter if he went before we left the house or not, he always has to go when there is not a bathroom near! Of course as we pull into the BiLo parking lot he is about to have an accident, so he drops his drawers next to my car and "waters" the tree in the parking lot. At three that might be okay, but I am hoping to discourage this as he gets older.

Thankfully after three kids these types of things are considered normal to me! I topped the day right off by burning the garlic toast I was making for dinner....such is life. I really can't complain, even days like this make me realize how incredibly blessed I am to have the priviledge of staying at home with my kids. I truly wouldn't have it any other way....okay, well maybe minus the public urinating incidents!

MouthWatering Wednesday!

I have a recips for the day! We actually just had it and it turned out great, and SUPER kid-friendly. I found it on a friends blog and have used it before (thanks Melanie!). This is seriously the easiest recipe ever and I usually always have everything on hand. I knew yesterday was going to be a busy day so this was the perfect meal to make for dinner. The added bonus is it calls for FROZEN chicken breasts, which is great for me because half my battle is remembering to thaw something out!

Zesty BBQ Chicken

6 Boneless Skinless FROZEN Chicken Breasts (you could probably do 8 and still have enough sauce)

1 12oz bottle of BBQ sauce
1/2 cup Italian Dressing
1/4 cup Brown Sugar
2 Tbsp Worcestershire

Put Chicken in Crock pot, mix all other ingredients in a bowl and pour over chicken. Turn crock pot on for 3-4 hours on High, or 6-8 hours on Low.

I serve mine with rice and broccoli!

Bon Appetit!

Clean sheets rock!

So in light of the fact that Tuesdays are Terrific Tip Tuesdays...thought I forgot, huh? I am posting a tip!

I read this morning on a facebook friends status that at fifty some odd years of life she still has yet to master folding a fitted sheet! I thought it was too funny because I gave up on that when I realized I rarely have a set of sheets clean that I don't put straight back on a bed. I do remember the days...early in our married life of struggling to fold those darn fitted sheets and being so annoyed at how sloppy it made my shelf look where they were stored. Funny the things I could care less about now!

Here it is- your very own fitted sheet folding tutorial! How cool is that...so fold your little hearts out!
http://www.realsimple.com/home-organizing/cleaning/laundry/fold-fitted-sheet-00000000002236/index.html

Computers and Fires and things.....

Well, this poor blog has been SO neglected! I am happy to announce that I am back on the saddle and ready to type :)

I went to turn on my desk top one day and it just wouldn't do a thing, I have NO luck with technology...it hates me! SO we took the opportunity to replace my desktop with a laptop, which I had been REALLY wanting. So, Adam hooked it up for me :) So now I just feel so up with the times...I have a GPS, a crackberry AND a laptop.

THEN a week after I got my new computer, Adam's office burnt down. Yep, crazy, huh? So, they ran the office out of our home for a few days. They now have new office space and things are running more smoothly now.

Tie in a teething baby, some birthday parties, and laundry and that explains my hiatus :)

So, get ready because I am back in full swing now...ready to take on the blogging world with full force!

Smell my feet!!!

Sorry I missed yesterday! My home computer is on the fritz...again, so I am writing this from Adam's office with all three kids in tow....this may be a short post! The older two seem to be occupying themselves, which is always when I start to worry! :)

You may be wondering about the odd title to this blog, but I will explain. Tuesdays are now "Terrific Tip Tuesday", and I have got a tip for ya! Now, some of you may not be able to relate, and for that you should be grateful. I have this issue with wearing closed in shoes...like the cute ballet flats that are so cute...without socks...it makes my feet stink! So, I found a solution.

Supplies needed:

1 spray bottle
1 bottle of rubbing alcohol

I found both of these supplies at the dollar tree! You put the alcohol in the spray bottle and at night you spray it inside the shoes. Then let them sit all night, the alcohol gets rid of that stinky feet smell by the next morning! Oh, and FYI-keep the bottle on a HIGH shelf in closet where little curious hands can't reach it. :)

So, there is the tip for today. Enjoy your Tuesday!

Blog Schedule

I think I have finally figured out how I want my blog to go! Let me know what you think.

Monday: Maniac Mommy Mondays -any "mom" tips/advice or funny stories I have about
motherhood.

Tuesday: Terrific Tip Tuesday - any kind of tips or cool little tidbits of info I
have come across.

Wednesday: Mouth-watering Wednesday - Obviously this will be recipes! Hopefully
accompanied by pics (when I figure that out)

Thursday: Thankful Thursdays - Things I am thankful for that week

Friday: Fab Finds Friday - Any great deals/steals/coupons I have found that week

So whatdya think?

And then the weekends will be just whatever I have time for. Weekends are serious family time in the Wilson house so I am not sure if I will blog over the weekends, we'll see.

This week and last week have just flown by! Easter was such fun and I truly enjoyed seeing my kids understand the whole reason we celebrate it. I hope yours was special this year too!

Same ole' song

I don't know if anyone can relate, but I get SO tired of hearing the same songs over and over and over again on the radio! You know there is a TON of music that never even gets heard b/c its not considered "mainstream". Just as I enjoy independent films, I also like unknown music artists.

I am also known to love a good deal! I have several "deal" websites that I check often and was thrilled to find this link on one of them:

http://blog.urbanoutfitters.com/features/uoxau2010_music?cm_mmc=Performics-_-Affiliates-_-Internet%20Brands%20-%20Bargainist-_-25%20Free%20Downloads

Urban Outfitters is offering 25 free downloads...I would be suprised if anyone has ever heard of any of these! Some are good, some are just so-so, and a few are TERRIBLE! I will let you decide which ones are which!

Enjoy....Happy Friday!

Ideas for my Blog

My favorite blogs to read are ones that give ideas. I like the ones that have everything from ideas for crafts, projects, recipes, helpful tips, and where to find some bargains! So, I think I want to offer ideas on my blog too. So far the only things I have come up with are: Terrific Tip Tuesdays (obviously this will be where I blog about some fantastic tip I have found!) Maniac Mommy Mondays, this will entail any crazy "mommy moments", stories, or motherhood advice I may have that week. :) Fabulous Finds Fridays, this will be any great deals I have found or heard of.

So, that leaves Wednesdays and Thursdays....I got nothin! I want to have one day to put recipes...anyone have a clever title for me? So, what should the other day be? Post your ideas for me...I want to start this weekly schedule in April! HELP!!!

Figuring this thing out!

I thought this blogging thing looked easy....well the actual writing is the only easy part! I have been messing with the settings and just can't seem to figure it all out...ie:the gargantuan size pic of my family at the top of this blog! Please bear with me as I continue to try and get the hang of this.

Speaking of figuring it all out...there, that sounded like a good segway, so I thought I better jump on it! :) You would think that by round three (speaking of children) I would have most of this stuff figured out, right? Well the only thing I feel that I have completely figured out, is that I DON'T have it all figured out! I guess that's progress though. After I had my first child I remember just feeling this almost panicky feeling that I didn't know what I was doing and I felt completely UNDER qualified to be doing it. Now after the birth of this third little one, I still don't feel I am qualified, but I am much more okay with that feeling! That has become the fun part for me....learning as I go!

Some things I have learned:

-things will NEVER go according to plan...and if they do, be incredibly thankful!
-walls can be re-painted
-beads that go up a nose....must come down
-everything you say has the possibility of being repeated...over and over again
-accidents happen.....A LOT!
-being silly is so much more fun than trying to look like you "have it all together"
-kids say the darndest things...in public...VERY loud!
-Diaper rash cream is very water resistant
-apparently chapstick tastes good
-it is almost always better to just laugh
-the things I think are most important...usually aren't
-Dad will always be cooler...it's just how it goes!

It's probably obvious that I like lists...do you? Share with me some of the things on your list of things you've learned!

So, this is blogging...hmmm.

So, I read a lot of blogs, and love them...so I thought I would start one! For starters, I think it's a great way to keep in touch. I also love reading the ones that have recipes, ideas, tips, and crafty things! I haven't decided yet what all I want to include in my blog, so bare with me as I figure this all out :)

The title of this blog came to me when I looked around at my sometimes unruly kids and thought...yeah our family is loud and at times kinda wild...but they are mine and I love every crazy second of it I am blessed with!

Some backgroud info....I am married to an awesome, hardworkin', entrepreneur named Adam and we have three crazy kids. Siena is 4 1/2 going on.....25, she's dramatic and girly and already boy crazy! Hawkins "Hawk" is 2 1/2 and is ALL boy...he just does things Siena never even thought about doing, he is happiest when he is dirty and doing anything with Dad. Channing is our baby (most likely the last!), she is just now 3 months old and is such a joy. She is a really laid back baby...or maybe she just has to be in this family.

So, the basics on me....and then some:
-I am so thankful to be able to be a stay at home mom
-I do work with The Charlotte Film Community from home (mostly).
-I love anything crafty...but never seem to find the time to do crafty things!
-I enjoy running....well sort of.....it's more of a love/hate relationship :)
-I like to work out, I like fashion and shopping and shoes!
-I have an addiction to coffee that is insane...like I may need therapy for it-I have dreams about that first sip of coffee in the morning, but that could just be because sleep is harder to come by right now.
-I like to "shop" online, but I rarely ever buy anything.
-I like Romantic comedies, but I'm not a hugely romantic person.
-I love flowers and like them even better when someone else buys them for me! :)
-I can't wait until our farmers market opens here this spring...even if it is embarassing the amount of berries my kids help themselves to while I shop.
-I don't really consider myself quirky...just me
-I am laid back...to a fault!
-I am a dreamer (alot of times unrealistically)
-rude people bother me
-I tend to speed...a lot!
-I love to laugh and hear other people laugh
-I love pedicures
-I enjoy wine...with friends
-I used to want to be a writer....don't know what happened to that, but then again I have wanted to be alot of things!
-My car is ALWAYS a mess...it just is...I make no apologies
-I love to read...when I make the time
-I love thrift store shopping or garage sale hopping.
-I am not the best housekeeper and definately not the worst...I can live with that :)
-I enjoy people
-At 30 I feel like I finally like who I am!

Well thats it for this first try! Now on to read what the heck I'm supposed to do next! :P