Tummy Tuesday - Sloppy Joe Casserole

We love pretty much any Sloppy Joe receipe but this one adds a little twist and is super quick and easy! Can't go wrong with that combination!

 



Sloppy Joe Casserole

 

Enjoy!

Mommy Monday - Natural High

The weather was rainy and dreary on Saturday so it was a perfect day for some Spring Cleaning and organizing. I am not even kidding, there is nothing better than the feeling of a freshly purged and organized home! I really do not know why but it is truly such a natural high!

 

Yes, I am living the dream people - don't hate!

 

First came the attic.

We had to shift and make room for the goodies that were coming up from the basement, which we hope to complete soon. And let me just tell you - I made magic happen up there in that attic people. It was like one gigantic game of Tetris and I was the master! Trying to get those tupperware bins organized and stacked together just right so we could make room for another bin was exhilarating! I kid you not, I was in hog heaven. I was so proud of myself and did not hesitate to share my exhuberance with Jeff. I proudly told him that if this were an Olympic sport, I would most certainly take the Gold! Yeah, I could tell he was totally turned on....insert saracasm here.

 

Next came Sophie's room.

We and by we I mean me, reorganized Sophie's closet and drawers - thanks Pinterest! I had litterly saved every single picture or activity sheet she had done since she started Mother's Day Out....at the age of one. And now she is 4 1/2 and in Preschool. You can only imagine the papers! When I shared this information once with a fellow mama (who was on her third child) she told me that the day would come where I would be ready to "clean out" all those papers which were now spilling out of the tupperware bin. Saturday was the day! We had some fun going through them all and selecting certain special ones to keep in our forever box - which is still a pretty good size box! 

Hey, I am hoarder when it comes to my best little girlfriend....one step at a time!

 

All in all - a wild and crazy weekend in the Easterday household!

 

And in another news totally unrelated to my party weekend....another natural high -

 

 

 

Are these sweet baby angels not two of the most precious and beautiful things you have ever seen?? OMG - those tiny feet, chunky cheeks, little hands and bellies - I could just eat them up!! I am one proud Aunt Coco!! Such an incredible blessing loving on them and being reminded of how pure God's love is for us and what perfect little gifts he has given our family to love!!

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

Fabulous Friday - Just for Grins

TGIF!!!

Rainy TGIF but a Friday is a Friday!

 

This is genius!! Love love love it!!

 

 

My girl finally agreed to put on her school shirt even though it is a "boy" color. Now she loves it!

 

Representing for the class of Silverdale Baptist Academy 2027!

 

 

My best little girlfriend "ironing" her baby doll clothes while I ironed our big people clothes.

 

 

I need to be reminded of these every day!

 

 

Seriously? Really? Hmmm, there are no words!!

 

 

No where to go from there right?!

 

Have a great weekend!!

Random Thursday - Under Attack

Do you ever feel like you are under attack?

 

We have so many things to do and not enough time to do them right?! Did I play with Sophie enough today? Where is time going, she is growing up so fast!! Did I give Jeff everything he needed today? Was I present during our conversations when he was chatting away about something important to him or did I zone out and make the grocery list in my head? Oh no, the grocery list. What meals are we going to have next week and what all do we need? Our weekend is jam packed, when are we going to even have the time for the grocery store? I need to pick up some new clothes for myself and Sophie for spring/summer. Oh geez......I need to drop a few pounds before spring/summer.

 

You get the picture?! And that is just skimming the surface my friends! Yes, my head is a scary place but I know that sadly, I am not alone!

 

We recently completed a study in our SS class at church about Spiritual Warfare. I found this study so incredibly interesting and disturbingly true. For example, have you ever noticed how Sunday mornings seem to be the hardest morning to get up? Somehow, we always find a way to run late, hit every red light, and argue the whole way to church.

 

Satan ONLY wants to steal, kill, and destroy and he will do this by any means possible! Sometimes I feel like we do not give him enough credit for how masterful and powerful he and his tactics are!! The closer you are to God, the harder he works.

 

Personally, he has really been attacking me lately with a few of the gems I referenced above as well as some deeper concerns. Doubt, anxiety, and fear! An especially soft spot for me is my personal health because of my cancer history. This is an area where I know Satan only needs the window cracked a teeny tiny bit and he will slither his way into my thoughts.

 

In recent weeks, it seems as though I have randomly come across multiple stories about young moms who have died or are striken with cancer. Some even with Melanoma which was my personal diagnosis almost 10 years ago. While time may soften these "wounds", the fear is always there. Fear of leaving behind my family, my husband, and worse of all - my sweet baby girl. Even as I type this, it is hard to share because I can feel him knocking at the door wanting me to vocalize more of those fearful thoughts and how they sometimes haunt me. The more I vocalize them then the more they are recognized and the more real they become. Then, without really meaning, the more I allow the fear to take over.

 

Last week, I had my yearly checkup and they had to remove a suspicious area that had grown back after being removed a year ago. After calling in another doctor for a second opinion (yeah, if that doesn't shake you to the core nothing will) they worried the lab was wrong in their original diagnosis and decided to remove again, only deeper this time and another biopsy.....just in case there was something "trying to happen" there. Praise God, I received the news yesterday of negative results however, it took me back to that place of pure raw fear all over again.

 

But guess what???! Do you know what the most amazing, blessed, and glorious news of all is?

WE DO NOT HAVE TO FEAR!

WE DO NOT HAVE TO WORRY!

Our heavenly Father reminds us time and time again that he WANTS to take that burden from us!!

 

Philippians 4:6-8

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things."

 

Those feelings of doubt, anxiety, worry, and concern only come from one place - Satan and his army.

 

1 Peter 5:8-9

 ^"Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings."

 

The joke is on them because while they may be mighty, they are no match for my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ because through him all blessings flow!

 

Satan wants to rob me of the pure joy of running and playing with Sophie by planting doubts about myself as mother.

 

Satan wants to rob me of the wonderful blessing and sanctity of being married to my best friend by placing doubts about myself as a wife.

 

Satan wants to rob me of enjoying the blessing of another day to breath in deeply and enjoy this wonderful life my Heavenly Father has blessed me with by helping me to become consumed with my "to do" list.

 

Satan, most of all, wants to rob me of my relationship with Jesus Christ by casting fear and worry over my future whether it be with health, how to pay a bill, or when the grocery shopping will get done.

 

Satans only comes to steal, kill, and destroy but it's not happening here! I REFUSE to give him that power! I have seen how powerful my Lord is and witnessed his magesty time and time again. I know the glory of his love for me and that is where I CHOOSE to stand - no matter what! I stand strong and proud with my armor of God and my ALMIGHTY army of Jesus Christ!

 

Psalm 28: 7-9

"The LORD is my strength and my shield;
in him my heart trusts, and I am helped;
my heart exults,and with my song
I give thanks to him."

 

Can I get an Amen?!

Tummy Tuesday - Thin Mint Cookie Truffles

Just when you thought Girl Scout Thin Mint cookies could not get any better...they can....and do! In honor of Girl Scout cookie season being upon us, I just had to repost one of my most favorite sweet treats ever - Thin Mint Cookie Truffles.

 

Thin Mint Cookie Truffles

 

If you have already blown through your purchased box (ahem...or boxes in our case) of Thin Mints then you can replace with the Keebler Grasshopper cookies and they will work just as well. In fact, that is what I have used everytime because we cannot keep the Thin Mints in the house long enough to use them for the recipe.

 

As amazing as this recipe is, I must admit....I do wish Girl Scout cookie season was in the dead of winter as opposed to spring when it's all I can do to break out of hibernation and prepare for bathing suit season.

 

Enjoy!

Mommy Monday - Babies R Us

This weekend I co-hosted, along with another friend and my mom, a much delayed Sip and See for one of our best friends and her precious Baby Beau!

 

My mama, being the ever gracious host that she is, opened her home and then worked her magic with the decor setup. Rachael and I would have been in alot of trouble with her!

 

 

 

Loving on our Lindsay and sweet baby Beau!

 

 

 

The babies were everywhere!! I could litterly feel my insides turning to mush and melting inside my body!

 

Sophie was so excited that big brother Tripp got to come and play with her for the day!

 

 

Baby Jack and Lucy Claire made their first official public appearance!

 

 

The next set of pictures are intended for a mature viewing audiance only.

 

This somehow ended up happening during a discussion on the taste of breastmilk. Not yet having a child of her own, Rachael was very curious and Beau just happened to have some leftover milk in his bottle. One thing leads to another......

 

Come on Rachael, everybody's doing it!

 

At one point she shared that she was starting to have flashbacks from our days in college. I must admit while cheering her on and taking pics of her drinking a suspious substance, I may have had some flashbacks as well. However, my how the times and substance have changed. 

Post chug response - "Not bad at all."

I so enjoyed all the squishy lovey babies but I must admit this was def one of the highlights of my day!

 

Once the mommies were done pretending they were still in college, we were quickly brought back to reality when we realized that the kiddos were awfully quiet. Luckily, this is what we found.

 

And then my insides melted again.

 

 

 

Of course our perfect day ended on the drive home with Sophie singing along to her Frozen CD while rocking her Hawaiian Fruit Punch mustache. I just loved how she looked so serious and lady like while belting out the lyrics. The lyrics, which I might add, that I have heard morning, noon, and night for the past few months. Lyrics that I hear in my sleep and find myself singing while I am at work. We could seriously step into a broadway production tomorrow of Frozen and not miss a beat!

 

 

 

 



Tummy Tuesday - Delicious Beef Stroganoff

I am most certainly not a huge Beef Stroganoff fan. However, Jeff loves it so every now and then when I am need of some wifey brownie points, I will suffer through it one evening. However, this time around I thought I would experiment with it a bit and I found the most amazing recipe that I LOVED!!!!!!

 

It's a beef stroganoff miracle!

 

Beef Stroganoff

 

Enjoy!!

Random Thursday - My Grammy Nomination

1) A few evenings ago, I was giving the performance of my life while showering and singing a few of my favorite tunes from "Frozen". After a few minutes I hear Sophie crying in the bedroom as Jeff drys her hair. Apparently, my singing was "hurting" her ears. I kid you not - she was all out crying....real tears and all! I was shocked because I thought I was most certainly on the verge of receiving a Grammy nomination.

 

2) So incredibly blessed and thankful for God's little interventions. I was having some "moments" this morning on my way to work and through a series of events God intervened and dropped a dear friend right in my path exactly when I needed her. As we started chatting, I soon realized that she needed me too. He was dropping us both in each others paths this morning and as we realized it - we started praising Jesus and basking in his infiniate glory. To quote my precious friend - "we went to church this morning" without even realizing we were headed that way! Praise God for his goodness and constant reminders of the many ways he loves and takes care of us!

 

3) My new style "icon" (yeah, that is not something I normall have) is Lupita Nyong'o. Every single thing that she has worn during awards season this year has been beyond amazing!! She looks simply stunning and just oozes class which so refreshing!

 

 

4) Yes, please! He still has my heart! When he quoted his lines from one my most favorite movies ever ("Dazed and Confused") while accepting his award at the Oscars AND with that Texas twang.....I about melted right off my seat. Alright, alright, alright - just keep livin!

 

 

4) I would say someone is aging well. Ya still got it Uncle Jesse! Sophie is now obsessed with "Full House" and while watching an episode a few evenings ago Sophie told me that Uncle Jesse was one of her favorite people on the show. She said that she loved his face, his clothes, his hair....you get the picture. I thought it was the cutest thing ever but you should have seen the look on Jeff's face. His eyes were as big as saucers and he looked kinda pale. And so it begins.......

 

 



Tummy Tuesday - Baked Spaghetti Pie

We have not made this Baked Spaghetti Pie recipe in quite awhile and had forgotten how amazing it is! I am so used to now finding all of my recipes off of Pinterest that I forget about my old school cook books.

 

 

 

Baked Spaghetti Pie

4 ounces uncooked spaghetti

half pound lean ground beef (we used a full pound)

1 small green bell pepper, chopped

1 small onion, chopped

1 jar (14 oz) spaghetti sauce

1 teaspoon chili powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

2 large eggs

1 cup small curd creamed cottage cheese

1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

 

1. Heat oven to 375 degrees and grease pie plate, 10x 1 1/2 and cook spaghetti.
2. While spaghetti is cooking, cook meat, bell pepper, and onion together.
3. Stir in spaghetti sauce, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Cook 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until sauce is thickened.
4. Drain spaghetti noodles and place in pie plate. Gently press on bottom and 1 inch up side of pie plate.
5. Mix eggs and cottage cheese and spread evenly over spaghetti. Spoon meat mixture over cottage cheese and sprinkle with mozzarella cheese.
6. Bake 35-45 minutes or until center is set. Let stand for 5 minutes before cutting.

Enoy!!

 



Mommy Monday - Class of 2027

It's official!

 

Saturday afternoon we received our acceptance letter from Silverdale Baptist Academy telling us the good news that Sophie had been accepted!!! We feel so incredibly excited and blessed and praise God for this opportunity to provide Sophie with a faith-based eduction.

 

While I do believe that the vast majority of students are accepted - you just never know until you receive that official sheet of paper. Of course in my mind, I had created all sorts of scenerios for why she would not get accepted so needless to say, mommy is breathing alot easier now!!

 

Along with Sophie's acceptance letter, they also included this little jewel -

 

 

Sophie's Class of 2027 t-shirt!!! Could you not just die?!

 

What a wonderful and creative way to share the good news when people are accepted! Jeff actually walked in the house holding the shirt up as a surprise (apparently he had already dove into the packet of information before even making it inside the house). I must admit that it took me a few seconds to even figure out what the heck he was doing but once I did, it was time to celebrate!

 

Wouldn't it have been ideal to now post a picture of Sophie in her shirt? Well, apparently that is going to take some coaxing and bribing because as she told me - "That's a boys shirt mommy and boy colors. Why did they send me a boy's shirt?" Yeah, I may have to work on this issue quickly otherwise the next 13 years are going to be a tough road.

 

Class of 2027 - that will blow your mind right?! Oh my girl is growing up so fast and I have yet to find a way to slow it all down! I guess that means there is now only one option left - bring on the heavy meds!

 

 

 



Fabulous Friday - Good Reads

I am oh so ready for the weekend! Oh.so.ready!

Can I get an "Amen"?!

 

A few super fabulous things that I am loving right now -

 

The Antelope in the Living Room

 

Melanie Shankle is AMAZING! Like, I want her to be my BFF - perhaps borderline restraining order. I got to her meet her while at a conference in September and litterly did the fast mall walk across rows of empty chairs while trying not to trip over myself and be cool and casual as I introduced myself to her. My poor friend that was with me was left in my dust as I am sure she tried to pretend as though she did not know who I was. Can't say I blame her at that moment in time. Melanie (bc we are apparently on a first name basis now...at least in my mind) was of course amazing and I kept waiting after our 1 minute conversation for her to tell me that we were sole mates and totally needed to become facebook friends and start chatting and planning road trips for our hubbys to meet so we can all hang out together. My point is that her writing is so good - you feel like you know her. You feel as though she is one of your girlfriends.....so much so that maybe, you might possibly confuse it with the reality that she has no clue who you really actually are.    

 

Melanie Shankle is a hilarious Christian author who also writes the Big Mama blog. When I say hilarious, I mean tears streaming down your face funny! Her newest book that I referenced above consists of her sharing stories from her life and her personal marriage journey with her hubby. It is just always nice to know you are not alone.

 

Her first book, if you have not already read it -

 

Sparkly Green Earrings



is about the hilarious journey of motherhood. Again, another FANTASTIC and easy read!

 

Just envision this - kiddos are in bed, a bathtub full of warm water, candles, a glass of wine, and one of these books! BAM!

 

Have a great weekend!!

 

 

 

 

 

 



Random Thursday - Just Had to Share

1) I know that I should not laugh at this video. As my mom reminded/scolded me - "Nicole, she could have been seriously hurt." But, my mom also taught me to share, so here you go. It would not have been so funny had she not have just been interviewed. Either way, I do feel for her.....I promise! Goodness knows I have done it plenty of times and I am sure plenty more in the future! 

 

Click here for the Snow Jogger video

 

2) The irony about this is that she was wanting to show me her bathtub babies which she had just found (sidenote - they were not anywhere near the bathtub)....not necessarily the lips. I think that her bathtub baby search somehow led her to my lipstick as well?!

 

 

3) As I left for work one morning a few weeks ago, there was a beautiful double rainbow!!! It litterly looked as though it was coming up and out of the back of our house. At this point, it could actually be possible after all of the hay and grass seed we spread in our backyard this past fall.

 

 

 

4) This is what a mama finds sexy! And he does it every night!

 

Bedtime is a tag team effort at our house!! 

 

 



Wifey Wednesday - Hands Free

In the continuing saga that is our bible study fasting experiement, this week we are fasting from Media. This was one from the very beginning that I knew would be challeging for me. After learning our lesson from week one with food fasting, we decided to sit down and take a more strategic approach. What would be challenging for our family while still allowing us to function day to day? Ultimately, we decided that we would do the following -

 

 

1) No recreational screen time. However, I did allow myself a quick 5 minutes every evening to only check facebook and make sure I have not received any messages or comments that I need to respond too. Something of actual importance is allowed a response. By important - I am not referring to someones response as to the location of where they purchased a cute handbag. No facebook "browsing" allowed.

 

What I have already learned is that I am on facebook waaaaay tooooo much!! Way to much! Now, just because I don't post, doesn't mean I am not on there surfing away. Really? Like so many earth shattering things have happened in the past 15 minutes since I checked it last that I need get on there again and check for "new" updates?? From who?! Someone telling me that their child has ball practice tonight or what they are cooking for dinner?! Seriously, is this really going to impact my life so much that I need to know about it?! Don't get me wrong, I am just as bad as everyone else. I totally feed in to it but there is nothing like realizing the extent of your addiction! We are out of control people!! Instead of actually living our lives, we are reading about everyone else's or missing major moments because we need to post our facebook update.

 

I do realize that now a days facebook is a necessary evil. There are also alot of great and redeeming qualities of facebook. However, the obsession with it is beyond!

 

2) No iphone apps (only music), which basically means no Pinterest and Us Magazine. As you can imagine, Jeff was beyond distraught by this as he is always pinning new things onto his Home Decor board. He just cannot wait to start yet another new home project!!

 

No pinterest has been wonderful because it has meant less guilt this week. I have not had to worry with feeling like a failure because my child's room does not have a handmade headboard in the shape of a princess castle. Feeling like a failure because I have not done 6 of the 10 things that post said that I should do with my child by the time they turn 5. Envy because my house will never be decorated like those that I just pinned to my board. Jealousy because if I just had one more bathroom like that picture does, then I could totally decorate it for guests.

 

Again, Pinterest is a wonderful thing. But, we have taken it to the extreme!

 

3) Since we are not home during the day, we banned TV from 5:00 - 8:00 in the evenings. Yes, I know this may not seem like alot to you but it is for us. Not so much because we are plastered in front of it every evening but mainly because it is always on at least serving as background noise. I feel as though this makes me sounds like a horrible wife and mother who is always plopping her family down in front of the TV. While this not the case, we do most certainly enjoy our TV time cuddling on the couch. We have instead been feeling the void with more playing and talking. More creative time together. During this summer time this would not be a difficult challenge as we spend all of our free time outside. However, the cold winter months are a different story. We also may or may not be using the free time to spy on our new neighbors as they slowly move in. Hey, you have to improvise! 

 

 

We read articles every day reminding us, especially as mamas, how we need to "put down the screen" and focus on what is right in front of us. Truthfully though, it is hard to do....disturbingly difficult. This week has forced me to finally take action as I strive to become more "hands free". I am excited to take it back to the old school days and embrace more of the "hands free" lifestyle as I become more "hands on" with my family.  

 

Tummy Tuesday - Taco Pasta Bake

Jeff made the most delicious Taco Pasta Bake recipe for dinner last week.

 

Taco Pasta Bake

 

Enjoy!



Mommy Monday - Weekend Fun

What an insanely beautiful weekend!!!!

 

I love how we can go from sub 0 temps to eight inches of snow to 65 degree weather! And for the record, we will be dipping back into the 30's again in less then three days.

 

The weather this weekend had just enough of a hint of sprint in the air to lure you outside like a child in a candyshop. We cleaned out the garage, played, and I took Jeff on a field trip through the backyard to share with him all of the projects I would like to do this summer. I would think that this was the highlight of his day had it not been for this bad boy -

 

It finally happened! My precious hubby finally has his riding lawn mower. I swear I think he would have cut our grass yesterday if he could have! Sophie thought it was just the coolest thing ever and just had to take a ride on it! I would not have been surprised last night if he had of kicked me out of bed to make room for his new mower!

 

It's all fun and games until she is about 16 and gets in trouble for talking back and her punishment is  to mow the yard....with the pushmower! The travesty! That happened to me once when I was around 16 and I think in the long run it was my dad who suffered the most. Not only did he have to listen to me for 10 minutes (because that is as long as I lasted) whine, moan, and complain but he also had to go back  himself and remow after my disaster job. It was the last time my punishment was to mow the grass though!

 

Sadly, the mower comes at a price. Our precious neighbors and friends sold it to us because they are moving to Las Vegas to plant a church. God has been preparing them for this journey over the past few years and the time has finally come. I am so sad to see these sweet babies go!! Jeff has enjoyed having some boys around but not as much as my Sophie bug! She loves her boys and will miss them terribly!

 

We feel so blessed to have the opprotunity to watch the amazing things that God has in store for their family. Their brave strength, courage, and faith through this journey has been nothing short of inspirational. I will miss my sister in Christ but I know her and her hubby are going to do great things!!

 

 

Happy Monday!!