Wednesday, February 26, 2014

A yummy dinner that's easy to make from Alisa

All you need is:
Cheese (any kind you like)
1 package of buttermilk biscuits
and about 1 lb of ground beef
You will need a cup cake pan and stone pan to bake them with.

I put it on 350 degrees.
I put the beef in my stone pan and put it in microwave for about 7 or 8 minutes. 
Then you take it out and put cheese on it. Let it melt on the beef while you put the 8 buttermilk biscuits into the cupcake pan. I used a brownie pan and split the biscuit dough so that I had tops and bottoms. 
I put the beef with cheese onto the buttermilk biscuits and then I cover it with the the biscuits I had separated. 
Put it in the oven for about 10 mins or until it turns a golden brown. 
My kids love them.  Enjoy!

Saturday, February 22, 2014

Let's build memories with specialized books from Twigtale!

As a mom, I love promoting my children to learn. I want to build their self worth views and let them grow with memories of love and happiness. As such, I enjoy building photo books for them. I was recently contacted by the CEO of Twigtale, Carolyn, about hosting a review and giveaway, as well as offer my readers a discount towards purchasing books.
Twigtale offers you the ability to make personalized books that promote learning, self esteem and teaching life lessons while using personal photos and information that bring it all home to young children. These books are written by child experts. I chose the Loved book.
It shows children various pictures that help them associate what it means to be loved. Being loved is not just something you feel, but it comes in the forms of actions taken by others to you. Things that make you happy, keep you well, and provide that warm fuzzy feeling that is typically associated with love. That's what real love is. But how do you explain that to a child? This book tells the story of love in pictures of the child with the parents/caregivers feeding, changing, bathing, hugging, teaching and otherwise "loving" the child.
This is how children learn, by seeing and hearing. Especially at younger ages.
I chose to make my book for my youngest. Uploading the pictures was a snap. The book is completely ready and all you have to do is adjust which wording you want, such as names and age. Then put the pictures that best match the wording on each page. Its short and simple. They provide you with a list of which kinds of pictures you should have ready. This helps you to know what to expect when getting ready to build your book. I highly suggest checking the list against your photos before attempting to make the book. 
Each book is only $20. Plus shipping which is about $5.50 and is priority. After making my book, it took a week (or less) to be made and shipped! There are several books to choose from for just about every stage you might go through with your little ones. Transitions that may be difficult for your child such as potty training, new siblings or starting school. 
So about my book. I love how well it's made. Great binding. The colors are vibrant and the printing is so nice. 
I love the way it's written out. The thought that was put into it's wording is really special. Telling my daughter I love her won't put it into perspective. Not like letting her see pictures with explanations of how I care by changing her diaper and clothes.
It's in the way I give her a bath to help her stay clean. It's how she gets her morning hug. She also knows we are thinking about her even when she sleeps. I'm very pleased with the shipping. Using priority might cost a little more, but it's going to get here quicker.
Over all, its been a wonderful experience to make, order and read this amazing book with my little girl. You can check out their blog with has a great number of helpful posts. Now that I've shared my experience with you, I get to offer all of you, my dear readers, a unique code that gives you 10% off any book you choose. Simply put in TWIG10 at checkout. And then, you can also enter the giveaway for one winner to get a FREE book with free shipping. Check them out and tell me what you think.
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Tuesday, February 18, 2014

We made it!

We are finally home! We made it safely to Texas and now can relax as we make this unit our home. At first we stayed with my in laws and then we got a hotel room for a few nights. Want to test your patience? Put a family of five in one room daily. Especially when 3 of them are five years and under.
Getting the keys was so much more exciting than most would think. It's a sign of starting fresh. Of feeling free. And so much joy that you could burst as you watch the children go wild.
This place isn't the Ritz by far. But it's not the ghetto either. Our garage was packed full of our things and I spent all day putting as much as I could away. After I get off work tomorrow, I'll get right back to unpacking.
There is a 10x10 back yard that the kids and I plan to grow flowers in the corner of. I've always wanted a yard and after 6 years of not having one... I can't wait to work in it. We spent about an hour or so clearing it up and even planted gladiolas and sun flowers. My boys love watching Curios George and after getting the Going Green DVD, they have been begging me to plant a garden that they can watch grow.
 The floors throughout the downstairs are stained concrete. I won't have to worry about spilled juice except for the possibilities of slips. It's cold, this is true. And I have a lot of sweeping to do. But I'll get a rug for the combined dining/living area eventually. We also ordered a couch and table set for the living room that should be here by the weekend.
 Yesterday, we finally got the things we left in storage which included the beds. So thankful for the help from my in laws as well as friends. While moving, we made jokes and caught up. It really helps the work go by smoother when you are having fun. My husband decided to let the dolly ride in the truck with him and his friend since all the other spaces were filled... I told him that every corner they turned would earn him a kiss from the tires.
Before getting those things, we only had two air beds that both leak air so I've been sleeping on the floor. Waking up with migraines wasn't working out too well.
We ordered a washer/dryer set that should arrive this week as well. I'm going to have a mountain of laundry to do... But I'm happy to say I'll finally have a set and they'll be in my own garage, another first for us.
This place has two floors so my kids will wear themselves out with all the up and downs they do daily. And we finally get to cook really good meals again! Tonight was Italian chicken, rice and sautéed veggies. Mmm... how I've missed my kitchen!
Oh and I love how this neighborhood has a sense of humor! The stop signs (a least two of them) have additions that make you laugh and possibly sing. This is one:
Another says "Don't STOP Believin'". I love it!
This kitchen is about the size I had before, but somehow seems to have more space. Or maybe I'm getting better with my organization skills.
Thanks for reading and sharing in my life's adventures! I'll post again soon with updated pictures that show how we are turning this place in a Home.

Sunday, February 9, 2014

That Awkward Moment is now in theaters!

Most of us have been there... That moment when you pass the "friends" stage and are beginning to move into the... whatever comes next stage of the relationship. But how do you approach that moment when you realize you are ready to move into the next stage? How do you bring that conversation into being? Or do you have that amazing telepathy to read his/her mind and not even have to ask?
That Awkward Moment is all about couples who are moving along but find themselves stumbling over the moment when they have to embrace a new relationship status or admit they'd rather be alone after all. Zac Efron, Miles Teller, and Michael B. Jordan star as three guys who after Michael's character gets dumped, all agree not to get into a relationship unless they all do it together. However, a night at the bar meant to be a pick-me-up as well as pick up one-night-stands, changes the games for these buddies. One of those funny moments included are self medicating together when confusion strikes... They work together to get through the decisions they face and have plenty of awkward moments throughout

For fun, you can check out this video with quiz to see where you stand in the relationship realm.

Check out the trailer for That Awkward Moment here. Or go to the lineup on YouTube for multiple videos that give you a wide variety of laughs.
So what was your awkward moment? Or one of them if you're like me and have more than you wish to remember... I'd love to hear it! Share a laugh with everyone else.