{100 things...}

1) I'm a morning person
2) I love to relax in the morning
3) I usually don't straighten up the house until about lunchtime
4) I hate unloading the dishwasher (hence #3)
5) I clean while I cook (thanks Mom => )
6) I love clean floors and bathrooms
7) The highlight of my day is my morning coffee (even though its only 1/2 caf)
8) If I were rich (or even had some spare cash) I would spend my money on home decor and clothes for my kids
9) I secretly wish I were a famous singer (although I don't think I'd like the loss of privacy)
10) I'm wierd about people in my house, especially people I don't know very well.
11) I wrote #104 page romance novel in 8th grade. (reallllllly bad but so fun=> )
12) I crave walking
13) I feel anxious if I don't get to get out for a walk.
14) I miss dancing
15) I was a cheerleader
16) I also played the flute
17) I hated practicing the flute =>
18) i used to play the piano every day
19) I used to spend my free time writing music
20) I now spend my free time with girlfriends, shopping, or blogging ( <--the last one's kinda sad really)
21) I'm terrible at organizing
22) I like a clean house, but I don't stress out about cluttered closets and drawers (although I wish I could figure out a better way of organzing them)
23) I don't really like reading any other books than romance novels, although occassionally I will branch out.
24) I hate horror movies or anything with grotesque violence. (My husband wishes I didn't)
25) I'm pretty varied in my musical interests, the only exceptions being death metal, and hardcore rap
26) I love being a mom
27) I'm bad about being consistent with some things (ADD, really)
28) I talk....a lot
29) I hate grammer, but love to write.
30) I've forgotten a lot of grammatical rules since high school, including some spellings??
31) I used to be one of the best spellers in my class in gradeschool.
32) The first time I sang in public was show and tell in 1st grade, it was the first song I wrote "Hearts and Rainbows"
33) My friend Jennifer Kennedy and I wrote the school song in 4th or 5th grade, "Share the Spirit"
34) I stink at Goodwill shopping, too many things to search through.
35) I love being crafty but am too cheep to buy supplies
36) I have visions of sewing luxurious baby blankets and making my own bath products
37) I love to be clean.
38) I especially love good bubble bath and shower gel.
39) I wash my hair every other day (upon suggestion from hair dresser)
40) I often bathe my kids twice a day (and sometimes myself too)
41) I freak out about my kids getting sick.
42) I wish I was already a nurse practitioner so I could check their ears myself
43) I am very self conscious
44) I have become more secure with age b/c I realize a) it doesn't really matter b) most everyone else feels insecure too
45) I married my first love
46) I love him more all the time
47) I love it when my kids get along
48) I hope I'm doing a good job at being a mom
49) I'm very indecisive
50) I don't really have a "favorite" anything
51) I'm an independent politically
52) I really don't like our government right now
53) I am flabbergasted at how extreme people are about politics and am constantly trying to find out who's right?? Some one has got to be I suppose, but neither one will see the middle ground even if there was some??? Soooo fascinating!
54) I hope the next president will be inspirational.
55) I looooove fruits and vegi's (wish my family did too)
56) I could live on salad (esp Ceasar and Taco)
57) I love making food with fresh ingredients, esp herbs
58) Not a big fan of canned vegis
59) I was vegitarian for 5 years
60) I miss my mom everyday (even right after I see her)
61) I love it that Jillian reminds me so much of my Mom, b/c my mom is fabulous
62) I wish I was as talented with music as my Dad
63) I think my Dad is one of the nicest and most wonderful people God created
64) I miss living with my parents
65) I tear up everytime I leave my Dad's house, and we always wave at eachother until I can't see him anymore.
66) I get overwhelmed by tasks that don't have enough guidelines.(ie organizing, projects etc..)
67) I really liked Physics
68) Before I can study I have to clean my house (I think it declutters your mind?? or maybe its just procrastinating)
69) I'm a procrastinator
70) I work better under pressure, but hate the stress of it
71) I start nursing school a month from tommorrow
72) I'm very nervous about sending my kids to daycare (more so than starting school again)
73) I'm excited to be a student again, but not about accruing more loans
74) I make my bed everyday
75) I wish I could afford a realllllly nice pair of jeans
76) I wish I could find someone to play jazz music with a few nights a month
77) I wish I were better at yardwork (maybe we'd have a yard in by now)
78) Sometmes I love the smell of my husbands breath (wierd, I know)
79) I have to have clean feet when I go to bed
80) I rub my feet together to go to sleep
81) I'm not very good at accessorizing
82) I'm terrible at buying shoes for myself
83) I'm not very interested in new technology
84) I really don't like to play games of any sort, but usually have fun when I'm forced to do so.
85) I miss the sounds of Paris
86) Belle and Sebastian music reminds me of Paris
87) I don't like to be hot
88) I love the smell of rain
89) I don't really mind the rain, it soothes me
90) My favorite holiday is Halloween
91) I love fall and pumpkins and yummy fall candles!
92) I love to buy people presents
93) I wish we had a big piece of property so all of my family could have their houses on it and we could be neighbors
94) I'm very blessed with a great family and in-laws
95) I'm doubly blessed that my best friends are also family (my sister-in-law & cousin)
96) I'm super super blessed to have amazing and inspriational friends
97) I wish I knew my Mom's family better
98) I really miss Peggy and Poppy and am sad I will never know them outside of my childhood
99) My Grandma and Grandpa Eichsteadt were wonderful grandparents and their home has always felt like home
100) I miss my childhood home and always find myself drawn to houses like it

I can't believe I'm done!! This took all day (interuptions) Its kind of fun to see all there is to be thankful for and sort of itemize what's important to me. Free therapy=>

{Spanish Rice}

Not much to post about around here, so I thought I'd post my little make-shift rice recipe. I didn't have all the ingredients for the recipe I normally use, so I improvised and it turned out surprisingly well? So here goes

Ingredients:
1c rice
1 clove garlic (large one)
1/4 onion chopped
2 chicken boullion cubes
2c boiling water
2 tsp olive oil
1 tsp ground cumin
1 pinch dried oregano
2 Tbsp your fav salsa

Add boullion cubes to 2 cups boiling water to begin dissolving (I would usually just use 2c canned chicken broth)

1) heat olive oil in a medium sauce pan on medium heat
2) add rice and stir occassionally until it begins to become toasty brown. (smells sooooo yummy!)
3) add garlic and onion to pan and continue moving around the pan until they become translucent. (2 minutes or so) Rice should be toasty brown
4) add chicken boullion mixture (CAREFULLY as it will spit and splatter as the liquid hits the hot pan, watch out for the steam)
5) stir in oregano, cumin, and salsa
6) bring back to a boil, cover, reduce heat to low and simmer 15-20 mins until fluffy.
7) remove from pan into serving dish. I recommend filling the empty pan with soapy water ASAP to prevent the residue from sticking like glue to the bottom of your pan =>

Enjoy!!

{Slow Cooker Beef Stew}

I'm whipping this lovely meal up for dinner tonight. It sure smells good. I'm hoping it tastes just as delicious. I'll let you know. I didn't use 3 lbs of beef however, we would be eating it for a week =>.

Slow Cooker Beef Stew IV
Submitted by: Rosie T.
Rated: 5 out of 5 by 215 members Prep Time: 15 Minutes
Cook Time: 7 Hours Ready In: 7 Hours 15 Minutes
Yields: 12 servings

"Red wine and onion soup mix flavor this beef stew made with potatoes, carrots, and onions."
INGREDIENTS:
3 pounds cubed beef stew
meat
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 cup baby carrots
4 large potatoes, cubed
1 tablespoon dried parsley
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
2 cups boiling water
1 (1 ounce) package dry onion
soup mix
3 tablespoons butter
3 onions, sliced
1/4 cup red wine
1/4 cup warm water
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

DIRECTIONS:
1. Place meat in a large plastic bag. Combine 1/4 cup flour with 1/2 teaspoon salt; pour into the bag with the meat, and shake to coat.
2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add stew meat, and cook until evenly browned on the outside. Transfer to a slow cooker along with the carrots, potatoes, parsley, and pepper. In a small bowl, stir together 2 cups of boiling water and dry soup mix; pour into the slow cooker.
3. In the same skillet, melt butter and saute onions until softened; remove to the slow cooker. Pour red wine into the skillet, and stir to loosen browned bits of food on the bottom. Remove from heat, and pour into the slow cooker.
4. Cover, and cook on High for 30 minutes. Reduce heat to Low, and cook for 6 hours, or until meat is fork tender. In a small bowl or cup, mix together 2 tablespoons flour with 1/4 cup warm water. Stir into stew, and cook uncovered for 15 minutes, or until thickened.

{Good Morning, Aiden}

I got out of the shower this morning to hear these two giggling gerties hootin it up. It's such a joy to see them having fun together.

{Some Hello Kitty Cooking}

{Fun in the Sun}

Jillian's new favorite thing is Hello Kitty. We still aren't entirely sure how this happened, but a month or so ago she announced she didn't like Cinderella anymore. Now she's obsessed with hello kitty. So, after careful examination she came up with this look, her"Hello Kitty" face. I just about died the first time she winked at me and announced her new persona. She is so inventive and full of spunk. She is asking me daily if it's Halloween yet, so she can be...you guessed it, Hello Kitty => By the way, the outfit she is wearing is her "Hello Kitty/Exercising out fit. She actually whipped out some lunges for Desi the other night, thanks Grammy for teaching her somenew moves => We love and miss you!!!!







Practicing our plies...



Not so big on having our picture taken though...=>

{Dear Little One,}

Jillian pulled out a card I'd saved since her baby shower four years ago. The card is from my Grandma Lyle-Ann and brought tears to my eyes as it did initially the first time I read it. I wanted to post it in case something should ever happen to the original. It's too special to be lost forever...

Dear Little One, 2004
We are eagerly awaiting your entrance onto the stage. Please be nice to your mother and cause her as little trouble as possible on the way.
On the other hand, do not be so easy that she forgets the wonder of your birth. It is a very special time.
Be nice to your father, too. If you play it right, you can rule the roost with him. Men are notoriously fond of their daughters, so make the most of it. On the other hand, little girls learn how to love a husband by practicing on Pop.
Don't forget where you came from, because some day you'll want to go back there, after your time here. Remember the Way-
Love, Great-grandma Lyle

{A little too familiar}

I think I must talk on my cell phone a little too frequently. These two seem all to familiar with how a person should use a phone. Jillian is also dressed in her new "favorite outfit" she actually slept in it last night. She wasn't too thrilled with having her picture taken, I caught her on the fly. =>

{Just a Bit of Fun}

"Dook at Dat!!" Aiden's famous first words. We first heard this phrase on his first birthday and ever since it's the first thing I hear when I get him up in the morning => Well, he finally got his little mits on my cell phone the other day. He loo-ved that it actually made noises and lit up when he pressed the buttons. I'll have to find Jillian's first "cell phone" in our toy box and save us from his "dook at dat!" and tears upon seeing mine.

{Weird Dream}

I guess blogging has invaded my subconscious. The other night I had a dream in which I was out shopping with my mom. We walked into the store and a little family I know only from blogging was there. We both sort of looked at each other not really knowing what to say. Do you say "Hi, so-and-so, how are you?" ?? In my dream we just continued on without acknowledging our strange internet connection, but soooooo weird!! I mean, this is a totally plausible situation, one I've found myself in before and I didn't know what to say? I found myself feeling a bit embarrassed to admit I read about the lives of perfect strangers. So, what I want to know is, is there an etiquette when faced with this conundrum? I'm curious what others think would be appropriate.

Fun Questions

I copied these questions from Meta's blog. They were very thought provoking.

1.) If you could live ANY one place in the world where would it be and why would you choose that destination?

I think I would choose Paris, France. Even though I spent a semester there in college, I think I just scratched the surface of all there is to see there. I think I would eventually miss Oregon though and have to return.

2.) Are you doing what you thought you'd be doing in life and if not, where did you think you'd be or what did you think you'd be doing at this time of your life?

I guess I thought I'd be a career woman, a doctor or something, before I had a family. I've always seen myself as a mom though, and I can't imagine my life any other way. I think I would feel very conflicted to give up a big career to stay at home, I suppose someone above may have known that. =>

3.) Are you an optimist or a pessimist (for the most part)?

I think mostly an optimist.

4.) What need does blogging fulfill in your life?

Blogging gives me a medium to share our little life with friends and family that don't live close by. Record memories. It also has allowed me to reconnect with some great people from my younger days (I know, I'm ancient ; > ) I've also learned a bit about photography and how much it interests me

5. What is one goal in life you would like to achieve before dying?

Raising wonderful, intelligent, God-loving adults and having a close-knit family.

If anyone else feels compelled to pass some time with these fun questions, please do. It's kind of fun =>

{Wow, it's been awhile...}

Free Online Dating

{Miss Matched}

We attended the Gerig family reunion the week before last over at the coast. This is Desi's Mom's side of the family. It turned out to be a pretty small group, surprisingly since their family is enormous. The weather was also less than ideal, raining the entire time. Linda Lou (D's momma) was so excited that we came, as few of her sibs spent much time there, or came at all. Her brother Gary and his son Nick were the only other Corvallis Gerig's to attend. Nick has been the sweetest cousin to Jilly since she was a baby and continues to show his affection for her as they grow. Right before we were leaving they were snugged on the couch and he was reading to her. The binky bandit struck again as you can see the proof in Jillian's mouth (Aiden's green and blue pacifier), what a turkey she is! Aiden is also sporting his first pair of walking shoes! So cute, and so glad I bought them before we left as the lodge was, in true camp form, filthy dirty so at least his feeties were clean =>










Here are a few more random pics to round out this posting marathon. I just have to add, prior to the photos of Jillian outside in her undies I caught her on tape in a hilarious moment. I was watching her through the window (I was videoing Aiden walking) and looked just in time to see her drop trou and squat her little booty over the edge of the patio and tinkle in the dirt! I was dying. I guess she may have witnessed others whose names I shall not mention, relieve themselves outdoors and thought it sounded fun. Not to mention she has recently developed a great fear of the toilet overflowing. She probably thought she was killing two birds with one stone. => I have only one word to say to that..."Busted!"