Attempting to be a Super Mom

What a day!!!  I am exhausted, yet my hoodlum children don't seem to be going to be early enough any more.  How is it that they have so much energy all day long, and can stay up so late without the slightest hint that they are tired?  I mean, other than the attitudes and grumpiness.  I get that too, the later it gets.  I mean seriously, it's 11:30 and Ben is still awake.  I love my kids, really I do, but this Momma needs her kids to go to bed, so I can have a little me time... for my sanity. We got a lot of housework done super early so we could enjoy the beautiful day.  After lunch we met Morgan and the girls downtown at the Toy Store.  The kids went crazy in there.  Really, they have so much stuff, it is a really cool store.  When we were done there (I made it out without buying toys for my monsters) we headed to Laugh Out Loud.  Haven't been there in a week and the kids told me they missed it. Seriously, how cute are Rylie...

Today while at Laugh Out Loud, Morgan and I were discussing dinner plans and this I was telling her what I was making for dinner and she said "Everyone has their own way of making Texas Trash."  The name kind of  stuck with me, and she was totally right.  Everybody has a dish quite similar to this that they created from things they had in their cabinets and it just happened to be a hit.  Here's the recipe for my Texas Trash. Texas Trash 1 box of velveeta shells and cheese (I use the store brand) 1 lb ground beef 1 can corn, drained 1 can rotel or 1 cup salsa Brown the ground beef until there is no pink left. Add the corn and rotel or salsa and cook for another minute or two. Cook the macaroni according to the directions on the package. Mix everything together and serve. Easy and delicious.

I've been going through tons of cookbooks looking for quick and easy recipes.  I always love a good casserole, so this recipe from Southern Plate by Christy Jordan was a definite keeper. Crunchy Beef Casserole 2 cups rotini 1 lb ground beef 1 10.5 oz can cream of mushroom soup 3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese 3/4 tsp seasoned salt 1 14 oz can diced tomatoes 1 green pepper, chopped 1 cup french fried onions Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease a 2 qt casserole dish. Cook the rotini as directed on the package; rinse and drain. Brown the beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat until no longer pink.  Drain the fat.  Combine all the ingredients except the french fried onions in the casserole dish.  Cover and bake for 30 minutes, then uncover, top with the french fried onions, and bake for 5 minutes longer.

Last week was Ben's last week of school.  My baby boy is starting kindergarten next year.  He only went to school two half days a week, Tuesday and Thursday mornings, and next year he'll be in all day kindergarten.  I'm a little sad.  It was also sad for me to not see my mom friends twice a week anymore. Tuesday, Ben's class went to the Natural History Museum and the Spencer Art Museum out here at the KU campus.  I told Ben that we'll go back to the Natural History Museum very soon so he can show us around.  He's excited about that. Wednesday, Ben had an eye appointment.  He was so nervous.  I left the girls with Torren so I could give my nervous boy the one on one attention he needed. It's blurry but too cute to not share.  His glasses will be in either this week or next.  He's so excited. Thursday, was Ben's last day of school.  He had a family and school picnic at the park a couple of blocks from the school. ...

Another weekend has flown by.  I'm not quite ready for the week, but in our house it will be a short one since the hubby took Friday off to get a nice 4 day weekend.  Hope everyone else had a nice weekend and is ready for the week.  Happy Monday. The weather.....    Right now I am.... Exhausted! Thinking.... I have things to get done today, but feel like I need just a tad bit of rest time.  I have no energy lately. On my reading pile.... Charlotte's Web is all at the moment.  I don't have anything to read for me at the moment. On my TV..... Will and Grace this morning, and later some Doctor Who. What I found while surfing the net.... I came across a really fun blog while on Pinterest.  It has crafts and food and lots of printables.   Live Craft Eat On the menu for this week.... I have no idea yet.   On my to do list.... Laundry Dishes Vacuum Sweep and steam mop kitchen floor In the craft basket.... Gra...

Starting today I'm going to try to link up on Wednesdays with  Diary of a Stay at Home Mom  for What I'm creating Wednesday. I've been working away on squares for my granny square blanket.  It's coming along quite beautifully.  I was a little worried about how bright it is, but I love it! Originally I decided to use very large squares but after some more thought and laying out some fun ideas, I decided that I'm going to use a couple of different sizes of squares. I also started a crochet bunting for the mantle.  I'm excited at how cute it's coming out. While looking around on Pinterest, I came across a really cute bedroom idea.  My husband and I are buying new bedding, so I decided lets finally finish up our bedroom.  We neglect our room when we decorate everywhere else, so I want to finally finish it.  I'm going to use this for my inspiration:

I've done a couple of these posts in the past, but haven't done a post about me in 2 years.  I'm constantly changing so I figured it was time to do an update. Here's my old posts:  Maybe You Think I Am Who I'm Not  and  The ABCs Of Liz . I have a husband and three kids.  They are my world. I'm newly a Catholic. I'm very easy to get along with.  I have a little social awkwardness and am a little shy at first, but after people get to know me, they usually like me.  I try to always give others the benefit of the doubt, or see both sides of a fight. Don't make assumptions about me because of my religion.  I'm very eclectic and quite liberal. I don't usually talk politics with people although I believe everyone is entitled to their opinions, because many people cannot stay civil.  You're not going to change my mind, just as I'm not going to change yours. I'm a larger woman, and while I'm not thrilled with my size, I...

I don't know why, but when I read this, I completely fell in love with it.  I have to say that I loved Doctor Who since before I was a Catholic, but I fell in with Catholicism for many of the reasons listed here as why Catholics love Doctor Who.   I just thought this was super cute and had to share it myself.  I found it at  Molly Makes Do . 7 QTs - Why Catholics Love Doctor Who Okay, to start off with - everyone should love Doctor Who, just plan and simple.  However, I've been noticing a trend on Pinterest of some of my favorite friends and bloggers pinning things in tandem to boards about religion and the Doctor and it made me wonder if there's a correlation.  Most of these women have admitted that they don't like alien movies or sci-fi TV shows, yet love this regenerating, time traveling heroic anti-hero.  In a moment of over analysis this is what I came up with. So today for the Quick Takes I bring you the 7 (okay 8) reasons I think Cat...

I missed last week due to technical difficulties, but I'm back this week!  Hope every one had a wonderful weekend and Happy Mother's Day. The weather..... Getting warmer again. Right now I am.... Sitting on the couch, watching Will and Grace with the girls, while Ben watches videos on his iPad.   Thinking.... I am just exhausted today.  This weekend was so much fun, but it was gone too fast! On my reading pile.... Charlotte's Web by E.B. White.  I'm reading it to my kids.  I haven't read it since I was a kid.   On my TV..... Will and Grace for now.  Sydney is obsessed with Will and Grace and I have always loved it.  It kind of makes me proud.  Later, fingers crossed that I will finally get the chance to watch Season 3 of Downton Abbey. What I found while surfing the net.... Great Girls Your Daughter Should Know   It's a great blog post about books and the inspiring female characters in them that every little girl should...