tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7824999583837106922024-03-05T04:24:49.362-08:00Perfecting ImperfectionStriving to be perfect at living my imperfect life - at least we laugh a lot!Krajcimamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05333772751347917860noreply@blogger.comBlogger367125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-782499958383710692.post-43978052942981672652018-05-16T19:31:00.000-07:002018-05-16T19:31:14.285-07:00My Little Mind Readers . . . <span style="font-size: large;">Okay . . . Something very odd happened the other day. ALL 4 of my kids hung out with me for a good hour or so for no real reason - except there was a reason . . . but it was an unspoken reason. They knew I needed it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I've never really been shy about talking about my depression. It's part of me and I am NOT ashamed of it - I have a lot going on and I think people often think that is what's "wrong". BUT my busy life isn't what makes me depressed. If you don't know what causes depression . . . you should go and look it up. It's not simple and everyone who suffers from it does so differently. It's also not a sign of weakness and it is serious. At my worst, I cried non-stop for 3 days straight and didn't get out of my pajamas or do more than the absolute BARE MINIMUM to keep myself and my family afloat before ending up in a doctor's office. I remember telling myself over and over that I wasn't going to be that chick who broke down and started crying as soon as the doctor walked in. He walked in . . . asked me how I was doing . . . I took a deep breath, said, "Well . . . " with a crack in my voice and lost it. That was almost 8 years ago. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I've been REALLY lucky the last year or so, though. I have only really had 2 minor low points. Both of them were manageable with a little patience on the part of those that I love the most - and I was back to "myself" in no time. I've found some awesome products that are helping me to have more natural energy and raise my cortisol levels . . . it's been a blessing!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">However, this time I've noticed my mood has lingered a bit longer than I'd like and I do believe it is in part due to stress. May has ALWAYS been a stressful month for me as a teacher. There are a lot of last minute things to do. Lessons to wrap up and goodbyes to plan. The thing is - the end of the school year comes no matter how ready or not I am. And it's upon us.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">So - back to the picture and my kids all hanging out with me at the SAME TIME! Did you know that <a href="https://www.lifehack.org/377685/science-says-cuddling-helps-curb-depression-and-anxiety-heres-why">cuddling can help with stress, depression and anxiety? </a> It's true and as these 4 mind readers were taking turns bowling on the Wii . . . each one of them came over and gave me a hug or snuggled up next to me while waiting for their turn. I'm pretty sure they knew I was off but also knew that I was okay. I do the same thing when I can sense they are in need of a boost in their oxytocin. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">So while, yes, we do medicate for things that we need to medicate for (and that includes depression) we also believe in healing through hugs in this family. Even if it doesn't cure everything . . . it doesn't hurt, either! </span><br />
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<br />Krajcimamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05333772751347917860noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-782499958383710692.post-45922020557361071002018-05-11T10:00:00.000-07:002018-05-11T10:00:11.424-07:00All Because 2 People Fell In Love - Celebrating 50 Years <span style="font-size: large;">This past weekend, we celebrated the 50th wedding anniversary of 2 AMAZING people. My in-laws, Marge and Jerry Sr.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I try to always find the positive in people despite the things they do to annoy me. With these 2, though, it isn't hard to focus on the things that make them amazing. If I could write a list of what the perfect in-laws would be like . . . there isn't much that would be different from the ones I have.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I'd be lying if I said that my father-in-law and I always see eye-to-eye on everything. I've learned that he doesn't believe in global warming (and to not talk to him about it) and that he is the definition of a stereotypical Catholic Conservative. I don't say that like it's a BAD thing - it's just the truth and once you accept that side of him and know that is where he will always be coming from, it is pretty easy to overlook the opinions that don't line up with yours (at least it is for me, anyway).</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">His strength, and what I am most grateful for, is how much he truly loves and cares about his family. I'm sure we all drive him crazy now and then (just ask him about covering his TV buttons with cardboard so the twins wouldn't turn the channel or turn it off just to hear him yell) but despite the fact that we aren't perfect, he still gives and ALWAYS tells the kids he is so happy they came to see him every time they walk in the door. I don't know if he realizes how much that makes me smile every time he says it. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">My in-laws with their 3 children (photo courtesy of Uncle Bob) </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">My mother-in-law is the closest thing to a perfect person that I have ever met. I know some really amazing people, but she is one of THE MOST amazing. She never hesitates to help if we need her. She is always doing thoughtful things and shows up for EVERYTHING! She is a retired nurse and knows exactly how to make things better - but NEVER forces her thoughts or opinions on you. She almost always has a cup of coffee or something to eat when you pop in and NEVER forgets dessert when she makes dinner (which is usually once a week!). She is EXACTLY how I want to be when I become a mother-in-law. She gave each of my babies their first bath, babysat when I went back to work after having the twins, she always saves me a container of her green bean and kielbasa soup (which is my FAVORITE) and remembers every birthday, holiday and anniversary.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">She is the first person that I would go to with a problem after my own parents (who are equally as wonderful!) and I know that she would do anything for any of us.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I don't know how I got so lucky . . . but I do thank God EVERY DAY for giving me these amazing people in my life and in my children's' lives. (Oh - and for the amazing son they raised . . . who just happens to be the love of my life). </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc5nlPDmXafH9MpBtOHPc7k7PCLN2_Y9jxp_tQNO_GMT2S-41Uwa0mQDGsT7XlBMWjEKmStV9hqoeOWXpoB7uUflKlZQhp6ZoChprLdWvTYz4uWF3pXVVb1WuDmNNjlBTKYNsVBVC-AGI/s1600/31956691_188533148641365_1423799538572853248_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc5nlPDmXafH9MpBtOHPc7k7PCLN2_Y9jxp_tQNO_GMT2S-41Uwa0mQDGsT7XlBMWjEKmStV9hqoeOWXpoB7uUflKlZQhp6ZoChprLdWvTYz4uWF3pXVVb1WuDmNNjlBTKYNsVBVC-AGI/s640/31956691_188533148641365_1423799538572853248_o.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">My in-laws with 8 of their 10 grandchildren (photo courtesy of Uncle Bob)</span></td></tr>
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<br />Krajcimamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05333772751347917860noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-782499958383710692.post-64911996384947662292018-05-10T15:44:00.000-07:002018-05-10T15:44:20.034-07:00Hello old friend<span style="font-size: large;">Yes - it's been 6 years since my last blog post here - I kind of can't believe that the blog is still around and I can add to it! Just look how I've changed!!!</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2012 2018</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">A LOT of other things have changed since my last blog post on Perfecting Imperfection but there is NO way to catch you all up. However, I missed having this little online journal (because that's more of what THIS blog was) so I'm back to ramble on about my everyday life . . . the bigger stuff . . . and all that crap in between that you may or may not be interested in. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I won't be offended if you aren't - not to be rude (even though it will sound a little rude) but I'm not REALLY blogging for you. I'd love to chat with you if something I say strikes you as a conversation starter . . . I'd love feedback or thoughts . . . just know that there isn't a rhyme or reason to any of the stuff I will share but I needed an outlet for my internal monologue. This is it - Welcome!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>Krajcimamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05333772751347917860noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-782499958383710692.post-59412184101640791612012-03-25T10:48:00.001-07:002018-05-10T14:47:22.900-07:00Dadone<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd9gqSulEEQayi1adhe3zfbtGb22dNraDH0XKX04SNzqE2FhVW1xNKMSenPPev456X2eNs9syfW0xIjLWEa-KE_pvGdyRWBO-ui334WhV-jKGM-RrcsH6yyd8Ay8RaVUQmmVKaUuprJ0Y/s1600/Baptism+.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd9gqSulEEQayi1adhe3zfbtGb22dNraDH0XKX04SNzqE2FhVW1xNKMSenPPev456X2eNs9syfW0xIjLWEa-KE_pvGdyRWBO-ui334WhV-jKGM-RrcsH6yyd8Ay8RaVUQmmVKaUuprJ0Y/s320/Baptism+.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dadone, me, Nate and Dad @ Nate's Baptism</td></tr>
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Friday night my grandfather passed away. It was 9 o'clock . . . about an hour after I left the hospital. My Mom and Dad and Aunt Anita were with him when he went and they said it was very peaceful. I'm grateful that they were there and that he didn't struggle or suffer. I also very grateful that I was able to spend some time with him Thursday night - even though he couldn't talk, we held hands (he squeezed my hand tight) he looked at me and I knew that he knew I was there and that he loved me and he knew I loved him, too.<br />
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My grandfather and I had a good relationship. It wasn't always great and I will admit that the last few months I didn't make the effort I should have to spend time with him. Of course, I regret that now. However, my grandfather knew that having 4 kids kept me very busy and I did ask about him, talk to him on the phone a few times and think about him often.<br />
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When my children are being stubborn, I blame it on my grandfather. Funny, I know, but he was one of the most stubborn individuals I've ever met. When he made a decision it was set in stone and no one would ever be able to talk him out of it. I don't ever remember a story where someone said that my grandfather admitted or knew he was wrong...I'm pretty sure in his eyes he was always right and the rest of us, who sometimes thought otherwise, just didn't know what we were talking about. There was no real compromising with my grandfather. It was his way or the highway and a lot of times people I love a great deal were hurt because of this, sometimes intentionally and sometimes unintentionally. <br />
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I know it hurt me when he decided not to attend my wedding but I also knew that's the way he was and there was no talking him into coming once he had made that decision. All that was left for me (and my family) to do was to accept it. He never meant to hurt me personally with his decision, though, and I got over it (or at the very least didn't let it ruin one of the best days of my life). He did send me some silk sheets and a bottle of champagne to celebrate, though...completely different than the wedding gift he game my dad. He obviously wanted his granddaughter to have great-grandchildren for him a lot sooner than he had wanted his son to have his grandchildren. :) (okay, I won't leave you guessing . . . he gave my dad a GROSS of condoms - not a pack . . . an entire gross - that's 144 total - for his wedding present.)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dadone, me, Danika and Dad @ Danika's baptism</td></tr>
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My grandfather had a very big heart - sometimes bigger than it should be - when it came to his friends and he gave to so many people. He loved my kids and always smiled when they were around. He loved to joke around with them and share stories of when he was younger. He always had a story to tell. He knew so much about cooking and food that I knew exactly who to ask about the differences in this spice or that and what I could substitute if I wanted something different than what a recipe called for. Dinners with him at the table were almost like cooking lessons. He loved good food and everything had a special name with him. For example, sauerkraut was German Spaghetti and my favorite macaroni salad that he made (it had dill in it) was called Russian Macaroni Salad. <br />
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When I was younger, I thought my grandfather was invincible. He was so strong, big and full of life. When I saw him Friday, I couldn't help but become overwhelmed thinking about what he looked like lying in his hospital bed. The difference years make . . . it's hard to accept.<br />
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The next few days are going to really stink...I hate funerals (okay, I know I'd be very hard pressed to find anyone who doesn't hate them) and funerals where I will see so many people I love upset are even worse. I am definitely in that stage where I know what happened and what is coming but it hasn't REALLY sunk in yet. I've been through this enough times, though, to know that at some point in the next 3 days it will hit me like a ton of bricks and I will have my breakdown. Then . . . it will happen a few weeks later (probably at Easter because my grandfather always shared a special Easter Saturday brunch with us) and then it will happen again . . . as much as I hated the book <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Year_of_Magical_Thinking">The Year of Magical Thinking</a>, I will say that the first year without someone is it's own special journey. <br />
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I would greatly appreciate prayers for my family (especially my father, aunt and uncle) as we get ready to bury our patriarch. It is going to be very emotional and probably even a little bit stressful as we go down memory lane with each other and ultimately say goodbye to a man who is responsible (in one way or another) for giving us each other.<br />
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Dadone,<br />
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Thank you for giving me my wonderful family. Thank you for always having a smile for me and my children and for loving us the best way you knew how. We love you and will miss you dearly.<br />
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Love, your eldest grandchild,<br />
Janene<br />
<br />Krajcimamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05333772751347917860noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-782499958383710692.post-87530078939826331382012-03-19T08:19:00.000-07:002012-03-19T08:19:07.820-07:00What I've Been Up ToMiss me? You should come visit over at <a href="http://morethanmommies.net/">More Than Mommies</a>! I've been focusing a lot on my new blog and kind of ignoring this one here . . . I kinda figured that would happen but I'm not ready to give up on Perfecting Imperfection quite yet. I love sharing More Than Mommies with Christine, it makes me feel like we are offering more and reaching more people because we sharing the work load, but I also don't want to abandon the space that is all mine on the world wide web!<br />
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So . . . here's a quick list to get you up to date on what's been going on around here:<br />
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1) Spring is coming! This year Jerry and I invested in a Zoo Membership and we (at least I) can't wait to use it as much as possible! I actually already took the kids once - the day I bought it!!!<br />
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2) We are still looking to sell our house:<br />
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3) We are still searching for the perfect house to move our growing family into . . . we are totally at our limit here. We need a bigger space ASAP! We did find one we liked (or loved but I keep telling myself it wasn't love) but because we would have had to sell this place first we decided to pass on their counter offer. They wanted to keep their house listed as Active instead of Contingent and I was too afraid that I would get my heart set on it and someone else would get it first.<br />
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4) I have 2, two year olds...it stinks. It's insane and my gray hair is showing BIG time!<br />
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5) Danika will be registering for Kindergarten soon!!! KINDERGARTEN!!! Ack!<br />
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I'm sure that there is more that I could share but for right now the 2 year olds won't be ignored!<br />
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Have a great Monday!Krajcimamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05333772751347917860noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-782499958383710692.post-61674838974447516142012-02-24T06:00:00.000-08:002018-05-10T17:11:16.572-07:00I CAN'T Believe I Didn't Mention This<br />
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Okay - so . . . I've been blogging for a while now. I have been on Facebook for a few years. I started tweeting on Twitter a lot more than I use to and I am now 1/2 of a NEW blogging adventure,<a href="http://morethanmommies.net/"> More Than Mommies</a>, with my friend, Christine.<br />
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So how is it that I didn't mention Nate losing his first tooth on ANY of those social media outlets?<br />
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The answer is simple . . . it happened on a Thursday when I had to work all day and then go back for Open House in the evening. By the time I got home, it was bedtime and the tooth fairy was on her way.<br />
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The next morning, well . . . I forgot!<br />
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I forgot a big, huge momentous occasion like my firstborn son losing his very first baby tooth! It's not like I didn't know it was coming. It had been loose for WEEKS! Apparently, some kid told him that if he punched him in the face his tooth would fall out. So, the kid punched Nate in the face (I heard it was more of a tap on the chin than an actual punch in the face) and his tooth fell out. Nate said he was so excited about his tooth falling out he didn't even tell Mr. D, his teacher, that he got punched in the face!<br />
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Here's the picture I took of him (only about 4 days later) with a big toothy (and toothless) grin -<br />
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My friend, Amy, said she had her kids hold up the number tooth they were on when she took their picture and I LOVED that idea, so I went with it! (Thanks, Amy!!!)</div>
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You can see this picture again over at <a href="http://morethanmommies.net/">More Than Mommies</a> today - oh . . . and also see Christine's picture of the week! You can also read about how she is managing to preserve her memories even though she is as busy as I am!!!</div>
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So . . . now I mentioned it (and published the picture twice) and feel like I kind of made up for overlooking it last week.</div>
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Hope you all have a wonderful Friday - say a few extra prayers that I get everything done I need to get done in the house for our second Open House! (Oh . . . and if you could add us actually finding a buyer to that prayer I would GREATLY appreciate it!)</div>
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<br />Krajcimamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05333772751347917860noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-782499958383710692.post-53746943886081688572012-02-14T20:55:00.000-08:002018-05-10T17:12:12.500-07:00A New AdventureDid you ever notice that when things start to change around you then other things follow suit and before you know it everything seems to be changing and different?<br />
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No?<br />
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Okay, maybe it's just me then but lately, there have been a ton of things changing and going on around here.<br />
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First of all, we found a house that we absolutely LOVED . . . we went as far as getting pre-approved and getting ready to draw up the papers to make our offer when we were told that someone else beat us to it. I cried - because I really did think it was the perfect house for us. Then I had a glass of <a href="http://youtu.be/d8JqFoNpDaE">Pink Zinfandel</a> and got over it . . . kinda. I knew going into it that I shouldn't get my hopes up too much but I was really excited about this one.<br />
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There are a few other things going on (no, I'm not pregnant) that I can't get too much into on the blog - nothing major, nothing bad, just some changes . . . and to top it all off, I've started a new "project" with my friend, Christine!<br />
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I'm really excited about it and I hope that you will all <a href="http://morethanmommies.net/">come and check it out</a> - subscribe, friend us, find us on FB or Twitter - so that you can tell us what you think!<br />
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I'll still be blogging here at Perfecting Imperfection - but these blogs will be more like journal entries while the More Than Mommies posts will be about all kinds of things that I find interesting enough to talk about and share. You should follow it just to read the stuff Christine writes, too - she's pretty awesome!<br />
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Hope you all had a fantastic Valentine's Day - mine was a roller coaster because Jerry got me just what I wanted but then we found out we weren't going to get the house we loved. He did find a few other ones to look at already, though! :)<br />
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Stop by the other blog and stick around here - I have a feeling I'm going to be writing a lot more about the adventures that are going to be coming my way!Krajcimamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05333772751347917860noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-782499958383710692.post-65670776731731860002012-02-03T09:49:00.000-08:002012-02-03T09:49:55.744-08:00Hectic Days - Happy Days<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Last weekend was eventful, to say the least. My baby girl turned 5 and we partied all weekend! </div>
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Friday, which was her actual birthday, we went to Red Robin for dinner with Grammie, Nunnu, Aunt Nicole and Angelina. Nana and PapPap kept the boys at home...they weren't feeling well - lots of sniffles and coughs and little fevers (poor things).</div>
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After dinner, we went over to the mall. Our initial plan was to set them loose in Giggle and Smiles for an hour or so but because it was Friday night, they were to capacity and not taking on anymore kids. They were disappointed but we made it up to them by taking the girls into Clair's and letting them ride the Merry-Go-Round AND the Monster Spider Jump! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMjb4-yxGRcDstmHjR0SzrNuQEwIbuATFJ_Q6KozSo6yFjJMPKmhdtuSmDm1Ia1QiKE9bmcbIv-rizk_nApUSs1tS1hwrrXiOejxY2VgBVd8KOtazhQjekQC-1sDQXuh7UfYLNU57j4SI/s1600/DSC_0010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMjb4-yxGRcDstmHjR0SzrNuQEwIbuATFJ_Q6KozSo6yFjJMPKmhdtuSmDm1Ia1QiKE9bmcbIv-rizk_nApUSs1tS1hwrrXiOejxY2VgBVd8KOtazhQjekQC-1sDQXuh7UfYLNU57j4SI/s320/DSC_0010.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Saturday, it was off to Aunt Lorrie and Uncle Lenny's house for a joint birthday party with Katie, who turned 18 this year! Fun was had by all and we had some yummy cake from Oakmont Bakery!</div>
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Then on Tuesday, Danika and I went to get haircuts. Well, I went to get a haircut and then Danika decided she wanted to get her hair cut, too! Here's the final product: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeEB7dSw-eEhf0WDH6-7JACXa1jQ2YiH5gbqkFcgqpmNce9qR_jwPjut4BZavNK8IB1X4MZRe5eg4rqkgdqVJN8ypHy9TI_flb6kGOmSbdpFXp_Nupj-RzeEo5f9lDxW6W2_PVBXKj8So/s1600/DSC_0081.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeEB7dSw-eEhf0WDH6-7JACXa1jQ2YiH5gbqkFcgqpmNce9qR_jwPjut4BZavNK8IB1X4MZRe5eg4rqkgdqVJN8ypHy9TI_flb6kGOmSbdpFXp_Nupj-RzeEo5f9lDxW6W2_PVBXKj8So/s320/DSC_0081.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Cute, right? </div>
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Everyone seemed to be feeling better and on the mend by Wednesday and it's been business as usual around here since then!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTdiDKYNH6HzUFhoNOfL9WdOxKW5kl2rtG0gtyYDAsPoOR80sa37WCVJ9z9l_vgUrYowfV9cUcVwy9exlNIX9eskP-iHMYpTvPZ_YqcdIfzVqABTb4B-3MuHLD2EHF8ygTWgfqphJYUg8/s1600/DSC_0119.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTdiDKYNH6HzUFhoNOfL9WdOxKW5kl2rtG0gtyYDAsPoOR80sa37WCVJ9z9l_vgUrYowfV9cUcVwy9exlNIX9eskP-iHMYpTvPZ_YqcdIfzVqABTb4B-3MuHLD2EHF8ygTWgfqphJYUg8/s320/DSC_0119.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Hoping to have another exciting (but not too exciting) weekend full of lots of laughter and smiles! <br />
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It really doesn't get any better than this.Krajcimamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05333772751347917860noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-782499958383710692.post-19295019412133821892012-01-21T13:25:00.000-08:002012-01-21T13:25:46.832-08:00Hanging in the SnowMy kids and I were hanging outside in the snow today . . . I was hanging a little differently than they were, thanks to a few too many "adult" gummy bears and Chocolate Cokes made with Chocolate Vodka and Coke.<br />
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They wanted to go outside. We finally had enough snow that they could actually play in it. <br />
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They begged and I took an Advil. <br />
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They pleaded and I drank a glass of water. <br />
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They cried and I gave in, put layers of clothes on them and boots, and went out with my camera.<br />
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I'm glad we went out for the hour or so we were out there. I am glad that they had fun and I got some good pictures (and some much needed fresh air). I'm especially glad that I wasn't "mean, hungover mama" and I got my butt moving...<br />
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Now they are back to playing Xbox and watching Nick Jr. I am back to hydrating, although I'm feeling pretty good now...must've been the fresh air!<br />
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<br />Krajcimamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05333772751347917860noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-782499958383710692.post-61772498660481108432012-01-09T11:54:00.000-08:002012-01-09T11:54:16.344-08:00Project Life 2012You may remember that I was REALLY excited last year about stumbling across and ordering my <a href="http://beckyhiggins.com/">Project Life</a> kit. I can't find the post . . . but trust me, I was EXCITED!!! I did awesome the first 3 months. I took pictures, printed pictures and wrote out little journal entries for 3 months! Then . . . I got busy and I got overwhelmed because I got behind and I kept putting it off and putting it off.<br />
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As of right now, my 2011 Project Life is a pretty cool album/scrapbook that is about 1/2 done. I have a lot of pictures filled in (thanks to Snapfish for having their penny prints!) but not a lot of the journal cards done and I still have to fill some pictures in here and there. I will finish it when I have time but I have a feeling that isn't going to be anytime soon.<br />
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I decided to go a different route for 2012. I'm doing the <a href="http://beckyhiggins.com/products/digital-project-life.php">Digital Project Life over at Shutterfly</a>. I'm thinking it will be a better fit for me because I can do it on the computer and don't have to drag a bunch of stuff out and then put a bunch of stuff back to get any work done on it. <br />
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Personally, I would much rather have a more tactile, unique album that is filled with ticket stubs, programs, receipts and such . . . but being practical, this is the easiest and best fit for me RIGHT NOW and I would rather have my memories preserved and the stories remembered than an unfinished product and a box of misc. memorabilia piling up. I think I may just opt for taking pictures of those special things and then *gasp* throw them away!!!<br />
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I picked the Turquoise Edition . . . because I like brown and green. I have the first week and a half done - and we aren't even a week and a half into January yet!!!!<br />
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Just thought I'd share - and here are some of the pictures that found their way into the first few pages:<br />
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<br />Krajcimamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05333772751347917860noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-782499958383710692.post-68530409171058867902012-01-03T12:03:00.000-08:002018-05-10T17:13:58.502-07:00Happy New Year<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I'm planning on having a FABULOUS New Year. I'm not setting my expectations too high but I am hoping that we will have some big changes this year. What I'd REALLY like to do this year is move out of this house. It's too small. We've just outgrown it. I'm praying hardcore about that one.<br />
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Speaking of praying, my only New Year's resolution is that I'm going to go back to church. I am going to make it a regular thing (like it SHOULD be for us Catholics) and I'm going to make sure that my kids know it is a priority. We made a lot of excuses the past 2 years about why we couldn't make it to church on Sundays. The twins were the biggest excuse. Now, I've talked to my MIL and she agreed to come and watch the boys for us Sunday mornings so that we can take Nate and Danika to church. We went on Christmas and made it last weekend (we went Saturday night because we knew that Sunday morning would be a stretch). I have to admit that it felt good. I'm excited about it . . . for all of the reasons I should be but also because it means that I will be able to sit in peace and not have to worry about why a baby is crying for at least an hour. I know that sounds a little selfish and probably not the reason I should want to go to church but hey . . . I'm being honest. :)<br />
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I also started reading my In One Year Bible. . . don't worry, I'm not going to break into a sermon or start preaching on my blog. It's just something that I want to be able to say that I did. I want to be able to say that I read the bible...the whole thing. We'll see if I can do it. I've actually had the bible for about 2 years but happened to think of it on New Year's Day and thought that I would break it out and give it a shot.<br />
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Other than that . . . I don't really have any big plans for this year.<br />
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Moving is a priority. So, that will be something that I really work towards.<br />
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I'm not dieting. Not that I couldn't use a kick in the butt when it comes to my food choices but I don't have the time to put the amount of energy into it that needs to be put into it to do it right.<br />
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I'm planning on still doing my once a month cooking this year, though. So, you can expect to hear things about that. I'm also thinking I would like to be a little more creative in the kitchen. Now that I have my immersion blender and Kitchen Aid mixer!<br />
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I'm also planning on trying to be a little bit more positive and focusing on what I have and not what I want. I have a feeling if I can pull that one off I will be one of the happiest people in the world!<br />
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<br />Krajcimamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05333772751347917860noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-782499958383710692.post-77930473871700745702011-12-28T20:18:00.000-08:002011-12-28T20:18:40.611-08:00Christmas StressI have to admit that I didn't have as Merry a Christmas as I wanted.<br />
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I hate to admit it because I want appear to have that "perfect" life that I feel like I should be having but I realize that I'm not perfect and I need to stop trying so hard to be.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVFSUW4HwnVUhUgPWIUSTJGzpV-7rtlDCSGYrXdTLSPh__dxjCkpw6lLeM6cGcOiT3NVDTPTWVSXI6yOEGSoc7STFSWk88DekCC1BxhBAqHJhfHWiczc7jGwx3jXj9u0v4gX_RUAPRTQo/s1600/Visit+with+Santa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVFSUW4HwnVUhUgPWIUSTJGzpV-7rtlDCSGYrXdTLSPh__dxjCkpw6lLeM6cGcOiT3NVDTPTWVSXI6yOEGSoc7STFSWk88DekCC1BxhBAqHJhfHWiczc7jGwx3jXj9u0v4gX_RUAPRTQo/s320/Visit+with+Santa.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jerry, the kids and I (along with my niece, Mia) and Santa</td></tr>
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I think that my expectations of Christmas are set too high. As an adult, Christmas just doesn't hold the same magic that it does when you are a little kid. It is a lot of work. It is a lot of stress. It is a lot of planning and preparing and wrapping and packing and praying. Even when you have all that done perfectly, you can't control the things that you have no control over - like how long mass will last or which of your 2 year old sons will scream his head off because he would rather eat chocolate than Christmas dinner. Oddly enough, I think I handled those things pretty well . . . I'm not sure why I felt so down on Christmas Day, but it was a lot worse than I would have EVER expected it to be.<br />
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I made sure that the kids had a Merry Christmas and even Jerry had one! They LOVE the X-Box 360 and Kinect. (I LOVE watching them play with them!!! It's hysterical! Jerry is in his GLORY playing Halo again!) It really is great to give to others and I'm so glad that they had an amazing Christmas!<br />
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I'm not sure why that didn't make me ecstatic. I loved seeing their faces Christmas morning! I loved hearing the laughs, squeals and giggles. I loved hearing how happy they were! (Except Danika . . . she told me Santa didn't understand her because she said she wanted a BARBIE doll house not a regular doll house. :)<br />
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Then it was over. The over part of it kind of hit me like a ton of bricks. That, and the fact that I forgot to take my "happy pills" for 2 days in a row because I was too tired to remember and too busy to realize I forgot, made for a weepy, stressed out, puffy eyed me at Christmas dinner.<br />
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I'm better now. I'm actually really excited about the new year and plan on taking it on full force with a whole new plan/outlook on how to get things done!!! I'm not going to set myself up for disappointment but I have high hopes for this new year!<br />
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Hope you all had a Merry Christmas! <br />
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<br />Krajcimamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05333772751347917860noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-782499958383710692.post-70844135267508602242011-12-16T11:38:00.000-08:002011-12-16T11:38:15.221-08:00Still Searching for that Magical Fix All . . .You may remember when I talked about the <a href="http://imperfectionperfectly.blogspot.com/2011/11/more-wine-less-whine.html">whining problem</a> we have at our house and how I was hoping to find something to fix it. It's not that I have horrible children. They are genuinely good kids and usually know how to behave but the CONSTANT whining and fighting is KILLING me!!!<br />
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I know they are cute:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibqjVhwOC2tAKVp5VDWa-oFUTEJMEAVyOyD8arUb0knF0qC2AHUbs-5jYZcPmT38kMsFDdYpZgOO42pfppLyd2SVCHBlORCAjCqvbASM5s42e9XWLev4C93n8D4sbJIysWnc93_L6W3yY/s1600/Christmas+Card+Photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibqjVhwOC2tAKVp5VDWa-oFUTEJMEAVyOyD8arUb0knF0qC2AHUbs-5jYZcPmT38kMsFDdYpZgOO42pfppLyd2SVCHBlORCAjCqvbASM5s42e9XWLev4C93n8D4sbJIysWnc93_L6W3yY/s320/Christmas+Card+Photo.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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but I still wanted some help getting them in shape a bit.<br />
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During my search, I stumbled upon the book:<br />
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<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3152629-have-a-new-kid-by-friday">Have a New Kid by Friday by Dr. Kevin Leman</a> (click on the link for the GoodReads page with some review)<br />
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and have to say that I've already found the first chapter (titled: Monday) inspirational . . . as well as practical and kind of common sense. Although I already knew a lot of the things I read in the book (I haven't started Tuesday, yet) I feel like I need a little bit of support putting some of the things into practice. It's a lot easier to say you are not going to give in than it is to really stand your ground and NOT give the wailing 4 year old "just one piece of candy" before dinner. . . especially, when you have her 2, 2 year old, brothers wailing behind her.<br />
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However, Dr. Leman makes a point that I already know . . . if I'm consistent and stand my ground then I will only have to fight a few battles rather than battle with them my whole life. They will know that I mean business. <br />
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I also love that he talks about how it isn't REALLY our job to make our children happy ALL the time. It is actually okay for them to be upset, disappointed, angry or even a little bit sad. I hate to see my children that way, but I also know that life isn't going to always be there to protect and provide for them like Jerry and I do. That doesn't mean I'm going to make them start paying rent right now or make their own dinners but it does mean that they will be responsible for consequences of their actions. (It also means there will be a lot of crying, fighting and screaming while we try to revamp our parenting style and put some of this into play. . . . good thing aspirin was on sale at GE a few weeks ago and I stocked up!)<br />
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So, today's little experiment ended up being with Danika. Here's how it went...<br />
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Me: Danika, can you please get me 2 diapers so that I can change your brothers and get them down for their nap?<br />
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Danika: Can't you get them yourself? You always ask me to do everything.<br />
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Me: So, you are telling me that you won't get the diapers for me and that you don't want to help me anymore? How would you feel if I didn't help you anymore?<br />
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Danika: You just want me to get the diapers. Why don't you just go get them?<br />
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Me: Okay, but then the next time you ask for my help I am going to tell you no.<br />
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Danika: Fine.<br />
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So, I went and got the diapers and changed the boys. I put them down for their nap and went into the kitchen for a drink. Danika followed me with the remote control.<br />
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Danika: I want to watch Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer.<br />
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Me: Go ahead. (as I mosey on up to my laptop and pull out my chair)<br />
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Danika: I need you to turn it on for me.<br />
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Me: Can't you do it yourself? <br />
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Danika: No.<br />
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Me: Hmm...maybe you should have thought of that before you said you couldn't help me with the diapers. Sorry.<br />
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What followed was kind of cool. Danika looked shocked and kind of hurt (okay, I'm not saying that seeing my daughter hurt was fun). Then, she started to cry a little . . . but it wasn't the big sobs that she usually throws at me when she wants something and doesn't get her way. This time, it was kind of like a "I know I screwed up" whimper. She went into the living room and found something else to do and Rudolph still isn't on.<br />
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Do I think I won that one? Not necessarily...we will have to see what happens. It will depend on if she will help me the next time I need something or not. I will say that it felt good to set a consequence and follow through with it, though. It was so immediate that I know she understood. <br />
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I'll keep you posted and am hoping to read Tuesday later tonight! :)<br />
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<br />Krajcimamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05333772751347917860noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-782499958383710692.post-59315334641874323402011-12-14T18:36:00.000-08:002011-12-14T18:36:00.275-08:00Holy Bloggy Break!It's almost (but not quite) a month since I've posted a blog post . . . and I really, truly have missed blogging. I could try to make excuses for why I haven't blogged and blame my kids . . . they have been SICK SICK SICK for the past month or so. They were even kind enough to pass the sickness on to me so that I had to spend Thanksgiving Eve praying to the porcelain god. (I remember Thanksgiving Eves of the past where I also said a few prayers to that deity, but this was no where near as much fun beforehand).<br />
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I could blame it on that . . . but I also could have gotten my butt to my laptop a few days after being sick and just jotted a post or two. The truth is, I just haven't "felt" it lately. I haven't been myself lately. I have been more stressed out than usual and a lot more scatterbrained. <br />
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The twins have been horrific when I'm home alone with them - they've been pretty horrific when Jerry is home with me, too...however, they seem to be really happy when I'm not around. I'm starting to get a complex about it. The thing is, they want my attention all to themselves and when I try to make breakfast, lunch, heat up dinner, sit down at my laptop or start to clip some coupons they go NUTS! They want to be on my lap, they want to see what I'm doing and they want to help. It's exhausting and frustrating.<br />
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Here's just a few of the things you missed around here!<br />
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<ul>
<li>Thanksgiving went really well after I was done throwing up...here's a picture (NOT of me throwing up) <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/krajcimama/6408799683/" title="Loch, Porter, Nate, Danika and Mia at Thanksgiving . . . by JMKrajci, on Flickr"><img alt="Loch, Porter, Nate, Danika and Mia at Thanksgiving . . ." height="395" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7021/6408799683_ebc37034e3.jpg" width="500" /></a></li>
<li>I'm done Christmas shopping - well . . . that's not 100% true, I still have to go and buy stuff to put in the kids stockings. The major stuff is taken care of and I've already WRAPPED everything, too!!!</li>
<li>Tinsel and Holly (our Magic Elf elves) have been up to their old tricks again...the kids seem less excited about it this year but still run downstairs EVERY morning to see what Tinsel and Holly did that night. Here's some of my favorites:</li>
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<li>Tonight, Tinsel and Holly were able to sneak out of the house somehow and hop in Santa's sleigh while he was following the firetruck around handing out animal crackers!!! Nate and Danika's faces were priceless and I really really wish I would have had a camera.</li>
<li>School and work are winding down and I'm REALLY excited about having some extra time off to hang out as a family this year!</li>
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I think that's it...lame, huh? Oh well, it got me typing again and I'm sure that I will be back again soon!</div>
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<br /></div>Krajcimamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05333772751347917860noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-782499958383710692.post-3285903249919229642011-11-21T20:43:00.001-08:002011-11-21T20:43:26.560-08:00Moments I Want to RememberThe last two days have actually been pretty good days. Yesterday, we took all 4 kids to the mall and then to my SIL's house for dinner. The kids had a blast and were pretty happy - for the most part. The twins still had their "we're 2" moments but they were mostly short lived. <br />
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Today, I think they were happy to be home! We did a lot of snuggling and we watched a lot of tv. I didn't get on my laptop until after 2 o'clock!! <br />
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While dinner was cooking the twins and Danika were sitting in a row sharing some Fritos, laughing and watching a movie. It was adorable. That's what I want to remember about today. Not that 15 minutes later there were Fritos all over the living room and no one ate dinner because of how many Fritos they ate - I just want to remember how adorable they were while they were laughing and sharing. :)<br />
Krajcimamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05333772751347917860noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-782499958383710692.post-45358813285127380912011-11-20T19:06:00.001-08:002011-11-20T19:06:28.241-08:00The Turkey DisguiseToday, I went to my SIL's house for dinner today and helped her son, Lochlin, with his homework assignment to disguise a turkey so that it wouldn't be noticed at Thanksgiving. <br />
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Here's what it looked like when we were done:<br />
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<div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8M4s0C4bD1M-V9_vkuv52YslMXl7llbaixp0HLatBDyZVBIYZVr2ckdLpaVafTTmUehKk1WghbyMOGrmIbHozTpE4JovW8M11rR_1kgCtWTrTCF0TVOZQrVIcmPkWsYGd_kPAPD0e3hw/s640/blogger-image-1924922615.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8M4s0C4bD1M-V9_vkuv52YslMXl7llbaixp0HLatBDyZVBIYZVr2ckdLpaVafTTmUehKk1WghbyMOGrmIbHozTpE4JovW8M11rR_1kgCtWTrTCF0TVOZQrVIcmPkWsYGd_kPAPD0e3hw/s640/blogger-image-1924922615.jpg" /></a></div>Krajcimamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05333772751347917860noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-782499958383710692.post-60951745419749352842011-11-19T05:58:00.001-08:002011-11-19T06:10:39.663-08:00Dear NateDear Nate,<br />
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Happy 6th Birthday! I can't believe it was 6 years ago that you were born. I remember so much about that time and yet, it seems so much LONGER than 6 years ago! If anyone would have told me that you would have a sister and 2 brothers by the time you were 4, I would have told them they were NUTS! But . . . here we are and you are an awesome big brother!<br />
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This year was a BIG year for you (and me). It was the first time I actually sent you to school instead of having you in school with me. I knew you were ready. I knew you were going to do great and that you needed to kind of spread your wings a tiny bit and do something on your own - you are awesome at it, by the way. I will say, though, that I missed you as soon as I put you on the bus and it was probably one of the longest days of my life until you stepped off the bus at 3:29.<br />
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Now, we are both old pros! I still love the fact that you want me to get out of the car and actually walk you to the corner when we drive...it reminds me that you still need me. I also love the days when PapPap comes and sits with the other kids and I walk down to get you at the bus stop because you hold my hand the whole way home. We don't really get too much time just the 2 of us anymore and I love that 5 minute walk!<br />
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You are also getting to be so smart! You surprise me everyday by the things you know and how well you can read things. I will tell you - I am probably going to have to be more on my toes because you are starting to know the words I spell to Nana on the phone and you can read things I leave up on my laptop. I'm so proud of you.<br />
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You are still a very sensitive little boy. I worry sometimes that people will hurt your feelings and I really do want to protect you from that but I also know that you are a strong and sensitive little boy and you will have no problem taking care of yourself. I love that you decided that you wanted to keep up with ice skating and hockey . . . I know you will get better at it with practice and baseball season is coming up again, too!!!<br />
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Thank you so much for being such a wonderful son! You really are amazing and I've learned so much being your mom. You taught me how to be a mom! You are a great role model for your brothers and sister and we all love you so much!<br />
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Now, you HAVE to stop leaving your shoes and socks in the middle of the floor and put your clothes in the hamper at night and you will be perfect! hehehe<br />
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I love you,<br />
MamaKrajcimamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05333772751347917860noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-782499958383710692.post-10472009033495274492011-11-18T17:53:00.001-08:002011-11-18T17:53:27.162-08:00TommorowTomorrow my first born will be turning 6. I remember so much about the time when he was first born and brand new. I can't believe he's growing so fast - fast enough to come off the school bus wearing this crown from his teacher. I love that he still had it in getting off the bus and didn't just shove it in his backpack. He is truly an awesome kid!<br />
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<div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWsRJKghUhW5FeV4Ce1C7-IC7N91boKIvu9uZGoTbKNmNtYDNV_9pTr1UeF7vNnw64jSG2ngiJ2aQYefSYCUqp0idRgMXad1GG3OOGIHuprWEOR_r8_oph5NmKt20cKjhQs0bkslZkjDY/s640/blogger-image-1473398385.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWsRJKghUhW5FeV4Ce1C7-IC7N91boKIvu9uZGoTbKNmNtYDNV_9pTr1UeF7vNnw64jSG2ngiJ2aQYefSYCUqp0idRgMXad1GG3OOGIHuprWEOR_r8_oph5NmKt20cKjhQs0bkslZkjDY/s640/blogger-image-1473398385.jpg" /></a></div>Krajcimamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05333772751347917860noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-782499958383710692.post-23246484583833742862011-11-17T18:21:00.001-08:002011-11-17T18:29:57.381-08:00Those Darn Preschoolers . . .I may have vented a little bit about how much earlier the Christmas season seems to be starting lately. Honestly . . . I thought my husband was lying when he said that 99.7 was already doing their 24 hours a day Christmas Music thing. He wasn't. The kids and I listened to Harry Connick Jr. singing Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer on the way home from Nana's tonight - I figured it would quiet them down. It did.<br />
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Growing up an Errico, I have always been a pretty big believer in the "Christmas DOESN'T start until AFTER Santa shows up in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade" and now that I'm a Krajci, I also believe that it requires a viewing of National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation after dinner on Thanksgiving to really get going.<br />
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So, needless to say, when a small group of my preschoolers started singing Jingle Bells this afternoon I kind of cringed. Then I gasped and said, "Noooo ~ it's not time to sing Jingle Bells, yet!!!" Of course, preschoolers find this reaction hysterical and a cue to sing louder and get the rest of the preschoolers involved. :) If you ask them, their teacher is a riot. <br />
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I will say one thing, though. The appearance of the Christmas Carols this early and the energy that the kids had today made me VERY happy that we only have 5 days of school (because we are Tuesday/Thursday only) in December!!! These kids are so excited ALREADY!!! You would think that they are going to get a bunch of presents or something! hehehe (FYI . . . it isn't too early for ME to start counting the days until Christmas Vacation . . . if they can start Christmas Carols, I can start counting down!)<br />
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<br />Krajcimamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05333772751347917860noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-782499958383710692.post-91041145770959900612011-11-16T15:46:00.001-08:002011-11-16T16:49:21.757-08:00What I Discovered . . . Baby Steps, Right?I looked into how to get my kiddos to start acting the way I want them to act today. Of course, I don't have unrealistic expectations that I'm going to have 4 perfect children. What family have you ever heard of that has 4 perfect children? Even the Brady Bunch had Jan . . . and in the movie she was positively creepy.<br />
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I do know that I am going to have to get a little bit more organized and active with my children if I'm going to get them to where I want them, though. I'm guessing by what I read today that this is going to be a long search. I'm not going to find the perfect thing to change my crazy kids the very first day that I try. Instead, I'm going to have to really research to find something that fits our family and our current situation.<br />
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Like I said, I'm aiming for the beginning of January to really start something - so I have the time to prep and research.<br />
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I think the first thing that I need to do is really think about what it is that I want my children to do differently. Just saying, "I want them to stop driving me crazy" isn't going to cut it. So, Baby Step #1 is going to be coming up with some goals that I want to achieve...then I will have to look into the best way to achieve them.<br />
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I found this article on <a href="http://www.webmd.com/parenting/features/15-secrets-to-have-a-happy-family">15 Secrets of Happy Families</a><br />
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Here are 3 that I'm going to start trying to incorporate right away:<br />
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<span style="color: orange;">Break Bread Together</span> -We tried this in the past and it was disastrous. The babies just don't seem to want to eat in the dining room with the rest of us...know why? Because I haven't made a point to make them...I think this is going to change in the upcoming weeks.<br />
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<span style="color: orange;">Build and Honor Rituals</span> - we have a lot of things that we do . . . but none on a regular basis or with any kind of schedule. I think I'm going to come up with a few things that we do a few times a week just to help us develop rituals we have as a family...and then those will become priorities - above anything else that may come up and try to get in the way.<br />
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<span style="color: orange;">Encourage Sibling Harmony</span> - I think this is something I'm going to start doing now . . . really stressing how lucky they are to have each other. It isn't always easy for them to see. When Dean and David wreck a Lego masterpiece that Nate had been working on, I practically see the steam coming out of his ears. Luckily, he doesn't go after the babies because he knows they are babies. I have to work on somehow getting him to realize that he is lucky to have a baby brother (or 2) who will do that and annoy him. :)<br />
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Okay - that's enough to think about tonight! More tomorrow! :)<br />
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<br />Krajcimamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05333772751347917860noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-782499958383710692.post-87391670489965269792011-11-15T19:11:00.001-08:002011-11-15T19:20:08.806-08:00More Wine, Less WhineThe past few days have been rough. Even with me being gone all day Sunday, I feel like I've been listening to whining, crying, cranky kids WAY too much lately.<br />
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I need some help.<br />
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I'm planning on scouring the internet tomorrow for some sort of reward/behavior program that is REALLY easy to use but REALLY effective. The thing is . . . I need something that is going to be easy for me to keep up with. We tried this really neat chart thing with jobs that the kids had to do every day and then they got tokens for the jobs and then they could trade the tokens in for some sort of a reward. . . it lasted about 3 days before they could care less and things were too crazy for me to be able to keep them on track. It's important that you remember I currently have 2 two year olds in the house. They wreak havoc every chance they get - at least from the time they wake up until they are back asleep. <br />
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I have decided that the only solution for tonight's dilemma of too much whining is to add a little wine to the mix and call it a night . . . I'm hoping to find something inspirational online tomorrow to help with my lack of structure, whining children (ages soon to be 6 and almost 5) and always throwing a tantrum 2 year olds.<br />
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Any help would be GREATLY appreciated but I totally understand if you just want to grab a glass and laugh at me from your comfy/quiet computer screen. :)Krajcimamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05333772751347917860noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-782499958383710692.post-68256631569699323152011-11-14T06:33:00.001-08:002018-05-10T17:17:59.980-07:00OAMC Day RecapYesterday, I posted this before going to bed . . . <a href="http://imperfectionperfectly.blogspot.com/2011/11/exhausted-doesn-cover-it.html">Exhaustion Doesn't Cover It</a>.<br />
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I'm still exhausted and, according to my husband, I still smell like onions. Unfortunately, I woke up WAY too late to get a shower this morning so everyone is going to just have to suffer until the twins take their nap and I can grab one.<br />
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On a positive note - I'm not nearly as sore as I was last month. Last month, I could barely walk the day after our OAMC Day. Today - I actually don't feel bad at all! I'm going to contribute that to my SIL telling me that I had to keep my shoes on all day. Although I very rarely wear my shoes when I'm inside, I took her advice and my hips and back feel fine today!<br />
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I'm also happy to report that THE FREEZER IS FULL - again!!!<br />
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This month we made:<br />
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For Breakfast -<br />
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<a href="http://onceamonthmom.com/harvest-pancakes/">Harvest Pancakes </a><br />
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Which already have the approval of Christine's kiddos - and I liked them, too!</div>
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<a href="http://www.itzyskitchen.com/2011/05/chocolate-coconut-oat-granola-bars.html">Chocolate Coconut Granola Bars</a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before the Oven</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After the oven</td></tr>
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<a href="http://mealmakeovermoms.com/recipes/snacks-smoothies/pumpkin-chocolate-chip-muffins/">Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins</a><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These are DELICIOUS!!!</td></tr>
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I have not been disappointed in a single breakfast muffin that we have made . . . and most of them are REALLY easy, too. It actually makes me want to find my own muffin recipes and try some of them out, too!!!</div>
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For Lunch -</div>
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<a href="http://onceamonthmom.com/taco-soup/">Taco Soup</a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looks yummy, right? Almost like a chili but not chili. :)</td></tr>
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I originally thought that it was the same as this<a href="http://crockpotgirls.com/crock-pot-mondays/taco-stew/"> Taco Stew</a> recipe I saw on Crock Pot Girls. I was really excited because it was one of the recipes I had written in my food journal to make someday. I even pulled my food journal out yesterday because I had written the recipe down and needed to know if I should or shouldn't drain the cans. The journal said drain 'em. So . . . I did and it really does seem like it will be fine. I went back and looked at the recipes today and realize that they aren't exactly the same. The Taco Stew recipe adds a package of taco seasoning - which we didn't add to the soup. The Taco Soup recipe states that you should NOT drain the cans . . . and I did. I'm sure it will be just fine but if not . . . it's probably because I drained the cans. I hope Christine can forgive me!!! </div>
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I'm planning on trying these <a href="http://onceamonthmom.com/mexican-grilled-cheese/">Mexican Grilled Cheese</a> sandwiches with the Taco Soup to make it a dinner one night!</div>
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<a href="http://www.cookingwithmykid.com/recipes/broccoli-cheddar-biscuit-muffins/">Broccoli Cheddar Biscuits</a> </div>
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I don't have a picture of these but they were SO easy to make!!! I can definitely see me making them again on my own some time. We even sampled them with our <a href="http://mommybits.net/2009/08/03/mouthwatering-monday-easy-white-chicken-chili/">White Chicken Chili </a> (from our 1st cooking adventure) that we had for lunch - they were a hit!</div>
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<a href="http://www.dashingdish.com/2011/07/ham-and-cheese-quesadilla-with-red-pepper-hummus/">Ham and Cheese Quesadillas</a></div>
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These were YUMMY, too!!! Christine and I ended up eating them for dinner because of a crock pot malfunction that ruined our dinner plans. They were easy to make and very yummy to eat!!! (Of course, they LOOKED easy to make - Christine was actually the one putting them together. :)</div>
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<a href="http://keepinglifecreative.com/yummy/creamy-chicken-and-wild-rice-soup/">Chicken and Wild Rice Soup</a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFiXmG0KUhTjUiZKWaZb46EqL_9F8S-Uo3i3jJf4OnHcDpoWmxVJJ78osrpJHi3LCvNF2mwAoO8eu7qnsXtjGuEwnOqQ5ETfGMvu1-0OsNVQ552mHKz7BMEEEiG1cU13697uxoQOC2v4g/s1600/Chicken+soup.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFiXmG0KUhTjUiZKWaZb46EqL_9F8S-Uo3i3jJf4OnHcDpoWmxVJJ78osrpJHi3LCvNF2mwAoO8eu7qnsXtjGuEwnOqQ5ETfGMvu1-0OsNVQ552mHKz7BMEEEiG1cU13697uxoQOC2v4g/s640/Chicken+soup.JPG" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Final product looks pretty good!</td></tr>
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I have to admit, this one made me nervous when I was making it. First of all, we don't have a pot big enough to make 20 servings of this in. So, I had to split it up into 2 pots. Also, the chicken was still a little frozen (okay . . . a lot frozen) which made cooking it a little bit of a longer process. Then . . . when it was cooking, there was this film that kind of came to the surface, which made me nervous. However, after the rice all puffed up and I skimmed that skin off the top it looked (and tasted - because I took a spoonful) really good! I expect this one to be a hit!</div>
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For Dinner -</div>
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I don't have any pictures of the dinners but here they are:</div>
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<a href="http://joelens.blogspot.com/2010/06/chicken-parmesan-meatloaf.html">Chicken Parmesan Meatloaf</a> - this was the first thing that Christine put together. We wanted to get them in the freezer first because we didn't have enough loaf pans to freeze them and we wanted to make sure they were nice and solid before we packaged them. </div>
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It was shortly after this that we realized we didn't have enough eggs . . . so I made my very first during cooking grocery store run. It was shortly after I got back that we realized I thought the coconut for the granola bars was on Christine's list when it was really on mine . . . so I made my second (in one day) during cooking grocery store run. </div>
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<a href="http://chefmommy-brandao.blogspot.com/2011/03/salsa-chicken-slow-cooker.html">Salsa Chicken</a> - I think these kind of dinners are my favorite. No cooking on our big cooking day . . . just throw it all in a big bag and throw the contents of the bag into the slow cooker on the day you want to make it! I actually think I would like to make an entire month's worth of meals this way someday!!!</div>
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I even found this site . . . <a href="http://mamaandbabylove.blogspot.com/2011/04/freezer-cooking-with-slow-cooker.html">Mama and Baby Love</a> - which does exactly what I'm hoping to try some day . . . an entire month's worth of slow cooker meals!!! Not that I'm in any huge rush to try it. I'm actually thinking it may be better to do in the summer because we are so busy I could just throw dinner in when I get up and have it done at dinner time!</div>
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<a href="http://onceamonthmom.com/chicken-enchilada-lasagna/">Chicken Enchilada Lasagna</a> - Christine did this one. I know that we had a lot of left over sauce and I have some in my fridge now that I'm going to try to come up with something to do with. I think Jerry and I will like this one, though!!!</div>
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<a href="http://onceamonthmom.com/mamas-meatballs-and-gravy/">Mama's Meatballs and Gravy</a> - This one was kind of a team effort. It was the last meal we tackled and we did it together, although Christine formed more meatballs than I did because I was busy packing up stuff we had flash freezing so that we could free up some cookie sheets to bake the meatballs on. My kids LOVE meatballs and I can't see this dish being an exception. </div>
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<a href="http://onceamonthmom.com/mamas-meatballs-and-gravy/">Spinach Artichoke Pasta</a> - I was mostly responsible for this one - which we both decided to skip the red pepper flakes on (although after a sample, we will probably add them to OUR dish but not the kids) - I did leave the messy packaging to Christine, though. I love that on the original site this is called "Spin-Art Pasta" I think I may get bonus points for getting the kids to eat it if I use that name for it!</div>
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<a href="http://www.acouplecooks.com/2011/07/lentil-tacos/">Lentil Tacos</a> - This was by far the scariest dish on our menu. Neither Christine or I have really ever prepared or eaten a lot of lentils. We weren't even really sure how they were suppose to look when they were cooked. We had a few minor problems . . . like the amount of water on the original recipe was for the original measurements, which serves 4 - 6, and we were making enough to serve 20 (because we make 10 servings per meal and each meal twice). After some adjustments (i.e. guessing) I think they turned out alright. I doubt they will be a grand slam in either household, but I think they will get eaten here . . . probably as nacho toppings by Jerry and I.</div>
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<a href="http://stolenmomentscooking.com/ground-beef-stroganoff/">Ground Beef Stroganoff </a>- This was another tough one to do in one big pot like it suggests. I ended up browning the ground beef and then doing the rest. I separated the ground beef into 4 containers and then evenly portioned the "sauce" on top. I hope it works. I know that the last time we made Beef Stroganoff, my kids LOVED it!!!</div>
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<a href="http://onceamonthmom.com/chicken-stuffing-bake/">Chicken Stuffing Bake</a> - Christine assembled this one, too. She did make the comment to her husband, Jim, that she thought that he was going to like this one! I'm sure my kids will, too. After all . . . stuffing always makes a dinner better!!!</div>
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For those of you that might be curious about what this does to your wallet . . . we spent around $170 to take home 2 meals of each of the things that we made. Honestly, it's A LOT cheaper than eating out even once a week when you are feeding a family of 6! As the kids get bigger, we will probably have to adjust the portion sizes again but for now this has been working great!</div>
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Well . . . there you have it. Probably the most detailed recap I've ever done of one of the cooking days. I had a great time with Christine and even her husband noticed that we seem to be getting "better" at this! I think we would have been done a lot sooner if we wouldn't have felt like we were doing so well. We kinda slowed down because we thought we were in the home stretch when really we had way more to do than we thought. We did, however, get a chance to pick our next date and go over the menu and grocery list. I think next month is going to have a lot more day before prep work but I'm hoping *fingers crossed* that means a little bit of an easier day on our big cooking day.</div>
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Okay . . . off to the school bus and then to tackle some more of the crazy mess I came home to last night! Mama's work is NEVER done! (But secretly I LOVE it and wouldn't have it any other way!!!)</div>
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Krajcimamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05333772751347917860noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-782499958383710692.post-51432167608976464392011-11-13T19:21:00.001-08:002018-05-10T17:20:38.959-07:00Exhausted Doesn't Cover ItThis is the second time (I think) that I am using the Blogger app on my iPhone to write a post. I was all ready to go to sleep when I remembered that I forgot to write today. I'm WAY too tired to go back downstairs to type this up on the laptop . . . so, this is what you get. <br />
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Today way another successful cooking day. I plan on sharing pictures and stories about our day tomorrow - but I did want to tell you a little bit about it tonight. Mainly that I'm so exhausted I can barely move. I have no idea how professionals cook for a lot of people for hours at a time. I could never do that every day. <br />
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Our day basically broke down like this:<br />
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Packed the car @ 7:30 <br />
Got to Christine's @ 8:00<br />
Started cooking - after unloading the car @ 8:30<br />
Cooked until 7:30 pm<br />
Planned next month's shopping list and took inventory until 8:00<br />
Jim helped me load the car back up @ 8:00<br />
Home by 8:30<br />
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In bed @ 10:15<br />
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I plan on being sound asleep in 15 minutes and know it will not be a problem. I'm going to get the best night's sleep I will get all month because I'm exhausted AND because I feel a huge sense of accomplishment, which will help my mind to stop thinking about what else I should/could have done today!<br />
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Good night all - more about today . . . tomorrow!Krajcimamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05333772751347917860noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-782499958383710692.post-70464695109912885242011-11-12T10:08:00.001-08:002011-11-13T19:22:51.209-08:00Prepping for the Big DayTomorrow will be my 3rd time spending a day at my friend <a href="http://cmhutch-sugarspiceandeverythingnice.blogspot.com/">Christine's</a> house following <a href="http://onceamonthmom.com/">Once a Month Mom's </a>Once a Month Cooking menu. I am excited for a few reasons and already kind of tired thinking about it. <br />
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I'm excited because -<br />
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<ol><li> I get to spend all day with Christine and her Family. :) I love that her girls know the house is going to be filled with music and good smells when I come over! Her husband, Jim, is always so nice to me, too . . . not that we get to talk much but he is a big help when I have to lug everything back to the car at the end of the day - he also is the one who makes sure we take breaks to eat something so we don't fall over.</li><li>I get to try new things - I get to learn how to do new things in the kitchen. Each month, I've learned something new and I'm sure that next month won't be an exception! We are making Granola Bars!!!! I've never done that before!</li><li>I get to stock up my freezer with new meals. I've been enjoying the things that we have but I will say that by the time our next cooking day rolls around I am ready to try some new stuff. I still have some stuff from September (only 1 frozen Baked Ziti) and some from October in the freezer. It will be nice to be able to add some new stuff to the menu, though.</li><li>I'm also excited that I get a break from my kids. I know . . . what a horrible thing to say . . . but this week I only worked one day. So, I've been at home with them since Wednesday - with the exception of the 2 hours that I went grocery shopping with Jerry last night. I need a break. It will also make Monday so much easier to deal with.</li></ol><div>If I had to complain - which is SO hard for me to do (please note the sarcasm there) - here are the things I'm not looking forward to -</div><div><br />
</div><div><ol><li>Packing the car. I leave pretty early in the morning (early for me, at least) - so I end up packing a lot of things the night before and then grabbing any fresh stuff in the morning. It's like packing to go on a vacation once a month. There is SO much stuff! I will have to take a picture to share with you tomorrow.</li><li>Unpacking the car. I always feel like I'm moving in when Christine comes down and helps me make 4 or 5 trips up and down the steps to bring things into her kitchen.</li><li>Standing all day. It can't be avoided...we have to do a lot of standing and moving around the kitchen. Last month, I didn't wear my shoes. This month I think I'm going to in hopes that my hips feel better the next day this time than they did last time.</li><li>Doing dishes . . . we both do dishes ALL DAY LONG. It's another unavoidable consequence of cooking all day but UGH. I hate doing dishes but I can only imagine what Christine's kitchen would look like if we didn't keep up with them!</li><li>Packing up again to go home and then unpacking once I get home...this is probably the only reason I wish we could do it in my kitchen. My kitchen just wouldn't work, though, and I'm extremely grateful that Christine lets us do this at her place. I wish she lived next door, though - wait, I wish I lived next door to her...it would make this whole process a lot easier! </li></ol><div>Don't get me wrong . . . it's worth it! Totally worth it!!! I just didn't want you to think it was all butterflies and sunshine. It has it's hard parts, too. :)</div><div><br />
</div><div>Anyway - I'm sure that tomorrow will be a beautiful weather day . . . because it is always beautiful on our cooking days! I have something ready for Jerry to throw in the crock pot in the morning so his dinner is taken care of and I'm taking something to Christine's for us to throw in the crock pot for our dinner - actually, we are all eating the <a href="http://www.ourbestbites.com/2011/06/pepperoncini-beef-sandwiches/">same thing</a> tomorrow because I had 2 of them in my freezer!</div><div><br />
</div><div>Wish me luck . . . Tomorrow may turn out the be the most challenging day to get a blog post in so far!!!</div><div><br />
</div></div>Krajcimamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05333772751347917860noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-782499958383710692.post-70572677634134580822011-11-11T08:02:00.001-08:002011-11-11T08:45:36.664-08:00Happy Veteran's Day to My HeroesToday is Veteran's Day - it really does mean more than the kids being off of school, the banks and post offices being closed. This morning on Facebook I came across this explanation of what a Veteran is . . .<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqGnvjnclnqqv24w5A_rnKAtEKP6FNpaieTZLl7s70D64jSDs3GNWMp8GXAIb0BE506gQy1Hc8EjAlDrUmBsg1dMB2BIWkmkinDf60Sx4eHFuiPsrkq7zXiBLMa7ANH4TygaCdCymZGbY/s1600/What+is+a+Veteran.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqGnvjnclnqqv24w5A_rnKAtEKP6FNpaieTZLl7s70D64jSDs3GNWMp8GXAIb0BE506gQy1Hc8EjAlDrUmBsg1dMB2BIWkmkinDf60Sx4eHFuiPsrkq7zXiBLMa7ANH4TygaCdCymZGbY/s1600/What+is+a+Veteran.jpg" /></a></div>
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I have been blessed enough to know a few amazing Veterans and would like to take this opportunity to thank them for their service.</div>
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First, is my grandfather, my mother's father, who passed away before I was married.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsfF003AgKD_BkHsbkXPOQWCABozISdT3_KNi23v-sI0JHTyQCLr-rnfRQTwjTaOjoHsriopWH4HnxtQZEQD1jxnQgw2GMp3hAdzklb6Ni_5Gg_-qZXug8Q0Jxg-D75XwTlNHfn21J-Nc/s1600/Grandpa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsfF003AgKD_BkHsbkXPOQWCABozISdT3_KNi23v-sI0JHTyQCLr-rnfRQTwjTaOjoHsriopWH4HnxtQZEQD1jxnQgw2GMp3hAdzklb6Ni_5Gg_-qZXug8Q0Jxg-D75XwTlNHfn21J-Nc/s320/Grandpa.jpg" width="241" /></a></div>
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My grandfather was an amazing man - think John Wayne . . . he was quiet and never really made a fuss (at least not that I know of) but when he did have something to say, everyone listened. He worked in the Steel Mill after serving in WWII. He was a hard worker. I remember my grandfather as a man of few words but he had the best laugh in the whole world. It was a big laugh. A big belly laugh that would make you smile. I'm sad that he isn't here to meet my children. I know he would have loved them and they would have adored him. He is definitely one of my heroes. <br />
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Next up is a guy who I've always considered my "little brother" - even though we are in no way related.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQTFVH1bb7RsDEVXcAyNrqboCZB6EgxVIzGGBSVaAA2GdVnJM-WnDZZrNg2DgJN7w5C68XOu0XqC19upjQQ4rPt6UR6-Dj6Ey7jt4nbImb1CZhSbPxzcuYOlgp5tr9YExLsl70bGpyNUc/s1600/Derek.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQTFVH1bb7RsDEVXcAyNrqboCZB6EgxVIzGGBSVaAA2GdVnJM-WnDZZrNg2DgJN7w5C68XOu0XqC19upjQQ4rPt6UR6-Dj6Ey7jt4nbImb1CZhSbPxzcuYOlgp5tr9YExLsl70bGpyNUc/s320/Derek.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Derek is the handsome one on the left . . . with the glasses. We didn't really meet until I was already in high school but we became really close as we both went through High School and I went off to college. I remember Derek's going away party when he left for Basic but I don't think it really sunk in what he was really doing. I talked to his beautiful wife, Jodi, a lot when he was deployed and I remember thinking how strong they all were while he was gone. Derek has 2 awesome children, Dominic and Mia, who both had to make sacrifices, too. After he came home, Derek would tell me stories of what he did while he was deployed and all I could think of at the time was, "Thank God you didn't tell me that when you were gone!" I really do appreciate his sacrifices and the risks he took. He even made it a point to fly home for my wedding! He told them his sister was getting married! :) I remember practically attacking him when I saw him the night of the rehearsal dinner! Derek is definitely another one of my heroes.<br />
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Speaking of my wedding, the next Veteran I would like to thank was my husband's roommate in college and one of the groomsmen in our wedding . . .<br />
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Justin, or Uncle Lu Lu (as the kids knew him), is one of the funniest guys I've ever met. I always had a great time when he was around. He is also one of the nicest guys I know. I remember when we moved into our house . . . Justin had just come back from being deployed and he stopped over to help us take down wallpaper and paint. He also bought us our microwave - that we still use to this day - as a wedding shower present. I remember him bringing microwave popcorn over, too . . . so we could try it out and eat popcorn while we painted. Life has kind of gotten in the way of us keeping in touch with Justin and we miss him a lot (especially during the summer and grilling season because he was always around to help us test new barbecue recipes and throw back a couple beers) - but he pops into conversations every once in while and we are able to keep tabs on each other through the power of Facebook. Justin is another one of my heroes!<br />
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Another guy who is always willing to help test out some recipes and throw a few back is Matt.<br />
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Matt and I became friends just from being around the same people. Honestly, for a while I thought he was literally insane. However, after a couple of late night conversations, I now know that Matt is one of the smartest people I know. Matt and Jerry are hysterical to watch together. They are almost EXACT opposites in personality but when they are together you can't help but laugh at what ensues. I remember when Matt was leaving to be deployed - I wanted to give him something. He's not very religious but he had commented a few times about how he liked my grandfather's rosary...so, I told him to take it with him. He didn't want to because of the sentimental value it held for me, being my grandfather's and all, but I told him I wasn't giving it to him . . . just letting him borrow it! Jerry and I were lucky enough to attend Matt's wedding a little over a year ago. It was a great party and we are so happy for him! Matt is certainly one of my heroes.<br />
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Last but not least is a guy I haven't seen in probably 10 years or more . . .<br />
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I knew JR from good old St. Joseph High School. JR and I weren't super close in High School, but we hung out with the same people. He dated a few of my friends and I dated at least one of his. We would see each other at parties and later on at the weddings of friends. I remember someone telling me about JR joining the Marines and I was surprised. Then I saw JR on Facebook a while later and was totally amazed at how different (and amazing) he looked! He now has a beautiful family and loves what he does. In an odd sort of way I was kind of proud of him . . . it's only odd because I don't know what right I have to be proud of him but I am. JR is absolutely one of my heroes.<br />
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Since having children, I realize even more how important our service men and women are to me. I appreciate that they protect me but I am absolutely humbled and eternally grateful for the fact that they protect my 4 children in a way that I cannot. <br />
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Thanks to all of you - the ones I've mentioned and the ones who I haven't - it amazes me that you would sacrifice so much for people that you don't know. You are truly amazing men and women and I can only hope to raise my children as well as your parents raised you! :)<br />
<br />Krajcimamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05333772751347917860noreply@blogger.com