Day 26 ~ Taco Soup

Today I tried a new recipe, Taco Soup.

Yes, I know the title doesn't sound all that great but don't let that stop you because it was AWESOME. Everyone in the family liked it, even the baby and it was so simple.

It looks a little crazy but is soooo good!!



Taco Soup

2 15 oz cans black beans with juice
1 28 oz can of diced tomatoes
1 1/2 c frozen corn
1/2 onion
1 lbs ground beef
1 packet or more of taco seasoning
3/4 cup of water
cheese, cilantro, green onions and or sour cream to garnish
a good bag of tortilla chips to crush on top

Cook ground beef and season with salt and pepper. You can add onion to cook with meat or add to slow cooker later. Once meat is cooked add meat and all ingredients to slow cooker set on high. Let cook 7 hours.

When done garnish with all your favorite toppings

Day 25 ~ Creating Something New

I read this today on an awesome blog, and knew I had to post it because it describes how I feel in life.

"Woman was born to create...in creating she becomes herself, accomplishes her destiny. Her whole life is only an initiation into creative power. To create is not merely to produce a work...it is to give out ones own individuality."
-Jeanne De Vietinghoff



As moms we create art, peace, solutions, dinner, just about everything we do tests and uses our creativity. It expresses who we are. I hear so many people say, "Oh but I do not have a creative bone in my body!" I say B.S. to that. Using your creativity doesn't just mean sitting down to craft it up, or having the skill to paint a masterpiece. To me creativity is a state a mind. The ability to use ones senses and imagination all in one.



Using my creativity is my happy place. If only more people would believe in power of creativity we may not have so many disagreements in life, and the world would be a happier place, and we would love people for who they are, not who we want them to be.

Tonight I got creative with dinner and the kids loved it. I also got creative with some pictures I took this summer and I have to say tonight I am a happy girl!

Day 24 ~ A Good End to the Week

Today the Wild Six got together an attempted to make their own jewelry boxes. They turned out beautiful!!

Today we got together with friends and the Wild Six attempted another project together. Today they made jewelry boxes. As you can tell from the pictures they turned out so great and the kids had a blast. We even got brave and gave the two littlest their own set of paints and brushes and they were so thrilled to be a part of the whole project.



After our rough weekend, the laughter in the room was such a happy welcome. When the kids came home to sleep they crashed out in a matter of seconds, which was a sign they had a great night. I love to do new activities that allow my girls to express their individuality and to be honest seeing them smile so big makes me smile.



A new project, for a new day and a wonderful end to a hard week.

Day 23 ~ A Reminder

Yesterday was a bad day. A real crappy day.

I got a call from my husband yesterday while I was grocery shopping. He found out they are doing major layoffs at the site he works at and the contract workers were the first to go. Needless to say, his last day will be this coming Friday. Although it was a contract job, this was unexpected, but as you know with corporate business, it is nothing personal. It is always a numbers game. So we are right back where we were 10 months ago and I woke up mad. Not mad at anyone, just mad at the circumstances. Mad at life. I spent all of yesterday in shock and most of this morning mad. I don’t worry about me, my wants, my needs, it is my children who I worry about. It is that fear of how will we provide? Yes, I know it will all work out fine, but the job market really stinks, there is not much out there and it is scary. I am so thankful for the fact my husband has a second job because although it won’t pay all the bills it is still an income and we are very fortunate for that. I spent most of my morning whining and bitching and moaning until I heard this little voice saying "LORD ALMIGHTY, SSSHHHUUUTTT UP!!!!!” Yes, it was me talking to myself. “Jennifer, pull it together and stop your bitching! This is so pathetic! You are so blessed!” I swear it was strange, just like a movie. I decided that minute I would stop the negative and focus on the positive because I am blessed. Everything is so relative. You look at the aftermath of the earth quake in Haiti and the tragedy involved and how so many people don’t even have their basic needs and I am complaining? So many have lost their family and friends and I am bitching? It made me really take a second look at my situation and realize how lucky I really am because I am VERY BLESSED.

Later in the day I got a call from a very close friend who had gone through the same financial struggle we are facing once again. She wanted to meet us for a little shopping and dinner. I was still feeling a little down and at first said no. The truth is I can’t afford it. Well, she was not taking no for an answer and finally convinced me to meet her with the kids. I figured there is no harm in looking, plus some good company would be a good distraction. Remember, I am done whining. Well, I had no idea what she had in store for me. Not only did she take myself and the kids to my very favorite restaurant (Zao Noodles) her treat, but proceeded to purchase each one of my girls something special. I said no, but once again, she wasn’t taking no for an answer. As for why she did this, she did it to make me smile. She did this because she knew I would say no at first, but that ultimately she would win, and ultimately it would make me laugh and the kids would love it. She did this for me because she wanted to let me know that no matter how bad things got, that she was there. What she did was remind me of the fact that it isn’t the things you have, the home you own, or the cars you drive that make you happy, it is the people in your life that count. So I sit here tonight and smile, and really feel like everything will be alright because I am truly blessed.

My new thing for the day was a wonderful surprise from a dear friend and the reminder of how truly blessed I am!

Day 22 ~ Dinner with Friends

Tonight we had new friends over for dinner.

My husband has a friend at work that we have been meaning to have over and tonight he and his wife came for dinner. When they arrived they came bearing gifts. I had made pasta for dinner but found myself forgetting my meal all together to eat what they had brought us. I had baklava, CHOCO sandwich cookies, pismaniye and loads of fresh pita bread with hummus and baba ganoush. So many of these flavors I have never had before, and they were delicious. I must say it was WAY better than my pasta!

After dinner we all sat and visited and laughed and had such a good time. Even as I type this I wonder why we didn't do this sooner and plan on making sure we have them over again.

Today my new thing was new friends over for dinner and it was the silver lining to a hard day.

Day 21 ~ Under the Stars

Tonight my husband and I took some time to sit outside and spend some time alone. We borrowed a fire pit from my neighbor, bought a new beer, and sat outside and relaxed. We rarely get time alone, and it was so nice to snuggle under the stars with a warm fire. It is great to have him home tonight, where we can just hang out together.We must have sat out there for 3 hours and just enjoyed the fire pit.

To be honest, I have always wanted a fire pit so when my neighbor offered hers tonight I jumped at it. We have never had one in our backyard so it is definitely something new, something we plan on getting this year for sure. My hubby, a warm fire, and a cold beer. What a great night!

Day 20 ~ New Day New Food

Today was a day of major indulgence, trying our new taco shop in town!

Where I grew up there were taco shops all over town and in my mind, even when taquitos are bad, they are still good. I LOVE Mexican food. Yes, I know taquitos are probably not the healthiest choice but there is nothing like rolled tacos with gauc and cheese. Not to mention carne asada chips, don't get me started.

We got a new drive through taco shop in town and I have been so excited to try it. I miss my Los Panchos, and Good Old Sombrero's back home. I decided to surprise my hubby with some good ol' Mexican taco shop food: Carne asada burrito, and to my surprise they actually had my favorite ROLLED TACOS. I grew up in San Diego and with my friends back home rolled tacos are an added food group: grains, vegetables, fruits, fats and oils, milk and dairy products, Protein, and rolled tacos. Ok, so maybe I am over exaggerating, but I do love them and in all honesty I do not know one person back in good old San Diego who isn't partial to some good taquitos!!

So that is what we got tonight and I was as happy as a lark. My husband was thrilled and the girls loved their tacos! Boy, this trying new foods and resturant thing ROCKS! One thing I learned was if I am going to keep this up I better take on some major exercise because if I don't I am afraid of what my butt will look like at the end of the year.