We made it to our new home in Dahlgren Virginia. We are still working on getting settled but have made a lot of progress already. Our home is nice, newly remodeled, single level, 3 bedroom, 2 bath, and it feels like home already. I love that there is carpet so my feet don't feel cold all the time anymore. The kitchen has granite counter tops and they look beautiful with the new white cabinets. I also love it being one level because now the girls can run around in and out of their room all day instead of the playroom being the living room, although their toys seem to migrate there anyway.
Isabella has adjusted pretty well to the move so far. During travel she had regressed with potty training and got a little too used to peeing in a pull up. Since arriving here she is officially back to no accidents during the day or at night. She is a great eater and some of her favorite snacks are raw spinach, onions, peppers, avocado, spicy food, fish, and shrimp. She is still working on self control and not whining but using her words instead. She is a wonderful helper and tends to be well mannered and loving. She is a great little friend to have and I really enjoy her company.
Cara is transitioning well too. She is now transitioning to a toddler bed and is doing it without any issues at all. She is speaking better and better all the time. She can count to 10 most of the time, tries to sing along with songs, loves making animal sounds, and knows her shapes and colors. We are working on number and letter recognition now. She is a wonderful eater too. She loves cucumbers, carrots, yogurt, berries, all fruit, most veggies, and will try pretty much anything you give her. She is still petite but she is growing right on schedule. She is well into the 2's so she is very emotional and is trying to flex her decision making abilities. We are working on self control to control her tantrums and on using her words instead of whining or pushing. She is overall a happy and cuddly little girl. She is starting to become a great helper too. It can take a few times of prompting but she will clean up or help with whatever you ask.
Alyssa is 2 months old now! I took her in for her 2 month check up and they said she looks great. She is right on track developmentally. She is long and skinny at 9lbs 4oz which is like the 25th% and I'm not sure her length but she is in the 99th%. She eats very well and is learning to put her self to sleep most of the time. She eats like every 3 hours but around dinner time she eats every hour for like 3 hours then she will sleep about 4 hours and she does the same thing around 7am. She really loves to snuggle and smiles at her sisters anytime they talk to her. She "talks" to the toys on her bouncy seat and to Byron and I when we talk to her. She can't help but stare at every ceiling fan near her. She loves to be rocked so as soon as I clear out more boxes to make room I plan to buy her a baby swing.
Byron has started working here on base. We will be here for about 8 more months and then head up to Newport Rhode Island for 6 months. After that, we have slated orders (nothing is set in stone until like 3 months out when we get actual orders) to head to San Diego California. This isn't the move we expected but we are trusting God and His plans for us. No matter where we move, we make the most of it and end up loving it. God's plans are always better for us than the plans we try to make and that makes it easy to just leave it in His hands.
We are excited as the holiday season approaches. Our favorite holiday as a family is Thanksgiving. Byron plans the menu and we cook dinner together while listening to Christmas music. It is a nice time for us as a family. We are so blessed we can't help but be thankful.
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
We made it!
Posted by Stocks Family at 7:50 AM 0 comments
Monday, September 19, 2011
Lately...
So, it has been too long since I last posted. I seem to go through seasons of blogging and hibernation. I wish I had the type of personality that could just stick to things. Instead, I tend to get all excited about something, do it for a month and then move on to something else I am all excited about. My goal for the year is to be more committed to things by the time my birthday comes around next year. I mean, I will be 28 next August and it just seems like that is obviously old enough to act like an adult :)
Posted by Stocks Family at 3:47 PM 0 comments
Friday, August 5, 2011
Dinner for the next week
Tonight: Crockpot BBQ Chicken using this recipe:
http://forkinit.blogspot.com/2010/09/crockpot-barbecue-chicken.html
I will serve it with corn on the cob and Macaroni and Cheese 1 from Deceptively Delicious by Jessica Seinfeld. The Macaroni and Cheese 1 recipe can be found here.
Saturday: Chicken, Shrimp and Andouille Gumbo
We basically use this (http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/emeril-lagasse/chicken-and-smoked-sausage-gumbo-with-white-rice-recipe/index.html) recipe and add 1 lb sauteed shrimp. Byron makes this so I am not sure on what he changes about it as he makes it, but this should get you started.
Served with corn bread
Sunday: Turkey burgers using "Burgers 2" recipe from Deceptively Delicious by Jessica Seinfeld
RECIPE: "Burgers 2
1 lb ground turkey or sirloin
1/2 lb white button or (stemmed) shiitake mushrooms, trimmed and finely chopped
1 cup whole-wheat or Italian (seasoned) breadcrumbs
1/4 cup chopped chopped or grated zucchini
1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
2 Tbsp ketchup
1/2 tsp salt
1/8 tsp pepper
Nonstick cooking spray
1 Tbsp olive oil
16 whole-grain hamburger buns, for serving
Preheat the oven to 400. In a large bowl, mix the meat, mushrooms, breadcrumbs, zucchini, Worcestershire sauce, ketchup, salt, and pepper until well combined, The mixture will be moist. Form into 16 patties and place them on a sheet of waxed paper or aluminum foil.
Coat a large nonstick ovenproof skillet with cooking spray and set it over medium-high heat. When the skillet is hot, add the oil. Add the burgers and brown on one side for 4 to 5 minutes. Turn the burgers, then slide the skillet into the oven. Bake for 4 to 5 minutes longer, or until the burgers are no longer pink in the center. Serve each burger on a bun."
Served on Corn tortillas with cilantro lime rice, salsa, fresh cilantro
Tuesday: Grilled Chicken
I use a rub we love for grilled chicken and then in my cast iron pan I just spray Pam and put the chicken breasts in on medium to medium high heat. When that side is browned, I flip it over and as soon as it browns I flip again, put a lid on it and turn the heat to medium low for a few more minutes. This lets you get browned chicken without burning it all while keeping the chicken juicy. We love cooking it this way.
I will serve it with sauteed broccoli (sauteed in a little low sodium chicken stock), and then finish them with Tony Chachere's creole seasoning to taste.
Wednesday: Calzones using this recipe:
I will make pizza dough from scratch using this recipe: http://www.thekitchn.com/thekitchn/main-dish/recipe-homemade-thin-crust-pizza-045499
Thursday: Veggie-full Turkey Chili
I have adapted this recipe from Paula Dean's Five Alarm Chili in the Biscuit Bowl
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/paula-deen/five-alarm-chili-in-the-biscuit-bowl-recipe/index.html
We leave the biscuit bowls out and replace them with a half batch of Jiffy Corn Bread
We swap in ground turkey instead of the ground chuck. I use closer to 3 Tbsp of chili powder and then add about 1/2 tsp ground chipotle and 1/4 tsp ground cayenne pepper (we like it hot). I then add about a cup of frozen or canned corn and often I also add another can of kidney beans. I add 1/4 cup broccoli puree and I grate 1 medium zucchini into the pot and add about 1 Tbsp ground Flax meal. If it is too thick we use beef stock to thin it out a little. We love this chili and Byron asks for it a couple times per week.
Posted by Stocks Family at 4:20 PM 0 comments
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Kroger deals 7/17-7/23
Here are the best deals I found for Kroger this week. I found them on www.krazycouponlady.com
Mega Event
- Buy 10 items, Receive $5.00 off at checkout
- Savings of $0.50 per item
- Purchase in quantities of ten to get the most savings
- All prices listed after automatic savings
Use $1.00/2 Pringles Fat Free Pringles from RP 6/26
Final Price: As low as $0.49 each when you buy 2
Or $0.25/1 Sunny D Product from SS 5/15
Final Price: As low as Free
Use $1.00/2 Classico Pasta Sauce from SS 5/15
Final Price: $1.29 each when you buy 2
Use $1.00/2 Pop-Secret Products from RP 6/19
Final Price: $0.35 each when you buy 2
Or $0.55/1 - International Delight Coffee Creamer, 16oz, any flavor, prints immediately – (smartsource.com)
Use 2 $0.50/1 – International Delight PC’s, Any Size – (smartsource.com)
Final Price: As low as $0.99
Or $0.50/1 Colgate Toothpaste from SS 7/10
Use $1.00/1 Colgate Toothpaste from SS 6/26
Or$0.35/1 Colgate Toothpaste from SS 6/26
Or $0.75/1 Colgate Toothpaste from SS 6/26
Final Price: As low as Free
Or $0.60/1 Pepperidge Farm Distinctive Cookies from SS 6/26
Or $0.50/1 Pepperidge Farm Cookies from SS 5/15
Use $1.00/1 Pepperidge Farm Milano Melts Cookies from SS 5/15
Or $1.00/2 Pepperidge Farm Cookies from SS 5/15
Or $0.75/1 Pepperidge Farm Cookies from SS 5/15
Final Price: As low as $0.99
Final Price: $0.99
Final Price: $0.39
Posted by Stocks Family at 9:50 PM 0 comments
Target deals 7/17-7/23
Use $1.00/2 – Classico Pasta Sauce – (bricks.coupons.com)
Or $1.00/2 Classico Pasta Sauce from SS 5/15
Final Price: $1.33 each when you buy 2
And use $1.00/1 – Nexcare Product, Any – (solutions.3m.com)
Or $1.00/1 – Nexcare Skin Care Products – (nexcare.com)
Or $0.55/1 Nexcare Product from SS 4/3, 5/1 or 6/5
Final Price: As low as $1.09
Use $3.00/1 Herbal or Aussie Styler, when you buy (1) Herbal or Aussie Product, excluding trial sizes from PG 7/3
Or $1.00/1 Herbal Essences or Aussie Product, excludes trial size from RP 6/12
Final Price: As low as $0.77 each when you buy 2
Use Free Noticables Warmer after Mail In Rebate – (febreze.com)
Final Price: Free
Receive Free Kashi Bars, Cookies or Crackers
Use $2.00/4 – Kashi Frozen Meals, Crackers, Cookies, Cereal or Bars, Target Coupon – (target.com)
And Use 4 $2.00/1 - Kashi Product, Any – (Recyclebank.com) 125 points
Final Price: $0.39 each when you buy 5
Buy 1 Smartwater, 6 pk (Free)
Use B2G1 FREE – Vitamin Water Beverage, 20oz, Target Coupon – (target.com)
Final Price: $9.00 total, or $0.56 each when you divide it out by 16 bottles
Buy 1 L’Oreal Excellence, Sublime Mousse or Healthy Look Cream $7.99
Buy 3 L’Oreal Items, Receive $5.00 Target Gift Card
Use $2.00/1 – L’Oreal Hair Color Item, Target Coupon – (Target.com)
And Use $2.00/1 L’Oreal healthy Look Creme Gloss Color from RP 6/19
And Use 2 $2.00/1 – L’Oreal EverSleek, EverPure, EverStrong Treatment – (lorealparisusa.com)
Pay $11.97, Receive $5.00 Target Gift Card
Final Price: $2.32 each when you buy 3
Posted by Stocks Family at 9:43 PM 0 comments
CVS deals 7/17-7/23
Buy 2, Receive $2.00 Extra Bucks, Limit 1
Use $1.00/2 Pantene Product from PG 7/3
or $1.00/1 Pantene Product from SS 6/26
or $1.00/2 Pantene Product from SS 6/26
or $3.00/2 Pantene Product from SS 6/19
or $1.00/2 Pantene Product from PG 6/5
Pay as low as $3.98, Receive $2.00 Extra Bucks
Final Price: as low as $0.99 each when you buy 2
Buy 1, Receive $4.00 Extra Bucks, Limit 1
Use $2.00/1 Gillette Manual or Power Fusion ProGlide Razor from PG 7/3
or $2.00/1 Venus Razor or Disposables Razor from PG 7/3
or $4.00/1 Gillette Fusion ProGlide Razor from PG 6/5
Pay as low as $5.99, Receive $4.00 Extra Bucks
Final Price: as low as $1.99
Pay $2.99, Receive $2.00 Extra Bucks
Final Price: $0.99 for a pack of 3 toothbrushes ($0.33 each)
Buy 1, Receive $3.00 Extra Bucks, Limit 1
or $1.00/1 Zantac Product from SS 6/26
or $1.00/1 Zantac Product from SS 5/8
Use $5.00/1 – Zantac Product – (smartsource.com)
or $5.00/1 – Zantac Product – (zantacotc.com)
Pay as low as $3.99, Receive $3.00 Extra Bucks
Final Price: as low as $0.99
Use $1.00/2 Crest Toothpaste from PG 7/3
or $0.75/1 Crest Toothpaste or Liquid Gel from PG 7/3
or $1.00/2 Crest Toothpaste or Liquid Gel from PG 6/5
or $0.75/1 Crest Toothpaste or Liquid Gel from PG 6/5
Pay as low as $1.24, Receive $1.00 Extra Buck
Final Price: as low as $0.24
Buy 2, Receive $2.00 Extra Bucks
Use 1 $2.00/1 Oral-B Pulsar, CrossAction, Advantage, or (2) Indicator or Cavity Defense Manual Toothbrushes from PG 7/3
Pay $1.98, Receive $2.00 Extra Bucks
Final Price: $0.02 Moneymaker
Posted by Stocks Family at 9:37 PM 0 comments
Walgreens deals 7/17-7/23
Or 2 $0.75/1 Mitchum or Mitchum for Women product, any except trial sizes and multipacks from SS 6/26
Pay $4.50, Receive $4.00 Register Reward
Final Price: $0.25 each when you buy 2
Or B1G1 FREE Schick Disposable Razor Package, any excluding 2 count up to $13.99 from SS 6/26
Or $3.00/2 Schick Xtreme3 Razor Packs, any from SS 6/19
Pay as low as $2.99, Receive $2.00 Register Reward
Final Price: $0.99
$2.00/1 – EverPure, EverSleek or EverStrong Product, Any – ((lorealparisusa.com)Pay $6.99, Receive $3.00 Register Reward
Final Price: $3.99
Use $1.00/1 – Milka Chocolate Bar – (bricks.coupons.com)
And use $1.00/2 Milka Chocolate Bars from Walgreens July Coupon Booklet
Final Price: FREE when you buy 2
Pay $4.00, Receive $4.00 Register Reward
Final Price: $0.49
Buy One Get One 50% OffUse 2 $5.00/1 John Frieda Full Repair Treatment, Styler or Finisher, any from SS 6/05
Free!
Or $1.00/2 Chex Mix Sweet ‘n Salty from SS 7/10
Pay $1.00 for 2
Final Price: As low as $1.99
Or $1.50/1 Pampers Diapers or Pants from PG 6/5
And Use $2.00/1 Pampers Cruisers, Swaddlers or Swaddlers Sensitive Diapers ( Big Packs or Jumbo Packs) from Walgreens Infant Care Booklet (should take off $6.00)
Pay $19.47, Receive $5.00 Register Reward
Final Price: $4.82 each when you buy 3
Posted by Stocks Family at 9:35 PM 0 comments