Rewind back to high school.

Mandy over at Harper's Happenings posted some of those "about you questions" we all liked to pass around in high school and college.  It has been that long since I've done something like that so I figured I would jump on the bandwagon.  She "tagged" us all anyway so here goes nothing:

First, a picture was requested.  I rarely do pictures by myself anymore.  Okay, so never is more like it.  I normally have one or two sweet girls attached to some appendage.

10 Random things about me:

I LIKE to workout. If I had more time I would be a workin' out fool.
I don't want anymore kids. I am done. done. done. Our family of 4 is complete.
My favorite number of all time is 26...ask any of my besties from High School and they will roll their eyes at this statement. It was bad, y'all.
I want to write a book. One day it will happen.  With a lot of grammar help from a publisher or something.
I'm not big on sweets. Don't get me wrong, I love a good cupcake or a chocolate pie but I will pick the savory or salty category any day.
Josh and I started out complete opposites. Now we are slowly melding into similar persons.  I'm still his social butterfly though.
I don't know how to really use my Nikon D40...after 4 years. I should get on that.
I love to send and get "snail mail" I was awesome at it a few years ago...I really should get back to being awesome at it.
I drink coffee because I like it. Caffeine does nothing for me.
I will be running a marathon in the next two years.


Now for the question Mandy asked.

1. have you ever met someone famous? I met and got HUGGED by Ricki Lake and then I ran into Bob Harper, literally, at BlogHer '11...that was super embarrassing as I was a giggling pregnant fool.

2. what is your happiest childhood memory? Honestly, I HATE these questions. I had an awesome childhood. I moved a lot and got to see lots of places (Air Force Brat). However, I have a TERRIBLE memory and can very rarely remember things. So I guess I am kind of skipping this question. Sorry, Mom!

3. favorite album of all time? I LOVE the Boys 2 Men Cooleyhighharmony Album. When any of those songs come on I crank them up and jam out...it's pretty sad and will for sure embarrass Teagan and Kyra as they get older.  Sorry kiddos!

4. are you a salty or sweet lover? I love a good mixture of the two.  Sweet & Salty Chex Mix make my world go 'round.  I eat them a bag at a time...that is why I don't buy them. Often.

5. what is favorite guilty pleasure tv show or movie? I love the show Revenge and I also slipped back into my obsession with One Tree Hill...it is the last season after all.

6. describe your favorite sandwich. Turkey, Cheese, Lettuce, Tomato, Mustard, Wheat Bread w/BBQ chips ON the sandwich.

7. what was your first pet? A full-blooded black Chow. I named him Blacky. I was so clever at age 8.

8. what is your biggest accomplishment thus far in life? Having a successful VBAC. I rocked it. Totally rocked it.

9. what is the first blog you started reading?  I really started reading "blogs" when I was pregnant. I think my first was "Dear Baby".

10. if you had to choose one dessert for the rest of your life, what would it be? My mom's oreo surprise. It's shove it into my mouth with my hands good.

Ready for my questions?

Ice cream. What is your favorite ice cream?
What is the scariest thing you've ever done?
How many times do you check your e-mail and facebook a day?
What is your comfort book? The one you have read so many times the pages are wearing.
What does your favorite coffee or tea mug look like?
What do you hope your kiddo grows up to be?
Did you have a "lovey" growing up? What was it?
Is there something on Pinterest that you want to do but haven't tried? What is it?
If you could meet one person living now who would it be?


Ready? Set? GO!

Laughter.

Kyra is laughing y'all! I am so excited.  In the mornings Kyra and Teagan have some special time.  I get Kyra out of her crib and lay her down to change her on the floor while Teagan gives her toys, kisses and makes the dirty diaper "disappear".  Teagan is Kyra's favorite entertainment and has recently found her quite funny.  She just chuckles and coos when Teagan talks to her and kisses her.  Such precious moments between two precious sisters.

Out of the mouth of babes.

Out of the mouth of babes usually comes the truth in some form.  Recently, Teagan has taken a likin' to the phrase "just a little minute".  I sat down the other day and it hit me like a ton of bricks.  She wouldn't be saying it if she didn't hear it a lot.  Unfortunately, here lately there have been more times then not that my answer to her questions have been "just a minute" or "in a little bit". 

Like when we get home.  I go into full on "routine" mode. Dinner, a little play, baths and bed.  Our converstation usually goes something like this:

"Mommy play Teagan"
"In a minute, Baby, Mommy's making dinner"
"Mommy, play!!"
"In a minute, Baby"

Is anybody starving?  No.  Could dinner wait a few more minutes? Absolutely.  From now on Teagan won't be hearing "just a minute" as often as she will hear "Okey Dokey! Mommy's coming!"  Hopefully that will be the next phrase she catches on to. 

Wordless Wednesday "the 80's called" edition

We had to step back to the 80's this last weekend.  Cut off t'shirt, leggings and bedhead.

Paper Mama Challenge

The current challenge over at Paper Mama is "family".  We recently took this picture and I sent it in to be made into a canvas.  It now hangs in our bedroom right above our bed.  I love everything about it.

I finally grew up when it comes to my cereal.

I have been a Frosted Flakes, Fruit Loops, Honey Smacks kind of girl for a very very long time.  After having Kyra I realized (well, I admitted) it would be better for me to find a grown up cereal.  Better for me. Better for Kyra. Waaay better for my waist line.  After a few boxes that I ended up forcing myself to eat because I wasn't going to waste the money I'd spent I found one.  Cascadian Farms Cinnamon Raison Granola. Oh. My. Word. So good.  I eat a bowl of cereal every morning when I get to the office to keep me from being tempted away by places like Bojangles and Hardees.  So far it's worked because I know I'm heading into my office for some yumminess that is good for me and cheaper then a greasy biscuit. 

What is your go-to good for you breakfast? Is it a grown up food or are you still grasping onto your sugary sweetness with white knuckles? I know it took A LOT to pry that cartoon character box outta my grip but look how pretty the picture is on my new ceral box!

*I was not paid for this review and I was not given the product to review. This is my own opinion.  However, if the Cascadian Farm company would like to contact me, I will absolutely eat more of your yummy goodness and review it!*

Advertising Opportunities.

We are opening up ad space on Teagan Tales for the month of March.  Interested? Here's the 411.

Teagan Tales is a blog focused on all things family, toddler and baby friendly. Currently we are offering ad space on Teagan Tales.

We offer 1 LARGE ad space for $30 a month ($50 for two months)

*this includes a post about your company/blog/product*

We offer MEDIUM ad space for $15 a month (or $25 for two months)

We offer SMALL ad space for $10 a month ($15 for two months)

We are also currently offering ad space for 6 months at $160 and 1 year at $300. These will include a monthly post as weekly tweets.

If you think your company or blog would be a good fit for Teagan Tales please contact Rici at TeaganTales@gmail.com

Feature of a Favorite Friday: Jen from Rella's Bellas

So, I am going to TRY and stick with this ya'll.  I have so many talented friends and bloggers that it would be a shame not to share some of my favorites with you.  I am going to start doing a "Feature of a Favorite Friday" every week. Or at least I'm going to try!

Our first lovely lady is Jen from Rella's Bella's.  We met at BlogHer '11 and just kind of clicked...we even dressed a like a few times...

(Jen is on the right, my other BlogHer '11 friend is Jessica you'll meet her later!)

Hi! I am Jen, or Rella. Rella is a nickname my besties gave me,7 years later it has stuck! I'm a dreamer, a coffee lover, a cupcake addict, a navy wife, a child of Christ, mama to my baby Khloe {fur baby} and I am positively obsessed with accessories! Earrings, belts, necklaces, hair baubles— I can't get enough! I started making handmade accessories to showcase my creativity, and because I feel that the right accessories have the ability to take an every-day outfit to the next level, it seemed only fitting for this to be my main focus. I can best describe myself and my shop as spunk, sass and a hint of class!  I specialize in creating accessories that transform a “Plain Jane” outfit into a sassy and chic ensemble. I love wearing handmade not only because each piece tells its own story, but also because I know that someone has put their heart & soul into every aspect of the product’s existence.

My husband and I are on a wild ride with the United States Navy. We will be moving sometime this summer but don’t know where our new home will be. I quit my corporate gig this past July to focus more on our marriage, and dabble in a few of my dreams. Opening my etsy shop was one of those dreams. It is most definitely a work in progress but it makes me happy and really pushes me to explore my creativity. The Lord has really spoken to me in the last year; he is working in my heart to be a better wife, friend and woman in Christ. My belief is if we all really focus on our gifts and talents we can make this world a better place. My hope is that every time my husband and I move we have made our city just a little bit better.

I blog at www.rellasbellas.com. I write about anything and everything. Some posts are light hearted and fun and with some I am spilling my heart out for the world to read. Getting my feelings out on “paper” is sometimes the best and cheapest therapy! I love fashion but am by no means a fashion blogger, maybe one day. For now I just have fun putting together fun and funky outfits and sharing them with my readers.   My blog was originally started to keep in touch with family after Scott proposed in March of 2009. Over time it evolved to a place that has allowed me to meet so many wonderful bloggy friends online and in real life!  I also write for various military spouse/support website sites and am currently working on starting my own website Navy Wives Unite.

 I hope you’ll come on over and join me in this crazy thing called life!

Website: www.rellasbellas.com

Shop: www.rellasbellas.etsy.com
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/bellarellajen
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Rellas-Bellas/248973915142108

This song is rockin' my socks off right now.  It absolutely makes me sit the extra 30 seconds in the car just so I can hear it in its entirety. I thought I would share.  Prepare to clap and stomp and nod your head and get sucked in to it's awesomeness.

Pinterest inspired.

I've been struggling with Kyra's room a little bit.  Josh is making shelving and her bedding is adorable but I don't want just anything in there.  With Teagan I have slowly added pieces as her personality has shown through.  I want to do the same with Kyra.  But it the plainness of her room started to annoy me and I started searching.  I was looking through Pinterest a few weeks ago on my Mommy's Day in and found it.  I knew I had to do this to Kyra's room.  So, we did.  I have to say, I love it so much it probably won't be the last time this idea makes its way into our home!

It was actually very easy.  I just bought wooden letters at Hobby Lobby and painted them the same color as Kyra's walls, well the top half, and Josh nailed them to the wall above Kyra's crib.  I need to do a little touch up where the nail holes are but that is it! I did the painting in a day, they dried and Josh hung them the following evening. 

Modern Family.

We are currently in the beginnings of a 6 part sermon series in our church devoted to raising a family in modern day times in a biblical way.  Most specifically the way Colossians guides us. 
The session coming up is on Modern Wives.  In our culture, in this time, submission is a word that makes most women sit up straighter, adds a viciousness and resentment to their tone and has them naming all of their qualifications in whatever subject they deem most worthy.  Just to prove they've been everything but submissive. 
I was that woman.  Nobody was going to tell me what to do.  I felt as if my husband loved me he definitely wouldn't tell me what to do.  I had a daddy and once I was married he couldn't really tell me what to do either.  I wasn't going to submit to any body.  If submission happened it was going to happen with me kicking and screaming and pulling out my Tae Bo moves and...well, you get the picture.  I had a serious misconception of what Biblical submission was.
As a Christian. As a wife. As a mother. I am called to be submissive to my husband.  I will do so proudly and with my head held high.  I will not be cowaring down at his feet or in the corner of our home waiting on him to ask me for something.  I will not be shushing the girls because they might disturb their daddy.  I will not say yes and agree to every single thing that comes out of his mouth.  I will pray for him.  I will be on his side.  I will discuss things of importance with him.  I will let him guide the discipline in our household.  I will be his partner.  I will be the co-captain of his team.  I will let him lead me. I will exhibit compassion and kindess and patience with him.  Towards him.  I will submit. I will submit like Christ submitted to his Father. As we are called to submit to Christ.  To be a servant.  I am called to be a servant to my husband but he is also called to protect me. To love me. To cherish me.  To respect me.  To make me his partner.  If that is what submission looks like then I'm all in.

Ref: Colossians 3:12, 18

Five Question Friday

Joining in with Carrie With Children  and My Little Life for Five Question Fridays!

How often do you shave your legs in the winter? Usually 2-3 times a week. Usually.

Valentine's Day cards for your spouse: Funny or romantic? I get at least one of both! Sometimes I get several of each...I could spend hours in the Hallmark store people.

What are you most looking forward to about spring? Taking Kyra outside to play with Teagan! She will be a more "mobile" baby by then! This spring and summer are going to be a blast!

What's your favorite way to pamper yourself? I LOVE getting my haircut. Mainly for the wash part of it.  There is something about the way a stylist digs into my scalp that practically makes me go limp. And a massage...I love a massage.

Does you tax return go into savings or do you spend it instantly? We typically use it to pay off debt or at least part of our debt...this year hospital bills (birthing a baby isn't cheap! haha!)

Something in the milk.

Some days I find myself wondering what in the world they put in Teagan's milk at school.

The days they give her straight milk she is a sweet, chat us up, sing "Wheels on the Bus" and "Jesus Loves Me" kinda girl.

The days when her legs flail, her head spins and she could break windows with the octaves her screams reach I wonder what in the world they laced her milk with.

Then I remember.  She's two. Full. Blown. Two. And I love her.

Yummy Beef Nacho Casserole.

I've started scheduling our meals every week.  What I will make, what I need to make it and what day I will make it.  I have it in a nice little notebook.  I make the schedule once a week.  We are on week two of this and it's going really well.  I'll share my notebook how to later. Also, I am beginning to love casseroles as much as the crockpot. Super easy stuff is how we roll in our house! 

Last night we had Beef Nacho Casserole.  I found the recipe on Recipe.com it was so yummy and super easy to make! Teagan even sprinkled the cheese on top for us!

What you need

2 tablespoons olive oil

1/2 pound pre-sliced sweet peppers (about 1/2-inch-wide-strips
1 pound lean ground beef

1/2 teaspoon garlic salt

2 tubes (10 ounces each) refrigerated pizza dough

1 jar (16 ounces) medium-hot salsa
3 cups shredded taco-cheese blend

1 can (2.2 ounces) sliced black olives, drained (about 1/4 cup)

3 large scallions, trimmed and sliced

 

What you do

Heat oven to 375 degrees. Coat 13 x 9 x 2-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.

 

In large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add peppers, ground beef and garlic salt; cook, stirring to break up clumps of beef, until the peppers are soft and beef is no longer pink, about 5 minutes. Drain off any excess fat from skillet.

Remove pizza dough from tubes. Cut the dough crosswise into 1/2-inch-wide slices, then cut each slice into quarters.

In large bowl, toss together dough pieces and salsa. Add cooked meat mixture, 2 cups of the taco-cheese blend and olives. Scrape mixture into baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup taco-cheese blend over the top.

Bake at 375 degrees for 30 minutes. Sprinkle scallions evenly over the top. Bake an additional 5 minutes.

 

What I did differently

 

I used 1 red pepper and 1 green pepper.
I just sprinkled the garlic salt, I may or may not have used a 1/2 teaspoon
I started to cut the pizza dough in nice little 1/2 inch pieces. That took too much time so Teagan and I tore them into pieces instead.  We also only used 1 pack not 2.
We didn't use the olives because nobody in our house likes them.

 

 

Let me know if you try it!! I hope you like it!!

I am officially...

A wus. A big gigantic wus. Oh my word, ya'll, it was awful.  I had to walk out of a movie for the first time in my life.
I surprised Josh on Friday.  My parents followed us home and stayed after we put the girls to bed so we could go out.  I had free movie tickets so we went to see "The Woman in Black".  A little back story: I was the QUEEN of scary movies in my college years.  I begged for somebody to make a movie that would make me scream.  It never happened.  Then I had kids and my hormones took on a life and mind of their own.  So, I walked out, hand in gripped hand, of a movie for the first time.
I'm not gonna say anything about the movie.  I don't want to spoil it for any body who hasn't seen it.  I think I would have really enjoyed it a few years ago...maybe I would now. In my house. With all the windows open and all the lights on in the middle of a sunny afternoon...Yeah, that works.

Just a box. Who needs toys?

*Disclaimer- I know these things are not toys.  Teagan has never been around them unsupervised.*

We got a new comforter in the mail the other day.  I was super excited to get it and Teagan was equally excited about the box and the "bubbles" inside.  By the end of the weekend this box had held Teagan, Teagan & Mommy, Teagan & Daddy and Teagan & Mamaw.  Oh the fun you can have with just a box...

Steppin' out Saturday

I got to "Step Out" on Saturday and I actually got to take a picture of what I wore....Kind of. 

shoes: thrifted-pants: New York & Co-tank:target-cardigan:target-necklace:thrifted

Josh gave me the day to myself on Saturday.  He even told me I shouldn't clean or anything, he knows me too well.  Not knowing what to do without a husband or at least one of my girls I decided to get crafty.  I recreated an idea I saw on Pinterest and then one that fell out of a tree. Literally. 

1st project: Painting letters to match Kyra's wall.  An idea I found on Pinterest. 

2nd project: Making a pennant sign for above our laundry area. We don't have a laundry room. It's more like a laundry closet. I still wanted something pretty above it any way!

This idea literally fell from a tree in our yard.  We came home one day and this particular branch was just laying there in the front yard.  I knew I had to do something with it so I decided to make a pennant banner and put it above our laundry room area.  All I did was hot glue (I can't sew. yet.) pieces of fabric together and then hot glue them on to the branch! How cute does it look?!
 

Little Mommy

We have a love-hate relationship with the age 2.  It's times like these when the love comes out.  She loves playing a little mommy to her babies. 



Reading my Bible like a children's Bible.

Teagan and Kyra have a few Bible's between them.  One of the latest ones they have acquired is one I found at a consignment store.  Practically brand spankin' new.  It needed some toddler-baby love so we brought it home with us.  It's the "My Favorite Bible". 

There is something really neat about this Bible.  The words jump off the page at you.  Not literally of course, but they have used different sized text, bolded text, italicized text, etc to emphasize certain points in the passage. 

It got me thinking about how I should read my own Bible.  My friend, Alison, said she has started occassionally reading the Bible outloud.  Emphasizing certain parts, like when GOD speaks.  That is exactly what this Bible does.  When Josh and I read to Teagan and Kyra we do so with voices that emphasize certain parts.  We do that so those particular things stick.  Alison does it so the words become even more emphasized and impactful. 

This is something I might have to start doing myself.  Whatever it takes to push the WORD deeper in my heart and in my head.  Oh the things we learn from our children...

Sisters.

Teagan loves Kyra.  This is something we have seen over and over again. They are beyond adorable in the mornings together.  Sometimes Teagan gets a little too loving but Kyra's face lights up every single time she sees Teagan or hears her voice.  It often brings tears to my eyes.  It always brings a smile to my face.

Homemade Laundry Detergent.

I did it. I ran out of laundry detergent.  So, Josh bought the stuff to make it and I did.  I didn't want to mess with making the liquid stuff, too messy.  So, I made the powder stuff. 

I will let you in on a little secret...it was easier then making a ham and cheese sandwhich.  Seriously, I just googled "home-made laundry detergent" and found this recipe several times.  I followed it and Wahlah! We have detergent for the next 2-3 months for about $6! Holla!! (yes, I just said typed holla, I am that excited about it)

2 cups Borax (I used 20 Mule Team Borax)

2 cups Washing Soda (I used Arm & Hammer)

1 regular sized bar of soap (I used the Fels Naptha and it smelled lemony fresh!)

All you need to do is grate the soap, then mix the three ingredients together for around five minutes or until thoroughly mixed. 

I basically doubled and tripled and whatevered the ingredients until I filled up my bucket.  Josh added an extra shelf for me in our laundry "area" so I am searching for a cute, PLASTIC container.  Next on my list is dishwasher detergent!



3mths

We're a few days late on this post but life with 2 is crazy!

Weight-12.1 lbs
Height-25 inches long. Yeah, you read that right. My 3mth old is 25 inches LONG!
Diapers-still in size 1

*still hates to be wet and has started a more then crazy pooping schedule (that one is for you, Manda Nan).  Her current record is 13 days with no poop. For a breastfed baby it's "normal" so, no real worries.

*loves looking at the light and at fans and all things shiny.  Her favorite thing to look at and watch is Teagan though.  She loves her big sister.

*kyra isn't much of a talker.  She has a tendency to be a quiet little observer but oh boy, when she has an opinion we all hear about it!

*even though she doesn't talk a whole lot her smiling makes up for it.  She shares those gummy smiles with us all the time.  It makes us all melt. 

*the hiccups have finally started letting up.  Now we're down to a few times a week instead a few time a day.

*loves taking baths.  She really loves playing with Teagan.  I can't imagine what she is going to be like when she can be in the real bathtub and not in the baby bath IN the big tub.

*has started rolling to her sides.  I still swaddle her at night but I have a feeling when we stop swaddling her she will be a side sleeper.

*kyra still HATES the car seat.  The ride home most days are off the chain.

*she has finally taken to her paci. THANK YOU LORD.

*she eats anywhere from 3-5 hours (usually 3) during the day.  She is sleeping 9-11 hours at night but we're hitting our first official growth spurt so there is a little break in the consistent sleeping pattern but I think we'll be back to normal soon. 

*kyra is still a champion cat napper.

*her head control gets better and better everyday.  When pulled up from a sitting position she keeps her head steady.

*nursing has had its ups and downs.  I think the whole only pooping  7-14 days plays a part.  For about 3-4 days after she poops she rocks the nursing but as we go on the feedings get worse.  I have to walk and dance around just to keep her latched.  We have a call into a lactation consultant. I will not give up without a fight.

We are continuing to adjust to our new normal.  Most days it feels like Kyra has always been in our lives.  That is how perfectly she fits into our family. 

Chicken and Rice Soup

I am slowly falling in love with my crock pot. It is steadily making my life SO MUCH EASIER.  Like last night.  I tried this Chicken and Rice soup recipe and adapted it.  Basically I made an adaptation of an adaptation and ran with it.

Here is the recipe from the blog Pearls, Handcuffs and Happy Hour (a blog I have started going to A LOT for recipes).  Afterwards I'll let you in on what I did differently.

What you need:

1 rotisserie chicken

1 box {32 oz.} chicken broth

1/4 cup lime juice (2 limes)

1 cup salsa

1 can diced tomatoes with onion

1 cup frozen corn

1 cup frozen chopped veggies (celery, green pepper, and onion)

2 tbsp. chopped cilantro

1/3 cup Mexican cheese

1-2 boil-in-a bag bags of rice

What you do:

First up, bring chicken broth, lime juice, and salsa to a boil.

Add in the diced tomatoes, frozen corn, and frozen chopped veggies. I definitely let the frozen items thaw out before I tossed ‘em in. Cook on medium high heat for about 10-12 minutes, reduce to low and add the shredded chicken. Cover and let simmer for about 20-30 minutes.

Meanwhile, cook your rice. I’m a cheater and I always use the boil-in-a-bag version. I boiled 2 bags for this recipe. Drain and return to pot. Now take a spoonful{ish} of rice and dump it into your bowl.

Spoon a very generous helping of the soup mix on top of the rice. The more rice you add, the thicker your soup will be, so proceed with caution.

What I did differently:

First off I put all of the ingredients, other then the rice, in a crock pot and let it cook over night on low. 
I did not use the can of tomatoes/onions.  I just diced a little bit of onion instead. 
I used an Archer Farm (Target) brand salsa.
I used frozen peppers (red, yellow and green) instead of frozen celery, onion and peppers.

 

It was SO good! And when you add the rice you have plenty enough for lunch the next day!