Basically Brooks

Ever had one of those weeks where you think you have enough groceries to last an entire week and then Monday rolls around and you have basically nothing?  Well, that was me this week....and in my line of work, food is a must have!  So....because going to the grocery was the absolute last thing I wanted to do this week, I made the decision to make a menu of the meals we were gonna eat and I was gonna make do with what I had.  It's actually been pretty fun coming up with all kinds of meals that my family (and the ones I keep) would love.  Sunday night I looked through my "ingredients" by searching the pantry, the fridge, the freezer, and the deep freezer.  So....here's my menu for the week and a little description about each meal (in case you are curious)!  Monday Breakfast:  Blueberry Muffins (found a box pushed WAY back in the pantry) Lunch:  Cheese Ravioli (From the frozen food section at Kroger...very tasty and a hit with all the kids ages ...

Well, it's been a while since my last post so while I have 3 infants, a toddler, and a preschooler sleeping, I thought I'd take a moment to update my blog. This summer has been one like no other.  The first day of summer, I started my new babysitting business.  It is lovely being able to be with my two girls and watch some of their buddies at the same time.  Lovely, exciting, and sometimes a little crazy!  But....I wouldn't have it any other way!  During the summer months I have juggled 7 different families so that I could keep 3 kids each day.  It's a lot to keep up with and it keeps me on my toes but I'm not complaining!  I love it! Ava has become Momma's Little Helper.  She is sweeter than ever, checking to see if I ever need help, grabbing diapers for me when changing the babies, all while telling me "You're the best mommy in the whole world!"  (I honestly don't know where she came up with that, but it ALWAYS makes me stop and think o...

I've always wanted to be a really organized person, and I believe I'm on my way to becoming one.  A few weeks ago, I made a Home Management Binder so we can have all of our important information on hand and keep our home and finances in order.  After much research on the internet and Pinterest, and asking a sweet co-worker a million questions, I finally was ready to put it together.  I will show you what mine looks like as well as provide the links to the free printables I found online. This is what my binder cover looks like.  I loved the chocolate, lime, and blue colors! http://www.newbeehomeschooler.com/Home%20Management%20Binder/Home%20Management%20Binder%20cover.pdf  This page is great because it has basic information about everyone in the family.  Great for babysitters! http://www.newbeehomeschooler.com/apps/blog/show/prev?from_id=19227356  Another page with contact info for doctors, etc. 31 Day Meal Planner with Grocery L...

MYOBF = Make Your Own Baby Food! Something I always wanted to do is make baby food for my babies and I didn't get to do it with Ava, but was determined to at least try to do it for Anniston.  Why?  Three reasons!  1)  I love to cook, 2) it is cheaper, 3) it's healthier....you know EXACTLY what's going into their food, and I find comfort in that! Yesterday I had to pick up a couple of things at Kroger and I decided that it was the time to try this out!  I picked up acorn squash, 2 of them to be exact.  I had read online that summer squash isn't good to use, but winter squash, such as acorn or butternut were fantastic squash choices!  I had never cooked an acorn squash so I was a little nervous at first, but once I got started, it was SO unbelievably easy!  Kyle and I even tried it and it tasted delicious!  I've made a pictorial how to make baby food to share with you!  I can't wait to try more!  Step 1:  Select your acor...

As many of you know, Monday was a big day for our family.   We would go from a family of three to a family of four!   Monday morning was the day Anniston was born, and what a day it was!   Let me share a story about this special day. Sunday night was a restless night for me.   Kyle had been sleeping on the couch so I could be more comfortable in our bed, and around midnight Ava came in bed with me.   She was very talkative and wanted to stay with me the rest of the night.   It was like our last few hours with her being my only baby.   So of course, I didn’t mind at all. I tossed and turned the rest of the night and woke up at 2 a.m.   I tried staying in bed reading a book, but I was just too distracted.   This was a big day!   Many things were running through my mind … .first I was a bit nervous/terrified of going through a csection again.   No, the surgery isn’t that bad, but all the waiting and anticipation bef...

Well, last week Kyle and I went to the doctor for a baby appointment.  Two weeks before-hand I had failed   my one hour glucose test.  My doctor thought it could've been a fluke, but nevertheless, I had to go back for the dreaded 3 hour test.  As a girl with a phobia of needles, the thought of something being in my arm for 3-4 hours was just about the most awful experience I could imagine.  Still, it had to be done, so done it was. Here's how the day went.  We went in at 7:30, and they stuck a device in my arm and drew a vial of blood from it.  They handed me a small bottle of lemon-lime sugar drink to down in 5 minutes or less.  Now, I was there on a completely empty stomach, the drink was TERRIBLE, and I immediately started feeling queasy.  I drank it down and the lady showed me and Kyle to a secret waiting room where we could watch TV and wait out the next three hours.  The first hour was the WORST ever!  I was nauseated, dizzy, ...

It's the end of summer and I think I may have done two things on my 3 mile long to do list.  I'm bummed about it.  I don't know what happened with my big summer plans to get things done. I planned on getting Anniston's room ready.  Well, this is what it looks like.  No paint, no furniture put together, just junk.  The only thing we've done is gotten her bedding.  It's sitting in a big box. I planned on having my room look AMAZING at school.  It looks okay, but I still have tons to do there too. I planned to get my maternity plans done for when Anniston is born.  I did a little of that, but it isn't legible or organized. So, I really don't know where my summer went or what went wrong with all my plans.  Needless to say, I'm a bit overwhelmed.  The good part is that I've gotten to spend lots of time with Ava and that is priceless!  I know the rest will get done in time!