A Burger with a kick

So the other day I had a regular old burger at a fancy (by that I mean anything that doesn't have a drive through window) restaurant. It was nothing special but still cost $10.00! Well I got something to beat that. In my attempt to cut our food budget I have been in to doing menu planning. I will write more about that later but for now I want to tell you about this burger. In an attempt to add something new to my menu I decided to go to the website for Campbell and look through some of their recipes. I found lots of recipes that look quick and easy. So tonight I did one of the first recipes and here is the recipe:

French Onion Burger

1 pound ground beef
1 can (10 1/2 ounces) Campbell's® Condensed French Onion Soup
4 slices cheese
4 Pepperidge Farm® Classic Sandwich Buns with Sesame Seeds, split
Shape the beef into 4 (1/2-inch-thick) burgers.
Heat a 10-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Add the burgers and cook until well browned on both sides. Remove the burgers from the skillet. Pour off any fat.
Stir the soup in the skillet and heat to a boil. Return the burgers to the skillet. Reduce the heat to low. Cover and cook for 5 minutes or until desired doneness. Top the burgers with the cheese and cook until the cheese is melted. Serve the burgers on the buns with the soup mixture for dipping.

picture is from the Campbell's website...I tried but couldn't make mine look this good:)

I have to tell you this burger is one of the best burgers I have ever had. My seven year old has never ate an entire burger in her life and she was asking for another one. It was an awesome burger and a nice change. Oh and as I was cooking I realized I didn't have to do all the research for the recipe...it was on the back of the french onion soup can:)

Public Restroom Phobia for the Potty Trainer

So I have been working on potty training Tegan for many months now. Although there are still a few issues, he is pretty much pee pee potty trained while at home and awake. So what does that leave...potty training for nap and bedtime, doing #2 (sorry guys, what else can I say) on the potty and using the potty in public places.

Let's go in order...Nap and bedtime potty training are going to be really hard. You see, Tegan doesn't eat a lot these days but he drinks a ton. He apparently holds all his pee until the minute he has on a diaper for nap or bedtime b/c he soaks them! I have no idea how to teach him not to potty in his sleep, any advice would be great.

Doing #2...Well let's just say that the kid knows when he has to do the dirty but he chooses not to do it on the potty. He also chooses not to do it in his undies which leaves him either holding it until he has on a diaper for sleepy time or he will actually come and literally cry and beg for a diaper on, go off in to the corner, poop and then come back and ask me to take the diaper off. Now I understand that a man takes this aspect of his life pretty darn serious but he will eventually give in to the toilet right??

The MAJOR one...pee pee in public restrooms. Let me tell you a long story. One day while me and him were at my two favorite places, Hobby Lobby and Target, I took him to the bathroom a dozen times b/c he had to pee but he refused to go. Well eventually he went in target after I bribed him with Popcorn and Sprite from the snack bar. So then he seemed to be over his fear. Then there was this one night at Red Lobster that I took him to potty. I didn't even notice that the toilet was a self flushing toilet that sounded like a small hurricane was coming straight at us. So as he used the potty, the toilet flushed over and over again as he screamed and screamed the whole time. Ever since that moment, public restrooms have been our enemy. Last weekend we went through the drive thru at Wendy's to grab a quick lunch before heading to pick up some things at the wonderful Wal-mart. Well as soon as I had my awesome frosty in my hand he decided he had to pee. So I did what any Mother of the Year would do and grabbed him out of the car, pulled down his pants in the parking lot and told him to have at it. He looked at me like I had five heads and refused. So I put him back in the car. Well he proceeded to squirm, hold himself and flat out yell for help through his crying b/c he had to pee so bad. So I get him back out, take him into Wendy's to the restroom where he screams as if I was beating him...all while standing outside a stall waiting to go in. The whole restaurant stared when we walked out b/c I'm pretty sure they thought I was killing him. So we get back in the car. He begs to go home and ask Rylee to help him. At this point I was aggravated so I reminded him that he had on a pull-up (which he still wears when we leave the house just in case) and if he needed to go really bad he could go in the pull-up...which he has no problem doing from time to time at home. He FLAT OUT REFUSED! So we go ahead and go to Wal-mart where he is squirming again and whining about having to pee. Every time I offered to take him to the potty he would tell me no. So finally, about 5 seconds before I was scheduled for a meltdown, Paul grabs him up and takes him to the potty. When we meet back up with them minutes later he is all smiles and his totally awesome boots are SOAKING WET. My dear hubby then informs me that as he was pulling down little man's pants he began to pee...everywhere. He explained it being like a water hose out of control, you could either get wet or stand out of the way. Pee went everywhere...the floor, the toilet, the wall and most importantly his precious boots. My husband, however escaped completely dry as he choose to just stand back and let nature take its course. Being a germaphobe I really feel bad for the next guy that goes in the restroom...poor unsuspecting soul.

So after that long story I must tell you that Rylee pretty much potty trained herself. This whole potty training thing is new to me and especially this whole boy and control thing. So the only thing I know to do is to not leave the house, keep putting diapers on the kid to poop and to sleep. He is bound to get it at some point before kindergarten right?

Caught in the act

Bless Rylee's heart...this little boy aggravates her all day, every day! Notice her laying on the couch in the background.

He tries to be innocent
Then he smiles at you and melts your heart

Then he changes the subject and ask for something to drink!

Healthcare Reform...in my opinion

So I'm not real real political but I do vote. I don't always understand all the politics even though I live in an area that thrives from "good ole boy politics". But I have to say that I have somewhat of an opinion on this one. I remember four presidents and all of them have something that they are remembered for...I guess you could say they are leaving their mark, good or bad.
The first Bush-took us to war...some people agreed and some didn't.
Clinton- had that whole Lewinsky thing...some people wanted him impeached, some didn't.
The second Bush-took us to war...some people agreed/agree and some don't.
Then there is Obama...Health care reform is his thing.

Now let me start this by saying that I didn't vote for our current president but I firmly believe that we should support him no matter who put him in office. I have always voted republican although sometimes I wonder why I vote at all. So take this from me...a republican who does her part and votes, GET OVER IT PEOPLE!!!! Yes Healthcare reform is new and different to us but it is happening and you have to let it go. There is no reason for anyone to be harassed or talked down to b/c their opinion is different from yours. There are senators who have families that are being threatened...what makes your opinion better than theirs??

I have a mother who has multiple health issues that could really benefit from this. My husband's father died b/c he owned his own small business and couldn't afford health insurance so therefore he put off care. Then when he got it, being a self pay patient doesn't buy you the best care. Then there was me....I was on bed rest and couldn't return to work during my last pregnancy, I carried our families insurance so when I lost my job and was pregnant...it was devastating for us.

I don't understand this whole bill and I'm sure many of the people complaining don't either. But one thing I do know is that whatever we were doing in healthcare wasn't working so it is time to move forward. You don't want the gov't to tell you what to do but yet you let the insurance companies overcharge you and tell you what Dr.'s you can see. I keep hearing people talk of how the middle class will be the ones footing the bill but when I do the whole calculator thing that the Washington post has on its website, you have to make more than $200,000 to even have a tax increase toward this bill. As far as I can see in my near future...this won't be an issue for me:) The one thing that does worry me is our Dr.'s and healthcare workers...will this affect them and if so how? People (and by people I mean People on facebook) keep saying that healthcare workers will be affecting and Dr.'s will be out of business but when I ask why or how, no one can answer.

My whole point is this, we don't all agree and sometimes we just have to agree to disagree. Lots of bad decisions have been made in our countries past and some people get to say I told you so but hopefully that won't be the case here. If you are hoping to say that then I ask you this...why? Why wouldn't you want everyone to have health coverage? Accepting change is not easy at any point but sometimes if you just accept it and keep your mind wide open...Change just might surprise you!

Monday Madness

It was a long weekend that involved lots of sewing on Friday night in to the wee hours of the morning. Then a long day on Saturday shooting a wedding. By the time I was home on Saturday night I was ready to crash. I have really been pushing myself with school, sewing and pictures and something is going to have to give. I think I have decided to slow down on pictures some although that isn't going to happen anytime soon as I already have lots of sessions scheduled.
Sunday morning when I awoke, I could not hardly move and my throat hurt so bad. I was pretty sure this was the onset of strep for the third time this winter. Paul got up with the kids and let me sleep until 11:30!!!! It was wonderful and miserable all at the same time! I ended up taking a nap a little later in the day and then going to bed early last night. Today I feel tons better and was ready to get some things done. Over the weekend I sold some fabric, a checkbook cover, an appliqued shirt and SIX camera strap covers. So I had to get busy. I managed to get most everything sewn, packaged and to the post office although I have a couple things left. Business is booming and although it takes me time to make these things, I don't have to leave my house and my kids can play around me while I do it. Needless to say this has been catch-up Monday and I have a lot left to do. Classes start back next week so I plan to get caught up on my sewing, get all the wedding pics edited, clean my house and get all my kids old clothes listed on ebay before Monday.....somebody HELP!

Groom's Cake

Super Cute!

Parenting Skills

It's hard to parent two children that are so far apart in age. I know to some an almost 5 year age difference doesn't seem that big but when it comes to fairness and discipline, its hard.
Don't get me wrong....I love the age difference in our kids. By the time Tegan came, Rylee could give herself a shower, potty on her own and pour her own cup of juice. It was heavenly! That has continued as Tegan and me have been in the terrible two's power struggle. Rylee has helped out leaps and bounds with him The issue arises when both kids are doing something they shouldn't, the seven year old should know better but the two year old has yet to learn what no means. So do you get on to the seven year old and hear her complain about how unfair it is that Tegan didn't get in trouble or just let them both off the hook.

Things have been rough in the discipline area lately and others seem to stand in judgement of how much we get on to our kids. Let me be clear when I say that my husband and I know that kids aren't perfect and they are going to be wild and crazy but disrespectful is not something I can tolerate. I'm sure my mom is reading this and saying "you are getting what you deserve" but I AM GROWN NOW...LET IT GO:) Anyways, my struggle is, how do I teach my daughter when to keep her little lips locked, how to not interrupt adults when they are talking and to chew with her mouth closed when my son (2 year old) is chewing with his mouth opened and looks at me like I have three heads if I tell him to stop, running out in traffic in busy parking lots, interrupting us and throwing a two year old tantrum when you don't listen and hits ALL THE TIME???

I'm not a perfect parent...but neither are you! You may have one child or ten, I don't know but if I don't stand in judgement of you then please don't stand in judgement of me. The good Lord entrusted ME with these kids and you with yours. I have to tell you, I was a much better parent when I could focus all my attention on one kid but I wouldn't trade having two kids for anything!
I like to call this...the Friday Vent! Thank you, I will get off my soap box now! Have a great weekend!