Diaper Talk

Today... I realized how much I love Pampers Cruisers.

the end.

Okay, not really- but I do love the Cruisers.  I only used Pampers with Kyla, started out with the teeny tiny baby swaddlers...

so cute... 

So Tiny.

Don't know that lady...

and eventually moved on to the Cruisers.  She got to size 3 and was potty trained a year ago.  This is amazing to me because Colby is just now growing into size 3s, at 10 months old!  I'm guessing he's not going to stay in them for the next year and a half/ whenever he potty trains : )  Wow... on the topic of diapers, rabbit trail to potty training.  amazing.

SO, when Colby was born he started out in Swaddlers, outgrew those (they only have NB and size 1s) and I had a pack of HUGGIES Snugglers a friend had given me at my baby shower, so we stuck with those.  I liked!  Then he outgrew those and I got a cheepie pack of Huggies, the kind that last a month.  When you're buying diapers constantly, you NEVER wish they would run out soon, but with these, I did.  That's how awful they were.  Then we won the lottery last week (not really) and finally ran out of 'those' diapers last night, and today I started a new box of Pampers Cruisers.  Today feels like the first day of the rest of my life!  When you change several diapers a day it actually does make a difference whether you like the diapers or not.

For the record, the Pamper's Cruisers are

1.  Softer

2.  Cuter looking (better colors)

3. and *most* important:  the side tabbies do not fold into the diaper when taken off!  They stay out to the sides, UNLIKE the Huggies, which fold in on the diaper.

Why, WHY does this matter?  Like I said, when changing diapers multiple times a day, whenever you do NOT have to fish side tabs out of a dirty diaper to be able to successfully roll the diaper and re-attach the tabs to the outside of the diaper- securing the 'contents' into a tight 'diaper ball'... it's a good day.

Oh Great.  In all my photo research I find this.  Now I'm gonna go check out those Huggies Movers.  But if those tabs fold in-  I'm OUT!  Arg.

Yes, I do realize I am talking about diapers.

This is my real life.

Lent

So, I've never given up anything for Lent before, I didn't grow up with the tradition and never went to a church that practiced it as a body.  This year is different though.  I first started thinking about it when I heard about Blood:Water Mission's 40 Days of Water 'challenge' through Twitter.  Blood:Water Mission is a grassroots organization that empowers communities in Africa to work together against the HIV/AIDS and water crisis.  Basically, the challenge is, for 40 days you only drink water (in addition to food), then donate the money you would have spent on lattes, pop, smoothies or drinks out with the girls to blood:water mission.

Then, I read two articles about Lent.  One by Rev. Barbara Brown Taylor and another, a blog, by Glenn Packiam.  Taylor focuses on where Jesus was while he was tempted, in the wilderness, and encourages each of us to spend some time in a place that isn't as cushy as we're used to (my words), because really, very few of us are really going to go through a true wildness experience like Jesus did.


A few quotes from Taylor:

In a culture of plenty I am impressed with anyone who decides to make it without anesthesia for a while--to give up whatever appliances or habits or substances they use to keep themselves from feeling what it really feels like to live the kind of lives they are living. 

I mean, almost everyone uses something--if not anesthesia, then at least a favorite pacifier: murder mysteries, Facebook, reruns of Boston Legal, Pottery Barn catalogs, Bombay Sapphire gin martinis.  I'm not saying those are awful things.  I'm just saying they are distractions--things to reach for when a person is too tired, too sad, or too afraid to enter the wilderness of the present moment--to wonder what it's really about or who else is in it or maybe just to make a little bed in the sand.  
.
.
.
But if you remember to breathe--and say your prayers--then nine times out of ten you can make it through your first night with no extra bread, power, or protection.  You can get used to the sound of your own heart beating and whatever it is that is yipping out there.  You may even be able to sleep a little while and wake up gladder to be alive than you can ever remember being.  So there are thirty-nine days to go.  So don't count.  Take it one day at a time.
.
.

Are you hungry? 
I am famished. 

Well, what's wrong with that?  Are you dying?
No.

Can you stand being hungry for a while longer?
Maybe.  I guess so.

Okay, so what else?  Are you lonely?
Yes, I am!  I am terribly lonely!

What's wrong with being alone?  Will it kill you?
I don't like it.

That's not what I asked.  Can you live through it?
Probably not, but I'll try.

Glenn Packiam, a pastor at my home church, doesn't normally observe Lent, but is this year.  In Glenn's blog he looks at the history and the purpose of Lent, very informative for one who doesn't know much about it (me).  He also looks at the modern church calendar and compares it to the historic church calendar.  Here's what he has to say about it:

 I realized that the Modern Church Calendar centers on what we are doing and invites God in while the Historic Church Calendar centers on what Christ has done and invites us to participate in His life, suffering, death, resurrection, and commission. One is about my activity, the other is about Christ's; one is about the busyness of my pre-determined rhythms, the other is about interrupting my rhythms to bring my life into the cadence of Christ and His work.

.

.

 Ironically, the Historic Church Calendar might do more to help us follow the leading of the Holy Spirit than the haphazard, self-focused, human-activity-driven events and programs that clutter the life of many non-denominational churches.

Interesting thoughts.

So this 'Lenten' season I'm taking the 40 Day's of Water Challenge, I'll also be following @bloodwater on Twitter for encouragement and stories from others doing the same challenge.  Today I saw this:  

Hey @bloodwater, My wife and I are doing your stupid 40 days of water. Sorry, caffeine withdrawal, I'll be better in a couple of days.

oh, and this:

After giving a #40Days presentation to a group of students today, one girl immediately got a coke from the machine. Ouch.

Haha!  ouch is right!

I know it's not comparable to a true wilderness, but if nothing else, maybe it will help people in Africa get help for AIDs and clean water and ultimately direct my attention to Jesus.

Top 5: Dinner Edition

I am always looking for new dinner ideas so I thought I would share my top 5 meals that I am currently recycling!  I often post recipes on Facebook and share with friends anyway, so if you've seen some of these before, well... maybe you should actually try making them!!  Ha!

In no particular order.

5.  Cumin Chicken with Black Beans

This is one of Stephen's two favorites, it's super flavorful AND super healthy.

I change some things up just so it makes more sense, like using cans instead of cups, or an entire bag instead of cups.  Then you don't have like 1/2 a can of beans left, or something like that...

My Notes:
use 1/2 red onion.  
1 can black beans (you can always try two).  
1 12 oz bag frozen corn kernels, thawed.  
3 or 4 teaspoons red wine vinegar.  
Must add salt!  about 1 tsp.

This is great with tortillas, in a burrito or taco, with tortilla chips or margaritas : )  Ole!

4.  Beef Stroganoff

Beef Stroganoff makes me think:  Meh.  or yuck.  But when I read the ingredients and saw it has mustard, I had to try it!  Also, I've never made anything in a crockpot that came out bad.

It's SO good!  I left out the mushrooms, because Stephen and I eat like toddlers, but the steak was so good!  Nice, substantial pieces of meat... mmmm!  

3.  Chicken and Dumplings

This is one of those recipes where you can make it a hundred different ways and it will always turn out amazing.  Definitely read the reviews.

My Notes:

Saute 2-3 carrots, 2 sticks celery, 1/2 onion, 2 cloves garlic.  

Then add stock, cooked chicken and 2 can's cream of _____ soup.  

Make sure you have plenty of liquid, add water if needed.  

I use Bisquick pancake mix to make the dumplings.  Follow the biscuit recipe.  Make large-ish golf ball size balls of dough and drop them in.  Let them sit and cook, turning once.  You Don't have to cook all the dumplings at once, just the ones you're going to eat, save the rest for left overs!

This is Stephen's other favorite meal.  Definitely mine too!

2.  Spanish Rice

So this isn't a main dish, though for some it could be!  It doesn't matter, because it makes the meal!  I was afraid of making rice, I just stuck to my trusty rice maker, but we had this at a get-together and I knew I had to try it.  It took a little adjusting each time I made it, but now it's perfection.  We eat this as a side dish, or my favorite, I cook meat (Chicken, ground beef, turkey), mix the meat with refried beans, then put it with the rice in a burrito.  I ALWAYS follow the suggestions of the first reviewer, always. Only.  Make this.

1.  Slow Cooker BBQ

Again, you can't beat anything slow cooked, it also doesn't get any easier than this!  I took the suggestion of a reviewer and always use an 'eye round roast', it's a lean cut of meat so your dish doesn't turn out all greasy.  I just through the meat in, add garlic salt, onion powder, salt and pepper.  Cover with favorite BBQ sauce and let it look 6-8 hours (8 is better, the meat falls apart more easily). After cooking, shred the meat with two forks, add more BBQ sauce and let cook a little longer (and hour is plenty, less is fine) so the meat can soak up the sauce and it can warm up again.

BONUS!

Bourbon Chicken

I totally forgot about this amazing dish!  I wish I had a picture!  Just imagine your favorite chinese dish.

Like this!

 

Only the bourbon chicken is darker because you use soy sauce.  Here's the recipe.  Don't be afraid, most of this stuff is in your house anyway... well... it's in mine : )  And if you don't keep ginger in your freezer, just do it!

2 lbs bonless chicken breasts cut into bite size pieces
1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
2 garlic cloves crushed
1/4 teaspoon ginger
3/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1/4 cup apple juice
1/3 cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons ketchup
1 tablespoon cider vinegar
1/2 cup water
1/3 cup soy sauce

Heat oil in large skillet and drop in the chicken pieces. Cook chicken until browned. Add remaining ingredients and mix well. Bring everything to a boil. Let everything sit at a hard rolling boil for a couple minutes to get the sauce sticky and not soupy. Reduce heat and let simmer for a few minutes.

This is best served over basmati rice. It tastes like you ordered take-out from your favorite Chinese place...only without all the dark meat and MSG!  Add whatever veggies you like, broccoli or sugar snap peas sound good to me, or even water chestnuts.  If you are a baby like me, just cut back on the red pepper flakes.  If you can take the heat, by all means, amp it up!

ENJOY!!!

A Boy and his Dog

We got the dog groomed about two weeks ago so they are no longer quarantined to the garage/backyard, they are quarantined to a little 'dog' area by the door, haha!  But for like 37 seconds while they were still good and clean I let them go on the carpet : )  I'm such a loving dog owner!!!

Anyway, Colby just LOVES the dogs, he crawls/drags his body over the floor to get to their gate to pull up and look at them, he could crawl all over them all day long... but then his little hands would be full of hair and I would lose. my. mind.  So I hold him and hoover him over the dogs while he squeels and says 'duh, duh' for dog.  And they lick his hands... uuuugh, and I take him away.  It's no fun for anyone, really.

So for the 37 seconds that Colby got to be with his loves...

And here's some more cuteness, for good measure ; )

I won!

Yesterday Stephen and I went to a contractor's (builders and remodelers) Expo at Coors Field.   The booths were on the club level and breakout groups were on the suite level.  There was free food and drinks and we got to check out some of the latest things in building (really interesting things like windows, faucets, tile and appliances!!!).  They also had prizes, Dinger, the Rockies mascot, Bronco's Cheerleaders and a tour of Coors Field!  Cool!  Stephen, Colby and I left to go on the tour when Terri (Stephen's mom) heard my name called for a prize!  We went down to claim my prize and found out it was a mini kegerator!  Woo hoo!  In a sea of contractors/construction people, 95% men, I was very likely the only person there that doesn't drink beer, and I won the BeerTender!  haha!  It's pretty neat, I just can't find out for sure if it ONLY holds Heineken or if it will work with other 5L kegs.  Like I really care, really.  I just don't think I've won anything before!  Anyway, it looks like this : )

What was more exciting was the tour of Coors Field!  I only had my phone, so the pictures aren't awesome, but it was really neat to go below and check things out.  Heck, I thought it was cool to see the club and suite levels (I'm easily entertained.)  We took an elevator down and saw where the players come in, the players kids' daycare area where the wives can drop off the kids during games, laundry rooms, storage room, tape storage room (yes, the tape has it's own storage room ; ) the away teams' locker room, showers, training room (it was tiny!!  like two tables and two whirlpools), their warm up (indoor) batting cage and the dugout!  There was snow on the infield and on some of the stands.  The sun had set while we were eating dinner so the pics aren't great but here they are!

Taken in the hall where the booths were

Stephen walking through the visitors' locker room.  The tour guide said these were 'bad costco type couches', the Rockies locker room is apparently waaay bigger and wayyy nicer : )

This is the only nicest locker room I've ever been in : )

The little orange cone is home plate, and the pitchers mound is a mound of snow (sad!)  I hate winter!

Me in the dugout

Stephen and Colby on the field

More snow : (  It doesn't belong in a ballpark, it's just not right.

Kyla was pretty excited about my prize, haha!

She says beer is gross though.  Good.