Another thing I don't get.....

Why is it that so many people get pets, love the pets, then get rid of them once they have children? It's such a sad thing. "Hi puppy! I love you today!" then a few months later it's gone. Most of the time it's because people just don't want to deal with a pet. It's done nothing wrong.

I understand that sometimes pets react badly to a baby coming into the house. When I say this I don't mean it's a little more needy or hyper I mean when they snap and try to hurt someone. Then if that happens by all means it's not a good fit. But just because you need to pay attention to it and you don't want to....you toss it? I want to say it's a nasty character flaw...but that's a little harsh. So stupid I shall call it.

Almond Joy in cookie form!!!

These are SOOO good! I made a batch and only got 2 before the boys got to them and Justin took the rest to work with hin the next morning. I guess they were a hit because I have been asked to make more. Haha.

I hope you enjoy them as much as we did!


INGREDIENTS
3/4cup Fisher® Roasted and Salted Almonds
1 1/2cups coconut
1/2cup Eagle Brand® Sweetened Condensed Milk (from 14-oz can)
1package (16 oz) Pillsbury® Ready to Bake!™ refrigerated sugar cookies (24 cookies)
1/3cup Hershey’s® baking cocoa
1/3cup Hershey's® milk chocolate baking chips


DIRECTIONS
1.Reserve 20 almonds; set aside. Chop remaining almonds. In medium bowl, stir chopped almonds, coconut and milk until well blended. Refrigerate mixture 25 minutes for easier handling. Let cookie dough stand at room temperature for 10 minutes to soften.


2.Meanwhile, heat oven to 350°F. In large bowl, knead cookie dough and cocoa with hands until well blended. Cover with plastic wrap; set aside.3.For each cookie, press 1 rounded tablespoon dough into 3-inch round. Place 1 tablespoon coconut mixture on center of each round. Wrap dough around filling, pressing edges to seal; shape into a ball. Place balls 3 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets. Press each ball with fingers into 2 1/2-inch round. Press 1 whole almond on each cookie.



4.Bake 9 to 12 minutes or until puffed and edges are set. Immediately remove from cookie sheet to cooling rack. Cool completely, about 30 minutes.

5.In small microwavable bowl, microwave chocolate chips uncovered on High 10 to 20 second, stirring every 10 seconds, until smooth. Place in resealable food-storage plastic bag; cut small tip from corner of bag. Drizzle chocolate over cookies. Before storing, let cookies stand at room temperature until chocolate is set. Store in airtight container.

Recipes & bottom photo from Pilsbury.com

Too fast....

Landon's Birthday is in just a few days. Time is flying by. When we moved to to the great CT he was only 2! I can't believe we have stayed in one place for this long. He's growing up so quick.

Yesterday was a busy, busy day. I went to Landon's class to make a sweatshirt with him. It was sad to see that some of the parents didn't sign up to make one with their child. You had about 9 days to pick from and still they didn't want to come (If I worked and couldn't make it I would have found a friend or someone who could go in to make it with him). It was a really fun day. Once again I can't believe how big Landon is, him being in school is a huge shocker.

Justin got home really early from work yesterday. We hung out and got some stuff done around the house then headed out for shopping and dinner......we also got my rings cleaned since I'm a freak about it and get it done 2-3 times a year. lol.

We are done shopping for Landon's birthday. It's hard to only buy him a few gifts and not go overboard. Haha.

I still have those recipes to put up...but I have to load the pictures on first.

Ok end to the most boring post ever. No need to comment, if you do I will know it's a pitty one.

Things to get done today!

I've been reading like a mad-woman (I'm almost done with book 9 for the year!....I also joined 2 new books clubs! I'm so excited!) So I'm taking a break from reading for a few hours to get some things done.

• Clean Landon's room
• Get rid of old/not played with toys to make room for b-day toys!
• Wash all bedding
• Wash dog
• Finish planning b-day party
• Figure out dinner......

Ok I think that's it. Off to finish my list! I have a few great recipes I want to put up. I hope I can get them up tonight or tomorrow!!

Sit & Wonder

I'm a firm believer in "Everything happens for a reason" good or bad I try to think that it will get me somewhere at some point. Things happen that you don't like at the moment, but you just need to move on and know that at some point it will all work out.

Bad break ups lead to finding the one.

Losing a loved one leads to strength and understanding (for some).

Moving to a new place and being out of your element can lead to finding the best friend you've ever had.

Things change and life goes on. I always find myself not asking "what if" but more thinking about how one little thing could have changed everything.

What if I chose bus A not bus B? I never would have met Justin. I mean this. We met on a band bus on the way to play for state (ok laugh) but if I would have picked the other bus he never would have sat two seats ahead of me and never would have helped me figure out my new cell phone. Ha!

What if Justin never went into the Navy? I would have never met my best friend. Our husbands knew each other years ago and reconnected in DEP. They decided to introduce us. She has been my BEST friend from the day we met.

What if my sister was still alive? This one is hard. I miss her everyday. Two years is way too long to be without her. The only semi-positive thing I can get is understanding. We don't know the plan. We can't always choose. But we can love, whole heartily. When she found out she was sick I spent more time with her then I ever had before. She taught me things about being a mother that I never asked or expected. She opened up and loved with everything she had. I carry her in my heart everyday and I am so thankful for what she taught me.

I know I'm not perfect but I do the best I can with what I have at the time and that's all I can ask of myself. At times I might think that all is lost. But it's not. All I can do is strive to be the person/mother/wife that I hope to be. I might not know why something is happening but I can trust that it will all work out for the best.

I know....

That I'm lucky. I tell myself everyday. Justin and I have been together for a long time now, and our love has only grown stronger. We appreciate each other. He thanks me for dinner every night and even makes sweet comments when the house is extra clean. I thank him for being so good to me and providing for our family. We never let those things go unsaid.

Sometimes I say that I trained him well. When you are someones first girlfriend at 15 you seem to have an influence on them. He was never broken, his heart was intact when I got to him and I did my best to never hurt him. We had our high school problems that any teenager does but all in all we have such an amazing relationship and we always have.

This year was the second year in a row that Justin missed my birthday. I understand that his job requires him to be gone sometimes and we have no control over when that is. Sometimes it's sad to spend that special day without the one you love. But he made it up to me. I didn't expect it but I knew he would, because that's the man he is.

He had duty on Friday so when he got home on Saturday he came upstairs to wake me up and surprise me. I rolled over to see him there crouched next to the bed....in his hands he had a dozen pink & white roses (our wedding flower), chocolates and my favorite Starbucks drink. Then he told me to get up and get dressed because we were going to breakfast! We all got ready and went out. It was great to sit and eat and spend time together. Then we did a little shopping and came home to hang out. For my birthday Justin also got me a book series that I've been wanting but didn't want to buy for myself. lol.

It was such an amazing day and I couldn't have asked for it to be any better. I know I am truly lucky and blessed. I don't know what I would do without him in my life.

The flowers I woke up to.

I don't get it.....

It seems like everyone is splitting up! It's crazy! People who I thought had strong marriages are now split. It seems more so in my military friends then in my civilian ones. Does that really make a difference? Does the time apart and stress of a military job make you more of a statistic for divorce? Does having a spouse in the military make you more likely to cheat? I just don't get it. And it's all the wives that I know! Not the husbands but the wives. Cheating and/or having full fledged months worth of affairs.

Call me old fashion but I think that when you say "I Do" you should mean it.

The Lost Photos!

Justin left...then came home again a week later. He wasn't gone very long but it felt like forever! I guess I got spoiled with him not having to leave for a few months. I've been slacking on the photo updating so here is a MASS post and they aren't really in order...sorry.

Playing with Christmas gifts! Landon loves his new easy bake oven and Justin loves my pink snuggie. Lol.


We made cookie pizzas! He loved them and I refused to eat them.

My boys on our movie night...watching 9!

Theses ones are form Christmas morning.

Poor beans! He looks so sad when I pick on him.

The boys opening our family gift from Santa.....gotta love super mario brothers!

Justin passing out the gifts. A Christmas story on in the background!

Landon playing with his new submarine. He loves it!

This is when he first came into the living room and saw everything.

Tree with just Landon's presents. lol.All of them on Christmas morning. My camera was fuzzy due to my little nephew Cameron playing with it.
Flying home from Grammy & Papa's house.

The gifts I gave to his teachers and bus drivers. Snowmen jars had cocoa, hot cider, tea and candy in them!

The mugs had the same just not the candy and more of the drink mixes. I put them together myself! And they were a hit!

Landon and I made a plate & mug for Santa! It was so much fun. This is going to be something that I keep forever and use every year.

Ok that's it for now!

YAY!

So I ordered Landon's shirt! I got the black one since NO ONE liked the red one. Lol. I'm so excited for him this year with him being in school and all! I'm slowly getting all the stuff we need for his party. I just don't know what kind of food to serve at a pirate birthday...?

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AND Today is my Birthday! WOOO HOOOO!! Calls have been coming in since midnight last night. I've gotten a few e-mails from my husband so that makes him being gone again on my birthday easier.

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Have a great day! I'm off to get ready for my birthday dinner!

VOTE PLEASE!!!!!!

Landon's birthday this year has changed to Pirates! so on his Birth(day) I'm sending him to school with pirate cupcakes! YAY! While looking for pictures of said cupcakes I found these shirts. I can't decide what one to buy him.....please help me!?! I want to order within the next few days.

Here we go!

I am now on book 4 for this year!

Trip home. Part 2.

We were busy while we were home. No real down days.

• Justin's Family Christmas party
• My Dad's Family Christmas party
• My Mom's Family Christmas Party
• Movie Night out & Dinner with my Family (The Princess & The Frog was soooo cute!)
• Dinner date with the Besties!
• I had dinner with my sister & cousin while Justin hung out with his brother.

Then we flew home!

I got to spend a lot of time with my mom. We did some shopping and a lot of talking! I've missed family girl talk! We didn't spend hours reading together this trip which was a little sad...maybe this summer.

It was really nice seeing all of the family's. You never really know how much you've missed people until you are with them and you have to say goodbye again. Landon had a blast playing with his cousins and I had a blast getting to meet all of the new babies! My niece is more beautiful then I ever could have imagined.

We came home with one bag more then we left with. But we got a lot of great loot!

Here's to hoping we get to go home next year for the holidays!

Trip home. Part One.

Walking into the house you grew up in will forever have the same impact. The most satisfying feeling of familiarity, comfort and warmth. No matter how much I love living with my new little family, it will never be the same at my parents house. You feel love as soon as you walk in the door.

We were lucky enough to get to go home for a week. Everyone in my family knew about this, except my dad. My Dad had no idea. It was so hard keeping it from him since I know he misses us the most.

We got into Seattle at about noon and drove the 2 hours it takes to get up to my parents house. There we got settled and waited for my dad to get home from work. When we saw his headlights flash against the walls we all ran and hid. The little kids were trying their hardest not to giggle while waiting for the door to open.

My Dad walked in, hands full of things he was bringing in from the car, yelling out for my mom since she was nowhere to be seen. On my cue Landon jumped out of his bedroom and yelled "Merry Christmas Papa" as loud as he could. "What? How? but I....." was all I heard before I heard all my dads things hit the floor, then I heard sobbing. Not crying but full sobs coming from my Father. He held Landon in his arms for a few minutes before I walked around the corner to join them. He just held us and wept saying it was the most amazing Christmas present anyone has ever given him.

Later we told him about how hard it was to keep it from him and how EVERYONE knew (even his Father) but everyone had somehow kept it from him for months. And how Mom has been telling little white lies to keep things a secret. "OK hunny I will mail to the box to Kimmie next week I still have a few things to add" When she didn't want to mail it because we were coming, "Landon is going to be in the kids gift drawing this year so he's not left out" because we were going to be at the Christmas party this year or when my mom told him not to pick anything up for dinner (the day we got in) because she already had something out...when really I was there to make him his favorite meal (It's something I made him once a year or so ago and he refuses to make it for himself since it's "Kimmie's dinner") lol. I made him a huge batch that night and he LOVED it!

It was the best feeling in the world being able to do that for my Dad. He has missed us so much and we've missed him. I've gotten so close to my Dad over the past few years. I call him a few times a week just to talk and many more times to get recipes or cook times for dinners I'm making. While we were there he took time off to spend as much time with us as he could. We stayed up late every night talking and watching movies. Landon loved Having his Papa again and hasn't stopped asking when we are going back.

I feel so blessed to have the relationship I do with my Dad (I'm really close with my mom also, she's one of my best friends. But this post was about my Daddy).

I can't wait for this summer when he comes out here and takes 10 days to drive across the country with me and Landon. It's going to be so much fun having all of that time with him.

I hope everyone had an amazing holiday! Part 2 to come later.

2010!

Here is a list of 10 things that happened or I accomplished/did in 2009 and 10 things I want to do in 2010!

2009

1. I read over 50 books!
2. Got my house done! No more boxes!
3. Ended a deployment!
4. Watched Landon start school...and didn't cry!
5. I went on Landon's first school field trip with him.
6. We spend Justin's birthday with him when we thought we weren't going to.
7. We got to go home as a family.
8. My sister had a baby! And so did my bestie!
9. We took a few really great family trips.
10. I got to see the look on my dads face when he had no idea we were home!

2010

1. I want to read at least 50 books again.
2. More family trips!
3. Take one more thing off my bucket list.
4. Go to church more.
5. Take up a new hobby. Sewing maybe?
6. Survive another deployment.....ick.
7. Send Landon off to Kindergarten...and not cry.
8. Get more involved with Landon's school
9. Get more involved with church activities.
10. De clutter my house!

2009!

Here is a little re-cap of our 2009!

January

• Justin returned from a 6 month deployment on January 10th!
  

February

• Landon turned 4!
  

March

• Park trip began as soon as it started to get warm again.
  

April

• Spur-of-the-moment trip to Niagara Falls!
  

May

• We took 3 days to build Landon his new swing set!
  

June

• Road trip down to Florida to see Justin while he was in port!
  

July

• Tons of picnics! Harkness Park was our favorite!
• Justin got "surge" deployed. He came home and told me he was leaving in 3 days. Hardest thing I've ever had to hear.
  

August

• Drove down to Georgia to spend Justin's birthday with him!
  

September

• Landon started school!
  

October

• Landon went on his first field trip.

• We went to the local orchard to pick apples and pumpkins.
  

• Went trick-or-treating in Mystic!
  

November

• Took the boys to an Eagles game.
  

• Went to NYC for the Macy's Day Parade.

• Went on the Polar Express train ride in RI!

December

• Went home to Washington to visit family...and Santa!
  

I hope everyone had a great year and that you all have an amazing 2010!