Super Noob [Search results for Mamma] 

Okay, you all asked, and my husband answered. One of the qualifiers to get him to do this was that I could in no way edit what he wrote. So this is all him, without any meddling from me. I didn't say, however, that I wouldn't add my two cents if I felt it warranted. Just saying...and if my two cents does show up anywhere, it will be in orange. Now, on to your questions and his answers.

Melis of The Zookeeper's Diary asked: If your wife could have any profession BESIDES being a SAHM, what would you want it to be? And why? And do you read her blog? What do you think of it? And finally, would you ever consider moving your family to where I live and buying the house next-door so we can all be IRL friends? Is that weird?

Any profession – A photographer seeing as she has an eye and a passion for it.

Do I read her Blog? – Are you all kidding?…hardly ever, but I don’t need to…I live it everyday.

What do I think of her blog? – I have always thought her to possess a true gift when it comes to that of the written form…On the occasion when I curl up with a cup of coffee and my computer to catch up on the latest prose of “Arizonamamma,” she confirms my thoughts.

Would I consider moving to be your neighbors and is that weird? – I know you are joking…

Keely from MannLand5 wanted to know: What made you fall in love with your wife? How did you 2 meet? Will you have more kids? :-) What do all do for fun as a family? What do you think your wife's best physical feature is? What do you do for a living?

What made me fall in love with your wife? – her independence, beauty, charm and her complete acceptance of me.

How did we meet? -We worked together on an outside sales team.

Will we have more kids? – I can’t answer this one on my own…AZMAMMA has a pretty big stake in this answer as well…however, if it were up to me I think that there will be no more children conceived.

What do we all do for fun as a family? – Every Saturday morning we get up just as the sun is about to rise in the East…saying East is silly…doesn’t it always rise in the East? Anyway, we ALL get up just before the sun rises…we bring plenty of water, lunch and our trimming shears…we hike 13 miles (AZMAMMA and I take turns pulling our two youngest children in the wagon, they certainly couldn’t make the trek on their own) to the llama farm and we sneak into their grazing area….On even days AZMAMMA lasso’s three of these creatures while I teach the children how to shave cool designs into their fur….on odd days, we switch places…The kids find this absolutely hysterical and the llamas, well they don’t seem to mind one bit either….On the way home we usually dig 2 random holes with a large baking spoon (I don’t find this particular activity “fun” at all, but the rest of the family does and sometimes we gotta do what we gotta do). (If you all think this is serious, then you haven't been reading my blog for very long...I would never let anyone use my baking spoon to dig holes).

What do I think my wife’s best physical feature is? – AZMAMMA was very blessed when it comes to her ‘4th point of contact,” her rear end. This, in my humble opinion, is her best physical feature….****This is where I must put my disclaimer, I am sure that ALL of you were hoping for some romantic answer like the beautiful sparkle in her eyes when she is truly happy, or the curls in her hair when she styles it my favorite way…maybe you even wanted me to answer with the color of her lips after she has had a glass of wine…but what can I say? I am an ass man and even after two children that shit ROCKS!!!!(Sorry, there should have been a disclaimer regarding the PG13 language...this is the only spot though).

What do I do for a living? – I work in a sales management job for ADP

Dondi at Confessions of a Housewife asked: Westpoint. Did you like it, was it worth it...I wanna know.
West Point is one of those places that is wonderful to be from and not be at…but looking back, in a warped demented type of way, I did enjoy it. I certainly took it seriously and internalized the discipline. Was it worth it? Yes, I would not go back and do it any differently

Liz from Harmonysong wanted to know: Most favorite (material) gift you have ever given Mamma?
I would have to say the amethyst heart and chain that I got for her on her 1st Mother’s Day. (I can't resist...I have to explain a little more why this one is so great. It has amethyst which is Addyson's birthstone, and a tiny bit of diamond, which is mine...it was the most perfect Mother's Day gift ever...very thoughtful).

Julie of The Peanut Gallery kindly asked: What is the weirdest thing that your lovely wife has done since you've known her?
I can choose only one?…That hardly seems fair as many situations I find myself in with her are weird, not to mention all the stories I have heard of the weird antics of this person…and they are weird because she makes them so. I have struggled with this one and I thought, could it be the time that she clucked like a rooster as she was following behind a group of people? Could it be the time that she dissected a water dog while bored on a fishing trip? Could it be the time she shouted a reminder out of the car window as I trekked through the busy supermarket parking lot, “Don’t forget your hemorrhoid cream!”…No, these are all weird, but I gotta say one of her finest moments occurred on this blog. Her post about peeing while she laughs was a little uncomfortable for me. Many of you may disagree, but the whole time I was reading that rather strange post, I couldn’t help but be mortified. I mean I kept thinking to myself, “Why is she sharing this with the whole blog reading world? Hell, I didn’t even know that she was stricken with this rather strange condition!”….NOW THAT’S JUST WEIRD! (To save you the trouble you can read the post here...it's not as bad as he says...I never claimed to pee when I laugh).

Kate of Kate's Life wants to know: 1) What does your wife do or say that just makes you melt? 2) What do you love the most about her? 3) Do you have a nickname for her? 4) Is there a limit to how many questions I can ask?

OK KATE IT’S FINALLY YOUR TURN…..

What does AZMAMMA say that makes me melt? – You wanna (bow-chicka-bow-bow)…?(Kate, I never say bow chicka bow bow...not ever).

What do I love most about her? – The wonderful mother that she is…

Do I have a nickname for her? – No I do not.

Is there a limit to how many questions you can ask? – you just reached it…

Desert Rose asked: Seeing how AZ Mamma and I are fellow Arizonans...just what is it that she likes to do around these parts?

She likes to spend time with her family in Phoenix…she is extremely close to her family

His sister Melissa asked: Andy, if you were stranded on a island with one of your siblings, which one would you rather it be and why?
Seeing as how this was asked by one of my siblings I can’t, in good conscience, answer this. A very fine gentlemen recently advised me to steer clear of offending any one of my siblings, because if you do it may permanently damage a relationship no matter how many “I’m sorry’s” you try to throw at said situation…

Drea of Peanut Butter Jelly Days asked: Honestly, what do you think of your wife blogging? do you think it has taken too much time from everyday things, or do you see it as a good outlet for her?

Honestly what do I think of my wife blogging? – She enjoys it…I say blog away

Do I think that it has taken too much time from everyday things or do I see it as a good outlet for her? Sometimes I feel it interferes with our time together…She never lets it interfere with the childrens' time…but when I ask her if I can get some of her time she obliges…As far as a good outlet for her – sure, I guess so.

Scott of This Daddy's Blog asked: Being a sports fan the best event I have ever been to was the Army-Navy game many years ago at the Meadowlands since you were part of that tradition, besides that what is the best sporting event you have ever attended?
Back when I was 12 my Dad took me to a rodeo. I thought that the rodeo was pretty cool, but the idea that pops and I got to spend some time together – that was truly spectacular. He is one of two men that I truly idolize in life…(His dad really is a wonderful man, and though this may make it seem so, was not absent from Andy's life...he did travel a lot in the military, but Andy just treasures any and all time with his dad).

Heide of From 3 to 5 asked: Do you love Seinfeld as much as AZ Mamma? What is your favorite TV show? What is your favortie thing to do in your free time? Did you contribute to Addyson and Colton's name selection? Az Mamma is quirky about the sheets, what is your quirk? Do you leave the seat up? What is your favorite room in your house? Are you originally from AZ? If not what brought you there? If you are from there is there any where else you would like to live? Can the AZ Mamma come visit me?

Do I love Seinfeld as much as AZMAMMA? Does she even like that show? Hahahaha….I like that show, is it as much as her? Not sure :-)

AZ MAMMA is quirky about the sheets…Holy S**t she IS quirky about the sheets! I don’t have quite the breadth of quirks that she does.

Do I leave the seat up? Only on purpose.(No he doesn't...he's very good about it).

What is my favorite room in the house? Our eat-in kitchen…some of the most scrumptious things in the entire world are created in that space just awaiting my consumption…but more importantly, AZMAMMA and I both agree that sitting down as a family for dinner is extremely important. Over the last five years some of my most cherished memories are those that were shared and created while we have broken bread over dinner…

Am I originally from AZ? Nope, my Dad was a career Marine so I don’t have an original home…I ended up in AZ after my short stint in the Army came to a conclusion. I found my first corporate career in PHX.

Can the AZ MAMMA come and visit you? See one of my first answers – AZMAMMA is extremely independent and does not need to ask my permission. In fact, many may say that AZMAMMA wears the pants in the family, so you may be better off asking her this question.

Lula Lola asked: If time and money weren't a factor, how would you spend the next year? And, what's he think is the coolest thing about you?

If money were not a factor how would I spend the next year? I would want to travel to Australia, Ireland, Brazil, Hawaii and Iceland… I would also like to spend several weeks with our out of state family.

Coolest thing about her? She puts up with me.

Sheila of My Crazy Life asked: Why do men start projects and then never totally complete them?
Is this a question for me? If it is, my answer would be that we get distracted by women…

Abby of Murdocks Mama wanted to know: What kind of vehicles do you own? What is your favorite household chore to do/help with? What is your favorite meal that your wife makes?

What kind of vehicles do we own? We own a Ford Expedition (Our second vehicle is one issued to him through work...it's a Mercury).

What is my favorite household chore to do/help with? While I do not consider this a chore, it is a task that needs to be done -- Giving our two young children a bath and getting them ready for bed, followed up by reading them 3 stories.(He does this every night! Every.single.night.)

My favorite meal? Salmon Scallopini or Stuffed Pork Tenderloin. (Irony of this is I don't make these that often, and neither has been a Tasty Tuesday feature...yet).

That's it! This is Mamma again, and I just want to give a huge thank you to my husband for being (mostly) a good sport about this. Can I let you all in on a little secret? I did mention this idea to him in a passive way, but I never actually got his consent before I drove forward with it. He was thrilled, let me tell you! He thinks I am bound and determined to have him start a blog. In any case, I think he did a great job. Thanks again, Andy for taking the better part of an evening to get these answered. I love you!

You can become a fan at Mamma's Face book fan page here.

If you are interested in contacting Mamma for any PR needs, just send an email.

Want to find Mamma on Twitter? You can do that right here.

How easy is that?

My daughter has been in her toddler bed now for about a month or so. Really we have been fairly lucky. She stays in her bed when it's bedtime. But she is up much earlier than I would like. I think she has probably always woken early, but because she was in her crib, she would go back to sleep for a little bit. Now...no chance. Crack of dawn (I consider anything 6:30 or earlier the crack of dawn) and she is up and at 'em. Most mornings she comes in to our room and begins barking out her demands. Today I woke to "Pita chips, Mamma! My tummy feels hungry for pita chips." What?! Who the heck wakes up and says "yeah, I feel like I could eat some pita chips." My daughter, that's who.

So tonight, I put her to bed. Uneventful. Nothing out of the ordinary. I tuck her in, sing her the three required songs, kiss her good night then exit her room and quietly close the door behind me. Twenty minutes later, I hear her door open. Though at first I didn't know what it was, as this has never happened before. So I get up to investigate (insert horror movie music) and bump into her (not literally) in the the hallway. "I feel hot, Mamma. My head feels cold. I'm hot in my bed." So which is it? Is she hot or cold? I am confused because we went from 85 degree weather yesterday to 60 today. I go in and tuck her back in. All seems well again. Nope. Five minutes later, she comes out again. "There's a plane in my room, Mamma. My room is too noisy." Now this is getting ridiculous. I assure her there is no plane in her room, and that the only noise is that of her humidifier (which she has to have running for the white noise). I'm back in the living room not two minutes, and this time she comes out saying she has to pee. She did. Have to pee that is. I finally took her back to bed, explained that we have a playdate at the park tomorrow so she needs to rest well. She has not been out since. Trust me, that is a very good thing because if I hear about a plane in her room or that she is hot or cold one more time...I might lose the fragile grip I have had on my sanity today. For now...there is peace.

Okay...It's been long enough since I have posted a legitimate recipe on Tuesday, and I know how many of you rely on me to feed your family (I have self importance issues). So I'm back with a recipe I invented out of necessity one night. If you are seeking something healthy, seek somewhere else. If you are seeking something cheesy and oh so yummy, look no further. I bring you a lasagna style casserole. Except it's not really lasagna. It's, well, just read on...

Mamma's Casserole

Ingredients:
1Pkg Chicken (approx. 1lb boneless breast or thigh)
1 Bag whole wheat wide egg noodles
1 bag frozen chopped spinach (thawed...is that an oxymoron?)
1 8oz package of cream cheese
1/2 yellow onion (minced)
2-3 cloves garlic (minced)
36oz of your favorite spaghetti sauce
1 1/2-2 Cups cheddar cheese
1 1/2 Cups fresh grated parmesan (not canned)

Instructions:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Spray a 13X9 baking dish with nonstick spray, set aside.

Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain, and set aside.

Saute onion and garlic in a medium pan til soft. Add thawed spinach and cook through. Add cream cheese, mix well and keep warm.

Cube raw chicken, and saute(use non stick spray or a bit of olive oil) in a large pan until no longer pink. Add spaghetti sauce.

Now, for the layering. You can layer them any way you'd like...but here's how I did it.

Layer 1/3 chicken mixture then top with 1/2 of the noodles. Layer additional 1/3 chicken mixture again. Top with all of the spinach/cream cheese. Layer all of the parmesan cheese. Top with remaining noodles, remaining chicken mixture. Top with cheddar cheese.

Bake until heated through, then broil at 550 degrees til slightly browned at edges and bubbly.

Serve it with whatever you want! Steamed broccoli, or asparagus are great. Again, this is an invention so it has only ever been taste tested by our family, but it was a major hit with everyone. If you like cheesy, and tasty, then give it a try. Wish I had pictures for you...maybe one of you can make it and get some photos for me. Hey, figured it was worth a shot ;)

A new meme of sorts. I have been putting this off forever, because there are so many out there. But I want to do this one. It may evolve and morph over time...we'll see. For starters though I want to introduce to you:

"You Know You're a Mom When-sDAZE." First off, I have to credit my friend Julie with the title. That creativeness for the name was all her idea. So thank you, my dear Julie. See how that works? You like something...you use it...you give credit (sorry, I couldn't resist).

Back to the meme. Here's the deal, it essentially can be whatever you make it! The main idea is that you can either post a picture or write something. If you post a picture, my idea is that it is a picture of something crazy, messy, endearing, etc. that your kids have done. Again, the creative license is all yours. If you decide to write something, it should be fashioned after "You might be a redneck if..." Instead, it's "You know you're a mom when..." Got it? Now, I know there are a few Dads that read too. Simply change the title to say "dad in place of mom."

The first one will be Wednesday the 14th. I will have the linky up so you can all come and play along. Also, I should have a new button for the debut, and would be thrilled if you use it in your post...but you do not have to at all. Please come play. Don't leave me stranded. That would bring back horrific memories of adolescence in which, try as I might, I just can't quite be part of the cool crowd ;)

There you have it. Mamma's new meme. I look forward to reading/seeing what you all share!!

I have yet to participate in one of these, as my blog is so new. Seems like fun though, so I thought I would give it a whirl. This great idea is courtesy of this awesome lady. So head on over to her blog to check it out and read more of what others moms have to say on the subject!

Without further adieu...here goes.

The one quality/behavior/thing I say that proves I am turning into my own mother is: ____________

My tendency to become tearful at what seem like the silliest things. I used to give her a hard time because she would cry at commercials. I never used to be like that. Now, I think maybe there have been less than a handful of times that a commercial has made me tear up...but I absolutely have the tendency to become teary whenever something strikes a certain emotional cord. It usually has to do with the parent-child bond. Let's just say, that now I am in a glass house and can no longer throw stones at my own dear Mamma ;)

A while back I did a post about the things I find myself saying as a mom. Things which, in any other context, would be highly inappropriate. Could you imagine what any other person would think if you said any of this to them?

"No, it wouldn't be funny for a shark to eat you. Because it would hurt, and you would bleed."

"Colton! Get off the table...this isn't a zoo." (because that is acceptable behavior at the zoo).

"Don't pick your nose...it's like poop! It's nose poop!"

"Wait, why are you yelling at me?" (I always find myself saying "wait" as if they will actually pause).

"Colton, please take my underwear off your head."

"Colton...what do you have? (inward gasp) Give mommy that nail right now!!" (a long rusted nail he found outside).

"No honey, I don't like it when you lick my arm."

My nose to Colton's bottom "Whew, you are stinky! Are you poopy?" (Hello! Good one, genius).

"No, you can't have a cookie. No not before lunch. No, you need lunch first. Lunch is in a little bit. I said no, don't ask again. One small cookie, but that's it!"

"Addyson, you can't see the poop. Because it's gross, and I already wrapped up his diaper."

I must say at least half a dozen off the wall things every day. It obviously comes with the territory, because talking about all things poop is perfectly normal conversation in the company of other moms. Right?

As my daughter careens toward her third birthday I am plagued slightly troubled by thoughts of what is yet to come. See, she is already so wilfull and mischievous and smart, and...I think you get the point. What scares me most is how similar in personality she is to me. Now that I am a mother, I have a greater appreciation for my own, and all that she endured. One might think I was hellbent on driving her over the deep end. I'm not saying I was a bad teenager, and that I got myself into major trouble. Nope, I was mellowed out (mostly) by then. I am referring to my days as a three year old...not that I remember much of them, but I cringe at some of the recounted tales.

It's 1979 and we are living in Worcester, Massachusettes (my mom's home town). My parents decided to live there for a little while, at my mom's request, to be near her family. My mom is hugely pregnant with my brother, and in no mood for my shenanigans. So she sends me out front to play (I still can't believe there was ever a time when that was okay). After an unpsecified amount of time elapses, she looks out the window to check on me. No Shannon...I wasn't Mamma then ;). Having a brief moment of panic, she goes out front for further inspection. Strewn about the sidewalk are my clothes. With much effort, she bends to retreive my articles from the sidewalk, only to find they are wet...like super soaker style. Blood pressure rising, she looks to the right. Still no Shannon. Looks to the left and there is Shannon, running naked from the waste down. She hollars calls sweetly for me to get my little butt over to her. All sugar and innocence, I come to my mom. My mom rushes me inside to put on clean pants, chastizing me all the way about not peeing in my clothes. "Shannon, when you need to go potty, you don't go in your clothes!" "Okay, momma." I say sweetly. "Can I go back outside to play now?" Of course she lets me...like any mother, she was anxious for any precious moments of peace she could muster.

For the second time, I am outside playing, mom is inside. Time passes, and reluctantly she hefts herself up to check on me. Expecting to see me galavanting down the street with the other little boys and girls, she coems to the window and stares in silent horror at the scene layed out before her. Her daughter, to whom she had told just moments before "we don't go potty in our clothes" was not in fact going potty in her clothes. Nope. Her daughter was squatting on the sidewalk right in front of the house, taking a poop. Paralyzed, my mom doesn't know what to do. Clearly she has to retreive her demon spawn angelic child, and get her into the house. Yet the thought swimming in her head is one of the neighbors saying "I didn't know you had a dog" as she is stooped over scooping the poop. Fortunately for my mother, no one saw her when she did finally go out to clean my mess. In my defense...I did not go potty in my clothes.

If this story is not enough to have me running scared over what's to come, well I need not look any further than my mom's memory of me and my escapades for further horror material.

…not Murphy, and not Guinness…but Finnegan! Long story, but we landed on Finnegan for his name. We will call him Finn more than likely, and so far it seems to fit.

Finnegan and I had an okay time on the plane ride home. He was scared and unsettled in the airport, and threw up twice in his carrier. He wasted no time letting me know how much work he’d be!
Once home, he was good to go. The kids adore him, and I am thankful that he doesn’t seem lonely like I thought he would.

Night was a whole ‘nother story. Up to go potty at midnight, then up at 4am…seemingly for the day. We’re going to have to rectify that in a hurry or mamma is not going to be a happy camper. Meanwhile, coffee is my berry best friend. Yes, I said “berry.” That’s what being up at 4am will do to a person.
A few more pictures before I bid farewell…

Get right on in there Colton for a big wet kiss!

Pay no attention to whatever is on my cabinets. Though, now that’s all you’ll see.

Needless to say…he is a lover.

This last one is Finnegan’s dad. So…this is how he’ll look when he’s full grown. He is going to go through all sorts of awkward and cute along the way, and of course, I will be compelled to share in photos!!

Oh, and for those of you who missed what type of dog he is...he's an Irish Water Spaniel.

I am leaving to go to Phoenix tonight as soon as Andy gets home from the gym. I am headed up to go the the U2 concert which is tomorrow. It is just much easier for me to go tonight and not have a torrent of tears and an all out scream-fest at my leaving. Yes...Andy needs to learn to control his emotions a bit better. The kids are still very attached to Mamma.

Anyway, I have packed my bags, and now anxiously await my husband's return. All the while feeling sad. Isn't that crazy? Sad because I am going to miss my kids. Sad because it means (more than likely) the end of my nursing Colton. I suppose it's time anyway. He is, afterall, 14 months old. Sigh. Reminds me...I have to update the kids baby books.

Who will be watching the kids while I am off jet setting? Why Andy! He is taking Tuesday and Wednesday off to stay home with them. I will be back Wednesday mid-morning sometime. I can't wait to come back to my house in perfect order all clean and fresh...Ahem, or just come back to my house exactly as it is now. That'll do just fine.

If you have read my blog for more than a week, then you know that on Tuesday I like to post a recipe. I know that coming up with new ideas for the family can frequently cause me grief. So, this is designed to help others who feel the same way. Today I am giving you my favorite Tuna Casserole recipe. This is comfort food if I have ever known it. The recipe comes from my own Mamma ;) I am not a fan of peas in my tuna casserole, so this one doesn't have them. If you like them...then toss them in the mix.

Ingredients:
6oz wide egg noodles uncooked
1 can tuna
1 cup diced celery
1/3 cup onion
salt and pepper to taste
1 can cream of mushroom (or celery) soup
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup mayo
1 cup cheddar cheese
Crushed __________ for topping. (Here you can get creative and use whatever you have on hand. You can crush plain potato chips, use bread crumbs, ritz crackers, or even corn flakes...totally up to you).

Instructions:
Pre heat oven to 350 degrees.
Cook and drain noodles according to package directions, and put them back in your pot. Add all other ingredients (except cheese) and mix until heated through. Then add cheese and mix until it is melted. Pour mixture into a casserole dish (sprayed with non stick) and add your topping to cover the mixture.
Bake in oven for about 15-20 minutes.

Since this is an all in one meal, we don't usually do a lot on the side with it. Would go well with steamed broccoli or another veggie of your choice. I also often double this one up because everyone likes it so much, and it is always great leftover. As always, I would love to hear what you think if you try this one out. If you like tuna casserole, you will be sure to like this.

Oh, and do you have a recipe you would like to have featured? Let me know! I would be happy to post it for you...giving you all credit and a link back of course.

Wow! I nearly forgot it was Monday. I have a couple new pictures on my camera, and have yet to upload them to the computer. So…I went over to Julie’s blog to see if she was still doing this post today (why on earth wouldn’t she be? It seems I am the only slacker around here), and I saw all her super cool pictures of feet.
Seeing as how I am indeed a self proclaimed slacker, and I am lacking my own original idea today, I decided to jump into her “feet” themed post. I have a couple of pictures of mine and Colton’s feet together that I took in January. Since they are not even 1/4 as nice as Julie’s, I didn’t think she’d mind if I shared them too.

At the time, I was looking at his feet and thinking that they actually look a lot like mine. I still think they do. Addyson, it seems, has feet that look more like her Dad’s (or at least my sister-in-law’s). Colton though…his little tootsies are just like his mamma’s.

My feet have always been one thing that I like about myself. BUT…I feel compelled to share this tidbit with you…normally, you can see about 4 long sasquatch type hairs on my big toe, and in order to spare you all…I edited them out. Kindly thank me before you go. ;)

Now what’s the hold up? Head on over to The Peanut Gallery to check out all the great Mom N’ Me pictures. Julie’s is really spectacular today.

Why me, of course! So... my actual name is Shannon. I wasn't really trying to be incognito. I've already shared all the names of the rest of my family. Why not mine too? Born in San Diego, I didn't live there long. When I was still just a babe, my parents and I moved to Arizona (my dad's home). My parents were actually in the military when they met, got married and had me. Shortly after I was born, they moved here. Wow! Am I really starting that far back? Me thinks not.

In between then and now, I have gone to and graduated from the Uof A, lived in Ireland (only for about 6 weeks), worked in corporate America (where I was wildly successful in sales I might add), bought my first house, got married, sold my house and bought another (with my husband), had my daughter (who was conceived in the UK), sold and bought another house, had my son (who was conceived nowhere exciting) and here we are...living in the inferno that is the Arizona Desert.

A woman of many interests, I love taking pictures but don't call myself a photographer. I work out habitually, yet I habitually lack the desire. Books are like water to me, without them I wouldn't survive. Outgoing by nature, I can be a bit forward and often (so I am told) abrasive. I have a loud laugh that always starts with an old man wheeze when I think something is truly funny. Taking things at face value is a problem for me, I am always looking for deeper meaning...you could say I am a bit of an over analyzer. Though I like to think I don't worry unnecessarily, since having children I have come to realize I do. No matter how I try otherwise.

At the heart of me is my family. I love these people that live with me more than any blog post would ever do justice. My brother is one of my very truest, most loyal and closest friends...I love him so. I am blessed to have a wonderful relationship with my mom...it is to her that I credit my wackiness...she has been my comfort when I have needed it most and my laughter when nothing else would do. And I am a daddy's girl. I find today that I still look to him for guidance and direction. Just as I am certain I will always be his little girl, at the risk of sounding cliche, he will always be my hero.

As a mother I strive, together with my husband, to raise our children in such a way that they reach their full potential...teaching them to love deeply, believe strongly, respect fully, and befriend faithfully. Showing them how to love the fair weather days and hoping that we have equipped them with the skills to ride out the storms.

What's to come remains to be seen. So happy to have you along for the ride.

Tasty Tuesday is my way of helping other moms (and dads too!) to come up with some new recipes. I feature anything from main dishes to desserts. I love to cook, and love to eat even more...but I also love to share. Sometimes the recipes are an Mamma original, and sometimes they are totally stollen. Today's is ripped off from Paula Deen on the food network. She is not know for waist friendly foods, but they sure are delisious. This one is no exception. Today it's Mexican Wedding Cookies. These are the most buttery, melt in your mouth, little bites of bliss this side of heaven! I made these for Andy's holiday party. Double batch. Nary one cookie left. Yep, they are that good.

Ingredients (for single batch)
1 Cup butter- room temperature
1/2 Cup Powdered sugar (plus some for coating)
1 Tsp Vanilla
1 3/4 Cups Flour (plus more for dusting hands)
1 Cup pecans- finely chopped

Cooking Instructions:
Heat oven to 275
With an electric mixer, cream butter and powdered sugar, on low, until smooth. Beat in vanilla, gradually add flour on low speed and mix until smooth. Mix in pecans with a spatula. Flour hands and shape spoonfulls of the dough into crescents (I just rolled it into balls).

Bake for 40 minutes and remove from oven. When cooled slightly, but still warm, roll in powdered sugar and transfer to a wire rack to cool. That's it!

I am considering making more of these bad boys for our family Christmas Eve get together. Afterall, we are having Mexican food ;)

Today started like any other day, and frankly seems to be ending that way as well. The in between is where the crazy lives. My children behaved as if someone told them they would get a prize (though neither of the two little ones understand how a prize system works) if they could send me over the edge.

Like any other day, Colton went down for his nap about an hour and a half after breakfast. It is during this time, that I usually sneak in my shower. Addyson will lay in my bed and watch a short bit of t.v. while I am enjoying a long leisurly taking a military style shower. Most every day this goes off without a hitch. Most every day. Today was one of those days. You know the ones, right?

I get out of the shower and instantly hear Addyson and Colton jabbering over the monitor. I wrap myself in a towel and head into Colton's room. There's Addyson chewing away on something. Chewing as if she were a cow with a heaping wad of grass in her mouth.

Me: Addyson, what are you eating?
Addyson: Gum
Me: What? Where did you get gum? Spit it out into my hand right now!
Addyson: I like it.
Me: Well I know, but it is not good for you. How many pieces have you had?
Addyson: I don't know. Can I eat it Mamma?
Me: No, spit it out please.

She is spitting it out, and it is at this point that I look to Colton in his crib. He is also chewing. Fabulous. My son has had his first piece of chewing gum at the ripe old age of 14 months.

Later in the day I attempted to clean the living room. As I picked toys up and put them away, the kids took them right back out and scattered them again. After about an hour (I made a small dent), I gave up. It was time to just move on and accept, for yet another day, the state of chaos that is my living room. No joke.

Much later in the day, I am in the kitchen doing dishes, and getting dinner started. The kids are outside with Drew playing. I am watching them all through the window as I work. Colton trips over Drew's pogo stick, and does a face plant onto our brick patio. He now has the bruise to show for it, and I am looking forward to the many looks I will get from strangers while out and about.

Addyson at some point comes running in from outside. She has to pee. Emergency. You know, she can't be bothered to come in unless it is sound the alarm time. So anyway, I am taking her pants off to help her out and not a second after her pants come off, she starts to pee. We are in the kitchen mind you! I am thankful for tile floors. So what could I do but calmly hold her so it didn't get all over her feet and wait until she was done? If I could've done anything else, I didn't think of it. I lectured her while she urinated on my kitchen floor about waiting until the last minute, wiped her up, re-dressed her, and sent her back out to play. Thanks so much, my dearest Addyson. I needed the extra chore today.

Did you get your Wednesday post all ready for "You know you're a mom when...only to discover that Mamma had dropped the ball? Thank goodness it was just a rubber one!

I have been traveling, and while I had some internet time, my access was sketchy at best, and my time was limited. So, I am so so sorry for anyone who had it all done and came to found I let you down. If you'd like...and I hope you would...you can link it up here. I promise to read them all and come to visit you shortly.

Good thing I don't blog for a living!

I know the point of this is to be in the picture with the kids. But today I am just going to show a couple of the pictures from my little photo session with my stepson, his mom, her fiancé and his boys. Oh, and I feel like this is still acceptable Mom N' Me material since there is a mom in the picture. Right, Julie? Do I get a get out of jail free card?

So, the third picture has some obvious lighting problems. Who was the genius that had them all stand in such an uneven shadow? That one and the last one have no edits on them yet. But there you are…a small sampling from my first group photo session experience. Keeping that in mind, I would consider it mostly a success.
Please go link up with my friend Julie for Mom N’ Me Monday. It’s easy, and fun, and it’s for your own benefit!!

Oh, and P.S. Can someone tell Julie that since, for some strange reason, she doesn't want people stealing her stuff and therefore doesn't allow right clicks on her blog anymore, I can't get her button for this post?

Lately I have been doing a lot of absent minded answering. "Mom, we're playing time out." As the two little ones scoot chairs across my kitchen floor, screeching and scraping as they go. "Hmmm. Ok." I respond as my mind is focused on whatever nonsense has flitted into my head.

"Mom, can I have a cookie?" Me: "In a second." Them: "You said yes?" Me: "Yes, what? Oh! No! Lunch is coming in just a minute."

"Mom, Colton is playing chicken in the street with the cars." Me: "That's nice...is he having fun?" Okay, so the last one is an extreme exaggeration. Er, or it's at least an exaggeration.

"Honey, we have to move to Tanzania for my job." Me: "Oh that sounds wonderful." Again, exaggerating, but I believe this conjures an image which is at least close to the truth.

Big sigh. Fortunately, my children are persistent, so they don't relent until I actually answer them, and my husband knows when I've really heard him and when I have not...so we won't be moving to Tanzania anytime soon, and my children will not be playing in traffic.

Shannon
P.S. That's my name...for those of you who only have been acquainted with the Mamma side of me.

"You Know You’re a Mom When-sDAZE" is a great way for us, as parents, to make light of our trials and tribulations. Our day to day run-ins with the crazy little people in our lives we call children. The very people we simply couldn’t live without. Just share what has you knowing you're a mom (or dad) today, and then come link up. It can be anything...a picture, story, or a bunch of "you know you're a mom whens..."

You know you’re a mom when, even though you are well hydrated, you gulp down two thirds of a huge glass of water because you are about to hand it over to the toddler who wants a sip.

You know you’re a mom when you can discern a “mad cry” from a “tired cry” and a “fake cry” from a “hurt cry.”

You know you’re a mom when you recognize that the hurt cry has different levels…and which level requires immediate action on your part, and which level you blow off a little. You know, just so they don’t come running to mamma with every little knick, scrape and bump.

You know you’re a mom if you have ever been embarrassed in public by a person not yet three feet tall. For instance “Mom, does that lady have a baby in her tummy?” As she points to a rather large (and totally un-pregnant) woman. Or “I FARTED!!!” Said at the loudest decibel possible, and with gusto I might add.

Can’t wait to see what has you all knowing you’re a mom today. Come link ‘em up!

Tasty Tuesday is all about making your life easier, and well...tastier! This week I am bringing in reinforcements. The ever talented and oh so lovely Julie of the Peanut Gallery...exit here is sharing a recipe this week. What a pal, huh? Really though, she is a pal, and I just love her to pieces. Thanks, Julie! Without further nonsense (bet ya thought I'd say "ado")...

Well, after that intro, I feel like I must live up to the dear Mamma's expectations. I do have some talent...but it ain't so in the area of food preparation. But, if I may brag just a bit..I do have some pretty tasty recipes. When I say "some", I mean about 4!! Yep...that's about all your gonna squeeze out of the lady from the Peanut Gallery. I don't like to cook, and baking...well let's not even go there. While cookies are my favorite thing...mine always turn out like mini cakes, or worse. So if you ever want to become instant friends with me, just bake me some cookies! All this being said...don't run away just yet!

Today is your lucky day. This is the day when I share one of my "good" recipes. I use the term "my" loosely, because it is not really mine. My first grade teacher had a daughter who was my age. Here name was Paige. We were good buds back in the day. However, we lost touch over the years.

Enter Facebook!!

We were re-united last year. And unbeknownst to me...Paige has blossomed into an absolute guru in the kitchen. Her facebook updates often describe some mouthwatering delicacy that she is preparing, consuming, or sharing with friends. This is one of her soup recipes.

Yes, I am well aware that we are not in "soup season". However, if you live in the schizophrenic Northwest...then you very well could be having soup like weather. If not..then just tuck this baby away for a rainy day. You won't be sorry!! As an added bonus, because I'm concerned about your health, this is a very healthy soup. Not to mention the musicality of beans!
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Paige's White Bean Chicken and Spinach Soup

2 slices of bacon, chopped

1 lb. Ground chicken OR Turkey Sausage (I wouldn't use the Turkey sausage if I were you!)

1 Teaspoon Fennel Seeds (only if you use the ground chicken...not needed if you use the turkey sausage because fennel is already in sausage. I prefer the ground chicken though)

1 Teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes (or to taste)

3+/- Garlic Cloves, grated on micro-plane (my preference) or diced

2 Cans White Beans with juice (Great Northern Beans or Cannellini Beans)

2 Quarts Chicken Stock

2 cups Spiral or Elbow Pasta (I use Barilla's multi-grain pasta...very good and good for you!)

Fresh Baby Spinach- About 4 handfuls of chopped

Brown bacon then add ground chicken with fennel seeds (or turkey sausage), garlic, and red pepper flakes. Add beans, undrained, and chicken stock. Simmer for as little 5 minutes or up to 45 minutes. Add pasta and spinach and simmer 8-10 minutes more. Make sure and remove from heat when pasta is done or noodles will get really mushy.

***Most important step: Serve with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, Parmesan cheese, and crusty multi-grain bread. Good for the soul!!!

***I second Paige's thoughts on using ground chicken. I've tried it with ground chicken, ground turkey, turkey sausage, and just plain chicken breast. The ground chicken is BEST...hands down!

Here's a little trick if your kids don't like beans...mash up one can. Then it won't seem so "bean laden"!
Works like a charm at our house.
Our kids love this soup.
Especially served in the fine china shown above.

See, I wasn't lying.
She wouldn't have given a 2 thumbs up if she didn't absolutely LOVE this soup.
Nope, even if I bribed her with a Twix bar.
She's ALL about giving her honest opinion!