Got Milk?

"I was on the toilet this morning, eating an awesome slice of toast with peanut butter and...What? You think there's something wrong with eating in the bathroom? Did that gross you out? Then why do people suggest breastfeeding mothers feed their babies in the bathroom? If you're a fan of breastfeeding rights, post this as your status!"

I immediately connected with this post on my Facebook friend's status. Had I not been at work, I'd have made it my status in a heart beat. It saddens me that there are still people in the world who find breastfeeding unnatural, disgusting, embarrassing, offensive...the list goes on. What in the world do "those" people think breasts are for? They certainly weren't made solely for entertainment! I'm not condemning those who don't breast feed...it's a choice. I don't intend to crush anyone who reads this and does feel "awkward" about breastfeeding, but I do plan to give you some insight into why breastfeeding is so natural...so carefree...so intimate...so special.

Babies are not born with clear vision. Babies are not born with the ability to see color. At birth, a baby sees only what's within 12 inches and the image is seen in black and white. Fancy this, if you will....pretend to cradle a baby in your arms...do it...come on. Now, this is also the most popular breastfeeding position. Whoa! Can you believe it?!?! We are designed to cradle and nurse within 12 inches of our faces! This awesome creation, that is our body, was designed to nurture our young from birth. Now tell me that breastfeeding is unnatural!

Society has taken the women's breast and turned them into sexual objects. I don't completely disagree, but breasts weren't created solely for pleasure. I find it very interesting that someone who finds breastfeeding (the sight of a bare breast...if even the whole breast when breastfeeding!) disgusting or unnatural. Gee, you didn't seem to mind the sight of Demi Moore's, Cybil Shepard's, Princess Diana's...the list goes on! Wanna know something? They all breastfed their children! Pick your jaw up...it's ok...breastfeeding is the bomb!

There are some women who find other women breastfeeding offensive. I'm appalled. Come on women, where are your maternal instincts? Can you be serious? Was it offensive to someones girlfriend when, back in college, you flashed a car full of guys on your way to Miami Beach? Exactly...we've turned the most natural part of the woman's body into a sex symbol and extinguished the fact that they are an integral part of human life...and animal instinct. Bet I've gotcha thinking now!

Well, I would proudly wear one of those awesome shirts that support breastfeeding (and also those that support breast cancer awareness...which I do wear...AND it's proven that breastfeeding can also reduce the risk of breast cancer in women)...if only someone would buy me one and send it! I am a nursing mother! I have nourished 3 little creatures with these "A" cups and am proud! You wanna suggest I nurse my baby in the bathroom to avoid making someone else feel uncomfortable? My baby will eat in a bathroom when you eat your meal in one. I can't think of any better ending that will really knock socks off and stay with the whole breastfeeding topic other than, "GOT MILK?"


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Gimme' A Break

Yeah, I'd take a break and lay in the sun if I could too!

HAPPY SPRING!!!!

Meet The Davidson's

I've waited a long time to get the news this family was going to grow. Maybe they aren't family by blood, but I consider them family for sure. Baby Kyler is one of the luckiest fellas I know...Mom and Dad rock! Mom especially...she laughed all the way through a poopie, pee pee, poopie triple play...SO FUNNY! In fact, Dad and I were on the floor in tears...no help to Mom. Sorry, Celia. Although we encountered a nasty skin rash *wink, wink*, the photo shoot turned out a success. Congratulations Dusty & Celia! Enjoy your sneak peek...

EDITING THIS POST NOW THAT MOM AND DAD HAVE SEEN ALL THE IMAGES...ENJOY THE REST!

Texas Taco Salad

I like salad. I like tacos. I love it when you mix up the two concepts and end up with a huge bowl of this sweet and tangy deliciousness. This is a perfect meal to throw together when you are short on time or when you need to feed a crowd without too much fuss. If you follow my ingredient amounts, you will easily have 8 servings...Big Man had 2 plate fulls, I had 1...and maybe another half *winks*, and the two big girls ate a half plate each...this left me with another full plate for the next day's lunch and there's still probably 3 more plates to dish!). There are many versions of a taco salad...here's mine...I'm a bit partial to it. Go figure. I promise...you won't be sorry with this one.

Ingredients
1 head of leaf lettuce
1 bag spinach leaves
1 pound browned hamburger
1 envelope taco seasoning
1 medium tomato
1 can black beans, drained
1 can corn, drained
white corn tortilla chips
Catalina dressing
1 C. Shredded cheddar cheese

First, chop the head of leaf lettuce and place in a large salad bowl. Empty the spinach into the same bowl. This is a good time to have your hamburger browning. It takes less than 5 minutes to get your hamburger all ready for the salad.

Next, dice the tomato and toss into the salad bowl. Pretty, huh? Very Christmas-y...

Hey, hey...Getting ready to toss in some more color! Open the cans of black beans and corn, drain and rinse with cold water. Allow to drain completely before adding to the salad.

By now, your hamburger is browned. There's really no way to take a picture of ground beef to make it look delicious. Don't you agree? Steak, now that is something you could show me and I'm salivating for a big 'ol sirloin. Medium rare. Please and thank you! Anyhow, back to the ground beef...add the envelope of taco seasoning and blend.

Dump...yes, I said "dump"!...your hamburger in with the salad. At this point, there are so many pretty colors layered on top of eachother, you're gonna want to give it all a little toss. Go ahead, thrill yourself, I won't tell!

Oh, this is my favorite ingredient! Catalina dressing...yum. *wiping the drool off my chin* How much you put in your salad is up to you and your taste preferences. Some people like a little dressing and others are like me and Big Man...you want a little salad with your dressing. *smirks* I usually use about 3/4 of the bottle. To be safe...add what you think you'll like...mix it up, and then take a taste. You can always add more to your liking!

Got kids? This is a great step for them. Have you ever been grocery shopping...the cart is full, and you wait to pick up the bread and chips last? Why do we mothers do this? You got it...we want them to arrive at home intact, with no dents or craters. Next time, have no worries about the kiddos smooshing the chips...you'll want them to for this recipe! Throw a few handfuls of crushed tortilla chips into the salad.

You're almost there. I know, your stomach is already growling at you, demanding you feed it. Mix in a cup of shredded cheddar...and..."ding, ding, ding!"...dinner's ready!



I like to make some grilled cheese triangles using tortillas and white American cheese to serve with this dish. Super simple. Top your salad with sour cream and guacamole if you like...and me likes! Enjoy!

I've Made The Decision To...

Homeschool "The Trifecta"! Next year will be my last year as a full time district employee. There are so many reasons why I've come to this decision...

I get to spend more time with the girls.

I can sleep in.

I can work around the house more.

I'll cook more often.

The laundry will stay caught up.

I will never again get behind on "Days of Our Lives". 

I wont have to spend anymore money on professional type attire.

It won't be a big deal if the girls miss a bath night...I'll be the only one around them the next day.

The girls and I could go get pedicures whenever we wanted.

I could stay up as late as I liked...I won't have to get up at any certain time.

No more faculty meetings.

No more worrying about how "they" are going to have us make up snow days.

I'll have more time for my husband.

I can craft whenever I want.

The house will always be clean since I'm there so much.

The girls will be able to work at their own pace.

I'll be able to take my time eating lunch...no more scarfing down a meal in 18 minutes.

Oh, by the way...






APRIL FOOLS!!!!!

Did you really think I was serious? Are you kidding me? Homeschool?! My job is my daily break  from "The Trifecta"! I love my children more than life itself, but 24/7 with them 365 days a year is too much for this Mommy. It was deciphered long ago that I am a much better person, wife, and Mommy when I work. In a perfect world, I could work only part time. Sounds great! I would love to be in charge of the PTO or be head room parent (I put "parent" because many men these days are stay-at-home dads...I don't want to be sexist...). It's not a perfect world though, so, there you have it. For now, I will stay full time at my job (which I love!). Props to all of you parents that homeschool your kiddos...bless you...and your nerves! *winks*

Is it June Yet?

Since last September, I have yearned for it to be June. The summer of 2010 was, while a very special one, quite a "wash". I spent the first part of it enormous and pregnant, and the second part of it cooped up with a sweet little newborn. To say that I didn't experience much summer fun would be an understatement. For me, being cooped inside during the summer is pure torture. My summer's are always spent out in the sun, riding on a boat, camping in the fifth wheel, bbq'ing and enjoying a frozen drink that starts with an "M" and ends with "argaritas". *laughing* None of this occurred last summer. Ok, well, that's not entirely true...I did enjoy getting on my bikini and sitting in the older girls' wading pool in the front yard. Oh yeah, I was hot. Literally. It was hot folks! Think what you want...the neighbors didn't seem bothered by the sight...they would come out to their backyard and sit in their lawn chairs, acting as though they were enjoying the weather. I know...what they were really doing was taking in the free freak show. No need for tickets here. Thinking back on it now I probably wouldn't...oh, yes I would...I'd still do what I did. It was hot. Psh.

When I returned to work in September, the "washed" summer weighed heavy on my mind. I felt like I had been cheated of all the things a true summer break entails. My girls missed out. My hubby missed out. I had to make it up to them (and myself). That's when the greatest idea came to me! We should travel half way across the country with other family friends of ours and stay in a great beach house! No, I'm not crazy...I've just been in a very bad mood for forty years! Ha ha...love "Steel Magnolias". Really though, I didn't think the idea was manic. It was perfect.

Obviously others agreed, because in less than 90 days, our family will travel with three other families to Panama City for a week long vacation in this beautiful beach home...just steps from the sand. I'm talking, the back yard is the beach! Does it get better than this?!?! Ok, maybe...if it were an adults only vacation. For me, 8 children under 4 is still totally worth the beauty and fun we will all experience during the 15 hour drive there, 7 days in the beach house on the sand, and 15 hour drive back. Bring. It. On.

We're Moving On Up

Tonight, we started moving the last of our farm equipment from the "sold" farm to the new farm. Robert and I decided to buy land a bit closer to town...yeah, a whole 1/2 mile from the property we currently own! It's a bit ridiculous, but our new place has a lot more open pasture for the girls to run. The "sold" farm is completely treed with only groomed trails and a few open spots where we cleared for building. This was Big Man's dream property...that was, of course, before he was blessed with three lovely daughters. Our new farm allows for us to have whatever livestock "The Trifecta" may beg us for. There was a large gooseneck trailer and an old blue tractor still waiting to be moved down the road. It sure was, well, for lack of better words, a true redneck evening...

"Big Tex" had no problems hooking up to the large trailer loaded down with old telephone poles. You bet! Telephone poles. They will soon become the framing for our new property entrance...oh, how I can't wait to share what we've designed for that. It's awesome! One load down, one more to go. It's gettin' hillbilly now...

Big Man had to drive the old blue tractor to the new farm while the girlies and I drove behind. You'll see, soon enough, why we had to follow...





At this point, I'm listening to a screaming 8 month old, and Lillie hollering, "Why are we going so slow?!" "Honey, because that tractor doesn't go very fast! Now sit back there and hush!" What are you grinning at, Big Man? You get back here and deal with "The Trifecta" and let me drive that sexy tractor!

Hold up honey! There's a stop sign! No, Honey! Hey, this may be the country, but you have to mind the signage...

Oh yeah, we were right out of the song "International Harvester"...holding up rush hour traffic.(yeah, like you have that in Johnson county Missouri!) As I followed Robert down the road with three screaming girls, country songs about tractors and trailers sung by Alan Jackson, Jason Aldean, Kenny Chesney, and Tim McGraw played through my head...and on the radio. *smirking...I hear banjos!*

This may not be Big Man's dream property, but for us, for now...it's where we will soon call home. I kinda like it...I decided to hang on to the back of Big Man's truck for a real scenic view. Some of you know why this isn't a good idea when riding with Robert...I'll share that story later! *grins*