35 weeks pregnant, contractions, etc.

Okay, so I am not officially 35 weeks pregnant until tomorrow, but oh well. Last night, I started having contractions. Apparantly I have been having them, but because they weren't painful or strong, I didn't realize that they were what they were. Even though I have been through this before. Anyway. But last night, they got to the point that I had to start counting them. After the first 3, I figured that it would be smart to start just in case. But they never got consistent, so after about 30 minutes, I quit counting. I have had 2 contractions today, but nothing that concerned me. I am starting to get a LOT of things done though. I have said several times to Robbie that I don't think that I am going to go much longer in the pregnancy. I think that I will make it at least to full term (37 weeks), but that is about it. But of course, noone ever really knows what will happen, so I could be dead wrong on that. I go back to the doctor next Tuesday, and then after that, I start going WEEKLY!!! I can't wait for that. And if I remember right from Clay, she will start doing cervix exams next week to see if I am starting to dilate or if my cervix is starting to efface (thin out).

I have started working on Colt's baby books finally. I have the scrapbook of my pregnancy with him caught up completely, so that is good. I have his baby book caught up with information about Robbie and me and "before baby". Now I just have to work on getting his scrapbook of his room being put together and the baby shower done. I have the pictures printed out and everything that needs to be put in there, but I just haven't gotten around to doing it yet. That is on my agenda for tomorrow.

I am trying to keep caught up on laundry along with my other housework just in case I go into labor early. With Clay, we knew when we were going to the hospital, so I got to pack that day. With this one, we won't know for a few more weeks what is going to happen. But since I am already having contractions (which I didn't have with Clay this early), I want to make sure that I stay caught up on things. Tonight Robbie, Clay, and I went grocery shopping. My Mom is going to be watching Clay while we are in L&D and the days that we are in the hospital, so I went ahead and bought a box of diapers for her to have at her house. All I want to have to do is throw some clothes in a bag for him and go. We also are taking a full bag of wipes over there for her to have. Once Colt and I come home from the hospital, she is staying a few days with us to help out with Clay. While we were at the store, we also bought the travel sized shampoo, conditioner, and body wash for the hospital. Robbie wanted to take what we had in our shower, but I am not lugging those big bottles of stuff to the hospital.

This week I am going to start working on a list of stuff to take to the hospital. I am also going to be working on getting more things organized with Colt's and Clay's rooms. I am going to be working on getting our room ready too. Colt will be sleeping in our room for a little bit, so I am going to put the bassinet back up and get the diapers, wipes, and cream ready for him to be in here with us. I am going to go buy some nursing gowns this week for the hospital stay. I already have nursing pads and bras so I am good there. We have definitely accomplished a lot with Colt's room, but we still have lots more to do before he gets here. I am hoping that we can do everything on our list before he comes.

Here are the updates on Colt for the 35th week:

babycenter.com
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Clay has started acting out around us. When we go to the grocery store, I don't even recognize him as being my kid. He acts so awful. We are constantly telling him to stop, don't touch, leave the stuff in the basket alone, etc. I think that he is starting to act out because he knows that big changes are coming. Robbie and I were talking about this, and Robbie isn't sure that Clay really knows what is going on. I beg to differ. Kids are like dogs. They sense things. And since we have been working on Colt's room, and now we are telling Clay that he can't have this because it is Colt's, and because we are washing baby clothes and stuff, he knows that something is about to change. So he is acting up with us. And not just out in public. But at home too. It is frustrating, but I am sure that it is more frustrating for him not knowing exactly what is going to happen. Exactly what is changing. I am talking to him about it, and I am letting him talk to Colt each night, but I am sure that he is still confused about what it is exactly that is going to change. Hopefully that will change soon.

Okay, I think that is it for now. I am headed to bed. Goodnight!

Colt's baby shower and room! And 34 weeks pregnant!

This past weekend on Sunday, July 19th, I had my baby shower for Colt! It was a nice shower, and I got a lot of nice things for Colt! My Mom and Grandma hosted my shower, so thank you to them. I didn't upload of lot of pictures to my blog because I posted them on my facebook. So you can go there and see a lot more pictures.

Here is the cake table.

Since Robbie, Clay, and I are huge Chicago Bear fans, this cake was perfect!

Cutting the cake....

The diaper cake that my friend  had made for us!

Robbie and I went yesterday and bought Colt a new dresser. We were hoping to share Clay's dresser for a few months instead of buying one right now, but after organizing and re-organizing, it just isn't going to work. Both boys have too many clothes and too much stuff that needs to be in their dressers. Sheets, blankets, etc. So that just isn't going to work. We bought a really nice dresser, so I am excited about that!

I had my 34 week appointment today for Colt. He is doing great, and I go back in 2 weeks. After my next appointment on August 4th, I go back weekly!!!!! I am VERY excited about that because that means that it is SOOO close! This week has been a hard week on me. Robbie says that I have officially started waddling like a duck. Thank you. I am glad that he pointed that out for me as if I couldn't have figured it out on my own. He says it out of love though. I am sure of it :-) I have also had heartburn every night this week and am living off of Maalox Complete. I have also noticed that it is just getting harder and harder to get around and up and down. But I will make it. Only a few more weeks. I have to keep telling myself that!

Here are the updates on Colt's development:

babycenter.com

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After our doctor's appointment today, Robbie and I picked up Clay, and then we came home and was going to do a few things in Colt's room. Well we ended up doing more than just a few things. We rearranged his whole room. We didn't want the same set up that Clay had while he was in that room. So we did that. We hung pictures. We got some things organized. There is still much work to be done, and I will post pictures once we start getting more going, but I am glad that we got that part done. I am finally at a place where I want to start working on Colt's room and start getting more things organized. I did a scrapbook of my pregnancy with Clay, a scrapbook of us getting the room ready for Clay, and a baby book full of lots of information. So I am doing the same thing for Colt. I have everything that I need, I just need the motivation to get it done. And now I think that I am finally getting that. With us trying to get Colt's room organized, Clay's room is becoming more and more disorganized, so we are going to work on that too. This week is Colt's room, and next week is Clay's room. And then after that....baby books! So very busy weeks ahead of me!

Clay's 1st trip to the movie theater!

Today Robbie and I decided to take Clay to his first movie. We went and saw "Ice Age 3: Dawn of the Dinosaurs". It was pretty good. Clay did suprisingly well, and we only had to tell him to sit down 3 or 4 times. So not too bad. It won't be an all the time thing for sure, but it was fun to see how he liked it. On the way into the theater, he had a mini-meltdown because it was dark in there, and he wasn't sure what to expect. But once we got in there and he saw that there were still lights on, and a big TV, he was fine.

Before we went to the movies, we went to The Cotton Patch for lunch.

Ice Age 3: Dawn of the Dinosaurs

Us before the movie started. Not sure why Clay had this look on his face, but it was cute.

He did well sitting by himself, but we had to put his diaper bag with him to hold the seat down since he wasn't heavy enough to do it on his own.

Robbie wanted me to take a picture of the movie screen. So here it is.

Well I turned 33 weeks yesterday! So only SEVEN more weeks to go! My baby shower is this weekend, and I am ready for it! I am ready to start getting stuff organized, although I am still not going to do too much. Clay and Colt are going to be sharing a dresser since most of their clothes hang up, so I need to get Clay's drawers organized so I can have a place to put Colt's clothes. That is going to be my big thing for the next 2 weeks is getting Clay's room organized. Then I will start working on Colt's room. And hopefully not too long after that, I will have him! Here is the update on Colt:

Babycenter.com

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I have noticed a big difference between last week and this week. I have started getting nosebleeds again because my nose is drying out. Not major ones, but just when I blow my nose and stuff. I also have started getting heartburn from anything and everything. So I am keeping the Maalox Complete very close to me at all times. With Clay, I never had him pushing on my bladder. It is weird because he sat very low in my stomach pretty much the entire pregnancy, but I never had those kicks to the bladder. But with this one, I am higher, and I get them all the time. I have also noticed that when I go to the bathroom, it is a trickle of pee, and then 5 minutes later, I have to go again. Very annoying. I am sure that with me getting further along and with Colt already giving me bladder kicks, I will have 7 more weeks of bathroom trips every 5 minutes.

And one last update on the dogs:

Robbie went and dropped them off yesterday. He said that he met the guy that was taking him, and the dogs warmed up to him immediately. They didn't have any dogs, although they have rescued dogs before. They have 2 teenagers, and Robbie got to meet one of them yesterday too. He said that the teenager went right to the dogs, they loved him, and he was playing with them immediately. Robbie said that the guy was very nice, and he was very gentle with the dogs. Also with them being with a friend of his Grandma's, we can keep updated on them. So I am glad that they went to a good home.

The grass just turned brown.

Last night, Robbie called his Grandma and told her our situation with the dogs. He told her that we have been having problems with them snapping at Clay and at me when they get in trouble. We told her everything that has been happening lately and told her that we just can't do it anymore. We are having to compete with Clay and the dogs, and it is just going to be too much with bringing another newborn into the house. We have had Clay and them mixed for a little over 2 years now, and they still aren't used to each other. They still don't know how to act around each other, etc. And we just can't do it anymore. So his Grandma told Robbie that she would try and find them a good home along with us trying to find them one. She also told them that she was hoping that we would have kept them long enough so she could take them back when she moved back to Texas. She is living with her Mom (who is 91 yrs old) up North right now because her Mom is starting to not be able to take care of herself anymore. Robbie said "Well I thought that you told us you were going to be there permanately." And she said "Well until she dies or I die." Um okay.

So today they had an appointment at the groomers. Robbie asked the groomer if she knew of anyone that would want them, and she said no but that we could bring a picture to put up on the board. We figured that we could at least do that, but that we didn't want to just give them to anyone either. We wanted to find a good home for them and hopefully someone that we knew. Well about 3:30 pm today while I was snapping fresh green beans, Robbie's Grandma calls me. She says that she has found a home for them. The oldest son of her longtime friend wants to take them. He is an animal lover, and he has other dogs too. He also has teenagers so I am sure (or I would hope) that they know how to act around dogs. She gave us the phone number of her friend, and we were supposed to contact her and set up a time to bring them. So Robbie calls her at 3:45 and tells him that her son is coming over at 4:30 today, and we could just bring them then. And I know that I have wanted to get rid of them for a while now after that snapping incident at Christmas, but I just broke down crying right then. Even though our kids will always come first, and I will do anything to keep them from harm's way, I will miss those damn dogs.

We had them for 4 1/2 years, and even though they annoyed me, I still have a place in my heart for them. But I am REALLY glad that they went to a good home that his Grandma knows the person and keeps in touch with that person. She thinks of those dogs like she does her kids, so I trust her decision of where they are going. I am just going to miss them.

So I guess that I will find out here in the next week how much greener the grass really is on this side.

Will the grass really be greener?

When Robbie and I moved into our house, we didn't have a fence so I left my black lab, Alex, with my Mom. Robbie's Grandma had 2 shih tzus that were 3 and 2 yrs old, and she could no longer take care of them. Her health was in bad shape, and she was talking about getting rid of them. Since we didn't have a fence, and we weren't sure when we could get one, Robbie and I talked about taking his Grandma's dogs. After speaking with her and finding out that she wanted to get rid of them, but that she didn't want to seperate them, we decided to take them on. We had dog sat many times for her before then, so the dogs knew us and were used to us. So it worked out perfectly. His Grandma, however, didn't have any discipline instilled into either dog. They did as they wanted, and that was it. We had to start from scratch with them, and although we have worked with them for 4 1/2 years now, they still aren't where they should be. They are MUCH better than they were when they came, and now that they have gotten older, they are definitely calming down a lot.

We have talked several times about finding a new home for them. We can't have company over without putting them up because they are so hyper and jump all over them. When we brought Clay home from the hospital we were a little skeptical at how they would react. Munchkin (the oldest one, female) is not a big fan of kids. Panda Bear (the youngest, male) loves anyone, but is so hyper that he is too rough with kids. But they did great with Clay when we brought him home. Munchkin stayed away from him, and Panda Bear would stay next to him in a protective way. Then Clay stared moving, and that wasn't good for either dog. Munchkin would growl if he got too close and then run off. Panda Bear would just try to play with him, but was too rough with him.

Then came Christmas time last year. We got home from my cousin's house, and Clay tried to give Panda Bear a hug. I am not sure what happened since I didn't see the whole thing, but my Grandma did. She said that Clay hugged Panda too hard, and then Panda turned around and snapped at Clay. Although he didn't break skin, he did leave a mark on his face (it didn't scar though). And Robbie and I talked again about getting rid of the dogs. We had always said when we had kids that if either of them snapped or bit, then that would be the end of that. We would find them a new home that didn't have kids. Or had older ones that could better understand how to act around a dog. After talking about it, Robbie and I decided that when Clay wasn't taking a nap or sleeping, we would keep the dogs either outside, in our bedroom, or in their cage. And when he was napping or down for the night, we would let them roam around the house. We felt bad that they had already been through his Grandma's home, now ours, and we didn't want them to just be moved around all over the place.

Well now it is getting worst. Panda is snapping at me when he gets in trouble. We can't leave them out and about while Clay is up because neither of them know how to act with each other. We do love them, but they are just getting to be too much and our kids definitely come first. And with them snapping at everyone, we can't have that and bring a newborn in (again). So Robbie talked to 2 people that he works with today. Neither one of them have kids, and they are both interested in taking them, although we told them that we wouldn't split them up. Robbie has to take a picture to them tomorrow to show them, and I guess then they will decide. They both know the reasons why we are trying to get rid of them, so it is no surprise to either of them.

So after listing all of these reasons, why do I feel bad about it? Why do I feel like we owe it to them to keep them? Why do I feel like we are doing the wrong thing if we DO get rid of them? Will I really be that much happier without them? Will the grass really be greener on the other side?

Robbie and I said that IF we do find a new home for them, then we will most likely, eventually get a new dog. We will get one that starts from a puppy and train them the way that we want them trained. And we will wait until both Clay and Colt are older than 5 and can understand how to treat a dog. How to pet him without hurting him. How to leave him alone when he is sending out the warning signs that he doesn't want to play, etc.

So why do I feel so bad?

Just call me Rachael Ray!

Not that I am THAT good yet, but I have really started to enjoy cooking! And I haven't even done every recipe that I have planned for the week yet. Robbie and I went out for date night last night instead of staying in. So that means that we didn't make the fajitas last night as planned. We went to Chili's instead. Then after we ate, we went and saw the movie "My Sister's Keeper". That was an excellent movie, but it was a very sad movie. I did really well during the movie NOT to cry. At all. And then the ending came, and I bawled my eyes out. In fact, everyone on our row was reaching for kleenex, wiping their eyes, sniffing, etc. It was awful. And when I say that I bawled my eyes out, I am saying that I was almost shaking because I wanted to just cry out and sob, but I couldn't because the movie was still going. I wanted to lean into Robbie and cry it out. But I didn't. I held back the blubbering sobs, but I sure didn't hold back the tears. But other than that, it WAS a good movie.

So tonight was fajita night. Robbie had to work today, and I went to a Permier Designs Jewelry Show at my Mom's friend's house. Once Clay and I got home, Robbie was already home from work, so I started on dinner. I started with my homemade pico de gallo first. Since the same thing I put in my pico also goes in my guacamole (other than the avacado, of course), I made sure to make enough to have pico de gallo and to put some in my guacamole. Tonight was the first night also that I had EVER used fresh cilantro. That stuff was hard to cut up to the right size that I wanted it, but nevertheless, it wasn't bad. After my pico was done, I cut into the avacados which were perfect, and then I scooped it into a bowl. After mashing it, I put the desired amount of pico in there and then added the juice from 1/2 a lime and more salt. After I finished making that, I started sauteeing my onions and green peppers while Robbie put the fajita meat on the grill. And what we used for the meat was a flank steak (which I had never bought before), and then Robbie seasoned it with meat tenderizer and fajita seasoning. That was it. And then it sat in the fridge (in a bag) all day yesterday and overnight and then all day today. That was the juiciest meat and best tasting fajita meat that I have ever had. I made Robbie wait to cut into the meat for about 5 minutes after getting it off of the grill because that is what Rachael Ray says to do. She says to wait to cut into it because it gives the juices time to redistribute throughout the meat. If you cut right into it after taking it off of the grill, the juices run out, and then you have dry meat. So we waited, and it was great!

I am changing my order of the menu, so tomorrow is hamburgers and twiced baked potatoes! We shall see how all of that turns out.

Nesting Already?

Probably not. But I am still going to enjoy the feeling of nesting while it lasts. I know that it isn't really nesting right now, but I'll take it. Tonight Robbie and I are having an "in home" date night. Robbie is going to grill fajitas, and I am going to make homemade pico de gallo and guacamole. YUMMY! So today, we decided to go ahead and clean the house so that it wouldn't be weighing on our minds tonight. Instead of just doing our normal cleaning of vacuuming, kitchen counters, etc. we got in the kitchen and cleaned out cabinets. Not pots and pans. Not glasses. We went through the spice cabinet and cleared out anything that was expired. We went through the pantry and also cleaned out anything that was expired. Same with the fridge/freezer. There wasn't much to throw out, but we still went through and reorganized everything. I also have had my electric griddle on the top of my counter forever because we went through a pancakes for breakfast stage. We have been out of that stage for a while, but we never could figure out where we wanted to put it. We found a place for it, and now that is off my countertops. My counters are much more spacious now, and I am LOVING it!

Not only did we reorganize the kitchen today, but the other night we finally got into the nursery. We got Colt a toy box for his room, and we finally moved Clay's toy box into his big boy room. We went through the toys that were in Clay's toy box and put the younger ones in Colt's toy box and the older ones in Clay's. We put any toys that Clay never played with (younger or older) in a bag to give to Good Will as soon as it is full. We will keep going through stuff (cabinets, rooms, closets) and add to the bag that we have started until it is full. It is something that I have been wanting to do, but again, I wanted to wait until closer to my due date. While we were in Colt's room, we framed the pictures that we bought for his room, and we organized everything that we have for his room. I am hoping to get in that room again before my baby shower next weekend, but I am not sure if I will or not. There isn't much more that I can do to the room until I start decorating it. But I feel like there is something that I could be doing in there. I guess I will figure it out soon.

Next up.....our bedroom. UGH!

Healthy Choices

First off, just wanted to say that I got another new look on my blog. My Mom said that the green was hard on her "old eyes". So that is why I changed the background!

So today was grocery shopping day. Like I said in an earlier post, I have been inspired by Destiny to start expanding my cooking skills. I had already started doing bi-weekly menu plans and grocery shopping for those 2 weeks only. But this week, I decided that I would start grocery shopping weekly and doing only a weekly menu. I know a lot of people that use this website to find new recipes, and all of the reviews that I have heard about the recipes have been good. So I decided to look for new recipes and try a few this week.

So here is my menu for the rest of this week and then next week's menu:

Tonight: We are going to dinner with another couple (a guy that Robbie worked with Robbie at the mill, and his wife).

Friday: Robbie and I are having date night, so he is going to grill some fajita meat. And I am going to make fresh pico de gallo and guacamole. I will serve it with spanish rice.

Saturday: Tator Tot Casserole

Sunday: Hamburger Helper (we have 1 box left, and I am hoping that I don't turn back to cooking Hamburger Helper anymore)

Monday: Beans & Cornbread. I bought dried pinto beans and thick cut bacon. I am going to slow cook them all day in my crockpot and serve with Jiffy sweet corn bread!

Tuesday: Hamburgers & Twice Baked Potatoes. I am making BBQ burgers and using club rolls from the bakery instead of packaged hamburger buns. And for the Twice baked potatoes, I am using this recipe.

Wednesday: Another Pepsi Ranch pot roast in the crock pot

Thursday: Chicken Tacos w/rice and beans

Friday: Grilled steaks, onion strings, green salad, and beans. I am using this recipe for the onion strings.

Saturday: Veggie Night which includes boxed augrautin potatoes (I hope to make homemade soon though), fresh green beans, and my Mom's sweet carrots. For the green beans, I am using this recipe.

Sunday: Open night. Not sure, but we MIGHT go out.

So there is my menu for the rest of this week and next week. I am excited about getting back in the kitchen and cooking every night! When we went shopping at Target today, I swear that is the healthiest our basket has looked in a LONG time. So I was proud of myself. And we spent less than $200.00 on everything, but that also included diapers, etc. But even if we spent $200.00 a week on food, it would be less than going out to eat every night.

I will be busy in the kitchen this week, but I think that it will be totally worth it!

4th of July Celebrations!

Every year, Robbie, Clay, and I go to my Aunt and Uncle's house for the 4th of July. This year we decided to change it up. Robbie had to work until 6 pm Saturday (although he did end up getting off early, so that was good), so we decided to celebrate with our friends at home. We live outside of city limits, so we were able to pop fireworks. We had a blast doing that, although Clay was not thrilled about how loud the artillery shells were. Since he cried the whole time, we ended up putting him to bed (since that was 3/4 of his problems anyway), and then we went back outside and popped the rest of the fireworks. Even if we had not popped our own fireworks, we would have had plenty of "shows" to watch behind us. I swear the people behind us pay probably $500.00-$1,000.00 every year on fireworks. It is crazy!

We started off the day with Jennifer coming over and helping me get all of the food ready. We had hot dogs, cheddarwursts, homemade potato salad, BLT dip and crackers, and we were going to make queso dip, but we decided against it. We also made a flag cake which turned out excellent!

Here is Clay showing off his American spirit!

Our french vanilla cake with french vanilla icing.

Here is Clay in the back of my car with all of the fireworks that we bought.

One of the bottle rocket type things that we bought.

The onlygood picture that I got of the artillery shells. We got a lot of ones that crackle at the end of the pop, and so I couldn't get any good pictures of those.

And the 4 of us. Robbie, Me, Michael, and Jennifer.

And now for the pregnancy updates :-)

I am 32w1d today, and I had a doctor's appointment today! The heartbeat was really good, and I go back in 2 weeks to have another checkup.

This past week, I have started getting severe heartburn again. With Clay, I had it most of the pregnancy, and with this one, I had it during the 1st trimester, but it went away for the most part in the 2nd trimester. And now it is back again with a vengance. So I am again living off of Maalox. But just like with Clay, I get heartburn from drinking just water. So you can imagine what it is like with eating food. Or especially spicy food. Crazy!

Robbie did ask me the other day if I had made the hospital list yet for things that we need to pack for my hospital stay. I told him no, and he was very surprised. He said that with Clay I had all of this stuff together by now. But like I have said before....I know that I will start getting anxious and need to stay busy, so I want to make sure that I leave enough stuff to do during the very end of the pregnancy. And just like before, I am starting to get ansy to get the pregnancy done and over with. Not because I am uncomfortable or tired of being pregnant, but just because I am ready to meet Colt. I am ready to get my questions answered....will Colt look like Clay did when he was first born? Or will he look more like Robbie did when he was born since Clay was my identical twin when he was born? What will it be like having 2 kids of my own? Will Colt be more attached to me because I stay at home? Etc. Just a ton of questions, that will definitely be answered in due time, but I do notice myself getting ansy.

Anyway. Here is my 32 week picture.

And the updates of Colt:

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babycenter.com

Inspired by Destiny.....

....but taught by LeaAnn. Lately, Robbie and I have gotten into the habit of eating out too much. And with the extra $400.00 that was coming in, it wasn't a problem with our pocketbook at all to do that. But even before we lost the job (thank goodness), we had decided that we were going to start cooking at home again. I missed home cooked meals, and everytime that we would go out to eat, nothing sounded good anymore. That is a sign for me.

Last Sunday, I sat down and made a meal plan. Robbie and I have had some serious talks about both of us trying to lose weight together once Colt arrives and I get released from the doctor to exercise. We are going to start walking to begin with and watching what we eat (most likely counting calories). But in order to do that, we must get the junk out of our house first. So I made a meal plan that included stuff that was in our pantry that needed to be used. And then included a few meals with fresher ingredients. It worked out well, and we haven't had to buy dinner out once since we went shopping last Saturday night (after we went out to eat because my cousin, LeaAnn, was in town). The only time that we have bought out was for lunch when we were on our way home from somewhere. And that was twice. So not bad at all.

I read a blog everyday that a friend of mine, Destiny, writes. She just recently started staying home a few months ago, and has just now gotten into cooking a lot. Baking cakes from scratch, etc. Now I am not sure when I will get to that point, but I am hoping that one day, it will come :-) Seeing her blog and seeing that she makes all of these meals (from scratch) has inspired me to expand my cooking skills. (Thank you Destiny!)

So when my cousin, LeaAnn, was in town, we had dinner at my Grandma's house one night. LeaAnn was cooking, and she had decided on fried porkchops, mashed potatoes, homemade cream gravy, and beans. I have really gotten away from porkchops because I can't find a marinade that I like too much anymore. And I have gotten away from the bland way that we would do them on the grill. So I watched her fry the porkchops. I already knew how to make mashed potatoes, and heating up beans on the stove doesn't take a rocket scientist. But I did watch my Grandma make homemade gravy. I have seen my Mom do it a million and one times, but I never really paid attention. And ever since Robbie and I have moved in together (4 1/2 years ago), I have only made packet gravy. But since Robbie doesn't like cream gravy (he will eat brown gravy though), I just never took the time to learn to make it from scratch. Until I paid attention and saw my Grandma make it. So last week, I made the dinner that is in the picture. Fried porkchops, mashed potatoes, HOMEMADE cream gravy, and black eyed peas. And it turned out WONDERFUL!!!! My gravy could have used a bit more milk, but I will know next time to do that. But it still turned out excellent. And my porkchops?? YUMMY!

Nothing major on the menu for tonight, but we are having sloppy joes, chips, and homemade (my Grandpa's recipe) potato salad that was leftover from Saturday's 4th of July party. And here is my menu for the rest of the week....

Tuesday: Roast w/potatoes and carrots made with pepsi (Destiny's recipe that I am trying out), and then I will make roast gravy with it.

Wednesday: Grilled BBQ chicken with homemade mashed potatoes and some sort of veggie.

Thursday: Beef enchiladas

Friday: I am going out to dinner with my friend Jennifer. So I will probably make Clay and Robbie a tator tot casserole for dinner.

And then Saturday I will make my new menu. So I am not sure what we will have Saturday or Sunday yet.