1..2..3..Novel time!

So this post is going to consist of two parts. Part one being about yesterday's 3 hour extravaganza. Part two is going to consist of my favorite things. I've been meaning to do it lately and since I don't have much to say today, I might as well make today be the day.

Part 1:
Thursday night I ate something at the very minute prior to when I had to start fasting. I was already soooo full but I made myself eat something to maybe hold off being hungry in the morning. (Didn't work) Anyways, I got up and was more hungry then usual which I am just going to blame on my mind playing tricks on me. Regardless, I had to be at the hospital around 8. I thought I had to drink that nasty drink an hour prior to going there but when I read the directions again I realized I had to go there at 8 to first get a blood test..THEN drink the drink. That means I had to be at the hospital an hour longer then I had originally thought. Boo. The lab section is right next to urgent care and urgent care opened up at 8. I get there and before checking into the lab I had to check in at registration for Urgent care in which the line was freaking long as hell. (Of course, to put this off for even longer making it even LONGER that I didn't get to eat!) I finally checked in at 8:25 and got my first blood drawn at 8:30. I then got sent to the waiting room to drink my drink and wait for the next blood drawing an hour later. The urgent care waiting room was literally full. I felt so stupid because I had to drink the nasty ass orange drink in front of everyone and I gagged after ever little sip and people probably thought I was the biggest idiot ever for drinking something that I clearly thought was nasty. I instantly felt suuuuuuuper nauseous and was doing everything in my power to not vomit my brains out in which would make me have to reschedule and start all over. I was also feeling extra anxious because everyone around me was super sick minus the few that had hurt ankles or whatever the heck. Me being pregnant and having a one year old at home..I just really didn't feel comfortable being surrounded by sick people. Go figure. I had to go outside and walk around just to clear my mind and distract myself somehow from the feeling of being super anxious and nauseous as all get out. I of course forgot my Ipod which was SOOOOOOOO dumb and also a bottle of water..the only thing I could intake for the next 3 hours, SOOOOO dumb. The next hour seriously felt like ages upon ages and finally 9:30 came around and the next round of blood work was taken. Around 9:45 I'm sitting back in the waiting room seriously felt like I was going to pass out. The nurse comes out and asks if I feel okay because I look really pale. I looked up at her and said "No, I feel like shit and I'm starving". She said she had a room in back I could lay down and watch some TV. Wellllllll hell you could of informed me of this VIP service prior to me almost passing out. The last of the 3 hour test flew by being able to lay down in a room watch some tv and mildly nap. If I wouldn't have been able to lay down I don't know if I would have made it. Thank god for the lovely nurse that had wonderful hospitality towards the grouchy pregnant lady. I got results an hour after I left and I guess I passed with flying colors. Not even on the brink of not passing. It's so bizarre because I was literally one number away from being considered diabetic with Axton..and all my blood work done prior to this 3 hour test was high. I'm not complaining. Maybe they got results mixed up, who knows but I'll never tell. Just one less thing for me to worry about. So WOO HOO for no diabetes! I really wanted to leave and buy the biggest chocolate cake ever but I refrained. Until last night when I went to wal-mart and got a pack of oreo's, ice cream, and a piece of red velvet cake. <-- OOPS! I have been doing really well on my weight gain this time around and I'd like to keep it that way. I gained 47 pounds with Axton and so far I've gained 13 this pregnancy. I don't really think I'll gain 34 pounds in the next 14 weeks but heck, you just never ever know.

Part 2. My Favorite Things, No particular order here folks.

1. Dial NutriSkin with Fruit Oil Body Wash. (Grapeseed Oil and Lemongrass)

Honestly the best smelling body wash I have ever come across in my life. I always have to switch up my body washes and shampoo's etc just because I like variety. When it comes time to choose in the store I'm the WORST. I can NOT make up my mind. This also has to do with being ridiculously indecisive. I finally decided on this stuff and man oh man did I make the right choice. It smells SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO good. Almost to the point where you sniff the bottle so many times so intensely you almost seem like you're trying to get high off it or something. I was very pleasantly surprised when I got home and used it in the shower for the first time and it smelled even BETTER when used in shower! Also, it makes the BEST bubble bath. I hate bubble bath where the bubbles disappear within the first 10 minutes. These bubbles last forever and since it smells so stinking delicious the entire bath experience is just that much better. I am going to try the other kind of this series next time, we'll see how I like that one. But daaaaaaaaaang love this stuff.

2. Lysol Antibacterial Kitchen Cleaner

Man oh Man do I love this stuff. I really do enjoy cooking/baking what not but I HATE cleaning up afterwards. Cody would have no problem doing the cleaning kitchen part after I cook dinner part except the fact that I make the biggest messes. He doesn't understand why I can't be a little neater but it's just not my style. I spill everything, knock everything over etc. I got a coupon for this Lysol Kitchen cleaner stuff thought I would try it and I have been using it ever since. You know the dinners in which the stove gets completely covered in splatter and then dries and then just sucks to scrub off? You spray this stuff on ANYTHING and 5 seconds later you can take a paper towel to it or rag and it comes off every little bit in a breeze. I also use it for juice that Axton spills out of his sippee on the floor that dries and gets sticky. I use it for the walls by Axton's high chair that he gets food on. Anything that you would normally have to scrub pretty aggressively. It honestly is one of my favorite discoveries.

3. Lysol Bathroom Cleaner

Okay fine call me a freak because I have 2 cleaning products in a row but I can't tell you how much I love this stuff. Lysol has just got it goin on when it comes to cleaning products. I also tried this because I had a coupon for it and have been using it ever since. Here is why. For one, you spray it and it foams up, once its done doin its thing a couple seconds later there is no longer foam and you can just wipe it up. It makes metal things super shiny and does an excellent job getting all the nasty hairspray toothpaste etc off of anything. Not only do I use it for the bathroom countertops but I use it for the toilet. I am not a fan of cleaning the toilet but this stuff makes it such a breeze. I also use this stuff to clean the shower. I don't even remember what I used before to clean the shower but I know it involved a lot of scrubbing etc. I just spray this stuff all over the shower, then use a sponge and hot water and like I said before, everything comes off easy breezy. All the water scum stuff and makes everything super shiny. I just LOVE it. I also need to mention that this stuff smells SOOOOOOOOOO good. Its like island breeze or something?? My mom thought I had some candle going when I really just got done cleaning. It bugs me to use bleach cleaners because the smell of bleach just lingers. Not this stuff..it smells like a dream.

3. V8 Berry Blend Juice

This is the best tasting juice ever. Whenever I get it, it lasts maybe 2 days in the house. Cody refused to try it because "it has veeggiesss in it wa wa wa." Once he did he loved it. Everytime I pour myself a glass I think to myself, "man this stuff is just the shit" Just by far the best juice ever. I don't really like any of the other kinds, but Berry Blend is where it's at. Also, the Aldi version of this juice also named Berry Blend doesn't taste anything like it so don't be fooled.

4. Netflix

What in the world would I do without Netflix. My mom got me started on this after I moved home from Milwaukee. I always knew about it but going to school full time and working full time didn't leave much time for any kind of tv/movie watching. I pay 10.48 a month and it is worth every single penny. I just get one DVD at a time in the mail, and also get to watch all the available instant movies/shows that I want to. We have an Xbox 360 so that has been super super nice to be able to watch things instantly. We just got the Xbox this past Christmas so before that when we weren't able to watch instantly we got 2 or 3 DVD's at a time depending. What I like about it is that I have discovered so many shows and movies by browsing the site then I ever would have normally. The times where we haven't really had the extra money we just put our account on hold until we wanted to have it again. We also have switched our plan many many times depending on what we're feeling. Right now I'm tempted to switch our plan to 3 DVD's at a time since we are watching the tv series Six Feet Under and only a couple episodes are on each disc and are not available instantly. Cody and I have very different tastes on shows but Six Feet Under we both like. Anyways, definitely would at least try Netflix if you haven't ever. I know when you first sign up you get a month free or something like that.

5. Rubbermaid Spray Mop

Oh, Golly. Another cleaning thingy. I originally got the swiffer wet jet which is why I chose this picture so you could see for yourself the comparison. when I got the swiffer wet jet I loved it. Sooo much easier than I regular mop and bucket. I always had a heck of a time with that stuff and it's just so much of a pain in the keester. After having to get refill after refill and more disposable pads after more disposable pads, I got really fed up. I saw a commercial for this and debated since I already have the swiffer wet jet. I was at Wal-Mart and needed to get a refill bottle (6 bucks or somethin) and also a box of the pads (8 bucks or somethin). To heck with that I'll buy the rubbermaid mop for 19 and never have to buy any of that ever again. The pad on it you just reuse it by washing it via washer. Also, you can put whatever juice in it your want so I get to smell lovely pine sol which I really do like that smell. The rubbermaid mop has a hand pump thing to squirt out juice and I wasn't sure the power behind it but it is 100x more powerful than the swiffer wet jet and cleans waaaaaaay better. I am so glad I got it. Mopping is a stinking BREEZE. Anything to make cleaning easier is a godsend to me because I am a neat freak and like to have things clean. I also am lazy so put the two together and anything to make it go by faster is groovy. Yay for rubbermaid mop!

6. Nivea Soft Hands and Face Lotion

After I get out of the shower I instantly have to put lotion on my face because it feels like the desert and like I can't even move it. My face has always been more on the dry side and I've always been struggling to find a good face lotion. I have found many that definitely moisturize my face but its so thick that my face is all gooey still when I go to put make up on. Either that or its too thin so that my face gets dry again before I even get to putting make up on. Nivea has always been a super thick lotion but this Nivea Soft is not super thick. It is super perfect. It moisturizes my face and just the perfect amount so that when I put make up on my face isn't dry already and it keeps my face moisturized. Kinda spendy but worth it for me.

7. Physicians Formula Blushing Berry Blush

I have been using this blush for probably like 6 years. I am a blush freakazoid. I don't wear make up often anymore, but if I do and I don't have blush I feel super naked. Blush is just the finishing, most important touch to a made up face. (My opinion anyways). What I like about this blush vs. others is that it stays on your face for a long time. Not like most blushes that are there for an hour and then you can't see it anymore. This stuff is some bad ass blush that actually lasts. A container is like 10 bucks which is a little steep but the container usually lasts 6 months or more. For me anyways. The blush brush it comes with sucks but I just use my own.

8. Venus Breeze Razor

I have really sensitive skin and shaving has always been such an irritating task. I always get razor burn central no matter what. That is until I lived with Amber for a couple years and she introduced me to this Venus Breeze Razor. I have used it ever since trying it. I also have not had razor burn since using it which is a miracle because like I said before..no matter what I would ALWAYS get razor burn. I shave my armpits regularly just because it bugs me when it gets even a little prickly but my legs are a different story. Shaving your legs is just such a dumb task that takes way too long. That is until I discovered the Venus Breeze Razor. It slides over your skin like silk. You never have to do any spot twice and its just so easy. Takes 30 seconds to do both legs. Easy Breezy. Maybe that is why its called Venus Breeze because it's such a breeze to shave anything.

9. Scentsy Plug-ins

I am all about good smells and love my place smelling lovely. I used to always have a million candles until I discovered these things. My soon to be mother-in-law Missy got me a plug in scentsy for my birthday. I of course have heard of scentsy but never put the money towards getting it just because it seemed irrelevant. But that is also because I had just heard of the big ones that you set on a table what not. These things are little mini versions that you can plug in at any outlet. I put the one Missy got me in the kitchen and I looooooooooved it. It is out of the way so Axton can't fiddle with it, it doesn't take up any counter space, and spreads lovely smellage throughout. I ordered two more to put in the bathrooms. I'd like to have on in our room but it would be weird to have one of these in a plug in that's close to the floor ya know? That is why these are perfect for the kitchen and bathroom where the plug ins are higher up on the wall. I can leave it on when I'm not home and don't have to worry about it burning the house down. When I wake up in the morning and turn it on it takes a half hour for the whole place to smell delectable. I have a couple favorite scents but its not necessary to share those because this blog is already stinking long as all get out.

10. Great Value Sheer Spring Laundry Detergent

I always got the cheapest laundry detergent just because to me it was irrelevant. I would get the huge hefty containers of (Era?? <-- not exactly sure) that was like 7 bucks that would last stinking forever like 6 months or more. When we moved to our apartment something had to be done because I had this HUGE container of laundry detergent and heck if I was going to haul that downstairs every time I did a load of laundry. At our old place we had our own washer dryer but this place we gotta go downstairs to use the facilities washer dryer. (I thought it would be a pain in the ass but its actually saving us a lot of money in electric and water). Anyways, so I thought I'd buy a super cheap kind of laundry detergent in a small container..use it..and then fill the empty little container with the stuff from the big container. This made me discover the absolute greatness of this great value sheer spring laundry detergent. First time I used it I went downstairs and could smell it down the hall. It smells SOOOOOOOOOOO good. If I had to describe it, it smells like Strawberry bubbleicious gum which I absolutely stinking love that stuff too. It makes your clothes smell like a dream and its just wow. It's like better then any kind I have ever smelled before. After I am done using this massive container of laundry detergent I'm definitely going back to this stuff.

11. Parent's Choice Wipes (Fragrance Free mind you)

I got a bunch of wipes from my baby shower of the Huggies kind Pampers etc. When I had to start buying them on my own I went for the cheap stuff and boy am I glad I did. It is sooooooo annoying when you grab a wipe and 10 come out instead of one. Drove me stinking crazy. These wipes do not do that. They come out ONE at a time, stay organized, and never get messed up. I also can't stand the smell of most wipes so this fragrance free business is right up my alley. When we had to start buying diapers on our own when we were out of the ones from my baby shower we also tried the parents choice diapers. I hated them, they were horrible. Then they got "new and imporoved" so I thought I would try them again. They were just like Luvs! (What we liked using prior) So it was so nice to pay 14 bucks for 96 diapers. Then they changed the diapers again and now they are shit again. I mean they are doable but Axton was leaking through every one of the diapers after hardly any time. I don't get why they had to change them again. They were green before and now they are purplish blueish and they just suck. I had to go back to getting Luvs because Axton was going through like 5 or 6 outfits a day from leaking. Forget that. I mean maybe I just got a bad batch but its hard for me to want to try them again. Anyways, Yay for the wipes!

12. Bit O Honey

My favorite Candy! Love snacking on these little guys. They do get stuck in your teeth pretty bad though but soo delicious.

13. Great Value Chocolate Fudge Brownie Ice Cream

Honestly the best ice cream I've ever had. I have never been a real fan of ice cream until I discovered this stuff. It is like no other ice cream I've ever had. Its so creamy, soft and delicious. It comes out of the container like butter. I could get any other kind of ice cream in the ice cream isle but NONE would taste as good and creamy and delicious as this kind. And I mean the great value ice cream. This is my favorite kind of the great value ice cream...but they are all to die for. You HAVE to try it if you haven't already.

14. Aussie Instant Freeze Hair Spray

Beats any kind of hairspray I have ever used. Even the professional kinds that cost 30 bucks a can. I can't use any other kind besides this because it just does not even come close to comparing. I also can say this about the aussie instant freeze hair gel. I'm so not even joking about this stuff.

15. Papa Murphey's Cheese Pizza

I used to never be a fan of pizza until a couple years ago probably. I like pretty much all kinds of pizza but my favorite is Cheese. The discovery of Papa Murpheys was impeccable. Their cheese pizza is to diiiiiiieeeeeeeee for!!!!!!!!!!!!! I just love it so much and crave it probably on a daily basis!


So there are 15 of my favorite things. I could probably get to 20 but honestly this blog is soooo long I'd be surprised if you even made it this far. I also have a super awesome easy delicious recipe to share but I'll save that for tomorrow or the next day since this is already a novel.

I want Orange Juice

Well I don't really have any particular reason to write besides that Cody is playing Xbox, Axton is sleeping..and quite frankly I have nothing else to do.

Today Ashley came over and that's always a blast and a half. We see each other once a monthish so it takes an hour to two just to catch up on life etc. Always a pleasure seeing her. She is moving to Alaska soon, which is super super awesome for her..but not so awesome for me :(

As far as this 3 day diet thing goes..I only have one day left! I have not been super super strict on it..but definitely doing the whole portion control/no dessert business. I can handle the portion control thing, but not having something sweet after dinner really gets to the soul. Yesterday I had an apple instead of lets say..a bowl of ice cream. It was a dang good apple, but not as good as a bowl of ice cream.

Tomorrow I am watching my nephew Dexter, and am really excited to see him. I watch him every Tuesday, but this week I have Thursday. He's such a little chunk I just can't believe it. Maybe tomorrow I will count the rolls on his legs and report back to you. Axton had a little chunk but NOTHING like Dexter. He takes chunk to a whole new level. My sister was that chunky when she was a baby..if not chunkier my mom says. I need to be better at taking pictures while he's here. when Axton and him interact it is so cute. Axton doesn't seem to be bothered by Dexter taking my attention what so ever. I would think he maybe would get a little jealous but not at all. He's more like whatev shmev. I guess that's a good thing considering another little baby will be around in not that long.

Tonight I got a random ring of the doorbell. I really didn't want to answer it because it usually is the same people handing out packets about Jesus. Nothing against them or anything but what is with this door to door business? That's so old school. It should be illegal. I just find it so weird and uncomfortable when people come to my door trying to sell me something or chat my brains out about some particular kind of religion or what Jesus is going to do about war. I told Cody to answer and he wouldn't, I even tried conning Ashley into answering, which she would of but then I bucked up and did myself. It was the neighbor down the hall. I've been wanting to meet her but didn't want to go all desperate housewives on her ass by knocking on her door and brining her muffins. I saw her in her car today leaving as Axton and I were outside playing..she waved which was nice and friendly. She maybe mustered up enough courage to come knock on my door. She was really really nice and 28 weeks pregnant. I'll be 26 on friday so that is kind of neato fritoville. Axton was super fussy because he was hungry for dinner so it was kind of hard to hold a convo. I probably gave her an impression that I'm a freakazoid of the nation (whhich I sort of am) so I'm thinking I'll just leave her a little note saying something to the means of us getting together to have a decent chatty mcbatty. Except I will probably just say chat, not chatty mcbatty.

My stepmom Cathy is going to come over to watch Axton Friday morning while I go do my 3 hour glucose test..which is absolutely just dandy because I definitely did not want to watch Axton in the hospital for 3 hours. He would be so bored off his gourd. I'll write again on Friday to tell you of my horrid experience so all you millions of readers can be jealous of me.

Get Real Dude

So I had my doctors appointment this morning and thought I would update on that whole situation. First of all, the not eating breakfast this morning and replacing it with a nasty ass orange drink was not cool at all. That stuff makes me so sick its not even funny. I was literally shaking as I was driving to the doctor, and felt so nauseous. Don't worry, I had a sack breakfast with me so I could eat the second after they drew my blood. I had to meet with the doctor first but I was sitting in the office for stinking ever so I said eff this. I walked to the lab down the hall and asked if they could draw my blood since it had been an hour after I had finished the drink. They complied and I got to finally eat. When the doctor came in we discussed multiple things. I will have another ultrasound in 2 weeks to determine the status of the placenta. Until then, I'm still on pelvic rest and need to take it easy. It's just so dumb because its finally getting nice out, and I want to be able to bring Axton for walks etc, but apparently I can't do that. I can bring him to for example..the zoo...because I would be taking breaks and it wouldn't be strictly exercise and getting my heart going like a regular walk behind a stroller would be. In two weeks if they find my placenta has moved up then it will all be irrelevant, which I am just sooo hoping is the case. Of course my blood sugar levels came back high which wasn't surprising at all. Normal is 100 and mine was 157. If it was over 200 he would have been able to directly diagnose me with gestational diabetes but since it wasn't, I have to do the 3 hour glucose test. Fuuuuuuuuck that. The last time I had to do that test I got so sick and couldn't even get up from a laying position. This girl, pregnant or not pregnant, does not do well with out food. On top of that, the sugar blasted drink makes me feel like death, and the drink I will have to take on Friday morning is double the amount of sugar then the drink from today. What the h?! I can't deal. I have had the WORST headache all day from that dumb thing. To hell with gestational diabetes. My "diet" the next three days is just about as bad as the dumb orange drink. I took one look at it and told the doc that Axton eats more then that. I have always ate a lot of food in large amounts. I love food, that's just the way I am. A half a peanut butter jelly sandwich for lunch DOESN'T CUT IT FOR ME. That feeds my left leg. When Cody gets home from work tonight I'll have to tell him to take a 3 day vacation and when he asks why and I tell him about the strict diet, he won't even respond he'll just pack his bags and completely understand. That's a joke because he would never leave me for 3 days, but I'm sure he won't enjoy being around me. I had to stop eating after 7 last night and at about 7:10 he thought he would have himself a big bowl of chocolate ice cream. What the h? Helllllllooooooo can you eat that somewhere else like the coat closet so I don't have to watch you indulge in such a delectable treat? Silly Silly. Anyways, I may be forgetting something but I think I covered the majority of it. Wish me luck on my next 3 day adventure of gross dietness.

Buuurrrrn Baby Burrrrrrn!

Well, the heartburn has returned, full throttle. In the last couple weeks I would get it here and there, but nothing out of the ordinary because I've always had heartburn problems. With Axton I had such bad heartburn that I would have to sleep sitting up sometimes. I wanted to accomplish some cleaning today but my heartburn is soo bad and the tums don't seem to be cutting it. Every time I bend over it's like insta-esophagus 10x worse fire. I can't deal.

Early tomorrow morning I have a doctors appointment. First I'll have the visit with him and then I get my gestational diabetes blood work done. Boooo! I have been dreading it just because I already know what the outcome is going to be. My last appointment they did a sugar screen with my urine and the sugar level at normal is 0..and mine was 100. I did have a pancake for breakfast..but if a pancake with a little syrup on it will make my level that much higher..I'm pretty sure a jacked up orange sugar drink after fasting will probably do the saaaaaaame thing. I do NOT want to be on a strict diet and I do NOT want to have to do insulin shots. I guess if I had to choose I would do the insulin shots just because I am not good with limitations, or someone telling me what I can or can't do/eat. Regardless of that whole situation, I am glad I finally get to meet with my doctor and ask a bunch of questions about this whole placenta previa business. I'm assuming we'll schedule the next ultrasound in the next 2 weeks to see its movement/no movement. It would be mighty swell if it decides to fix itself, it would relieve a lot of worry and what if's from this girls mind. I just do not want a C-section. Cody and I talk here and there about my birthing plan but obviously nothing has been set just because it might just be set for us. I went all natural with Axton, which was one of my greatest accomplishments ever. I would love love love to go all natural again with Zaidyn, but it is a little more of a mind fuck going into it the second time around. When I think of the worst pain I've ever been in my life..it was definitely giving birth, so knowing I could avoid that is so tempting. Watching documentaries and reading a lot on the internet about all natural births is really inspiring and I've been trying really hard to get in that mind set again. They say that when you go all natural, once your baby is born you get/feel a rush of hormones/adrenaline that you don't if you get an epidural. "a natural high". Well fuck, I don't remember feeling that. I remember after Axton was born me saying over and over again, my fucking vagina hurts. As far as the natural high, burst of energy etc. etc..I'm not sure I follow that business. I was tired as hell and just glad it was over with. So why do I want to go natural again?? Because I swear when I'm involved with anything medically..it always ends up being in the worst case scenario category. There are risks with epidurals and of course tons and tons of women get those on a regular basis. But my luck, I would get the spinal drip problem and back issues forever and ever. And I'm being so serious. I honestly think I'm going to die by being struck by lightening. Because that is how fucked my luck is. I live each day by positive thinking, and it really does work! When it comes to medical stuff...definitely not the case. I've just become a debbie downer about it all but it's just something right after another. Maybe soon I should consider putting my extra energy into changing my attitude about that stuff. But for today...debbie downer it is.

Chicken, Rice, Broccoli Casserole

So I tried this new casserole the other night and I thought I would share it because it was really easy and not too shabby shab.

This is what you'll need:
*4 Cups cooked, cubed/diced chicken. (I used 2 large chicken breasts, 2 small chicken breasts and it seemed to yield about 2 cups. I was too lazy to make more, but that seemed plenty for the casserole so I guess its up to you)
*2 cans cream of mushroom soup
*3 cups chicken broth
*2 cups minute rice-uncooked
*3 cups frozen broccoli florets, uncooked. (I looove broccoli, so next time I am putting more than 3 cups in, it would make it that much better)
*1-6oz box of turkey stuffing mix
*1 cup butter or marg. melted.

Preheat oven to 425.

Spray 9x13 pan, and line with cooked cubed chicken.

In bowl, whisk cream of mushroom soup until clumps are gone. Slowly add chicken broth. Mix in uncooked rice and frozen broccoli.
This picture is before adding the rice and broccoli, but just know that when you add the 3 cups of chicken broth to the soup, it is super super runny.

Pour mixture over chicken in 9x13 pan.


Top with unprepared turkey stuffing mix. Pour melted butter over entire top of casserole. Cover and cook for 30min or until rice is fluffy.


Now, next time I make it I'm going to do a couple things differently. For one, the one cup of butter poured on top of the entire casserole before being cooked is A LOT of butter. When using the 3 cups of chicken broth, the container (which was 32oz) had about a cup left. Maybe I would only use a half cup of butter, and use the rest of the chicken broth to pour on top of the stuffing mix. Also, I am not a huge fan of stuffing so I was thinking next time I may just crumble up ritz crackers, and sprinkle some cheese on top of that? Cody said it was like Thanksgiving in a hotdish, he really liked it..I liked it as well..but like I said I'm not a huge fan of stuffing and that is a big part of the dish.

Off the WALL!

It seriously seems as if someone put a dang quarter in Axton tonight. I have never seen him with so much energy. It is almost like someone possessed him with an energy monster and he is going crazy. I just can't believe it. He is screaming at the top of his lungs due to the fact that he looooves hearing himself make extremely loud noises..and he is just being so silly!!!! As much as I absolutely love it when he is being so fun like this and obnoxious..I think my pregnancy hormones get the best of me and it gets to a point where I'm like..OKAY ENOUGH!!!!!!!! The second Cody or I start talking he feels the need to be louder than us to the point where we can't hear each other. When we stop talking..Axton stops making noises. When we start talking..Axton starts again. This is madness I tell you, madness.

School

So I definitely need to get back on the band wagon of school. Not that I WANT to..but since I am paying out of my ass in student loans, it just makes sense to get an actual degree so it is semi-worth it...even though having a degree still won't make paying back student loans worth it to me. With a nursing degree I'll be making a lot more money..but the more money I am making is just going to go towards paying student loans so whats the diff? Ewwwww I hate even thinking about it.

Anyways, so when I first moved home I got on the waiting list for a nursing program in New Richmond. They told me it would probably be about 4 years....but not to let that number scare me because most people on the wait list won't wait around. So actually less than 4 years. Now that I live in Menomonie, it seems rather stupid for me to drive to New Richmond for school when I could just drive to Eau Claire for the nursing program there..that DOESN'T have a waiting list. I have most all of my generals taken care of..thanks to 3 years at Carroll..so I very well could start the nursing program this September. Super exciting! Minus, that is only 2 months after Zaidyn is born! I, for one, am not a fan of leaving Zaidyn in day care for a couple days a week when she is so itty bitty. For two, taking on a hard program while it is just the beginning of getting used to two kids versus one? YIKES! I don't want to over do it, and my family means more to me than school does, but I NEED to get it done with. Cody is working so hard at his 2 jobs, and I just want to finish my end of the deal so he can be spending more time at home with family. I would even love to be the one working and let him have his chance home with the kids like he has given me.
Just lots on the mind lately..but hopefully I'll get some answers soon!