Perspective

I've been told that after doing something for two weeks, it turns into a habit. Take not working out for example...(what is my obsession with this lately? Can you tell I haven't been doing it and feel guilty?)...after not exercising for quite awhile, you get into the habit of being lazy and don't have much motivation to get off your butt and move.  But once you finally realize that it's time, and more importantly, you get the energy to do so, the chances that you will suddenly change the way you think about the dreaded  'E-word' are pretty good. 
This post isn't about exercise.  I mean, after reading the post before this one, yes, it absolutely should be, but it's not.  Instead, it's about the other thing that has been taking up a lot of my time lately other than the cooking and the little ladies. 
After being at home with the girls for over a year, it was time for me to find something to do.  TOH's schedule had changed and it allowed me some free time in the afternoons and evenings.  So, to help keep up the old resume, my choice was to do some after-school tutoring.  I thought it would be easy, low-key, and something that would kick-start the 'teacher-brain' again.  And luckily, I found it to be all of the above...and more...
Before deciding to stay home with the girls, I taught for nine years.  That included Special Ed. (elementary, middle school, and high school) and a year of plain old, regular 2nd grade.  I saw a lot.  I taught at low-income schools, schools where a large majority of the population were farmers, and schools were kids were like the students on 90210.  Wow, dated myself on that one.  I was always the teacher.  I worked with the students for the 7 hours they were in school, assigned the homework, corrected the tests, and gave the feedback to the parents.  As a teacher, you always picture what it's like at home for each student, and you may know their parents and what their house looks like from the exterior, but you don't usually get the opportunity to really see how it 'works' on the inside each and every day. 
Being a tutor is eye-opening.  It's like nothing I would have ever imagined.  The company that I work for provides in-home tutoring and it has been a real game-changer for me.  I now see the students in their element..the ins and outs of their days..what they deal with each afternoon when they leave that school building.  Some don't get home until 6:00 at night.  Some have eight to ten people living in their home. I now understand why homework doesn't get finished, why it gets lost, why some students aren't prepared for the test, and why some come to school exhausted and hungry. 
This has been a life-lesson for me.  The perspective I have gained is invaluable. When I do return to the classroom as the teacher again, I will be different.  All of those little scenarios will be considered a bit more and I will be putting a little more heart into that 'picture' I have of each of my students.

A Machine

Treadmill. Elliptical. Stationary Bike. Weights. That's what most people would associate 'machine' with at the beginning of a new year.  Well, not this girl.  While everyone else is out there getting their skinny on, I have been busting my butt cooking up a whole lotta good eats at the casa.  So much so that Bug came into the kitchen tonight and her exact words were, 'Mama, you have been making SO many recipes lately!!'  (with a definite emphasis on So!)  So there you have it. When a 4 year old recognizes it, you know you're in trouble.  Most are trying to lose the calories and we are here enjoying every last one of them.  So I thought, why not share all the goodness that I have found (and tried) recently?  And these are different from my usual Pinterest posts because I can honestly tell you that I have personally made and tried devoured each and every one..and as a side note, I don't do difficult or lots of ingredients, so these are all low-maintenance, few-ingredients pieces of heaven.

Source:  Pinterest

Chicken Bundles...Crescent rolls filled with chicken, cream cheese and whatever else you please.  We had these tonight and they were a huge hit with the whole family...which is saying a lot with the girls.

Source:  Pinterest

Italian Chicken...This was Monday's dinner.

Made it in the crock pot,

and the picture does not do it any justice.

So, so good.

Source:  Pinterest

Almonds are my all-time favorite snack.

Add some cinnamon and sugar and that takes it to a whole other level.

Made these this week...they didn't last a day.

Source: Pinterest

For those of you who know me, you know I am a crazy person for buffalo chicken dip.

This buffalo chicken toasted sandwich is the dip

times ten.

 

Source: Pinterest

Love pasta? Meatballs? Cheese? Garlic bread?

Yeah, me too.

Hello, Spaghetti Stuffed Garlic Bread.

The family response..delicious..just add more cheese and more sauce.

Now if only my New Year's resolution was to cook more...and eat more carbs...

Roar

They say your year begins/ends like a lion or a lamb.  The end of our year was anything but Mary's little friend. That lion was big. It was loud. It was adventurous. We have to go back-like end of October back-to get the full picture (and also see why I was invisible in the blogging world).

We threw Grandma her first surprise birthday party, best friend's baby was showered, and the girls stocked up on enough sugar to get them (and us) through the rest of the year.  Novemeber...while most were filling up on turkey, we filled up our tanks and drove over 1400 miles in 10 days.  Grandparents birthdays, soaked up time with friends who now live way too far, TOH's big #33, job interviews, a beautiful wedding, three friends welcomed three new baby boys, and oh, Thanksgiving was in there too.  Onto mid-December...finally got to catch up and enjoy some much needed friend time with those around home, Nutcracker Round II (and this time with Kater-tot who loved it and did awesome!), built gingerbread houses, played at the park because it is apparently March here, celebrated Christmas week with both sets of grandparents, and welcomed in the New Year at home. It was wonderful.

..trying to get 6 girls under 4 to look..not even worried about smiling..

Now the decorations have been packed away, the snow is obviously taking a year off, the house has been organized from top to bottom in the event of a quick move (that's all the info I can give as far as expanding on the interviews!), and the holiday pounds have been oh-so-nicely packed on. 
2011 was good.  No complaints.  Odd years have always seemed to be better for us for some 'odd' reason, but I just have a feeling 2012 is going to be pretty great.  It's already off to a good start with my best friend becoming a mom to a perfect, amazing little boy...we just booked our summer vacation at the beach...and my brother and sister-in-law found out they are expecting again!! 

Oh yeah, and in a few short weeks, we are Florida-bound.  Like I said, pretty great.  Here's to a very happy 2012!