Experiments

Recently I have been experimenting with my no-bake recipe. I have gotten suggestions for new flavors from some friends. So, Monday I tried making a coffee flavored no-bake. I replaced the cocoa powder for a couple of tablespoons of a cappuccino mix plus a little bit of instant coffee. It took a little bit longer for the cookies to set up, but they ended up tasting wonderful!!! They are soooo very good! And my hubby has named the new cookie the no-brews...how cute is that?!

Then yesterday I tried making a white chocolate no-bake. I added white chocolate pudding powder instead of the cocoa, but it looked like they weren't going to set up (they finally set up overnight). So I tried a second time to get it right. I decided to add a lot less peanut butter (since I wanted to keep the cookies a whitish color) and used a ton of marshmallow cream. I was very pleased to see this batch set up! And they tasted pretty good too!!! But next time I will add a few white chocolate chips to the mix and take out the peanut butter completely...should make them perfect!

Hmmm, I wonder what flavor I should try next?

Tiring, But Enjoyable Weekend

My hubby and I had a great trip together on Friday and Saturday. We had a wonderful dinner before enjoying the hotel's mini waterpark! Then after the bands concert on Saturday, my hubby and I got to see X3!!! It was fantastic...except I don't like what they are doing with Rogue. She has always been my fav X-Men, but the movies just aren't doing her justice. Oh well, I hope she's better in the next one!

My son had a fantastic time with his Papaw, and Papaw is even asking when he can watch the boy overnight again! It was an enjoyable time for both of them!!!

On Sunday, we decided to have a family day. We went putt-putting after eating at a pizza buffet! It was soooo hot outside, but the boy seemed to enjoy hitting around his little green ball! Then we visiting the local mall where we finally found a hat small enough to fit my son's head. I really wanted a black hat for him (to match his uncle's), but we settled on a red OSU hat...very cool!

Later that evening we spent some time cleaning up the pool. Since my hubby is an RM, he is in charge of one of the property's pools. So we went over, locked the pool gate, and got started on fixing it up. The hubs added a ton of water and chemicals while I removed everything floating in the pool (bugs, mulch, etc.). My son and I also got to splash around in the water for a little bit...it felt soooo good! I'm looking forward to doing this every night with my hubby. It's great exercise (since we walk down to the pool) and I love helping him out!

I hope you all had a fantastic Memorial Day...and don't forget to visit my great friend PJ today! It's her birthday!!!!!!!!

Weekend Trip

I can't tell you the last night my hubby and I went out of town without our boy! And it's weird to pack two different suitcases.

This afternoon my hubby will be dropping off our boy at his Papaw's house. It's the first time that Papaw has kept him overnight and I hope he does okay. He has watched our little for a few hours before, but this is much different. Papaw has to get him ready for bed, make sure he brushes his teeth, and remember to take him to the bathroom...but I'm confident the two of them will be just fine!

So, my hubby and I will be taking a 90 minute drive tonight to a hotel close to where his band is playing tomorrow. And this event they are playing at has an attendance of like 25,000 people!!! Not all will be listening at the same time of course, just passer-byers...but it's still really exciting! (Plus we are seeing X3 this weekend and I can't wait!!!)

Have a great weekend everyone!

Thursday 3teen

Thirteen things about Trinity13's life. 1. I'm really tired today. 2. It might be since I had such a busy day with all 5 kids yesterday. 3. I'm just glad I don't have that many to care for everyday! 4. I don't think I could take it...seriously. 5. It's not that they didn't behave themselves, it's just that it really zapped my energy. 6. And today I feel like crap. 7. I might need to go throw up or something. 8. I thought I was over the morning sickness!! 9. I hope I feel better tomorrow since the hubby and I are going out of town. 10. His band is playing at some Nascar event here in Ohio. 11. So we decided to make a weekend get-a-way out of it! 12. We are staying at a hotel with a small indoor waterpark...yeahness!!! 13. I just love swimming! Do you? Other 13ers

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Busy Day

I'm watching two extra kids today. You see, I'm their family's back-up, back-up sitter...if their regular sitter and their grandma can't watch them, they call me. So today I have my four year old, the red-headed three year old, a chubby two year old, a teething red-headed one year old, and a 6 month old little girl (the only girl of the bunch!). It's been quite an experience for me that really has been testing my patience level. But things are all good right now since the youngest two are down for their naps. I'm just not looking forward to lunch time when all 5 will be up and hungry!

About 18 months ago, I was used to watching this many at one time. At that time I watched a 5 year old who loved to help out with the babies, but I didn't have her for very long. But for almost 7 months I have only had three (including my own, but not including the autistic boy I watch) to care for during the day. I've gotten used to my little group, so it's weird to add two more to the bunch...but I've only got 6 more hours to go!

Looks like no nap for me today. Oh well, life goes on. Have a great hump day!!!

Baby Shower

Last Sunday was my friend's baby shower...and it was quite a success in my book! My hubby and I were able to get our house cleaned and decorated in time for the guests to arrive. We played some really fun games after everyone arrived! My sis melted several types of chocolate bars in different diapers and guests had to name the candy. Then they had to look at 6 unlabeled baby food jars and name them (they could taste them of course!). We also did baby gift bingo, guess the mommy-to-be's belly size (with string) and who's got the dirty diaper (I made little diaper name tags with one of them a poo diaper). And then with our food, I gave each person an ice cube in their drink...but the ice cube had a little plastic baby in them. The first person to "break their water" and have their baby, won!

I was able to use my chocolate fondue set for the first time as well! I set out homemade pound cake as well as pretzels, graham crackers, marshmallows to be dipped in it...it was soooo good!

(My set looks similar to this one)


Even though the party was a hit, I'll never co-host with mom-to-be's flaky friend every again and this is why:
-She showed up 20 minutes late
-She brought all three of her kids (ages 8-12), so it was a good thing my hubby was around to keep an eye on them!
-The food she brought was the leftovers from her friend's son's graduation party from the night before (and you could def tell!!!)
-She forgot to bring several things (like certain items for the games and game prizes...but luckily I went ahead and bought them knowing she would possibly forget)
-She played along in a game, won, and wanted a prize...and I should have told her that her prize was the one she forgot to bring with her!
-She was in charge of taking the pictures, but she only took about 6
-Her kids made a huge chocolate mess!!!
-She didn't clean up after them and she didn't help clean up anything else

Okay, I'm sorry for being mean, but she just got on my nerves! I had to vent just a little and why not here on my blog?!!!

Oh well, have a great Tuesday everyone!

Day Off!!!

No red-heads today...so my son and I are chillin!!! See ya tomorrow!

Friday, At Last!

We had a wonderful time at the waterpark last night even though it was really crowded with having all the police and firefighter's families there. It also took forever for a family changing room to open up for the hubby, boy, and I to use. But after getting in our suits, we were able to have some fun! After getting some tubes, we went around the lazy river about 100 times and then we played in the four story kid structure for a while. All these little kids were def not afraid to blast my hubby and I, who were three times their size, in the face...what little sweet-hearts!!! :-P

After a while, we went into the basketball pool and then into the kiddie pool where the water was really warm (my hubby said it was from all the kids peeing). Our son had a great time jumping around and going down the little slides while his uncle and grammie went down the big slides that exit and re-enter the building. I then gave my hubby a brake by sending him into the adult whirlpool (but I ended up dipping my feet in the hot water before leaving...it felt sooooo good!).

All in all, we had a fantastic time! And we all sleep so well last night...I guess we really wore ourselves out.

Any-who, this weekend I have a baby shower to finish planning and buying for. I was supposed to do this with another friend, but she flaked out on me. So now I'm in charge of everything...and I have to clean my house some time this weekend before all the guests come over! But I guess it's a good thing I like hosting parties!

Do you have any special weekend plans?

Thursday At The Waterpark

Thirteen things about Trinity13's life. 1. We get to go to an indoor waterpark tonight! 2. The first one built in Columbus!! 3. And it's not even open to the public yet!!! 4. It officially opens May 22nd. 5. Tonight is Columbus Police night... 6. So my dad can get us all in for free! 7. We get to enjoy the place from 6-10pm. 8. It has a kiddie area, 4 story play area, lazy river (where I'll be spending most of my time in), activity pool, and several slides that exit and re-enter the building! 9. So this evening is going to be really special for us...especially since you normally have to be staying at the hotel to enjoy the waterpark. 10. My hubby, boy, and I have gone to an indoor waterpark before. 11. I posted about it here and here. 12. I hope every year we will be able to go to an indoor waterpark...they are soooo much fun! 13. Have you ever been to one? Other 13ers

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Locks Of Love

(Warning: There are a lot of pics in this post, so it might take a while for the page to load.)

Last Saturday I finally cut my hair cut to be donated to Locks of Love (an organization that makes wigs for children without hair). I really felt inspired to grow my hair out in the first place by hearing that my nieces were planning on donating their beautiful hair. I thought that if they can do it, so could I! (They donated their hair back in April...see the pics here.)

So, I let my hair grow out as long as possible. It was above my shoulders about three years ago, but since my hair grows really fast, it was long enough to cut last Saturday. Plus, I really didn't feel like going the whole summer with long, hot hair (esp since I'm prego).

Here is a before pic of my red hair:


My mom split my hair up in four sections so that the cuts would be more even. Here is a pic of the first cut section (see how happy I am?!!!):


Action shot:


My mom's dog watched with great excitement...heehee:


And the new length after 11 inches cut in the front and 12 in the back:


Here is a pic of my very sad hubby. He loved my long hair and tried many times to talk me out of cutting it. He knew it was for a good cause, but he just really loved my hair:


I decided to go for a completely new color to go with the new length, so my mom slapped some product on my hair (which is perfectly safe while pregnant as long as the room is well ventilated):


And here is the new look (yes, I have plum colored hair!) with a piece of my cut hair for comparison:


I've got to say, I feel fantastic! My neck is cool and I feel 10 pounds lighter!!! I just love my new do and my hubby is even getting used to it...he can't stop staring at me! :-)

Three Day Weekend

Sorry for the lack of a post yesterday, but I had the day off! Since I didn't have the red-heads, my son and I spent the day together yesterday! I actually got to sleep in till 7:45!!! It was wonderful!

My Mother's Day was wonderful as well. My hubby cooked an excellent meal...everything tasted great! He even made deviled eggs for the first time! Everyone seemed to enjoy the extra large portions that he served out! :-)

Also, hubby gave me one of the best gifts I've ever received from him. He doesn't do so well trying to figure out what I like/want/need, but he did really well picking out my gift this year. He got me a beautiful gold necklace to put my birthstone baby on. You see, my old necklace is broken since the autistic boy ripped it off my neck...but now I have a replacement necklace!!! I love it! Thank you honey!!!

Btw, we were able to go and see Poseidon last weekend and I loved it! I know that there wasn't much acting going on, but the special effects were fantastic! Since I've been on a cruise boat before, it made the movie all the more intense for me. I think my hubby has permanent finger marks in his arm now cause I kept grabbing him for comfort! Heehee!!!

Mother's Day

For Mother's Day this year we have decided to stay home and have a cookout. I think it's much better than trying to fight the restaurant crowds like we did last year. Plus, I've really been craving grilled meat! I don't know why!!! I just think about biting down into a nice juicy hamburger or a well cooked steak and I find myself in my happy place (and it's one of the many reasons I think I'm carrying a boy).

So, this Sunday my hubby will be cooking all the food! My parents and siblings will be joining us for corn on the cob, baked potatoes, deviled eggs, and my hubby's famous meatloaf burgers! I can't wait to eat all that yummy food...even though the hubs is preparing it! :-)

I need to get my mom's gift sometime this weekend. I have had a hard time deciding what to get her, but I think I might pick her up an October birthstone pacifier. I gave her a March pacifier for her necklace right after my son was born, so she's due for an October one as well (for the new baby)!


Do you have any special plans for Mother's Day?

Is It Thursday Already???

Thirteen things about Trinity13's life. 1. My man Chris went home last night...but for some reason I'm not all that sad. 2. I know this will def not be the last time we see him and I know he will do very well after his cd comes out (which I will def be buying!!!). 3. I had to get some blood drawn yesterday since I'm 16 weeks along. 4. And now I have a lovely purple bruise on my arm! 5. My sister gave me a wonderful arm and hand massage last night. I guess she had to learn how while she's in nail school. 6. My mom's have a Tastefully Simple party tonight...I can't wait to try all the samples!! Hmmmmmm!!! 7. Then tomorrow I am going to a 6 hour scrapbooking party! It been forever since I've worked on my album since I don't like to crop alone. But I get to eat and hang out (and maybe work on my album!) with a ton a church women tomorrow night! 8. This Saturday I'm schedule for a haircut and color. 9. My mom will be cutting about 11 inches of my hair so that we can donate it to Locks of Love. I'm hoping to have a few pics of the action to share with you all! 10. And I think I might not keep my red...maybe I'll go a plum color or even a dark chocolate brown with some highlights, but I'm still not sure yet. 11. My hubby is def NOT looking forward to Saturday since he loves my long hair! But I'm tired of it. It's hard to brush out in the mornings and it's going to be really hot this summer while I'm prego...so the hair has got to go!!! 12. I hope we get to see Poseidon this weekend! I've been wanting to see it for months now!!! 13. We are having a cookout (hmmmmm, beef!!!) for Mother's Day so that we can skip out on the crowds. Do you have any special plans for this Sunday? Other 13ers

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No-Bake Love

(Note-not a pic of my no-bakes, but it's pretty close to how mine look!)


At our last church fellowship, I made some pasta and my famous no-bakes. People love them wherever I go, so I thought it would be the perfect dessert to take. Well come to find out, our church's pastor (and my care group leader) loves no-bakes and was happy to know that I make them. He ended up telling me that he would love for me to bring them to group sometime cause he was only able to enjoy one cookie that night.

Well, I ended up making them last night to take to care group. My pastor was shocked that I would make cookies just cause he requested them! He ended up eating 8 in an hours time!!! I've never seen anyone eat these cookies like he did...not even my hubby or even Guru! This guy (who is really skinny btw)was obsessed!!! And he got down on his knees to thank me when I told him that the he could take home the leftover cookies! It was too funny!!!

Btw, here is my recipe if you are thinking of trying them. And, I will be attempting a few variations here in the near future. My pastor wants a white chocolate no-bake and my hubby wants me to try to make a coffee flavored no-bake. I just hope the hubs doesn't mind all the taste-testing!!!

Band Practice

As my hubby mentioned, we had his band practicing at our house for the past two nights...and I've got to say, it's been wonderful! I love hearing them play and sing together! It's been a real blessing to me to be able to host this great group. It's like I've been to a concert! They have an excellent new drum player who learned all the music in a very short time. They also have a new female lead local who blends extremely well with our existing male lead vocal. The bass player was finally able to make it last night (he can get pretty busy with work), and my son and I were dancing in the kitchen to his low guitar beat. The electric guitar player was also able to make it to the practice and he is constantly playing his guitar, even during the breaks. They also have a very talented violin player that adds something really special the group. The piano player brought over all his sound equipment and made our basement unrecognizable! My hubby even took a pic that you can see here.

Speaking of my hubby, he is having a wonderful time playing his acoustic with this band. I'm so glad he is enjoying himself and getting a lot accomplished with the others. They even have a concert scheduled for the end of May!!! I'm very excited to hear them again in front of a large group of people!

Irritable!

Watch out...I'm not in the mood today! Everything is bothering me and I'm just not happy!!! I'm very cranky and I wish I could just lay down, but I have way too much work to do right now. It's Monday, which means I have extra laundry to do, and I have a lot of notes and emails I need to send out with the ministry I am involved in. Then some time today I have to make a trip to the store to get dinner for the band practice tonight. I'm not sure how I'm going to get my three boys into a cart together...plus groceries!!!! I might just have to go during my hubby's lunch break (that is if he comes home of course).

I think I'll just put myself in time out!

4 Year Check-Up

My hubby took our son to the doctor's to get his four year check-up yesterday...and I was a little nervous. I wasn't going to be able to go (since I had two red-heads to watch), and I just wasn't sure if my hubby would remember everything. But, I think he did a great job! He told me everything that the doctor said (well, everything he could remember!) and I was very pleased with what she had to say! I guess his doctor was very impressed to hear that our son is reading some words and sentences already. The boy even read out some words to her in the check-up room to prove it.

But, she did say that he needed to work on a few more physical activities...like cutting paper and bike riding. Our son has always been a little behind with those types of things. For example, he didn't start walking till he was 15 months old! But he was an early talker. So I guess for what he lacks in, he makes up in another quality.

The doctor also said that hopefully the boy won't gain too much more weight for the next two years. He is a solid 55 pounds (and my future football player!), but is very healthy. So, he should be growing up instead of out the next few years! :-)

Oh, the boy also got three shots yesterday. I wasn't expecting him to get any till he started kindergarten, but for some reason he got them at four years old. But his daddy said that the boy hardly whimpered when getting the shots...so they got some ice cream to celebrate!

All in all, my hubby and boy had a wonderful day together yesterday! It's great for them to have that bonding time...even if some of it was spent at the doctor's office!

Have a great weekend everyone!!!

It's Thursday Baby!!

Thirteen things about Trinity13's life. 1. I waited 90 minutes to be seen by my ob yesterday...she's one busy lady! 2. And she has bruised me from trying to find the baby's heartbeat. 3. But while I was there, I found out I lost 2 pounds...yeah me!!! 4. Thanks for all the great comments yesterday... 5. It's nice to see I'm not alone when it comes to NO belly touching. 6. My family was able to make it to our church's fellowship and communion last night. 7. After eating, the kids four and up went outside. They were supposed to be watched by an adult, but instead there was only 3 older (and when I say older, I mean tweens) kids out there in charge of about 20 children. 8. Needless to say, I wasn't comfortable with my son out there by himself, so I played with him while the service was going on...but next month we will def be getting a sitter! 9. My hubby stayed after service to be apart of the band practice. 10. My son and I came back to the church at about 10pm to pick him up... 11. but he wasn't ready yet! He was just having a lot of fun. 12. We ended up leaving the church a little after 11...but I'm so glad he is finally getting involved in the church band! I miss his singing!!! 13. Anyone watch AI last night and upset over Paris leaving? Other 13ers

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Warning: Prego Rant!

I spent most of the evening last night at my parent's church...it's where the fundraising banquet was held. Well, when it was time to go, my mom and I started talking. Then another lady joined us that I had never met before. My mom introduced me while touching my shoulder, and then my belly roomy by touching my belly. Then this person, I had just met, proceeds to touch my belly as well! Hello, what was she thinking? For one, I had just met her...for two, why would you think it's okay to touch another person's belly just because they are pregnant? I just don't understand this.

Maybe my hormones are just out of wack...but I value my personal space. I really don't think it's appropriate to just touch a prego belly...without asking at least! And I almost had a problem with my mom touching me. But since she's my mom, she's excusable...unlike this other lady!!!

I should get this shirt to warn people...or even this shirt.

So what do you think? You think I'm getting too upset from just one little belly touch from a stranger? Would you allow it if you were prego (yes men, you can answer that one as well!)? Should I get one of those t-shirts? Do I need to be on medication? :-)

Got Nothing

I've been staring at this posting screen for about 20 minutes now. Nothing is coming to mind. I could tell you about my night last night or what I'll be doing tonight, but neither one seem blog worthy. So instead I sit here and type up nothing. I need some inspiration!!! After 800 posts, I'm out of ideas. Maybe I'll just go have myself a celebratory bowl of cereal and call it a day.

Life is grand.

Busy Week

My hubby and I have one busy week ahead! We have something going on every night (and almost every day) this week.

Monday: Lunch with grandparents, hubby's band practice
Tuesday: Fundraising banquet
Wednesday: OB appt., fellowship and communion at church
Thursday: The boy's four year check-up, church meeting, hubby mowing my parent's grass
Friday: Surprise b-day party for my cousin
Saturday: Baby shower for a new little cousin, possible free pedicure from my sis (she needs all the practice she can get while in nail school...so I'm glad to help out!!!)

I have a lot of shopping to do this week as well. I need a few b-day items and I need to get a 14lb ham for Tuesday night. I also need some things to make a few dishes for the church fellowship and I need to get some supplies for a baby shower that I'm planning for a friend.

I just hope I have time to catch my breath!