seven days of crock(pots)

Lately, I've felt that my slow cooker has been lazy.  Definitely not pulling its weight in the Graham family.  So I was searching for slow cooker blogs and came across this one.

This lady vowed to use her slow cooker every day for 365 days.  That's some dedication.

I've decided seven days will be good for us.  As the weather gets colder, I just find it so comforting to have something cooking in the pot all day and then just add a few sides after work and dinner is done.  Since it gets dark by 6:30, I feel like the evening is gone by the time I've made dinner and cleaned up the table.  So the Graham family is doing seven days of the slow cooker.  We'll see how this goes...

Today, we're having barbeque ribs.  That's like the easiest thing in the world to make with a slow cooker.  Throw some ribs, BBQ sauce, salt & pepper, and a little garlic in there, cook on low for 6-8 hours and it's ready.  Fall-off-the-bone ready.  Delicious.  And a Chris Graham favorite.

So day one is done...now to find something to make for tomorrow.

eight months

My precious Harper Kimery, today you are eight months old.  You've been in this world almost as long as you were in my belly.  And that makes me a little sad.  Daddy says you are our last baby and I don't know if that makes everything a little sweeter, but I am having so much fun being your mommy.  You are the opposite of everything your sister was as a baby so at times if feels like I'm learning how to be a mommy for the first time--I'm relearning everything I thought I knew.  Thanks for keeping me on my toes.  I love you, HK. 

thirty

The last day of my thankful month and I feel like I'm just getting started on the list.

At church on Sunday, someone told a story that really made me think. 

What if today we only had what we were thankful for yesterday?

Some days, I would survive.  And then others, I wouldn't really have anything.  So I'm not done being thankful just because this is the last day of November.  I'm going to keep remembering, keep thanking, and keep cherishing it all. 

Today I'm thankful for the lessons I'm learning.  Always a work-in-progress, but better than the day before.

practicing

Harper is thisclose to crawling. 

But right now, all she can do is scoot backward.  And then get stuck.

Help!

twenty nine

Today I'm thankful for sweet baby breath, my daughters' laughs, an impromptu day off yesterday, and Chutes and Ladders with a two year old.

decorate up the tree

This weekend we got to "decorate up the tree" as Elliott so eloquently put it.

As we were eating dinner (see above for yummy visual; recipe here), Chris informed me that there would be no nice, pretty, color-coordinated tree this year.  This was heartbreaking.  And, truthfully, it kind of made me itch just thinking about a mismatched tree.  Issues.

Normally, we put up two trees.  The one in the basement has all the kid ornaments and random ones we have from our childhoods.  The one in the living room, that everyone sees, is the nice one.  It matches our decor and all the decorations are pretty silver, green, and white.  It makes me happy (and not itchy).

But we decided one tree is plenty and so the living room tree is it.  And Elliott had already gotten a glimpse of the random Tigger and Scooby Doo ornaments and she would have been crushed if I told her we weren't going to put those on the tree.  Ugh.

Then while I was unpacking the Christmas totes, I found a box of bulbs I bought after Christmas last year that don't match anything, but since we were throwing all rules out the window, I decided we'd use those too.

So our tree is up.  A day later than normal, enough random color to cause a seizure, and loved by the resident two-year-old.  Success.  Sweet, sweet success.

 (The mess that is decorating up the tree.  Harper eating toys, Ellie watching Veggies Tales Christmas, and Chris running to Walgreens to buy lights because last year, in a fit of rage, I threw away all the lights while taking down the tree...and forgot all about it until we were trying to decorate it.  #1 mom.)

(The Christmas books, puzzles, and coloring books only come out with the Christmas tree.  They've been gone just long enough that Ellie doesn't remember them and thinks they're new...until she sees someone has already colored in the books and yells, "hey, someone colored in my book!" and I have to explain that she colored it last year.  Then she says, "ooh, when I was a baby.")  

(The Grinch and Max the dog reindeer will be spending the next month with us also.  Living mostly on the couch, they will be played with, slept with, and probably eaten by the dog...and then get to rest until next season in a nice, safe Rubbermaid tote in the basement.)

Hope you had time to get your tree up this weekend!

twenty eight

Today I am thankful for Christmas decorations and alcohol.  In no particular order.

currently loving on pinterest

I'm either consumed by Pinterest or don't do anything for weeks.  It's all-or-nothin' folks.  Like most things in my life.  So here's some things I'm currently diggin'.

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And because Pinterest always makes me laugh...

 

Happy Sunday!

under construction

I'm changing stuff...so it's going to look weird for a minute.

Be patient, please!

twenty seven

Today I'm trying to remember how lucky I am to live in a country where I'm free to worship God freely.  I often take for granted going to church openly, reading my Bible wherever I want, and expressing my beliefs whenever I want.  Things that other people can't do.  Things that other people have died trying to do.  So today I'm thankful for being able to drive to church without worrying about who will see me and what might happen as I enter to worship.

twenty six

I love my Crock Pot.  LOVE.  It makes getting dinner on the table a possibility when I'm not getting home from work and meetings until after 5:00.  Or now, on this lazy Saturday, when I've filled it with this yummy potato soup recipe so that tonight while we're getting out all the holiday decor and decorating our Christmas tree, we'll have something delicious to fill our bellies.

twenty five

Today I'm thankful for my brother and sister who braved the Black Friday crowds with me (although we technically started on Thanksgiving Thursday...) and made sure I didn't kill anyone.  Not kill them because they got a deal I wanted, but because people take their shopping too seriously.  I think midnight shopping with the masses is fun...but, come one people, it's just a $5 sweater, it's not going to change your life. 

We had fun and I'm still trying to recover from staying up so late.  This mama likes to be in bed early.  But I'm thankful we got to shop (and stand in long lines) together.

bloglovin

Does this make me fancy?

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Small Business Saturday

Saturday, November 26th, is Small Business Saturday sponsored by American Express.  It's a day dedicated to shopping local and encouraging small business with your time and money.  I would like to encourage everyone to visit a local business on the 26th--spending money locally benefits everyone. 

American Express is giving away 100 $25 gift cards to people who promise to shop local small businesses.  Sign up here for a chance to win and then get out there and shop.

I'll be at a holiday fair in downtown Indy that will have local artists and small businesses that would love to have your support.  If you'd like directions or more information, go here.

I've said before, one of the reasons we love living in our town is the amount of local businesses that are within walking distance to our house.  We bank local, our groomer is a family-run shop, Ellie's preschool is hometown, Edwards Drive-in is always available for dinner when I'm too busy to cook, and we spent our first Valentine's Day at the delicious Napoli Villa.  We even like to drink in our town.  Again, it's all about local business and supporting them. 

Need some recommendations on local small businesses?  Go here or check out some of my local small business friends below. 

 Indy K-9 Kollege and Grooming

twenty four

I avoid grocery shopping with my children if I can.  It's just better for everyone if Mommy goes to the store without family members.  But while Chris was out of town, the girls and I had to go grocery shopping to get the things for our Thanksgiving baskets for church. 

Every year, we grab a Rubbermaid tote and fill it with the requested items and then bring it back so our church can distribute them to families in need.  This year, we decided we could do two of them.  The baskets cost about $40-$50 to fill up (with food and a gift card for a turkey), but we decided it wouldn't be a stretch to do two this year so we had two totes to fill.

I was slightly annoyed as I shopped for the groceries, it was bedtime for Harper and Ellie was being super-whiny about having to ride in the cart.  I was lacking patience and the store was too crowded on a Friday night to get anything done quickly. 

I was trying to explain to Ellie why we were shopping that night and not getting things for ourselves.  In her two-year-old mind, she just couldn't understand why if people didn't have food, they didn't just come to the store and get some like we were doing.  Which makes sense if you don't understand anything about money.  So the lesson was lost on her.

But we continued picking out things, Ellie getting to throw the items in the cart and Harper getting to gnaw on a package of dry noodles.  I was grumpy and just wanting to get the trip over with.

Toward the end of our trip, we kept running into another family who was shopping with the same list from our church and filling a basket.  And of course, we always needed to be around the same objects which I didn't have any patience for and found annoying.

In the last aisle, we ran into the family again.  And as I was parking my cart to grab the remaining items, I overheard their conversation which stopped me dead in my tracks. 

The parents were discussing which grocery items they needed to put back so they could afford to get the Thanksgiving tote filled.  They were taking socks out of their cart and the dad was running them back to the clothing section.  The mom mentioned being able to go without eggs that week.  And then I got a closer look at their child, a sweet little boy with out-of-control hair who up close you could tell wasn't right mentally.

And in that moment, I was overcome with shame. 

The shame from the bad attitute I had as I was shopping for our items.  The shame of only doing two totes.  The shame of acting inconvenienced for an hour while serving other people.

As we shopped, I was keeping a running total in my head and was regretting grabbing two totes.  Not because I didn't have the money to spend, but because I would have rather been doing something else with that money.  Like shopping for our family or eating out or Christmas shopping.  Just being greedy.  Just being selfish.

And then God stops me and tells me to shut up.  He lets me see a family that really was struggling and how dare I complain when it wasn't hurting me one bit to do two totes of food.  And to remind me about all I have to be thankful about, all He's blessed us with.  Shelter and jobs, healthy children and love.  He has met all of our needs, never let us down.

  How dare I act like that.  

Standing in the pasta aisle in Meijer, I felt God speaking to me like I hadn't in a while.  It was shocking and embarrassing, humbling and calming all at the same time.  And it's made me more thankful.  And changed my heart.

Happy Thanksgiving.

twenty three

Clean sheets.  There's nothing better.  I love freshly laundered bedding.  In the Graham house, Tuesday is the day we change the bedding.  And since Chris is home right now, that's his job.  So not only do I not have to wash the sheets, I don't have to make the bed (which I despise).  I just get to crawl into bed at night, nice clean sheets waiting for me.  Heaven.

the apple grove

Tonight before bed, I was reading The Great Pancake Caper to Elliott.  A compelling book about a lost pancake.

One of the pages explained how Chicken searched in the apple grove for the lost pancake.  Then Elliott asked me what an apple grove was.

So I said, "Look at all those apple trees.  An apple grove is a place with lots of trees that grow apples."

And then she said, "Oh, like the orchard?"

Yes, exactly like the orchard.  Good thinking, Elliott.  Because Mommy didn't think of that...I'm glad you're here to make better connections than I can. 

And just to make myself feel better, I started reciting multiplication tables and spelling really long words to show my intelligence.  For some reason, she was not impressed.

twenty two

Today I'm thankful for Valle Vista Health Systems, a counselor named Tom, Celebrate Recovery, and all the people in my husband's life that help keep him clean.  To describe learning your husband is a drug addict as a slap in the face doesn't even begin to cover it.  Sometimes I still don't believe it and it's been over sixteen months.  I remember that day so vividly, like it was this morning, but at the same time, if feels like it was a lifetime ago.  We're a million miles away from where we were that July day in Tennessee when everything came crashing down and we've still got a million more to go.  I'm probably just now comfortable enough to say I'm married to a recovering drug addict.  We live our life differently than we did before because we have to.  But I wouldn't change a thing.  So today I'm thankful for those who helped and continue to help Chris stay clean. 

breakfast

Here's my breakfast this morning.  I'm feeling very healthy today.

Notice I didn't take a picture of the already-empty Diet Mt. Dew can. 

twenty one

Sometimes I like to complain about my job.  And other times, I love my job.  Either way, I'm always thankful I have a job.  A job that allows me to be home often with my babies.  A job that is the best and worst job all at the same time.  A job that I wouldn't change for anything, even on a really bad day.   

twenty

Today I'm thankful for the men that randomly stopped by yesterday and offered to cut down the dead tree in our front yard...for $300.  Because that sucker is big and we've had many companies give us estimates to cut it down and those were all between $800 and $1100.  So I'm not sure if these guys just needs some extra Christmas cash or are doing stuff of the side, but either way, it's a deal.  And they're insured.  I checked.  So goodbye giant dead tree.  While I'm sad that we now have no trees in our front yard, I'm glad that thing is gone.  And we're planning on planting new trees in the spring.  Healthy, pretty trees.  So thank you, Bill from Anderson's Tree Service for stopping by.  And goodbye tree.

nineteen

I am thankful for my washer and dryer.  There was a brief moment (three weeks--before we had kids) when our dryer broke and we had to take clothes to the laundromat.  It was time consuming and boring.  But I understand that some people just do that, every week, and it's their only option. So I'm very grateful for the washer and dryer in my basement that I can turn on while doing other things or as I'm going to bed.  And even though they don't match and sometimes my dryer makes a funny scraping noise, they get the job done.   

eighteen

Today I'm thankful for Thirty One.  I know that sounds silly, but I really am.  I started selling it because I just wanted one of each of the bags and I thought the cheapest way to get one of everything was to sell them.  But now it's so much more than that.  I'm making extra money for my family, I get out of the house by myself (gasp!) for a couple hours, and I'm getting mostly-free bags.  Score.  When I first thought about selling Thirty One, I thought it was a bad idea.  My personality does not lend itself well to sales.  Let's not talk about the White Barn Candle Company fiasco while in college, but the lesson learned was I shouldn't try retail again.  Ever.  But I really don't sell things now so much as show people what I like and then they pick out stuff they like.  And it just works.  And with our extra, we're able to do more for others.  It's a win-win.

seventeen

Heat!  I love you soooo much.  Today is cold.  And I have the heat cranked up.  I tell Chris it's because we have small children and we need to make sure they're warm--it's our responsibility.  But really it's just an excuse for me to keep the house at 70 degrees.  Don't tell Rick Ritter, he'd have a fit. 

sixteen

I finally got a car.  Or, more specifically, an SUV.  And while I think I could have taken months to decide what kind of vehicle I actually wanted (what I really wanted was my car back...), we finally just had to make a decision.  So we got a Nissan Xterra.  And Chris loves it.  I'm indifferent, really.  And I'm not crazy about the gas milage, but nothing will ever compare to my Mazda.  That thing was amazing.  My friends have welcomed me into the SUV world, I'm paying out the wazoo for gas, and I can haul some major cargo if needed.  It's been an okay transition.  But you know what has been awesome?  Having a second vehicle again.  You never realize how convenient having two is until you have to go without; it was the longest month ever.  So today I'm thankful for a vehicle.  It's not brand new, it might cost an arm and a leg to fill up, but it's mine.  All mine.

apple face

While eating an apple, Elliott made the observation that her bites made a face.  And then she tried to make the same face. 

Creepy.

fifteen

When I was pregnant, I got a back rub every day from Chris.  Even when I didn't ask for it.  Another time, I was being a big baby, already snuggled in bed with a million covers on me in the dead of winter, I talked Chris into getting up from the warm bed and getting the Chapstick for me.  And then I talked him into putting it on my lips.  That, friends, is a good husband.  Because I am sometimes whiny, always bossy, and occasionally demanding, but he not only puts up with me, but loves me.  Every day.  Even when I make it hard to.  And that's why today, I'm thankful for my husband.   

fourteen on the fifteenth

Yesterday was a long day...and it made me appreciate Papa John's pizza (and every takeout place near our house) a little bit more.  This week is full of conferences, open houses, dinner meetings, and appointments.  And that we got dinner last night was an accomplishment.  And that I didn't have to make it was an added bonus.

thirteen

Today I'm thankful for my brother.  He turned 23 on Friday and we got to celebrate him after church today.  He's busy changing the world with Teach for America and I don't get to see him as much as I'd like, but when we do get to hang out, I realize just how cool that guy is.  And to think he started out as a cowboy-boots-wearing, annoying little kid.  I couldn't have asked for a better brother.  Thanks.

movie baby

This is cute...

and I wish I had

thought of it.

View all the

pictures here.

twelve

Today I'm thankful for healthy babies.  Sometimes while I was pregnant, I would be overwhelmed with worry and what ifs.  I had to remind myself that it was nothing I could control and everything would be okay, no matter what happened, everything would be okay.  But there is still such a sense of relief when you meet your baby for the first time, count the fingers and toes, and know that everything is perfect.  More than perfect.  

 

unfinished

My type A personality can't handle things unfinished.  It makes me restless and anxious.  If I start something, I'm going to finish it.  If I plan something, I will follow through with it.

With one exception: anything crafty.

Perfect example...

In this picture, I can count at least ten unfinished projects. 

One corner of our basement is dedicated to all my craft, scrapbook, knitting, picture frame, garage sale, thrift store items.  It's starting to get a little crowded down there.  Because I never finish any of them.  Okay, maybe "never" is too strong a word.  I do finish some things.  Occassionally.

But this weekend, while Chris is gone, I plan on getting a lot of loose ends finished.  I've got spray painting, hot gluing, yarning (yes, I said "yarning"), wrapping, and, possibly, some sanding to do.  It's going to be major. 

And those little girls better stay out of Mommy's way or they will be spray painted and yarned.  And they will like it.

Friday Confessional

Voting
I usually vote straight party, but like to fill in each individual bubble as opposed to the one that could save me a little time.  I think it makes me look like a much more concerned citizen if I fill them in individually. 

Husband
Chris is gone for a few days with some friends and so I got to take today off to stay home with the girls.  I have been looking forward to this all week.  He needs to go away more often so I can skip work.

Finally a vehicle
We made it a little over a month as a one-vehicle family.  Let's hope we never have to do that again.  We ended up buying a Nissan Xterra.  Chris loves it and is already trying to convince me to drive the minivan so he can drive the SUV.  No way, dude, no way.    

Dishwasher
I'm going to see if I can make it three full days without unloading the dishwasher.  Next to cleaning toilets, that is my least favorite chore.  We'll just have to eat out a lot while Chris is gone.

Baskets
I wish I would have remembered to get all the groceries for our church's Thanksgiving baskets before Chris left.  We fill them up with food and bring them back to church on Sunday; this year we are doing two of them.  And now I have to take two little girls with me to buy all the food.  Ugh.

Halloween
I still have Halloween decorations outside.  And they really need to come down, but yesterday we had a light dusting of snow and now I don't want to go outside.  It's too cold.  I think I'll wait until next week when it's supposed to be in the 60s.  Sorry, neighbors, one more week of the pumpkin and witch decor.



eleven

Christine.  I'm so thankful for her.  Whether it's too many drinks on my birthday, helping me throw my first Thirty One party, or urgent text messages about celebrity gossip, this girl is on it.  We have so much fun together.  I met her at work five years ago and we've been close ever since.  And as an added bonus, Chris and her husband, Ed, hit it off too and are good friends.  Double thankful for those people.  They bring such joy to us.

three days

Chris just pulled out of the driveway for a road trip with Same As Sunday (who supposedly broke up, but not really..) so it's just me and the girls until Monday morning.  And I've got major plans while he's gone.  He is not going to recognize this place when he returns. 

Today I realized that since we got rid of cable, our TV isn't tied to one side of the living room anymore...so my mind has been swirling with new room set ups.  Yes, I just typed that sentence.  I get that excited to rearrange furniture.  My realization had the opposite effect on Chris.

 

Also, I would like to get this thing up from the basement, but I know I can't do that by myself.  I'm making a mental list of who I can bribe into coming over to help with that project.

On the downside, I accidentally watched CSI last night while Chris was at work and freaked myself out so much that I was afraid to leave my room   I just sat on the bed, playing with my phone until Chris got home (at 11:30) so I could brush my teeth and go to sleep.  I really shouldn't watch anything remotely scary while by myself.  I immediately think someone is in my house and I will be killed.  And I couldn't have planned my accidental viewing of a not-even-scary episode of CSI better if I tried.  Good thing I have my ferocious guard dog to keep me safe...oh my gosh, I'm dead.

But before I die, I'm hoping to get at least one night of sleeping in our bed by myself.  I'm not going to lie, I would prefer to sprawl out in bed and Chris sometimes cramps my style.  There are nights I just want to sleep by myself and I plan on catching up on whole-bed-sleeping while he's gone.

Random side note: It was G day at Ellie's school and she came home with these killer glasses.  

  I love preschool.

ten

I'm thankful for my dog.  He might have moved down a couple notches since babies came, but he's still the only little one that gets to sleep in bed with me every night.  Always at my feet (unless it's hot and the air's not on, then he's under the bed), sometimes snoring, constantly stinky.  But I still love him and am thankful he's still truckin' along all these years later.  Such a good puppy.

nine

Today I am thankful for my Grandpa and Grandma Ritter.  When my sister and I were little, every Easter and Christmas, my grandma would make us (and all my other cousins) dresses (or suits).  The time that must have taken is incredible.  And my gruff, rough, truck-driver grandpa.  As he's gotten older, he's softened, but when we were little, he used to scare the crap out of us.  I'm serious.  And, I think, he's the first adult I ever heard cuss.  So I have him to thank for my potty mouth.  But besides that, I'm thankful for their overflowing garden and their generosity.  For their stories and Christmas cookies. 

Brown County in the Fall

Over fall break (yes, I'm still talking about fall break...), we got to spend a day wandering around Nashville, playing in Brown County park, and getting stuck in a major traffic jam on the way home.  Two out of three were awesome.

This summer we spent a day there with Chris' family and vowed to go there more often since it's so close and there's so much to do.  It was one of the things on our fall break to-do list that actually got done--go us.

(This first picture isn't special in-and-of-itself, but for what was said right before the picture was taken.  We put Ellie in the front so she could get in and out easily.  As soon as she was buckled in, Harper started pushing on her seat and annoying Elliott.  She was complaining that "Harpy keeps kicking me" and Chris and I thought this was funny.  It was their first official sister fight and so we documented it for sentimental reasons.  The first official sister fight.  It's only going to get better from here.  I can't wait...)