Crockpot Salsa Chicken

I have a few recipes that are my "go to" recipes for when I can't think of what else to make or when we have activities that leave our schedule short of time.  One of the family's favorite is Crockpot Salsa Chicken.  I don't have exact measurements because it changes depending on what I have in the fridge and pantry.  Here is about how it goes down:

Chicken Breasts (boneless, skinless) - 3 breasts feeds the 4 of us plus leaves us enough for a second meal
Salsa, 1/2 a jar
Canned or fresh corn, 1 can or 2-3 ears worth
Black beans, low sodium, rinsed and drained
1/2 a packet of fajita or taco mix

Place the chicken in the crockpot.  Sprinkle seasoning package on top.  Pour the salsa, corn and blackbeans on top and cover.  Cook on high for 4-6 or low for 6-8.  Shred the chicken in the crockpot using two forks or tongs.  It should shred easily.  Allow to soak in the juice for another 20-30 minutes.

Serve over rice.  Or use to make burritos.  Or use for quesadillas.  It's good LOTS of ways!!

Add it to your menu and let me know which way you prefer it!

Home Sweet Homecoming

Although we planned it, knew it would be emotional and such a wonderful experience, nothing could prepare us for the moment our boys actually saw their father for the first time...in a very surprising way.

The boys had no idea that Matt was coming home.  Matt came home and we grabbed the camera to head to get Payton from school.  We waited for "THE moment"...waiting for Payton to come out of school.  I was anxious and excited for him. Several friends were there with us and were anxious to see Payton's reaction.

Ms. Niemi brought the third graders around the side of the building.  There was Payton, the last in line.  He saw me, but Matt was hiding behind a pillar and couldn't be seen.  I said "I have a surprise for you, Buddy." and Matt stepped out.  Wow.  What a moment.  No one could predict Payton's level of excitement.  There was a two second delay and then he loudly repeated "DADDY! DADDY!!!  IT'S MY DADDY!!" over and over again as he ran and jumped into Matt's arms.  It took a few minutes for the shock to wear off while he stayed close to Matt and held his breath.  He took a few moments to introduce Matt to Ms. Niemi and a few other people, and then was back at his side. 

We left Payton's school to get Max who was at his daycare/homeschooling teacher's house.  Payton was so excited to see Max's reaction, but was also very understanding that he needed to let Max have a few minutes with Daddy just like he got.


When we arrived at Liz's house, Matt hid in the back area of the van.  I went up to the porch and Liz had Max come outside.  I asked him to wait on the porch and then told him I had a surprise for him.  I opened the van door and there was Matt.  Maxwell's reaction was instantaneous.  He ran straight for Matt and jumped into his arms.  Where Payton was yelling and announcing his joy to the world, Maxwell was more reserved and private.  He just cuddled up and didn't want to be put down.

That night, we spent lots of time as a family.  The boys cuddled and hugged their daddy for a long time.  There have been a lot of reunions and loving moments in our family, but this was one of the best.  The boys showed such free, unrestrained love for their father.  Nothing can compare to that.  It's a memory I will have for a long time to come. 

Post Deployment Adjustment

Where has the time gone?!  My goodness! Over a month since my last post.

Everyone is doing well here in our little home.  Matt came home earlier this month and we've been enjoying having each other around. Learning to readjust...that's another thing.  I know people have to adjust after long term deployments, especially to war zones, but I knew that wasn't our situation.  I guess I knew things would be different, but didn't expect this different. 

I knew Matt and I have changed individually, both in very positive ways.  But now we're trying to make those changes work together.  I have become more independent and I have a routine that worked for me and the boys.  I'm used to only thinking of myself as the decision maker and now I'm having to relearn to consider him and his needs & thoughts on everything.  Matt has gotten used to being a bachelor.  He doesn't have to consider anyone else's routines and needs.  It's not a bad thing when you're living by yourself, it's just that we aren't in that season anymore.  We have both learned to be different people that worked well in the situation we've been in the last six months.  Now we have to relearn to be a couple and a family.

However, we are doing well on our routines.  Matt is helping out a LOT with getting the boys to and from their activities.  That has been a huge stress reliever for me.  And helping out with making dinner!  What a relief.

Overall, we're doing well.  The boys are loving having him home and so am I.  We're a family again.  And that is the best feeling in the world. 

Welcoming Fall

It's that time of year.  I love this weather; jeans and sweaters, Ohio State Football, cider mills & doughnuts, picking apples...  There is just so much to love.

Fall has also brought change.  Maxwell (Thank, our LORD) has not had any serious injuries since his broken nose, which healed up just fine.  Payton is attending Warren Woods Christian School.  It's the school run by our church.  Payton absolutely loves it there and has come home happy every day.  His teacher is amazing and is firm, but loving.  They are a good match - which is great because she is the only teacher for the small class of 18. 

This crisp weather also brings me back to school/work.  I am still loving my job and the work I get to do.  In my third year now as the librarian, I'm developing what I want the kids to focus on and how to get them interested.  It's going to be a good year.  My boss is allowing me to work part-time until Matt gets home.  That is a huge burden lifted.  I'm able to run errands and take care of some needs without two boys in tow.

Matt is still in D.C.  He's still loving that as well.  I'm not sure where things stand on when he'll be home and how long he'll be home, so I'm keeping that information top secret.

I hope you are able to enjoy this beautiful weather!

Maxwell the Mighty

Maxwell has quite a history of injuries in his short four year and seven months of life. In January 2010, he cracked his mouth on the coffee table and ended up with stitches in his lip.  He knocked out his tooth in March of 2010.  Earlier this spring, he broke his collarbone and ended up in the ER twice; once for the collarbone and once for a concussion from the fall.  That's on top of all the random bumps, bruises, cuts, scratches that don't warrant ER visits. (Not to mention his other shenanigans!)

But his timing of this weekend's event was...let's call it "special".  Sunday was my birthday and as you can see in my earlier post, I wasn't having the best birthday.  Maxwell, in his nature, decided to make it special.  In his words:

 "I was trying to get my balloon from the ceiling when I fell and landed on the coffee table right on the edge.  We're going to get rid of that bad coffee table."

He was climbing on the furniture while I was in the kitchen and BAM! smacked his face on the coffee table.  Yeah.  (That coffee table's gotta go.) From here I'll summarize: bleeding, call Matt, discuss, ER (same ER, same Dr.).  Diagnosis: broken nose.  Follow up with the ENT on Thursday.  Today he's bruised and swollen.  But he hasn't complained of pain once.  Tough kiddo!

With Max, life is an adventure...usually including a trip to the ER.

It's Just Not the Same

Birthdays. Usually I look forward to them all month long.  Small celebrations with all my family and friends.  But this year...it just feels different. Maybe it's my age.  Maybe it's the fact that Matt is gone.  Maybe it's the weather. (I don't remember it ever being rainy and dreary on my actual birthday.)

I had a very nice dinner with my inlaws and my parents on Friday night.  My mother in law, God bless her, went out with the boys and got me flowers and let the boys decorate their house with streamers and balloons.  At dinner, the boys were excited for the party hats they had brought to the restaurant.  My parents brought my favorite cake, a Dairy Queen Ice Cream Cake, for me to enjoy as well.  The waiter was incredibly nice and even took a picture with me with a birthday hat on. 

I have a lunch and a dinner planned with a friend or two over the next few days, too.  Those are always enjoyable. And so many people have extended me kind words and birthday greets today on Facebook.

I am sorry I'm "down".  It's not like me.  I guess I'm just missing "normal"...whatever that was.