The Nothing Box

Men and women are created SO differently....that we all know. While we were engaged we did pre-marriage counseling and our counselor gave us books to read during (which...we may or may not still have...) called For Men Only and For Women Only by Shaunti and Jeff Feldhahn. Really good books, they're pretty small and short-they did get a tad boring/hard to read at times considering the subject matter-but there are still things we continue to reference back to that it taught us.

One of the funnier things that we still use is the 'nothing box'. In the women's book it has a section on how men and women think differently. Well derrr.

Example-my box at any typical moment would consist of thoughts about: Caden, Gary, family, friends, work, bills, 'oh look-something shiney', recap of that day or previous events, blog ideas/wording, etc. All depends on what's going on...but if you've been in a conversation with me (nonetheless my mom and sister at the same time) then watch out, sometimes we tend to 'jump' or some would say drastically leap from one thing to the next, and still return to the first thing many minutes later as if we never left the first topic. It's just pure talent. 

Pretty funny catching the men's odd looks trying to keep up-oh, yeah, they're still in the room and 'in' the conversation? Whoops. 

While at the same moment my husbands box can consist of literally nothing. Seriously. Not sure how it is even possible, it's a VERY rare occasion for me and doesn't last long if it does happen. The book gave examples how we all have boxes of everything, but the difference comes when women can have multiple boxes 'open' at once and men (typically) can only have one, and if they need to go to another box they have to 'close' the current one and go to the next. Never having two 'open' at the same time. (boxes being thoughts/projects/etc., but if you haven't caught on to that much then sorry, your super lost...close your 'something shiney' box it must be distracting you.)

Often at night we'll be laying there and I'll ask Gary what he's thinking. Answer: nothing. Whaaaaaat?! Especially at night I'm not only replaying my day, and thinking of different ways I could have approached things, but I've also jumped between at least five different subjects. He'll ask back what I'm thinking and there have been times I just reply 'bleh, it's complicated and random.' To explain how I got from A to B, yet visited E, J, L, P, Q, V, and Z between that just makes me sound...as they would now say...cray cray.

Feedback-am I the only one?!?! Either way, at time -this is something that can annoying me because I want him to have multiple boxes open. But I've learned that's not his style, and I've been trying to learn more that his style is much more peaceful and sometimes for the best. Too often I try to control every aspect and event in life, even ones that have already passed. Yet I need to take a step back, let go of what has happened or is yet to happen, get in that nothing box and enjoy the present.

So for now, I'm going to get in that fun nothing box with my hubby and play some Lego Batman....yeah, your jealous, I know.

Oatmeal Yummies

Found this site, courtesy of Pinterest, a while back and finally got to make these yummy oatmeal muffins. I have said before I'm bad at baking-the whole following the directions to a T just is annoying. This time I had trouble even following the directions for the correct ingredients. I went to start making these about three times before I actually had everything. I'd start to lay out what I needed to make sure I had it all, just to realize I missed something. Repeat that three times. Gary could tell too because I'd get it going in the kitchen and before long he'd hear a 'dang it!'...yep, you would think I would've learned.

Last night it all came together, and turned out really good! (They're supposed to help with milk production, I think that's just oatmeal in general, but that's what really got me to finally make these since little man is growing and upping his sweet demand.)

Everything finally all laid out and ready (Ignore the Lactaid milk, realized it still is milk/dairy so Gary went and got Almond milk-such a great hubby! I ended up using Almond, after seeing a specialist I have to eliminate dairy from my diet and we have to use different formula because they think Caden has a mild allergy to milk protein...whole different story)

 Step 1: Combine applesauce, honey (instead of stevia), two eggs, vanilla extract and mashed banana 

 Step 2: Combine oats, flax seed, baking powder, cinnamon and salt (that adorable owl is the salt)

 

Step 3: Add milk, use 1/4 cup to put into cupcake pan (I used cupcake liners as well) and top with whichever topping you choose. I used crushed almonds, raisins, and chocolate chips.

Bake at 350 for 30 minutes. Let cool and enjoy, or freeze them for a later date. (Side note, let cool for quite a while so it can set more. I tried to eat one too early and it still stuck to the cupcake liner. I had one early this morning and it separated with no problem-which was great because I thought I ruined them!)

The recipe ended up making 30 of these little suckers, and they are yummy, but that's a lot-so definitely something to freeze and pull out later. Bonus!

On the go!

Last Friday night my friend Katie and I went out to a scarf party. It's been long overdue that we had some one on one bff time, so this was much needed! And to add to the fun my sister was at this event too-two of my closets friends in one setting?! How could we not have a blast! It was a fun event, got a cute scarf out of the deal and the scarfs we brought for the exchange were a hit, so that made us feel good :)

I love these two. So blessed to have these amazing girls in my life. Plus they make me laugh...a ton, and that's just priceless.

Caden and Gary hung out at his parents house to watch the Cardinals game, and we didn't get home till after midnight-makes for two tired parents the next day!

Saturday we were lazy until we had to get ready and drop Caden off for his first (and successful!) sleepover while Gary and I went to a piano bar to celebrate a few friends birthdays. We had a blast! Ended up staying later than we planned because we were having so much fun, so definitely didn't take advantage of the sleepover in terms of sleep on our side, but it was worth the good time with friends!

(Ignore the shiny eyes and that only one of three birthday people are even in this photo)

It was a fun, on the go weekend for sure. A little exhausting, but it was fun to step out of being a new parent for a few hours and just enjoy each other and our friends. 

As for this weekend-with two weddings on Saturday we're keeping the rest of our time simple! Amen to that:)

2 Months

Sweet little boy, you are growing so fast! We enjoy seeing more and more of your personality shine through. Your smile is one of the best things ever!

 -you continue to find your thumb more and more (hence the below photo)

-you 'coo' and 'ah' so much now

-you're sleeping well, I think your longest record now is 7/8 p.m.-3:30 a.m.

-your nights do vary, but overall if and when you do wake up you eat and go right back to sleep

-your in size 1 diapers now (have been for about 2 weeks)

-we think you have your daddy's bad allergy's (hate that!)

-you smile when spoken to (sometimes, becoming more often-but especially the first 'good morning!')

-you take a bottle a few times a week (trying to get that to be nightly so you're used to it)

-you've been watched a few times by Grandma Wendy and Grumpo and have done great

-your first sleep over is tomorrow with YaYa and Bubba  (we're excited for a night out and some good sleep, but it's still an odd thought that you won't be here when we get back, a little nervous but heck, it's been two months that I haven't been without you much at all so that's expected)

-you do seem to like your paci more, it does wonders in calming you

-you are not a fussy baby, over all you are so great and if you do get fussy it doesn't take much to calm you or figure out what you need
-you weigh 10 lbs 7 oz and are about 21 inches long

All in all I think you're a keeper :) It's been an amazing journey thus far, we love our little family you are the best addition to it that we could have hoped for. So excited to see how you will grow and develop, it changes so fast we're definitely reminding ourselves often to take a step back and slow down-milk each and every moment, not to wish you grow up too fast and to just enjoy you and take it all in. Before we know it you'll be off and crawling, walking, talking....bahhh!!!!

We love you little man. Happy 2 months!!

Hello Buffalo!

I LOVE buffalo flavored food. Favorite panini at Doc Greens? Buffalo Chicken. Favorite meal at Old Chicago? Buffalo Chicken Tenders. My dad makes some mean homemade wings using Franks Red Hot sauce. The smell alone of this stuff is so yummy to me.

(note the cute owl salt & pepper shakers hiding behind-courtesy of HobLob)

 

A guest on Rachael Ray's show was showing some fun tailgating/football food. They quickly showed part of a buffalo chicken quesadilla recipe...you had me at buffalo.

Simple and easy: 1 rotisserie chicken (remove chicken/shredded), some Frank Red Hot orig. sauce (add melted butter to determine personal spicy preference), and cheese. Mix all that together and place that between two soft taco shells (or whichever size you like) and 'grill' on stove top. 

 

Side note-I never got exact amounts of anything besides the one chicken, so I just mixed by eye and personal preference.

Totally spaced on taking a final picture, but here's a pretty picture thanks to bing.com. You get the gist. 

Pretty yummy and pretty simple-a win win recipe to keep around!