Ethan turns 4!

I love my sweet Ethan! He is a determined, strong willed child. He does everything he can to get what he wants. He is the sweetest little boy and gives the best hugs. He is always cracking us up with the funny things he says. He loves to go to pre-school and just started soccer and loves it. He has to be doing something, he loves to go places, anywhere, just loves to be out. He is 30 lbs and 3' 3".
This year for his Birthday he wanted to go bowling! Bowling with the kids is so much fun! They love it and it is hilarious to watch. So much fun!






We always do Sunday dinner at my Parents or Grandparents.
I always make a cake for the kids Birthday. Ethan Loves the movie Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. So this year My mom and I made him a Willy Wonka cake covered in Willy Wonka candy and  a chocolate water fall. Ethan loved it! Ethan loves the Macadamia nut turtles that you can get from Costco. My grandpa buys them and we bust them out for Sunday games. So cute Grandpa Great got Ethan is own box, labeled it so his dad and grandpa stay out. I keep them in the Pantry and Ration them, or he would eat the whole box! He had a great birthday and was spoiled by Great grandparents, grandparents and aunts. He was such a crack up and all he asked for this year was a lock and key, he has been obsessed with keys. Grandpa hooked him up with his own.

Valentine's Day and Meatloaf

Valentine's Day is not a big celebration in our house, but this year some cute neighbors invited me to do "14 Days of Love". So cute! You make 14 of the same Valentine and then you switch with 14 ladies in the neighborhood, so you have 14 different valentines to give your husband. The whole family got involved in hiding and giving Dad his valentines.
Grandma and Grandpa Little came over and brought the kids giant Kisses!
That night we had a Valentine's dinner as a Family. We had Heart Meatloaf. Mark loves Meatloaf, I have never been a huge fan, so I have tried different ways to make it. My mom has Mastered it, in a healthy gluten free recipe. It is the best in the crock pot!


Gluten Free Meatloaf
1 lb ground beef
1 lb Italian sausage
1/2 cup diced onion
1/2 cup diced celery
1/2 cup diced red pepper
1 handful chopped spinach
3 cloves of garlic minced
2 eggs
1 Tbs Worcestershire sauce
1 Tbs red wine vinegar
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp parsley
1/2 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp onion powder

Sauce:
1 8 oz can tomato sauce
1 Tbs honey
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp parsley

Directions:
Mix all ingredients in a large bowl till combined. Put in the crockpot, I shape it so it is an inch away from the sides of the crockpot. Cook on low for 6-8 hours. 30 mins before you are ready to eat. Combine ingredients for the sauce and poor over the meat loaf. Cook for remaining 30 minutes. You can also take the meatloaf out of the crockpot, poor the sauce on and broil on low for 15 minutes in the oven. I like how it gets a little crispy

Mango Ginger Stir Fry

Mango Ginger Stir Fry

Sauce:
1 mango diced
1/2 cup rice vinegar
1/4 cup liquid aminos, soy sauce, or coconut aminos
1/4 cup honey
1/2 inch fresh ginger minced

Stir fry
2 large chicken breast cubed
3 cloves garlic minced
2 tbs coconut oil
1 tsp sesame oil
1 /2 head of cabbage shredded
1 red pepper diced
1/2 onion diced
1 head of broccoli

Prepare sauce by blending all ingredients in a blender. Saute chicken and garlic in the 2 oils over medium heat til chicken is done. Add the sauce and veggies, cover the pan till veggies are cooked. I like my veggies crunchy! I like spicy, so I add a tsp of garlic chili paste. Serve over rice noodles or zucchini noodles.

Paleo Banana Nut Muffins

Paleo Banana Nut Muffins

2 ripe bananas smashed

4 eggs

1/4 cup honey

2 Tbs. coconut oil

1/3 cup coconut flour

1 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp baking soda

1/4 cup pecans

Mix all ingredients. Bake at 350°. I use mini muffin tins and it takes 15-20 min.

Paleo Fish Tacos

My Sister spent the summer in Alaska. She did a lot of fishing and sent us home some of her catch. I have never been a big fish person, but now I love it! I love salmon, halibut, ling cod! So yum! This recipe is super easy and so yummy!

Paleo Fish Tacos
2 fish fillets, I used ling cod, but you could use
Mahi, or halibut or your favorite.
2 limes squeezed
1/2 chopped cilantro
2 cloves garlic minced
salt
pepper

Directions: salt and pepper the fillets. Put lime juice, cilantro and garlic in a 8x8 pyrex dish. Coat the fish in the mixture and leave it in the dish up to 30 mins. Grill the fish till it flakes, but isn't dry. I use a George forman during the winter. Wrap in lettuce top it with your favorite toppings. We love it with Mango Salsa
and guacamole!

Paleo Spicy Orange Chicken

I love it when I have a meal that everyone eats and there are no complaints. Rarely happens, but this recipe was a hit. It is sweet and spicy, but not too spicy! If you are not paleo just use soy sauce instead of coconut aminos. My kids eat it with rice noodles, Royal Blossom brand. No leftover tonight!

2/3 cup Orange juice
1/2 cup rice vinegar
3 Tbs coconut aminos
1/4 cup honey
1 tsp. chili garlic paste
2 cloves garlic minced
1 tsp ginger minced
1 Tbs. coconut oil
1 tsp. sesame oil
1 1/2 lbs Chicken cut into bite size pieces
1 red pepper diced
1/2 onion diced

Directions: In a sauce pan add orange juice, vinegar, coconut aminos, honey and chili garlic paste. Let it bubble on medium heat for 5 mins. remove from heat. Brown ginger and garlic with the coconut and sesame oil. Add Chicken. When chicken is done add the sauce, peppers and onions and let it simmer for 5 minutes. Serve it over steamed cabbage.

No Candy Valentines

I am all for the no candy Valentines, and they are way cuter than the candy ones! But, lets be honest here, I do not have a single crafty bone in my body. Every Pinterest project I have attempted has been a fail. So have you seen that pinterest post with all the pinterest pictures and then the persons attempt at it. Ya that's is me. So I love those amazing, crafty people who share their cute ideas and their templates that I can just print off. :)  I have found some cute ones and wanted to share.

Peel the love!











This is my fave! My kids love cuties!


Fruit Valentines


Love the cute fruit sayings!

12 No Candy Valentine's

We did the bouncy balls last year and the kids loved it!

20 No Candy Valentines

Finding Joy in a world full of Poop!

Last year I struggled with motherhood. I was pregnant with my 4th, 4 in 5 years. I didn't think I could handle another kid, I was still getting the hang of 3. I love each one of my children with my whole heart and I worry daily about them. I want to be the best mom and an amazing wife. I have had a heard time finding joy in all the chaos. I was a very ambitious college student, I worked hard and have always wanted to get my degree. I had plans to travel and experience life, but then I met my husband and married at a young age. I still went to school, then I had Scotlyn and schooling slowed, then I had Ethan and schooling stopped. I still want to finish and earn that degree, but it's not going to be for a while. I have watched my sisters and sister in laws achieve things I am envious of. World Travel, College graduates, missions, and spontaneous trips. I have had to change my priorities and learn to be grateful for the many blessings I have! I have 4 beautiful, healthy, happy children! I have an amazing Husband who works hard so I can stay at home with our children. I have amazing family members that live nearby and are willing to help out when I need a break. I have an Amazing Mother who is so knowledgeable and I who have an amazing friendship with!

This year, 2014, my number 1 goal is all about me. It has taken more sacrifice on my part, less sleep, but it has been worth it! I want my children to see a happy mom. I want to set the tone in our home. I want to find the joy in every little moment. This all requires me to make better choices and start doing! I get up at 4:45 am and I take care me. I workout, which helps immensely with my sanity. I really feel it on those days I sleep in and miss my runs. I read my scriptures and read personal development. I know Personal Development, Hahaha! I was a critic, but give it a chance, you will love it! I am more prepared for my day when it starts with prayer and scripture. I am at peace and more in tune.  I get so much done before my sweet little monsters wake-up! I have learned so much this last month about myself and I love the new me!

I have made goals to build people up and compliment others often. I know so many amazing women, who inspire me daily and they probably have no idea how I feel about them! I am going to let everyone know how amazing I think they are. I am going to choose to love everyone and never judge. No one knows the struggles that others go through. I don't want to be judged and have people think I don't appreciate my family! I am going to let everyone know how thankful I am for them.
Now, how to deal with a 5 year old Drama queen. A 3 year old sugar addict who won't eat anything healthy and throws a fit when I won't let him eat bread, cereal and cookies all day long. A CRAZY 2 year old, who has food sensitivities and is currently potting training, and has no problem touching poop! Have you ever seen Baby Mamma? The part where she licks her boys finger that had chocolate on it. And the friend asks "What if that had been poop?" With Madeline you would never lick her finger it is most likely poop! I have had poop thrown at me, I have had it handed to me in a bowl, pot, towel. She has even used the play kitchen sink as a toilet! I have found it painted all over the bathroom. She is very independent and want to do it all by herself and so I leave the bathroom and she can make a mess real quick!  And the poor girl is the size of a 1 year old, so getting on and off the toilet is tricky. Last, but not least a 7 month old Angel who gets put on the ground a lot. Lillian is the sweetest baby and just knows that I love her, but I can't hold her right now.
I most definitely do not have all the answers and I am far from perfect, but I have learned to be more grateful. When I am frustrated I try to think of all the things I love about my children. I walk away for a moment and come back when I am calm and try to talk to whoever is upset. I have learned to rely on my Savior. When one of my kids is throwing a fit I take that moment to try to understand their feelings and for me to keep calm, then I try to talk to them and I say a prayer with them and tell them that Heavenly Father is there to help us. It usually calms the situation. I have had a hard time turning to the Lord for help, he is the first I should turn to. He knows what I am capable of and for some crazy reason thought I needed to have 4 crazy kids in 5 years. In one of the Personal Development books I listened too, it says to take a moment to write down everything you did that day and are grateful for, don't worry about what didn't get done or your failures. Focus on the good!
I am far from perfect and I have my days , but I want to look back on this post and remind myself to find the joy in the chaos and focus on that!

Love my beautiful, fun, crazy, family!

Garlic Lemon Cream Sauce with Zucchini and Asparagus

I am super excited about this recipe! I love garlic, lemon and asparagus combination. My Husband loved it!!! So if you know my husband he is not much for healthy food. He would rather have regular noodle over my zucchini noodles. I was honestly prepping myself for my husband to say "this is super healthy" and only eat a little and say "this is not a keeper". But he didn't, he actually said "add this to the list!"


Garlic Lemon Cream Sauce with
 Zucchini and Asparagus
3 cloves of garlic minced
1 Tbs. ghee or clarified butter
1 lemon juiced
1/3 cup coconut cream
1 bunch of asparagus cut into 1/2" pieces
1 zucchini made into noodles

Directions: Saute the garlic and the ghee on medium heat till garlic is golden brown. Add lemon juice and coconut cream. Add asparagus and cook for 5 mins. Remove from heat and add zucchini noodles and toss. I topped ours with grilled chicken.


We made peaches n cream smoothies for dessert, with the leftover coconut cream.

Apple Cinnamon Nut Clusters

I love nuts, but let's be honest they get old real fast. They make great snacks on the go so I wanted to make something that had a little more to it than just nuts! My kids love this recipe too! My son would eat the whole pan, if I let him! I don't know how people keep boys full, Ethan is asking every 10 minutes for something to eat. It is a full time job trying to keep that boy fed!. I am scared for when he is a teenage boy! He is that kid that will sneak stuff and eat it under the table. Crazy, hungry kids!

Apple Cinnamon Nut Clusters

1/2 cup almonds

1/2 cup walnuts

1/2 cup pecans

1/2 cup coconut flakes

1 cup dried apples

1 Tbs. cinnamon

1/4 cup honey

1/4 coconut oil

1 tsp vanilla

Directions: Place almonds, walnuts, pecans, coconut, dried apples and cinnamon in a blender. Pulse till nuts are chopped. melt coconut oil and Honey in a sauce pan. Once melted add vanilla and nut mixture. Stir till combined. poor into a 9x13 plyrex and press it down. Bake at 350 for 15 mins. if they are not golden brown yet bake a little longer. Let them cool. When it has cooled, take a spoon and break it up into clusters. I keep them in the fridge so they stay nice and crunchy.