Monday is for Mexican

Here is one of my favorite easy recipes- credit goes to Kevin Porter for this yummy one!

Easy Mexican Casserole

1lb ground beef

1 pack taco seasoning

1 can enchilada sauce

1 can black beans, drained and rinsed

1-2 cups cooked corn

2 Cups shredded cheese (I like Mexican blend)

8-10 small round soft tortillas

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 2. Brown ground beef and add taco seasoning by following directions on taco seasoning packet. 3. Mix meat, enchilada sauce, beans and corn. 4. Spray 13x9 glass baking dish with cooking spray. 5. Lay out several tortillas to cover bottom of dish. 6. Spoon meat half of mixture over tortillas. 7. Sprinkle with cheese. 8. Repeat. 9. Place layer of tortillas and sprinkle the rest of cheese on top. 10. Bake 25 minutes- you should see bubbles and top should brown.

Serve with sour cream and salsa if desired. Enjoy!

A Quick Update

A dear friend told me it was time to update my blog. I then started think, 'why haven't I updated in so long?' Then I realized, the last couple of months looked like this:

What is hard to tell is that there is something written on almost EVERY day! I realize everyone is busy these days but the last few months for us have been crazy! I have enjoyed every minute that I am not at work with my precious kiddos! I hope the next few aren't as crazy but I am sure it will. I will try to keep you updated on what is happening :)

Clara

Meet Clara

Two weeks ago my daughter Clara turned 3. Our celebrating included chocolate cupcakes- at her request and everything Ariel. I am so amazed at this precious bundle of energy the Lord has given me. All who know Clara, know how spunky, sassy and sweet she is. Today she had total meltdown because I said she could not watch Mickey Mouse. Last week however she said the most precious prayer I have ever heard from a 3-year-olds' lips. She keeps me on my toes. Here are some of her favorite things: her pink kitty, any one of her five Ariel dolls, fancy dresses, grapes and singing. She is always singing. I so enjoy having a girl in the middle of my precious boys.

My future self

Recently, I read the one billionth article in some women's magazine about how to organize your life. It listed fifteen original ideas from readers for making your life easier. I read the article intently, trying to soak in every idea. I am always looking for a way to make my crazy life easier. Also with three kids and three days of work, I can't seem to catch up with all I need to do. Now several days later, I can only remember one of the ideas- my future self. The idea is every time I do something, ask myself what will my future self think about this. For instance, in the evening before going upstairs to bed- ask myself 'What will my future self think when I come downstairs in the morning?' So far this has prompted me to take a couple extra minutes with everything I do and do it more completely. It has made it nicer to walk into my bathroom in the morning and find a clean floor instead of the kids clothes from the previous night's bath time. So this has lead to a lot of thinking about this future self of mine. What will she be like in a month? a year? Am I doing things now that when I wake up a couple years I will be happy with what my 'past self' did to get there? Just some thoughts......

Hooray for the Crockpot- Mac & Cheese

This is the easiest and best mac and cheese recipe ever! Here is what you need:

8oz package of macaroni- cooked and drained

2 TBS oil

13 oz can evaporated milk

1 1/2 cup milk

1tsp salt

3 cups shredded cheese (I like Velveeta best)

1/4 cup melted butter

- spray crock pot with cooking spray

- toss cooked macaroni in 2 TBS oil in crock pot

- add all other ingredients into crock pot and stir well

- cook 3 to 4 hours on low, stirring occasionally

This has become a staple to a family dinners and everyone loves it! It is easy to double and will easily fit into a large crock pot. Hope you enjoy :)

Things I have been reminded of this week....

1. taking a 17-month-old to a restaurant is still not fun- I have 3 children- I should have learned this already
2. when I tell my 5-year-old that I will punish him if he does something, I must follow through
even if it is hard on me
3. I am still surprised by patients-especially when a 50-something-year-old man decides to become a flosser
4. I still love to laugh with good friends
5. I am not living for the weekends, but I am really glad to see them come around
6. 4 and 5-year-old basketball has to be the most interesting hour of my week

7. God uses the people in my life to bless me and I need to tell them when He does

Horray for the crock-pot!

Mondays are always hard, so when I can, I love to have something cooking away in the crock-pot while I am working. I absolutely love walking in the house and smelling dinner waiting on me. So here is the easiest crock-pot recipe EVER!! Special thanks to my dear friend Jenn for this one ;)

Salsa Chicken

Lightly spray the bottom of crock-pot with cooking spray.
Place 1lb frozen chicken (I like to use tenders) in the crockpot.
Cover with 2 cups of your favorite salsa. It is important that you use a salsa that you like. My family likes Wal-mart brand mild salsa.
Cook on low 7-8 hours. (you do not need to stir)
Remove chicken and sprinkle with cumin powder and a splash of lime juice. That was not part of the original recipe, but I liked what it added to the flavor.
Shred chicken. Perfect for chicken fajitas or with rice and beans.

I know it sounds too easy and like it won't be good- but my family loves it! The chicken does not dry out and we actually fight over the left overs! Hope you enjoy!!