Im lame I know..

I have been so busy doing absolutely nothing that I haven't kept up with my blogging =/ If I feel I had a boring day why would I want to write about it? Anyways really the past few days we have just hung out.  Over the weekend we went to Yongson and went shopping and then this week Ive basically organized and cleaned and played with the kiddos.  We went to a craft day and made cookies one day.  We are making cookies again right now ;] I had a FRG meeting that went well..Cant wait for later I will be attending my second crossfit class! I want to go religiously but with baby sitting in the morning and having my own kids its just soo hard! That's that for my boring post of the day! I will be posting my Thanksgiving meal recipes next week! Those will be fun posts ;]

 

 

Banana bread

We LOVE banana bread and muffins in this household. So when viva mart (a little korean grocery store down the road) had over ripe bananas for 980 won (around $.95) I decided to buy all of them!

This is my favorite banana bread recipe! I always try to find a better recipe, but this is the  recipe I always come back too =]

3 ripe bananas room temp
1/2 C to 1.25 C sugar (depends on how sweet you want it!) I use 3/4 Cup
1/3  cup melted butter (some people use vegetable oil, not me! always butter)
1 egg beaten (you dont want it to freeze up your butter)
2 tsp vanilla (I use real vanilla but extract works)
1tsp baking soda
.5tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1.5 C flour + 1 Tbs
2 Tbs Cinnamon

For topping:
1/4 C sugar/cinnamon mixture

Your going to butter your loaf pan (about .5 TBS) and then dust it with the 1TBS of flour

Mash up your bananas. Add your melted butter and stir to incorporate them..then add your vanilla, egg and sugar and mix until nicely blended.

Mix together all the dry ingredients. (flour,salt,cinnamon,BP, BS)

Then your going to combine the dry and wet and mix just until incorporated.

Forgot to mention your oven should be at 350 F
Pour your batter into the greased, floured pan. Take your cinnamon sugar and sprinkle it over the top.  This is going to give the top of your banana bread a nice crunchy sweetness =] I use cinnamon and sugar in like all my breads lol

 

Your going to cook your bread about 50-60 minutes..watch closely! I test mine by touching the top and seeing if it gives and just by the appearance. I don't like sticking a knife in because if its not cooked all the way when you check then you get this weird line in your bread that doesn't cook right. So use a tooth pick! Anyways you don't want to cook it too long or it will dry out and that's no bueno. Cook it to short and you have a mushy bread. Cook it just right and your tooth pick will have like a crumby mixture on it and that's when you pull it out.

When you've determined its done cooking, let it rest in the pan for ten minutes! Its still going to cook a few minutes because of the heat and that's what you want! I even put some aluminum foil over it.  After the ten minutes flip it out and then right side up and there you have it! I totally forgot I was blogging by this point I was chasing after Guias, Achilles and his friend lol 

When I remembered I was down to the last piece haha

Now I have lots of bananas peeled and in the freezer for my next batch! =]

Please comment if there is any confusion! I'm not the best at giving directions!

hello Yongson!

Our Saturday started off not so well.  Hayden, Achilles friend..woke up at 0620 which led to Achilles waking up and then Guy. So at 0630 we are all awake! I made some banana bread and we all ate a whole loaf of bread and muffins lol The boys played nicely the entire morning until a bouncy ball gets involved! Hayden was playing with this pop up toy and Achilles was throwing a bouncy ball around..we Hayden got ahold of the ball and wouldnt give it back to Achilles.. What does Achilles do? Lashes out at Hayden and puts huge gouges in his face! They brawled for a second and Achilles got a little time out for that one! I have an angry child when it comes to people taking his toys..I try my hardest to get him to share and be nice, or come tell me when somethings not going his way but when they are two its a bit hard to teach. We turned on despicable me and they watched it for a minute and then went back to playing..I made them this little house out of a cardboard box and they loved it!

                      Yes I look like a dweeb, No I don't care! Aaron's taking me on a Road Trip!!

Aaron asked me if I wanted to make a trip to Yongson and I of course agreed because they have a way bigger PX and the commisary is huge! For a comparison, Camp Casey is the size of Tops and Yongson commisary is the size of Wegmans. By the time we got out it was like 3 and it took us 2.5 hours to get there! Its a long story but it was mainly stop and go traffic and it SUCKED! We get there and Aaron gets pissed off right away because they make you show your ID when you walk into the PX and they also wanted to see my rations card which I didn't have with me.  He didnt like that Koreans were telling us that we couldn't go into a PX. I see where his problem is.  I was quite pissy myself because I didn't need to use my rations card when Aaron was with me so whatever. We went into whats called the four seasons and that had all the toys..Achilles and Guy both got to pick out a toy =]
Dinner was Manchu wok for Aaron which was nasty, and I had Subway. The boys shared with us.  Now the most exciting part about this trip was that we were headed to the commisary! I couldn't wait! We get there and there is a case lot sale.. we are looking around in heaven and a worker was like "we are closed but go inside quick and they will ring you out" So we booked it in there running around trying to find dog food (Chief needs Kibbles n Bits or he gets sick and they only sell the small bags where we live) We get 60 lbs in dog food, 20 lbs in cat food, and like 30 lbs in cat litter and check out.  It was really depressing that we couldn't look around.  I wanted to slowly go in and out of every isle haha

Our trip home only took about 1.5 hours thank God! It was nice though because Aaron and I took advantage of the kids sleeping and chatted.

Best part we came home and skyped with family =D

Our Friday night..

In our house Friday nights we like to celebrate a little and maybe go out to dinner, take the kids to the park then go home and watch a movie.  Probably sounds pretty boring to most 22 year olds.  For me its a good night.

I started watching a little boy overnight on Fridays, so we wanted to take Achilles and his friend (Hayden) bowling. It was a GREAT idea. Seriously they loved it! They got chicken fingers and fries and some grape soda. Yup Im a bad mom now. I gave my kids soda! =O Honestly all the juices that moms fill in their kids cups are filled with sugar too. Achilles drinks water and milk throughout the day..and occasionally gets a sip of soda.  Anyways they got their food, ate a couple bites. Then they were off! Hayden is a pro. He grabs the ball and runs to the little ramp, uses all his energy to get the ball on the ramp and pushes it down. It was super cute.  Achilles started doing the same thing. I was chasing after these two freaking out that they were going to drop the ball on their toes..but boys are naturally talented at carrying heavy things I guess lol 

Then its my turn to bowl, kids running everywhere I tell ya.  They were running to this life size pirate there, Achilles took off and ran infront of all the lanes. Then it was Aarons turn to bowl, and hes a smart one.  He had the kids sit down at the edge where the carpet meets the hard wood.  It was a great idea I was super impressed with him I must say.  He gets his ball and walks to the lane and the kids are already up running around again..using the little ramp as a slide haha they were cute and had a lot of fun. Im glad Achilles has found a good friend =] 

We didnt get home until 10 pm YIKES and guess what time Hayden woke up? 620! iy iy iy His mom and dad would gladly come pick him up if I asked but Achilles woke up too so Im going to let them run around and play.  Im sure the couple below me is so thrilled. 

So now Im going to make banana bread and prepare for what I hope is a fun filled day =] Maybe the park, or might even take a walk on the river! Thanks for reading if you read it all! I cant believe my page has over 300 views after just sharing it last night!

Kids dont belong on the back of motorcycles!

This is what you get for twerking! Please watch this! haha

Hilarious twerk video

A dog completes a family

There is a reason I am giving a little preview so try to stick with me =]

We've had our German shepherd since he was 8 weeks old to the day. We had him before we had kids and naturally he was my little baby back when we first brought him home.  Then we had kids a year later and he kind of got set on the back burner =/ its sad but it happened...my son was my first priority.

This is Chiefy

We had two dogs Pepe  (a lab) and Chief (the GSD) Pepe took so nicely to Achilles. He could do anything he wanted to the dog and hed just take it.  It was amazing to me and I felt so proud that I raised such an amazing dog. Chief on the other hand, wasnt a fan.  Achilles was about one the first time he ever snapped at him. I yelled of course and said "you dont bite thats bad" oin my mean man voice. Then about 5 minutes later he snapped again. I was pregnant with Guias and I had these raging hormones.  I went psycho on Chief I picked him up and threw him across the room I was so upset that he didnt listen.  I hated that I had to be so harsh but he HAD to know that that was a no no.  I knew that if he made a routine out of growling or snapping he would have to go and that broke my heart to think about. Well he has not snapped again to this day! Up until a few months ago anytime Achilles would walk up to him he would get up and walk away..he didnt want to be associated with him at all! It kind of made me sad because I did want them to be best buds.

So for awhile the dogs lived in my dads garage.  Aaron was at WOC school and I was too scared to be home alone at Bragg so I moved in with my dad. The dogs weren't allowed in the house so thy had to stay in the garage =[  Anyways once we got to Korea the dogs had to be quarantined.  Finally after a week Chief got to come home. (Home to a hotel) He was just so happy to be living with us as a family again he let Achilles in.  Achilles drags him around on his leash and pulls his tail, chases him around and all is good. 

Yesterday, I had Achilles on my lap and we started spinning in the computer chair and Achilles was screaming laughing.  Chief was going koo koo. I couldnt figure out why he was trying to snap at us and stop the chair he did not like it AT ALL! Then today I was doing it again and I figured it out! He thought I was hurting Achilles.  I was using my feet to spin the chair obviously and Chief was barking at me trying to bite my ankles! I thought he was protective of our family in general but today he showed me that he would protect us individually as well.  It makes me proud to have such an amazing dog!

We no longer have Pepe due to a tragic accident but we have a crazy dog named Penelope, Penny for short.  We named her Penelope because it resembled Pepe a bit.  Chief was so depressed when Pepe passed we knew we had to get him a sister to help ease the pain.  It did, he started eating again and stopped moping around.  Anyways Penny was due to be euthanized as the shelter was full.  Once a stray has been there for 72 hours they get put down if the shelter is full =[ We knew we had to save a dog in memory of Pepe.  She is a psychotic dog with more energy then I have ever seen! She makes me incredibly mad but I love her to death! She is very protective over us! When we are outside taking walks, anytime a man gets close she stops, her hair stands up and she growls this viscous growl.  It really makes me appreciate her. After all we want them to protect our family as well as being that dog that unconditionally loves us and she is just that.  Its been hard for Aaron to let her in because he hasn't been around her very much and Pepe left very big 'shoes' to fill. She is a great companion for the kids though.  They can do anything they want to her and she is OK with that! 

This is the demon dog Penny lol She has one blue eye and one brown eye with a blue spec in it 

Our favorite diapers and wipes!

For the past 2.5 years Ive been using paper diapers.  I chose this route because I just dont have the patience for cloth diapering and honestly I dont want to be cleaning dirty diapers.  I know lots of people that love it..Im just not a fluffy butt mom idk Id rather not carry around a dirty diaper with me for the remainder of the day since my children like to go as soon as we are out somewhere.  Story of my life.

According to the LA Times, “Every child is slightly different, of course, but generally you change smaller children a bit more often than bigger kids. So, the differences in per-unit costs still tend to leave you with a relatively stable daily cost of about $2. (That's based on 10 daily changes per infant and six changes for toddlers.) The weekly cost amounts to $14, which comes to $728 annually.”

 Only 3 main diaper brands and still you stand there troubled on what kind to pick! We've tried them all! Our favorite diaper is LUVS! People dont buy them because they think they are going to be cheap but honestly they arent! I can get 120 Luvs diapers for $20 or I can get 100 Pampers for $27.99.  I will say that I do love pampers swaddlers.  Thats all Achilles ever wore but two kids in diapers..well yeah that just wasnt going to cut it.  We just recently bought the pampers cruisers because they were on sale for $22 and I do like them, but they do sag a bit fast.  Im not the mom that changes the diaper after every pee. Diapers are made to hold more than one little tinkle lol Ive also found that poop doesnt stay in the pampers cruiser as well as our fav LUVS diaper. (I of course change poopy diapers right away) Maybe because the pampers diaper doesnt cover the whole booty like luvs does.

 WIPES:  When we were stateside we used Parents Choice..(walmart brand) It was like $11 for 700 wipes and they were pretty good wipes too.  Very similar to Huggies brand. They came in smaller packs so it was easy to just grab a pack for on the go. They were our favorite! I like Huggies wipes and thats what we use now that we are in Korea.  I personally HATE pampers wipes..honestly.  They dont grip at all!

About me, and Korea so far

I obviously am an Army Wife which everyone knows.  Its not an easy life that's for sure but its the perfect life for me.  Truth be told I've always been the type to get really bored with things in life..I'm honestly never satisfied. Its true and Ill admit it.  However this life makes every day an adventure..every day I'm on the tip of my toes wondering whats going to come next.  My days aren't lived out going day to day there is always something bigger and better waiting for us the next day..Isnt that the American dream? I have the most precious two boys, that without doubt have completed my life...if I died tomorrow Id want people to know that I'm OK with it because bringing my kids into this world is all I could have ever asked for! They are what keeps me going and the ones that make me want to better myself everyday. As all kids do they have their days where they just want to push me until I break...sometimes its hard being that mom that always has it put together but I do it for them, and my husband of course.  Hes given me this magnificent life and these gorgeous children.  Hes my knight in shining armor and my rock. People try to bring us down ..we just don't care! We've been through the fire and we made it out alive and stronger! I'm happy to have him as my husband and best friend..I know that any bad day can be made better just by him being there for me and that's nice.  It takes an extremely strong man to be married to me because I am a cold hearted bitch at times and I'm not afraid to admit that..its who I am and who I've always been.  If I'm having a bad day where I just want to be mad at the world he doesn't fight with me he just makes it better...and that's a good husband! <3333 

We have lived in Germany and experienced what Europe has to offer..we moved to Ft.Bragg, NC and lived that life and now we currently reside in South Korea.  Its a bit of a change but I like change! Its kind of opened my eyes to the fact that everyone is different..the American dream is so much different then lets say the "Korean dream" Lets see if I can explain this... As Americans the "typical" American dream is to have a family with the big house and white picket fence and Labrador. Honestly try to correct me if I'm wrong but that's what it is. A picture perfect life with the best of the best....We own a beautiful 2200 sq ft home but right before we left NC we found even bigger homes that we agreed on buying one if we ever moved back to NC. Its like we always want something bigger and something better. Its the way of life..however in Korea they live in these sky risers and are OK with that.  They don't care about living in apartments the rest of their lives..they just go to work come home and spend time with their families and they are OK with doing that..granted Id be OK too because I have my perfect family but I like thinking ahead to our future and what it holds.  I want a custom built farm house with a little barn with a few cows, horses, chickens etc. I think about it daily. Some people just think about where their next meal is going to come from.  When we pass this one particular house every day it kind of makes me sad that I want all these things, and in that house that only has cement for floors and no door, all they are worried about is if their little garden outside is going to grow so they can feed their family.  It kind of weighs on your heart strings a bit.  It makes me appreciate everything we have more.

Thank you Hoover!!!

If you have kids and/or you have pets you NEED this!

Penny was in quarantine for a month when we got to Korea..well you can imagine what that did for her potty training.  We were going through rolls of paper towels or using the "dog towels" and constantly having to do a bleach load on super hot to clean them it started getting expensive! So Penny peed on the one area rug we have.  I hate not having clean carpets..like in NC I carpet cleaned at least once a week because cleanliness is important to me! I had no clue how long it would take until my Kirby got here so I decided to look for a temporary fix. Also Penny peed on the bed we are renting from the Army..yeah so we needed something ASAP! This thing is God sent seriously!
As soon as I got it in the mail I opened it up and was prepared to make my own solution because I forgot to buy some..well it came with two different kinds! A hard floor cleaner and a carpet/upholstry cleaner. I used it on the spare bed and couldnt believe that this baby cleaned the entire pee stain and 100% eliminated the stinky smell! It was worth every cent after that! I then used it on the carpet..worked pretty good but of course not as well as the kirby. We have this weird textured floor in our guest bathroom and I used it in there and was able to clean it perfectly! Literally the only other way would be to hand scrub with a sponge! Then I used it on the couches and it got rid of those stains..and then my most favorite use for this is when Penny pees on the hard wood I no longer need to use a roll of paper towels or dirty the dog towels! All I do is turn this sucker on and suck all the pee up and dump it down the toilet =D Its really easy to clean!

CONS: there is one flaw to this product and that is that it sprays everywhere! You cant just spray one small spot at a time. You kind of have to angle te nozzle so it doesnt hit the wall and everything else.

My first blog!

This is my third attempt at writing a blog tonight! I was having a hard time finding the perfect blog site! I did have this nice long read about how our time in Korea is going, but I am just too tired to write it all again.  I must however start with something.

Its important for me to get my life down on (paper) I have a terrible memory..maybe we should call it selective memory ;] In mine and Aarons short 4 years of marriage we have already experienced so much! I wish I would have started blogging years ago! My life would probably be an award winning drama movie for real! Id love to share my recipes and experiences and stories that are just too long for facebook haha I really do have to call it a night..the kids dont sleep in anymore..they are up with the sun! You know what they say.. "a mom works from son up to son down" Isnt that the truth!!