Thursday, July 30, 2009

Thankful Thursday



Last week for my first posting I chose my Family, this week I thought I would take it a step down and take a moment to be thankful Ty & I have jobs.
You hear it on the news, radio..see it on the interent and in the paper..people all over the board are losing their jobs. From the Teachers in our community who have been let go due to "budget cuts", the wonderful merchant tellers who helped me at my bank everytime I went in, all the way down to the cashier clerks at our Bashas who lost their jobs because the store closed.
Many of these people have invested almost half their entire lives into their career and just like that, POOF, it's all gone. They are left to either move or start all over.
I'm so grateful we both have jobs. It wasn't so long ago that we were on the flip side..and let me tell ya, it SUCKED! We consider ourselves extremely fortunate.
For us, it was nothing more then the opening of another door. After Ty was let go from his company of 15 yrs, he & his dad finally made the effort and started their own business. Had they never been let go, this would not have happened I'm sure. In Ty's case, he looks back now and said he is so thankful that he was let go, everything happens for a reason.
If we all have jobs, we need to feel blessed. If we happen to lose our job, we need to look for the other opportunity because there is always one available. Some of the happiest & most succesful people in the world got to that point by simply being forced to look for Plan B.


Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Trading Tuesday

TCBOTB

This week I thought I would post our favorite dip recipe. Family & Friends will request this dip when they come to our house for parties or other gatherings. I will probably regret sharing this recipe one day since it is my Trademark Dip..but what the hell, why not let others enjoy it too.

No picture this week..sorry. This is not the most "healthy" dip however, you can substitute for light products but you will loose the great flavor. Choice is yours, I've done both ways. :)


Tracey's Bean Dip (hehe)

1 30oz Large can Refried Beans

1 8oz pack Cream Cheese

1 16oz tub Sour Cream

Small can of Pickled Jalepenos (Do not throw away juice)

1 Cup shredded cheese

2 Scallions, sliced

Tortilla Chips (I find that the mission tortilla chips are the best with this dip because they don't break)


In a food processor mix the Sour Cream, Cream Cheese & 3 jalepenos (adjustable depending on yor liking). Blend ingredients until it is smooth. Add Beans & about 2-3 tablespons of the jalepeno juice in with the cheese mixture. Blend until all combined.

Spray Baking dish with PAM ( I use an 10in. glass bowl dish) put the bean dip in the dish and top with cheese. Bake at 350 for around 30 minutes, or until cheese is browned & bean dip is bubbly. Top with scallions & EAT!

WATCH out, this stuff is incredibly addicting. Also, the dip gets spicier as it cooks, make sure to adjust the jalepenos to what your kids/crowd will like. Make sure you use the PICKLED Jalepenos.

Saturday, July 25, 2009

The Twins Turn 7



I just can't beleive it! My babies are turning 7! On one hand I'm thrilled to have made it through the sleepless nights & frazzled days that one faces as they are caring for 2 babies at the same time, which by the way is no walk in the park! Then on the other hand I'm bummed thinking that I will now have 2 kids the same age, going through the same things at the same time. Ugh! At 16 I'll be buying TWO cars, at graduation I'll be putting TWO kids in college...YIKES!! O well...this is where the Prozac comes into play :)

The babies have always been fun...even through the hard times. They are so different from one another, it must be a twin thing. They have always been so opposite, when one goes through a growth spurt, the other does not. When one is behaving good, the other is not. When one is sleeping good, the other is not. I wonder why this is? They are each other's best friend...I feel that having twins is actually more of a gift...ever since they were little they have been tied at the hip with one another and are always happy together. Tyler is the more passive one & he's very protective of his sisters while Alexa is the Boss & always has been.

So I'll cut to the chase & tell you how these sweet little babies arrived. I found out I was pregnant with twins at 6 weeks along (Ty almost DIED!) Everyone in our family was thrilled and over joyed but it took Ty several months to feel the same way. I think he was more scared then anything about how he was going to take care of TWO more babies (I was a stay at home mom this whole time)

The pregnancy went great, full term for twins is 38 weeks...and I carried them suckers till 38 weeks. I thought I would never have them. At one point, my best friend gave me some caster oil to take since it helped her have her baby...But NO! Aside from puking, It did nothing! I ended up having the babies the day before I was to be induced.

The labor was fast & furious, not to mention very scary. All I really remember was Tyler (baby A) he was head down, Alexa (baby B) was breached. They thought they might have to give me a C-Section after I had tyler so before I knew it..they were throwing scrubs to ty and rushing me into the operating Room. Ty was so freaked out! We have never had any of our kids in an operating room & it was quite scarier then what we were used too. There were around 10 people from doctors to nurses & nicu nurses. Luckily, no C-Section for me. Yeehoo!

Our babies were born so healthy and beautiful that all that torture was well worth it. We were prepared that they would possibly have to spend time in the NICU if they weren't big enough or if they had any problems. (I could not gain much weight while pregnant, we were concerned they would be too underweight to come home) They were able to come home the very next day after they were born, we were so blessed to have such healthy twins.
July 26th 2002

Tyler William was born at 11:09am

6lbs 5oz


Alexa Caitlynne was born at 11:15am

6lbs 7oz


The nurses at the hospital were amazed at how BIG the babies were...so were we! They were just perfect! Even though alexa weighed more then Tyler at birth, he quickly took over in weight. He was always bigger & taller then her & still is. Chunk-a-monster.


Happy Birthday kiddos!!!




This was their first picture we had taken of them...so cute! (her bow was syruped to her bald head..like the rest of our girls, no hair for her until about a year and a half old)
This was their announcement picture...sleeping so peacefully :)
Smiling for pictures that Tata was taking of them (he took about 20 pictures this night :))
LOL..how funny is this picture! She found her love for shoes at an early age. Look at how chunky little man is...:)

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Thankful Thursday (1 day early)


Since it's my first time with this whole new weekly "thanking" thing, I figured I would start out with one big long intro..hehe. I have so much to be grateful for, I don't even know where to start. So I'll start with my most precious; My Family.

I have the best family! My husband is one of the best men I have ever known. I'm so grateful that he stands by me in all I do & is always my number one supporter. He's always got my back no matter what the situation can be. My kids are some of the neatest youngsters I've met. I'm thankful I get to wake up every morning and see their smiling little faces (or crying, ) and that they are all healthy. Not a day goes by that I don't feel blessed upon that my kids are healthy and happy.

I have the best grandparents, despite being a bit weird, they are about as good as they come. With 300 miles between us, they would still be here tomarrow with one single "I Miss You" phone call.

I have a good mom who tries to do all she can do, despite living thousands of miles away. She's a good grandma to my kids.

I have some of the best in-laws one could ask for. They accept me as one of their own & they are all very involved in my families life.

OK..and so one more thing...I am SO SO SO SO thankful that the Panda man (Panda Express) decided that he wanted to build a panda right around the corner from my house! I am eternally Thankful for the Orange Chicken! :)




Why is it...

That every time you give a person an inch, they take a mile?

Why is it that when you try to help someone, you get crapped on in return?

Why is it that when you put personal feelings in front of ethical reasoning you get made to look like a dummy?

Why is it that when one who doesn't deserve gets more then the one who deserves?

Why is it that certain people who make their 'own' beds, blame others for their own misfortune and misery?

Why is it that one person can make bad choices but it's never 'their' fault?

Why is it that people don't understand they are in control of their own destiny and happiness?

Why is it that people don't realize that the choices they make, effect many more people then just themselves?





Monday, July 20, 2009

Something to think about

While reading my book tonight, I came across a quote that I swear must have been written for me to read. Thought I would share it since many of my other mom friends out there are the same as myself, where our kids and husbands are always first on our "giving" list:

"Undoubtedly to some, the idea of giving so much love to self will seem very cold, hard and unmerciful. Still this matter may be seen in a different light, when we find that 'looking out for Number One', as directed by the Infinate, is really looking out for Number Two and is indeed the only way to permanently benefit Number Two".

Sure does make me think I need to quit feeling so guilty when I want to do things for myself FIRST. :)


Trading Tuesday

TCBOTB

It's not quite Tuesday, but I figured it's either now or never. This week I am posting a recipe that my Mother-In-Law shared with me for a quick and easy crockpot meal that is surprisingly very tasty for a shortcut meal. I am not one who partakes in many short cut versions of dishes I like to prepare...but this one is excellent & one I would reccomend for the busy mom's out there.
Crockpot Fajitas

***Boneless beef roast, Fat trimmed off (i used 4.5lb for my family of 6 & had TONS of leftovers)

***2-3 bell peppers, sliced

***1/2 Large onion, sliced

***2 garlic cloves, diced

***1 packet fajita seasoning

***1/2 c. water

***Flour or corn tortillas

Put all the ingredients in the crockpot and set on low (8-10hrs) Shred when you are ready to eat.

WaaLaa! Top with any garnishes you like and your ready to eat. I have started making this dish for nights when I know it will be a tired one for Ty & I.


Thankful Thursday


I've decided I am going to add the 'Thankful Thursdays' section to my blog as well. Every Thursday I will post something I am thankful for. It's such a neat way to reflect on all the things I am grateful for since I am blessed with so much. Too many times I forget these things...too bad there's not more then 1 thursday a week! Darn!

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

14 Years Ago Today, I Became a Mom

for the first time. If only my family would have known how scared I was to become a mother at the young age of 17, they would have been just terrified for me. I'll never forget my experiences with my first pregnancy, I was very "BY-The Book" (who'de of ever thought, lol). I had some great family & great friends to support me through this 9 months awaiting the arrival of my first born. Many had told me how hard it would be & how life changing it would be to have a baby so young, but not many of these people ever told me the love you would have for your child would change you in ways you never thought possible. In a way that makes you want to be a better person, in a way that makes you scrutinize your own wants & desires to make sure they are the best for your child.

The night she arrived was not one I was prepared for in the least bit, but with all my reading I had been doing I should have only known those damn Jack-in the box tacos would have set me off into labor. (Long story, but I was HOOKED on JITB Tacos while I was pregnant, severely hooked)

Ty had picked me up to take me out for the evening. I had started having contractions earlier in the day, but none were consistent. As usual, I made my normal pitstop to JITB for my regular nightly tacos...and just like that...BOOM!!! Within and hour and a half, I was in Labor.

I remember discussing it with my mom that it was "time", she was scurrying through the entire house trying to get everything I would need/Paige would need. She just kept repeating the words " Okay, Okay, Stay Calm Tracey, Okay, Okay, What else do we need, etc". She was freaking out more then I was! Kinda funny now that I think about it. :)
After 16 hours of Labor, Little Miss Paige was finally ready to enter into this world.

My mom, Ty, Ty's parents and his brothers & sisters were all there at the hospital during/after we had Paige. Amazing to think it was 14 years ago. The last 14 years with her has been quite an adventure. I'm not sure where I would be now had I never had her, but I do know that I would have missed out on the best 14 years of my life! (even being a young mom) She was the best thing that ever happened to me.



July 15th 1995

Paige Nicole Morgan
7lbs 14oz


(below) Paige & me when she was 2 days old







Paige's 1st grade picture ( I LOVED to curl her hair)


Miss Paige the Soccer player~She's so cute!!

This is my Paiger's today. Where o' where does the time go?? How can they grow so fast?



Happy Happy 14th Birthday Paiger's. I love you so much!!!!!


Monday, July 6, 2009

Hmmmm...

I'm not sure what title or subject to give this posting since my mind is weighing heavy & I have many things on my mind, I guess it would be just a general Blah Blog. Here goes:

Tomarrow will be such a sad day as the Greatest Pop Legend of all time is laid to his final resting. May he rest in peace & may the world remember him for his music, his natural gifts to entertain, his love for people and his commitment to change & help those less fortunate. May they not remember all the negative "tabloided" things we all read about.

Why do kids have to be so mean and immature? Paige and kyla are friends with 2 other sisters and our girls happen to all be best friends, until saturday. Paige had a tiff with her friend, which was aweful because paige was devastated and in tears because the other girl was being very very mean. Kyla in turn, took matters in her own hands & stuck up for her sister (NEVER thought I would see this day with the way my two girls fight) NOW none of the girls are friends! I want to get involved so badly because now these other girls are hacking into our girls' email accounts and sending nasty & hurtful emails to people. (How did they get the email info you ask, OH, because our girls set up the accounts at these girls' house..so these girls are the main acct holders.) I've had crying & angry girls for days now & my heart aches that they are going through this...but in the same breath..it goes to show you how much you really love your sister. Lesson Learned: No friendship is valued more then that of your own sister. They learned this in an odd way & I'm glad.

Why does my 6 year old feel the need to wear a bra??? I've caught her now 2 times this week wearing her sister's bra! Her response to me when she heard me say something to Ty about it: Imagine this, her hand is on her hip (as it is usually) and she says with a head roll "Oh my god mom, Ugh! That is sooo embarassing, UGH! I can't beleive you told HIM-A, Ugh" And yes, she was rolling the head & eyes the ENTIRE time! Holy heck, can you imagine what she will be like at 12??? WATCH OUT!!

My son is being such a little pill lately, I swear there is not a moment that I am scoldng him where he is not laughing at me or trying to hold back his laughs. He thinks it is soooo fuuuuuny when I scold him. Why?? I don't think it's very funny when he pushes my buttons to the point of NO MORE PUSHING.

Kyla just received a letter today that she was nominated for Student Ambassador at her school & she has been invited to travel & study the different cultures & history next summer (2010) where she will go to England, France, Germany, Belgium, The Netherlands & Switzerland. At first we were totally stoked & honored at the once in a lifetime opportunity, then after some research of the cost of the trip, I will not be able to go with her. This makes me nervous to have her so far away by herself. Ty said she needs to go on the trip and have this experience & she really wants to go. Am I being too over protective by not wanting her to go alone without one of us?? How can I know if these people will really watch her?? OMG she will get to go to Buckingham Palace & she even gets to meet the Beefeaters...maybe I'm just jealous?! Could be :) We go to NAU for a meeting about it in August, I'll keep you all posted on what we find out.

My Paigers is going to be 14 next week. FOURTEEN! Where does time go? My babies are going to be 7 in 3 weeks. Yep, SEVEN! I would give anything I had, to be able to go back in time and re-live my kids' "little baby" moments over. All the times I said over and over that I wanted my kids to "grow up" and "get bigger", really, I didn't. Had I known then, what I know now, I would have soaked up every one of those moments and never worried about the little things that didn't really matter at the time. (I'm TYPE A people)

Ty & his Dad's business is finally up and running. They are officially Licensed & legal...Yipee! It's been a long time coming for sure. They are officially 'Morgan & Sons Construction'. Kinda like the three stooges...LOL. They will do fantastic, as always. While so many are out of work, they have been so fortunate to have a ton of work with the stress of 'how' to finish it all. What a great problem to have right now, huh?

We might be adopting another bulldog from rescue, she was given away due to a minor surgery she needed. She has had the surgery (so we read) and the bull rescue has contacted us to see about possibly taking her. We're not sure if she will be ok around cats..but if she is..looks like we might have another spoiled ass rotten bulldog on our hands :)! (I say that out of pure joy, really) Everytime Bo gets on my nerves or gets introuble (which is very RARE) ty will always say "You Created That Monster!". LOL. Sadly, I did! He's so spoiled it's pathetic. O well...he's my monster! :)

I am thinking I want to open a coffee shop in the next 1-2 years. It has always been a dream of mine to operate some sort of cooking/entertaining business, and I have always had a dream of a tea house. The coffee house just seemed more like something we could do that would be profitable & FUN. I could definetly see our family having a great time & doing something with passion if we chose to open it & run it. Who knows...it may just work out.

I'm feeling better now. Venting is complete. Tomarrow is another day....it WILL be a good one.


Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Wonderful San Diego

We had a great time in San Diego this last week. We were fortunate enough to spend 4 days there with Ty's Parents. The weather was beautiful, water was refreshing & the company was perfect. I can't wait to go back again, hopefully next year we will get to re-rent our big beach house again. Awww...keep my fingers crossed.

I Didn't get many pictures....that's because I was too busy havin a Partay! :)

Bill & Kris after a game of Beach Frisbee..how cute are they :)


The view from the Hotel Living Room :):)


Love San Diego


Ok. So not sure if you can see Ty or not, but he's on his long board. Everytime we come to San Diego he has to bring his board and this is ALWAYS ALWAYS the FIRST thing he does when he get here...yep...jumps right on his board and boogies. (literally, I hadn't even gotten out of the truck before he was gone down the road.)


OK...he's better now. (until later) How cute is he:)








Trading Tuesday

Mini Burritos

TCBOTB

I'm late on my Tuesday posting..better late then never! AND...this time you all got a picture too :)

These burritos we have been making for years now, you can make them with any old junk you have in your fridge or any combo you like. The chicken & cheese are our favorites.

**we do not fry our foods, so we improvise with PAM..if you want to fry...go for it!

Chicken & Cheese Burros:

yields 15 little burros (mini chimi size)

4 boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into super small pieces (1/2in)
1 green bell pepper, seeded & ribs removed, diced into same sized pieces as chicken
1 small yellow onion (or 1/2 large onion) diced into 1/2in pieces
8oz any cheese you prefer (we like sharp but monterey or pepper jack is good too)
flour tortillas (soft taco size)

In skillet cook the chicken with the onions & peppers until cooked through. (add olive oil if needed) Once meat is cooked through & veggies are tender, add all the cheese & stir until melted. Add to tortillas & wrap tightly and align on baking sheet. Spray PAM on top of burritos before putting in oven. This gets them nice & crunchy without the added fat from frying.

Bake at 375 fo 30 minutes or until brown & crunchy. They are yummy & a nice movie night dinner to eat in front of the TV with your kids. They will love them too

Another one we did also for dinner was our Taco Filled Burros, (we use somewhat of the same mixture for our taco filled past shells that are yummy..another recipe night we'll share that one)

Taco Filled Burros:
1 pound of Ground Turkey (or you could use beef)
1/2 pack of cream cheese (4oz)
2 oz cheese (we use sharp)
15oz can diced tomatoes, undrained
1 packet of taco seasoning

Cook turkey until cooked through, add diced tomatoes, cream cheese, taco season and cook until everything is mixed and melted in. Once all is combined add your additional cheese you like. (eyeball to your liking)
Roll & bake the same as the chicken burros.

Yummy.........