I had Surgery..

....yesterday, I had surgery. Let me start from the beginning.
I found a lump, a hard large lump this summer. I found it cause I had a very weird uncomfortable feeling by my urethra. I knew instantly that the lump was actually a cyst. But I went to Webmd.com to confirm my suspicions. I was right and called my gyno right away to schedule an appt.

Let's recap that visit:
$25
Yes, you have a cyst
random male gyno comes in yes, you have a cyst
We can't help you....

I was sent to a Urethra specialist:
$35
Yup, you have a cyst
we won't be able to drain it, you may need surgery, let's order you an MRI

MRI:
45min. drive
get called back, put on ugly gown
found out I had an IUD (birth control method)
waited 3 hours
sent home

Bill for $400.....yes $400 to tell me I had a cyst!

Got the call from the Dr. confirming I did need to have surgery, a week before my 1/2 marathon, so we put it off, then I started the fitness challenge. I then wanted the surgery over Thanksgiving but they wanted it in December. After several phone calls I got called on Friday that they would be doing my surgery on Tuesday at 9:40am.
I ran all over Highlands Ranch getting a physical, blood tests and such to prepare. Oh, at another $25 fee. So far we have established that Kaiser LOVES my money!

I drove myself to the Kaiser hospital yesterday morning and paid..yes, paid for the surgery and went upstairs to put on my beautiful gown. I got poked and prodded, sat through a few Dr.s and nurses asking a ton of questions. I do remember there is no congratulations in order, I'm NOT pregnant.
I was then put on the operating table....That's all I remember.

I woke up a few hours later. I got a glimpse of a nurse somewhere sitting in front of me in a lobby of some sort and yelled, "my crotch hurts". Then I was out. I woke up several hours later and ate applesauce and asked for my husband. We sat there for a bit and we were ready to go home.

I felt very sick and cried. I don't do well with feeling like I'm going to throw up. I rather just throw up. Make sense?

I've been in bed for 24 hours now. My back hurts a little, I'm sleep deprived, nauseous, constantly hungry and a bit uncomfortable. I was sent home with a catheter, the only nice part is I don't have to get up in the middle of the night to pee! My friends and mom have been calling, texting and coming by with food or for support all day. It makes me feel good and loved.

I do hope that I will be able to walk at least to the bathroom tomorrow without feeling like I had walked a marathon. I hope that I can read more then 10 pages of my book without feeling sick or to tired. I also hope that I can go without pain meds. We will see.

Again, thank you to everyone for your support!

xoxo
-N

Best Crock Pot Carnitas

I bought a 3 lb Pork Shoulder on sale at Safeway wanting to make Shredded BBQ sandwiches, freezing the leftovers. My hubby talked me into making Carnitas. I was a little nervous to make homemade Carnitas due to the fact that I have never made them before & because he would compare it to the meal I usually get from Costco.Let's just say if it turned out bad I wouldn't be posting the recipe!

Crock Pot Carnitas
1 tsp Salt
1 tsp Garlic Powder
1 tsp Cumin
1/2 tsp Crumbled dried oregano
1/2 tsp Coriander
1/4 tsp Ground cinnamon
1 (4 lb) Pork Roast
2 Bay Leaves
2 Cups Chicken Broth

Mix Spices in bowl. Coat Pork with spices.
Put bay leaves in bottom of crock pot, then coated pork. Pour broth around the sides of the pork. Be careful not to rinse off the spices on the pork. Cover and cook on low until pork shreds easily. About 10 hours. Turn pork over after 5 hours of cooking.
Shred and Serve

We served them on warm corn tortillas, with shredded lettuce, cheese, sour cream and salsa.
My kids added BBQ sauce, It was a huge hit!

xoxo
-N

Recipe found on allrecipes.com

Things to make for Thanksgiving

While looking down my blog roll I came across a few good ideas to make for Thanksgiving and thought I would pass them along.

A good dessert project to make with the kids



       Turkey Treats


                                         Candy Cornucopia at Simple Girl at Home

 Blessing Mix from Home spun with Love


                            Cute Pilgrim Hats at http://Dahlharlane


You can find more great recipes and even fireplace mantel decorations at Tatertots and Jello and also Eighteen 24 is a great blog. They are great over there!

Anyone have a great Thanksgiving idea they want to share?

Just a few more days until the big day of eating! I'll be at the gym ;)

xoxo
-N

I'm Thankful for...

..so many things in my life. I Thank God for all my blessings everyday, but since it's Thanksgiving ( and I'm not technically celebrating) I'll give thanks to...

my husband,
for his job and paying the bills
my boys even though they drive me C.R.A.Z.Y
food and lots of food, did I mention my love for food!
my love for books
for crafts (don't get this mixed up... crafts as in projects, not Crafts aka family)
for the people who read and leave comments on my blog
my car, house, heat, clothes and all the everyday things we need to survive
my dear friends near and far
Lauren who has been my friend for over 21 years (yes, she gets her own separate line, she's the longest friend I've ever had)
and family (my side, sorry honey)
for the people who don't tailgate me
for a nice warm cup of coffee or apple cider when I need it
the gym
running
good running shoes
cute workout clothes
tanning beds
a great bottle of wine or beer
Pinterest
Facebook  (sometimes)
Taboo and Phase 10 games
Twilight series (movies too)
and most of all
GOD, everything happens through him!

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!
  (a day late sorry)

xoxo
-N

Sour Cream Cake {pumpkin} Doughnuts

A few things I love, Sour Cream, Pumpkin puree, and a few doughnuts. Why not try it all together!
Making doughnuts also saves me time from making breakfast for the hungry boys in the morning.

Sour Cream Cake Doughnuts
Makes 12 or 2 dozen doughnut holes

Whisk together in a medium bowl 2 cups flour, 2 1/2 tsp. baking powder, 1/2 tsp baking soda, 1/2 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp. cinnamon. Set bowl aside.

In large mixing bowl beat 2 large eggs until foamy, gradually add in and beat thoroughly blended 1/2 cup sugar. Stir in until blended 1/2 cup sour cream and 1 tsp. Vanilla.
At this time mix in a few tablespoons Pumpkin puree (optional)

Add the dry ingredients and stir until incorporated. The dough will be soft, pat the dough into a disk, wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 2 hours (up to 2 days). Will become firm but workable when cold.

Working on a lightly floured surface, pat or roll the dough out 1/2" thick. Cut with dough cutters and keep doughnut holes.
Drop doughnuts and holes 3 at a time into deep oil heated to 375 degrees. Fry until golden on both sides. Drain well on paper towels and either dust with powdered sugar or shake in a bag with sugar in and cinnamon mixture.
Serve Warm

 Print Recipe Here:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1kfl9avXt48IXFMFBysq_Ypl2N6MzwrhJXTUslKKVXUY/edit

This was a huge hit! My son's and there friend said they were better then store bought!

Cooking Notes:
I did a dozen sugar/cinnamon and the other dozen powdered sugar.
I also made 1 dozen sour cream and 1 dozen sour cream pumpkin.
   *I think I used about 1/2 cup puree and it came out very sticky, I had to make sure to have a very large amount of flour on my surface so it wouldn't keep sticking.

Anyone have a great doughnut recipe they like to make?
Have you tried this one? I'd love to hear what you thought.

xoxo
-N

{Happy} Veteran's Day & 11/11/11

Last Veteran's Day I was in the beginning days of doing 30 days of being Thankful and on Day 11 I thanked my dad for serving in Vietnam War.
So again today I want to say Thank you to all Veteran's! We are so grateful for all you have done and for what you sacrificed for our country.
Enjoy all your free meals, drinks and discounts you get today!

Today is also a rare occurrence it's 11/11/11! I'm not that big into dates or times like 11:11 I think I may have made a wish twice my whole life at 11:11. But 11/11/11 only come every 100 years, that's right the last one was 1911. It's the same read forwards as it is backwards..Big deal!

But I do have a friend that got married on 11/11/11 at 11:11 in Mexico and she was super excited about it. Congrats Kyla!

Does anyone think we will have something bad happen today? Anyone going to see that movie that comes out today simply called 11-11-11?
I'd love to hear your thoughts and spiritual beliefs on this.

Anyway, Happy Veteran's Day and 11/11/11 (wow that's easy to type)!!

xoxo
-N

Homemade Lasagna Noodles

I was at my friends house a while back and she has the Red Kitchen Aid mixer sitting on her counter. Of course I fell in love with it. Mine is just the basic, small white one. She also mentioned she has all the attachments and never used any of them. So a light bulb went off...
I want to try and make my own lasagna noodles. It looked pretty easy. So I pulled out my Kitchen Aid cookbook/instruction manual and started on the noodle recipe.

                                                    That's D's hand....He's my kitchen helper

                               

It took a while for me to get the right thickness of the noodles and it got frustrating on how the holes kept coming through. The attachment has up to 6 settings and certain chunks of dough worked and didn't work. It is almost impossible for me to get them to look exactly like the ones you get from a box. But no one in my family will even see them so crooked they were!
I made enough to make the lasagna and put the rest in the freezer. I will have to use the rest for something else. I'm thinking I want to make my own homemade ravioli.
I used my Lasagna Recipe except replaced the Barilla noodles with my homemade noodles.

Let me know if you try this!

xoxo
-N

I got a new {used} car!

Remember last year when I couldn't make up my mind on what SUV to get? I got one of my top 3 picks! I purchased a 2004 Acura MDX. The picture is mainly for my mom, she doesn't know cars very well. I just love my car, it's the only car that I haven't had buyers remorse.

It's silver, black leather with wood panels, some tinted windows, CD & wait for it, wait for it cassette tape player!  yada yada...

What I love and why:

DVD player for the boys (with headphones)
   Why? They are quiet in the car more often, I love quiet!

It's an Automatic
  I'm so sick of driving a stick and I will never do that again

3 row seating
 because I can now separate my continuously fighting children, and take friends places, carpool share?

Heated Seats
   Colorado's cold, why wouldn't you want a warm tush while driving around

Controls on the steering wheel
 I don't have to look away to adjust the stations or volume anymore

Yes, all of these small luxuries are awesome to me! I may have bought my last car brand new but it didn't have any upgrades...AT ALL!
I got a car wash yesterday with the boys, the full meal deal expensive one. I got home and dried it off with a towel (never did that with the jetta) and the whole time I kept saying I love my new car! Cause I do.
I'm glad we lowered our car payments, but we will probably spend the difference in gas, but I'm so happy with it, I don't care. I don't care if my hubby makes me keep it longer then 3 years cause I love it. Did I mention I love my new {used} car?!

xoxo
-N

November Goals

Can you even believe we are into November already? I started looking for Christmas gifts the other day. I have already purchased 1 present for T and got a few stocking stuffer free from church. Time is just flying by so fast for me!

This year I think we have decided to skip Thanksgiving holiday and focus on everything else going on. Thanksgiving has NEVER been a favorite holiday of mine. I don't like turkey, stuffing or cranberry sauce and now that I live far away from family. I'm always with my in-laws. So this year I have decided to skip Thanksgiving. Now don't misinterpret this, I am VERY thankful for what the lord has blessed me with and I thank him everyday sometimes several times a day. I just don't need a month or a day to be thankful.

Now, plans do change so here are my two holiday options.
1. Surgery and be layed up in bed
2. Go to a friends house and eat
Why?
I prefer to have my surgery over the holiday so that I don't have to worry about carpool.
My husband has to work so I'll be alone anyway.

So, moving on to more fun things...My updated Oct. Goals and new Nov. goals


Kitchen:Granola Bars
Another batch of Homemade Graham Crackers..Oct.
Homemade noodles from scratch...Oct.



October Goals
Personal:
Finish Challenge Strong........1/2 way done!!!   Results
Start new running Schedule for Nov. Race   (I rolled my ankle and haven't been able to do anything for 2 weeks)
At Home Bible Study: Discerning the Voice of GOD..Not finished
Zip Line Adventure....Will happen next summer, they cancelled us

Kids:
 Halloween Fun

Kitchen:
Pumpkin Donuts
Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread

Books:
Book Club Book: Good in Bed & Girl with Dragon Tattoo
Jennifer Wiener's new book


November Goals

Personal:
Surgery
Workout at least 2 times per week until healed completely
Finish Bible Study

Kitchen:
Pumpkin Donuts
Pumpkin Cupcakes again!

Kids:
Teach them to be more thankful for what they have

Books:
Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
The Bible

I do hope to at least make the Pumpkin Donuts this month. I work a lot this month so not sure how much time I can put into anything but the reading.
Anyone working on something this month they want to share?

xoxo
-N

5th {Wedding} Anniversary!

5, yes 5 years ago today I married my babies daddy!
Here's our story....
When I first met my man I just knew he was going to be mine forever. But when he knocked me up out of wed lock, we parted ways for a few weeks, just until we could both wrap around our heads that we were about to have a baby at 24 years old, that we had only known each other for 2 months and we didn't have family here to help.
When our little tiny miracle baby T was born early, weighing just about 5lbs. and in NICU for 7 days we moved in together.
He knocked me up AGAIN!!!
At this time we were enjoying all the first's with T in a large townhouse across the street from work. With a second baby on the way, we pretty much knew we had to get a house. Plus our rent was just as much as a mortgage payment and we didn't even have a yard! We found a house not built yet in Highlands Ranch. We begged and pleaded to the builder to have the house ready by April 1st of 2005. I did not want to be in a townhouse with a newborn. We moved into our brand new house on April 6th..ish and had baby D on April 18th. He was 6 lbs and healthy. We stayed our two days and they kicked us out. Now, the only problem was we couldn't leave without a name. We had no clue what to name our #2 baby except it had to include Robert (after my dad).
Life goes on......
Finally on December 25, 2005 Christmas morning, opening gifts with our two babies, my man decided to propose with the most gorgeous ring (which doesn't fit anymore and I miss it). We married November 4th 2006!

My BFF's from middle school and High School were my bridesmaids and his college buddies were his groomsmen.

Our babies walked down the isle with the pillow and Uncle Joey.

My dad walked me down the isle and I said, "shit". Only because my heel got caught in the isle runner and I thought I was going to fall. My friend said it was funny cause it was so ME. Then the pastor slammed his notebook closed and told everyone they had to turn off and put away there camera's. No pictures allowed. I was in total shock and pissed!  My baby was crying for me so my mom had to take baby D outside and give him his sippy cup. My father in laws girlfriend left very loudly during the ceremony....We said I do! FINALLY!

By the way this is the only ceremony picture that was ever taken...and it's not even good!

We then went off to the reception that went pretty well and had fun.

                                    Our first dance {amazed, by Lone Star} had to include baby D.
The best part was that the baby boys thought it was a huge party to celebrate THEM! Till this day ages 6 & 8 they still refer to the "wedding" as their big party. That would have been one expensive baby party.

So, we may have done things completely backwards but, 5 years later I am still madly in love with my husband and look forward to growing more with him.

OH, and I think I may have to save up and re-do our "baby party" there is so many things I would do differently. Maybe when we get to our 20, 30th anniversary?

Happy Anniversary babe, I love you!

xoxo
-N

Our {late} Halloween

This happens to me every year...I always post my Halloween stuff late! I guess better late then never.

I made a paper project for my front entry table to give it a little something. It turned out OK. I don't know if I'll put it up again for next year or not. I re-did the pictures frames for a different project until I realized they were Halloween colors! I used them for my table just for the month.

On Sunday morning we met friends from school at the Wildlife Experience museum for Trick or Treat off the street event. They just had booths set up with vendors passing out candy to kids and info to parents. They had a bouncy castle, pumpkin bowling and a few other crafts along with walking the museum.

                                                           D and his friend Tyler

                                          Who knew sponge bob wore an Under Armour hat?

                                        TC refused to wear his full costume {wicked scarecrow}

                                  Us! Who knew I could look decent...I worked until 3:30am, slept 3 hrs!

 The crew

On Monday school was a waste as usual. Why don't they just give all holiday's off? Anyway it was one big "fall festival" at school with crafts, candy and games.

DC's class was a little less crowded and had more friendly mom's to hang out with, so all I got was pictures of D.
TC's class was a total different atmosphere and so I didn't stay long. I did bring in Mummy Dogs for the treats.

On Monday night TC went to his good friends house for Pizza and trick or treating. DC and I went to my friends house that lives next door to D's friends house (catch that)? We all met up outside and walked the neighborhood for about an hour. I then brought D home to walk around our neighborhood with the 3 yr old twins that live across the street. My friend Jen said the twins were upset I wasn't around. They are the cutest things ever!
So overall we had a great Halloween. I took all the decor down the next day and put up my Thanksgiving stuff. Which is very minimal. I need to DIY some Give Thanks stuff or something. I really need to come up with a fall wreath too.

I hope you all had a fun and safe Halloween as well!

xoxo
-N

Word up Wednesday...

Word up Wednesday...

{via}

xoxo

-N

Fall Beverages

One thing I love about fall is the warm delicious beverages, alcoholic or not that I get to indulge in. My ultimate favorite go to first drink is......
Hot caramel apple cider (no, not from Starbucks...I'm a homemade girl)

 

Hot Caramel Apple Cider:
1 Pkg Cider mix (I use sugar free)
Caramel syrup
Hot Water
Apple Rum (optional)
Whipped Cream (optional)

Brew your hot water in the coffee maker or microwave. Add pkg of cider mix to your favorite mug. Add in a 1/2 shot of rum and hot water. Stir. Add whipped cream on top and drizzle caramel on top!
Enjoy!
I would say mine is way better then Starbucks and half the price! Do you have a warm fall beverage you like? I'd love to try, post in your comment the link to your beverage.

Another non alcoholic beverage for you or the kids is Orange Hot Chocolate

 Last Halloween blog post here.

My most favorite thing to do is enjoy one of these drinks cuddled on the chair during rain or snow while reading a book or blogging.

All this writing about drinks, I want one now!

Hope you had a fantastic Halloween. Happy Fall!

xoxo
-N