The S is for Super

Sometimes I feel like I have to be super woman. We’re not a big family; just the 4 of us. Even with just the 4 of us, I feel like I’m constantly on the move, rushing to do whatever task is thrown at me.

I’m a mom first, a wife second. I don’t know if that’s the “right” way to prioritize, but it’s my way. I honestly never pictured it being so tiring.  Since adding one more addition to my little family, I have a higher appreciation for my mom.  My mom is a mother of 7 (I’m dead serious –7 kids). Even ‘til this day, I don’t know how she does it. Of course her kids are all adults now, but at one point in time we were little and she had to take care of us while my Dad worked. Regardless of how old your kids are, you’re still a parent; it’s kind of like a job that never ends.

In my house it’s me constantly running up and down the stairs, rushing to make someone’s lunch because we forgot the night before, or to hurry outside into the cold to heat up my car, or even to get a bite in so I have at least something in my stomach before I get to work. I have to do all of that with the possibility of my newbie waking up.

 --Cue the BIG sigh…

Don’t get it twisted. I’m not looking for pity. I’m well aware there are moms out there with more kids or problems/issues worse than mine. I’m more so writing in amazement because I never knew what I was/am capable of.

I’m not a firm believer in “the woman has to take care of the kids/house”. I’m DEFINITELY not into that. In this generation – regardless if you hate it or not – things have changed. I think that as a couple you *SHARE* the duties and responsibilities because [WE] are in this together. I do my best to make sure the home is clean and tidy. I do my best to make sure that we have dinner planned/ready. I work full time too. I don’t sit on my ass all day at home and do nothing. So I shouldn’t have to be the only one putting in the time/effort. There’s no excuse that I haven’t already heard. Well save the excuses because I’m officially done hearing them. It’s plain and simple. We’re supposed to be a T E A M.

I’m not going to lie, there’s times when the going gets rough I want to quit. I don’t handle stress very well. But quitting is not an option in my book. I know… way to quote the obvious. But at the end of the day, I know my 2 little guys depend on me and I owe it to them. It doesn’t help that my hormones are still out of whack that even my doctor is flagging me. You always have that optimistic mindset that you’re ready, but truth is no one is ever fully prepared for any of this; whether it’s being a mom for the first time or seventh, or being a wife. Everyone is different and handles shit differently. So in other words…

“Pour yourself a drink, put on some lipstick, and pull yourself together” – Liz Taylor

 


xo,
sss

Recipe of the Week: Crockpot Zesty Italian Chicken

(This picture is not mine)

Hiii!

Lately, I've been trying to get on my cooking grind. I feel like I've had to wear my cape on the regular. You're probably wondering wth, what cape...? HELLOOO! My Super Mom cape, duh. From late nights with my newbie & early mornings, back at my full time job, my little big man's soccer practice, and helping with homework... My hands are full. So Pinterest is my life saver when it comes to looking for delicious and/or quick recipes. My fave? Crockpot recipes. So one of my faves from this week was "Crockpot Italian chicken" and it's definitely a fave in our home. It was the usual 3 of us + 2 additional guests; no left overs! That's abnormal in my house. It's so yummy that my Mom asked for the recipe :) I figured if anyone reads this ish, they might want the recipe. So here it goes:


Crockpot Zesty Italian Chicken
What You Need:
- Crockpot
- Pam
- 3 or 4 boneless, skinless chicken (I use chicken breasts &/or chicken tenders) frozen or thawed will work
- 16 fl. oz. or 24 fl. oz. bottle of your fave Italian dressing, the bigger the bottle the more "sauce" you have (my fave is Kraft Italian Roasted Red Pepper Dressing/Marinade with Parmesan)
- one packet of dry Italian seasoning mix (I use Good Seasons All Natural Salad Dressing & Recipe Mix)
- one can of your choice of vegetables (I use a can of carrots, green beans, & corn)
- small red potatoes
- 1 Cup of Parmesan cheese

Directions:
1.) spray crockpot with Pam
2.) squirt a small amount of the dressing at the bottom of the crockpot
3.) add the chicken
4.) sprinkle the entire packet of the dry Italian seasoning on top of the chicken
5.) sprinkle the Parmesan cheese
6.) add your veggies [i drain all of it before adding it to the crockpot]
7.) squirt more of the dressing
8.) add the small red potatoes
9.) squirt the remainder of your dressing
10.) leave on high for 4-hours or on low for 6-hours


** Of course my Filipino side kicks in and I serve it with rice :)

You can find the original recipe here: http://www.plainchicken.com/2010/08/creamy-grilled-chicken-piccata.html?m=1 or via my Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/sssteele/recipes-ive-used/.  The recipe I posted just has my little tweaks here and there :)


I hope you like it!



xo,
sss

Times Up Motha Whaaat!?

Wednesday was my big return to work. It feels like those 6 weeks FLEW by! I was dreading the day, of course, like most normal human beings. I figured I was going to be bombarded with loads of catching up to do, but instead it really wasn’t all that bad. MOSTLY everyone was nice… Maybe that helped me transition back into work. I did get the rare/cruel baby weight jokes, but luckily I was wearing my big girl undies –“panties” is a dirty word for me LOL I also thought after spending every day at home with my newbie that I’d have some separation anxiety. Hopefully I don’t come off wrong, but I didn’t. I thought of him throughout the day just as much as I do about my little big man, but I’m a lot more at ease because I’m lucky enough that my Mom is the one caring for him while I’m away at work. I mean seriously, the woman did raise the 7 of us (yes I said 7, that’s including me) with my lovely Pops with the occasional grandchildren (: and we’re turning out to be a-OK! I think LOL

In other news,

**Please excuse my vagueness**

After years of suspicion I thought I was finally going to have the answer I’ve always suspected. WRONG. I’m going to take it as the Big Man in the sky’s way of telling me I don’t need to know and we’re better off that way. I have everything I want/need right at home and that’s all that matters. The weekend was just a rollercoaster of emotions for me; confused, curious, nervous, excited, and freaked out… And the list goes on. I truly thought I’ve finally come to that point where everything would be cleared up and answered. I guess that’s why yesterday I was so overcome with shock that I didn’t know what else to say.

The subject is very personal and sensitive to me –hence why I’m being so vague. It always has been. It’s a touchy subject that involves someone I cherish and who is so dear to me. If anything I’m more disappointed in myself. So excuse me while I hang my head in shame. I know we probably all say it, but I wish in the past I would have made smarter decisions. Then I wouldn’t be stuck in the predicament I’ve been in for some time now. I guess things are better off this way – Immaculate. This someone deserves so much more, that’s why I beat myself up so much about it. I don’t want to be a part of that cliché: “we’ve all done something stupid in our past” because I shouldn’t have an excuse; I want answers. There’s not a day that goes by that it doesn’t cross my mind. I wish I could change things, but reality tells me that’s impossible. So my best bet is to just keep trucking on. It’s easier said than done. Today I’m doing better about it all, but the thought still lingers like any other day. I’ve noticed I’ve come to love quoting, but “everything happens for a reason” right? Who knows where I would be right now if I didn’t do the things I’ve done.

Positive vibes only.


xo,
sss