Favors before the animal crackers were added. |
This eventually had cake pops stuck in it! |
© 2012 Just Us Four. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Delicious Recipes to Keep my Family of Four Happy and Full
Favors before the animal crackers were added. |
This eventually had cake pops stuck in it! |
© 2012 Just Us Four. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Do you have a faithful friend? A protector who stands by you and watches over you? Maybe one with four legs versus the standard two?
Our family was blessed for 9 years to have a faithful friend to love and protect us. We rescued her (maybe she rescued us!) back in 2002 and quickly became the center of our growing family. To meet her was to love her…even the non-puppy people loved her!
She always knew the exact time to come over with a little nudge if you were sad. Always ready for a cuddle in the evening or early morning.
She would pretend she wasn’t interested in our kids but then would plant herself outside of their bedrooms doors all night…just in case.
In April, we learned our beloved puppy (my first “born”) was sick. Cancer the doctor said. We said, “what can we do?” Medicines were prescribed, a change in food occurred and things seemed to be maintaining. Sadly, no improvement but maintaining meant more time with her. More time for cuddles, belly rubs and hugs
Saturday, the day we knew was inevitable but kept hoping would come one week…or even one day…later came. We had to say goodbye to our faithful companion…a family member we’d loved for 9 years.
Saturday and each day since has been a day filled with tears and sadness. We know she is in a place where she is no longer sick and can run and play freely. But the hurt and void in our family still exists.
Goodbye my faithful and loving companion, Honey…we will never forget you and your place in our family!
© 2012 Just Us Four. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
August is the month of birthdays in our family. Not only do we have friends/family member birthday to celebrate, both of our kids were born in August!
4 years ago today, I was blissfully biding my time in the hospital waiting for my baby girl to join the world. She was not quite as stubborn as her brother would prove to be 3 years later but definitely took her own sweet time! 36 hours from start to finish and she was in my arms.
Clearly, my kids are all about the screaming and crying at birth!
August 2008 |
May 2009 |
April 2010 |
August 2010 |
February 2011 |
May 2011 |
Happy Birthday to my favorite daughter, H!
© 2012 Just Us Four. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
One year ago today, I was angry…and in pain…and yelling at people. I had been in labor for over a week but never far enough to actually go to the hospital. An entire week of contractions and discomfort and waiting. Waiting on my little boy to join the world.
You see, he is stubborn (like his daddy mommy) and he just did not want to come out. First, we waited and waited. Then, the doctors said: induction. So, we waited some more and then got some drugs. The drugs didn’t help but actually made things worse. Baby E hated the drugs and so he rebelled, refused to come out and even showed his disdain by continually dropping his heartbeat with each contraction. The drugs went off. Finally, almost a full 24 hours after the induction began (over a week after I went into true labor!), my beautiful, Baby E joined the world.
He looks thrilled right?
Time has flown over the past year and he has grown so much!
August 2010 |
September 2010 |
October 2010 |
November 2010 |
December 2010 |
January 2011 |
February 2011 |
March 2011 |
April 2011 |
May 2011 |
June 2011 |
July 2011 |
Happy Birthday to my Baby E!
© 2012 Just Us Four. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Ok, some of the makeovers in the works won’t necessarily be extreme but I like a little drama now and then.
Recently, we had the fortune/unfortune to inherit some furniture belonging to Mathlete’s uncle as he we was downsizing his home. A good bit of it is still sitting in our basement because I haven’t really considered what to do with it yet. I’ve already got plans for some of them though…want to see my treasures? (most of these pics were taken mid-move so apologies for the quality/backdrops!)
Neat coffee table! |
This guy has a twin too! |
…
Got your grocery list pad ready? I always find, if I make the list immediately after I put together my menu, I’m more likely to actually stick to it! This coming week will be pretty busy in our household because it will be the one in between Baby E’s birthday party and H’s birthday party! Have you ever had a circus elephant themed party for about 20 almost immediately followed by a princess, sparkle pool party for about 30? I’m glad I wasn’t convinced by Mathlete to hold them both in one weekend! (Sorry Mom and Dad for all the travel though.)
Here we go with some food fun!
[Point-Less Meals], [Jamie Oliver], [Make Ahead Meals] |
Sunday: We’re having pita bread at the birthday party. Peanut Sauced Chicken Pitas will be perfect to use up the leftovers.
Monday: After party foods galore, I think I’ll try and throw in some fresh fish with Citrus Seared Tuna and Noodles.
Tuesday: In a perfect world, I’d have plenty of energy to make it through the week and cook all my meals. We’ve pretty much established that I am far from perfect so it is freezer diving I go. Thanks to my meal swap, I can make Honey Sesame Chicken Skewers and skip the take-out!
[Epicurious], [Peas and Crayons], [This Italian Family], [Point-Less Meals] |
Wednesday: Freezer to the rescue again with some Goat Cheese Stuffed Chicken Breast.
Thursday: I know H will be getting antsy about this time of the week for her upcoming birthday party so I plan to distract her with a project: Homemade Pizza Rolls.
Friday: The parents will be back in town (YAY) so a Chicken Stir Fry is a great, quick meal to feed all of us.
Saturday: Party time! I won’t even begin to pretend we won’t all be chowing down on pizza and other random party foods. But, I didn’t want this WTCW to be incomplete and I could potentially see myself attempting to put together a real meal like Hamburger Soup. Obviously, though, I’d tweak it so I could throw it in the crockpot for fix-it/forget-it type thing. (mental (blog) note: this would make a great swap recipe)
Check us out next week for WTCW because (fingers crossed) we’ll have a link party for you to come in a share what you cooked for Wednesday!
Oh, and don’t forget, today is the last day to try and win free stuff!
© 2012 Just Us Four. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
E. Essential start to your day: Starbucks Venti No Foam SVL (feel free to drop one by anytime of day though!)
Psst: Don’t forget about the giveaway going on until tomorrow night! All it takes is a comment and/or facebook post to enter!
© 2012 Just Us Four. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
95% of my weekend was spent in the car! I had a funeral to attend and an adorable blond toddler to pick up so I spent a bunch of time here:
Then, Saturday (late night!), me and the blond toddler (in her pjs!) spent the evening here:
We made it home around 12:30am and proceeded to crash here:
Well, I had sheets on mine!
Sunday, we all spent more time sleeping which was definitely good for me. Then, we headed out to pick up some clothes for the kiddos (mathlete and I did get a few things too). Thanks to these guys for making shopping painfree and tax free:
© 2012 Just Us Four. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Time to find out who won our first ever giveaway!
Congrats to Ida who won the lunch tote! Look for an email from me so I can mail your prize 🙂
I’m pretty excited because today is our first ever giveaway here at Just Us Four. Back before I took on my newest challenge as an Independent Consultant with Thirty One gifts, I was working with another one of their consultants to do a giveaway. That is actually a little of the backstory to how I became a consultant because she is now my sponsor.
I’ve been using Thirty One bags for awhile now thanks to my mom’s insatiable shopping habit. You may remember our car bag. We also use them around the house to store painting supplies, toys and a lot of other stuff.
My first every introduction to Thirty One though was an insulated lunch tote (notice how much of my life revolves around eating!). My mom brought me three of them on one of her visits and I was in love! Finally, an insulated lunch tote that fit all of my stuff (usually a breakfast, 2 snacks and lunch) and looked good too.
Have you guessed what the give away is yet? Courtesy of Ms. Wendy James, Thirty One Gifts Independent Consultant (and my sponsor!), this week’s giveaway is for a Thirty One Insulated Large Lunch Tote. She even hooked us up with one of the new fall fabrics too!
Want the details on how to enter? Sure, you do!
Option 1:
In the comment section below, post “Bag Me” and then tell me what you typically take with you to work for meals (snacks, etc totally count).
Option 2:
You can get an additional entry by posting a link to this page on your facebook (or other social networking site) page and then come back and leave a separate comment telling you did it!
Who is eligible? This giveaway can be shipped anywhere in the United States. Just be sure to enter before midnight (EST) on Wednesday, August 10th!
Next Thursday, come back here to see who won! (The winner be chosen randomly by the fancy computer randomizer.)
Like the looks of the bag and want to see more? Head on over to Thirty One Gifts to check out the newest products. Right now, everything in the catalog is 15% off. Plus, we’re running a referral event where the person with the most referrals (who make a purchase) gets all of the hostess gifts/discounts from the event (just have your referral put your name after theirs in the first name block during check-out).
© 2012 Just Us Four. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
It’s that time again! On the heels of my Meal Swap, I had a little trouble getting motivated to check out other recipes because I know I have so much delicious stuff in my freezer to try out. Then, I came across something that will me a ton of money and make Mathlete ecstatic. That one recipes spurred me into action for What to Cook Wednesday!
So, let’s get started because you gotta eat, right?
[Steamy Kitchen], [The Kitchen], [In Erika’s Kitchen] |
Sunday: I mentioned up there that I stumbled on a major find while cruising the interwebs checking out recipes. You see…I’m a Pho addict (no, not one who buys a bunch of fake stuff…that is faux addict). I cannot get enough of that yummy Vietnamese soup. I make an attempt to drag Mathlete there (or get take out) at least once per week. It doesn’t help Mathlete much in his fight not to eat Pho every day that H loves it too. Yep, I have turned my 4 year old into an addict…Pho style. My interweb find? Slow Cooker Pho Ga. You’re welcome, Mathlete 😉
Monday: The farmers market has been full of gorgeous fruits and vegetables each Saturday. I’ve been picking up zucchini recently because Baby E really likes it. I think I’ll put it to use for the adults too by combining it with bacon for a Zucchini Bacon Pie.
Tuesday: It is August and for this area that means it is ridiculously H.O.T. I think Barley Salad for dinner is a great light meal that will also be filling.
[Simple Daily Recipes], [Skinny Taste], [Good Housekeeping], [Point-Less Meals] |
Wednesday: Got leftover bacon? Check! I’ll throw it in some Bacon and Egg Sandwiches and do breakfast for dinner!
Thursday: I’m going to take advantage of more farmers market finds and throw some veggies in to make Pasta with Red Bell Pepper and Zucchini.
Friday: It’s the weekend! Margaritas and Salsa Verde Enchiladas (courtesy of the meal swap) for us!
Saturday: Chili Rubbed Steaks with Homemade Pico de Gallo sound like a great way to celebrate summer with the grill. Plus, with the market being on Saturday mornings, I can pick up some extra fresh ingredients for the pico de gallo!
Have you guys made any of the WTCW recipes? I’d love to hear your successes (or not so much successes) if you have! Pictures are always welcome too.
Oh, and be sure to come back tomorrow for something very special and super exciting…our first giveaway!
© 2012 Just Us Four. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.