letters to Beth {while we were skyping & oven baked tacos recipe}

dear beth,

while we were skyping...

after we got off the phone,

i finally had to put my foot down about playing swimming pool in the sink.

it was a good long run.

many memories made.

the princesses and super heroes 

may never forgive me.

or they'll move to san diego.

whichever.

i did need my floors mopped.

this definitely counted.

especially b/c they had mixed two different blends of foaming soap with their escapades.

"where the wild things are"

that's what my house should be nicknamed.

there, it's official.

the toilet paper 

was a total loss.

but i didn't have time to replace it 

so i left it there wet,

and max used it,

except have you ever tried 

to use wet toilet paper?

max hasn't.

it was clear, hahahaha.

and it was quite the site 

when she was done with it.

also,

they did this.

i guess we were chatting for awhile...

can't blame them,

plus they weren't fighting,

so that's always a bonus.

"tattoo brennan"

that's what he called himself 

for the rest of the day.

not to worry,

two baths haven't even lessened them a bit.

and seeing as we barely bathe over here anyway,

those beauties could be there until summer.

so proud:)

what i'm really proud about is this: 

brennan reads.

i could listen to him all day.

when he started school this year in september he knew 1 letter name and 1 letter sound.

B.

i couldn't be happier,

not even if you finished my basement.

love,

emily

P.S.

i love your goals.

sean and i always do an 

FHE GOALS night in january,

you know,

where we list off all of our goals to accomplish throughout the year.

except really,

we just did it two years ago,

and we keep changing the year,

but working on the same goals.

we've crossed off 6 out of 14.

in 3 years:)

accomplishers over here.

wow.

we are doing great!

... 

P.S.S.

make these, they are great.

OVEN BAKED TACOS

INGREDIENTS:

1lb ground beef

1 can black beans, drained and rinsed

1 can corn, drained and rinsed

1 onion, chopped

1 pkg taco seasoning

2 cloves garlic, chopped

1 cup chunky salsa

3/4 cup sour cream

12 hard shell tacos

2 cups shredded colby jack cheese

DIRECTIONS: 

1. cook your gound beef with onion and garlic.

2. add taco seasoning, mix well.

3. remove from heat and add salsa, beans, corn, and sour cream 

{i added the sour cream here b/c my brennan and chase are whimps in the heat department, and i just love things that are creamy}.

4. spoon mixture evenly into hard shells in 9x13 glass pan so they can stand up in the pan.

5. cover with cheese.

6. bake 400* for 8-10 minutes.

...

reasons why i love these tacos:

my kids can eat tacos without everyone crying the entire time.

amazing:)

oh yeah

and 

they're 

just 

really really 

good.

letters to Emily {resolutions, butterfly bandaids/baby jesus, & madly in love}

Dearest Emily,

          Wow!  How hard that must have been!  I am so in awe by us mothers and our situations.  Being a mother brings out all the mother-bear instincts that we never possessed until we pass a child through our bodies into this good world.  I love that you held him and cried with him.  Mourn with those that mourn.  Talking to you on skype the other day really made me appreciate you even more.  You are working so hard with Brennan, it's not easy for you.  But you are doing it, for Brennan.  I have to remember that the hard things with kids at the moment might feel like you aren't getting anywhere, but watching Brennan graduate with honors because of all the hard work you put into his education will pay off.  It's just a short time then BOOM, they are off.  You are such a tiger-mom, in a relaxed fun way......

          As for me and my house we are enjoying the latter end of January, which normally hails it's self in my world as the worst month of the year.  This year, I am trying to make the most out of the longest darkest month, as a positive start to the new year.  So I started some resolutions.

Some people don't believe in resolutions, but why not?  I mean, they are just goals, right?

So, let's have some fun with them.

Resolution #1- Play with kids more

Resolution #2- Be healthier (so relative)

Resolution #3- Be more patient

Resolution #4-finish Children's book and Start               new one.

Those are a few for 2014, I know....pretty boring.  But the more you share your goals with others, the better you are at them.  

Here are a few fun Holiday happenings at the Taylor Bungalow:

         Bear hit his head so bad in a german restaurant while we were dining with some friends, that he split open his brow, blood dripping into his little eye!  Luckily no stitches were needed, but it was pretty traumatizing for the little lad. Nothing like a dresser landing on top of him.  A butterfly bandaid and lot's of mommy kisses later, he was as good as new.  

         Smith was the starring roll as Jesus in his play.  Very emotional for me, there was such a warm feeling of love in the room.  Mary, Jesus and Joseph were all played by children in wheel chairs.  I never thought that having a Smith would change me this much. But I am a CHANGED woman because of him.  I am so grateful for his heavenly spirit in my life.

         Bryce is back to full time studying and it's back to me and my daily routine with Bear.  Smith goes to school, then it's me and Bear time.  Which usually consists of me dragging him along doing errands (by foot) and then going to the park or feeding ducks.  Both are his thrills of the day. Smith still enjoys playing with his Beads. Bryce and I still can't get enough of each other. I guess you can say we are crazy about each other.

         There it is Miss Emiline Harris!

All the Love from Deutchland,

Beth :)

Peanut Butter Oreo Icebox Cake {it's gonna make your Monday fantastic}

Peanut Butter Oreo Icebox Cake

{a.k.a. Amazing Cake}

INGREDIENTS:

1 package cream cheese {8oz}, softened

1 cup peanut butter

1 cup powdered sugar

2 cups milk {i used whole}

chocolate syrup {for drizzle}

2 packages double stuffed Oreos

1 container Cool Whip {8oz}

DIRECTIONS:

1. cream together cream cheese, peanut butter, 

and 1/4 cup of the milk.

2. add powdered sugar and blend until smooth.

3. add cool whip just until mixed 

{i did this with my spatula by hand}, set aside.

4. pour remaining milk into bowl and dunk oreos for 2-3 seconds each so they are wet, but not falling apart.

5. layer one layer of wet oreos on bottom of glass dish 

{my 8x8 glass pyrex worked for a PERFECT fit},

then do a layer of 1/2 of the peanut butter cool whip mixture,

then another wet oreo layer on top of that,

and a final layer of the last half 

of the peanut butter cool whip mixture.

6. put toothpicks in the top of the cake {i used 4}, 

so you can cover it with saran wrap, 

and not have the wrap touching the top of the cake.

7. refrigerate for 4 hours, or make the night before.

8. serve with chocolate sauce drizzle and a glass of milk. 

HOLY

MOLY

you're gonna diiiiiiieeeeeee!!!!

:):):)

make it tonight.

i just KNOW you're monday is gonna be FANTASTIC now:)