September Update

Outside my window . . . it's still pitch black out since it's so early.

I am thinking . . . this fall will be the best one yet. We have so many exciting things planned & I can't wait to experience them with the kids.

I am thankful for . . . medication. Logan has a severe double ear infection that has caused his right ear drum to bulge (and possibly rupture). I'm hoping the medication he's taking will prevent it from rupturing but there's no guarantee. Luckily, the medication will knock out his infection & get him back to normal in no time.

I am wearing . . . my pj's while I eat breakfast. 

I am going . . . to start a new job this month. This decision was very difficult for me considering I've been at the credit union for 11 1/2 years & love the department I work in. I'm very excited for this opportunity but am scared all at the same time.

I am wondering . . . what Levi & I will do with our time on the East side while waiting for Logan to get out of school.

I am reading . . . My reading has come to a screeching hault since moving.

I am hoping . . . everyone in our house feels better soon. Levi is at the end of his antibiotic for an ear infection. Logan just started his medication for a severe double ear infection that possibly ruptured his ear drum. Brian is battling bronchitis. I need the germs to go away!!

I am looking forward to . . . the upcoming craft shows this fall. It my favorite time of the year!!

I am hearing . . . the Disney Channel & the furnace running.

Around the house . . . are bare walls. I need to work on putting more decor up since we have everything unpacked now.

One of my favorite things . . . is the sweatshirts & jean weather that is quickly approaching. I love the fall & the weather & all of the changing colors. :)

A few plans for the rest of the week . . . lots of things today: Logan's school, run errands while he's at school, quick lunch, Logan's therapy, & be home by 2 to wait for the internet people. I work tomorrow & Friday. On Saturday I'm going to the Kuntzfest in New Harmony with my mom & sisters. On Sunday, I plan to relax after going to church with the kids.

August Update

Outside my window . . . The sun is rising & casting a beautiful glow on our 'sold' sign in our front yard. :)

I am thinking . . . the next week will fly by considering there are so many things to do before our move.

I am thankful for . . . my youngest sister. She has helped me out time & time again by watching 1 or both kids for me. Whether I've picked up extra hours at work, had to take Logan to therapy, or just needed some time to finish house projects, she's been here to help out. It doesn't hurt that I know they're in perfectly good hands while I'm gone.

I am wearing . . . my pj's while I eat breakfast. 

I am going . . . to knock out a lot of packing this morning before I head over to our new house. 

I am wondering . . . how time can pass so quickly??? Seeing all of the back-to-school posts made me realize that we'll be in the same boat next year. Logan is excited to start his 2nd year of preschool in a couple weeks but it makes this momma a little sad. 

I am reading . . . The Left Behind series. I read these books years ago when they were first released but decided to start the series over again. I love re-reading a book that I truly enjoy.

I am hoping . . . we have good weather next weekend while we move. Typically, it's so humid in August you can't breathe outside but we've had a very mild summer so far. I cross my fingers it stays that way until after next weekend.

I am looking forward to . . . seeing Logan's progress with his therapy. He's only gone for 2 weeks but I'm already anxious to see where he is a month, 2 months, 3 months down the road. (I know I'm jumping the gun just a little bit)

I am hearing . . . Mickey Mouse Clubhouse on the TV.

Around the house . . . are boxes, boxes, & more boxes.

One of my favorite things . . . are snuggling with the boys when they first get out of bed. Unfortunately, that doesn't last too long.

A few plans for the rest of the week . . . lots of packing today & tomorrow, Brian & I are picking up our new furniture on Saturday morning then placing it in the new house, & on Sunday I'm going to have a major cleaning session at the new house before we move everything in.

The Gaiser's Are Moving!!!!!

We were approached with an amazing opportunity & snatched it up as quickly as we could! This has been a topic of discussion for several months but has recently taken off. Brian & I are purchasing my parents' house & we couldn't be more excited!! When we purchased our current home we really wanted to stay on the West side but couldn't afford what we were looking for so we moved to the Northeast side of town. We love living here, the neighbors, & the easy commute to either side of town but we've always had a special place in our hearts for the West side. When this opportunity presented itself we thought about it long & hard. There's a lot to think about when you're looking at taking on a much larger home with 5 acres to care for. After much discussion & prayer, we made our big decision & put our house up for sale. We decided to go with the For Sale By Owner option through House Hunters Realty & it worked fabulously. 

We sold our home in 2 months!!!!!

 

With us on a deadline to be out of our current home, my parents moved out this past weekend. So Brian has now kicked it into high gear to make the changes to our new home before we move in (we only have 17 days until our scheduled move date). Here's our to-do list before we move in:

Paint Logan's room

Paint our room

New floor in our room

Paint the main level walls (living room, kitchen, bathroom, hallways)

Replace carpet in basement

With a short time frame to get everything done & ready to move, we are very busy these days. Brian is taking charge of the home projects while I'm working on packing up our current home. (This is more difficult than I thought with a teething 16 month old who is constantly attached to my leg!) I'm trying to capture as many photos of this experience as I can but left my camera at the new house so my 'before' pictures will have to wait for another post. 

The Ultimate Target Trip

I love a good bargain! I love knowing that I'm able to get things we need at a great price. For most people that I know, money is a touchy area & everyone seems to look for ways to stretch a buck (as do I). I was stoked when I saw the Sunday ad two weeks ago for Target. They had an awesome deal on diapers & baby food. Luckily, I was in need of both so the timing couldn't have came at a better time. Since we have an upcoming move quickly approaching, I decided to get 3 boxes of diapers & 1 box of Pull Ups to last until after the move. When I arrived at Target, they already sold out of the Pull Up size I needed. Therefore, I adjusted my plan & purchased 4 boxes of diapers instead. This is what I walked away with:

2- large boxes of Pampers

2- large boxes of Luvs

2- Gerber Puffs

2- Gerber Graduate meals

4- Gerber Graduate pouches

5- Ella's Kitchen pouches

Here's where the exciting part comes into play: If I would have paid full price for all of these items, I would've spent $122.61 + tax. I spent some time going through my Target & manufacturer coupons to get the best deal. The biggest saver was the Target coupon for $20 off of $100 spent on baby items. With that discount, my Target coupons, manufacturer coupons, & 5% off by using my Target debit Redcard, my grand total came to.......... $96.52 after tax!!!! The even better part of the deal is that I walked away with 2- $10 Target gift cards as well! That's like paying $76.52 for everything. Woohoo!!!!

A little bit of time & planning can save some serious bucks. This is how I happily contribute to our finances & because my $35 savings, we purchased some small items needed for our home renovation. I'm excited for my next savings adventure!

July Update

Outside my window . . . The sun is out there somewhere but it's rainy so she isn't out. It doesn't look promising for a pretty day. :(



I am thinking . . . this moving process has been really stressful on everyone & I look forward to the day that it's over. Now that we're working on projects in the new house, I can see an end in sight. Yippie!



I am thankful for . . . a husband who likes to help me with decorating rooms. I had the hardest time finding a comforter for Levi's room to match the theme I insist he has. After a lot of persistence & Brian's opinions, I finally found 'the one'. Too bad I have to wait until 7/21 for it to be delivered. :(



I am wearing . . . my pj's while I eat breakfast. My work clothes will be put on all too soon.


I am going . . . to take Logan to his first movie on Thursday. A local movie theater shows previously released movies for $1 all summer long so thought this would make a great Mommy & Logan date. I can't wait to see how he does!!


I am wondering . . . when we'll get a phone call in regards to closing on our home.



I am reading . . . 'Balancing It All' by Candace Cameron Bure.


I am hoping . . . get the bedroom flooring picked out & ordered this week. With us painting in the near future, we need to order the flooring so we don't get behind.


I am looking forward to . . . my lunch date on Friday with my BFF. We don't get these often enough.



I am hearing . . . Some thunder every once in a while.


Around the house . . . are empty walls, which make me sad. Packing makes the house look 'blah' but I know it's all for a good cause.



One of my favorite things . . . is watching Logan learn how to write letters. His concentration is adorable!

A few plans for the rest of the week . . . Work my normal schedule, meet with a mortgage lender, have a fun Mommy & Logan date, & get some more things done at the new house. I hope to make it to the Franklin Street Bazaar on Saturday...I've wanted to go since it's started but something has always come up.

June Update

Outside my window . . . The sun is setting. It's a bittersweet sight because my vacation is coming to an end. :(



I am thinking . . . this vacation was my all time favorite. It was the kids' first time to the beach & things went well. We had a few bumpy days with Levi's teething & not adjusting to the different environment but things got much better once that stubborn tooth popped through. I'll post about our vacation in a few days (if I can get the site to upload my pics).



I am thankful for . . . time with my family. With today being Father's Day, it quickly reminds me of how short our life really is. Brian's dad was taken from us at the early age of 58 & today is always a rough one. I truly cherish each day I'm able to spend with our family & friends.



I am wearing . . . jeans shorts & a union t-shirt.


I am going . . . to be swamped at work tomorrow after being off for 10 days.


I am wondering . . . if we'll get more calls/inquiries now that we've changed some things with our home ad???



I am reading . . . 'Balancing It All' by Candace Cameron Bure.


I am hoping . . . to start on our first project in our new home soon!


I am looking forward to . . . more family visiting at the end of the month. My uncle from North Dakota visits every 2 months since my grandpa has been in the nursing home. Now a couple cousins will make the trip in a couple weeks. It's always fun to spend time with them!



I am hearing . . . Brian watch a hunting show on TV.


Around the house . . . are small piles of things to go into each boy's room from our Florida trip. I've worked hard today to get the house back in order but a few things still linger.



One of my favorite things . . . reading blogs in the morning while I eat breakfast.

A few plans for the rest of the week . . . I'm working an extra day this week to make up for being off last week. We'll also have dinner with my dad at some point since we couldn't get together today (he's running a fever). This Saturday, my niece, Lily, is getting baptized & I can't wait to see everyone together!!

May Update

Outside my window . . . The sun is starting to rise. What a beautiful sight to see!



I am thinking . . . this is the most peaceful time of the day. Kids & hubby are still sleeping, no tv, no music, & no text messages. The only thing I hear right now is the washing machine. I cherish moments like these (they sure don't last long enough!!)



I am thankful for . . . Brian's job. I know he works incredibly hard to provide for us. It was a big adjustment when I started working part time after having Logan but it has been well worth it. His job still provides us with what we need as well as some of the fun extras. I can't say enough how much I appreciate Brian for what he does for us.



I am wearing . . . my pj's:)


I am going . . . finish my grocery list in hopes of making it there today. We'll see....


I am wondering . . . how many people look at our house ad online??



I am reading . . . 'Balancing It All' by Candace Cameron Bure.


I am hoping . . . to get the last clothing items purchased for our Florida trip taken care of this week.


I am looking forward to . . . FLORIDA in only 19 days!!!!!!!!!! (Can you tell we haven't been in 5 years?!?!?!)



I am hearing . . . Nothing but the washing machine ;)


Around the house . . . are bags of clothes & shoes from our massive shopping trip yesterday. Brian & I got new gym shoes while the boys got new sandals. Everyone was able to get new summer clothes. I'm extra excited about the 2 dresses I bought. I'm not much of a dress person but I totally LOVE what I found.



One of my favorite things . . . is receiving extra snuggles in the morning from Levi when he first wakes up. I think that's the sweetest thing!

A few plans for the rest of the week . . . breakfast & visiting with our best friends this morning, finish our vacation shopping on Tuesday, & we're taking a day trip to the STL Zoo next Sunday. With Memorial Day weekend being this upcoming week, I'm sure we'll have some extra activities pop up too.

April Update

Outside my window . . . The sun is shining & it's suppose to be a beautiful day.



I am thinking . . . that we'll have an amazing weekend! We're taking the kids to our church's egg hunt this morning followed by a couple quick errands. I'm sure we'll spend the rest of the day outside since the weather is so awesome. Tomorrow morning we'll enjoy breakfast with Brian's dad's side of the family, our Easter service at church, & then spend the afternoon with my family.



I am thankful for . . . 2 healthy kids. Over the past month, I've seen some very sick, disabled kids & my heart breaks for them. But it also makes me realize how incredibly lucky we are & that what we're facing isn't anything compared to what those children deal with on a daily basis.



I am wearing . . . my pj's:)


I am going . . . to pick up the house a bit before everyone in the house wakes up. It's exhausting keeping our house spick-n-span in case someone wants to look at it.


I am wondering . . . when we'll receive our first call to show our house???



I am reading . . . Nothing at the moment. I packed all of my books for the move so I'm limited to what I have on my Kindle right now.


I am hoping . . . to still find Levi a pair of sandals. I just realized last night that it's the only piece missing to his Easter outfit. (Bad Mom moment)


I am looking forward to . . . Logan starting karate this week. I hope he's as excited about it as I am!!



I am hearing . . . Levi 'talk' to me while we're eating breakfast together. Little moments like this make me smile :)


Around the house . . . It is pretty darn clean, if I must say so myself. Last weekend, Brian & I busted our rears to get our house in great condition to sell. Needless to say...our house was a LOT dirtier than I thought. Thankfully, my grandma stopped by to help & we got everything scrubbed in about 6 hours.



One of my favorite things . . . seeing how much Logan loves his Daddy. It melts my heart to see those 2 interact. When Daddy is home, that's all that matters to him.

A few plans for the rest of the week . . . Easter activities today & tomorrow. The beginning of the week will be pretty laid back & normal with the exception of a couple doctor appointments. Next weekend we're having a HUGE yard sale at my grandpa's house so we'll be busy at the end of the week setting up for that. It's so big, we're having it in one of the pole barns!!!

Thursday Thoughts

Thursday Thoughts

I saw this quote earlier today while I was looking around on Pinterest. (That website is a great outlet for me but geeze I can spend HOURS on there!!) So I thought I'd share it with you. This is playing a big role in my life right now & God put this message in front of me today for a purpose. I hope this helps find a little bit of peace for anyone who's battling a difficult situation.

March Update

Outside my window . . . the sun is trying to peak through the clouds but it's still quite cold.

I am thinking . . . about what new recipes to try over the next couple weeks. I'm in a food funk & want out!

I am thankful for . . . my mom. She takes care of our kids on the days I work & I'm so grateful she does. I don't worry about what kind of care they're receiving because I know it's nothing short of the best.

I am wearing . . . a t-shirt, jeans, & fuzzy socks :)

I am creating . . . a menu & grocery list.


I am going . . . to enjoy the nice weather we're suppose to have this weekend. I can't wait to get outside & let the boys run!


I am wondering . . . how soon we can get the boxes removed from our living room & bedroom. We have a decent start to the moving/decluttering project but now I'd like to the boxes of packed away stuff gone. :)

I am reading . . . Nothing at the moment. I hope to read a book when we go on vacation but until then I doubt it.


I am hoping . . . this whole selling our house situation goes quick& smoothly. Is that too much to ask for???


I am looking forward to . . . Levi opening his presents tonight. He turned 1 today!!



I am hearing . . . silence. Enough said.


Around the house . . . are massive amounts of toys that Levi received at his birthday party. I don't even know what to do with some of them but with an upcoming move, I'm not too concerned about the mess right now because the entire house looks like a bomb went off.



One of my favorite things . . . is watching the boys play together. Levi is finally able to somewhat chase Logan & I just love to watch them run around, laughing, & smiling all night.

A few plans for the rest of the week . . . Tonight we're celebrating Levi's birthday at home with a yummy dinner, leftover birthday cake from his party, & lots of fun gifts to open. Friday night we're going to the Log Inn to celebrate my youngest sister's birthday (I LOVE that place!!). Luckily, this weekend is open for us so I'd like to roll with the punches & just see what we can get ourselves into.

February Update

Outside my window . . . it's overcast & raining. Our weather has been very up & down this winter. Needless to say, I'm over this nasty weather!

I am thinking . . . of all of the upcoming changes for our family. So many exciting things will take place this year.

I am thankful for . . . a great pediatrician. The receptionist returned my call within 15 minutes & the doctor was able to see both kids an hour after I spoke to them. It's a relief knowing when my kids don't feel well that they'll be seen quickly & everyone in the office is so caring.

I am wearing . . . a t-shirt, jeans, & fuzzy socks :)

I am creating . . . a guest list for Levi's birthday party.

I am going . . . to enjoy snuggling with Logan while Levi naps. He doesn't like to do this very often (only when he's sick) so I'm going to take advantage of it.


I am wondering . . . what room we should start our spring cleaning/packing?

I am reading . . . Nothing at the moment. I read a few books back-to-back so I'm taking a bread for now.


I am hoping . . . we can get a different vehicle in the very near future.

I am looking forward to . . . Levi's birthday party next month. It'll be a lot of fun!



I am hearing . . . The rain hit the roof; it's such a calming sound.


Around the house . . . are 2 sleeping boys. This is a miracle! Logan's days of napping are hit & miss any more so the fact that he's sleeping is good. For him to sleep while Levi does is a blessing for this momma!!



One of my favorite things . . . is watching Levi waddle around the house. He started independently walking a few weeks ago but he's still a little shaky. I think it's adorable to see him figure out this new adventure.

A few plans for the rest of the week . . . I plan to stay in with the kids for the next couple days since they don't feel well. Friday night we have an appointment to get our taxes done (woo hoo!). Besides that, we're pretty low key this week. I hope to start organizing/cleaning/packing things this weekend.

January Update

Outside my window . . . it is pitch black & very cold. I guess that's what happens when you're up super early with a baby. I hope the sun comes up soon!

I am thinking . . . about how soon Levi will walk. He's become quite the risk taker & will sometimes try but ends up falling. I believe this next huge milestone is just around the corner.

I am thankful for . . . cozy, lazy days, like today, at home. It's been busy ever since Christmas & I take advantage of days like this.

I am wearing . . . pj's :)

I am creating . . . nothing but the usual: Sam's list, grocery list, to-do list, etc.

I am going . . . to have to come up with some fun things to do with the kids today since our TV doesn't work at the moment. I'm a little bummed because I was so excited to watch movies with them today. :(


I am wondering . . . where we should have Levi's 1st birthday party???

I am reading . . . 'Harvesting Your Heart' by Jodi Picoult. I've actually read 2 books in the past 2 weeks. I'm so glad I've been able to get back into reading.

I am hoping . . . we can find a babysitter so Brian & I can have a date night soon.

I am looking forward to . . . planning our family vacation for this summer.



I am hearing . . . Levi play in silence since his big brother hasn't awaken yet.


Around the house . . . are a ton of trains. Logan is obsessed with them right now & he received a lot for his birthday & Christmas. I'm highly considering buying a table just for his trains so I don't step on them any more. :)



One of my favorite things . . . is cooking a big breakfast on the weekends. During the week, breakfast consists of cereal, oatmeal, or something fast. So to enjoy a breakfast full of so many yummy things (bacon, eggs, pancakes, etc.) is a delight for us.

A few plans for the rest of the week . . . We have a short work week with tomorrow being a holiday so I hope to get a little shopping in tomorrow, we plan to visit my uncle (who flew in from ND) before he leaves, & I have a dentist appointment. Yeah for me!

Chicken Enchiladas

I wanted to mix it up a little this week & try a new recipe. Instead of making tacos (which seems to be a norm in our house), I gave this recipe a whirl. One of my co-workers brought it in for a carry-in several months ago & it was delicious. And considering how much Brian loves Mexican food, I figured it would be a success. So here it is:

1 can cream of chicken soup
1/2 c. sour cream
2 Tbsp. butter
1/2 c. chopped onion
1 tsp. chili powder
2 c. diced, cooked chicken
4 oz. chopped green chilies
8 flour tortillas
1 c. shredded cheddar cheese

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a small bowl, stir together soup & sour cream until smooth. Set aside.

 In a 2-quart saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Then cook onion & chili powder until onion is tender, stirring often. Stir in chicken, chilies, & 2 Tbsp of the soup mixture. Remove from heat. In the center of each tortilla, spread about 1/4 cup of the mixture. Fold sides over filling & place it seam side down in a greased 9x13 pan. Spread remaining soup mixture over the enchiladas.

Cover with foil & bake for 15 minutes. Sprinkle with cheese & bake another 5 minutes, uncovered, until cheese melts.

**I mirrored the recipe this time but will make some changes the next time I make it:

 - Make double the amount of chicken mixture (we like a lot of filling

in our enchiladas, plus I was only able to make 6 instead of the 8 tortillas it calls for)

- Add another tablespoon or so of the soup mixture to the chicken mixture

to make it creamier

- Add some extra 'kick' to it. Maybe a little salsa or more seasoning.

(We like spicy food!)



This was a quick & delicious meal that I can't wait to make again