Today was his day off...

Here, in Guam, the motto is "Where America's day begins".....so we already had our Friday which we were blessed to have Hubby home. But for this day off, we didn't do anything! Lol Soapy decided we were having Daddy cook dinner. She ordered garlic chicken wings....which Daddy and I can eat too on our new eating plan. But, I was craving something to go along with our wings.......creamed cucumber salad. Now, that's not a Paleo way to eat, well OUR recipe isn't because it contains mayo and sugar. So I looked and looked and low and behold, the Well Fed Cookbook came to the rescue again!!!!! I made olive oil mayo and used cider vinegar and OMG it was delish! Hubby said it reminded him of tazikki sauce you eat with gyros but "we can eat it by the bowl full" he said!!!!!!!  And so there was another winner!!!!!

Also, being a Pampered Chef Consultant, I get lots of goodies!!!  I used my amazing Pampered Chef  Simple Slicer which worked like a charm!  Although.....I do need to remember that they have the SAFETY slide thingy on there for a REASON!!!!!! 

This was after it sat in the sauce in the fridge for about an hour. 

And dinner was served!!!! Want to come over.....oh wait, never mind! Soapy ate the rest of the wings for dessert! Lol

Here is Melissa's link to the recipe from her blog:  http://theclothesmakethegirl.com/2010/06/24/pa-eating-all-american-grill-out/

Mmmm...Chocolate Chili!!!!!

I didn't do as well with this as I thought I was going to.  It seems it took us a year to get use to living here and my health was one of those things that took a good "hit".  So, I will be catching up to all of our shenanigans....but for now, let's go back to......

About 3 months ago, (forgive me it may have been longer or shorter of a time) we went to a retreat for Hubby's work and we learned about Whole 30 eating.  We met the Whole30 author Dallas Hartwig and discussed how changing my diet may help with my health issues.  So, Hubby and I jumped into it.  Now, it was hard at first! You are cutting out ALL the fun stuff to eat, but we made it through.  Hubby lost 15 pounds....I gained it.  Little did we know that the medication I was prescribed helped with that.  So, we started to add the "fun" stuff back into our diet and realized.....it wasn't FUN anymore!  Soda tasted nasty, milk made us feel bloated and fried food...YUCK!  Now don't get me wrong....chocolate is still yummy but I now know it is only a TREAT....not a daily food group!  So, we decided to stay with the Whole 30 "plan" which is basically a Paleo lifestyle change.  No legumes, sugar, dairy.....your inflammatory foods!  Hubby went to San Diego for a class and brought back three new Paleo cookbooks that I was really wanting.  Tonight, I tried a recipe out of Well Fed by Melissa Joulwan.  I've been following her and her blog on The Clothes Make The Girl.  Usually the kids don't eat the newer recipes, but tonight.....they ate two bowls!!!!

So here her recipe.

Chocolate Chili (From my cookbook Well Fed: Paleo Recipes For People Who Love To Eat)

Prep 20 min | Cook 2-3 hours | Serves 6-8

Ingredients:
2 tablespoons coconut oil
2 medium onions, diced (about 2 cups)
4 cloves garlic, minced (about 4 teaspoons)
2 pounds ground beef
1 teaspoon dried oregano leaves
2 tablespoons chili powder
2 tablespoons ground cumin
1 1/2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa
1 teaspoon ground allspice
1 teaspoon salt
1 can (6 ounces) tomato paste
1 can (14.5 ounces) fire-roasted, chopped tomatoes
2 cups beef or chicken broth, or water (Pacific Organic Chicken Bone Broth is Whole30 compliant)

Directions:
1. Heat a large, deep pot over medium-high heat, then add the coconut oil. When the oil is melted, add onions, stir with a wooden spoon and cook until they’re translucent, about 7 minutes. Add the garlic and as soon as it’s fragrant, about 30 seconds, crumble the ground meat into the pan with your hands, mixing with the wooden spoon to combine. Continue to cook the meat, stirring often, until it’s no longer pink.
2. In a small bowl, crush the oregano between your palms to release its flavor, then add the chili powder, cumin, cocoa, allspice, and salt. Combine with a fork, then add to the pot, stirring like you mean it. Add tomato paste and stir until combined, about 2 minutes.
3. Add the tomatoes with their juice and broth to the pot. Stir well. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat so the chili enjoys a gentle simmer. Simmer uncovered for at least two hours. Do not skimp on the simmer! Serve in deep bowls with big spoons.
Variations:
Try a meat combo by mixing ground beef with ground turkey, pork, or bison.
Make a double batch and freeze half so you have chili-on-demand.
Top with sliced olives, diced onions, and/or avocado slices.

It was AMAZING!!!!  Hubby and I added black olives, chopped onion and avocado to our bowls, while the kids scooped it up with wheat thins.  I am in love love love with her book!!!!!  I'll be posting more recipes as we go along!!!!!

Thank you for reading and again.....I'll be back!

The Story Behind the Magical Homecoming!

I found out in April, by accident, that Roy was planning an early return home for schooling.  He had planned on surprising the kids and I during our stay at the Disneyland Hotel which was 'suppose' to be a way for us to end our time of being annual passholders to Disneyland due to our move to Guam.  Roy had made the reservations months earlier, for us to stay at the Hotel for 4 nights and his plan was to surprise us by knocking on the door of our room.  In the meantime, as I was trying to get info out of Roy as to when he was ACTUALLY coming home, I was also texting our Best Man, Landre, to ask if he knew anything about Roy's return.  

You see.....many things in our life as a couple would not have been so memorable if it weren't for the involvement of our AMAZING friends (family really) Landre and Trish.  They have, on many occasions, helped us pull off surprises, parties, and most of all....they have helped to keep me and the kids sane while Roy was deployed.  I know that I, personally, would NEVER have been able to pull off a surprise or two without their help!  And for a fact.....Our wedding would not have been as amazing as it was and went without a hitch if it weren't for these two loving people!!!  We are truly BLESSED to have them in our lives and part of our family!  

So...with that, Landre assured me he had no idea of Roy's plan, but that since he was in Disneyland at the time we were texting, he was going to ask around Disney to see if they would be able to help create some Magical Memories for us.  He did. He found the RIGHT person, which lead him to Erin at the Disneyland Hotel and boy did they make magic happen!  And all that we knew was that the kids, my mom and I were to be at Goofy's Kitchen for prearranged dinner reservations.  

On May 16th, the night before, the kids counted down the days as they had been.  I put them to bed as usual and as they slept, I packed our bags quietly.  All was set for the next day, but I couldn't sleep!  I was tooooo excited!  The next day, we had the bags in the car, put the kids in with little to no question and we got on the freeway.  It was halfway to Disneyland when Tres realized where we were going.  Sofia was asleep until we got there so as she opened her eyes at the sight of Disneyland, she was soooo EXCITED.  We got to the Disneyland Hotel and checked in.  Then went to Target to get some water and snacks to have for the few days/nights we were there and then waited and waited and waited some more.  Because I sorta knew what was going to happen, the wait was just eating me up.  There were many texts between Landre and I, who by the way was picking Roy up at the airport here in San Diego to bring him to us at Disneyland, which helped me to stay calm and in the loop as to when our 'package' was safely on US soil.  

With the kids bathed and dressed, mom and I ready too, we headed to Goofy's kitchen for our reservations.  Got confirmation that Roy and our friends were in route, so all that was left to do was breathe and eat dinner.  The kids were sooooo excited to take pictures and get autographs of some of the characters, we enjoyed the food (as usual) and then dessert.  And after all tummy's were full, our hostess came over and asked the kids if they ever got to meet Goofy, who stands at the front of the restaurant.  They realized they hadn't so, off they went to meet Goofy.  As they came around the corner, there was Goofy.....AND DADDY!!!!!  Tres looked back at me in disbelief and walked forward slowly as if he wasn't sure if it was REALLY Daddy or if it was a hologram.  As soon as Sofia rounded the corner, she KNEW who it was and on the video that a cast member took....you hear her little voice say "DADDY"!  There was clapping and flashes from cameras and most of all tears!  We took our time to savor the special moment with hugs and kisses and more hugs and the biggest smiles I have ever seen on these two kids!  It was truly the most memorable and most Magical event of our lives!

After we thanked the cast members and hugged some of those that were there, we rushed to hug our other special 'gifts' for being a huge part of that night.  Trish and Landre had a full schedule that day and there were some hiccups (fire season and one popped up THAT morning close to their house) , but they love us so much that they still brought Roy to us and planned on celebrating the day after with us.  A Manager by the name of Ron, took us to the 'special' suite for us to enjoy the fireworks with an awesome view.  After fireworks were done, we all went back to the hotel, where Trish and Landre had the adjoining room, and got the kids ready for bed.  Grammie (my mom) watched the kids while us adults went out for a drink.  It was the most amazing feeling to have my husband home and to be able to celebrate with our best friends!  Once it hit midnight, we decided to head back to the rooms (where the kids were still awake) so that we could all get some rest before our fun day of Disney fun!  Unfortunately.....it didn't work out that way.  (VERY SAD FACE)  Their oldest daughter got super sick in the middle of the night, so with little to no sleep, our friends had to head home instead.  We did get to quickly see Landre and their youngest daughter that day to pick up some Fast Passes that Disneyland had given us for any ride (which turned out to be about 8 passes or so) and we got directions to where we needed to be for special seating for the Pixar Parade over at California Adventure that Disney had also set up.  The next few days were a whirlwind of fun, especially for the kids!!!!

We will NEVER forget our Magical Homecoming!  It was truly one of the BEST days of our lives!  We are sooooo Thankful to Trish and Landre for all they did!  Uncle Fluffy (as Sofia calls Landre), you are the most amazing person!  We owe you so much for going out of your way and going that extra mile to make it such an awesome night!  Auntie Trish, your heart is made of gold and I honestly don't know what I would ever do without you and your love for us!!!!  We will be sending Erin and Ron a special Thank You gift and as soon as it is purchased, I will make sure to post about that too!  

And they lived happily ever after!!!!!!!

(I will post a link to the YouTube video of the homecoming and also a link to the album of pictures from those few days in another post!)  Thank you for reading this LONG post!!!!

24 hours Until We See His Face!

This time tomorrow, we will FINALLY be together!!!!!  After 2 long years apart, we will be reunited in one of the most magical ways possible!!!!!

My amazing Husband has been stationed in Germany for the last 2 years.  We have gotten to see him for holidays for a couple weeks, we were able to visit him for a couple months in Germany last summer, but this last 6 months has been the roughest on us.  The children have had it the roughest.  Our 8 year old son cries at night, our 4 year old daughter asks daily if he can come home now.  It breaks my heart not knowing how to help them. What makes it harder is keeping a secret from them.  I know when we are going to see him!

He tried to keep it a secret, but I found out that he was coming home 2 weeks sooner than we had originally planned.  The kids have been counting down the days with marbles in jars.  We found this idea on Pinterest.

So....how are we going to have this Magical reunion you ask.  All because of our Best Man and His amazing wife!!!!!  They happened to be at Disneyland the weekend I called him to ask if he knew Roy was coming home early.  Landre promised he didn't know anything (which he is usually the one in on the surprises WITH Roy) but that he was going to take care of everything since he NOW knew that Roy was planning on surprising us at Disneyland.  Roy had booked us (the kids and my mother and I) a room at the Disneyland hotel to celebrate our last days on our Annual Passes for Disneyland.  They expire May 20th and we won't be renewing them for the first time in over 15 years because we are moving to Guam this July.  Soooo, anyways, Our Best Man takes it upon himself to find someone, somewhere in Disneyland to help plan our reunion and then Disneyland Magic plans were underway!! Landre knows us better than most and has been working with the 'people behind the magic' for days now.  

While I know that I have to be at a certain spot at a certain time.....I have NO idea what is going to happen.  And the children.....they don't even know we are going to Disneyland for the weekend.  We have been able to do things to get ready while the oldest is in school, and even his teacher and the ladies in the office know what is going on and helped me to plan a week of Independent Study for Tres without him finding out.  

I will be posting the video from the reunion here, as well as pictures and more stories of our Magical weekend!!!!!  But for now....I have two kids that will be going to bed early (especially for a weekend), while I have finishing touches on packing to do.  So, Until tomorrow........Good night everyone!