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           Roll Call! So, it's been a while since I last posted. I know I said I would try to post on a weekly basis, and in my defense, I did say I would try. But, so much has happened. I don't even know where to begin... 
      
            First and foremost, my niece is here! Baby Alayah is the most precious thing in the entire universe. I knew there was a reason that God did not plan for me to have any girls of my own, not to mention the blessing to the world for not getting another me in it! I was meant to have boys so that I could be there for my 3 beautiful nieces. I'd post a photo, but I forgot to ask mom's permission... so you'll just have to check her out on my Instagram feed!

           Ooo! The hubs and I have been attending these super fun group dance classes at Omaha Ballroom! The owners are this super sweet couple who have creating this awesome environment for couples, whether experienced dancers or newbies, to come and dance and have a great time! I had to learn to let the man lead me instead of trying to be in control... that was weird!

           Next, my oldest little man has been having a rough go at school. It's the most trying thing I've had to deal with, and that includes trying to potty train! How do you prove that he is just sticking up for himself or if he really is the instigator? I am learning that this "Parenting" thing is more like a tight rope act in the circus. I have to balance the fine line of teaching my son that it's not okay to hit, and yet at the same time that he is no one's door mat and he should always stand up for himself and what he believes? It broke me that my intelligent mini-me was getting a poor report from school when I know he has the potential to be brilliant. But I know where the problem is. He is a mini-me. For those of you who do know me personally, you know that I will not stand for any crap being flung my way. I do not bat an eye when it comes to defending my family and most importantly, my children. I realized I have to take a look at the example I am setting for my boys. Honestly, I didn't think that my example meant as much for them because I am not either of their Dad's. I figured, hey I'm just "Mean Ole Mom" and that was all. It threw me back, which takes a lot of force, and made me rethink my strategy. 

           Woah, that was a lot, but hey... What'd you expect? I don't post for a while and then I dump and then repeat lol. I really will try to be better, I promise!

Hang in there 

Yum! Cookies

 I have never been more excited to write a post or review a product until I opened my box and saw a recipe for cookies. I mean, come on! I am a mom of 2 little boys and the wife of a cookie crazed man. So after a crazy long weekend my son and I embarked on a cookie journey we will not soon forget!

 So the special thing about this recipe isn't just that i got it special in a box. It's the brand of butter. What does the brand of butter have to do with the quality of cookies? Apparently, more than I thought. See my cookie crazed husband is very particular about his sweets. My mother-in-law is the queen of cookies. Ask all of Brian's friends. She would always have cookies in the jar on the counter. This is only one small reason she is the perfect Grandma. So, I had big shoes to fill getting married and having to be the one baking him his cookies.

Anyways, my little man had such a good week at school that he picked "bake cookies with Mom" from his Good Jar, and so that's exactly what we did. We went to the store and used our coupon for a free container of Country Crock butter to try and review. Little man picked out what he wanted in his cookies and we went home. Let me tell you about this butter. We got the container of soft spread butter and it was exactly that. I may have forgotten to take the butter out and let it warm up like I usually have to do with the store brand sticks that I used to use. I got everything together and in to the mixer and then little man realized I was missing the butter. He scooped it right out of the container and in to the bowl, turned on the mixer and boom, ready for mix-ins. I LOVED THAT!!!

The whole fun thing about this recipe was the mix-ins (#makeityours). The lil' mister picked several things: mini chocolate chips, dark chocolate chips, chocolate sprinkles and candy corn. We separated the batter into four parts and started adding our mixers. Batch 1 was mini chips and sprinkles. I had made pretty big scoops of batter so I spread them out and only had 8 cookies on the pan. Like normal cookies, I was expecting them to expand and flatten out. They didn't! I was so surprised which turned in to a skeptic because obviously these didn't cook all the way through, and again, I was surprised because they were!

And then Batch 2 happened. I was so excited for this batch because I am a huge fan of candy corn. I mean, its sad how happy I am when Halloween candy starts to creep on to the shelves, I immediately buy a bag of the autumn mix! My kids love them too and the hubs hate it, so he could've cared less for this batch. I am so sad at how bad these were! Not because of the batter, that obviously was awesome, but with baking candy corn and how I thought it'd be a great idea to do it.

We ended up throwing away the sheet!

The last two batches were dyed blue, because "Cookie Monster is blue, mom." Batch 3 was dark chocolate and Batch 4 was dark chocolate chips, mini chips AND white sprinkles! Of course they turned out great. So great that I had to take note and tell my husband that I would quote here: "The cookies were fluffy and light. They soaked the milk up quickly, which was a nice perk. They were equal, maybe better than some of Mom's batches. Best that you have made, by far." My jaw dropped. 

So, if you want to try this awesome recipe, click here! 

Thank you guys for reading and keeping up with me! I want to see your creations so tag me on Instagram or post a picture in the comments below!

Hang in there,

So much to say, so little time!

Okay, so I know I've said this before, or at least I think I have, but Life seems to take over when it is least accommodating. I haven't had a spare moment to actually finish a post. I have about 5 in my drafts.... but I get pulled away every time I start to type. Now that the kiddos are down and the hubs is entertained, I can finally update you all on the happs!

So here it goes: I have been following this awesome blog The Blissfully Exhausted Mama which is written by my son's step-mom. I owe her a huge THANK YOU for turning me on to two of my new obsessions... Influenster and Bzzagent. Mostly, I hope you are looking forward to my review posts as much as I am. The first one will be up (in theory) by Monday.

Next, We are less than ONE MONTH out from my niece being born. I don't think I've been this excited for a baby since mine came into this world. I have a related post coming on this topic too. But guys, BABY GIRL will be here so soon! AHHH!! This month is crazy, a friend of mine is having twins, my (soon to be) sister in law is having my niece, and my coworker is due in November. I am so excited everyone is having babies!!! Mainly because I get my baby fix in without going through the process of being pregnant, how lucky am I?

Okay, so much is happening over the next few months and I will do my very best to be on top of the posting. I promise, I will try! Thank you all so so SO much for coming along on this ride with me, I am happy you are here!

Hang in there ;)
Catie

This little thing called, "Life"

  Have you ever noticed how "Life" seems to get in the way of all the things you thought you were going to do? For instance, I was accepted to join the Young Americans, then I was going to make a name for myself performing. Then, "Life" came along and said "Nope! here is a baby" and then I became a Mom. Today, Life determined that I was not going to be able to function.

  A very close friend of mine, we will call her K, has lived with debilitating migraines for a great portion of her life. She has taken meds, gotten piercings, which helped some, but it's still something that she is unfortunate enough to have to deal with. I always felt bad cause there wasn't anything I could do to help, and I didn't understand. Until now. As of late, I have had the worst, life stopping, migraines. I can't compare them to anyone else's so I still may not know her pain, but I at least understand some. The worst part is, I cannot for the life of me figure out why this started.

 When this does hit, it always comes when I need to function. Like, on vacation or when I am home alone with Big and Little. Not only am I in pain from my migraine, that spreads pain to my whole body.... but it makes me feel like I am a failure. I failed as a wife today, my husband asked me to help with laundry and it hurt too much to move the 3 floors to get it done. I failed as a mom today, I had planned this super fun day with the boys to go to the pool and get some pre-school work done. I failed. When I fail, I shut down.

  So, in conclusion, don't let "Life" make you feel like this, like you failed. No one is perfect, even Mary couldn't spare her only son, Jesus from the pain and suffering he was destined for. Find your self, even a higher power if need be to get yourself through. The good days come with some of the bad, that is what make us appreciate what we have more.

UPDATE:
So, this is hilarious to me, but the day after I post this, I woke up with Pink Eye. If Life ain't a B**** I don't know what is lol!
Hang in there,
Catie :D

Happy Birthday Big Boy!

Brayden, Day 1

   How has it been 5 years?!?! My Mommy friends, are ya with me? I still cannot believe that this much time has flown by, I mean how is this precious little baby starting Kindergarten in a month! I still remember going in to the hospital at 6:30am on that Tuesday to be induced. Playing cards with my friend, she never left my side, crying when my Dad came to see how I was doing, trying to squeeze the life out of Brayden's dad's hand during every single contraction. I even remember looking down in my lap and wincing when the doctor injected my epidural. I hope the memories never go away.

  A whole year later I had a spunky little toddler who was more concerned about being dirty than the fact that he had cake in his hand. Being my little buddy going to the park, playing with Gamma's doggies, his first hair cut. Thinking all the while, "How has this much time passed us by?" Crying every year on his birthday because this little man is the only reason I am alive.

Pictures provided by Photos by Liz

  I still am amazed every day that God gave me the strength to raise this little boy in his image. I am more than blessed that I get the opportunity to know him and see him every morning and every night. Brayden changed my life and prepared me for this Mom role that I am in now. HE is the reason I have my moments as a great mom to both him and Bradley. 

  Brayden, I love you baby. You are my favorite Brayden ever, I am so proud of you and everything you do. I love you my sweet, I hope every dream that pops in to your head comes true.

Love, 

Mommy

Hooray Hooray....

   It was an Okoboji day.... You guessed it! That is were our little pack spent our Fourth of July! We got to spend an entire week in lake bliss with most of our Johnson clan. It was awesome! So relaxing, refreshing, nerve racking... Have you ever considered taking a 2 year old on a boat? Well we did, and if I can offer you a bit of advice, if your Little has ear tubes, do not leave the cabin without ear plugs in. Also, don't ever let your kids leave dry land without their life jackets on. Especially if they don't know how to swim (and maybe not even then)!!

Sunset on Lake Okoboji

  We had a whole week in lake bliss. We got to see the awesome fireworks show, or "fire pops" as my Little calls them. The whole family got out on the boat, swimming, cruising... my father in law even dropped a pair of his glasses into the lake! I tried to get them for him, but a very nice young man was more successful with his scuba goggles. Big went fishing and caught 13 fishes! He threw every single one back because they have to be with their mommy and daddy fishes. Daddy only caught 4 and Papa caught 5. It was an amazing first trip out fishing for him!

The best time making smores!

 The whole Johnson clan had a great system, perfected by the end of the trip of course, where the hubs and I would could the dinner, Mom would clean and Papa provided the food. It was great, we had a week of really great food! The one major setback to that was now, they know that I can cook, which means that now, I will be cooking more for family occasions. This will come in handy for our Sunday cleaning day!

  After 5 whole days up at the lake, it was so sad to pack up and move on to the next stop on our vacation trip. We headed over to Oregon, Il to visit my Dad's maternal cousins. I forgot how much I loved the scenery in Oregon. So peaceful and calm, I love that about smaller towns. If you ever go, and you love flea markets/antiques/ Junkstock (it's an awesome event here in Omaha) you HAVE to go to Conover Square! It used to be a piano factory, so they have pianos lining the halls which is so neat to see them all. BUT, most importantly, every floor is filled with little shops. That is where I find all the coolest items that I naturally have to buy. For instance, I got a "Mrs. Pot's" cookie jar, and end table that matches my coffee bar perfectly, several new coffee themed signs that match the theme of my life, and the best find, in my opinion, is my new wine bottle holder. It has to be one of the ugliest faces on a piece of "art" or whatever you want to call it that I have ever seen, but it is a Butler that holds your wine bottle. I have named him "Jeeves" and he is my favorite.

All in all, we had a great time away, relaxing and sad coming back.

Hang in there :)
~Catie

Long Time, No Blog

   So much has happened since November of 2014... SO much that I don't even know where to begin. I suppose the most obvious one to start with would be I got married!! I know, I didn't know if it would happen either, kidding! ... kinda. Brian and I got married October 24, 2015. I'm sure some time in the near future I will write a post or two about the planning. We had a really simple, small wedding. If I do say so myself, and I do, it was perfect! Thank you to Dave Uhlig of Photo Omaha, for capturing our perfect day!

Just one of our perfect moments!

  I left the barista life for good. Back to the optician life. Which is just amazing. I have learned so much in the year I have been back there. Not to mention, I love the people. If you haven't noticed, I am a people oriented person. I have always excelled at a job where I am in service to others. Having our patients come in the door being greeted with a smile and leaving with a smile, makes my day. I love the hunt of finding your perfect pair of glasses. If you are in the Omaha, Ne area and are in need of new glasses, I know a guy! :)

Optical Barbie, at your service lol!

    Anyways, I will be around more, I really want to make a go of this blog thang. I will be posting more on "Moming", working, family trips and the awesome places we go, our journey through marriage, oh and "Fooding" because if you aren't eating there is a problem. 

Hang in there :)

~Catie