Milk

The best news I have heard all day, you can freeze MILK!

Here is what I found at http://tipnut.com/freeze-milk/

It makes sense that you will first need to remove a bit of milk from the containers before freezing since liquids expand when they’re frozen, but I’ve found that it’s not necessary. Just popping cartons or plastic jugs of milk in the freezer without first emptying a bit out has worked fine for me.

According to an article I found, as long as the milk container has about 1 1/2″ inches of headspace it should be fine (otherwise remove a bit before freezing). To test this for yourself, put a container of milk in a plastic bag and then freeze it. If you find the container will hold the milk without bursting, you’ll know for next time (assuming you buy the same brand/size of milk). If it does burst, the mess will be contained in the plastic bag for easy cleanup.

When you’re running low on milk, remove a carton from the freezer and refrigerate. Depending on the amount of milk, it will need a day or two to thaw. Shake the container well before drinking since it can separate after freezing.

Tips:

• Freeze the milk as soon as possible, you want to freeze it before the expiration date but also allow time to consume it once it thaws.
• According to the article I linked to above, low-fat and non-fat milk freezes best.
• How long can milk be frozen? For best results, stick with amounts that will be used within 4 to 6 weeks but I have come across mentions of a three month window.

Summer

So I guess my vow to blog more went by the wayside... oops! Things are really the same around here. The kids are still making messes and I am still constantly cleaning up after them. Although our house never looks like it! I could not wait for summer vacation to start, no more work or school and freedom to sleep in and play all the time! Here we are with only 13 days of summer left and I am sad :( Why does time have to pass so quickly? The kids both had their tonsils out this summer, 2 weeks of recovery and you would never know they had anything done. We spent a week at work with Jeremy. Staying in his camper and swimming all day while he worked, then having campfires and watching movies at night. The kids had a blast! I wont be returning to the YMCA preschool this fall. I got hired at LPS to be substitute para so I can work when, where and as much as I want. I am really excited for this job change!
~Jack is starting 1st grade this year and will be riding the bus out to a alternate location because he school is working on the building. He is really excited to ride the bus! He has his first loose tooth and is very proud of his trophy he got from playing t-ball this summer. He is still as sweet as ever and I see him growing into a big boy a little bit every day. It's very bitter sweet.
~Emma is starting preschool this fall and she can not wait! She is so outgoing and loves meeting new friends and going to a new place to play! She is still a princess but not in the prissy way and is sweet but sassy, just like her mommy! :) She too is growing up way too fast and although it is sad for me not to have a baby anymore, I love watching her learn new things!
So that's life in a nut shell these days. We are loving it!

UPDATE

Wow it has been a LONG time since I last blogged! Things are moving fast in our house like usual. Christmas has been here and gone, and winter has brought more snow than any person cares to live with! Along with winter is having Jeremy home each night which is a huge adjustment for everyone. I wish he never had to work away from home again! I finally finished the kids room redo and they are loving sharing a room together! Otherwise things are much the same, Emma our baby, will be 3 in 12 short days. And like any mother I have to ask where does the time go? And like any girl about to be 3 years away from 30, I really want to know where the time went!!! I'm still 8 years old in my head. :) The biggest change taking place in our house is I will no longer be at home full time. I got a job at the YMCA as a preschool teacher. I am really excited and really nervous! The hours and schedule work perfect with Jacks school schedule and Emma can come with me to day care and preschool. I will still be home in the afternoons and summers and any other days off Jacks school has. It was too good to pass up. So far 2010 is looking like its going to be a great year! I am excited for all the changes 2010 has for us and ready to make new memories!
*New Years Resolution*
Blog more :)
Promise!

A case of the lazys

I need some seriously motivation! I have started 2 room re-dos and not completed them. The down stairs bath room, almost done just needs the towel bars hung up and some decorations. That is simple enough and could be finished with little effort. But since I never go in there, I rarely think about it, so who knows how much longer it will sit half done. The kids bedroom, as discussed yesterday I have started the kids room make over but haven't gotten very far. Right now it is still pink with girly decorations all over. I just threw Jacks mattress on the floor and hung up some of his favorite posters and picture of him and that's as far as I have come. I seriously must paint it (blue or green???) and get the beds from Jeremy's aunt, get Emma a mattress and put the new bedding on. I am in a procrastination rutt. By far the worst thing I have procrastinated is dieting/exercising! I am gaining weight like crazy and doing nothing but complaining about it. I have a major case of the lazys. I have got to get on the ball and complete my projects and get this weight off PRONTO!
UUUUGGG I could really use that magic wand!

Shared Spaces

The bedroom situation in our house has been a problem since Emma was born. We have 2 bedrooms upstairs and a very nice legal bedroom downstairs. So when Emma was born we gave Jack a awesome new bedroom downstairs and gave Emma the room upstairs. I was back and forth the whole time I was pregnant on what to do I never wanted to put Jack downstairs. It worked out ok, but he never really liked it and neither did I. So a couple months ago I decided to move him back upstairs and let he and Emma share a room. I got him a new twin bed and Emma stayed in her toddler bed. I looked all over for matching bedding for a boy and girl finally found some that will work. (seriously its like I am the only person in the world looking for matching bedding for a boy and girl) Now I need to pick a paint color and we are ready to share a room. (since Jack doesn't seem to want to sleep in a pink room) Today I sold Emma's toddler bed so now I'm in a real pickle, as Emma has no bed :) So i threw the crib mattress on the floor and that's where she will sleep until we get another twin bed. I need to get this room redo DONE! Then I need to leave things alone and stop redoing! HAHAHAH like that will ever happen!

October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month, as proclaimed by Former President Ronald Reagan in 1988. Officially recognized in the United States in
2006, October 15th of every year is National Pregnancy & Infant Loss and
Remembrance Day, a special day to honor and acknowledge babies lost to
miscarriage, stillbirth, ectopic pregnancy, prematurity complications, neonatal
death, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome-SIDS, illness, accidents, and other tragic
causes. Pink and Light Blue are the awareness colors.

Here is to all the what might have beens and shattered dreams. Not a day goes by that we don't think of our babies and I don't imagine a day ever will. I miss you Elizabeth but know that you are with all of your baby friends waiting for us.

In loving memory of
Elizabeth Elle
Carter Jefferson
McKenna Rose
and so many other babies

Ps. Have fun at Carters birthday party! I know it will be like nothing we have ever seen.

How long has it been?

Yikes! How long has it been since my last blog??? Way to long for sure! Life has been a little crazy around here. Adjusting to having a baby in the house during the day has been...well....an adjustment! Emma does not like sharing her mommy, but LOVES have "My baby Alldie" to play with. We are all getting used to being with each other and I am proud to say (or should I say relieved) that BOTH girls are napping. AT THE SAME TIME!!!!!!!!!! This is huge! So I am hiding in the basement trying not to make a single noise that might wake Ellie up. I know Emma is out, its getting her to nap that's hard not keeping her asleep. So even though the dishwasher needs to be unloaded and reloaded and the toys need to be picked up, I'm not touching a single one for fear that the peaceful nap time will end :)
maybe this will become a daily event and I will be able to get some stuff done around here! I wont hold my breath just yet!