Recipe Time! Grilled BBQ Cheddar Bacon Chicken Sammie

So this recipe came to me in a dream. I honestly cruised Pinterest and recipes for way to long the other night before I went to bed. When I do that, I tend to dream about food and recipes. HA

Ingredients:
Chicken:
6 chicken breast halves
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 tablespoon "Jonesy'z Old Time Seasoning" (original-- sweet BBQ seasoning that is sold locally and can be found in Hy-Vee or the farmer's market)
2 tablespoons of bacon bacon (Tastefully Simple)-- if you don't have this seasoning, add some dried onion and bacon bits)
6 pieces of low sodium bacon cooked to taste (I like mine crispy)
6 slices of cheddar cheese
BBQ sauce (we usually make our own, but this time I used Kraft Honey BBQ sauce)

Grilled buns:
6 prepared buns from the grocery store (we used Ball Park brand)
1/3 cup of butter (melted)
1 tablespoon of garlic powder
Sea salt to taste
1 tablespoon parmesan cheese

Directions:
1) Place chicken breast halves on a baking sheet or pan and rub in seasoning (garlic, pepper, Joney'z, and bacon-bacon).  Place pan in refrigerator for 1 hour to marinate.
2) Melt butter with garlic powder, sea salt and parm cheese in microwave (30-45 seconds).  Once melted, brush butter mix generously onto the inside of each bun-half. Place buttered buns and put on to the side, so that they can be grilled later.
3) Spray gril with cooking spray and heat up the grill (I used a medium heat). Once grill is warm, place chicken on grill.  Cook on each side 5 minutes or until done.
4) Add buns to the grill (I put them on my top rack so they do not burn), and brown each side.
5) brush BBQ sauce on each chicken breast half once fully cooked.  Add a slice of cheddar cheese and a slice of cooked bacon.
6) Once cheese is melted and buns are ready, assemble sandwich on grill (shut off grill heat) and let the sandwich melt together.

Serve!  We served this with fruit and a bacon ranch pasta salad recipe from allrecipe.com

Polyps In My Lungs

Many of my friends know how dear relay for life is to me. They know that I relay for my mother in law, Linda Flye, who was taken from us too early. She was an amazing mother, grandmother, and friend. They know I relay for my grandfather, Orrie Hitt... who was also taken early after battling lung cancer. I relay for my dear friend, Deryck. He passed away earlier this year after a long hard battle, and AGAIN he was taken WAY to early... I relay for my aunt Peggy. She passed away this last month after battling lung cancer. Again, she was taken way to early....

My life was forever blessed because of my loved ones above, but it has also been changed for the better (ah, now I have the "Wicked" soundtrack running through my head, great music- FYI). I want to help find a cure. Make it so other people don't lose like I have.

I relay for myself.

My personal story is not one of cancer... YET. That is the hardest part for me. A little over a year ago, I started to get very sick.  Lost a ton of weight, and after three months of doctor visits, MRIs, catscans, blood draws, iron infusions, and six specialist, they found a multitude of issues. FIRST, I had MALS (median arcuate ligament syndrom)- a rare disorder where a ligament is tightly wrapped around an artery by your heart causing all kinds of problems... then they found tumors, polyps, cysts.... It was overwhelming.  The first tumor was on my adrenal gland and it was 3 times the size of the gland itself. They found cysts in my hip, big toe, and wrist. Polyps in my lungs (three to be exact) and cysts in my ovaries.

A bit overwhelming for this mom of many.  I underwent surgery at the University of Iowa in June of 2011 to correct the artery issue and have the tumor along with my left adrenal gland removed. I spent a lot of nights talking about how it is NOT fair.  But, I was hard on myself in my 20s and early 30s. I had a horrible diet, I smoked like a fiend and I didn't really think about WHAT I was doing to myself. I wish I could rewind, but I cannot. Instead I have to move forward.

I have polyps on my lung. Three. Every six months I have to go and have another catscan...another visit with a specialist. Another time holding my breath to see if the polyps have grown and if they are the C word. If you do this for two years straight and they don't grow... you are considered in the clear and the polyps will most likely NOT develop into cancer. If they do change in size or color then you probably have cancer.

I have one year down and still cancer free. I am thankful to a mighty God who watches over me. I am also thankful for research. For if there wasn't money put into cancer research, my doctors wouldn't be concerned about the "polyps"... I wouldn't be seeing the specialist every six months and having a catscan. I wouldn't know what an important preventative measure the catscans are, and how they can save my life. Early detection. That is what saves lives.

So, that is why I relay. I relay to raise money so that research can be done. Research that can save lives.

If you have lost someone to cancer, been a caregiver to someone with cancer, are a cancer survivor yourself... get out and RELAY.  It is one of the most amazing events ever to come together for one night...one cause, because together we can fight back.

If you would like to donate, our relay for life team is DahFeet (silly, but we wanna dah-feeet cancer) and we participate in the Linn County IA relay for life (being held on June 1st and 2nd).  If you are in Cedar Rapids, come and relay with us.
If you want to donate, the site to our relay event is below... any amount is great! You can donate it to Relay under our team name (DahFeet). http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR/RelayForLife/RFLFY12MW?pg=entry&fr_id=38638

Celebrate. Remember. Fight Back.

Personal Best

Kennith has ALWAYS struggled with writing. He writes letters and numbers backwards. For the longest time, I had NO IDEA why he struggled so much with it. His letters would look crazy and out of control.  I would sit and practice with him for hours... days... months...years (OK so that is way to much drama, eh? LOL)

But I would practice with him.  Earlier this year, his spelling test looked like the test below. How do I fix it?

We started having him write out words at least three times per night, and if he wrote a letter backwards, or if it was sloppy he would have to write it again... and the result was this....

One night, Phillip sat down with Kennith and he started to write out his words.  Phillip said, "Now Kennith... is that YOUR personal best? I think YOU can do better." and sure enough... here is what happened.

I cannot tell you how this has helped me in this ADHD journey with Kennith.  So, every night with homework, before his father or I check it, we always ask if he did his personal best. If he didn't... he will fix it.  It he did, then we review it. Kennith has come so far!

So, I wonder if that is a lesson for me.  I should do my personal best at everything, and make sure it is my very personal best before I am done... whether it is dinner, work, quality time with my kids, even cleaning the bathroom. Always do it your personal best.... then you can always be proud of what you accomplished.

Do Things Happen for a Reason?

Hi there! My name is Melissa. It has been 14 crazy days since I last blogged.  I feel, well... I feel, out of sorts and strange! I mean, I usually blog every other day, or at LEAST every week.. but to go two whole weeks without even POSTING ONCE? That is just insane. (insane in membrane... insane in the brain... do you remember that song? Cypress Hill, YES?) As I digress... Where was I? OH... I remember...

Do you think things happen for a reason, or do they just happen?

Here is why I ask... Things have been crazy-awesome-busy-and rather amazing.  I am getting involved in a great business that I love (for now just part time) and I have a great team of folks I am working with. AND my real job has been uber busy.  Long story short, I was working from about 7:15 am central to about 11 pm central daily, because there were a lot of responsibilities we had to take care of every day. So, as my work gets busy, that is all I can think about. I mean, my husband and my kids talk to me, and I hear them, but do I listen? I have come to the realization I do not. not when I am overwhelmed with work.

So, thankfully I have an amazing family who will put up with me and this hectic schedule, but also... they will talk to me about it and bring up concern when necessary.  I love them so much, and it is hard to show them that I work this hard for them, when I work I am away from them... so how is it really FOR them? Know what I mean? But do you think things happen for a reason? I mean, we moved here, and I found a day care provider for Maddy right away.  We called her up, went and met her, and INSTANTLY I knew she would be great with Maddy. Maddy has grown up so much with Kathy (our day care provider). Kathy and her family are like our extended family.

Well, Maddy is leaving her terrible twos and entering into the temper tantrum threes like a champ!  She is very aggressive and stubborn to the max.  On Friday, Maddy tested Kathy. While they were driving, Maddy would take her arms out of her car seat. Kathy would have to stop, put her back in the car seat and tell her no.  Maddy did this about 4 times.  When I picked up Maddy from Kathy's... Kathy said, "Melissa, Maddy kept taking her arms out of her car seat, and it is not safe. I cannot have her do this. If she does it again, she can no longer come here." I understand Kathy's position, but I am personally crushed... because we love our Kathy. Anyway, I talked to Maddy about how important the seat belt is (I hate to admit she has been doing this as of late, and it is horrible to always pull over).  I talked to her about how we always have to buckle up for safety.

After daycare, Kennith, Maddy and I did our errands.  We went to the post office, and to the grocery store. I usually go to two different stores... one for the bulk items and one for meat, etc.  So, I was driving on a very busy road going to the last store (I had a craving for sushi, and they make it fresh there...) As we were driving... my car made an odd sound. Then I was by my house, so I pulled off the busy street and onto O Ave. Called Phillip... he said to try and make it home. And a block away, my tire completely FELL OFF my car. The tire rod rusted and the tire completely fell off.  Brought my car to an immediate stop, and we all were pushed forward and back by the force. All I can think, is what the heck happened? Maddy and Kennith were safe. She kept her seat belt on. I went out to look at the car.

If this day had gone differently... if she didn't talk to Kathy about the seat belt... if I would have ignored the sound and drove to the other store... things could have been much worse...

So, things happen. For a reason? I don't know. I cannot determine that. I do however believe in GOD and that he was with us the whole day. And His mercy happens for a reason. His love happens for a reason. He watches of us... for a reason. Maybe I don't why He does what he does, but man... I am sure glad he does!
Happy Monday!

My car:

Baggie Eggies - Recipe

Today we made... "BAGGIE EGGIES" for breakfast.  We learned how to make these delicious eggs from my sister, Sarah.  They are so much fun for the kids, healthy, AND can be used as a breakfast for camping (which is a bonus with camping time right around the corner).

So, how do you make BAGGIE EGGIES?
1) Boil a large pot of water on the stove.  As the water boils, gather enough quart sized freezer baggies (One for each person) and locate a Sharpie.
2) Get your "EGGIE" Station together. This includes eggs, milk, cheese, veggies for eggs (we like tomatoes, onion, sausage, bacon, mushrooms, and seasoning such as sea salt, pepper, and garlic).

3) Get a baggie, put your name on it with the Sharpie marker, and open up the baggie... get ready for some egg-magic!

4) Add one or two eggs with a 3 tablespoons of milk.

5) Add the toppings of your choice to the baggie and seal baggie back up.



6) SQUISH AND MIX THE BAG OF EGG STUFFS LIKE YOU NEVER HAVE BEFORE! SMUSH IT REAL GOOD!










7) place the baggie in the boiling pot of water (Parents, please make sure to do this for your child)


We have each name facing up in the boiling water.  As the eggs cook, you should start to see them rise to the top of the water.  When they are "FLOATING" you know they are done.









8) Check for the floating baggies! NOW they are done!

9) with tongs, gently remove each bag out of the water and open the baggie. Slowly slide the eggie out onto the plate

10) garnish with some cheese on top!

And serve!  You have a fun kitchen experiment with your kids that is totally YUMMY and GOOD FOR THE BELLY!

WE.HAVE.POOP! Happy Toddler!

So, as you are aware... Maddy has had some HORRIBLE poop issues.  I promised NOT to blog for a while about the poop (or the fact she wouldn't go). But, after going to the doctor, she was put on some prescription strength Miralax.  GOD BLESS THE MIRALAX.  She is finally going on a normal basis. We did have an ultrasound done to see if anything was "wrong" and I should get the results later today or tomorrow. 

Anyway, we are so trying to get her to use the potty to go #2.  I have tried bribing her with ice cream (no go) and with party dresses.  Now it is school. Yes, she wants to go to school and wear fancy dresses.  So, we told her we would check out a school (preschool program, Maddy will be 3 in July and we should put her in 2 years of preschool so she is good to go for kindergarten, since she will be a young kindergarten starter).  WE told her as soon as she could poopy and peepee all the time on the potty and wear big girl underwear, she could go to school.

Well, she then went to her biological father's for a week. UGH.  Not that he is a bad man, but he is just, er... a big kid himself.  So, she went back to pottying in her pull up. BUT, as soon as she saw me, man we were back to a dry pullup... WHAT IS THAT ABOUT?

And then..... it happened... she said, momma... I think I haveta poop.  And then the slow motion music started playing in my head... "The Chariots of Fire" theme... I push everyone out of my way so she can get to the potty.  We get here... and well... she did it. She finally pooped on the potty.

She got to wear a fancy party dress to daycare the next day... today we went to check out the preschool.  According to Phillip (the preschool is at the same school he teaches at) she was a hit with everyone she met.  She obeyed the rules, listened to her teachers..... and she didn't want to leave. I hope this is enough motivation to keep her using the potty. 

So, mission poop is COMPLETED!  Thank goodness... I mean, I hope it is completed. What if I just jinxed myself? Nah...

Here is Miss Thang in her school clothes... all ready to go!

TO THE BACK WITH YOU!

Ok. So this title is rather odd, but I am frustrated. I am so used to driving the car to places but always taking the back seat, figuratively.

NOW, I should probably explain.... Let us travel back in time to a day where things were simple, easy, carefree... WHO AM I KIDDING? Let's go back to Monday morning...

(Right now, by ADHD brain is doing the doodley-doo, doodley-doo voices from WAYNE'S WORLD....Party time, excellent... ahhh,  do you remember that? *SMH* OK back on task... Monday...)

I want to first apologize for my random outbursts. It is how my brain is working today. I swear to the sweet baby Jesus, I have 15 things going through my head as I start this new business venture. I am like a little kid the day before Christmas waiting for Santa... But, that is a topic for a different day.

I love being involved in my kids lives. Doing things with them. Sitting at the table every night and talking to them about their days.  I love it when they come home.  The older girls first... If I am not on a call, or teaching.. I go upstairs and say hello and they tell me about their day. I warm all over. Just having them here and knowing they are safe and that we can have conversations about stuff that happened that they may not want to share with their dad or at the table with the little ones. I like having that moment with them.  Then Kennith comes home and he comes to my office. We talk about his day one on one too.  Then it is Maddy.  This is the ritual of my afternoon and I love it.
I know about my kids. I make it my priority. I get frustrated, because with the two older ones, I am JUST the step-mom.  It is such a thin line.  What frustrates me is that with my step daughter who lives with us full time, I am her "mom-type." I know what is going on with her medically, I feed her, I make sure she has clothes, I take care of her daily, I play cards with her, I hug her when boys are stupid, I am responsible for her medical insurance. I am in the moment...there with her.  But I am NOT allowed to be there for her if she gets hurt, her mother runs to the rescue.
Example number one... We go to get the tonsils removed.  I am responsible for paying for it. I have taken Alex to the appointments and hugged on her the night before surgery. I contacted the school to let them know she would be out. I bought her a cute outfit to wear to the surgery. I was sitting by her and cried with her about it. Yet, when we get to the surgery, her mother gets an attitude over Alex's new hair color (it is too dark), she gets MAD at Alex and storms out (come to find out because she did it with ME and the ex wasn't invited to go, but to be honest, I ain't payin' for her hairs to get did too...). I sit with Alex and tell her it will be ok. It is NOT about her hair today, it is about the surgery.  The mom settles down and comes back in. I explain that the reason why we went a bit darker, is because it would naturally fade to Alex's natural color (um hello. We have the best hair stylist EVAH)... the mom was still pissed off.  But, when we went back to pre-op, she took her rightful spot next to Alex. Talking to her about how special she is, OH MY BABY... I was in the waiting room. Because I was not made welcome in the pre-op room with Alex.  After surgery, her mother just gave me a dirty look, but I had to go back and check on Alex.  She is my daughter from another mother. Just because I didn't birth her from my loins doesn't take away the fact that I care about her and love her unconditionally.

Then this past Monday, Alex had a very important appointment with the pediatric cardiologist in Iowa City.  Long story short, the mom wanted me to pick her up, so I did (she has no job, she has an almost 5 mo old baby, and no car, home, or money).  At the doctor's appointment the doctor asked why we were there.  The mom looked at me.  Um, I guess she is too busy in her awesome life to know about her daughter... I smile and tell the doctor all the details about Alex passing out, the EKG and Echocardiogram results.  Then when Alex gets upset over the different things the doctor suggested to help with this issue, the mom rushes to her side and then shows her a picture of her baby sister to calm her down. WTF? I mean, just be there for her without talking about someone else, or the other kids... just be there for HER.  But Alex is loved on, and I sit there. Wanting to cry with her. Hold her hand, and tell her it will be ok.  She is going to be ok. That I am here for her too. And I sit in silence.

Her mom? She gets mad at the doctor and makes the doctor go outside for "words." Me, I just sit there. Quietly. Knowing that my turn to be there will be later.

Later that night, Alex and I talked. I told her I would do the required diet change with her and the excercises.  Becaues Lord knows I need to work out and be acountable and I need to eat better. I wanted her to know that she doesn't have to do it alone. Instead of getting mad at someone for telling us what we need to do to make it better, I decided to suport the recommendation by the doctor. SO yesterday, she held me accountable. She made me walk. I told her I would resist her, but she got me up off my butt, and we walked. Not that I wanted to, I mean I need to but I don't wanna... EVEN THOUGH I DON'T WANT TO... I would do it for her. And by doing it for my baby, I will be better myself.

I guess I am frustrated because the ex-wife (Alex's mom) has 4 kids. Beautiful children who have so much to offer the world. BUT, she treats Alex as if she is second to her man, her friends, or other kids (and in that order).  Or that is how I see it.  I mean, she canceled on Alex coming over to see her on Alex's birthday because she was with a friend. WHO DOES THAT?  Not me.

I will NEVER make my kids feel like they are second best.  So that is why I guess I choose to ride in the back.  See, riding in the front is ok, but you can only see a small amount of what is going on... riding in the back? I get to see everything.