Hubby Monday

Hello again every one, its that time again and I'm not working... Imagine that. I'm actually listing to "Red Solo Cup" by Toby Keith which cracks me up. I'm also watching Megan do a mini mini session with Sawyer. He is such a cute and chunky little butterball!
I had drill this weekend which is always an interesting, yet awesome experience. Im not yet in my drill unit doing what I will be doing, but im learning a lot. Serving in the National Guard is an amazing learning experience and a true honor. If any one feels like it may peak their interest, email us. (Sorry cheap free recruiting plug!)
We have been looking at PA schools to attempt to get into once I get finished with BCT. We are really looking forward to getting away for a few years, experiencing something new, and meeting new people. We don't really have very many friends we hang out with a good bit. We miss the interaction with other couples, especially those with kids. I believe we are both ready to go out and try and do new things. I have mentioned to Meg a few times about going active duty. It would be a new and different change to live on base and be surrounded by families that are in the exact same position as we are. Megan would be able to get together with other wives and moms instead of hanging around the house when I'm at work. It would be good for her to have some more interaction with other moms, and for the boys to play with other kids. All things to be considered while making plans for out future.  
On to a funny story to end with. We were all downstairs and I was getting ready to run to the store to grab some bread for supper. I gave Meg a kiss, Sawyer a kiss, and apparently Bentley thought he was going with me and needed to say bye as well. He walked in the living room and clear as day said "Bye Jesus" like Jesus was chillin here with us. Do I think it was just him babbling? Not a chance! Bentley hears about Jesus when we are at church or when we tell him about Jesus' love, and how much he loves everyone.  It was the funniest thing I think I have heard Bentley say. Kind of one of those had to be there moments. He walked in, kissed his mama, his brother, said bye to Jesus, then headed straight for the front door. As I look at the clock on the bottom of my screen, I realize its much later than I cared to be awake. Y'all have a good night and remember; if ya drink, don't drive, if ya drive don't drink, always take a buddy with ya swimming, and always wear protection... when shooting guns. :)


-Hubby

A Quick Blog In Between Cooking

Headache headache go away! Ugh. I've had a headache off and on this week and it's really starting to drive me insane. It's probably from not wearing my glasses, I guess I need to get on that.

 I have taco soup in the crock pot right now and it smells divine! To see the recipe from my 'Can't Resist Thursday' Click Me and you can get it from there. I am obsessed with seasoned foods and soups, especially taco! I also like Chicken White Chili which is also seasoned with taco seasoning. Bentley and I made strawberry cake which is really good to, but I caved and bought Ducan Hines, lol. I like a simple recipe that takes minutes to prep--especially cakes and goodies! 
 What did you think about Pintervention Tuesday? I thought it was a good idea, but after looking at our thermostat, I don't think I will be able to do it. So what project is next? Any ideas? I am HOPING to finish Bentley and Sawyers project soon, so when I do-I'll add it to Pinterest and use it for a Pintervention Tuesday. It's something cute, simple, and can last a life time...any clue?
 Today was planned for organizing, cleaning, catching up on the little bit of laundry, and clean some more. Hubby and I had it all planned out. Plans kind of changed. My Mom came over and spent the afternoon with us all and it was nice to just sit down and relax. Nothing got done, but I enjoy having her come over and see the boys. Hopefully tomorrow the boys will be feeling better (they got shots yesterday) and I can clean the house. That's a huge task with one clingy Sawyer and tornado Bentley, LOL! It is hard to get things done, but it's manageable.
 I have been doing a FREE mini session photo contest on my FB page Megan Lynn Photography and I didn't think I would get a good feedback like I have. I am new to photography and learning by each snap shot I take. I decided to do a contest because I want to put my name out there and gain as many fans as possible--not to mention a free session. Well, I have had 'so far' 417 new fans and this started 3 days ago! I now have 660 fans and it keeps jumping from number to number! I am so EXCITED and honored to have such a huge number to me, but such a small number to you. I enjoy and love my job and wouldn't trade it for anything!


Gotta go and make cornbread! Have a good night!

Megan

Pin*ter*vention Tuesday

This is a neat idea! I will be doing this with Bentley and Sawyers hand painting on canvas! I will be hiding out thermostat (Depending on if it fits or not...)!

This cute canvas photo serves two purposes. Not only is it super chic artwork of one of my loves, but it doubles as a cover for the unsightly alarm panel.

Ta-da! Not only does it hide the ugly alarm panel from friends and family, but also from strangers.

Simply attach two flat hinges first to the canvas (ordered at canvas on demand with uploaded photo from our collection) and then to the wall. (I just picked the hinges up at home depot for cheap).

View when canvas is in open position to reveal the alarm panel.

Side view of both canvases on the wall in our entry. You can see the hinges from the side on the one that is hiding the alarm panel, but barely.

What do ya think??

Megan

Hubby Monday

Here we are on another Hubby Monday, and believe it or not its actually a Monday. I'm at work again while Megan is at home being the most amazing mother ever. On top of all that it entails being a mother of two boys, she has not been feeling very well today. Not quite sure want or how she got sick, but its not good regardless.

These past few weeks you have probably read about the home improvements we are trying to get accomplished before I ship out. I managed to finish putting down the wood floors in our kitchen, dining room, hallway and downstairs bathroom. It took me and a good friend maybe 5 hours to do the dining room, and then me almost 24 hours to finish everything else. Precise cuts are ruthless! It looks great though, even took two boxes back to home depot. I will finish off the reducers, transfer pieces from flooring to carpet, tomorrow and then hopefully Meg's dad will help me put the trim back in place when we install the chair rail.

Sawyers room got painted, which was an essential must, and after the chair rail is put up it will be done. I still have to paint, or get painted, our bedroom at the very least before I go. I really hate painting, so any volunteers would be greatly appreciated. Some other odds and ends need to be taken care of and then she can relax while I'm gone... Wrong... 16 weeks will only give her plenty of time to make a "Honey Do List" for when I get back home. :) I see you smiling now Megan Lynn. Its taken me a lot longer to get things done than anticipated due to our crazy days. If its not one thing, its another.

Tomorrow is going to be spent at Dr.'s offices. The boys BOTH have to get shots, which means fussy babies all around. I hate hen they get their shots. Sawyer is still to young to know what it going on, but Bentley is at the age where he knows whats going on, and he gets mad about it. I'm sure we will bribe him with ice cream or tootles or something after he cries. If your in the Mills Ave area tomorrow around 10:45, bring ear plugs! After all that, we have an appointment for Megan to go to. Other than her wonderfully good genetics, she also inherited chronic ingrown toenails. Now I have only had one in my entire life. I was younger and I wanted to just chop off my toe and be done with it, but otherwise never had another one. Well my poor sweet wife gets them like every two months. Now when I say ingrown, I'm talking like half an inch into her toe! It was crazy last time the doc pulled out the nail. We are going tomorrow to get them temporarily taken care of, she is WAAAAY over due for "toe servicing". After we make sure there is no infection, we are going to schedule her to have surgery. It's fairly quick, in office procedure, but it takes away the thought of ever having an ingrown toenail. I can see Megan dreaming of a big toe, free from pain. And then back home for a quite, relaxing evening..... wait did I mention the boys were getting shots!

So tomorrow is rapidly approaching, and I believe that means I had better try to get some rest. Y'all have a good night, be safe, and check out Megan Lynn Photography on FB! Awesome things going on there! 

 

 

Hubby

Can't Resist Thursday

Taco Soup

This is one of my favorite soups and I think I will be making it Sunday if I get a chance :) ENJOY!

Soup:

• 1 lb of lean ground beef (I used 94/6)
• 1/2 sweet yellow onion, diced
• 3-4 garlic cloves, minced (not pictured)
• 1 can of pinto beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 can of kidney beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 cup of frozen corn
• 2 cans of diced tomatoes
• 1 4.5 oz can of diced green chilies
• 1/2 oz of package of ranch salad dressing mix (half a packet)
• 1 Pack of Taco seasoning 
• 1 tsp of chili powder

1.) Heat a Dutch oven over medium heat then add the ground beef. Add all the taco seasonings and mix into the ground beef, making sure to break it up into crumbles. Add the diced onion and garlic then mix thoroughly and cook for 4-5 minutes.

2.) Add the beans, corn, tomatoes, green chilies and ranch dressing packet, mix well then cover and simmer on low for 2 hours, stir occasionally. Taste and re-season with sea salt or pepper if needed.

Toppings:

• Sour cream
• Sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• Green onions, diced
• Fritos

 

Ladle the soup into bowls then top with corn fritos, soup cream, cheddar cheese and green onions. Enjoy.

Megan

Tasks

 Since my last post, Hubs finished our floors and most of Sawyers room. We are going sometime this weekend to finish buying the stuff for his room and get paint for ours. Painting is such a drag. I wish the house would be finished in one click of a second, but that's wishing a tad to much. I will be glad when it's all finished. I wish it would be finished soon that way I can spend the last few weeks with my Hubby. 
  I am dreading him leaving very soon, reality has settled in and I get emotional to think about it. I wished there was a way something could happen and he get discharged, but I know how much he wants this. I get no help with the kids...hardly ever and I know I won't when he leaves. He leaves in almost 6 weeks and we haven't had a date night in over 4 months. I was hoping we wold get one each week until he leaves that way we get one-on-one time, but I know that's wishes and hopes. I hate asking for help because I don't want it to be a burden. I just miss the time together. It's different with one kid, but with two--no one wants to babysit. Yes, if you are wondering, I am sitting here sobbing because I can't imagine 
  Ever since Christmas I have been nauseous and sick feeling. NO I am not pregnant. I am trying to figure out why. I smell food, I get sick. After I eat, I get sick. Sounds like pregnancy, huh? Well, it isn't. I was trying to think if maybe I have a 'change in diet' but I can't think of anything. I starve to death, but have a hard time eating. Maybe breastfeeding has something to do with it?? Have you ever had this problem?
 Thank you so much for my Pin*ter*vention responses. I didn't realize how many people actually don't do the scent plug ins. I admit, I do. Although, I do like the idea and will be trying it. If you have a pin or recipe you would like to post, via e-mail it to me at meganmiller291@yahoo.com and I would love to share it!  
  Tomorrow is my first maternity session! I am a little nervous and the weather is supposed to be freezing! We have bare belly ideas to do, but I am beginning to wonder if 40 degrees will be to cold! Maybe for me anyway! She is pregnant, so maybe her hormones will kick in :) I am very excited and can't wait to share the pictures with you. I am super excited to get my business up and running, but I am a little discouraged because I haven't been having much feedback. PLEASE go like Megan Lynn Photography and SHARE it with your friends. I am debating on doing a Photography blog that way I can share my sessions with you guys, but I don't know if I should take on another 'social' task with the little bit of time I do have. What do you think?
 

Megan

Pin*ter*vention Tuesday

DIY Wallflowers Scented Plugin

 

Here is the article I found that you may find interesting: "

I’m about to get hippie on you all. Plugin air fresheners (and tons of other stuff) have something called  VOC in them. VOC stands for “volatile organic compounds” and they are highly toxic. They are chemicals with a low boiling point. VOC cause all sorts of problems in your body: infertility (some of you may like that!), headaches, nervous system disorders, memory loss and cancer for both your pet and you…. lots of things. 
I was bummed when I learned about this and unplugged mine. Being a packrat I couldn’t bring myself to toss it out and thought, maybe i’ll just plug it in for the holidays and poison my loved ones only a few times a year. Then I had a bright idea: Replace the bad stuff with good stuff: essential oils, which are awesome for you and, sometimes a lot cheaper than the liquid cancer bath and body works sells.  

Here’s how you do it:

Remove the wick part (which ironically looks like a cigarette) empty and rinse out the bulb.

 

 

Find an oil you like. I chose peppermint because it's pretty cheap and it makes my house smell cool and clean. I highly recommend orange, lavender, cinnamon, roman chamomile, clary sage, lemon, rose, grapefruit, jasmine, or ylang ylang oil.

 

 

 

Pour the oil into the bulb.

 

 

Fill it up about 1/3 of the way but it will last lay longer if you do the whole thing.

 

 

Fill the rest of the bulb with water, but not to the top or else inserting the wick with make it spill. Put the wick back in the bulb.

 

 

Screw it back into the plug in part and enjoy refreshing, healing air that won’t make your hair fall out.

 

 

 

So I haven't yet to make this, but this will definitely be on my list before next Tuesday! Try it and let me know what you think! 

 

Megan

Hubby Monday

So here we are once again, another series of Hubby Monday..or Tuesday… or whenever I get a chance to actually take a minute and write this thing. I am very excited to see that Megan has decided to open up her and our crazy life, and share our experienced with everyone who cares to read.

Where do I even begin…. Sawyer Ray was born this past Sept. He is 4 months old, is happy as can be, plump as a Thanksgiving turkey, and looks every bit like his mother (Thank you Lord!) He has been such a blessing for us to have. He is so loving, so cuddly, and just so much fun having another child to raise and share life with. Bentley James is 18 months going on 13 years old! He is an absolute joy, handful, and trip all in one! Not a day goes by when he doesn’t do something that absolutely makes his mother and I just stop and crack up. He loves his brother so much, and has had no problems adjusting to having a sibling, which leads me to my biggest hurdle…. I have baby fever BAD!!

Megan has launched an amazing photography business that is so amazing. She has such and eye for that kind of thing, and I could not be more proud of her. She specializes in newborns and pregnancies; newborns being my weakness. We have had 5 or 6 newborns come through our door, and it has only made me want another child. Meg did her first newborn girl and I want a little girl for the boys to protect. Megan laughs at me and tells me I am crazy, but she will cave…

As many of you know I joined the SC Army National Guard this past summer. I leave for boot camp in less than two months. 16 weeks without my beautiful children, and without my amazingly wonderful wife. I am excited to serve, and to gain the experience and knowledge I will get there, but I sure wish I could do it 8-5 and be home every night with my family. This will be the most challenging period of my life and only prayers and the love for my family will get me through this. We will get through this no doubt. Well its officially Wednesday, and I am pretty late with this edition of Hubby Monday, but better late than never. Everyone enjoy your night, or morning. I’m going to hold up here at the station and hopefully get a descent nights sleep.

Hubby

Unfinished to be finished Projects.

  Today consisted of staying out of my Husbands hair waiting on the floors to be finished. So far, Hubby, has 13 hours invested in these floors and it's only half way finished. I must say, they look very good! We have 2 projects going on in the house right now, but I think the floors seem to be more stressful for me. I want my stuff back into place and want my house clean. I'm a tad bit OCD, but I like it that way. I couldn't live in a cluttered dirty house. Eww. 


Here is what today consisted of: 

It took Hubs 3 HOURS to do this little bit.

7 Hours.

11 hours. 

16 hours. 

 Hubby only got half way through with this--at least he got to a good stopping point. He did the half bath/guest bath room and the foyer. He will finish the other half of the foyer and kitchen on Sunday since he has shift tomorrow. I am very anxious to see the new look! 
   The second project is painting Sawyers room. Not just his room, but will soon be painting our room, 2 hallways, kids bathroom, and our bathroom. My dad came and painted half his room tonight and will finish it tomorrow. YAY! I feel like we are slowly progressing in a fast way. Make sense? Here is the half way look:

The bottom half will be navy blue. 

 I don't know if you feel this way, but when a house is painted, it feels more homey. I am thinking about doing our room in a muted burnt green color, but I am still undecided. As for the 2 bathrooms...I still have no idea! I am thinking about using the rest of this gray ^^, but I don't know if it would look good for a kids bathroom or not. What do you think? Throw some colors out there to me. 


  What do you have planned for this weekend? I am doing nothing tomorrow unless something comes up (yes, I literally sit at home 24/7 because I have no friends) and Sunday is Church and we are supposed to be visiting my Sister and her family. I have two sisters and a brother. 1 nephew, 7 nieces, and 1 late niece. I am waiting on my brother to marry if that will ever happen...LOL. Tomorrow my family is coming over (I think that's the plan) and I am making HOMEMADE Crock Pot Lasagna while my Dad Paints Sawyers room. He also painted Bentleys insanely beautiful room--will post pictures after the house projects are finished. 


I am fixing to finish folding my laundry, and then I am hitting the sack. See you again on Monday...hopefully with finished projects! Nite! 


Megan 

Can't Resist Thursday

Banana Cake

What you need for cake:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 2 tablespoons canola oil
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs, at room temperature
• 1 large egg white, at room temperature
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 4 large ripe bananas
• 1/4 cup milk

  
Preheat oven to 375°. Spray an 8-inch square pan with cooking spray. Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside. Using an electric mixer, beat butter, oil, and sugar. Beat in eggs and egg white, 1 at a time, mixing well after each addition. Mix in vanilla. In a separate bowl, mash bananas with milk. Set aside. Gradually mix half of dry ingredients into butter mixture. Mix in bananas. Mix in remaining dry ingredients. Pour cake batter into prepared baking pan.
Bake 40-45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into center of cake comes out clean. Cool cake in pan on wire rack.


Icing:

• 4 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 & 1/2 cups confectioners’ sugar
• 2 tablespoons chopped toasted nuts (optional)

Using an electric mixer on medium speed, beat cream cheese and vanilla. Reduce speed and gradually add confectioners’ sugar.
Spread frosting on cake. Sprinkle with nuts.


Megan

Sportsmanship

  As I sit here and watch the Clemson game, I can't stop watching all the Facebook smack about who's better than who. Yes, it annoys me and I get to where I want to delete my Facebook until after Football season is over. Some people get into nasty knock down mouthy fights, it makes you want to hit the "deactivate" button so fast. I have kept my Facebook clean this season, but I can speak for myself--I use to do a little bragging. My excuse? You can't stay away from the annoying "cocky" fans. For some of you who read this blog, I'm talking about Clemson and USC mouths.

•        Speaking of which: TOUCHDOWN! Clemson! 

  This week has been a little hectic and will continue to be until the next few weeks. Hubs is finishing our flooring tomorrow and then we have to finish painting the house. We had a guy come out and give us a VERY REASONABLE estimate, but Hubs has decided he is going to paint for now---we'll see. I am stressing out because I know how he gets and I am almost 100% positive he will not finish it until he gets back...or so he thinks. I feel like house work is never ending and sometimes I feel like I would rather give up then do it. 
   My Parents bought Hubs and I a keurig for Christmas this year and I thought I was going to pass out with excitement. Before mine, I loved my Moms. Some days I thought I was going to blow it up by brewing so much! It saves so much coffee and it's addicting to continusly make a pot of coffee when your cup is half full. I know, go ahead and say, "make a pot of coffee and save your K cups..." but there is something about Mr. Keurig. LOL! 
  Anyway, I am going to finish watching the game--It's getting stressful. Have a good night! C-L-E-M-S-O----N!!!14-14 for now. 


Megan