Our Little Soccer Star

Dylan finally played in a game last weekend!!!!  I really thought it might not happen....I mean....it only took 5 games!  And to be honest, I'm not sure what it was that changed!  He did SO well and I was soooo excited and proud!

 

He continues to do really well in practice ~ its so much fun to watch him!

 

warm ups!

 

he's all business at practice!!

 

I'm hoping this last weekend wasn't a fluke and that he will keep wanting to play in his games!!

 

about to score a goal!!
 

I was able to get video of one of his goals!!! {just ignore my "crazy mom" yelling! ha!}

 

 

And of course the game wouldn't be complete without a laugh!  I looked away for a minute and looked back up to see this....

 

 

Dylan and his little buddy just chillin' on the field!  The game was totally going on around them ~ Haha!  Never a dull moment with tot soccer!!

 

We're over halfway through the season and I'm having the best time watching my "baby" play!!

Goooo Lions!!!



Menu Monday

Well....I have been super sick all of the last week and I know that you know how exhausting it is to be the mama and be sick.  No fun!  Ain't nobody got time for hat!  So far, none of the boys have come down with it and for that I am thankful!

 

But sick or not, we have a FUN week planned!  My Meemi aka my grandma is coming for a visit tomorrow, of course the buzz of excitement over Halloween is growing daily, and I have been working on organizing a women's ministry event for Saturday and I can't wait to see it come together!

 

And now, the star of the show......

our menu for the week!!

 

**Monday**

Skillet Sausage, Couscous, & Corn

 

**Tuesday**

Crockpot Swiss Chicken w/ Broccoli

 

**Wednesday**

Teriyaki Chicken, Jasmine Rice, & Pineapple

 

**Thursday**

Peanutty Chicken Cutlets & Roasted Carrots

 

**Friday**

Crockpot Potato Soup w/ French Bread

(yes we just had this last week.  I just love this stuff and wanted it again this week!!)

 

**Saturday**

Chili & Cornbread

 

**Sunday**

Crockpot Beef Stroganoff over Pasta w/ Peas 

 

Last week we tried Southwestern Egg Rolls and Swedish Meatballs for the first time and both were HUGE hits here!!  This week, the Teriyaki chicken is new to us ~ stay tuned!  I'll let ya know what we think next week!!

 

Hope your week is off to a great start!!

Menu Monday

We had such a fun weekend!!  It always seems to go by so fast!  Which brings us to another Monday and another menu!  Last week didn't go as I planned each day, so a couple of meals are repeated this week.  That's one thing about menu planning ~ if it doesn't happen as planned it means you've already got meals ready for the next week! ;)

 

Here's what will fuel the crazy in the Miculka home this week!!

 

**Monday**

Tacos

 

**Tuesday**

CP Potato Soup w/ French Bread

 

**Wednesday**

Honey Garlic Chicken

 

**Thursday**

Bisquick Chicken Parm w/ Salad

 

**Friday**

Southwestern Egg Rolls

 

**Saturday**

CP Swedish Meatballs, Mash Potatoes, & Green Beans

 

**Sunday**

Leftovers

 

As always, I'm linking to a few of the recipes!  Southwestern Egg Rolls & Swedish Meatballs are new for us this week ~ can't wait to try them!!  Hope everyone has a fun filled week!!

Menu Monday

It's that time again!!  I'm going to be trying at least one new recipe each week in an effort to add to our regular rotation of meals and I'm a little excited to try some new stuff!  As always I'm linking to a couple of recipes and if there is a meal I don't link to that you are wondering about, just ask!!  I'm all about sharing!

 

**Monday**

CP Chicken Tortilla Soup

(this one didn't end up happening last week!)

 

**Tuesday**

Apple Chicken Meatballs & Sweet Potato Fries

 

**Wednesday**

Sausage & Veggie Bake

 

**Thursday**

CP Potato Soup w/ French Bread

 

**Friday**

Peanut Pasta & Roasted Carrots

 

**Saturday**

Lasagna, Salad, & Garlic Bread

 

**Sunday**

Tacos

 

All of the recipes I'm linking to this week are from Shay at Mix and Match Mama and if you are ever in need of meal ideas be sure to check her blog!!  She is the sweetest and her recipes are crowd {and family} pleasers!!

 

We are fighting flu season ickies already which is NO fun but I'm determined to have everyone healthy by the weekend because we've got some super fun plans!!

Hope your week is off to a fabulous start!

Fall Soccer

Dylan is playing soccer this year for the first time!!  It has got to be about the cutest thing ever!!

 

shopping for his gear!

He was so excited to go to his first practice and he's done really well at practice!  He listens to the coach and has already learned so much!

all ready for his 1st practice.

 

sweaty boy after working hard at practice!

 

And then it was time for his first game!  He woke up and couldn't wait to put his jersey on!  He asked over and over if it was time yet.  And then?  We got to the game and he REFUSED to step foot on the field.  Sigh.  I tried.  His brothers tried.  His coaches tried.  But all to no avail ~ he had his mind made up and he was NOT playing.

 

he started off sitting on the sideline.....

 

and then ended up laying face down on the sideline.  seriously.  sigh.

He has another game this weekend so I'm hoping he will actually play in it!!  I guess we will see!



Menu Monday

Happy Monday!

 

We finally have some fall like weather here in Pensacola and I'm loving it!!  Fall is my favorite for so many reasons ~ one of them is the routine it brings.  I love the freedom and fun of summer but I'm always very ready for the more structured routine that fall brings!  We are all settled into our school routine and I know I've said it before, but I love the structure that meal planning brings to my days so I'm back at it!  No guessing or trying to figure it out!

 

Here's what we'll be eating this week.....

 

*Monday*

Chili & Cornbread

 

*Tuesday*

CP Creamy Italian Chicken & Rice w/ Green Beans 

 

*Wednesday*

Honey Garlic Chicken & Broccoli

 

*Thursday*

Enchiladas & Pinto Beans

 

*Friday*

CP Chicken & Dumplings w/ Green Beans

 

*Saturday*

Breakfast for Dinner

 

*Sunday*

CP Chicken Tortilla Soup

 

Sharing is caring so I've linked to several recipes so that you can check them out if interested!  Hope everyone's week is off to a great start!!

 

And as a bonus....I made these Pumpkin Chocolate Chip muffins for breakfast one day last week and they were a hit!!  And I shared with 2 neighbor friends and got calls from both raving about them!  You've got to try them ~ SO simple and SO good!!

Freedom!!

We are diaper free!!!  My "baby" is growing up SO fast!!

 

While I am excited to not have to buy diapers and carry them everywhere and all that comes along with having a little one in diapers, my heart hurts just a little. 

How is he so big already?!  I feel like I've really tried to cherish each stage with him.  Having a pre-teen/teenager and a baby/toddler at the same time gives unique perspective on just how quickly it goes by!  And yet, even with that perspective and trying my best to really enjoy each stage it all just seems to pass just a little too quickly!

 

I really have to give my mother in law most of the credit on this one ~ last week while I was away on my trip,  she had the boys and did the heavy lifting with potty training! { I know.  I know.  Don't hate me too much! ;) }   And after a few days of staying pretty close to home and working thru a few kinks this week, I think it is safe to say littlest is potty trained!

And a little bonus for ya......some outtakes from trying to get a pic of him today!  Why, oh why, is it like a mini workout to get a decent pic?!  Ha!!

Such a silly boy!
Goodbye baby/toddler days and hello life with all big boys!!




My Trip & Thoughts on Blogging

I've spent a lot of time thinking about blogging the last couple of months.  Most of those thoughts centered around how much I miss it.  And about all that blogging has brought into my life.

 

The first blog post I ever wrote says so perfectly why I started blogging.  You can read it HERE.  And for a long time, I feel I stayed so true to my original desires in starting this blog.  And then life got really hard.  REALLY hard.  And I'm so frustrated with myself for letting the "hard" in my life distract me from so much.  Especially from blogging the day to day consistently.  I absolutely love to look back over the years at all that I have recorded here and I have no doubt that so much of it I wouldn't remember if it wasn't for blogging.

 

Then there are the unexpected gifts that have come from blogging!  One of the greatest of these is the friendships born out of growing to know each other through our writing.  Erin, at Bringing Up Burns, is one of my oldest and dearest blogging friends.  Our friendship was born before I even wrote my first blog post and I don't think either of us could have guessed just what a blessing this friendship would grow to be!! 

 

There are very few people who not only comprehend but actually share my love for reality tv.  Especially for Big Brother.  And The Bachelor/ette.  And then there's The Young & the Restless.  Yeah....judge me all you want.  I own my crazy and there is no shame in my game! And Erin?!  She just gets it.  She's my people!!  This common love brought us closer originally.  Over the years the friendship grew and we have seen each other through the highest of highs and prayed each other through some rough lows.  Erin is an amazing woman. wife. mom. friend.  She is crazy talented and gorgeous!  She has inspired me in so many ways for so long!  For years we have talked about how "one day" we were going to make it work to meet in person.  And then?!  It happened.  It all fell into place and I spent 5 glorious days with her last week.  5 days in her home, getting to do life with her and getting to know her family, watching the Big Brother 16 finale together and then y'all???  We went to the Big Brother cast party in LA.  Best.Night.Ever!!!

 

Finale night.  In our #teamcody shirts.  sad that our favorite jersey boy didn't win.

 

got to do some LA sight seeing!

 

@ the party!  Me & Mr. Calafiore | Me, Paul, & Kat | Me &  Ryan | Erin, Me, & Beast Mode Cowboy aka Caleb.

 

Danielle & me. | Me & Brittany.

more @ the party!  Me & Judd | Gina Marie & me | Me & Amber | Erin, Kat, Victoria, & me.


 

Erin ~ thank you for last week.  Every single thing I've always admired about you was confirmed to me in every way.  You amaze me!  Your love for your family.  Your talent.  The rock star way you are just you and its fabulous!  I'm beyond grateful for you. and our friendship. and the memories made last week!  BeaSt MoDe.  Barefoot what?!  EleVen.  KaT.  8 hrs and 8 bottles.  Bitches on motorcycles.  No fOrKs.  "You're Nick and you're hot"  LuKe. So many memories and so much fun!  I flove you. 

 

Planning and anticipating and enjoying this trip has really helped me realize what a gift blogging has been and is.  And I could give a laundry list of reasons why I'm too busy or blah blah blah but the reality is that we make time for the things that matter.  I don't think I realized just how much, but blogging matters to me.  A lot.  So I am going to make time to journal the day to day ~ the big and little happenings ~ this beautiful life that is mine!