I know, I know

I'm pretty terrible at my blog, just when you think "oh, I'm going to blog today" the mommy ship crash lands. I mean this quite literally. There have been times where I feel like something *might* be wrong, things are going "too" smoothly. Then WHAM, life happens :) Well, my life anyways. These kids are BUSY, and they dont stop. Let me catch you up to date.

Martin, well he is finally done with football, but let me tell you, that leaves nothing but time for projects. Which apparently in Middle School is all the rave, not really, but he has projects out the whazoo! Which leads me to tell you that he has become QUITE the little student! Straight A's, and I mean HIGH A's (like 99s & 100's). We havent seen grades like that since like 3rd grade. Can not tell you how proud of him we are. In 8th grade, thats when boys meet girls, yada yada yada. But not him, that I know of. He doesnt speak of any girls. But they are all over his facebook, but thats another blog :)

Gabrielle, is hitting the gym at full speed ahead. Becoming a little gymnast, she is getting really good. I'm not just biased people :) She is struggling with bars, but that was my struggle as a gymnast. Its hard stuff. And lets face it, she is teeny tiny, the upper body isnt built like that! She is doing well in school. All A's, as usual :) Which makes me proud! It never ceases to amaze me at how well she picks up new information! She is multiplying and dividing, and reading at a 9th grade level! Slow down Gabby Girl!!! Another new thing for her is her frequent visits with her Dad. She is growing up, and he is becoming more involved. I prayed for that for YEARS, because she had this emptiness in her little eyes. Dont get me wrong, she is overwhelmed with love, lots of family, but there was the spark that had been missing. Its there now, and I pray it stays! Things arent always easy betwoeen us, but its getting there sloooooooowly but surely!

Gavin, completed his first season of T-ball, oh my goodness it was adorable! He is my biggest helper. He turned 4 in October, and he is a little man all of a sudden! Helps me cook, clean, do laundry. We do preschool at home. Trying to prepare him for maybe Pre-K next year! He is a smart cookie! People are always commenting on how "smart" he is. His Catechism teacher told me Sunday that he is "such a bright little guy". Beaming, on the inside right now :) I cant believe he is 4! Oh I love that little guy

Madelyn, well she is a turkey! BUSY, demanding, and all of the things a spoiled Princess, 2 year old, baby of the family should be. Yikes. I havent met a person she can bat her eyes at to get her way with yet! Her newest funny thing is if you ask "Madelyn why are you so cute", she puts her hands on her hips and says "Because. I'm the Baby and I'm the Princess". Ay. It amazes me how her and Gavin are like built in best friends. Love each other, but love to fight with each other too.

So anyways, I'm busy. REALLY busy. I dont like driving through fast food either. And I dont always have time to get up and cook dinner at 6 o'clock each night either. So whats a mom to do? All hail the almighty CROCK POT! I grew up eating meals my mom prepared in this thing. I natrually bought one as soon as I moved out. I used it for a few easy throw together meals a few times. But my mom bought me this book, the holy bible of crock pottery I tell you.

http://http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51568VK03AL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg
(they are like $11 on amazon.com GO GET ONE)

I decided to try something new. I made my weekly menu with one item from the crock pot cook book for each night of the week that was a crazy busy mess. Equals 4 nights a week. So out I went shopping for my 4 meals for the crockpot. I ended up getting a full week of crockpot meals (7 days people) plus all the other things I usually get and I spent approx $100! This was to take care of us for 2 weeks, we dont shun the left overs :)

So here we are into the second week, and I'm trying yet another recipe. I tell you what. Best. Idea. Ever. EVERYONE loves the meals, even my picky eater kids! The veggies are a huge hit, which my kids HATE, but you know what, after cooking in a crock pot all day long, they dont even notice them. Its wonderful! So I'm going to start taking pictures of the dinners each night, and I might post them on here. I tell you what, if I ever met the person who invented the crock pot, I would kiss their face! It truly is a life saver. And a wallet saver too! Thanks for reading
Love ya dearly

XOXO, Jess