Quick Spicy Supper

Shelley posted a great chowder recipe, so I thought I'd recommend a new recipe I tried just yesterday.

It's called "Spicy Bean and Cheese Burritos" It is from Rachael Ray and if you go her magazine website http://www.rachaelraymag.com/ you can find it. Click on "recipes" and in the search type in "spicy bean and cheese" and it will pop up. It's kind of long to post, so I thought it would just be easier to go to the website. It says it makes 4 servings, but if you follow the recipe and put 1/4 cup of the mixture in the tortilla you can get 8 burritos. They are maybe a little too spicy for kids (depending on the kids), but you could put in fewer jalapenos.

I used a low carb, low fat wheat tortilla but you can use any kind. This is a nice recipe because it's meat-free and contains fiber. I would think the fat content isn't too bad depending on the tortilla you choose. Marc said I should add some chicken and I told him that defeated the purpose. We are supposed to try and have a few meals a week without meat according to the experts.

All in all, it was pretty tasty and only took about 30 minutes......ha, ha

Andrew Jace Caudle

Andrew Jace Caudle was born on Thursday October 10, 2002 at 11:47am. He weighed 6lbs and 15 ounces and was 20 inches long. He is now five year old and weighs 38 lbs and is 41 inches tall. I don't know where the time has gone, but it has been fun and busy with my little boy.

Here are some things I love most about Andrew:

1) He is full of enthusiasm! He wakes up going full speed ahead and always in a good mood (when he wakes on his own... not so much on school days) He has lots of energy. He hasn't napped in years and could probably stay up long after the rest of us have crashed. No caffeine for this kid please!

2) He is smart and very clever! He keeps me on my toes. He is quick to point out any inconsistencies and is ready with a valid argument (for any issue) should the need arise.

3) He is extremely coordinated! It is always a blast to watch him ride his bike, skateboard or scooter. In the Spring, he taught himself how to roller skate in just a few laps around the rink and was trying and accomplishing tricks that the bigger kids were doing. He also learned how to jump rope when he was only 4 by watching Taylor.

4) He is very persistent! Once he gets started with something or gets an idea it is very hard to get him untracked. This is good and bad from a parent's perspective, but will serve him as he grows and matures.

5) He is fun to hang out with! He is always ready for an adventure. Going to Sam's Club in search of samples, watching movies, going for rides or to the mall. He is a good little friend and I will miss him when he goes to Kindergarten next fall.

Andrew says lots of funny things. Here are just a few:

"Whoa, you smell great!" said to Taylor after her bath

"It's freakin' cold!" said just yesterday morning (this required a little reprimand from Marc)

"I don't ever want to be baptized! I don't want to die!" said several times...we are still working on convincing him that he won't die if he's baptized and that "they" don't have to revive you after being dunked.

"You can name them this" said to Taylor during a discussion of the names of her future children. He was pointing at his bottom.

He is fascinated with guns right now. He told me all the places on his body he could get shot and not die.

He is such a blessing and we love him so very much! God has been good to us! I can't wait to see what the next five years hold!

The gym

Marc decided it was time to get another gym membership. Our other one ended last year sometime. I don't know when it ended because I never used it. But Marc did and I was really proud of him for staying in shape and making good use of the money we were spending.

The "new" gym is not new. You can smell the sweaty air in the parking lot. This doesn't appeal to me, but for men it's like perfume (I guess). Marc was quite the sport and did a treadmill class with me. All women...poor guy?! We were on a treadmill for an hour changing speeds and elevations at our instructor's command. Needless to say, Marc held up much better than I did. It was a good workout and I really appreciated Marc for going with me. He's very supportive of me whether I'm at the gym or loafing on the couch.

We are both committed to being in better shape for our next trip to Mexico. For two reasons....first is to simply look/feel better, second...it's hard work having fun at the beach! Walking in the sand, swimming in the surf and playing in the waves, snorkeling....it's not for sissies! ha

Part of why Marc picked this gym was because it has a kids area. He was planning on taking Andrew on the evenings I work and then he (Marc) could work out. Andrew took one look at the place during our tour, turned around and walked out. He said very matter-of-fact "I'm never going in there....it does not look like fun." He's a hard sell, so he probably won't be back. So much for Marc's plan.

Andrew celebrated his 5th birthday on Wednesday Oct 10th. I'll write about that in another special b-day post just for him! :)

First time for everything....

Well, I did it. I "created" a blog. Actually, the website did it for me. I'm not sure what I'll write about, but with two kids and a dog I bet something will come up!

Marc and I are still trying to get over our vacation to Cancun! It was great. I am in LOVE with the ocean... and the husband ain't bad either! I told Marc when I die I want my ashes to be scattered in the Caribbean Sea. He looked at me and just shook his head. He thinks I've gone crazy. We stayed at the Sun Palace which is an adults only resort. There were people from all over the world, all shapes and sizes and clothing was apparently optional. And I thought all inclusive only referred to the food!

We are hoping to take the kids in June and will enjoy watching them play in one of God's most beautiful and fun creations. Andrew is convinced that a shark will eat him if he goes in the ocean. He already has a plan of attack should he encounter a shark. He is nothing if not prepared! Taylor is still a little mad that she couldn't go with us in September, but maybe she'll forgive us once she has experienced it for herself.

I will close for now. I thank Shelley Hale and Vanessa Davis (Marc's cousins) for inspiring me with their own blogs. This will be a place to document my family's happenings since my memory is already forgetting the little things that happen each day. Maybe it will help me with my scrapbooking. Ahhhh, scrapbooking......a topic for another time! :)