Walking into school.

I don't know if anyone remembers, but months ago I wrote a blog about heart tugs. Basically, it was about the the different times when being a parent, you get your heart tugged a little by your kids and the great things they do sometimes.

I just had to mention one time during each day that Anistyn makes tears swell up in my eyes as my heart is being tugged by her...yet again.

I might blame it on pregnancy hormones, but I know it happened way before I was pregnant. It pretty much happens every single morning...when I drop her off at her school.

We have our morning routine, as many families do. Once we've dragged ourselves out of bed, its breakfast time. While she's eating, I pack her snack, sign her folder, and make sure all homework is in there, and anything else she might need. I get her dressed, brush her hair...jacket and backpack...check. Out the door we go.

Thankfully on chilly mornings Josh already has the van warmed up for us therefore there isn't much whining about how cold she is. We make the short drive to school. I go through the drive line, double checking that she has her backpack on.

One of the teachers are always outside doing "car duty." As we pull up, they open the door for Anistyn to get out. I tell her that I love her so much and that I hope she has a great day...then out she hops with the door closing behind her.

The heart tug always comes right after that. As she's walking away. I always watch her for a moment. Her hair bouncing and backpack bobbing on her. She looks so little...yet so confident. Every single morning without fail as I watch her walk into school...she takes my breath away. She is simply getting so big...so fast. She doesn't even realize it.

I wish I could go in with her. I wish I could make sure none of the bigger kids knock into her accidently. I wish I could make sure that she gets straight to her room. That mommy instinct of mine...always in protection mode.

Instead, I can only prepare her. I can make sure her backpack is packed. Shoelaces tied. Homework done. I can prepare her and help her get ready. I can provide her with everything she needs to succeed.

But she has to walk in by herself.

Heart tugs.

Worst cooks?

Josh and I have a new favorite show of ours. It comes on the Food Network Channel and its called 'Worst Cooks in America." The title pretty much says it all.

Basically, there are two amazing chefs who each take a team of 8 people...who just so happen to be horrible at cooking! Over the weeks, they're put through different challenges and every week one person from each team is eliminated. Each chef tries to teach their team how to cook and then end of the season, one person will win money.

Its a hilarious show because these people REALLY don't know how to cook! They were setting stoves on fire...and really cracking Josh and me up.

One of the chefs were teaching his team how to make this dish that looked soooo good. It was called Pan Seared Chicken Breast with Herb Jus and Potato-Vegetable Hash. While we were watching, Josh and I both agreed that it looked pretty easy to make.

So, I found the recipe online, and we got all of the ingredients. Tonight...we both worked together in the kitchen making the meal. I don't actually have a picture of the one WE made...since we're in the middle of cameras right now, but I did find this where you can see a picture of the meal, along with the recipe.To see it just click HERE.

We really had a lot of fun together cooking. Its such a great thing for couples to do together! When we were done, we had a great looking meal to eat...and we definitely chowed down. Josh decided to act like some sort of food critic with a fake british accent. He had Anistyn and I cracking up while he was "evaluating" the food. Of course...then the accent stuck around for awhile after that!

I can't wait to see what other recipes we can make from the show together...stay tuned!

Snow days equal fun days!

Just like everyone else nearby, we had a snow day today! There have been many warnings we kept watching the news to see if Anistyn would have school. When we went to bed, they said that school had a 2 hour delay. This morning though...it was canceled! In fact...the whole post was closed...which meant that Josh got a snow day too!

We had so much fun playing in the snow today! When it snowed at Christmastime, we were still busy shuttling ourselves to and from places, so we didn't really have a chance to play in it much. So, we took full advantage of it today!

Here are my two sledders! Having a bunch of huge moving tubs obviously has other advantages! They make great makeshift sleds!

Little Saban even had a great time playing in the snow with all of us. Although the poor guy kept having trouble finding places to go potty!

Daddy of course, couldn't just sit down...he still had to act like a little daredevil! I'm sure this would not surprise his parents at all!

                                                  Anistyn had so much fun with the snow!

Even when she wiped out!

                                           Saban even got a turn to try sledding with daddy!

We all got to come inside for hot chocolate, then I made us waffles for "brunch". The day was filled with being lazy, watching movies, playing on the wii, and more snow time once Uncle Barker came over!

Anistyn is already out of school tomorrow as well...and Josh so far doesn't have to go in until 10...but we're hoping he gets another snow day as well! Its always more fun when he's here!