Taking a Break

Taking a break from the blog.

I will try to restart at the first of the year...and I will probably come back "public" instead of "private". I will let you know and keep you posted.

Thanks for being readers...just a little burned out...and a little busy.

I'm not writing...but still reading!! I love keeping up with all of my bloggers!!!

Happy Holidays...and Merry Christmas :-)

Weekend Fun- Sports, Cooking, & Pumpkins!!

This weekend we had a lot of fun and were quite busy at home! Mitch was glued to the tv for a lot of the weekend watching the Hogs win, the Sooners lose, & the Rangers lose then win! I was busy in the kitchen a lot of the weekend! I made Pioneer Woman's Cajun Chicken Pasta, Pumpkin 4 Layer Delight, and a Crockpot Breakfast Casserole!!! Yum yum!!! We also did the usual house cleaning and laundry. You know, the really fun stuff. Oh and I did do a little shopping and got a manicure in between everything! Whew we were busy!!

The best part of the weekend was the Minnick's first annual pumpkin carving!!! We got a really big pumpkin and carved one side and let Luci put a "face" on the other side...

Ready to get started!

Helping Daddy!

Momma got the fun job of cleaning out the guts!

Luci was not a fan of the guts...

Just carving a little!

Talking over our plan!

Helping put her face on her side of the pumpkin!

Putting on the nose!

Proud of her pumpkin!!!

Apparently she likes her side better than our side!

Our ghosts!

Just a few more pics from the weekend...

Calling those Hogs!!! WPS!!!

A House Divided!!! Mitch's favorite two teams are the Rangers and the Cardinals. He is in heaven with the World Series!!! However, when push comes to shove, the Rangers are always his top favorite!!

Luci ready for church and showing off her new lion!!

Dear 2 Year 4 Month Luci...

Luci,
Today you are 2 years 4 months and 21 days old. You weigh right around 27 lbs and are 35 inches long. You are talking in full sentences and we can usually have somewhat of a conversation. Sometimes I have to have you repeat things, but most times I can fully understand you. What other things are you doing???

You loovvveee to sing! Your favorite songs to sing right now are Twinkle Twinkle, Jesus Loves Me, ABC Song, our "made up" bath time song, and the Bumble Bee song!!

You know most of your ABC's and can consistently count to ten!

Your favorite things to play with are babies, stickers, and markers. The markers can sometimes get you in trouble!

You love playing with your "lip"...which is chapstick. I swear you coat your lips around 20 times with that stuff. Your "lip" can also get you into trouble too...Momma and Daddy have to watch you with it...or it can end up anywhere!

You love to play outside, but are still sometimes apprehensive about things. Loud airplanes can scare you...and just like your Momma, you hate to see a bug!

You are in to everything! Lately we have caught you eating Tums (3 times I might add) and sucking back on toothpaste. You can go through an entire container of wipes if we don't watch you. You love to wipe your babies "poo poo" ...and you use about every wipe to do it!

Potty training is proving to be a challenge. You are almost pee-pee potty trained, but are scared to death to poo-poo on the potty. We are taking things slow and just encouraging you to go.

You are a pretty good eater. Your favorite foods are cheese and cottage cheese. You love to drink milk and would probably never ask for anything else. Momma will occasionally let you have a sip of her Diet Coke and you have a smile that is as big as the sun!

You love to read books! We read 3 or 4 before bed every night!

You are stubborn and strong-willed. If you want to do something bad enough, you will take punishment and do it anyway. I can see us butting heads quite a bit when you are older because we are so much alike.

You are a definite "Daddy's Girl". You love your Daddy so much. If you had your way, you would sleep every night in the crook of his arm.

You do not like having dirty hands and will come up to me and say "dirty wash hands". I feel like such an accomplished Momma when you do this! :-)

You are so sweet and so kind. Your Daddy and I love you more than you will ever know. I can't imagine loving another child as much as you. I know everyone says it is possible, but my mind just can't fathom that. We love you Luci. We pray you will know Jesus at an early age and always stay the bright, kind, cheerful girl that you are. I've heard the saying "Home is where Momma is". I hope you always feel at home whenever you are with me no matter how old you are.

We love you!!!!

Crazy Hair & Sock Day at School!! I just love that smile!

Our sweet girl!

Being such a good Mommy to your baby!

Swinging with Daddy!

Tomorrow is the Day

Tomorrow is the Day that I will push the "magic button" and Minnick's Musings will become private. Please remember (if you haven't already done so) to send an e-mail to brockette.minnick (at) gmail (dot) com and let me know you are still interested in reading Minnick's Musings. I will then plug in your address to make you an authorized reader.

Going Private

What does this mean?

All it means is that if you want to read my blog you have to have my permission from now on. Easy as that! And no, you do not have to have a blog to read a private blog.

How does that work?

Just send me an e-mail to: brockette.minnick (at) gmail (dot) com and tell me you want to read Minnick's Musings. I will then add you to the approved list. Don't worry if you think I will think you are stalkerish for reading my blog! I get "counts" on my blog so I know a lot of people are reading it anyway! That's what makes blogging fun!

As soon as I push the "magic button" to make it private, my blog will then require you to log in using your e-mail you gave me. Simple and easy!!!

For Official Followers

My updates will not show up in your blogger feed. You will have to click on me or type in my URL and actually go to my page to see if I have posted!

For Facebook Followers

I will still post my link to facebook letting you know that I updated; however, you will have to of given me your e-mail address so that when it asks you to log-in, you will be authorized.

Everyone

Just one more quick thing... please make sure when you send me the e-mail you identify yourself! I don't know if I will stay private forever, but I think this is best for Minnick's Musings right now!

Thanks and hope to hear from each of you lovely readers soon!

Minnick's Musings Going Private

What does this mean?

All it means is that if you want to read my blog you have to have my permission from now on. Easy as that! And no, you do not have to have a blog to read a private blog.

How does that work?

Just send me an e-mail to: brockette.minnick (at) gmail (dot) com and tell me you want to read Minnick's Musings. I will then add you to the approved list. Don't worry if you think I will think you are stalkerish for reading my blog! I get "counts" on my blog so I know a lot of people are reading it anyway! That's what makes blogging fun!
As soon as I push the "magic button" to make it private, my blog will then require you to log in using your e-mail you gave me. Simple and easy!!!

For Official Followers

My updates will not show up in your blogger feed. You will have to click on me or type in my URL and actually go to my page to see if I have posted!

For Facebook Followers

I will still post my link to facebook letting you know that I updated; however, you will have to of given me your e-mail address so that when it asks you to log-in, you will be authorized.

Everyone

Just one more quick thing... please make sure when you send me the e-mail you identify yourself! I don't know if I will stay private forever, but I think this is best for Minnick's Musings right now!

Thanks and hope to hear from each of you lovely readers soon!

I Think It Worked

Fingers crossed. Hopes not up too high. I think it worked. I had two surgeries with-in two months this summer to help "fix" some severe sinus problems I had been having. I have had horrible allergies my entire life... as evidenced by my previous post. The allergies ended up causing havoc within my sinuses which resulted in reoccuring sinus infections (basically I had one big one for almost a year), reoccuring bronchitis, and horrible, awful ear pain and migraines. Yeah, it was the best year EVER!!!!

So, this summer I had sinus surgery, had the rest of my adenoids removed (don't ask why they weren't all removed 6 years ago when I had my tonsils out), and had tubes put in my ears. The goal was to basically allow me to get a regular cold and my body be able to fight it off on its own with medical intervention (i.e. antibiotics). Before, a little cold would send me straight into an awful sinus infection (because my severe allergies had caused some major trouble within my sinuses) and have me wiped out for 2-3 weeks...and if I was lucky, it wouldn't turn into bronchitis. Most of the time, I wasn't lucky.

So, I started feeling bad about a week or so ago...achey, congested, headache, slight chills, and pretty much bad all over. You know what, I think I am going to be ok! I have "treated" myself just like any other person would with a cold (fluids, nasal rinses, ibprofen, rest, etc)...and I am starting to feel a little better!!! 2 months ago, I would have definitely been in my doctor's office getting a round, probably 2 rounds, of antibiotics and possibly steroids. I think my surgeries worked!!

Now, don't get me wrong. There probably will be times that I will require antibiotics just like anyone else would. The point is that I should be able to fight off a regular cold like anyone else (i.e. my sinuses properly drain and my adenoids aren't constantly infected).

I've had people ask me "well, I thought the surgery was supposed to fix your allergies". No, allergies and sinus infections are two different things. Nothing will ever "fix" my allergies. I can only help treat them.

But so far, I am happy. If these surgeries will help keep me out of my doctor's office, then I consider it a win!

Dependable

Sometimes in life it is hard to depend on things, people, etc. Even the people that love you the most can let you down. Even my two year old can let me down with out even meaning to. But there is one thing in my life that never lets me down (ok, two). No matter what, I can always count on it to be there with me. Doesn't matter if I'm happy, sad, depressed, elated...whatever it is, I can always count on it.

So, it is with a full, humble heart that I say Thank you. Thank you Allergies for never letting me down. No matter what, I always know you are with me and will never leave my side. Thank you for being dependable. Every season I can count on you to show up at my side and never leave. I'm sure the makers of Benedryl and Puffs thank you as well. I'm sure their stock has soared this week. I'm sure my contribution has probably paid the salaries of many indivduals. So again, Thank you Allergies. Thank you for never letting me down.

And on that note, I am going home to sleep off the 8 benedryls I have taken in the last 18 hours. You think I'm joking...

Do It Anyway

Do It Anyway

People are often unreasonable,
illogical and self-centered;
Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind,
people may accuse you of selfish ulterior motives;
Be kind anyway.

If you are successful,
you will win some false friends and true enemies;
Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and frank,
people may cheat you;
Be honest anyway.

What you spend years building,
someone could destroy overnight;
Build anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness,
they may be jealous;
Be happy anyway.

The good you do today,
people will often forget tomorrow;
Do good anyway.

Give the world the best you have,
and it may never be enough;
Give the world the best you've got anyway.

You see, in the final analysis,
it is between you and God;
It was never between you and them anyway.

-Mother Teresa

All Good Things Must Come to an End.

All good things must come to an end. No, I'm not ending the blog. However, I am making this post my "stopping point" for our blog book. When I started this blog I knew I wanted to eventually publish it in book format for Luci...and for me. It is getting rather lengthy so I just had to make a stopping point so we don't end up with a 1,000 page book for our first blog book!! Hopefully, I can eventually get on schedule and publish them yearly, but I absolutely could not wait until the end of the year. Holidays are approaching...which means lots of posts...which means 1,000 page book! Lol!

I would like to let everyone know how much I appreciate you taking a peek into our lives. We truly are living the life that I dreamed about as a little girl. I have my Prince Charming...and now I have my little Princess!! I know our lives may not seem very exciting to some, but I truly am whole hearted in love with my life. Don't get me wrong, it is not all peaches and roses everyday, but we make it work! Thanks for taking the time to care & read a little bit about our lives! I'm not sure how long I will do this blog...but I will for a while!

I will show you guys the blog book once I get it published...it will be several weeks!

Our Family

A Circle of Strength and Love

Founded on Faith

Kept By God

Forever Together

Luci-Mouse Clubhouse

It's the Luci-Mouse Clubhouse...

Come inside, it's fun inside!!!!

Luci has had so much fun playing in her "new to her" playhouse the last 3 days!! We are still looking around for more outside toys if anybody has any or knows anyone that has any for sale!

Poison Control

I had my first (hoping it's my last, but not holding my breath...more on that later...) phone call to Poison Control this weekend. This should not happen in my household. We are child-proofed, and I watch my kid (generally) like a hawk. (Yes, I know, the toothbrushes, towel, and shoes in the toilet speak differently) I mean what else do I have to do? ...it's not like I have laundry, cooking, and cleaning to do. No but seriously, she is rarely out of my sight. Yes, I know. I'm a rookie and all of you mothers of multiple children are laughing at me...but seriously, like a hawk.

So what is the story you ask???

I had left a bottle of TUMS sitting out on the kitchen bar (said TUMS are not child-proof) just close enough to the edge that she could just tip-toe and reach them. How did this all go down? I'll replay.

Mitch and I decide to lay back down for a few minutes before we had to get ready for church on Sunday. Luci was happily playing "baby" in the living room...

Me: Mitch, it's quiet.
Mitch: Yup...
Me: Too quiet. Luci...
*Silence...
Mitch: Luciiii...
*Silence...
Me: Luci Ava Minnick get in here right now.
*Luci runs in to the bedroom happily chopping on something.
Me: Luci, what is in your mouth.
Luci: Cereal
Me: Cereal? From where?
*Mitch and I jump up thinking the kitchen floor is going to be piled up with fruit loops. We walk into the living room and Luci proudly hands me the container of TUMS.
Luci: Cereal! (She proudly says)
Me & Mitch: AHHH SPIT IT OUT NOW SPIT IT OUT RIGHT HERE RIGHT NOW HOW MANY OF THESE DID YOU EAT SPIT IT OUT COME ON ALL OF IT WHERE DID YOU GET THIS SPIT IT OUT HOW MANY KEEP SPITTING.

I analyzed the container and, knowing that she was only out of our sight for less than 2 minutes, eventually decided she only had eaten one...BUT just in case, I called Poison Control. Just in case you were wondering, you apparently can eat 30-40 of those and have no reaction. So we were in the clear.

Lesson Learned: Remember to put all meds back in the locked cabinet.

Back to the whole "hoping it's my last, but not holding my breath..."... Mitch apparently was quite the ornery child. He sampled some Comet Cleaner with his sister AND drank a bottle of perfume. Again...hoping it's my last, but not holding my breath...

Weekend Recap: Lion King, Family Pics, Farm

Wow!!! We had a jam packed weekend that was sooooo much fun!!!

Friday- Mitch and I both took off of work early and we took Luci to her first movie, The Lion King 3d!!! We probably should have just taken her to see the 2d version, but she did enjoy the movie. (I had forgotten how much I loved the Lion King!) She got restless the last 20 minutes, but overall she did great! We had popcorn, Diet Coke, and candy. She was in heaven!!!!

Saturday we got up REALLY early to get ready for our family picture by
Jessica Meinardus! Luci did great and Jessica gave us a sneak pic of some of our photos...

Jessica is such a talented photographer and is so great with Luci!!! We can't wait to see our full album of pictures!! Just for fun...here is Luci a year ago...

She has grown so much!!!

After family pics, Mitch's parents drove down from BA and met us at our house. We loaded up and headed to Wild Things Farm to let Luci see the pumpkins and animals. She was a little on the whiny side, but we still got some great pics and had a lot of fun!!

After Wild Things Farm we came back to the house and had Chicken Tortilla Soup and 2x4 Soup for lunch! Yum! Later in the afternoon I made a delicious chocolate cake that my friend Jill had shared the recipe with me! The rest of the afternoon was spent watching football!!

On Sunday we went to church, napped, and Mitch and our friend Sam went to pick up Luci's "new to her" playhouse! She only got to play with it a little yesterday, but she loves it already!! Later in the afternoon, Luci, myself and our friend Kristal went to hang out at the State Fair!!!

All in all we had a great, super busy weekend!!!!

Halloween Preview 2011

So, Luci's first Halloween she was a "Luci bug".

Her second Halloween she was Minnie Mouse.

What will she be this Halloween????

...

...

...

~The cutest Bumble Bee on the block!!!!~

We still have to add some black tights and shoes...and I have to try to find/make her a matching Trick or Treat bag. I am so excited to take my little Bumble Bee out!!!!

Let's Talk Dinner...+ a Recipe!

Luci eats breakfast and lunch during the week at daycare, and we all sit together around the table for dinner. Dinner usually happens between 6 and 6:30. If I did a complete crock pot meal, we may eat a little earlier.

I try to typically provide a semi-balanced dinner for her each night; now, whether she eats a balanced meal is a different story. Some nights she may clean her plate and request seconds, other nights she just picks at her food or really doesn't eat anything.

What is Luci eating these days?
Her absolute favorite foods are cheese, cottage cheese, and "fishies" (gold fish crackers).

Foods she likes include applesauce (no sugar added and a variety of flavors), chicken, blueberries, salad (which is surprising since I REALLY do not like salad), pasta, mac and cheese, peas and carrots, corn, cereal (she is on a fruit loops kick right now), cheeze-its, pizza, chips and salsa, ham, turkey, hamburger, rice, and fruit snacks.

Foods she doesn't like include eggs, mashed potatoes, a lot of fruits, broccoli, and whatever she chooses not to eat on a particular night just because.

What does she drink? Her absolute favorite is milk. At home, it is hard to get her to drink anything but milk. I offer her (very diluted so she gets more water) different fruit juices and she will occasionally drink those. Water is offered as well, but is typically turned down. During the hot summer, she had no options. If we were going to be outside it was water...and honestly she would happily drink it then. She always drinks water at daycare (besides breakfast and lunch) so I know that she likes it...she just likes to be stubborn and drink milk at home! Honestly, if she isn't eating that great, at least I know she is getting some nutrients from milk.

I try to provide her with whatever we are eating and then a few things that I know she will eat. Some nights she will eat what we are eating and some nights she will stick to old faithful (cottage cheese & applesauce).

Here is a typical dinner...

Cherry Applesauce, peas/carrots, shredded Mozzarella and Montery Jack cheese, and the "main course" (Lasagna Soup(broth drained) - Recipe will be at the bottom of post).

What did she eat of this? She ate most of the applesauce, most of the peas/carrots, some of the Lasagna Soup, and ALL of the cheese + seconds of the cheese. This was a pretty good "eating night" for her.

As Luci got older and began actually eating with us at the table, it really surprised me how often she would choose not to eat...even if we had foods she liked. I just had to realize that as long as I provided her food that she liked (as well as offering her what we were eating so she could try new things) she would eat if she was hungry. I had to stop sweating it so much.

Now for the recipe!! I made a new soup last night and it was simple and tasty!!!

Lasagna Soup

Ingredients:
1lb of ground chuck
chopped onions
2 cans of beef broth
1 can of diced tomatoes (undrained)
1/4 tsp of garlic powder
1/2 tsp of Italian Seasoning
1 1/2 cups of mafalde pasta (or any other short noodle pasta- I had Penne on hand)
Shredded Parmesan cheese (I had mozzarella and Montery Jack on hand)
Salt/pepper to taste

Directions:
Brown meat with 1/4 of tsp of garlic powder and chopped onions and salt/pepper to taste. Meanwhile, bring the broth, tomatoes (undrained), and Italian seasoning to a boil. Add pasta and meat. Salt/pepper to taste. Cook until pasta is desired tenderness. Serve with shredded cheese.

This is super simple, but has a really good flavor! It will definitely go into our fall/winter soup rotation! I've had a few people ask me about the crock pot Chicken Tortilla Soup...you can go here to see how to make it!

Our Weekend

This weekend was another great weekend!

Friday Night- We went out to eat and Luci decided that it was already time to break out the Halloween shirts!!! We ate at one of our favorite Mexican restaurants in Fort Smith, Maravillas. If you haven't been there you should try it!!

Saturday- We got up and drove to Paris for my hair appt. Luci hung out with PePaw, Nana, and her Daddy (Mimi was out of town) while I was getting highlights  my naturally blonde hair taken care of. After that, Luci and I drove home while Mitch and my Dad headed up the hill to watch the Hogs play. Luci and I had the rest of the afternoon to ourselves! We napped, ran to the mall, had a Mommy/Daughter dinner, and played outside! I love spending time with my baby girl!!

Sunday- We went out and ate breakfast and then just hung around the house. I made a new recipe for dinner...Pioneer Woman's Cajun Chicken Pasta. It was soooo yummy!!! After dinner, Luci went home with Mimi so she could spend the night!!! We were going to take Luci to see the Lion King 3D, but we got some pretty vicious storms...so we decided not to go.

All in all, a great weekend!!!

Luci sporting one of her new Halloween Shirts!!

Luci helping her Daddy drive down the dirt road. *We do not generally let Luci out of car seat...she will occasionally  help her Daddy drive down our dirt road in Paris...I mean what kid hasn't got to help their parent drive at some point??!!!

Getting ready for reading time before bed!

Telling her Maggie Bear good night!!

Playing outside in her car!

Dinner date with the Momma!

And just so you don't think our life is all peaches, roses, and banana pudding...A tantrum...just 5 minutes after waking up...gotta love those "terrific twos"!!!

My Pioneer Woman Cajun Chicken Pasta!!! You can find the recipe here.

~Wordless Wednesday~