Every now and then I enjoy sharing the lessons that I am continuing to learn in motherhood. Being a new mom, everything is...well...new to me. There are so many things that I have learned and continue to learn each and every day. One thing, which may seem like a "duh" statement to some is the importance of making sure to always have the video camera and digital camera next to me at all time...and making sure that their fully charged as well!

When possible, I am always making sure to try and catch everything on film. This is something that I have wanted to do from the beginning, but as Kaelyn learns to do more and more, it seems even more necessary to have it by my side at all times! It seems that one minute Kaelyn will be on the floor playing with her toys....and in the blink of an eye she is off learning to do something new. Recently that "something" was getting up on her hands and knees. Scott and I knew that this time would come sooner than later, as Kaelyn is a very curious little girl...always wanting to discover the environment around her. She has been scooting around and moving every which way except for forwards for a couple of months now. Soon, she will be moving in that direction though....as getting up on her hands and knees is a very good indication that crawling will be next. It was so cute to watch her as she did this for the firs time. It took so much effort for her to get to that point, and once she did her little face shined and she looked so proud of herself. I'm sure it helped that Scott and I were cheering and clapping...saying "YYEEAAHH Kaelyn!!":) I suppose you could see we're very proud parents!! ;)

There are a lot of great recipes that I grew up with...one of these that I just had to share is a homemade taco recipe that I ABSOLUTELY love!! Do you ever get tired of the store bought taco shells?! I know I do...that's why this recipe is GREAT! It calls for some ingredients like crisco which wouldn't be something you'd want to cook with all the time...but every once in a while it makes for a really yummy meal that the whole family will enjoy!

To make the taco shells you need to do the following:
Take a box of Hot Roll Mix and mix it like says on the box. Don't add the yeast in it, just throw that part out. Roll out into a circle on a floured cloth. Fold over and drop into hot grease (three sticks of crisco). Boil and turn mid way through.

To make the meat mixture you just brown up 2 pounds of hamburger, adding in a pealed and grated potato. Then drain the grease and add taco seasoning.

Serve with: taco sauce, cheese lettuce and anything else you like to eat on your tacos. Enjoy!!

I have a mom who really knows how to cook!! I grew up loving so many of her meals, and have enjoyed learning the recipes to each one of them now that I'm grown and have a family of my own. Sometimes I think there are just those family recipes that live on forever. Our family's Enchilada recipe is definitely one of those that has been, and always will be passed down from generation to generation. If you're ever in the mood to try something different, take a shot at this yummy recipe...I think you'll absolutely love it as much as my family and I have over the years!

Ingredients
1 can Old El Paso Mild Enchilada Sauce (15 oz)
1 can La Preferida Mild Enchilada Sauce (10 oz)
1 can Tomato Sauce (15 oz)
1 1/2 lbs hamburger
1 lg and 1 sm can of Old El Paso Refried Beans
Taco Sauce to taste
2 Cups of Bisquick
1/2 C Water

All you need to do is mix the two enchilada sauces and the tomato sauce together (this is the sauce). Then, brown the hamburger...drain it...and mix in the refried beans and taco sauce. Finally stir the bisquick and water together, rolling it out so it is easy to work with. Roll out tortillas that are of a size that you like and place them on a skillet. Wait until one side bubbles, then flip it over and count to 10. Then...Viola...you have a yummy tortilla to put your mixture in and cover with sauce! I really enjoy this recipe and I thought others out there might as well!!

Wow, as a mom I sure do learn something new everyday! Mainly I've been learning lessons to live by as a stay at home mom. Recently I discussed one thing that I came to terms with. Now, I am posting to discuss a second lesson that I have really taken to heart....Remember What's Important & Throw The Lists Away...

Again, you might be asking...what does she mean?! Well, let me explain. Before I had Kaelyn I was used to having a routine of sorts and getting done what I needed to. Now that kind of goes along with Lesson number one you might be saying, but keep reading. When I say Remember What's Important I not only mean that I must come to terms with the fact that I might not get my whole list of things done in a day, but I must make sure that I don't. Huh?! Is probably something you're asking yourself now! I know, I know...I may be confusing at times, but bare with me. :) What I mean is that I want to throw my lists away, not only to just take it a day at a time and go with the flow, but also so that I can spend more precious time with my beautiful daughter! Children are only young for such a short period of time. They grow so quickly and I want to cherish every moment I have at home with her. If this means throwing the lists away...then so be it....I want to remember that she is more important than any chore or task I have to do around the house!

As I've been a stay-at-home-mom now for a few weeks now...I've began to realize that there are certain lessons to be learned. The first one that I'd like to share is that of Taking it a day at a time & going with the flow.

What do I mean when I say take it a day at a time? Well, I began this adventure of motherhood thinking I could continue to have my to-do lists and that I would be able to get everything accomplished in a day like I used to. However, over time I quickly found out that this idea of a day in the life of me was unrealistic. Having a baby to take care of now, I am unable to get my mind set on finishing a list of tasks to get done during the day. Being the organized person that I am, this has been a difficult adjustment for me...but one that I'm learning to get used to. Kaelyn pretty much decides our schedule right now...as she is still very young and is napping and eating when she needs to. I know as time goes on that more of routine will be in place...but it is still not realistic for me to think that I can have a list for each day and get it all done. I've learned that I must take it a day at a time and get done what I can. To me this is one of the most important things to come to terms with if you are staying at home with your children. Life definitely changes and our priorities become our children....our homes and cleaning for all of the other neat freaks out there like me, must come last. I for one am enjoying this first lesson of motherhood that I've learned. It's helped me let loose a little and enjoy my time with Kaelyn.