Military Wife: Week 5

          It amazes me how fast October went by. We're already in the last week! Still no phone calls, but we are gearing up for graduation in December! :) I am so proud of Austyn and his determination. From what I hear, BCT is no walk in the park. Oh, and if anyone would like to know, Christmas is only 8 weeks away!
          So for this past month, I have had the lovely pleasure of taking care of - well - EVERYTHING! I have learned so much about tires, being a landlord, and handling all of our financial responsibilities. Austyn has been so great at taking care of me and our girls for the past 3 1/2 years. I don't think we fully appreciate certain things, and especially people, until they are taken away from us. I wouldn't say I took my husband for granted, but being in this position gives me a deeper respect and appreciation for what he does for me.

(From a Wife) Tip #9: Don't Be Afraid To Learn Something New

          Shortly after Austyn left, one of the tires on our car got a leak. I wasn't aware just how bad it was until about a week later, but I knew the tire pressure was low so I had to fill it up... I have never done that before. Maybe I'm just your stereotypical city girl, but I am not one who knows anything about cars, let alone tires! So, on a cool, brisk, morning of September, I braved the possible embarrassment of filling my tire up with air. Yes, it took me a good 2 minutes to figure out what I was doing, but I actually did it! I was so proud of myself! Yeah, my life is full of huge accomplishments like that. ;) My point is, although your husband is gone, and you don't have frequent communication with him, you can figure things out on your own. Some things may seem scary to have to go through alone, but it will all work out. 

(From a Mother) Tip #10: Avoid Resentment

          Yes, it can be hard to keep that smile on your face through these weeks, but don't even let yourself begin to harbor any feelings of resentment toward your spouse. Odds are he is miserable. Being away from his wife and kids is not easy on a man. Be assured that he misses you as much, if not more than you miss him. I have had many stressful and difficult moments these past 5 weeks where it would have been easy to try and blame them on Austyn's absence. But truth is, I know he would much rather be home with me right now. Sure, dealing with these trials and obstacles of life aren't easy on my own, but they are making me stronger; as a wife, as a mother, and as a woman. The weeks and months seem long, but they fly by much faster than you think, I PROMISE! 

          The girls and I are in Utah for the week, so I don't have any pictures or recipes with me. But I thought maybe a quick and healthy side dish would be appropriate;

Roasted Kale

Take a big bunch of Kale (curly leaf), wash it really well and cut it or tear it off the stem. Let it sit on a pan and dry for about 5 minutes. Drizzle some olive oil and salt all over. Place in a 375 degree oven for about 10-15 minutes. 

Bon Appetit! :)

Military Wife: Week 4

          So we've hit the 4 week mark. Thank goodness we have one month down, just a few more to go! No phone calls yet from Austyn, but letters have been pretty comforting. I'll take letters any day! I figured out that weekends are the most difficult to get through for me. Seeing as most people have the weekend off from work, that's probably a universal feeling for military wives.. Sundays especially. When I am lugging two little girls to church all by myself, trying to hold Molli while Maci is running around like a crazy child - yeah, it's a bit tough flyin' solo. But, I won't complain too much. I know that my schedule is a bit more... relaxed you could say... than Austyn's. :(
          I sure hope you guys are whippin' up some of these recipes I've been posting... I swear I've gained 10 lbs since Austyn left! I need to cut back on the "sweet baking" and try a healthier approach. Easier said than done, right? Nevertheless, I will be sure to continue sharing some sweet treats with you. I won't keep these delights all to myself. ;)

          

My supply of Honest diapers :) this is about 2 months
worth of them!

Baby Wipes

(From a Mother) Tip #7: Stock Up

       

          Preferably before your husband leaves. I started acquiring food storage as well as a few necessities before Austyn left, and it has made the world of a difference! I am someone who has a bit of what I like to call an "Honest obsession." I love the Honest Co.! They sell great diapers, and wipes, as well as cleaning supplies, laundry detergent, soaps, lotion, shampoo, body wash, sunscreen, air fresheners... the list goes on and on. If you'd like to try them for yourself, just click on this link; 

 http://www.honest.com/accept_invitation/481052

Anyway, where was I? Oh yes, along with those soaps and diapers, food is a huge thing to try and stock up on. Starting with Ramen and a few cans of veggies, just getting a few things each time you run to the grocery store can really help you over time. We knew about 4 months before Austyn would be leaving, so I really buckled down over the summer to try and stock up on those things I was constantly running to the store for. Diapers were a huge must. With a 4 month old baby, yeah, we go through a few diapers a day.. 

(From a Wife) Tip #8: Exercise

          Yeah, so... this is one I am trying to improve on. But it really is important! Not only for the fact that you want to try and look good for your man when he comes home, but as a mom, I feel a lot more energized and refreshed when I make time to exercise. Now, I don't mean you have to carve out an entire hour or two to go to the gym. If all you can fit in to your day is a half hour of lunges, sit ups, or even some push ups, that is just fine. That's about all I can do some days, but it does make a difference. A walk with the girls is always fun too, or even going to the park and chasing after Maci for an hour will do the trick. I would recommend trying to get outside as much as possible; fresh air can do a woman some good, especially if you're home with the kids all day. 

          So I know I said I needed to start sharing healthier recipes, but it's that time of the year! Sweets are calling your name constantly! So here is a recipe I just whipped up this past weekend; Pumpkin Spice Cinnamon Rolls with Maple Icing - Yes, they are as good as they sound... if not better :)

Pumpkin Spice Cinnamon Rolls

Ingredients:  (Dough)

3/4 C Milk

4 Tbs Butter, cut into chunks

4 - 4 1/2 C all purpose flour

1 Tbs Rapid Rise Yeast

1/4 C Sugar

1/2 tsp Salt

1 C Pumpkin Puree

1 Egg (room temperature)

             (Filling)

1 C Packed Brown Sugar

1/2 C Softened Butter

1 1/2 Tbs Ground Cinnamon

3/4 tsp ginger (I used fresh ginger, but ground is fine)

1/2 tsp nutmeg

1/4 tsp cloves

Directions:

• Heat up the milk and 4 Tbs of butter in a (microwave safe) bowl; about a minute or so. Stir and set aside.
• Combine 2 C flour, the yeast, sugar, and salt in a large mixing bowl of a stand mixer
• Add milk mixture to the flour mixture once it has cooled. Then add the pumpkin puree and egg. Beat until well combined, then switch to a dough hook.
• Add remaining flour until dough comes together and is soft and slightly sticky.
• Place dough onto a floured surface and let rest for about 10 minutes while you assemble the filling.
• For filling: mix the very softened butter with the brown sugar and spices until smooth
• Now, dust dough ball with some flour and roll it out into a BIG rectangle. Spread the filling out evenly over the dough (I used my hands, or just use a spatula).
• Roll up from the longer side of the rectangle, then cut into 12 equal pieces. You can use a pizza cutter, dental floss... whatever works best for you!
• Place in a 9x13 pan that has been sprayed with cooking spray. Cover with a towel and let rise for about 30 minutes
• Place into a 350 degree oven and bake for 25-35 minutes or until lightly golden.

Maple Icing:

1 1/2 C Powdered Sugar

2 Tbs Melted Butter

1 1/2 tsp Maple Extract

3 Tbs Milk

                                              Mix together and drizzle over cinnamon rolls while they're still warm!

Bon Appetit! :)

Military Wife: Week 3

          Well... 3 weeks down! I would say I feel a sense of accomplishment for making it on my own this long, but that doesn't really seem right. I have had the love and support of family and friends and that has made this reality much more bearable. I feel blessed to know, though, that this isn't permanent. So here's a tip of what not to do; don't watch a sappy romantic movie the day you get a letter from your husband - unless of course you want to spend the evening crying your eyes out! It's tough having to literally quit speaking to the love of your life on a daily basis cold turkey! I've been giving these tips for the past few weeks for other wives and mothers, but I wonder if I'm not the one who's benefiting from them most.

This was taken just moments before Austyn boarded his flight :(

(From a Family) Tip #5: Take a Video of Your Husband Before He Leaves

          I actually thought of this before Austyn left, but I didn't get a specific video of him until that morning. He always sings to Maci before she goes to sleep, but this morning he spent a good half hour singing her primary songs. So I started recording... and I am so glad I did. We watch it all the time, which helps Maci (as well as Molli) remember not only what daddy looks like, but his voice. I think it will also help with that initial transition when Austyn gets home; if the girls are exposed to pictures and videos and constantly talking about him and reminding them that daddy loves them and will be home soon, it may help them from being overly shy and skittish when he returns (which unfortunately does happen with younger kids).

          

(From a Wife) Tip #6: Have a Great Support System

          This can include family, friends, fellow church members... It's really important to have someone or (ideally) many people who love you and are aware of the circumstances. Having people to rely on while your husband is away is a bit stress relieving. I know that if I get too overwhelmed or stressed I am always welcome at both my parents and in laws. My mom, having been a military wife my whole childhood, also gives me advice and empathetic support. Having been there herself, I have been able to get many helpful tips from her as far as how to make this transition easier..  

          So this week I decided to share a recipe that has been a hit in my home since I can remember! We call it Italian Pasta. It's more of a casserole, but is beyond delicious and filling! My mom has been making it ever since I can remember. Just a tip; make sure you have a few adults over who can help you eat it - especially if you are cooking for a 2 year old, a 4 month old, and yourself. Odds are you may be the only one to eat it (I learned this from experience). :/

Italian Pasta

Ingredients:

1 Box Rigatoni Noodles

1/2 C Butter

1/2 C Flour

3 tsp Pepper

1/2 tsp Salt

1 Tbs Parsley (optional)

3/4 C Parmesan Cheese (grated of course)

A 16 oz Carton of Cottage Cheese

1 Egg

4 C Milk

1 Package of Polska Kielbasa

3/4 C Mozzarella 

Directions:

• Boil rigatoni in a pot until al dente (It's going to bake in the oven so you don't want the noodles too soft).
• Mix the cottage cheese, 1 egg, 1/2 tsp pepper, salt, parsley (optional) and 1/4 C Parmesan cheese together. Set aside.
• Melt butter in pot over medium heat. Add flour and remaining pepper. Mix well. Add milk and remaining Parmesan. Heat over medium to medium high heat stirring frequently (this is important so you don't end up with globs of flour) BE Patient! Let it get nice and thick.
• Drain rigatoni and place into a 9x13 pan. 
• When sauce has thicken, pour over the pasta. Then pour the cottage cheese mixture over the top.
• Slice up a link of Polska Kielbasa, and stuff into the pasta.
• Top with Mozzerella
• Cover and bake in a 375 degree oven for 30 minutes.

Note: This is a great make ahead

dish. You can prepare it, cover it, then

place it in the fridge for up to 24 hours!

Bon Appetit! :)

Military Wife: Week 2

          Two weeks down... So many more to go. The girls and I are adjusting and I am doing my best not to think about how many more days Austyn and I still have apart. But if anyone wants to know, there's only 11 weeks left until Christmas! :) Yes, in our house, the countdown has begun. So this past week I've been brainstorming and getting advice from other women who have been, and are, military wives. There seems to be a few common pieces of advice, and they are probably the most important... That  being said, this week's tips stem from that.
          I would like to point out that as I am giving these tips and ideas each week, I am also very open to any suggestions you ladies may have who have been through similar situations. Again, my heart goes out to those women who have husbands serving in the Armed Forces, and am so grateful for those who are willing to sacrifice so much so we can continue to enjoy the freedom we've been blessed with. Be proud, and feel honored. This is not easy on a family, but makes the world of a difference for generations to come...

(From a Mother) Tip #3: STAY BUSY!

          I cannot stress this enough! This is the one tip I got from multiple mothers, and it is probably most crucial for you over the hard weeks/months that are to follow. There are many ways to stay busy while your husband is gone. I'll go into further detail over the next few weeks of how to do so, but staying busy can keep your mind off of you missing your man, and more on the tasks at hand each day. Lets face it, if you're a mother, you already have a reason or two to keep yourself busy everyday..

(From a Wife) Tip #4: "Wearing His Sweatshirt is Like Wearing His Hug"

          So this is more of a "on a rainy day" tip when your missing your sweetheart. Which, yeah, I've already had a few of those days. Put on his sweatshirt, his sweats, one of his old t shirts, anything that helps you feel closer to him and feel a little comfort. It's ok to have a day where all you want to do is lounge around and not worry about your hair or your make up. I am constantly wearing my husband's t shirts and sweats anyway, so this really isn't anything new for me. But I did put on one of Austyn's sweatshirts the other day, and it still smelt like his cologne. It literally felt like his hug from a distance. I know, I'm such a hopeless romantic. ;)

Banana Muffins
These are from last week's post of the
banana chocolate chip recipe. 

          So I have an obsession with breakfast foods. I think I always knew that but as of recently I realized just how much I love baking anything sweet that can be eaten in the morning. So a popular recipe in my home when I was in high school was Buttermilk Syrup. Nearly every Sunday morning at my parents house, you will wake up to the aroma of homemade buttermilk syrup and waffles---my family believes you should not eat this syrup with pancakes, so I suppose I'm a rebel. ;) I make it with pancakes all the time. But I would recommend waffles with this syrup.

Buttermilk Syrup

Ingredients:

2C Sugar

1C Buttermilk

1/2C Butter

2t Corn Syrup

2t Baking Soda

2t Vanilla

Directions:

• In a deep pan, melt butter, then add other ingredients. Bring to a boil over medium heat and let boil for 5 minutes, stirring often. Let sit for a few minutes, then serve immediately while it's still hot! 

Bon Appetit! :)