New Contest Entry!

I just entered Jaidean's photography giveaway! She's giving away gift cards for her work! I would be so THRILLED to have her take Aidan's 18 month photos! Or maybe even some family ones ;) She does in credible work and well, I've really only been able to afford Sears portraits... so anyways, go check otu her blog and take a look at her work! http://jaideanbakerphotography.com/blog/

New Job?

So, I was given a "tip" that Anthony's Mom's husband is in charge of hiring 600 new people at Hanford, they were just given a 1 million dollar bailout that is supposed to go to maing new jobs. For those of you who don't know, Hanford is down in Tri-Cities and is run by the government. It's a nuclear waste site... something like that. Anyways, the job I am looking at starts at $60,000 a year not to mention benefits, retirement, 401k and things along those lines. That is most certainly nothing to scoff at. In fact, it really intrigues me. I could help provide our family with what we need AND what we WANT. The drawback.... to move down there and take this job means giving up staying at home. Not that I was staying at home anyways (starting school and then working later). However, with a nursing job, I could leave when it was time to have another child, stay home for a year again then easily find a new job. Working at Hanford... I'm pretty sure my job wouldn't still be around if I wanted to take a year off. It seems that Anthony is happy with just one child (for now anyways). What happened to him wanting 5? I mean, I really only wanted 2, maybe 3. Either way, none of those numbers are ONE!

Now I feel stuck. Do I apply for the job and the opportunity to make things better for my family? Or do I act selfish and do what makes me happy? AAHHH!

One more plus to the job... living in Tri Cities means Anthony's family is there. Which means we would have family around. People to visit with, a sense of "family" and of course... maybe a sitter every once in ahile for a night out.

Oh boy, I feel stuck.

WOW!

Go check out my friend Linda's totally awesome Money Saving blog! She is such a neat woman and has some really great ideas, savings and GIVEAWAYS!

Money Saving Monthly

Southwestern "Spaghetti"

I have a new favorite meal and I thought I would share.. it truly is yummy! I call it Southwestern "Spaghetti". Once again... YUMMY! I must warn you, this recipe makes a LOT of food! It serves us 2 dinners plus lunch for Anthony. We're also only a family of 2.5... it might not be as much food for a bigger family. Anyways, on with the meal...

I start with browning a pound of ground turkey (you could also use ground beef or simply shred some cooked chicken). After draining the meat I add a large (29 oz) can of plain tomato sauce, 1 can of italian diced tomatos, 1 can of drained and rinsed black beans, 1 can of corn (no salt added), 1 chopped green bell pepper, chopped olives and 1.5 cups of salsa. You could also subsitute any of those for FRESH or FROZEN veggies. I also season to taste (I like to add chopped garlic, onion powder, garlic powder and a little italian seasoning).

Simmer this for about an hour and then toss with some cooked macaroni noodles. This meal is so delish! Let me know if you try it, we love it in our house. Aidan even gobbles it up!

New Computer

YAY! We got a new computer! Ours completely crashed yesterday. It's not actually a new computer, but new to us! I'm so excited. The only drawback is that it is a desktop and we previously had a laptop, I kind of miss the convenience of sitting in the LazyBoy and watching TV while being on the computer. Oh well. It is nice, I can't complain.