Sorrento Cheese Factory

The kids and I took a tour of Sorrento Cheese factory. It was so amazing and SO much fun!! Thank to Sorrento Cheese for letting us see how you make the cheese! Please visit their web site at http://www.sorrentocheese.com/

We did have to suit up!

My new look

I have not had bangs since I was 12..... I decided to give it another try.... I am not sure I will keep them, but for now they have been fun, and I like the new look!

All on his own

My son Kaiden taught himself how to tie a ty. He did this all on his own. It only took him about 2 min to learn how to do this. I STILL do not know how to tie a ty!

My new puppy Mimi and Lexi

We got a new puppy for Christmas. Her name is Mimi, and she is very spoiled, and protective of me. For some reason when it is bed time she doesn't want anyone to touch me or her.

Lexi is a very loving little girl and she likes to give kisses good-night. This is Lexi kissing Mimi good night.

Lexi Wins the jump rope competition

My daughter is so amazing! She came home from school one day and said "mom, I am going to be in a jump rope competition". I said great, You are a fast jump roper!!! She said "yea, I am going to represent the 4th grade girls at me school." Wow Lex, that is awesome!!! So about a week later and MANY hours of practicing jumping rope it was competition night. She was the girls 4th grade representative for her school. This is her:


This is her WINNING first place for ALL the 4th grade girls!!!

Whats for dinner?

As a fulltime working mother, I find that at times it is difficult to want to come home and cook a healthy meal. When I get home at 6pm all I want to do is take a hot bath and relax. But…… Being a mother means I have responsibilities.

When I walk into the house, one of the first things I hear is “Mom what’s for dinner?” I am always looking for healthy ideas for dinner. Here is one I just found and my kids LOVE it…. It is healthy, and for me having issues with eating….. It is a great way to fill me up and make me feel like I am not a pig.

Tomato Green Chili Tortilla Casserole

1 pound ground turkey meat

2 tsp. onion flakes

1 can of cream of mushroom soup

1 can of cream of chicken soup

10 oz can of stewed tomatoes with green chili

6 corn tortillas

½ cup of shredded cheddar cheese

Preheat oven to 375. Brown the meat and onion flakes together. Drain off the fat. Stir in both soups and can of tomatoes. Cut or tear tortillas into bite size pieces. Spray casserole dish. Layer tortilla pieces with meat mixture. Sprinkle cheese on the top and bake for 30 min.

I like to add a mixed green salad to go with this.

I hope you will try this for dinner some night and see how yummy it is!

October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Domestic violence is best understood as a pattern of abusive behaviors -- including physical, sexual, and psychological attacks as well as economic coercion -- used by one intimate partner against another (adult or adolescent) to gain, maintain, or regain power and control in the relationship. Batterers use of a range of tactics to frighten, terrorize, manipulate, hurt, humiliate, blame, often injure, and sometimes kill a current or former intimate partner.

What can I do to get help for myself?
Through the National Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-799-SAFE [7233] or TTY 1-800-787-3224), help is available to callers 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Hotline advocates are available for victims and anyone calling on their behalf to provide crisis intervention, safety planning, information and referrals to agencies in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Assistance is available in English and Spanish with access to more than 170 languages through interpreter services. If you or someone you know is frightened about something in your relationship, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline.

Domestic
Violence Is...

A pattern of abusive
behaviors used to
control a partner,
former partner,
or family member.
Abuse may be:

1. Verbal

2. Emotional

3. Economic

4. Sexual

5. Physical

"I think someone I know is being abused, but I'm not sure..."

It’s not always easy to tell if someone is being abused, but there are signs that may suggest abuse. Trust your instincts and watch for any of the following signs:

Signs of Abuse — Not an All-Inclusive List:

• Various injuries attributed to a “fall” or “accident”
• Clothing that doesn’t match the season (long sleeves in the summer); wearing heavy
  make-up or accessories that seem unusual
• References to her partner’s bad moods or temper
• Breaking appointments at the last minute or simply not showing up
• Being late or absent from work or quitting her job unexpectedly
• Speaking of her partner as if he’s significantly more important than she is

Partner’s Behavior Often Offers Clues:

• Public criticism or belittling “jokes”
• Being overly jealous, “attentive,” or demanding
• Not delivering messages that you leave with him
• Trying to control her every move or making her account for her time
• Accusing her of having an affair
• Threatening suicide or murder — or attempting it
• Abusing the children emotionally, physically, or sexually
• Isolation — Keeping your friend away from her friends and family

How to Start a Conversation With a Victim

1. Tell her that you are worried.

2. Listen without judgment.

3. Believe her.

4. Tell her that she deserves to be treated better.

5. Refer her to the Kansas Crisis Hotline --
(888) END-ABUSE -- and your local
domestic violence program.

6. Ask her how you can help. Remember that safety is her
priority and she knows what is best to keep herself and
her children safe.