Public Tantrum

Well. Hum...

Crap no way to say this but to say it. 

My child was that child throwing a tantrum in public. My friend and I went out for dinner, and since apparently there was a kitchen fire at our local bdubs we opted for The Habit. And it looked like the rest of the town was there. All the tables were completely filled except a couple two seater tables outside. We let the older kids sit at one and we sat at the other. Our food didn't let us down- as The Habit never does & I tried sweet potato fries!! They are pretty good, especially dipped in BBQ sauce. We were letting the kids finish up their food & that's when it started. 

The Habit has some yummy looking soft serve & the kids were asking for it- and to be honest I was contemplating it. But they didn't want to take no for an answer. I kept reminding my kids that they needed to sit down. Well the stubborn child didn't want to sit in her chair & I told her since she was acting like a baby to sit in the high chair. Don't be sarcastic with a 4.5 year old, they will climb into the high chair. Then the ice cream question came back- and after saying no I get the talk back. Calmly I told her that we were going to go home if she didn't stop. Well slowly it kept going and going. And I had had it with the sass, so I told the girls it was time to go home. 

And it came without warning, like an earthquake, full on screaming and ridged body. I got her out of the high chair whole having "nooooo. I'm not going hoooone" and it wouldn't stop. I'm pretty positive my face was the color of my red shirt. I kept saying "I'm sorry" to my friend and her kids. Grabbed my purse & looked up to see how bad it was. Sure enough everyone outside looking at us & about half of the people inside looking at us. I literally couldn't think. I apologized profusely with a 38 pound wiggly weight in my arms. And then I finally had a thought "wow, going to the gym has helped. And holy moly I'm soooo sore!!! It was not a good idea to go that big yesterday. Fight the pain!! Fight.the.pain!!"

The screaming went all the way to the car. It continued as I buckled her in. It was as if she found out about Santa, the Easter bunny, and tooth fairy weren't real. That Disneyland closed forever. That every princess had died. I can't ever recall ever experiencing a tantrum like this in my whole 4.5 years as a mom 

I text my friend an apology text. And she applauded me for keeping my cool. I'm still trying to figure out how I didn't yell. And weirdly I haven't yelled. When we got home I made her change into pjs, and I took all her books away. In addition to her books, all of her toys were put away and I took out the princess rugs in the girls room. She currently should be sleeping, about once or twice a month she needs to go to bed early so I know it won't mean she wakes up early.

I learned tonight that I do have some "woosah" in me. I apparently learned that kids at 4.5 can have public meltdowns. I also learned to be sympathetic to other parents who have dealt with this before and will have to. I wish I could apologize to every person that witnessed this ordeal. If you were there tonight, I am sorry you had to hear that while you were eating dinner. 

But geez that was horrible and I hope it never happens again. And I am in need of a drink or two.

Kids & Veggie (green beans)

A few weeks ago I asked my friends "what would you want your kids to eat more of?" A lot of people said veggies. So since I have a non green bean lover... I made this. 

I don't know what to even call it. It's a spin on an Asian dish. I found rice noodles on sale for $3 (when they are almost always double/triple the cost. I had some ground turkey that I wanted to use and since I try to always have some kind of veggie I grabbed a can of green beans. I cooked the turkey and tossed in the green beans. I used my spatual and cut the green beans down in size.

I took a child's nutrition class when my girls were starting to eat food. One week our lesson was, that having food in bite size pieces already was a step in the right way to get kids to try new food. Also I learned that making familiar food was a good aid in helping kids eat new/food they don't like. So this is what also inspired this dinner, where we have some kind of Asian take out inspired meal a week. 

Once the super easy rice noodles are done cooking, they take about 5 minutes today to cook, toss them in the pan with the turkey and the green beans. Don't shake off the water too much, it helps with the sauce. 

Last is the sauce. When I cook with this sauce, I don't measure anything. I know it's not helpful for you, but I'll guess off of what I think my husband does his sauce as. (And yes they are different sauces and maybe one day I'll share his). It does consist of soy sauce (1/4 cup), some hosin sauce (table spoon) chili garlic sauce (heat level to your liking), and a teaspoon of brown sugar (this I know cause I grab a spoon for this). Mix it all together in a separate bowl and then put it in the pan with everything else. Combine everything together and serve. 

My non-green beaneater inhaled the dish, and the other one had no complaints. They even asked for seconds. I feel like this is an easy meal to make, even when it's over 100 outside & I'm wanting to use my on sale noodles and craving take out.

Ingredients: 

1/2 pack of rice noodles 

Ground turkey (I had half a large thing of it)

1 can green beans 

 1/4 cup soy sauce 

1 tablespoon hoisin sauce 

Chili garlic sauce (to your spice level liking)

1 teaspoon of brown sugar 

Cook ground turkey, add green beans and cut up to bite size pieces. Cook noodles in seperate pot. Once noodles are done, add to the pan with the turkey. Mix soy sauce, hoisin sauce, chili garlic sauce, and brown sugar in bowl. Once combined add to the pan with turkey, green beans and noodle. Mix all together and enjoy. 

*If you want to take it up a notch, add some Thai basil and lime juice Or some cilantro and lime juice after you plated your food*

Be the Match

About a year ago I donated blood the first time. I had never donated before and was pretty apprehensive. I watch a lot of "medical" shows and saw how people could faint after donating and I didn't want to be that person. Since I'm anemic I had to take iron supplements and eat iron rich food- which I love!! Salmon and spinach, yes please!! I did all the pre-donation work (I'll explain it a little later here) and I was ready to donate. After my pint bag filled up I felt great and couldn't wait to do it again. I had found a weird love for helping people through blood donations.

Many people need blood donations for many different reasons. Anywhere from surgery, injuries, cancer, liver problems, blood issues, infection,ect. I was 15 and had surgery and my mom had donated blood in case I needed it.  Well it turns out we aren't the same type of blood and in all reality I didn't need extra blood, but her blood went to help another child who had needed blood. 

After my second time donating blood I looked into phlebotomy classes and how I could help even more. I found a class at a local private school and took the class, studied, took certification test and passed!! While I was in the phase of my class where we practiced blood draws on other students, teachers, and family members, I realized I loved this. My internship was done at a local hospital and every day I was there I loved it. It was reassuring to me that I made the right choice. 

Today, I donated some more blood, being 4 times so far in just over a year,the whole process takes about an hour, since you have to check in, have a mini physical (blood pressure, heart rate, temperature, iron level, and quick survey to make sure you haven't been exposed to blood borne diseases). After that they hook you all up and you wait for your pint bag to fill up. Depending on how fast "your blood drains" it can be 5-10 minutes. After you have to wait 15 minutes and have some yummy snacks (juice, cookies, chips, nuts, or crackers) while your body starts adjusting to the fact you lost 1/10 of your blood.

 Well today while I was eating my cookies and having juice I heard about "Be The Match" for the bone marrow registry. I had heard about it but never even thought about signing up to be a bone marrow donor. I never knew what it entailed to be a bone marrow donor until I saw it on a tv show. I know people who have needed bone marrow but I never knew how it was done. I read all the paperwork today and decided- why not? I can either be a match or not be a match. It was a painless 4 swab rubs to my cheeks. 1 in 540 donors are matches. It's a slim chance, but if my family member needed bone marrow I would hope that a match is made to help them and if I'm the match for someone I would be more than happy to help. 

For more information visit: Red Cross Blood Donation or Contact a local hospital/Children's Hospital

For more information visit:  Be The Match

Parents First

Today, sigh, was an eventful day that I had totally different plans for.

 The girls and I had gone to the gym and I let them bring water bottles since afterwards I had to go pick up dog food at the store. We get home, have lunch, and fold/put away our laundry. The girls asked for their water bottles, so I told them to get them out of the car, which is in the garage. Well not too long later one of them comes in SCREAMING holding her thumb. I couldn't get a word out of her so I took her hand and look at her thumb which was now double the size and gushing blood. I put her hand under the faucet and in walks the other one. I asked her what happened and I get "she closed the car door on her hand" (note: this isnt the first time she has done this either). Since the bleeding wasn't stopping I wrapped it up and just held it for 5 minutes, checked on it, and another 5 minutes, and yet another. around 15 minutes it had stopped bleeding.

Then I snapped pictures and sent an SOS text to my husband "is this urgent care worthy?!?!" I am the LAST person to take my kids to the doctor, urgent care, or ER. Luckily with my husbands background and the schooling that I have under my belt I know what the difference is. If you ever want to know "is it _____ worthy" ask me please, don't take an non-emergency to the ER. So I got the kids in the car, dropped off the other one and headed to urgent care (after calling to make sure that an appointment wasn't available).

We arrived, checked in and waited. I think we waited 15 minutes and I was explaining to her why other people who got in after her were going in before her. Finally we got in!! Yay! She told the nurse exactly what happened, how she was feeling, and that her thumb just hurt. The nurse had suggested an X-ray as a precaution- and to get it out of the way instead of waiting for the doctor and then going to get it. My big girl walked into the X-ray room by herself and said "I got this. Im a big girl". What 4.5 year old goes in for an X-ray willingly on their own?? My daughter!!!

As we waited for the doctor I learned all about how the x-ray was done and the fun ride she went on and the heavy little blanket. The doctor came in, examine her thumb and diagnosed it as a cut/bruise. No broken bones!! No permanent damage!! Probably won't need to drill her nail to relieve pressure!! We have a fun little splint she needs to wear for a few days- just to protect her thumb.

So tonight had been ice pops, cuddles, and many episodes of Paw Patrol- per her request. She says shes better, but I see her putting ice on her thumb. I, however, am in a state of shock still as this was our first injury that needed someone more than mommy or daddy.

Weight-loss Challenge

Several friends of mine and I created a "weight loss" challenge group. Now I know there are many of these floating around the internet, I see them all the time on Facebook. This was a just for fun group, just to help motivate us move. No pressure, no sales, just that you now have 19 accountability friends. Every day someone would post a "what are you doing today" post, where we would say if we were being active or not, what we were going to do, and post any fun gym selfies. I love love love The Berry- DaMo and I would post a full day link or just a super awesome picture from the day. 

We also had started, weekly check ins. I personally, take pictures, measure myself, and take a picture of the scale that has my body fat. I lost over 10'' but only really lost 4 pounds in just 8 weeks. With these 8 weeks I had learned that the scale wasn't my friend because while I trimmed down my scale told me I was relatively the same. 

I try to have 30 minutes of cardio 5-6 days a week while working in some strength training too. Every day is different. My gym has a daycare and thankfully my girls LOVE going there. Also, I love food. I still ate my weakness (In-n-out, pizza, taco shop, chips and salsa, popcorn, beer, ect) but I made sure to work out a little harder that day or the next day. I also have a Fitbit, where I do the challenges with some friends and make sure to try my hardest to hit 10,000 steps a day. Those push me to get up and move a lot more than I was used to.

I am proud of my results. I may not ever be how I was before kids, but I am better than I was in November when I started my weight-loss journey. 
I try to have 30 minutes of cardio 5-6 days a week while working in some strength training too. Every day is different. My gym has a daycare and thankfully my girls LOVE going there. Also, I love food. I still ate my weakness (In-n-out, pizza, taco shop, chips and salsa, popcorn, beer, ect) but I made sure to work out a little harder that day or the next day. I also have a Fitbit, where I do the challenges with some friends and make sure to try my hardest to hit 10,000 steps a day. Those push me to get up and move a lot more than I was used to.
I am proud of my results. I may not ever be how I was before kids, but I am better than I was in November when I started my weight-loss journey. 



On the left was me 8 weeks ago, and the right was me today!! 

I have been swayed by the pills, wraps, drinks, shakes, ect but loosing weight doesn't happen over night because let's face it- it doesn't get put on your overnight either. Some things may work for some people, but remember you are YOU and you can find what works for you. 

Enchilada Bake!!

I have a huge love of enchiladas. When I moved into my first apartment, without roommates, I lived across the street from a taco shop that I ordered enchiladas every time I went there. I was addicted. I am addicted. I still have a huge love of them, however I don't have the patience to make them. Pinterest has lots of ways to make them and when I saw the Enchilada Bake I knew this was something that I could do.

Today I'm going to a small get together with some friends, while our husbands are working. I offered to make the main meal, a chicken enchilada bake. Whats wrong with cheese, chicken, enchilada sauce, tortillas, and more cheese??

So I put 3 chicken breast in my crock pot with half a large can of red enchilada sauce, two garlic cloves, and one bay leaf on high. Normally takes 3-4 hours until they are cooked through and ready to shred. 

Once the chicken is ready to be shredded I take two forks and shred the chicken in the crock pot. Now you can take the chicken out and shred it on a cutting board, but why wash one more thing? I add the remainder of the large can of enchilada sauce & one more can to the crockpot. Once it's shredded you're ready to assemble the enchilada bake.

Now think of this as a Mexican lasagna. I use a baking dish, maybe 15"X10" size is what I use. I start with a layer of enchilada sauce on the bottom (food network told me it prevents burning on the bottom so I do it). Then I put a layer of tortillas, some more enchilada sauce with the chicken and top it with cheese. 

Repeat this process until your baking dish is full. Once everything is assembled do a large layer of cheese and put some olives on it. 

Normally, I bake it at 350 for 30-45 minutes, let that cheese bubble up and get crispy by turning on the broiler the last 5 minutes. Once you take it out, let it cool down before serving. Today, I baked it for 20 minutes and will broil it when I get to my friends house. Feel free to top with hot sauce, avocado slices, cilantro, salsa, whatever you want!! 

Ingredients: 

3 chicken breast

2 large cans of red enchilada sauce

2 garlic cloves 

1 bay leaf

Bag of corn tortillas

Large bag of cheese (or feel free to shred it on your own)

Place chicken in your crock pot with half a can of enchilada sauce with the garlic clove and bay leaf. Cook on high for 3-4 hours. Shred chicken when it's fully cooked, add remaining enchilada sauce (1.5 cans) to crock pot. Start with some enchilada sauce on the bottom, and layer tortillas, more sauce, cheese, over and over until you fill the baking dish. Top with a layer of cheese and some olives on top. Bake at 350 for 30-45 minutes (let that cheese get crispy, last 5 minutes broil the top to get that)

**Additional ways to change it up... Try with green enchilada sauce. Or add rised canned black beans and corn to it. Or ground turkey with taco seasoning. I saw a white enchilada bake the other day on Pinterest that I need to try too**

me me me

I feel like this is a post where I should have a drink in hand but I might ramble more than I normally do when I start typing.

Hi!! I'm Robyn. Quick short simple bio...

I am a fire wife. We are our own kind of woman. Those who are not us, don't know what is like to be us and those of us who know each other we band together and support each other.

I am a twin mom. January 2011 my life changed and that's when my fraternal twins entered my life. Sappy mom moment, I cant imagine life with out these two. They have made me a better person and have taught me a lot. To get it out of the way, they were a surprise, twins don't run in my family (my husband has twins in his family but fraternal twins is the moms fault), my hands are full- please open a door for a parent with multiples, I still don't know how I do it- I love coffee and wine to get me through the day, and like any parent I have ups and downs and it's not always easy.

I had amazing nurses while I was pregnant and they have inspired me to pursue nursing. I currently am a phlebotomist and finishing my prerequisites to get into a nursing program. I maybe one of the older students at school but I've found something I am finally passionate about.

In my free time I have become to learn that I enjoy writing. I like to write about what I know, being a parent and the randomness that comes with being a parent.


-Well that wasn't too bad and actually kept it short and sweet-