Chronicles of a Working Mother and Allisonites

I have not forgotten about my blog. And the 6 or so of you out there who read this... well, you know I haven't forgotten about you.  It's just that working a full time job with three kids doesn't leave much time for anything other than meeting the needs of said three kids and sleeping. 

Working full time. I have to say that I love it!  I love my job - I get to develop health and wellness programs for our employee population as well as manage our team.  I find it interesting, engaging and I love the people with whom I work.  Children's Healthcare of Atlanta truly IS a great place to work, especially for a mom.  They give me flexibility when I need it.  And what other company has holiday decorating contests for its employees?  Between that and parties to celebrate the Super Bowl, Thanksgiving and Summer, my inner child comes out often and that's just fun.  And ultimately, we are all there to serve the patients whom we serve day in and day out.  Talk about a wonderful place to work... 

At home, I have help consistently from three people - Isa, our nanny whom we've had since Brooke was 4 months old, Lynnie, a mom of three grown kids who wanted to help out a couple days a week, and Mimi, my mother-in-law, who watches the kids on Fridays.  This system works really well - so far, at least.  As my friend, Margaret, put it, no one person is with my kids more than me.  Perhaps I knew that subconsciously when I was figuring out the whole childcare thing - I can't really say - but as it stands currently, my kids are happy and it's working for us all. 

Isa cleans once a week for me which is a HUGE HUGE HUGE help.  I really love to clean.  I get this from my mom, though if asked, I'm not sure she would say, "yes, I love to clean" - but she has cleaned her house all her life with no help and she's done it really well.  I find it very rewarding to clean - it keeps you moving - gives you a chance to organize a few things - and the finished product (a clean house) always feels good.  Nowadays, though, I just don't have time to do a full cleaning.  I want to be able to lay on the floor with Brooke and play Lego's or princesses.  I want to be able to crank up the Christmas music and dance with the kids.  I can do these things now!  Now if I could just find someone to cook...

That's where things have fallen off a bit. Cooking. It used to be so easy but now when I'm strolling in at 5:30/6, I don't have a lot of time. I try to prepare some things on the weekends.  Today, for example, I made meatballs, and we'll eat those one night during the week.  If my audience of eaters was more interested in food, I might be more inclined to put some more effort into what I cook, but the truth of the matter is, they would be totally fine if I picked up Subway every night for dinner for the rest of their lives.  I still cook, but not as much.

Do I feel guilty from time to time?  You bet I do!  Years ago at preschool functions I looked at dressed up women and thought to myself, "I wonder how that mom does it?  How does she not kill herself with guilt at being at work instead of being home with her kids?"  And now, I'm that woman.  I'm the one with a full time job, two nannies and I'm getting home at 6 on some nights.  But I would say to my younger, more naive self, "I AM their mom - I spend great time with my kids in the evenings - I put notes in their lunch boxes - I bathe my daughter and read stories to her at bedtime - we paint each others' nails and dance to Christmas music... "  It has just been interesting going from one side of the spectrum to the other.  We're all doing the best we can - there's no RIGHT way, I don't think.. My family dynamic is working and that's what matters, right?

This was Brooke in her Halloween parade at school.  At the last minute she decided to swap out her princess costume for her ballerina attire, and she loved being on stage.  So fun!

So, that's the full time working mother update.  I like being busy - even though some days I'm falling short as a mom or as an employee - it all balances out.  Both at work and at home, I am surrounded by people who believe in me and also understand that I'm human. 

Happy Christmas to you... what a wonderful time of year - my favorite time of year!  Right now I'm sitting next to our little 4 foot Christmas tree that we put in our family room.  It's so perfect and small and beautiful with it's perfect shape, few ornaments and sparkly lights.  The Charlie Brown Christmas soundtrack is playing and I'm just as happy as a lark - desperately wishing that each day would last longer than the one before it so that we'd all get the most out of this wonderful time of year. 

Brooke and I recently made these little Christmas treats, the recipe for which we got from Allison, my sister-in-law.  As such, I think I'll appropriately name them Allisonites.  Allisonites are easy to make.  You only need pretzels, candy chocolates, and M&M's.  First, you lay out your unbroken pretzels on a cookie sheet, careful that none are overlapping.  Then you place one chocolate on top of each pretzel.

Don't you wish you had a cute little sous chef like I do?  We had so much fun making these together... well, fun until I told her she couldn't eat any more of the white chocolates at which time she dissolved into whimpering heap on the floor.  Back to the recipe... you pop the cookie sheet of pretzels and chocolates into a 350 degree oven for precisely 3 minutes - not a second shorter or a second longer. 

When they come out of the oven, put one M&M on each chocolate.  Let them cool (I put mine in the fridge which expedited the solidifying process) and then bag the Allisonites in cute little Christmas baggies - tie them up with a ribbon and give them to friends, neighbors and teachers with a holiday lottery card attached.  So fun!  They are sweet and salty and oh so festive.  You can really produce a lot of these if you work quickly.  While Brooke was doing her part, I was putting a sheet in and taking one out of the oven every 3 minutes.  We made several hundred. 

Speaking of Christmas-for the first time in their 12 and 10 years on earth, I need gift ideas for my boys!  If you have ideas, comment on this post by going to www.christabdavis.blogspot.com or email me.

I have several items to share with you on my next Friday Favorites post, but I can't wait til then to tell you about the newest Disney film that we saw this weekend. FROZEN.  It was excellent!  I loved every second and so did Brooke (and Champ and his friend).  It's right up there with the Disney greats - so treat yourself and your kids and go see it!

To close out today's blog post, here are some Christmas card outtakes...

 

My sweet family.  The boys were on their way to a Bar Mitvah when I snapped this quick photo. 

Snap, Crackle, Pop Chicken

If we are what we eat, then I am made of pumpkin spice creamer.  At this point, I'm considering entering a 12 step program after the holidays to curb my addiction.  (And yes, I am already listening to Christmas music and thanks to my friend, Christine, I have a Christmas tree proudly displayed on my desk at work.  It's never too early to start celebrating the holidays.)

 

And on that note... if my mind is made of what I watch, then I'm Breaking Bad.  A few weeks ago I started watching this 5 season series that aired from 2008-2013.  We bought a Netflix subscription and I am in hog heaven watching episode after episode of this show.  The nature of the show is nothing that I'm interested in and in fact, I don't usually watch movies, shows, programs, etc. that have to do with drugs.  But, this series is so gripping and so well done that it's hard to stop watching it.  It's affecting my life - I haven't had a real conversation with Matt since before I started it.  The second the kids go to sleep at night, I'm plopped on the sofa, with a glass of cabernet, totally engrossed in the show.  When I start nodding off, I pause the show, head upstairs, get ready for bed and then pull it up on my phone to continue watching for another 30 minutes.  Sometimes I tell the kids I'm going to the bathroom when really I'm sneaking in more precious moments of the show.  Fortunately, I'm almost done with the series and I will soon resume my normal life.  Until then, I shall enjoy every exciting moment of the show. 

Oh yea - and the show?  It's about a 50 year old high school Chemistry teacher who finds out that he has lung cancer.  He wants to make sure his family is provided for after he dies, so he starts making (or "cooking") Crystal Meth and selling it.  Again, typically I would not have any desire to watch something like this, but it is an amazing show.  It's no wonder it has won so many awards. 

When I'm not shuttling kids around, watching football games or watching Breaking Bad, I'm working!  Ahh.. the life of 40+ hours a week... It has been a big change of pace but everyone has handled it really well.  The boys are so busy between school and sports that they don't really notice much of a difference, honestly.  Brooke has adapted to our new schedule beautifully and it's completely normal to her that I work every day.  I'd be lying if I said it doesn't rip at my heart strings every now and then...But then I look at my three happy cherubs and they are thriving and doing great, and I love my job and am so happy to be contributing in my little way, so it all works out just right. 

I have so much to share with you!  I have to get back to my show so I'm going to leave you with this delicious chicken recipe that I made back in September.  Below is the post I started way back when...

*********************************************************************************

The angels just sang all around me when I took a bite of the little chicken nuggets I just made.  Oh my... I know I've ranted and raved about certain recipes being good - this one is equally as GOOOO-OOOD.  I got my (soon to be) 3 year old (see pictures below) all set up at the table with paints and paper and away I went, cutting up chicken, dipping it in egg - then in (okay, get ready....) crushed Rice Krispies cereal.  Then I cooked it in a combo of Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Canola oil until golden brown.  These little nuggets are golden brown, crispy on the outside, tender on the inside and just plain perfect.  I made some honey mustard sauce for dipping...

I can't wait for the boys to get home from football so that they can try this.  Busy moms, you can't beat 4 ingredients!  This doesn't even justify a real recipe.  Just cut up your boneless skinless chicken breasts, dip the pieces in egg and then crushed plain Rice Krispies (I crushed mine in my Cuisinart) and cook in some olive/canola oil until golden brown.  That's it!  They were light and crunch - gluten free, of course and delicious!  The kids devoured them. 

 

Don't they look perfect?  With a little salt, they were just that... perfect.

 

Life is just as sweet as can be.. and that's not the pumpkin spice creamer talking....

 

 

Fishing, Tranquility and Patty Melts

We left yesterday for a quick 24 hours at the farm and honestly, I could have used another day or two... the beauty is that it's only one hour away so we can enjoy trip after trip when the boys' sports schedules allow us to go.  We fed horses, rode dirt bikes and four wheelers, pet the horses, watched the chickens, hiked the trails, fished, enjoyed a glass of wine on the front porch... We did all the things that make us all unwind from the craziness of city life.  Yesterday afternoon Brooke and I walked down to the pond where the boys were fishing...

 

 I love this picture because it reflects how quiet and tranquil it really is. 

 

Brooke and I were frolicking along the bank looking at the fish that Matt and the boys were reeling in.  Then very quickly, Brooke felt heavy on my shoulder as she fell asleep.  I found a shady spot on the bank and enjoyed watching her sleep in my lap.

 

I'm a busy body by nature.  My mom genetically handed this down to me.  We have a hard time sitting still, she and I...this is the case for me unless I am exhausted (which is often) - and then I can really sit still - which usually leads to sleep.  Anyway - I soooo enjoyed sitting on the bank with a sleeping Brooke and watching and listening to the boys fish.  I was forced (happily and willingly) to sit and enjoy my surroundings.  First of all, it's so quiet up there at the farm.  No traffic, no planes, no noise except for the sounds of nature (and the occasional gun shot of nearby hunters)... Have you ever had your power go out and you suddenly realize how loud all the sounds of your house were?  And before the power went out, you didn't even realize how much sound was filling your ears - that's how being at the farm is... it's God's country, really... and just as the landscape is so peaceful, so does this peace fill your spirit when you're there. 

I watched the boys cast line after line and reel them in - sometimes catching a fish, sometimes not.  When they'd catch one, the other would run over to help get it off the line.  I love this picture of the boys working together....

I was filled with peace and joy yesterday afternoon sitting on the bank with my family.  And Papa, if you're reading this, I must say a big THANK YOU for sharing this wonderful and amazing place with us.  Even though most of the time when we're there, you are in Atlanta, everywhere we go, your spirit is there and we think about how much you must enjoy your time at the farm.  Our boys are slowly becoming men at Whispering Pines Farm - they are learning how to do all these outdoorsy type things like fish and drive a four-wheeler, drive a dirt bike, ride a horse, etc. - but they're learning life lessons like what they can accomplish when they work together, what it means and involves to take care of their things (washing the dirt bike and four wheeler when they're done), what it means to respect animals - they're size and power...

They're learning what life without technology is like.. and I'm loving that they're experiencing and FEELING that.  They're learning to think beyond just themselves.  Papa, thank you for these memories that we're making and for all the growing up that is taking place when we're there.  Our experiences are priceless...

 



 

 



Back at home now - laundry going, pouring down rain outside, Matthew is on the baseball field and Champ, Brooke and I are heading out shortly to watch him.  Life is wonderful - it truly is...

This rainy weather reminds me of a dish I made a few weeks ago - Patty Melts!  They were easy, delicious, comforting, and GREAT for a weeknight meal.  Instead of regular whole wheat bread, I used our Rudi's brand gluten free bread and we devoured them.  First, I sautéed the onions.

 

Then I made patties out of hamburger meat, Worcestershire and salt and pepper.  We grilled them but with patty melts, usually you cook them in a skillet.  Then we added Swiss Cheese and onions and cooked the whole sandwich (buttered) in a skillet...

 

Look at how golden brown the bread is!  DELICIOUS, I tell you!  Enjoy!

 

Click here for the recipe. 

Beef Stir Fry

Warning:  Focus on the fact that I'm finally posting something - NOT on the grammatical errors and misspelled words.  Have you wondered where I've been?  I'm still here!  Still doing my THANG...mommy-ing it, wife-ing it, working it... I've started half a dozen blog entries since mid-June.  Problem is... I've had no time to finish them.  My goal is to have a "take-away" with every post - be it a recipe, a tip, some great "Friday Favorites"... and the truth is... it takes time to upload the photos and organize the post, and my time has been stretched so thinly that here we are almost 3 months since my last post and I'm just finding a few minutes of time.

Our Summer was terrific.  I'm able to add a new role to my resume:  Social Coordinator, 6/1/2013-infinity.  It's truly a job in and of itself - the phone calls, the emailing, the texting, the driving, the arranging, the attitudes of our young when they come home having had zero sleep...

Matthew and Champ played baseball which was great fun (and tiring) for us all.  Tournaments every weekend, practice every night, spend the nights frequently, out of town tournaments, parties several times each week for 5-6 weeks... I was exhausted by it all and I was merely a spectator.  When baseball ended, that's when the social coordinator role really kicked in.  They are at the ages where they want to be with their friends - be it at our house or friends' houses - all the time.  I found it difficult this Summer to make all three of my kids happy with an activity or outing at once.  The boys wanted to do things that Brooke was too young for and when I was making Brooke happy, the boys were bored.  For that reason, I welcomed our end of Summer beach trip (where everyone is happy ALL the time) and the start up of school. 

Recently I started working full time again!  I was very happy in my part time role as working part time is, in many ways, like having your cake and eating it, too. You stay engaged in the professional arena, enjoy dressing up and commiserating with other adults... AND you get to wake up and fix breakfast for your kids and hang with them doing the stay-at-home mom thing, too.  The down side to part time, as I found it, was that I was never fully engaged from a work perspective - and I was spending a lot of my time at home doing things like cleaning the house, laundry and errands. 

Several weeks ago, an opportunity at work presented itself and long story short, I took it.  I'm two weeks in and really enjoying my schedule and the kids seem really happy.  We have two nannies, each is with the kids 2 days a week, and my mother-in-law takes the third day.  My friend, Margaret, articulated the major advantage of having two nannies over one which is - no one is with my kids more than me.  I love that!  They also help with laundry and cleaning so that when I'm home, I can hang out with them.  At this point, I'm really enjoying both my time at work and my time at home.  I'll keep you posted on life as a working woman with three kids as time continues to unfold...

Speaking of Margaret, she and her family accompanied us to the farm and we had so much fun.  It's a place where our kids can really run free... they run, they fish, they drive the four-wheeler, they ride horses, they hunt, they hike through the woods... It's good for their little souls - and for ours.  I love it and it brings us immense joy to share that with others.

 

Here's the big question - have I been cooking this Summer?  During the month of June, I'd have to say no, not really - with the exception of salads which doesn't really count as cooking.  I made salads for every single party I attended.  Now that school is back in, I've done better.  And now that I don't have as much time to spend cooking, I'm constantly searching for quick recipes which don't take much time to prepare.  Last night, I made turkey meatballs over pasta, spinach salad with strawberries and blue cheese and a toasted baguette.  I'll share that soon.  A few weeks ago, I made the Pioneer Woman's Beef Stir Fry and it was delicious and loved by all family members.  This was in her 16 minute recipe section.   

Super easy to prepare - lots of flavor and a dish that appeals to all eaters.  Start with a nice cut of flank steak and slice it super duper thinly.

 

Mix together soy sauce, sherry, brown sugar, cornstarch, and ginger. 

 

Pour half of this mixture over the meat and toss to combine.  While that is sitting, add oil to your pan and add the snow peas.  Stir for one minute and then set the snow peas aside.  Add the meat to the pan and let that cook.  (Might be a good idea to check the real recipe at this point).

 

Next, add the snow peas to the meat - toss to combine.

 

Put the rice of your choice into a bowl and add the meat mixture.  YUMMO!

 

 

This is a great back to school meal because it's easy and QUICK.  Try it.  You won't be disappointed.

I would like to dedicate this blog post to my parents who have been married FORTY years today.  Mom and Dad, I love you dearly and thank you for the life that you have paved for me...I feel so blessed and happy that you united many moons ago... Here's to many more!!