Oreo Saturday

This past week orders, LOVE the 4th of July!
This is the first WEEKEND I didn't have Sugar Shack orders due since April. I have to say, it was a nice little break. AND we cleaned the house BEFORE the weekend, which I highly recommend. Nothing feels better then having a lazy, do what you want Saturday in an all ready clean house. No guilty conscience at the end of the day with that annoying little thought, "I should have done something productive today". You never know who my stop by, as my MIL says.

So we ran some errands, got lunch, stopped at Starbucks- ordered some secret menu drinks, andhit the commissary. We're girls. We like to dine, shop, and treat ourselves. We made it home for Harlow's nap time, and "electronics" time. 
Tonight we are headed to a friends house (Wud up Rayburn's?!) and I made Dessert (when am I not making sweets??). I just used what I had on hand (ok, so while at the the commissary I did buy a pkg of Oreos). Here's what I did:
Oreo Pie
•1 graham cracker crust (you could use the actual Oreo one, I just used what I 
had)
•1 pkg Oreo & cream jello pudding (4oz)
•1 pkg vanilla pudding (4oz)
•2 3/4 cup COLD milk
•crunched up Oreos to mix in pudding (I think I used roughly 7-10)
•6-10 *filling removed* crushed Oreo cookies for topping
*ok, so I used a total of 1 1/2 rows of Oreos- you can decide which part will 
have more or do it up evenly.
Directions: Mix the puddings, milk, and crunched Oreos for a few minutes. Dump into pie 
shell. Add crushed *fillings removed* Oreocookies on top. Refrigerate for 3-4 
hours so it keeps its form when cut. 
I love desserts like that. Cool, fluffy, light, and OREOS!! I may be an adult, a mom, almost 30...but I'll take Oreo stuffed ANYTHING any DAY jumping up and down squealing like a kid! 

Speaking of Oreo, next time you see a "UDF"United Dairy Farmers" get their cookies n cream ice cream! I'm telling you...it's better then ANY store bought kind I've had (I've had TONS in my lifetime!) you can also order online. It is CJ's FAVORITE (and mine since a kid) when we go back (to my) home to Ohio. Made y'all hungry didn't I? 

Be that friend

I'm a pleaser. Middle child syndrome. Didn't want to get in trouble. Liked to be seen. When someone didn't like me, which all the way up to High School- it never was a problem, it crushed my heart. I'm not a fighter, I'm a lover. Can't we all just "be friends"? I wasn't truly apart of one "click". I talked to everyone. I still do that. I strike up a conversation where ever I am. Sometimes you are standing there longer then you thought you would be just off that one comment, but the moments you create in your life and theirs is a memory. I think to always be polite, keep the peace, make people happy. Guess that's the product of a divorced family. I let a lot of things brush off the shoulder, well after I've had my say and emotions about it. But the time frame between all of that is short. What can I do? Nothing. Ok, move on. Fight with my brother at noon, playing toys by 1. I just bounce back quick. Make people happy right? Doesn't always work. The feeling of someone hating you, or angry with you, just makes my skin crawl. The balloon deflated on the ground is a perfect example of how I feel when that happens. Doesn't happen often. But when it does, man..

The times I choose to do/say something selfish are not my fondest memories. I want to be that friend who never waivers. Sometimes I join the other side, and say what's on my mind to/about someone, usually after I've hit my max intake of CRAP. I'm not a garbage woman, so sometimes I feel I don't need to collect all your crap. The "nice" people in life get that a lot. People think it's ok to say whatever they want to you. Bring you down, knock you off the pedestal they seem to see you on. I'm sorry I'm a well adjusted person living a life I really love and that it bothers you. Is it weird when someone has good things happen to them, and that they are generally a good person?? NO! My gosh, be happy for the person-congratulate them for Pete's sake! And if you aren't happy with yours, don't you think this is the person to sit down and have a good conversation with? All right, I admit it. There was a rant in that paragraph. Blunt Love, I call it.

If you were that kid that joined in the banter of all that is cool in High School, I hope you stopped.

If you were that kid that joined in the banter of all that is cool in High School and is getting it retro pay, I feel for you. Just take a deep breath, and keep trying.

If you are the kid that received the banter of all that is cool in High School and are in HS, take a deep breath and remember you are a nice person. They don't matter in AHS (after high school). Walk away free.

That's why this phrase was created, "It's my Life". Because it is. You have to make all the right choices. You have to choose to walk away. You have to choose to keep your mouth shut. It all starts with you.  Do you want to be responsible for someone else's demise? Do you want to be the friend that stands up for someone? Do you want to be the friend that holds them after it? Living in the present does affects the future. Right now, choose to be that friend. Life, you only have one. Choose wisely.

Summer's OFFICIALLY here

Hot like the first sip of black coffee.

Hot like a nibble off a Chile pepper.

Hot like a lick of Sriracha sauce.

Hot like...Well you get the point. It's gettin' HOT out herrre! It seriously went from, "Oh I can stand 90 degrees" to a whopping 110. Which really isn't that NORMAL for here! Thought this summer wasn't going to be that bad. I think it's just JULY *crossing fingers. I think because of the heat, this weekend was slow in the baking biz. A couple things for friends. One being Summer's FAV dessert, strawberry short cake. Although I call mine "Not-So-Short Cake". Check that out!

It was seriously delicious. A cross between an angel food cake and pound cake. Not too heavy, not too light. Just right *sigh*. I will never make another kind. The strawberries were macerated in vanilla and sugar No water here! I don't roll that way- let the sugar do it's work!. Plus, don't forget the honorable mention here..the homemade whip cream. Store bought just can't touch that buddy. I don't care what you say. This served about around 30 people. Nice triangle slices with a small scoop of Kirkland vanilla ice cream. Looking at this picture, I think I can almost hear the angels singing. Wait for it... and there's the harp. Quick- look at the pic again. SEE?! I told you. Yeah, it's THAT good. Tonight is prep for a cookie cake for tomorrow. I love doing those, another SOOO good recipe. Gosh darn baking is fun!

The Big "D"

The letter "D" stands for a lot of different things for a lot of different people. You live in Hollywood, it stands for Divorce. It's an epidemic there. In Alaska, where it's extreme weather and sometimes depending on where you are there in seclusion, it's Depression. Here, in the life of a military wife, it stands for DEPLOYMENT. Like I said before, we've been through a few, and every single one is different. I look back and can remember which emotion was the theme for each one. I'm a "hold it in" kind of person. I will stand there and take all of life's "pebbles" that get thrown at me. Until one day, maybe a couple months in, a big fat rock will flatten me to a crying emotional mess. That's where the "sub-husband" comes in to rescue the day! That's what I call my friends who fill in certain rolls CJ covered. I can call them any time of day, and know they'll answer, and they have just the right thing to say or do. It's not that others can't or won't, well maybe that's part true- everyone has a life too and it doesn't revolve around you just because yours is deployed. They are your: listener, babysitter emergency, movie buddy, drink buddy (LOVE YOU CAROL!), adventure mate, and good friend.

 The 2005 1st deployment theme: Alone. We were new (been at Eglin AFB 1 year) when he went for the first time to Qatar. I did have a tiny bit of help from other airmen/women in the beginning. But I seriously didn't have any "friends". Halfway through this Deployment, my future best friend in the whole wide Universe moved in. I've had friends all my life, but none could top her. Kind of like when you meet your future husband- you just know. My life changed that day. And not just her, her husband is a great friend- they come as a set :o) I think I need a sticker for my car that reads, "1/2 my Heart is in Japan". Miss you Sarah & JT! We were/are each others "person". *Yes we watched Grey's Anatomy together. It was our "thing".

 The 2006 2nd deployment theme: Sad. We were pregnant with our second child, and I found out a month after he left that I was going to have a miscarriage. No symptoms, just went in for the first ultrasound at almost 12 weeks, found out that the heartbeat wasn't there and basically the baby had stopped growing at 8 weeks. The very week 1/2 my heart went to Afghanistan. I was shocked, I cried a little bit, but ya know...it's life. You aren't the exception, things will happen to you that you never knew was coming. Again, I brushed it off and moved forward. I find it funny that months later I melt down about not finding a particular document that Taylor needed for daycare. That's when I crumbled and my emergency babysitter Sarah took over so I could collect my thoughts and regroup. The tough stuff I powered through...the measly little stuff sent me into a puddle of tears :o/ Weird, I know and own it. *Check out my honey doing what he does best! (person on the bottom)

The 2008 3rd deployment theme: Exhausting. Lauren was strictly breastfed and it wasn't fun. She was difficult with that (and eating) the whole time he was gone, Didn't nap right EVER. Not long enough, or at the times I wanted her to. HATED anything green. I literally had a list on a dry erase board in the kitchen and every time she liked something I added it to the list. Super short list at that. She was under weight as a result. Can you say stressful?? Bonus to all that, I was dropping 5 lbs a month! Yay! I was so happy when he came home, and that fall the ladies at church put together a cruise to Mexico trip (I paid $500 for 5 nights/6 days!!). I said, "Sign me up like yesterday!!" It was a blast, can I get back on the boat?! Now, it's not like he didn't appreciate all I do...But it was affirming to see him standing in the yard with all the kids when I came home saying, "I LOVE YOU AND I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU DO THIS EVERYDAY!"

The 2010 year to Korea theme: Fun/scary. Korea meant a new dream sheet (pick 8 bases you want the AF to choose from when giving you your new assignment/base). We knew we were moving to Edwards AFB in California, so we packed up and moved in with his mom (bless her heart for taking in 2 dogs, 2 kids, and her favorite Daughter In Law :o) her only DIL lol!) We had tons of fun, until we didn't hear from him and found out he was in the hospital with meningitis. No joke, he almost died. Kidney function down, delusional, fevers, just...not right. That is a story all in it's own, maybe I can get him to share it on here one day. After that happened and he recovered things were better and we were back to having fun. 

2013, So far this years TDY (as long as a deployment) theme: Fast/busy. 22 weeks total, and I swear he just left. Like yesterday. He'll be home in 3 1/2 weeks.  We're preparing for the move also. Buckley here we come! It's in Denver. You're jealous, I know. That feeling when you know the next 3-4 years are going to be the time of your life... I think I'm going to throw up from all the excitement. Pinterest has changed my life (haha) so we have quite a few projects in the works (that is why I can't sleep and there's a twitch in my eye all ready!)

I am above and beyond thankful for all of the people in my life here at Edwards. Never in my life have I had THIS MANY amazing people in one place supporting me when I need help. They filled in some of CJ's roles (shout out to the Platts and youth group kids, to Carol's husband Marc, and Angela's husband Jon who did my yard/garden!), and to the rest of you who have been my soundboard- I thank you. You have made this round so easy, fast, fun, busy, joyful, and humble. Go ahead. Pat yourself on the back, because you are awesome! Every gesture didn't go unnoticed :o) I thank God for placing you in our path. LOVES YOU!

So for all of you out there with the 1st deployment, or the 4th coming up or in the middle of- keep your chin up. You can do it, just raise your hand when you have a question, or reach out to someone. You don't have to bear it all, we are here for you whether you know it or not. Sometimes when you always put your happy face on and reply with "Doing fine" when we see you, we misinterpret. We think "Oh she's just fine, she doesn't need me". There will be a day when you think, nobody cares. We do, we just don't realize it at the time. I think "don't judge a book by it's cover" applies right here. And put yourself out there! Go do that thing you kept saying you wanted to do. Drive to that city an hour away and have lunch, window shop...shoot go ahead and BUY something. You'll still miss him. You'll still cry. You'll still be emotional. You'll still be you, and you are amazing. You got this.

AND THEIR FAMILY!

FOOD. Good, hearty FOOD.

I have to admit it. Here, let me stand. Ok. (Raising my right hand) I have to admit, that I Courtney Coles, have fallen into the "I'm too busy to make a fantastic meal (hardly even weekly!!) for my children since you've been gone" phase. 

What. Is. Wrong. With. Me. Y'all know we love to cook. I especially love new recipes from my fav peeps over at FOOD NETWORK. Epic fail this TDY. I miss good, hearty food. Harlow is all, "What's this round green thing, lady?" I actually have a list of all of our favorite recipes from websites, our own, family, or friends. It's over 60 dinners. There shouldn't be a problem. Oh..except I have 3 kids, sports schedules, the cake business, and HE'S NOT HERE. Excuses, excuses...I know. Imma fixit tonight! Had some chicken legs that needed to be cooked up tonight. So I called up my mom in law, picked her brain, and went with a tried and true easy favorite. And it goes a lil sumthin' like this: 

Ingredients: 14 chicken legs, 2 cans of cream of mushroom (I had 1 with garlic), 2 cans of water, 2 cups O Rice, coarse pepper, Italian seasoning, basil, a splash of Mediterranean sea salt. 

Directions: Turn your slow cooker on LOW, add the cans of COM (cream of mushroom), water, rice, splash of Mediterranean sea salt and mix with rubber spatula. Open package of legs, sprinkle with pepper and italian seasoning. Use tongs to place chicken in the crock pot and make sure everything has been coated with the mix and all rice is below the surface. Cook on LOW for 6 hours. OPTIONS: Add carrots of green beans to the mix towards the end for a veggie. 

BOOM! Dinner is served. The dogs are going to be hovering tomorrow night, that's for sure. 

Just a side note: Go make Pioneer Womans Frito Chili Pie recipe. It is to DIE for! I'm thinking that'll be this weekends special Saturday night movie meal. AND we're only 74 days away from KICK OFF! Here's a 100 reasons to be excited for the Gators 2013 Football Season. Food is WAY important around here on game day. Good Lord...I'm drooling just thinking about it all. 

Time

Wow. Time can mean a lot of things. How little, slow, fast, or long. 

2011-2013

The whole time I was pregnant with Harlow, I thought to myself, "come- let's slow down. Enjoy it. Make it last." Yeah, fat chance. That biscuit went by with a blink of an eye + 1.5 years. Let's see... In that time since she was born we got a dog, gave the dog back. Totally not like us- but when the seniors can't accept the pup.. TIME to move on. Traded in the breaking down SUV for a pretty new SUV. Job change for HIM, job addition for me (because MOM is a J-O-B! Can I get an AMEN?!). Also with his new career within the AF we get a new home, new state. WHEW! Did you get windblown? 

I wish way back when, I had thought that I could do what I am doing now. I think it all started when I turned 12. My mom and step dad got me this awesome cake that looked like a deep dish pizza. And not corny looking either, like they had used play dough shape cutters to make it. No, it was hand cut surpreme pizza, airbrush painted and all (the crust looked SO REAL!). From then I've always admired beautiful, simple, or complicated tasty cakes and cupcakes. I'm just winging it, going with my gut feeling. I've never taken a class, I am a hungry beginner. If  I really am stumped I call a friend or utilize GOOGLE. And it's all fun to me. Making something, and pleasing someone at the same time just feels fantastic. I hope I can continue to make people smile for a long TIME. 

So with HIS new job, he's been gone for training for 13 weeks. We have 7.5 weeks left until he walks through the front door. Gee, we're not counting or anything.. Yes, I said WEEKS. It was basically like another deployment. Which our total for that is 3 (6.5 months/each) deployments, plus 1 year to South Korea, and now this 5.5 month TDY (temporary duty). ALL IN UNDER 9.5 YEARS. That's like what, 3 years TIME gone total? Poor guy. Poor us. Proud us of him. 

So what does our future hold? That is what I ponder. DID YOU KNOW that each of us are born in a different state? DID YOU KNOW we are moving to a NEW state we've never lived in before? It's like a sign from God. We've contemplated having a fourth child. 3 girls..It's been fun, but I'd like a swing at a different type of fun. Maybe I'll luck out and the last will be a boy just like what happened with his and my mom. If not, I sure do have a lot of girls clothes and I will have lots of fun planning weddings. OH JOY!!! What's the phrase? Thank heaven for little girls. So sweet.. If it happens, it happens. If it doesn't, it doesn't. As always, my life is in your hands Lord. So are you still stuck at "she's having another?!" CONS- there are none in my mind, so shut yo pie hole. PROS- well, it will be: Even numbered, everyone will have a riding partner on the roller coasters, one for each of my and CJ's arms, and I did say I wanted to stop at 30. Harlow was born at 28.  So I've got TIME. 

So there is 2 years in the blink of an eye. Or...however long it took you to read this. I hope to keep up with this. I enjoy it, and hope you do too. Arnold shares my sentiment. I'll be back..

~COurtney COles~