Day 15: sometimes Mommy's need time outs too

Today has been dramatic to say the least.  Alex has pushed the envelope with his momma multiple times and I've had to remind myself to breathe.  My saving grace you ask?  No rest for the weary unfortunately.  This week Jon has had multiple projects he's been working on... from the outside of the house that I fear will never get finished... to helping his parents renovate their old home to put on the market.  It is so stressful... when I look forward to a little help when he gets home only to find that there is no help.  This evening, Alex had a meltdown at the dinner table.  He has officially decided that he no longer likes dinner or any other food for that matter besides chicken nuggets, graham crackers, and raisins.  That's it... "really Carolina??" you ask.... yes.  Really.  Nothing else.  I have 20 minutes to finish this blog before I have to get him out of "time out" and I am relishing this time of silence.  No television, no crying, no screaming... just silence.  This gets better right?  lol.

The kids and I went to the mall this morning with Amber and her children who are close in age to Alex and Hannah.  We got to the play area a little early and the kids were the only ones there.  Amber and I couldn't believe it.  Hello!  This never happens!!  But Alex just wanted to sit next to me and eat gold fish crackers.... he didn't really play at all.  But I know he enjoys the time he gets to spend with Brody and Savannah.  Hannah also got her first kiss today!  Brody walked right up to her and gave her a big smooch on the lips! lol.  I couldn't believe it it was the sweetest thing I've ever seen.  Hannah's little face just lit up!  I haven't told Jon yet :-P

Onto recipe news, I didn't take pictures of the meatloaf last night just because the way you make a meatloaf is so self explanatory... I thought I would be insulting most reader's intelligence for doing so.  I did however enjoy not having to mix a billion and one spices together to get the taste that you usually get out of a meatloaf.  This recipe as you will see called for an onion soup mix to be mixed in with the meat.  This made for a PERFECT accompaniment and I honestly enjoyed this recipe more than the one I made completly from scratch where I had to mix like 7 spices to get the same taste.  definately going in my catalog of awesome recipes.  Here it is!

Ingredients:

1 package Lipton Onion Soup Mix
2 pounds lean ground beef
1 large egg
2/3 cup milk
3 Tablespoons catsup
3 Tablespoons brown sugar
1 Tablespoon yellow mustard

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

2. Mix the onion soup mix, ground beef, egg and milk together.

3. Form the combination into a well packed loaf shape in a 13 X 9 X 2 loaf pan.

4. Combine the rest of the ingredients and spoon onto the top of the meatloaf.

5. Bake uncovered, for about an hour. When done, take the meatloaf out of the pan and place on a serving plate. Let stand for 10 minutes before slicing.

It was so good!!!  and of course got a stamp of approval from my Jon.  :)  I hope you find this recipe useful!  And I hope moms out there can relate to my toddler woes.  In spite of everything I adore my Alex.  He is such a blessing to me... each and every day :)   Good bye All!  xoxo