The New Job

Oh hi there! If there is anything you should know when it comes to me and blogging it's inconsistency. Just throwing that out there. So don't get your hopes up that there will be post after post headed your way. Anyways....I digress. 

I have been at my new job (*wink wink) for two weeks now and I'm simply in heaven. No regrets here. Sure there are sacrifices being made for me to stay home but totally & completely worth it. I had my fears that I'd get stir crazy, miss adult human beings or gain a million pounds out of boredom but it's been the opposite for me. Granted, I have been baking a lot so the jury is still out on the gaining a million pounds. It really has been awesome. I had a fear that I'd have this sense of regret, leaving the comfortable, money-making job but that hasn't been the case. In fact, I feel at peace with our decision for me to stay home. And my husband is the best supporter and provider for us. I'm beyond grateful for this opportunity. I mean look, just look at this little nugget that I get to be with all day every day! 

Ugh, she's just so cute I cannot stand it! But anyways, I just wanted to pop in and update the world (or the five people that will read my post) about how life as a stay at home momma has been going this far. We LOVE it! As always, thanks for reading! 

Olivia is 4 Months Old!!!

Well, she will be Tuesday anyways. :) And let me tell you this little nugget is knocking those milestones out the window. She has the most delightful personality and no matter how she is feeling she will always crack a smile. She can roll over now and can grab things and is learning to bring them to her mouth. She LOVES to talk, especially to the toys that hang above her baby gym.

We are truly blessed by this little person. And I cannot believe she is already four months old! As you'll get to know me on here, I tend to take a lot of photos of my girl so of course we had to have a mini photo session for her four months of being on this earth! Let me warn you...she's pretty darn cute! ;)

We got serious all of the sudden here...

This look! Haha, love her so much.

On a side note, I have only TWO more weeks at my current job before my full time job is staying home with this cutie pie. I can hardly wait! And I'm all ears on recommendations for you current stay at home moms on ways you schedule your day so you are still productive!!! :)

Honey Bourbon Chicken

I'm not a cook by any means so when I find a delicious and easy meal that will knock your socks off you better believe I'll be sharing. I originally found this meal on Pinterest -- I know shocker. And I need to browse the owner of this recipe's site for other deliciousness but that's for another day. Let me introduce you to your new favorite family dinner! 

CROCK POT HONEY BOURBON CHICKEN 

Shout out to my friend Krystle for the cute wine glass

As a new mom, there is nothing I love more than food that can be made in the crock pot. Because let's be real, spending hours in the kitchen just isn't a realistic goal when you have a three month old at home. Heck, even when you don't have a baby at home but you have a life and other things you have to get done! 

This meal is one of those that can be thrown together during nap time and ready when the hubs gets home from work with minimal prep. And it takes a maximum of 4 hours so you can throw this meal together in the afternoon without having to do a tone of meal planning! I'm not quite there yet in the meal planning department and prefer the option to pick up groceries rather last minute and still be able to make a tasty but easy meal. (I know as a new mom meal planning would benefit me greatly, I'm just not there yet. Maybe after September 8th I'll get to work on that...) 

Honey Bourbon Chicken

Ingredients:

- 2 lb skinless, boneless chicken breasts

- salt & pepper

- 1 c. honey**

- 1 c. soy sauce

- 1/2 c. ketchup

- 4 tbsp vegetable oil

- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes**

- 2 cloves garlic, minced

- 1/2 c. diced onion

Cooking Instructions:

1. Trim chicken and place in crock pot. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. 

2. In medium bowl, add honey, soy sauce, ketchup, vegetable oil, red pepper flakes, garlic and onion all together stirring well to combine then pour over chicken.

3. Cook on LOW for 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours. Once done, cut chicken into chunks and enjoy!

I serve mine on a bed of rice (my favorite to cook for sake of ease being the Success - Boil in a bag rice). And then I saute or roast up some vegetables to go along with the main dish. To make it an even easier dish, grab a bag of frozen stir fry vegetables and cook those up the last few minutes! Easy and let me tell you DELICIOUS. 

**Tip: To use less honey because, let's face it honey is pricey, you can use half brown sugar and half honey. Also, if you like heat in your dishes increase the red pepper flakes and vice versa if you prefer a milder dish. 

Give it a try and let me know what you think! This recipe is great for anyone who is willing to dust off their crock pot!