Crock Pot Chicken fajitas

Ok, so I love to cook, Duh. And I love trying new things. And lately I LOVE using the crock pot. Probably use it 3 times a week. Since our ward moved to 1 pm this year (nothing nice to say about that. blah!) I find it really hard to even want to cook dinner on sundays. And any other day by about 2 pm, I am ready for a nap, and seriously have no desire to even think about cooking dinner at 5 pm. This pregnancy has been FABULOUS, but man I am sooooo tired, and I am SOOOO anemic (yucky iron pills) The crock pot saves my life!! And keeps my kids eating a home cooked meal and less happy meals!! =)
So this morning when I was looking in the freezer trying to decide what to thaw, and what to make. I saw the boneless chicken thighs (my new favorite meat, so cheap and SOOO yummy!) Then I saw the bell peppers and onions in the fridge, the costco un cooked tortillas, and thought, MMMMM FAJITAS! Then I frowned when I thought of having to COOK the meat after church at 5 pm. I looked on the counter and literally heard my crock pot sing to me "croooock poooooooot fajiiiiiiiiiiitas!!" So before church, I sauteed the onions and bell peppers, put them in the fridge, then I put the FROZEN chicken in the crock pot, mixed 1 packet of chicken fajita mix with 1 1/2 cups of water, 1 can of green chilis and a few garlic cloves crushed. Put the crock pot on high, and went to church~!
Came home, and OH.MY.GOSH!! It smelled like PURE HEAVEN here! My kids even said "wow mommy, what is the yummy smell!!" AHHH I rock. So I then drained and rinsed some pinto beans, chopped a tomato, and some cilantro, drained the crock pot, keeping 1/2 cup of the liquid. And dumped everything in. let it sit on low for another 30 mins while I cooked the tortillas, and made the rice.
WOW. It was so good. I squeazed some limes over the meat, and served them up. This will for sure be a family favorite forever!!
When in doubt, CROCK POT!!
So if you werent keeping notes, here is the recipe again
about 2 pounds of chicken, thighs or breasts
1-2 packs fajita mix (I use the low salt one) dpending on how many you are feeding
1 can diced green chilis
3 garlic cloves, chopped
1 onion
1 bell pepper
1 lime
hand full of cilantro
2 tomatoes
1 can pinto or black beans
tortillas

mix the fajita powder with 1 1/2 cups of water
put chicken in crock pot, pour sauce over, add green chilis
put on high for 4 hours.
Sautee onion and pepper until tender, then add cilantro and tomato
drain crock pot, keeping 1/2 cup of liquid.
dump beans, onion and pepper mix and let sit for 30 mins. Put in tortillas and YUM!!

One day at a time

As I nearly approach my half way mark of this pregnancy I have really had time to sit and think. I guess I dont take a lot of time for myself to just THINK. Because buhjeezus I had so many thoughts in my head. I have really come to realize that everything happens for a reason, we can ask a lot of WHY WHY WHY's but we already know the answer. I have come to realize that I am the luckiest person in MY world. Does that make sense? I am seriously so blessed with 4 almost 5 AWESOME children, a husband who is not only a husband, but he is a friend and a GREAT DAD. A roof over my head, a car to drive, and air to breathe. Why oh why do we complain about the big things, when in all reality those big things dont matter. Its the little things in life, the messy kisses you get from your 2 year old after he just ate a sticky waffle. Its the smile from a 10 month old showing off her 3 cute teeth. Its the simple "oh I love you mommy" from a 4 year old who has to act tough, but really, he is a sweet heart. Its seeing how proud your daughter is of herself when she gets a 100% on a spelling test and smiles with her toothless smile and her eyes glow! Its feeling your baby move for the first time and realizing that ther is a LIFE inside you. Cleaning up and daily schedules just dont matter all that much when it comes between you spending time with your blessings. Do I pick up after my kids, OF COURSE, do I make it a priority and ignore Porter when he needs something? no way. Not saying its OK to live in filth, EW EW EW! BUT, I am FINALLY realizing, what is MORE IMPORTANT. Playing with my kids and enjoying them when they are young. When we moved away from a "life" we lived in for over 3 years, it was HARD. There wasnt a day that went by that either Lily or I werent crying and upset about it. We have moved on and found that only we are in control of our happiness, and if we are lonely and need friends, DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT! So we did. We threw ourselves out there and now everyday Lily has someone to play with and I have someone to talk to. Hurt feelings and anger. Why do we dwell on things that really dont matter? I am really bad at this sometimes. When I announced I was pregnant, a lot of people gave their congrats and WOW, another baby!! But there was a comment made to my via face book that has BUGGED me for what, 5 months now. "You and your husband need to get a hobby". How mean was that!! I took it really hard and was in SHOCK that someone I know, and considered my friend would say that to me. But with a new year, I am making new choices. And I choose not to let people get to me. People will do and say things that plain and simply, piss you off. We are in control of our own happiness. ANYWAYS, that was my rant for the week. Here are some updates on the kiddos. Lily is loving school, making some really awesome friends, even has a little boy friend (oooooooh) She is starting Brownies soon, and is really excited about that. I am more excited about the cookies she will sell =) Jackson is AMAZING. He has adjusted so well, and is learning so much in school and is talking up a storm and loves to be silly and show his mad skills on the Wii. Porter is just as cute as ever. Loves to sing and dance. His new favorite thing is singing "Little bunny fu fu" over and over and over again. He also loves to hit Amelie in the head with toys, and push her down stairs, off the couch and throw food at her. I guess we need to work on some things haha! Amelie is crossing every milestone with strides. She is 10 1/2 months old and has 3 teeth, fun red hair is finally growing in, stands up, walks along furniture, climbs the stairs like a pro, and loves to play peek a boo, and IM GONNA GET YOU, and crawls like a speed demon!! She is a joy and just laughs over the silliest things. I love when she wakes up from naps or in the morning and sees me come in the room and she lights up. Stands up and YELLS MAMAMAMAMAMAMAMA HIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII!! Baby Lincoln is doing great. We are 18 1/2 weeks along, and I feel GREAT!! Oh I love being pregnant with boys. My doctor assures me all is well in the womb, and we are taking it week by week!! Its been fun shopping for new boy clothes and seeing the kids faces when they see a cute outfit at the store "Ohhh mommmmmmy that is the cutest thing i have ever seeeeen!" Jackson is the best shopper I must say. Well enjoy the pictures and until next time!! haha

ITS A........

BOY!!!! We are having a boy! Lincoln is due in June and we are so excited!! lets just hope he doesnt learn from Porter how to be a nut job!! haha!

All is well, all is well

Well needless to say moving was a good move, but a sad one. In moving I seemed to have lost 90% of my friends, and my daughter has suffered the same loss. I didnt know that changing my address changed who I am, but oh well! It became obvious who my true friends are, and I love them. Lily has made some new friends thanks to her tea party we had for her this weekend. It was SOOO fun! Her BFF Ruthie came alllllll the way down from South Jordan (20 mins away) just to support her friend. I heart Ruthie, and her mama!Lily's first grade teacher even came to her tea party! She has been amazing and Lily just adores her, along with everyone else in the class!! We had 26 little girls here, and it was AWESOME!! Life has been slow here, but all in all, GOOD. Things are getting better, neighbors are getting to know us, and we love it here. We have a yard, something we didnt have in Daybreak. We have a very friendly ward, and have felt very welcome by our ward leaders and members. It took some time to open up and let others into our lives since we created such great friendships up in Daybreak. But we are doing good!!
Baby June Bug is growing, as well as my tummy. We are 16 weeks pregnant, and find out what this baby is in a week! I have fallen in love with a new baby name, but am not sure it flows with the rest of my kids names. Ruby! Its my favorite stone (also my birth stone), my favorite color, and its a precious stone! I have no say in the name if its a boy, Jake has made that clear to me, it will be Lincoln. Well his full name will be Dwight Lincoln, after my dad, and brother and great uncle. But he will be Lincoln! I think Jake is warming up to the name Ruby, but we shall see. Every name I mention, he shoots down! UGH!
We are hosting Christmas this year at the new house, since we have so much for all the Stephens' fam! I am so excited! I have a new ham recipe I am making...SOOOO good. you buy a RAW ham, on the bone. put in a crock pot on high for 2 hours with some water, about 2 inches of water. Then put on low and add 2 liters of cherry 7 up, and cook for 5-7 hours depending on how big your ham is! IT will fall off the bone and taste like heaven!

Enjoy the pictures of Lily's tea party!!!! Merry Christmas everyone!!

I just love my kids

What have we been up to? Well, its been BUSY. We are all settle in the new house, and we love it. Lily started her new first grade class, and WOW, her teacher is AMAZING! Miss Crowton is my super hero. Lily has had a rough start this year in school and was a pretty sad little girl. Now she LOVES going to school, has made some cute friends and has been so proud of herself. 3 spelling tests with almost all right, 1 test with 100%! Way to go Lily! She is really such a sweet girl, I dont know what I would do with her cute toothless smile.
Jackson started pre school again down here, and he is doing great!! learning letters, numbers, all the normal pre school stuff. He also just LOVES going to school and he LOVES that the big yellow bus comes and picks him up. He is such a active little boy and just drives me nuts 90% of the day, but hey, he is 4!
Oh Porter, Porter is such a little booger sometimes, but I could just sit there and kiss his cute face all day. His dimples make me smile, his silly laugh, the way he mimicks me, and even does the finger tisk tisk tisk with one hand on his hip as he yells...."oh no you didnt!" He is such a spitfire and just runs CRAZINESS through the house. I wouldnt have it any other way!! Loves to say please and thanks, blows kisses and will randomly walk up to you and give you a kiss and a snuggle.
Amelie, oh sweet Amelie. She is almost 9 months old and a totally perfect baby. Smiley, happy, vocal, loves to sing, crawl, walk along the furniture, EAT, snuggle and be chased by her siblings. She can say Mama, Dada, no no, and BALL! What can I say, she is a genius! haha!I love going into her room when she is sleeping and just looking at her! She is such a angel! I also love hearing her sing every time she wakes up. And when I walk in the room and say her name, she stands up in her crib and yells MA MA MA MA MA MA!! And has the most adorable smile on her face. Oh how I love her!!
It has been a rough month, but we are surviving. Lots of things went wrong that we wish didnt, but what are you going to do? I really miss my old neighborhood, and my friends. Its just not the same here. People are way nice, that isnt the issue. Its just not as social, and for those who know me.... Uh, I am social! So I am freaking out sitting at home all alone most days =( Anyways, anyone who wants to come play, please do! I miss you!

I love this song,and how it makes me feel!

MOVING!

Well we are on the move!! Moving just 20 miles south to Lehi! Its a sad, and happy move at the same time. Hard to leave friends, but thrilled to be in a house with our own huge yard. Anyways.... we are moving on Oct 24, here are some pictures!!!

where have I been??

BUSY!!! I cant even tell you any excuse that is good enough to why I havent blogged. SORRY!!! I know I have SO many followers (haha) This summer was a good one, long but good!! The kids are great, happy as can be, Jake started school again, I am hope with the little monsters all day, and oddly enough, I love my life. Weird huh? I had a fun weekend back in september with some fellow moms from my neighborhood.... we went to park city and just relaxed, had fun, ate good food, and had NO kids there bugging us, it was GREAT!! Hmm what else happened????? scroll down to see......












Thats right.....surprise surprise..... not a joke, very serious, as serious as I can be. We are OK... a little freaked out... I mean HELLO, 5 kids!! Its a little scary!! But hey, we have really cute kids... its my job to beautify the world right? I think I am doing a dang good job at it!! Oh, and we are moving to a bigger house. The house we are HOPING for is actually just a few streets away from our current house, but it has 8 bedrooms...need I say more? Well thats all for now.... sometime the last week of may baby IT will be born......Amelie will be 17 months old..... I will have 5 kids under age 6... do I sound so excited??

Summer pictures of the kids!!

My friend and neighbor Kara is a photographer and took some awesome pictures of the kids in July up in salt lake city at this amazing church house. Here they are!!


Sweet Amelie......she is seriously an angel!


There are no words to express how crazy Porter is. We had to chase him around the garden and I literally had to pick him up and tickle him to get him to smile for the camera.... crazy little monster!!



Sweet little Lily! Her toothless smile just makes me giggle!



My sweet little man Jackson. I just love him. He is my heart!



This was the best group one of all 4 the kids together...... it was so much easier taking pictures when they were younger!! haha here is the best for last.... I will for sure be showing this picture to Lily and Jackson when they are beating each other down saying how much they hate each other!!!!

A happy 24th of July........

Well it would have been a great holiday weekend if This didnt happen......








We went to Liberty Park in Salt Lake city to let the kids play, eat some yummy food, go on some RIDES.... let me stop there....




We have been to the park a dozen times with the kids over the past couple years, and when we lived across the street when Lily was a baby we were there daily!! We love that park!! Well, that love quickly grew to dislike when Lily was hurt. She was riding a car, and the car tipped over as it turned and she was dragged over 10 feet on rocky asphalt and got a narly case of road rash on her knee, thigh, side, hip,and shoulder. HEr dress was always murdered in the event as were her panties!! ERGH!!! HEr nose was gushing out blood, and she was HYSTERICAL!! Lets back up..... when the car tipped over, she was dragged......she was belted in so she was STUCK in the car, with it on top of her. I screamed bloody murder as my daughter was dragged past me on the inside of the 4-5 foot fence. I yell for Jake, he jumps over the fence I run around to the gate and Jake sends me to Lily as he gets our boys away from the "crime scene". We were whisked away to the cafe kitchen to get her cleaned up. The manager was FREAKING out all scared that I was going to sue her (still crossing my mind about that one). She seriously gave me $65 and 10 free ride tickets..... yea thanks.
All in all, Lily is ok.... she is more upset about her cute blue sun dress that is not wearable any longer and her favorite pair of panties =(
One of the ride workers pulled Jake aside and told him that this has happened before and a young boy had broken ribs and terrible road rash. SERIOUSLY!! AND THE RIDE IS STILL AROUND!! WHAT!!! And the mechanic who works for the park, isnt a licensed mechanic. Uh... yay for that one!! Everyone has to me to "get Gephardt" I guess you only understand what that means if you are from Utah. He is a go to guy to get things taken care of when you get scammed,mis led, injured etc etc. he works for a local TVstation. Some people have told me to SUE SUE SUE. I just want the ride to either be fixed and renovated or just removed! No other child and parent should ever go through what we went through yesterday..... I have honestly never in my life been so scared... watching Lily's body get dragged like that and hearing the pure fear and horror in her voice as she yelled for me... wow... brings tears to my eyes!