Bowtie Festival!

Well, I have yet to share a recipe so, I wanted to share this recipe that me and my husband have tried and LOVED! It's "Johny Carino's Bowtie Festival" and if you are a cheese lover you will LOVE this meal. It was a hit in our home and the kids LOVED it, Even my four year old who is beyond picky!

Ingredients

JOHNNY CARINO'S BOWTIE FESTIVAL

FOR THE BOWTIE FESTIVAL:

1 oz. Melted butter

1 tsp. Chopped fresh garlic

1/8 cup Diced red onion

1/8 cup Diced cooked bacon

1/4 cup Diced Roma tomatoes

3 oz. Sliced cooked chicken

1 oz. Heavy (whipping) cream

3 oz. Alfredo sauce (recipe follows)

1/8 cup Asiago cheese

1/2 tsp. Salt, pepper, and garlic salt

10 oz. Precooked bowtie pasta

ALFREDO SAUCE

1 quart Heavy whipping cream

1 cup Parmesan cheese

1 tbsp. Black pepper

1/4 cup Whole milk

Preparation

In a heated saute pan combine butter, garlic, onions, bacon, tomatoes, chicken, and spice mixture.

When onions begin to turn translucent, add heavy cream and Asiago cheese.

Once cheese and cream have reduced by half, add Alfredo sauce and bowtie pasta. Toss until well combined and remove from fire. Allow to cool for a few minutes so the cheese and sauce thicken.

Saute heavy cream, milk, and black pepper to a consistent boil. Remove cream mixture from heat and fold in parmesan cheese. Store completed sauce in refrigerator until use.

Well, Saturday went well.. We went to Columbus,Tx and took some pictures in the wild flowers. There was not alot of bluebonnet's this year like we hoped, Most of them where Indian Paint Brushes. But, They where really pretty, even so. We had to get up really early, 5:30 to be exact. Had to get up, get myself dressed, cook the kids breakfast,wake them up, eat, then do all 4 girls hair. Met at his mothers at 8 and was on the road by 9. It was a long day but we took some pretty good pictures and had a picnic before we left.

Today we got Victoria until atleast a week. Her mother is going to Cali, and I am so excited because it gives us alot of time with her and Robbie will be off until Wednesday so he will be able to be here and spend time with her as well.

Yesterday I did some deep cleaning on the house, Got every room nice and cleaned and it's such a relief! I love it when everything is spic and span! Makes me feel like I can breath and function better.

Tyrel and Alicia have gone their separate ways, and it makes me really sad. The whole reason we moved where we moved was because of them. I hate seeing any couple not work out,especially when they have children. But, I understand that sometimes things just wont work.

Me and Robbie have still not found "mutual friends" yet. Me and Robbie are a rare couple I guess lol Because we cant seem to find anyone that likes to spend time with each other as much as we do. We like to go out and do things together and all the friends we have had have always tried to split us apart when we do anything. Not our style, We enjoy being wedged up each other's butts.. lol

Robbie and I might go and try out a new church on Sunday, It's right down the road from us. We both enjoy church, We just have not found one yet that we both like.

Robbie has been doing tattoo's for a few months now, He has started one on my arm that is turning out very pretty. It's a tattoo for my daughter and on the other arm we will be doing one for my son, and then I have an idea for all my stepdaughters as well. Then I am done.. lol

Last night the girls came over and I just realized how little respect all the children show me. I love all my kids, Lord knows I do. But I think it's time I put my foot down and show them that I love them but they wont push me around. Shayleigh has gotten to where she is really brave now and likes to back talk me and argue with me on everything. It's getting out of hand.

Jade, is 10 and so she is going through puberty and hormones and she just likes to act like she is the boss.. Last night I told her to try some clothes on for me and she just refused. I still don't know if she ever did.

Autumn is an Aries, Like me, and her father lol So I guess we all just clash heads because we are all bossy and quick to temper.. She likes to argue with me on everything and roll her eyes and yell at me..

Victoria really hasn't been like the rest latley. She has finally gotten out of the "terrible two's" and really coming into her own. But, she still does like to do whatever I tell her not to... And she has gotten into the habbit of repeating bad words. Alot.. My Husband and I are not saints, We do cuss.. But non of our children have ever repeated us.. They know they are bad words. But Victoria does and I am sure it has something to do with her immature mother teaching her to say things that are bad and laughing it. One time when we picked her up her mother got her to say to Robbie "Where's my money nigga, so I can get my drank on?" It just discusted me that she would find that cute and funny. There is nothing funny about a child talking that way. Just shows you the level her brain is on. So, I don't know how to correct the bad words because I feel she is confused on what is right and what is wrong so I just tell her to not say it again and its a bad word and I should of not said it either.

We made a list of rules. But, Noone is really listening to them.
I guess we need to sit down one night and go over them again. My house is hectic without rules..I hate rules, and I hate discipline.. I rather let kids run wild and just be crazy.. But, in reality, we cant.. We have to shape them into good adults. What are some of yall's rules??


♥

We have a few special years with our children, when they're the ones that want us around. After that you're going to be running after them for a bit of attention. It's so fast , It's a few years, and it's over. - Hook

Do you ever have a day where you just feel like nothing goes right and you just want to scream as loud as you can to let it all out? That's how I feel today.. Nothing seem's to be going right.

Tommorow we are going to take pictures in the bluebonnet's and I had the girls outfits all planned out and ready. Except Jade's. Jade wore her's home last weekend because it was easter and she wanted something to wear for it. A cute shirt with some white pants. Well, at her sisters softball game she falls and skins her knee up and puts a hole in them and stains them up. I don't even care about that part. It was an accident and thank god she only skinned her knee's up a little and didn't hurt herself more. What makes me mad is the fact that the other is so controlling and so.. I dunno what you even call it that she wont let them wear ANY of there clothes from her house to our house.. Yet I let them wear my clothes to hers because someone has got to be more grown up about the situation..Yet, any clothes they have worn to our house have always been returned and came back un ruined. The shoes I bought Jade that go to her house are all worn out and dirty now, pants ruined,nintendo ds's we bought them for xmas, one is broke and they cant find any of the games to it...I am just sick of our things being ruined.. They have twilight shirts that have never been returned to our house but it we don't return something of her's, she hounds us for a week until we bring it back!
It's just selfish and stupid...But maybe I am being the same. I don't mind my things that we bought going off to her house.. I just want them to come back and I want her to stop being so stingy and selfish. She wont even let the girls wear her socks over here.. I am surprised they even come with underwear! haha

I guess I just know to not let brand new nice clothes go off..

On top of this Robbie and I have been fighting.But, I wont even get into that.

Robbie's surprise party went great! EVERYONE I invited showed up and he was super surprised and had a good time.

We have all the girls this weekend.
Tommorow is bluebonnet picture day, and Sunday we are doing Autumn's 9th bday party.

Today we went and enrolled Shayleigh into her new Pre K. I absolutly LOVED the couple who run it. They where so nice and soft and Shayleigh loved them too. I think she will do great there! She will start in August, as well as ballet! :-)
Well, I am going to bed because its late and we have to get up VERY early! I will post pics soon!

Yesterday was the girls first softball games and they did great! Autumn's team tied. 15 to 15 I think the score was and Autumn's had a home run! I was sooo proud! :-) Dirt Diva's is the name of there team which is kinda kewl because Autumn's reminds me of a Diva! lol We didn't get to stay for all of Jade's game or Autumn'a second game because when Mason got there he was not enjoying it.. lol He wanted to roll around in the dirt and I didn't want him too.. And on top of that it was windy and cold so we ended up having to leave and Robbie could tell it kinda upset Jade which made me sad. But we did get to see most of her game and we are so proud of them both!

I got sun burnt also! That's the WONDERFUL thing about being a red head.. Note my sarcasm!

Today is the surprise bday party for my husband. I am sooo excited because he has no idea what is going on! He told me when we first got married that noone has ever really done anything for his birthday other than his mother.. And my husband is an AMAZING man if I haven't already said this before. He never fails to make holidays special for me and I felt it was only fair and right to do this for him as well.. So, I decided to plan a surprise party. I ordered a cake and got a few decorations and invited his friends and family. Right now he is out with his Dad and best friend at the bass pro shop so he can stay occupied while I get things together and everyone has time to get here! :)
I will write about how that turned out later!

The other day we got my stepdaughter for our weekly Thursday visit, She got in the car and the first things she say's is "Hi Amanda, Hi Amanda" and that might not seem odd to any of you, but to me.. It upset me. This little girl is like my own daughter. I have been in her life since she was one and ever since about 6 months after I met her father, she has called me momma. On her own.. She just started calling me that one day out of nowhere.. Out of all the kids I have spent the most with her. Robbie used to have to work alot so when he had her, I always had her. Plus, his ex used to leave her alot so when she did, I would have her.. So, I just kinda picked up the "momma" role which I loved and took alot of pride in because when I first met her.. She was shy and a little reserved.. She was definitely a child that didn't just love ANYONE.. She was one that you had to win over.. And so for her to think of me and call me momma, it meant alot.. When she called me Amanda the other day I really didn't think to much of it at first. I figured that someone on her mothers side probally just calls me Amanda to her and has no idea she call's me momma.. But then when Robbie sit's her in her car seat she is saying this in the backseat "Amanda,Not momma, Momma not Donna" (Donna is her mothers name) which just makes me think that her mother or someone has been coaching her to not call me momma.. Which kind of hurt's because I have had alot to do with the raising of this child and I have put alot of love and time into her like she was my own child. Robbie assured me to not let it bother me, that she was at a very influenced age right now and that she will always think of me as her second mother despite people telling her otherwise.. And he is right..Because it only took 10 mins and she was already loving on me and calling me her momma again. I have no idea what I would do if Robbie and I ever went out separate ways.. These kids mean the world to me.

Last night we had some friends over.. It was pretty fun although we really didn't do anything.. lol I am pretty sure my friends think I am one of the most boring 22 year olds they have ever met lol

I just can't bring myself to act like a 22 year old. I feel much older although I don't always act it, obviously.
Last night I tried to have a drink and I just stopped because nothing is really fun anymore about drinking. I just feel like I have passed that stupid stage in my life.
And I feel like I have lost all my friends and the only one I really have left, is slipping away as well.
I have lost a good friend due to my own choice.. I told her some things she really didn't want to hear. But I can honestly say it was the truth and I just said what others didn't have the guts to say to her but they think it just like I do. And what I said had to do with more of the fact of how she has been lately as a person. She has said crappy things about my family and my kids and EVERYONE for that fact and it's just gotten to the point where she is a cold hearted and immature person and we are just on two diffirent levels in life right now which is sooo sad because I love her to death and wish to never not have her in my life. But, if she can't see the wrong doing and see that she is wrong in certain areas then it will just have to be that way because I am done with being nice to everyone and hiding how I truly feel.. And I expect others to do the same with me.. If I am messing up, TELL ME! Don't just sit back and agree with me. That is being fake. She won't even talk to me about anything which is stupid. She is in my family and she will have to face be eventually so it's best we just go ahead and end things on a civil note.

Robbie did another tattoo last night.. It was a Hello Zombie Kitty! lol It was pretty cute..

Well,
Today me and the kids went out for a bit.. Got some stuff for Sunday for Robbie's Surprise party.. Shhh it's a surprise! Something tell's me he already knows of my plans but is just acting like he has no clue.. haha

Just a small get together of family and friends.. Going to have cake,cheese dip and just sit around and visit.. He is going to the shooting range and I am going to be here waiting the second he walks in the door with everyone for a big surprise! :-) It's been sooo hard keeping this secret for two weeks.. I am the type of person who likes to spill the beans! lol

This week has really went by fast. The other day I made cheese enchilada's and they where great..The kids did not eat them though because they had onions in them.. So I have to remember to leave the onions out next time. Today I am making a Chicken Pot Pie.. Recipe I got off of Gooseberry Patch's blog.. I love them by the way!

Here is all the kiddo's Easter Baskey Goodies!

Jade and Autumn. My oldest stepdaughters on Easter Morning

Here is all of my girls. First is Autumn,Shayleigh,Jade, and Victoria. Mason was still asleep during this picture

My pretty girl Shayleigh

My baby boy Mason