Harmon House Goes Camping: Meals

I planned out our meals about 2 weeks before. I'm a freak like that. Plus I like scanned Pinterest like a crazy lady trying to not have hot dogs both nights 😳 I'm all for hot dogs BUT I like my family having a little better nutrition if possible. Anyways, here's what we did. 

We left Friday after I got back from the dentist so we only needed dinner on Friday. I wanted J to have the full camping experience so Friday dinner plan was old fashioned hot dogs, chips, & s'mores! ...I may or may not have made her eat fruit right when we got there just to make myself feel better... BUT GUESS WHAT HAPPENED. There was a burn ban. Ugh! So we couldn't even do s'mores! We did cook hot dogs & have chips & fruit on the side. But sometime soon we are definitely camping in the backyard & cooking s'mores! J's too young to realize that she missed out on the BEST parts of camping: campfires & roasted marshmallows. Luckily, her spirit wasn't too damaged :) 

Saturday I knew would be a crazy filled nonstop moving day. So, definitely loaded up with proteins & carbs! For breakfast I pre-made burritos. I wrapped them in foil so we could just throw them right on the grill to warm up. THEY WERE FANTASTIC!!! & the tortillas got a little crispy (I suggest rotating the burritos while cooking, switching the ones directly over the flame- one mistake I made) but the fact that they got crispy actually made them better. Inside the burritos I put sausage, eggs, cheese, & cottage cheese. (I always put cottage cheese in scrambled eggs because it makes it fantasticccccc- TRY IT. Now. You're welcome.) also, we had pre-cut up melon :) 

For Saturdays lunch/snacks I made simple sandwiches & packed chips, apples, granola bars, & bananas. We were hiking literally all day. Or sight seeing. I think next time I might make some "lunchables" or wraps for myself. Sandwiches were fine but I like fresh sandwiches more than pre-made. But nevertheless, all tummies were happy. 

Saturday nights dinner was barbeque chicken, corn on the cob with chili butter, & we were also supposed to have beans but decided against them simply because I was too lazy to wash the pan. No shame & no regrets. I pre-seasoned the chicken & froze it so by the time we were ready to eat it would be thawed out.  Worked really well! BUT I forgot barbeque sauce! Luckily, my seasoning tastes so well it was still ok but I love sauces for my chicken so I definitely wish we had had some! I know a lot of people like grilled corn on the cob but I actually like mine softer than what the grill cooks it so I pre-boiled mine & wrapped them in foil to put on the grill to warm up. I found this AMAZING chili butter recipe (I'll have to post later, doing a quick nap post right now) that I pre-made & packaged for us to put on the corn. Again, I had happy tummies! 

We didn't pack anything for Sunday because we planned to leave first thing in the morning & stop for breakfast on the road. We ended up leaving Saturday night (will post about why in the "hardships/mistakes" post) so it actually worked perfect. 

For drinks we packed waters & gaterades.  

Overall, everything went great. I'm hoping next time we have longer to camp out because we all really enjoyed ourselves! I'm sorry I didn't get any pictures but I was very focused on not using my phone & enjoying my sweet family. I enjoy blogging but I don't live for it. So I knew I needed to take pictures for my posts but, I also knew that my babies needed some time away from this crazy fast paced world so that was more important. :) we did take our phones on the hikes so I'll have those pictures in another post! 

XOXOX, 

Harmon Housewife

Harmon House Goes Camping: Part 1

I'm really just not sure where to start or what order to post all the information that went into camping/how camping went. So, I decided breaking it up into parts is the best way to provide all info/not stress me out :) So we're going to start with the prepping/planning of our camping trip. & a few overall details of the trip. 

Wichita Wildlife Refuge

I chose this one (it's about 3 hrs away) specifically for Joe. There's plenty of closer places to camp but my husband is a fan of boulder hopping & the refuge is great for that. He's been wanting to go but since the refuge is 3 hours away, it's not ideal for him to go alone as he would be gone all day. My FIL took us there when we were first married & we actually found out later that I was pregnant at the time. Looking back now it actually makes perfect sense because 1. I was nauseous nearly the entire ride & 2. I ate an entire footlong Subway sandwich in one sitting as opposed to saving half of it for the trail. I was so hungry! & now we know why :) anyways, I chose this for him so that he could go one morning by himself for some alone time. We loved camping out here & will definitely go back again! 

We chose to tent camping because it's seriously SO cheap. It was only $10/night! And bonus: my FIL had camping gear that he let us use so no extra money spent on that! He had a huge tent, cooler, propane stove, ponchos, etc. They did a lot of camping growing up so we were super pleased he let us use the gear! All we had to buy was a few extra necessities. 

Here was our packing list: 

Food (will post our meal plan & details) 

Twin food- Plum organic packs, formula/bottles, 2 gallons of water, few jarred foods, gerber puffs, & oatmeal. 

Tent

Propane stove

Charcoal

Air mattress

Foam floor puzzle (we used this to make J's sleeping area softer)

Pack & play (twins still sleep in this together) 

Books/Activies (will post about this separately) 

Clothes/blankets

Flashlights 

Lighter fluid

Back packs (for hikes)

Few toys for twins

Bumbo's 

...I think that is nearly everything. The individual posts will go more in depth about things I think most family's want to know about when going with young kids; meals, activities, hardships, etc. 

I just wanted to give a short update & give my readers a few posts to be looking out for & to let you all know I'm working on gathering the information so that you can have a fun & stress free camping trip too! 

How many of you enjoy camping? What is something you can't live without when you go? I'd love to hear your ideas!

XOXOX, 

Harmon Housewife

Creation

The past few weeks I started back with a few more planned activities rather than just providing random learning opportunities for J. I had some extra kiddos so for some days, it made it easier, & others it was a little more difficult. For the past 2 weeks I've had five kids as opposed to just my 3...& they were all (all 5!) under 2. So it was...an experience. But, some days for the activities it made it easier because J had her good buddy Nolan to play with! 

Anyways... Our focus was creation. 

Here are some things we did/talked about/explored: 

Nature/Animals was the smaller focal point for the past few weeks. 

-We made collages using stickers, magazine cut outs, and things from outside. The kids really enjoyed this using the different textures & choosing how to stick then on the poster. They chose tape  & glue. It was messy, it was trial and error, and it was interesting to watch as they explored all the available supplies and utilized them. Collages will definitely be making more appearances in the Harmon House! 

-We read several books over creation. Including: bible for kids app, bible story rhymes, our actual kids bible, and story books about creation. 

-We also read books about animals and nature such as gardening, forests, oceans, etc. 

-We had bean sensory play and talked about how all of our food was grown and we discussed our favorite foods. 

-We painted with apples and learned various words that start with A. (Next week the small focal points will be family/relationship/self so Adam & Eve will be discussed {hence the apple})

-They older two cooked lunch one day. Again, discussed foods, gardening, etc. They did everything from cracking eggs (where did the egg come from discussing),  making smoothies, & spreading their jam on toast. 

-Nature walk to collect things & play/explore with them. 

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

So these are some things we've been doing. But I feel the need to remind all my reading mommas that the biggest opportunities for learning come unexpectedly and are child-led. Yes, I plan the activities and have hopes for a certain outcome but when doing anything, it's basically an invitation to play. & most of the conversations are done during an activity & I just guide the conversation. There are times when we're doing something & J completely changes gears and starts talking about something she wants to do, I roll with it. That sends the message to me she's not ready or is tired of talking/doing play with me. She is so young that my goal is not to make sure she learns everything, my goal is to open her mind to all the possibilities and to let her explore with them freely. 

I'd also like to say that we did/discussed more things but the above listed where our biggest endeavors. & the above mentioned activities covered much more than what meets the eyes. Fine motor, language development, math, science, reading, gross motor, etc - various developmental/educational areas were covered. All by using play! 

I'd love to hear what you're doing with your kiddos! 

XOXOX, 

Harmon Housewife

For the days you feel insignificant...

Today, I woke up exhausted. We've been blessed with babies who sleep through the night, but teething hell is our current situation in the Harmon House. x2. Just as you get one baby down and get back to sleep yourself, the other wakes up. 

So I'm starting my days in exhaustion. With a near 2 year old who's eager to play and be entertained. With two 7 month olds who need me for everything. With a house that needs cleaned, meals that need cooked, and errands that need to be taken care of. 

I look around... 

& all I can see is what needs to be done.

& all I can hear is "Mommy play. Mommy mommy mommy. I want you to help me. Mommy I want drink. Mommy I need you. Mommy mommy mommy."

& all I can feel is the headache from yesterday that crept into today. 

& all I can smell is diapers. Diapers that desperately need to be changed. 

Hours pass.

Sippy's have been filled. Diapers have been changed. Meals cooked. Snacks made. House tidied (no way it's getting actually cleaned). Several hugs, several kisses, several break downs, & several tears have come and gone. 

I look around...

& all I can see is happy children. 

& all I can hear is "Mommy play. Mommy mommy mommy. I want you to help me. Mommy I want drink. Mommy I need you. Mommy mommy mommy."

& all I can feel is gratitude. Pure gratitude. 

I start and end my day in exhaustion. But somewhere in the middle, sometime during all the errands, mommy tasks, wife tasks, and life tasks- I find enjoyment. I find peace. I find perseverance. I find happiness. I find self worth. I find the reason for it all. 

& everything I do, I know I'll do tomorrow. 

& there are days when my days seem insignificant...when I'm not bringing home a paycheck and no one tells me what a good job I'm doing. I don't get promotions. I don't get vacation days. No one thanks me for the meal I worked hard on. No one thanks me for the laundry I washed and folded. No one thanks me for changing diapers, making bottles, or rocking them to sleep. There are days when I don't feel like anyone knows what I do to keep this house running the way it should. 

& then my children smile at me. They crawl into my lap. J gives me Eskimo kisses. Jessa clings to me like someone's trying to yank her away. & Joey, my sweet little man, he leans his head into my chest and looks up with just his four little teeth shining...and with that look, those actions, I realize they're saying , "Thank you mom."

& everything I thought was insignificant vanishes in that moment. Because nothing- not one word, one kiss, one bottle made or one meal cooked- not one thing I do as a mother is insignificant.

XOXOX, 

Harmon Housewife 

Hi Jesus, I love you!

Recently, my sweet J has decided that she wants to talk to Jesus. She tells him, "Hi, Jesus! I wuv you!" everytime we walk outside. I'll hear her playing in the playroom and just giggling and I'll ask, "What are you doing Jorgia?" The answer is usually the same (unless Jessa is playing with her) "Playing with Jesus momma. You come?" The best Jesus moment however, was definitely when she told her daddy, "I'm going to go tickle Jesus!" (Procedes to run away with tickle monster gloves on). 

Why am I telling you this? 

Because it's amazing. 

She's talking to Jesus. 

I don't care what she's saying, and neither does he. I guarantee you, all of the words and phrases she says right now that I can't fully understand - he does. And I have no idea what he says to her because she can't tell me. But what I do know, is that my daughter will be 2 in 2 weeks, & I'm in complete and utter awe at her child sized faith. 

From the moment we found out I was pregnant, the very night, Joe prayed. He prayed for me all day and he prayed to my stomach and for our "Jbaby". He prayed for many things and has continued to pray for many things during our sweet babies lives but he always ends with, "....and we pray that these children run to you and become men & women of God." Everytime. 

I'm not saying J is like this simply because we prayed. That wouldn't be true. I know that she's like this because of our actions. But, watching J, it is pretty obvious to me that my 2 year old (might as well call her that!) has stronger faith than I. 

What? Did I just say that??? 

Yes, I did. No error. You read that right. 

More faith than me? Yes. 

Why? Because I've spent my entire life at church. I've spent my entire life hearing bible verses, being prayed to, being prayed for, going to church camps, youth groups, and having God's word chirped in my ear. And although this has happened, I strayed. And although this has happened, I only recently started talking to God like he was a person. Just talking to him daily as I would any other person. 

And here she is, my sweet J, beginning her relationship with The Lord. And talking to Jesus more than I am. 

And I know, I know, relationships with God are not a competition. 

That's not what I'm saying. I'm saying I look up to my daughter. 

That faith, that faith to trust me, to trust her father to lead her in the right direction, to trust us when we tell her that He is good, that faith is flawless. That faith is beautiful. That is the faith I strive for. 

& really, isn't that the type of faith we should all strive for? A faith that is not shaken, that doesn't question, only wants more. More knowledge, more worship, more of Him. 

One day she might ask questions, wonder, stray. But here's what I know - it's not my job to raise a Christian child. It's my job to model how a Christian woman should be. What they choose later in life will be completely up to them. But I will be encouraging her faith along the way, guiding her. So that when the day comes that her faith does raise a question, she can stand firm. 

I'll remind her of these days for the rest of her life. How her child faith inspired me to keep going, keep reaching, keep learning. 

I am incredibly blessed to be her momma. I can not wait to see what God had planned for her. 

XOXOX, 

Harmon Housewife 

Turkey Meatloaf Muffins

Okay people, before you totally disregard this recipe as I previously would have - I'm telling you, TRY IT. 

I have never, I repeat, never tried a turkey meatloaf recipe that was even decently to my liking. Until tonight. 

I'm honestly not sure if I'll even go back to beef because of how much my crew enjoyed this recipe! I had a pound of ground turkey & I really just wasn't in the mood for Mexican food (what I usually use ground turkey for). So I stepped outside my cooking comfort box & made this. So, so, so, so, so, so, so glad. & as always, this recipe is toddler approved :) 

Are you ready for the best turkey meatloaf ever? Hope so, cause here it is! 

Ingredients: 

1 lb ground turkey 

1 can rotel 

2 eggs

1 1/4 cup quick cooking oats

4 tsp beef bouillon 

8 tsp minced onion 

1 tsp onion powder 

1/4 tsp minced garlic 

Directions: 

--Preheat to 375 degrees. 

1. Combine all listed ingredients and mix well. As my J says, "Work it girl! Work it!" -You want to work that meat mixture until it's totally combined! She's my favorite cheerleader :) 

2. Once your ingredients are well mixed, grab a little from the mix & roll into a ball. Put in a muffin tin. (I didn't measure the size of my "muffins" I just put them in and they reached the top of the muffin tin). My mix made 12 perfectly sized "muffins".

3. Bake for 40 minutes. 

4. Top with ketchup glaze of choice. 

5. Bake for additional 10 minutes. 

Enjoy! 

Try this, doooooo it! 

If you still need to be convinced, here are the nutritional facts from this recipe- before ketchup glaze. This is for 1 muffin! 

XOXOX, 

Harmon Housewife 

Supermom Doesn't Live Here

I've been made fun of many times for the schedule I keep my household running on. I've been judged for choosing not to breastfeed my twins. I've been given the look (you know the look) at parks while my toddler screams for a drink of soda she's not getting. I've hid in the bathroom to enjoy a fudge round by myself. I don't cosleep. Some of you who are reading this have just lost interest in this blog because you're reading that in actuality, I'm no supermom. 

Supermom. I hear that comment daily. & although, yes, it's a compliment. It's also a burden. Yes, it's a burden. Who can live up to that? Not me. I yell. I cry. I play. I question. I love. Just like you. 

Are you supermom? What makes a mother a supermom? 

Is it because I have 3 kids under the age of 2? That can't be it. There's probably thousands of mothers who have kids this way. 

Is it because I do planned activities with my babies? That can't be it. There's also thousands of mothers who do this. 

There's also thousands of mothers who work all day long and come home after a long day and still try and interact with their babies educationally. Exhausted. Frustrated. But present. They look forward to those few hours all day at work. Are they supermom? 

I can tell you this- not once have I heard a working mother be called a supermom. Not once. 

Do they not love their kids just as much as a mother who stays home? Do they not juggle the same amount of motherly chores, wifely duties, and life stress as mothers who stay home? 

I'm really wondering what YOU define supermom as? 

Because I can tell you, supermom doesn't live in this house. 

A real mom does. A mom who loves. A mom who yells. A mom who plays. A mom who sleeps. A mom who dreams of her prepregnancy body & who has not fully accepted the marks my sweet babies left behind. A mom who does no cosleep. A mom who does not breastfeed. A real mom lives here. A mom with flaws, dreams, and fears. 

A mom who does her best every day to keep it together. 

Supermom doesn't live here. I don't believe she lives anywhere. But I do believe there are super moms that love everywhere. 

XOXOX, 

Harmon Housewife