A Not-So-Productive February (...and I hate it!)

February is already almost over and I just noticed that I haven't really been posting on this blog. There's been a lot going on, and I just couldn't find enough time to sit here and really focus on writing.  Aside from the fact that I haven't really been in the  mood to write lately, my husband and our 3 kids are all sick right now, and I've been very busy taking care of them.  God must be watching over me right now because I haven't contracted what they have been suffering from, for days now.  Kids have fever and when their temperature is high, they throw up.  I've also been doing loads of laundry these past few days.  My husband has been coughing, and right now, he might be admitted at the military hospital on base due to Pneumonia.  He just called me a few minutes ago to let me know that he possibly might not be able to come home tonight.  They're going to put him under observation till tomorrow morning.  He went in this morning to get checked because he's been feeling worse since Saturday, and he got told that they need to keep him overnight.  I hope he gets better soon.  And of course, the kids.

This month, definitely, isn't a good one for me and my family.  I cannot wait for it to be over!  I just want my little ones to get better and have my happy and playful babies back!  And I want to be able to write again without being bothered by "unnecessary things".   Oh, how I hate that feeling!  I hate it with a passion!

Good thing, my kiddos are taking their nap right now that's why I got the time to write.  But I cannot stay that long.  I still have stuff to do.  It's going to be another long night for me tonight.  I wish I can take my babies' sickness away right now and transfer it all to me, so they don't have to suffer anymore!  It breaks my heart every time I look at them, and all I see are weak faces, flushed cheeks, and pain in their eyes.  I just want them to get better -- NOW!

New Addition to Our Calphalon Kitchenware

Now, I can say that I'm finally happy with our new kitchenware set!  From the Christmas gift that we got from my Mother-in-law (a set of Calphalon pots and pans), the hubby went to the outlet store and bought some more.  He took advantage of the President's Day sale and got a pretty good deal on almost all the stuff he bought.

He got us a new knife set.  I have been asking for real good knives to use while cutting meat and veggies, and finally, I got my very own Chef knives.  I love that the knives' handles are labeled according to their types,  making it easier for you to grab what you need.  Before, I used to pull out almost all the big ones just to find the right knife I wanted to use.  It was a hassle!  Now, I look forward to more fun and easier way of cooking in our kitchen.

new set of knives..

I love the label on the knives!

Here's another stuff that the husband got.  Since we love having omelette on weekends, he bought an 8-inch and 10-inch nonstick pans.  He also bought a pancake pan.  We like it because we can make pancakes that the size is just right for the kids.

I haven't used any of the new stuff yet, but I already washed them.  I probably will use them this weekend.  I am so excited to start using them, though!  The omelette pans are dishwasher safe, but as much as possible, I'll hand-wash them so they stay in good condition even longer.  The only problem is, they're really not that light.

omelette and pancake pans ;)

The hubby said, he might get an even larger pot for pasta.   I don't know when he plans on doing that, but I think that's a good idea since I cook pasta a lot for the family.  I have been using a small pot to boil the noodles and it has always been a pain in the butt!  Hopefully, we get to buy a bigger one here soon.

We're just stocking up on important things right now and getting advantage of us living close to an outlet store.  We're almost about to leave and we want to make sure we have all that we'll need to take with us.

These Calphalon kitcheware weren't cheap, but we definitely got what we paid for.  And the good thing is, they last long, as long as you know how to really take good care of them.

Just Not Feeling It Right Now!

No matter what I do right now, I just can't find any inspiration to write. I have been feeling like this for the past few days.  My mind has been wandering.   I can't focus.  I can't think.  I just don't feel like doing anything right now.

I don't know what's up with me.  I just hope this won't last any longer because it actually is not helping me in any way.  I cannot even count how many times I opened my blog, thought about writing something, but ended up with nothing but drafts. 

I wish I can just be fine right now.  I wish I can say what I feel inside.  I guess it's just one of those days again.  

I'd better just get some rest and do this again tomorrow...  We'll see.. (sigh*)

Happy Valentine's Day! [2013]

Let me take this opportunity to greet everyone "Happy Valentine's Day!"  What have you planned for the day for you and your special someone?  Are you going out tonight on a date?  Or, did you just plan on staying home, have dinner, maybe watch a movie, and then, some time together?

Well, as for us, we'll be staying home with the kids.  My husband has to go to work, and we both don't know if he'll even get off work early today.  Last night, he got home past midnight.  He's been working on a case right now.  Before he left work last night at around 11:40PM, he called me to let me know he was still stuck in the office trying to get some things done.  I felt bad because his voice sounded so exhausted.  He hasn't been getting enough sleep in the past few days, and I think it's starting to take its toll on him.  This morning, I heard him sniffling in the bathroom while getting ready for work.  I know he's not feeling well anymore.  But since he's in charge of the primary CACO phone, he has no choice but to do his job.  And yes, even today, on Valentine's Day, we might not even have enough time to celebrate it together.  I'm sure he'll be dead tired again by the time he gets home.  I think we'll just have to make time for missing today's special occasion sometime this weekend.  It sucks, I admit!  But that's how military works, and I need to understand him.

So, to those who will be celebrating Heart's Day with their beloved, have fun!  You guys are so lucky you have the time to be together!  Make the most out of it....

Anyway, I still need to finish the Valentine card I'm making for my hubby.  I didn't get the chance to buy anymore, so I'm creating one myself.  I hope I will be able to remember how I used to make cards when I was younger.  This will be the first time in such a long time.  Wish me luck! ;)

And, before I go, I'll leave you with this love quote...

The arms of love encompass you with your present, your past, your future, the arms of love gather you together. - Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

 Happy Valentine's Day To All!

No Cake For Us This Heart's Day =(

Angel Food Cake image from FoodNetwork.com

For the past 2 Valentine's we've had here (since we moved), I have always baked cake.  This year will be the first time that I won't be baking any.

First reason, I didn't really plan ahead of time.  I wanted to bake Angel Food Cake, but there are some ingredients I forgot to buy.  I don't have anymore sugar, enough eggs, orange extract, and cream of tartar.  And above all, I don't have the pan to use to bake the cake in.  (Yes, I know, right?!)  I still have to buy one to be able to do it.  I've been thinking about getting the Bundt/fluted pan instead of the regular one, simply because I like its shape.

I wanted to ask my husband to take us all to the store so I can get all the stuff I need, but his schedule lately has been ridiculously busy.  It's even hard for him to really spend time with us because he usually leaves early for work, and he gets home late.  I wish everything would be back to normal again next week!

Anyway, I absolutely have no idea what to do for Valentine's Day tomorrow.  Like what I said, I wanted to at least bake a cake for us to enjoy after dinner, but I don't have everything I need.  I don't even know if he'll be home early, or if it's going to be another late night at work.  I don't even have a card for him, and that makes me feel really bad!  I wanted to go out today to buy one, but he's not home yet, and the store closest to us closes at 10PM.  I'm sure he's working on a case again.  He's been doing it for the past week now.  He's been doing reports on recruits being admitted to the hospital, and he needs to gather every information he can get to give out to their respective families to keep them updated.  I think I'll just have to look for something else to give him.

Well, I still am planning on baking a cake probably this weekend.  I might bake Lemon Angel Food Cake instead, since I'll have more time to do it now, and I actually can buy all the ingredients I will need.  But who knows what I might end up baking then?!  Because to be honest, I have 3 different kinds of cake in mind that I want to bake.  I'll ask the hubby first what he wants, then, I'll go from there.  I don't mind whichever he picks.  I can eat any type of cake! (*winks*)   

We Got A New Haircut! (and it was Kaibelle's first, too)

Yay, we finally got a haircut last week! I know, this is a late post. I didn't have the time to share about this because I was so busy.  But, better late than never, right?  Anyway, it's only been a week.

We finally braved the cold, snowy weather last Sunday (February 3, 2013) to take the kids to get their haircut.  It was our youngest daughter's first haircut as well.    The boys got a full hair make-over, while the little girl, well, she only got her bangs trimmed.  The father didn't want his daughter's long hair cut short right now.  I think, if it weren't for her hair blocking her face all the time (and that always annoyed the life out of her..Hehehe), he wouldn't have agreed on cutting it.  Imagine, it took him almost 8 months after his Little Princess turned 1 for him to finally agreed on getting her a haircut!  It was different with the two older boys.  They got their first haircut when they turned 1 year and 2 months old.

flaunting their new looks ;)

Kaibelle's bangs is a little uneven because she kept turning her head watching the pair of scissors while the lady was cutting her hair.  She did good!  She never cried or got scared.  I think she was more amazed at what the lady was doing that she couldn't keep her head still.  But I think she still looks cute, though.  (Hehehe.)   

Anyway, we're both happy that we finally got the three little monsters a hair make-over!  This plan has been long-overdue since my husband was too busy with work.  Of course, Mama joined in as well!  Remember when I talked about getting a new hairstyle with bangs about a month ago? Well, that's what I went for.  I already had my haircut in December last year, so really, nothing much was done to the rest of my hair.  The lady just trimmed it a little bit because I told her I still want to keep the old style.  All the hairdresser did was mainly cut the bangs to the style I wanted.

took a photo first thing in the morning. Still sleepy.. Hehehe

I love having bangs now, though it feels weird sometimes!  It's been ages since the last time I had this style of haircut, and right now, I'm still getting used to it.  And since I need to get it trimmed every 4 to 8 weeks now, if I want to keep this style longer, I am planning on getting it done probably in April or May.  I'm not sure yet if I'll stick to the hairstyle I have now, but I'll definitely would still keep my bangs.

So, there you have it - the Campbells' new looks - for now....

Winter Storm

Snow storm just started when I took this photo an hour ago.

All plans for today were cancelled because of the bad weather.  Right now, we have a severe winter storm warning, that according to the weather forecast, will be in effect until 12AM CST Friday.  We were supposed to take our two boys to their doctor for their wellness check-up, but I had to call in to reschedule the appointment to next week.  It's not looking good outside, and driving in this kind of weather would be really tough.

My husband is still at work right now, but he said he will try to get off work early today because he's worried that if he stayed longer, getting home would be impossible later on.  I already saw two plow trucks plowed the street outside.  And I think I'll be seeing another one here soon because the snow is coming down pretty good.  But in spite of how bad the weather is, it actually looks pretty outside.  It's so white and it really does feel winter to me.  We haven't had this much snow this winter yet, and I'm just glad we're getting it now.

Don't you find it weird that I actually am loving this winter storm right now?  (Hehehe.)  I am actually being tempted to step outside right now and play in the snow.  But, I'll wait till there's more snow on the ground. And, I mean A LOT.

By the way, what's with Thursday?  This has been the second Thursday in a row that we're getting hit a bad by winter weather.  Last week (Thursday), when I had my OB appointment, it was snowing and very cold, too.  The only day last week when the temperature was at its lowest, and it snowed.  And today, it's even worse.  Oh well, at least I'm seeing a lot of snow now.  That, I cannot complain.  I honestly thought this would be the most "dry" winter.  I always say, as long as we don't experience any power outage, I don't even mind if we get hit by a blizzard again, just like what happened two years ago.  I would love to experience that once more.  (I hope I just didn't jinx that!)

Anyway, I need to get some chores done while the kiddos are taking their nap.  Well, I'll be back later... If not, tomorrow..