Thoughts on Monday

*I did 7 loads of laundry today. It got me thinking about my humble beginnings as a newlywed. Back then, I did laundry once a week. Two loads: lights and darks. Now, I easily do 5-7 loads of laundry in a day (of course not everyday!). With the volume of laundry I crank out, I can be much more specific in my loads: whites, khakis and grays, darks, darks with some light, pastels, dark towels, light towels, etc! No chance of screwing up the colors of my clothes now!

*I noticed on DrudgeReport that Mel Gibson was blasting the Iraq War. Anyone out there care about what another movie star thinks about politics? Me neither....

*I couldn't have pictured a prettier day than the one given to us today. It reminded me of Cape Cod. Sunny but not sweat inducing. Quite cool actually. It's hard to have a cool day around here without it being cloudy or raining. I spent a lot of time on the hammock with the kids today reading and talking. Pure heaven.

*My flower bed is completed! My landscape guy finished digging the bed closest to the house and since perennials were drastically reduced at my favorite nursery, I bought a flat on Saturday and got it finished this weekend. I can't wait to see what happens next spring!

*I found a rug to go under my dining room table. A good paint job and print for the wall should finish the room!

*I discharged many patients this past week, so the job is under control and I can honestly say that I am loving working.

*I am ready for ME to be her happy cute self again. She had another spike in temperature at the end of the week and we found out that the bacteria in her kidneys was not responding to the antibiotic. We switched them, and her fever went away, but she looks incredibly pale. Not her normal cutie pie self.

*Think thats it for now! I am going to watch the premier of Hero with Bryon. He has been looking forward to it for weeks.

Conflicts in interests

Signs ME has two older brothers:
*Her first word was football
*She likes to point pens and say "Pyoo-pyoo!" Like a gun
*She gets Thomas's figurine of Sean Alexander and asks if she can play with "Alexander".
*She copies the boys watching football. "Go A-Bama!" "Hold 'em!" "Down, set, hut!"
*She loves trying on Thomas's NASCAR costume.

Signs that despite all the male influence in her life, she is still a girlie girl:
*She walks through Dillards and points out all the pink things.
*Princesses are her life.
*She loves looking at her "outfits" in her closet.
*She adores shoes and only cries in the doctor's office when she has to take hers off to weigh. She likes keeping a pair in her crib.
*She is oh, so very bossy. Almost all her statements end in "OK?" "I want some milk. OK?"
*Her two favorite food groups are gum and chocolate.

What a funny little girl! I love every part of her!

Dream interpretation

We are studying about Nebuchadnezzar's dream in our Beth Moore bible study. He was so haunted by it that he couldn't sleep and ordered the execution of all the wise men he employeed because they couldn't interpret it.

I am having a strange series of dreams as well. I dream constantly that I am cleaning my house. Last night it was dusting my new dining room table taking extra care to dust with the grain rather than against it. A few nights ago, I was dry mopping my floor and lovingly putting the pile of lint into a circle so I could get my vacuum cleaner out to hose it up.

I dream I am cleaning all the time. Can anyone interpret this? I promise that if you can't, I won't order your execution!

Happy Birthday, Jilinda!

Today is my sister-in-law's 28th birthday! This is her first birthday since becoming my sister-in-law, and I wanted to let her know how much we love her being in our family. She is funny, sweet, smart, beautiful, and the perfect match for my brother. Mom, Lauren, and I always love when she and Michael come in town because we get to hang out with her while the guys are busy talking about sports. What a blessing to love a sister-in-law so much! I thought it would be hard for whoever Michael married because Lauren and I are so close, but she fits in beautifully and I look forward to many, many years of fun with Jilinda! Matthew woke up this morning, came running in, and yelled, "Today is Aunt Jilinda's birthday!" I guess when she married my brother, she didn't realize that she was getting her own personal fan club of 3 kids (not to mention us adults as well)! Happy Birthday, Jilinda! We love you!

Life is good

Looking back on the last several posts, I realize I have been sort of a downer lately between ME and me being sick. I feel so happy lately and I haven't written much about it. I am busier than I have ever been in my life, but I am doing so many things that I really enjoy! I am enjoying the few hours I am working. I love what I am doing to help at Matthew's school. I am thrilled with Matthew's teacher and school experience so far. I am in the middle of several good books. The kids are all three at adorable ages and I am trying to enjoy every second with them (Trying is the operative word. They all three still have their moments!) The weather is cooling down considerably and we even enjoyed a dinner on Sunday night in the dark. So cozy! I even broke down last night and ordered a chai latte at Starbucks. Bryon and I enjoyed an outing to Starbucks with the kids in the backseat. This is our little "date" about twice a week. I reserve Chai Lattes for cooler months on special occasions. Driving at dusk with the whole fam just felt like a special occasion last night.

Yes, life is good. I am happy to be a part of it.

Poor little ME

Many of you who have read my blog for a while know that ME has kidney reflux. She has taken a dose of antibiotic every night since February following a hospitalization for a kidney infection.

All was going well until Saturday night. She had a great day and went to sleep. Two hours later, she was up with an almost 104 degree fever. No other signs and symptoms. Knowing her, I figured it was another bladder/kidney infection. Infections like these are called "break throughs". The bacteria managed to get through despite the antibiotic. I took her in this afternoon to her doctor who confirmed my suspicions. She has a bad kidney infection with blood in her urine. The good news is that we are now able to collect samples by peeing in a cup and not catheters!

I will find out in the next few days what bacteria it is and what to do from there. She upped her normal dose of bactrim which I hope will do the trick. Her doctor also agreed to a consult with a leading pediatric urologist in Dallas. I am anxious to talk with him and find out the best path for ME.

She was so cute at the doctor's office. She can't help but say "Hello!" to everyone she encounters. One of the nurses asked her if she was 2. "No," she said, "I'm 4 1/2!" Note to self: I need to teach my daughter that you lie about your age the other way!"

One name crossed off the list?

As many of you know, we have several names for our little girl. In the same conversation, I will call her Mary Elizabeth, Mary Beth, and ME (Emmy). I like all three so much and since this is more than likely the only time I will ever get to name a girl, I just can't choose. I thought when she was a baby that she would just tell us when she was older what to call her. I just didn't think she would be 2!

Uncle Josh called her "Mary Beth" on Saturday night and she turned to him and said, "I not Mary Beth. I ME!" This is what she calls herself and what the boys call her. Of course, I will always call her Mary Elizabeth, but I think she has chosen her nickname!

Much better!

Thank you to everyone for your well wishes. Today was a much better day. Still sore and weak, but much better. Ironically, I think the kids got a little bit today.

Michael, stop reading here.

I was cleaning the kids' rooms when ME walked in and said, "Mommy, I got diarina!" Oh boy. Yes, ME had "diarina" all over the carpet, tile, underwear, legs. Yes, Mommyhood slapped me dead in the face this morning! My day off was over.

Michael, resume reading.

Everyone was cleaned up and sunny faced the rest of the day. I enjoyed being outside in the gorgeous weather. It's good to be alive again.

Food poisoning

Well, I had lots of plans yesterday until they got ruined by a bout of food poisoning. I woke up throwing up at 5 in the morning and didn't stop most of the day. I was supposed to go into work but that obviously wasn't happening. My dear husband stayed around to take the kids to MDO and surprised me by coming home at 1 o'clock. Bless him!! He was up also in the night throwing up but it didn't hit him nearly as hard. I didn't know how I was going to take care of the kids and take Matthew to practice. My sister did volunteer to help as well and even brought me some drugs. Thanks Lauren!

I went to sleep at 4 and other than waking up to eat a few saltines (which I felt yesterday should have been on the cover of Food and Wine magazine because they tasted SO GOOD) I slept until this morning.

This morning I am weak with a very sore back (I guess from throwing up so much) but on the road to recovery. It makes me appreciate good health all the more.

9/11 Remembered

I have been sad this morning. I just finished watching the Today Show and all of the thousands of mourning people who lost someone dear to them 5 years ago today.

I was a pregnant mother of an almost 2 year old 5 years ago. I was getting ready for Ladies Class at church when I decided to turn on the Today Show. Local news had cut in and said that a plane had crashed into the North Tower of the WTC. At the time, many thought it was a small commuter plane. Maybe there was fog and it accidentally rammed into the building? Then when the second plane hit, I naiively thought, maybe the plane went to see the damage of the first building being hit and accidentally hit the other building. I just couldn't believe that any one would deliberately kill so many. As the morning unfolded, there was so much fear that there were more planes in the air. Would one try to hit the Texas White House so close to my own?

In the days and weeks to come, I was glued to the TV. Matthew was taking long naps at the time, and I spent my days watching people mourn the loss of their husbands, wives, sons, daughters, fathers, mothers. I felt a strong sympathy for Lisa Beamer as she and I were both pregnant. She had two boys just like I was about to have. What would I do if suddenly Bryon walked out the door never to return?

I remember travelling to Arkansas 10 days later to visit Lauren seeing more flags than I had ever seen before in front of so many homes and businesses. What kind of world would I bring Matthew and Thomas up in? Would they be safe? Would we be hit again soon?

I wonder if President Clinton, up to his eyeballs in controversy with Monica Lewinsky, regrets not killing Osama Bin Laden when he had the chance. I wonder if President Bush regrets any of his decisions. I wonder if America is forgetting the patriotism felt so strongly 5 years ago. I wonder if it pleases the enemy to see our country so divided. I wonder.

Five years later, I can't watch the coverage all day. I have 3 kids now and all three require that my time not be spent watching TV remembering the dead, but living life.

Whirlwind week

I can't recall a week as busy as this one in recent history (moving week excluded of course!). It seems like I got up and never sat down until late each night. I think a lot of it is getting used to working some. In any event, TGIF!!!!!

Bryon's parents are here now. Today is Grandparent's Day at school and Matthew is very lucky to have all 4 of his coming today. This is something I never dreamed of. Three of my four grandparents died by the time I was 11. The closest one lived 15 hours from me. I was determined to not let that happen with my kids! All four love our kids dearly and play an active roll in their lives.

In other news, my dining room furniture is coming today! I woke up this morning feeling like it was Christmas! I can't wait to display my dishes that have been stored away for 10 years. Kristen, I thought of your grandmother when I was getting my things out. She gave me a sterling silver cream and sugar when we got married! I will try to post pictures when I have it all together.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Fall into full swing

I haven't been inspired to blog lately and I feel like if I don't start, I am going to just completely give it up!

My spirit has been revived recently with the cooler air. I love sitting outside with Matthew in the mornings with the temp in the 60s. I am such a fall and winter girl and I feel with the passing of Labor Day, that we have crossed the finish line with summer. We went over to our dear friends house on Friday night. She had apple cobbler in the oven. Rainy nights, apple cobbler, football...heaven.

The change of season is right in line with lots of changes with me. I started working again this week. I am shadowing the current SLP and getting reintroduced to the paper work, therapy, etc. I acutally saw a patient yesterday who used to teach with my dearly loved professor who died a few weeks ago. We talked about her for a while and she even let me borrow one of her favorite books! I need to read it before I start seeing her next week! I am excited about starting work again. There is some apprehension, but mostly excitement.

My P.T.A. responsibilities are kicking in as well. I am co chairing the fall book fair at school. The great thing is that I am co-chairing with a dear friend of mine who I don't get to see as often as I did last year. The bad thing is that the fair is scheduled for the week of Halloween which is always a jam packed week! I think I would have volunteered for the spring book fair had I known this!

Another opportunity that I received last week was that I am going to help with a garden at school. Our school has beautiful gardens that the students help maintain. They even draw the plants in art class. The woman in charge of the gardens asked me to help with one of the beds. I really want to do a great job so I have been hunting around for the perfect flower combinations. I love doing this and hope I can do more in the future.

I am also helping a friend of mine with her flower beds at home. She is going to give me some of her plants that are planted in bad areas in exchange. I love that I am able to use my passion to help other people!

I am completely enjoying my Beth Moore bible study. I have been praying for a while for a renewed spiritual life for several reasons. I have let the busyness of raising preschoolers give me the excuse to not be studying like I should. Also, Matthew is getting to the age where he has lots of questions and I pray for wisdom in answering those questions. I also want to live a life that is a good example for my kids. I want them to remember me as a Godly woman. I am enjoying this breath of fresh air in my spiritual life and pray that it continues to grow.

So that's it in a nutshell. Lots going on!

What the kids are up to August 2006

Matthew:
Life as a first grader is treating Matthew very well. Anyone who read my blog last year can remember that I adored kindergarten. I loved the parent involvement in the classroom. I loved the little projects they did. I was dreading the "serious business--lack of parent involvement" of first grade. So far, I have really liked this year! I love Matthew's teacher. She freely gives me "Matthew stories" which I love to hear and seems to love Matthew. I love doing homework with him every afternoon. It gives me tangible things to talk to him about. He is king of forgetting to tell me everything he is working on, so I love the homework. He seems to have really grown up recently, and I love our talks. We are usually the only ones around in the early morning and I love this time with him. His 2nd year of piano started yesterday and flag football begins in the next week or two. Yes, we are off to a running start!

Thomas:
Thomas has been on top of the world lately. Why, you ask? Could it be the circus is coming to town? A new toy? A trip to Disneyland? No. His favorite restaurant just opened a branch a mile from our house! We have been counting down for weeks for the grand opening of Taco Bueno. Last night, it finally arrived. At 10 in the morning, he asked if we could go. At 10:30 in the morning, he asked if they were opened yet. It took a lot of patience on his part, but I was able to hold him off until 5:30. He was in heaven! He was lamenting last night that we moved away from our old house because it was 1/2 mile closer to Taco Bueno.

Thomas also seems to really be enjoying school and having Lauren as his teacher. He has been talking a lot about the letter of the week and finding words that start with the letters. Lauren measured the kids the other day and Thomas was the tallest in the class. He is my gentle giant! I couldn't love his personality any more. He just seems happy to be alive and it is rare to find him without a smile on his face.

Mary Elizabeth:
Well after two years of smoothe sailing, we have hit some rough waters. She is still her funny, sunny self, but she is developing some bad habits. I have already mentioned the no napping thing. I feel bad that in MDO, she is one of two kids who won't sleep. The teacher says that she will look at the other little girl and say, "Lay DOWN, Tatum!" If only she would take her own advise!

She has also developed a fascination with cleansing products. A week ago, she came into the kitchen with a handful of conditioner in her dry hair. What a pain that is to get out! Saturday, I was putting groceries away, and I hear the death scream coming from my bedroom. She had found the Johnson and Johnson, dumped half of it on my carpet and the other half all over her face. Bless her heart, she cried so hard that she threw up. It took me hours to get the shampoo out of the carpet.

The other little messy habit is that she will take her pullup off in the morning and pee in her bed so as not to mess up her pullup! Yesterday morning, I walked into her room and there on the floor, several inches from her crib, was a perfectly round puddle of pee. Now, I look at my little girl, then down at the puddle and wonder, "How in the world did that happen?" Did she jump out of the crib, do her business, then jump back in? Did she climb onto the railing, thrust her body out, then do her business? Perhaps we will never know!

Other than that, she is still my sweet baby who delights in making us smile. I am enjoying watching the unique relationships that she is building with her brothers. She loves her mornings with Thomas. This often consists of her laying on top of him while watching Sesame Street (or as I like to call it, my hour to clean!). She loves bossing him around and he usually lets her. One of the first things she says every morning is, "I want THOMAS!" Matthew loves to baby her and she loves to be babied by him. It is so much fun to watch it unfold!

I love weeks like this one. Things are going very smoothly and I am loving the mommy business! Maybe I just jinxed myself! I'll keep my fingers crossed!

Book Tag

Tagged by Amy!

1. One book that changed your life: Gone With The Wind. I read it my sophomore year in high school. It was the first really really long book I ever read and it gave me the confidence to try another really long book. I credit that one with the start of my love for reading.

2. One book that you've read more than once: To Kill a Mockingbird and Tale of Two Cities. I moved my junior year in high school. Both of these books were in the freshman curriculum at my old school and the senior curriculum in my new school!

3. One book you'd want on a desert island: The Bible Also War and Peace. It would take me a while to read and I won't have anything but time on my hands!

4. One book that made you laugh: I Don't Know How She Does It. A hilarious book about a woman who juggles work and young children.
The Number One Ladies Detective Agency.

5. One book that made you cry: Marley and Me. I am a sucker for a good dog book. Also, The Last Coach: The Story of Bear Bryant. I am a suck for a good Bama book.

6. One book you wish had been written: Harry Potter.

7. One book you wish had never been written: Most all motivational books. Who Moved My Cheese, et. al.

8. One book you're currently reading: Love In the Time of Cholera.

9. One book you've been meaning to read: Blue Like Jazz. I have it on the shelf ready to go! Anna Karenina. I have also had that ready to go (even before Oprah put it on her list). The Corrections, John Adams, Two Years Before the Mast.

10. Books I am incredible glad that I read that also had a huge impact on my life: Undaunted Courage, Fly Boys, Mark of the Lion series, Centennial, Come to the Table, Roots . Plus many more!

Thank you to everyone who loves my kids

Yesterday afternoon, a package arrived at our doorstep. It was for Thomas. Much to Thomas's sheer delight, my cousin had sent him an official Shawn Alexander jersey, hat, and fan finger (is that what you call them?). His eyes were wide as saucers. "You mean I get my OWN jersey?" Colleen lives in Seattle and knows how much Thomas adores the team. She couldn't help herself. Colleen just inched past his mother as Thomas's favorite female.

The same day, JoAnna's daughter, Hannah, Matthew's cousin in law, sent him a Georgia Bulldog keychain which plays the Georgia fight song, a personal favorite of Matthew's.

I woke up this morning and poured ME some milk. "Uh, uh. I want COFFEE milk!" I reached for the coffee syrup, a Rhode Island specialty that my aunt, who lives in Providence, sent to me for the kids. ME drank two huge glasses.

After breakfast, I dressed ME in her new adorable outfit from my mother-in-law for her birthday. She LOVES getting new outfits! She goes in her closet and says, "I want an outfit!" What a female.

I am just feeling really grateful today for everyone who chooses to be a part of my kids lives. You bless me. You bless my kids.

*Kristen never forgets their birthdays by sending a card and present.
*Lauren is always available to play with them and brag on them.
*Mom and Dad take them on great vacations and are always looking for special things for them.
*My inlaws sent Matthew "official" car insurance (they are in the business) for his plastic Hummer. He was thrilled. They also have quarters for the boys who love state quarters.
*My brother and sister-in-law have the boys spend the night and do lots of fun things with them (like meet Dirk Nowitzki!). They always remember them when they are on vacation.
*My aunts ALWAYS send cards for EVERY holiday for them. Even St. Patrick's Day!

I feel so blessed to have so many friends and family who love my kids! Thank you!

Great day!

OK, I'm just really having a great day. Maybe I shouldn't jinx it, but I am loving life right now.

I just walked outside to a cool, 86 degree afternoon. It is amazing how cool that feels after 106 degrees days all August! A breeze was coming in from the north. Heaven.

IT SMELLED LIKE RAIN! Wet spots were on the ground and not from my sprinkler system. I have seen rain twice since we moved in 2 months ago. My plants are even in a good mood.

My kids are just too stinking cute today. They make my world a great place to live.

5.95 pizza night! No messing up the kitchen.

No where to be on a Monday. The day gets such a bad rap. I adore Mondays!

Another quiet weekend, the end of an era, and Sloppy Joes.

Bryon had his annual football draft in Dallas which he always attends. He decided last minutes to do the draft at home so we didn't have to go out of town. I usually love to go to Dallas, but the thought of dragging sleeping children out of bed and being on the road by 7 seemed very unappealing on a sacred Saturday morning!

I loved watching both the boys participate in the draft with Bryon. Bryon had first pick (because he came in last place this year) and deciding who would be the number one pick was the dinnertime topic all week. Since Shawn Alexander is Thomas's favorite player, they decided that it would be more fun to root for him than someone who we didn't care about.

I think we have come to the end of an era with ME. My beautiful little napper has suddenly decided that she doesn't like naps. Most days last week she didn't take one or didn't go down the first time. Now, Matthew was 25 months when he stopped napping, and I was 2 when I stopped, so this wouldn't be unusual, but how is it that I wound up with nap haters? To be fair, Thomas loved his naps until he was 3 1/2. I am hoping that this is just a phase. If it is over, it wouldn't be the end of the world. We would have much more freedom during the day. I have to pick Matthew up at 3 anyway. We'll see.

Here is another recipe that I double up and freeze. It is a Sloppy Joe recipe from the Women of ACU cookbook. I don't know what it is about this recipe, but I love it! Bryon and I usually eat 2 "Joes" a piece. Of course it is very kid friendly as well.

Sloppy Joes:
1 pound ground beef
1 C ketchup
1 Tablespoon mustard
2 Tablespoon vinegar (I usually use Apple Cider vinegar, but I am sure any will do.)
2 Tablespoon sugar
S and P to taste
1/4 C water

Brown meat. Add remaining ingredients. Cook slowly for 20 minutes.
Serve on toasted buns.

Phase 1 of the garden project completed!

Well, after a backbreaking day in the garden, phase 1 is now complete! I went to my favorite nursey yesterday to pick up a few extras. What is usually a full parking lot and not a worker to talk to b/c of busyness was just the opposite yesterday. I spent a lot of time with the owner of the nursery and she ended up giving me drastically reduced prices because most everything looks so pitiful this time of year! I planted over 40 plants yesterday. Toward the end, Bryon helped with the shoveling. I am feeling the effects this morning and am having trouble straightening my legs out! I was so happy yesterday working in the yard and getting back into it. I look forward to phase 2 coming up this fall!

BEFORE





















A good look at one of the two beds that were made. This one houses most of my roses that I brought from the other house. I also have some perennials in there such as black and blue salvia and some sages.














This picture shows my arbor and the flower bed on one side. Phase 1 of this project is complete! The next step is to get someone out to put up a short fence on either side of the arbor to divide my backyard in half. I will put rambling roses on the fence.













Not the best picture, but this is where the majority of my KnockOut Roses are. I put Agapanthus around the border because I like this combination.

Thursday

Last night, I started the new Beth Moore bible study on Daniel. I am really excited about starting this one up! I haven't taken one of her studies since I was pregnant with ME and took some time off while she was really little b/c they take up a lot of time. I am also excited because Bryon is taking it with me! This is the first year it has been opened up to guys so it should make for great discussions!

Matthew was thrilled to find out that his teacher is taking the class as well! She doesn't go to our church but enjoys coming on Wednesday nights for Beth Moore. She told me that that morning she had asked the kids to write down things about themselves. Matthew wrote that he was an Exurver (his way of saying "observer"---too cute to correct! ;), a Scientist, and a Daydreamer! I asked him later what he meant by daydreamer. He said sometimes he likes to just sit down and think!

My new big project that has started this week is that I get to start planting! My new backyard didn't have a single flower bed in it when we bought it. My landscape guy came over yesterday and used his sodcutter to shape some beds for me and now I have 30 plus plants to put in the ground. Despite the 100 heat, I am going to try to put a few in before I pick up the kids from MDO. I am stalling, because I am a baby about the heat, to write this post! OK, enough stalling...

This and that

*We had Matthew's parent/teacher night last night. This was the teacher's chance to share policys and procedures with the class, get to know her personality, as well as meet other parents in the class. I really like Matthew's teacher and feel comfortable with her teaching style.

Bryon and I had a chance to talk to her for a while last night. She told us a funny story about Matthew that occurred that morning. They were in circle talking about letters and the teacher asked what word began with the letter "q". Matthew raised his hand and said, "quill". The kids didn't know what that meant so Matthew explained how people used quills during the American Revolution time. Some kid raised his hand and said, "Couldn't we just used 'quilt'?" Matthew popped his head back to the teacher and said, "What's wrong with these people? Don't they care about American history?" Matthew's teacher got a big kick out of that!

*My blog friends are dropping like flies. I miss you, Meredith and Kelley!

*Thomas and ME started Mother's Day Out yesterday. Thomas, woke up and started bouncing around because he was so excited about the first day of school! The most exciting part? Aunt Lauren was his teacher! He had a great time and stayed on green all day. This means he had good behavior. Thomas heard, "I got a green today in school" all year last year because Matthew's teacher used the same color coding. Thomas felt very big having a discipline chart! He probably talked about it 20 times yesterday! I loved picking the kids up and seeing Lauren. I am so glad she is Thomas's teacher this year!

*There were some comments about my double up and freeze recipes on my last post. There are several tried and true recipes I use for this and I will share some over the next few posts. Here is perhaps the easiest double up and freeze, Taco Soup. I am pretty sure that you can't be a member of my church without knowing this recipe! We eat our weight in it during the fall and winter. When I was making it on Saturday, Bryon had some football game on and I was daydreaming that it was October! I can't stress enough how good it is, easy, and kidfriendly. Here is goes:

Taco Soup
1 1/2 pounds ground beef
1 onion
1 package Taco Seasoning
1 package ranch dressing (powder)
2 cans pinto beans
1 can kidney beans
1 can corn
1 large can tomatoes (I like progresso crushed)
1 can green chilis

Brown meat and onion together. Follow directions on taco seasoning package to mix in with the meat. Mix the rest of the ingredients together in a large pot and simmer 1 hour.
Serve with either corn bread, cheese, and/or chips.

Again, since this recipe is just mainly dumping cans into a pot, I double it and freeze the massive pot into family portions. My favorite way to eat it is to put cornbread on the bottom of a bowl and spoon the soup over it. Yum!