Yesterday was crazy busy. I never knew I could pack so much into one day! I woke up early to get a head start. That’s probably the only way it could have happened.I showered and dressed. I packed the diaper bag. I prepared breakfast for when the kids awoke and snacks for on the go. I piled everyone into the car by 7:30 am. What for? Not the gym. I tried that schedule out today for the first time. Success in case you were wondering.

Yesterday I set out to conquer something else. I set out to conquer the children’s consignment sale.

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These sales are basically huge garage sales where hundreds of moms come together to sell their gently used children items. Its the only way I buy my kids clothes. One third the cost and just as nice? Don’t mind if I do!

I hit up one sale from 8:30-9:30. I had to shop fast to keep the baby in the carrier and the toddler in the stroller from spontaneously combusting. I still managed okay..

After we got home it was the usual nursing and playing routines. And hearing Makenzie rave about her new clothes. “Mommy, soooo cute!” “Ooooohhhh!!!”

Then, from 1-2 pm I participated in the 4all by jofit webcast as part of the Team 4all.

Can I just say how much I love this company and working with them?!

I still had more to do after the lovely chat, though. As in fitting in my workout. I completed a Turbo Jam DVD. It wasn’t the best workout. I need some new shoes specifically for cross training.

It worked well as my warm-up for round two. That’s right. Round two. I had another consignment sale to visit last night. I figured paying the $5 to do the presale was worth it. Not so much for getting in a night early. More so to not have to fear the spontaneous baby/toddler combustion previously mentioned. I got to shop alone. It was a mad hour rush. Once again, I think I did okay with my haul…

Perhaps its a good thing I only had 2 hours to shop between the two sales. 😉

Obviously with a day like that I needed to take the easy route where I could. It was a leftovers for lunch kind of day. Fortunately, I had the perfect meal for leftovers. And a perfect recipe to share with all of you thanks to my friend, Danielle. It may sound familiar because Caitlin just did a spin on it after I shared the recipe with her. Check out her version as well.

Mexican Black Bean Tortilla Casserole

• 2 tsp. extra virgin olive oil
• 3/4 lb. cremini or button mushrooms, trimmed & quartered
• minced garlic (I used about 1 Tbsp)
• 1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
• course salt & ground pepper
• 15.5 oz. can black beans, drained & rinsed
• 8 corn tortillas, warmed & halved
• 2 cups salsa or basic marinara (I did the marinara bec of spice & b'feeding)
• 4 oz. Monterey Jack cheese, shredded

Preheat oven to 400. In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high. Add mushrooms and cook, stirring often, until browned, 7 minutes. Add garlic and cayenne; season with salt & pepper. Add black beans and stir to combine. Cook until beans are warmed through.

Arrange 5 tortilla halves in a 8x8 baking dish. Top with half the bean mixture and 1/2 cup salsa/marinara, then sprinkle with one-third of the cheese.

Repeat with another layer. Top with remaining tortilla, salsa/marinara, and cheese. Cover with foil and bake until center is hot and cheese melts, about 10-15 minutes.

Uncover and bake until cheese is bubbling, another 10-15 minutes. Serve and savor.

You know I don’t post recipes unless they’re something special. So, what are you waiting for? Make this!!! And the leftovers? Taste even better the next day. Gotta love that!

Question of the Day – How do you like to score a bargain? And what’s your favorite casserole dish meal? This may have just topped my favorite chicken enchiladas that I shared in my first post!

I realize just how easily we find ourselves taking things like relationships and health for granted. Everyday, ordinary moments still contain such beauty and hope. I woke up today feeling much better after the initial shock of learning my mom has MS yesterday. I decided worry can bring nothing positive to my life, so I chose to go on with an ordinary day. It was wonderful.

Just like any other day, I ate a bowl of oats for breakfast.

I discovered the pleasure of NOT stirring all my toppings together before eating. I had a bowl similar to above with strawberries and White Chocolate Wonderful PB with some raisins also added in for texture. I loved custom creating each bite! And savoring the peanut butter oh so slowly at the end. I may never stir up oats again!

Just like any other day, I showered and got dressed.

And smiled to be able to wear short sleeves! I had to put that in here. 😀

Just like any other day, I was a mom and a friend.

We had a fabulous play date today. It felt good to get out and spend time with friends.

Just like any other day, I went to the gym.

I powered through full body weight training and day 3 of this week’s Couch to 5K training. Dare I say I enjoyed the running portion of my workout more than the weights?? That never happens. Who am I?!

Just like any other Friday, I grabbed Subway for dinner.

I’m so over cooking by Friday night. $5 foot long picked up on the way home from the gym? Sounds like a great way to end just another ordinary week to me.

And ordinary is fine by me!

Question of the Evening – What was ordinary but great about your day? And do you stir up your oat toppings or eat bit by bit unstirred?