Still here.....

So it seems that I may or may not have forgotten got really busy and have neglected my little blog...well I'm back!!  I have decided that I am going to be intentional about updating and posting.  But I also want to be intentional about what I'm posting...no fluff, so to speak.  Just real life.  I am asking you to hold me accountable to that.  Summer is officially over this weekend and I am looking forward to all things fall!!  I love fall and

Salted Caramel Mochas from Starbucks

 

 

the crispness of fall evenings by the fire.  Sweaters and boots.  Pumpkin patches.  Mums on the porch.  Changing leaves.  Football!

 

Happy Fall y'all.

Menu Monday (on Wednesday)

Hello Friends....I'm a few days late and a lot of dollars short....My goal was to have my menu posted on Monday (hence the name) but with the weather we have experienced here and the kiddies being off school, hopes don't really follow reality. But I guess late is better than skipping it completely. Our menu for the week:

Monday: Stuffed chicken breasts, mac and cheese and sweet peas

Tuesday: Hamburgers with sauted mushrooms and onions, beans and tater tots

Wednesday: Chicken, scalloped potatoes, and mixed veggies

Thursday: Tortilla crusted Tilapia, rice and salad

Friday: Steak, caramelized onions, baked potato, salad

Saturday: Pizza night

Sunday: Pioneer Woman's Beef Stew with Beer and Paprika, cornbread

Enjoy!

My 2011 Reading List

I don't know where I find the time to read, but it is one of my favorite things to do. I find if I keep a book with me, I am able to find a few minutes each day to indulge. In the carpool line, in the doctor's office, in the checkout line, at the kids practices. So I bring to you my 2011 reading list. I know that it may seem a bit grandiose to think I can read a book a month this year with 3 kiddies under my feet, but I like a good challenge. I am 3/4 of the way through my January pick with 1 day left in the month. Hopefully I can complete it in early February and breeze through February's pick.

January
The Help--Kathryn Stockett
(so far an amazing read!)

February
Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God--Francis Chan

March
Vision in White--Nora Roberts

April
Choosing to SEE: A Journey of Struggle and Hope--Mary Beth Chapman

May
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo--Stieg Larsson

June
Life without Summer--Lynne Griffin

July
I Remember You--Harriet Evans

August
Cherries in Winter--Suzan Colon

September
The Girl Who Played With Fire--Stieg Larsson

October
Water For Elephants--Sara Gruen

November
The Overnight Socialite--Birdie Clark

December
The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets Nest--Stieg Larsson

I have also picked a few extras....just in case.

Safe Haven--Nicholas Sparks
Uncharted TerriTori-- Tori Spelling
Completing the Bride Quartet--Nora Roberts

Wish me luck!!!

Wow...has it really been a year??

I can't believe I haven't posted anything in a year....however, it was a really busy year. We have moved twice , added another baby to the family and hubby has started working ridiculous hours at work. So needless to say, blogging has taken a back seat. My goals for this year include blogging much, much, much more (shouldn't be too hard since last year involved a whopping 3 posts). So I guess I will start with a resolution list of sorts. Posting my goals for this 2011 year and asking you to hold me accountable. Here it goes:

• Blog on a weekly basis
• Post my 2011 Reading list
• Menu Mondays
• Join in on an organizing challenge

That's a good start...I will add more as I set loftier goals for myself and family.

Can't wait to share!!

Dinner Plan for the Week

Does anyone else hate planning dinner night after night, week after week? I love being able to make my family a nutritious meal that we share together but OH MY the work that goes into it. First I have to pull out a whole bunch of cookbooks, tap into my psychic abilities to know if my family will eat it and then make a list, clip coupons and head to the store....shewwww I'm tired just thinking about it. One of my goals for 2010 is to cook dinner at home at least 6 nights a week, hopefully being good enough to only eat out 2 times a month (fingers crossed!). So I'm hoping that ya'll will hold me accountable!

Here's my menu for this week:

Sunday: Dinner out for BabyGirls birthday
Lean Cuisine for Mama

Monday: Roast, potatoes and broccoli
Lean Cuisine for Mama

Tuesday: Taco Night
Taco Salad for Mama

Wednesday: Creamy Garlic Shrimp and Pasta

Thursday: Grilled Barbeque Chicken Sandwiches with Spicy Avacado

Friday: Breakfast for Dinner: Jalapeno, Sausage, Jack and Egg Breakfast Braid

Saturday: Grown Up Grilled Cheese Sandwiches and Tomato Soup (Thanks! Adventures of a Southern Newlywed)

Sunday: Family Dinner--Not sure what's on the menu

Desserts: Lemon Cheesecake Bars

Layered Peanut Butter Bars

Enjoy!!

Happy Birthday BabyGirl!!

BabyGirl's Birth Day
BabyGirl turns 1!! (this is BabyGirls cousin...they share the same birthday!)

BabyGirl turns 2

BabyGirl turns 3

And my 4 year old silly girl!!!

My how the time flys!! I feel like I just had BabyGirl yesterday and here we are celebrating the blessing we were given turning 4!!

Dear BabyGirl,

Today is your 4th birthday and I want you to know how much I love you. Right now, this letter may not mean much to you. Maybe you'd like to have a Dora card I bought at the store. But I want you to have a tangible, lasting reminder of my love for you. Years from now, you won't have the cards you received or the toys given to you but you will always have the memories we've created together! This past year has been wonderful, yet challenging. You are one strong willed, independent, beautiful little girl. There have been days you've made me want to pull my hair out, but more so, days when I just want to pull you close and keep you my baby forever! I know...you keep telling me to stop being such a crybaby...but BabyGirl, I can't!! You are such a blessing to me and daddy and all of your family that sometimes the feelings are sooo much that crying is the best option! My wish for you this coming year is to continue to love God with your whole heart and keep growing into the beautiful, most amazing girl any Mommy and Daddy could ask for!

I Love You Princess!! xoxo, Mommy

I think I'm in Heaven.....

OK....so BigGirl wanted to help make dinner tonight and since I already had the meal planned and it was age appropriate, I let her take over (isn't this why we had kids anyway?). I handed her the recipe for the Easy Chicken Pot Pie and then just kept my eye on her, I didn't need any trips to the ER today. I thought she'd make dinner and be done and in her room but alas....she wanted to make dessert also. She chose to make this Chocolate Sheet Cake. Once the dishes were done we sat down to indulge and can i just say...PINCH ME I THINK I'M IN HEAVEN!!!! This cake is to die for!!!! I have locked myself in my room so that I am not tempted to finish off the cake......do not waste another minute....make it for yourself...your husband and children will forever want to do things around the house in hopes their reward will be a delicious sheet cake!!! (oh, and BigGirl is getting a bonus in her allowance this week! )