Monday, February 1, 2010

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!!

Thursday, January 28, 2010

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




Monday, January 25, 2010

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! )

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

All About Me from A-Z

Attached or single: Attached
Best Friend: My mama
Cake or Pie: red velvet cake
Day of choice: Sunday
Essential item: Lip gloss and cell phone
Favorite color: PINK
Gummy bears or worms: bears
Hometown: Monrovia, MD
Indulgence: Black Tie Mousse Cake from Olive Garden
January or July: January--it's Baby's birthday month
Kids: 2--Big and Baby
Life isn't complete without: GOD
Marriage Date: August 27, 2005
Number of Siblings: 2
Oranges or Apples: Clementines
Phobias: bugs of any type
Quotes: "Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God" ~Corrie Ten Boom
Reasons to smile: Too many to count
Season of Choice: Spring and fall--love them equally
Time it is right now: 11:05AM
Unknown fact about me: I am terrified of public speaking or praying!!
Vision for your future: Living in the Carolinas in a cottage on the beach
Worst habit: CONTROL FREAK!!!
Xray or ultrasound: Neither
Your favorite food: Mexican
Zodiac sign: Taurus

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

A Girl can Wish, right?!

Sometimes I sit and daydream about all of the things I want if money were no issue. Here's a few that top my list:


All of the children's furniture from PBKids
A Lilly dress for mommy


A Lilly dress for baby

A Lilly scarf for mommy also!
But then it's back to reality and would I really spend $168 on a scarf for myself...shoot no!! But dreaming is healthy, right?!

































Today I am Thankful!!!

Today I am in such a THANKFUL mood that I felt I needed to share it!! We have so many things to be thankful for each day that we have become accustom to them and forget to give thanks to God for what he has blessed us with, wether big or small. I have been sitting here thinking of a few of the things that I am thankful for and created a little list. After reading mine...I would love for you to comment on a few of yours!

1. I am thankful that I am forgiven.
2. I am thankful that I have a loving, supportive family.
3. I am thankful that I have a place to live and food on the table.
4. I am thankful for the blessing of being a mommy.
5. I am thankful for my DVR.
6. I am thankful for warm, cozy blankets and a good book.
7. I am thankful for laughter.
8. I am thankful for my girlfriends.
9. I am thankful for sunny days and fresh flowers.
10. I am thankful for words of encouragement.
11. I am thankful that I don't have to go through life alone.
12. I am thankful that my happy days have outnumbered my sad ones.
13. I am thankful for today and another chance to leave my mark on the world.
14. I am thankful for today and another chance to make the world better than it was yesterday, to show someone Jesus and to make someone smile.

Have a blessed day!

Friday, January 8, 2010

Wanna Join Me in Booking it in 2010?




So, New Year means new challenges, right? Well in 2010 I'm challenging myself and you to "Book it in 2010". I was inspired by Fishmama's post....to view the original post click http://www.lifeasmom.com/2010/01/ready-to-book-it-in-2010.html. My list so far includes:



  1. The Last Kiss- Luanne Rice

  2. 29 Gifts- Cami Walker

  3. Whistlin' Dixie in a Nor'Easter- Lisa Patton

  4. The Inheritance- Tamera Alexander

  5. Sweetwater Gap- Denise Hunter

  6. Good Little Wives- Abby Drake

  7. Perfect Little Ladies- Abby Drake

That's all I have so far....What about you? What books would you like to read? Please share!!

Thursday, January 7, 2010

A Little Heavenly Discipline

Today in my quiet time, this Scripture jumped out at me that I am claiming for myself. I wanted to share it with you as it may come as a hope or help to someone:

Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. For, "Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech. He must turn from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer." 1 Peter 3:8-12a.

But I really like the way the Message interprets:

Summing up: Be agreeable, be sympathetic, be loving, be compassionate, be humble. That goes for all of you, no exceptions. No retaliation. No sharp-tongued sarcasm. Instead, bless--that's your job, to bless. You'll be a blessing and also get a blessing. Whoever wantes to embrace life and see the day fill up with good, Here's what you do: Say nothing evil or hurtful; Snug evil and cultivate good; run after peace for all you're worth. God looks on this with approval, listening and responding well to what he's asked.

I know that all too often I catch myself speaking with sarcasm, tossing insults around because I've been insulted and lashing out at my husband because I feel comfortable enough to do so. What a refreshing wake up call this Scripture proves to be for me. God is disciplining me in His gentle yet firm way that in order for me to walk with Him on the path to righteousness, I have some adjustments I need to make.

I know that none of us are perfect, but we should be striving to be the best that we can be, and for myself, that means that I need to not make excuses to justify my behavior. God specifically says "that goes for all of you, no exceptions". My "job" is to be a blessing and that is what I intend to strive to be from today forward.