Friday, September 28, 2012

Snow White in my Bed

Thanks for your sweet comments yesterday y'all - I appreciate everyone of you so much!  After that pity party yesterday, let's be happy today, shall we?

Last Friday night, we had a girl's night and it was so much fun!! I love nights full of laughter with your girlfriends.  








I came home to Snow White in my bed :)...


Sunday, the kids and I decorated the house for Fall and Halloween, here is a shot of the mantle..

We also did our Fall Bucket List as a family! We started this last year and the kids love it.  We all sit together and take turns thinking of activities we want to do this Fall season. I write them down and put them in our "bucket". Throughout the next few months we will be keeping up with our list and taking things out as we complete :).

Last night, Bree and I had a fun photo session...

Hope y'all have a great weekend!! We don't have much planned. Claire is looking better today after a long evening and night last night, so I think we are on on the mend!! Thank you for the prayers!  

Holler at you later!
PS - go on over to Suburban Strut and link up with Outfit Friday! I also posted my first vlog and Bree helped :)

Thursday, September 27, 2012

Mama fits

Some days, I just want to throw a fit. Like get in the floor, or stomp my feet and scream like Bree does when  I will not let her have my "Ipide" to watch Jessie again.  Just as B does not need to watch Jessie or is a very privileged child that is able to even watch her favorite shows on an iPad, I have NOTHING to complain about and need a gut check every once in awhile.  

So ridic, but true. I am just a human trying to be a good Christian, wife and mama to three little impressionable kiddos.  I am going to have moments and I need them.  I know the  Lord knows I need them too, but He always uses them to help me realize how I have nothing to worry about and all things are for the best...even if I canNOT see it that way at the time. 

A couple weeks ago, Claire had her dance party when they would announce the Big Sis/Lil Sis relationships for the year; one of Claire's most favorite moments.  It was a Friday early evening and I took off a little early so I could get home in time to get Claire and Bree ready, wrap the Big Sis gift and get there on time.  Well, I misread the invite and we were an hour late. Claire missed her announcement of her big sis and we walked in to the party winding down.  Claire had to search for her big sis. I was so pissed at myself and wanted to throw a fit for Claire because I felt so bad I did it to her (does that even make sense?). Claire was really good about the whole situation even with me acting like a complete brat about it and I found myself in the worst mood. When we left, I apologized to Claire and she told me "It is okay mama, I still had fun and sometime we will just miss things.".  Such a smart girl.  Then, right then, I remembered how I was all over Shane that very morning because he was going to have to miss taking the kids to Dads and Donuts at school because he forgot to put it on his calendar and had a meeting scheduled.  He could not change the fact that he forgot, never mind the fact that he had to attend the meeting. But that morning, I threw a fit and was pissed.  The kids were sad, but I took them to get donuts and all was well.  I was mad at Shane all day...so the Lord took that moment that night to show me that I am not perfect and these things happen and you cannot change them. I apologized to Shane and learned my lesson.

All last week, I kept reminding Shane to plan a date night. I know this is not his forte or his comfort zone. I am the planner of the relationship and I usually take care of getting a sitter, planning what we are doing, etc.  BUT, I was hell bent that he would do it this time and was starting to get aggravated when it was Thursday evening and he still had not called to get a sitter.  He did get one Friday morning and we were set. I got a call  Friday that Owen was sick at school with a fever.  After bringing him home, seeing that he was bad sick and being up all night Friday night, date night was cancelled.  Once again, I wanted to throw a fit because Shane did all this and now Owen is sick. I was pissed at myself for being mad too.  But you know what hit me? I was so hard on Shane to get it planned, he could not have been as excited as I was.  Here I was forcing him to plan it and as much as we needed a night out, this was not the way it should be. That night, we stayed home, ate chili and Owen got better.  It was a great night with family and it felt good to relax.  The Lord knew it is what we really needed. One more lesson learned.

Today, while in a meeting, I see the dreaded caller ID pop up, "Shiloh School Nurse". I wanted to fall out of my chair.  I answered and sure enough, Claire is sick.  I literally got tears in my eyes for her.  Tomorrow is the big 3rd Grade program and she has a singing and speaking part.  We have been practicing for weeks and she was so excited about it!  It is a grandparent's day program and we submitted pictures for the slideshow of Claire with both sets of grandparents and they were all coming. I knew that since she threw up, she would not be able to be in the program tomorrow even if she felt better due to the 24 hour sick rule.  So not only is my baby girl bad sick, she has to miss the biggest event of the third grade year.  I am so sad and just want to take it away from her, but I have to keep reminding myself that there is a reason for this and all will be well. Today instead of a fit, I am praying for the Lord to show me the good in this and heal her fast.  Maybe I needed the other lessons for this moment? I KNOW that I need these moments to remind me how healthy my kids are and that some parents would give anything to have a healthy kid miss a program than an unhealthy kid that can't leave a hospital.  Gut check.

I know I am being dramatic today. I know that I am fortunate and have so much in my life that is great. But sometimes we need to write these things to remind ourselves of that.  I am human and everything is not always perfect...but these moments just makes us better...more lessons.

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

So What Wednesday!


Today I am linking up for the first time with Shannon at Life After I Dew for So What Wednesday.

This week I'm saying SO WHAT if...
  • I have sent Owen to school with bed head the last two days. We are barely able to get out the door with female heads of hair presentable, I forget about poor O :).
  • I just now told one of my new co workers about Suburban Strut. I never know how people are going to react or know if they have any idea what I am talking about. She got it :).
  • The Razorbacks suck this year and I am totally not on the WPS wagon right now. It is hard to get excited for Saturday Football watching when your team is not any fun to watch!
  • My closet looks like a bomb went off right now and I am constantly on Claire and Owen to keep their closets clean. I am Mama and I said so...
  • It's the 80's every other day, I will wear a scarf and cardigan!
  • I need to go to the bank and make a few deposits at lunch but I am going to get my nails done instead :)...
  • There are over 15 bins of clothing that is out grown by three kids stacked up in Bree's room that I need to really go through sell. 
So those are my so whats...post yours too and link up with fab Shannon!

Monday, September 24, 2012

Project Pinterest: Copy Cat Cookie Cake


I am linking up with AP again at I Love You More Than Carrots on her Project Pinterest Link Up! 


So one late night, I was perusing Pinterest, I came upon this pin and about died!! It is the copy cat recipe to the Great American Cookie Company Cookie Cake!  I am a long time lover of these cookies and inhale a double doozie faster than you can say 1,000 calories :).  I have never really liked any other cookie cakes as I never felt anyone could hold a candle to the yumminess and texture of these cakes.  Well, I saw this and it only had 2 ingredients and I was SOLD!!  So here it is:

All you need is a roll of cookie dough and light corn syrup. For every roll of cookie dough, add 1/4 cup of light corn syrup.  Mix well and then spread it in a thin, greased pan for 35-40 minutes at 325.
All mixed up...
My tastes tester was pleased...
Pressed into my pan - wet your fingers and press it in, the water will evaporate...
THE FINISHED PRODUCT!
The verdict - this was VERY easy to make! It came out of the oven VERY greasy.  I actually soaked up some with a paper towel.  I may have used too much syrup and I would cut back some next time. I let it cool and even in a greased pan, it was really hard to get out of the pan, which makes sense with the syrup added. BUT I will tell y'all, it was DAMN good!  It was a chewy, but soft cookie that tasted VERY similar to the Great American Cookie Company cookie.  We added icing to half of it and it was too sweet. I think it was perfect plain.  Seriously, so good!

This was definitely a trial and error pinterest project that we will be trying again and perfecting!!

Follow me on Pinterest here!




Friday, September 21, 2012

King Owen and his Princesses

I have had a cold for the last few days that has kicked my tail for sure.  I worked from home yesterday and go to pick the kids up from school. Owen got in the car like this :)...

I asked him what he was wearing and he said that he was "King".  He was king for the day and everyone in the class colored pictures of him and the teacher made them into a book for him.  He was proud :)...he did critique the pictures that did NOT look like him :).


Last Friday night - we let the kids pick out our dinner spot - we had Village Inn :)

The girls were so excited when Riffraff started carrying little "LOVE" Arkansas shirts for them - are they not the cutest??!!!
 Bree LOVES dance...She wore one of Claire's dance outfit hand me downs this week!
 Here is Claire wearing it when she was 4 :)...oh this Mama's heart!

And if that was not enough to get ya teary eyed, look at THIS!  The fabulous Benfields got this picture of me and my Claire.  It was right after the wedding and I was happy crying and telling Claire how proud I was of her for doing so good....mother's love right there! Go to their website to see a few more fab pics!!!


Happy Friday!

Monday, September 17, 2012

Project Pinterest - Charleston Cheese Dip

Good Morning!  I am linking up with AP at I Love You More Than Carrots on her new Project Pinterest Link Up! 


We all pin tons of stuff, fill our boards, and then forget to try them, right?  When we do try it, we need to let everyone know if it was a "Yay, Pinterest for the WIN" or "Boo, Pinterest blew this one!" :). So today, I am going to tell you a WIN, the best dip I have probably ever made!  I found this pin for Charleston Cheese Dip and made this weekend for the game...

It was AMAZING, like not a single bit was left!! I did alter a few things from this recipe for us and it was perfect!! Y'all try this one!!!

Charleston Cheese Dip

1/2 - cup mayonnaise
1 - 8oz package cream cheese, softened
1 - cup grated sharp cheddar cheese
1/2 - cup grated Monterey jack cheese
3 - green onions, finely chopped
Couple dashes of Tabasco
12 - Ritz crackers, crushed
8 - slices bacon, cooked and crumbled ( I used a whole bag of the precooked recipe bacon pieces)


Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a medium bowl, mix the mayonnaise, cream cheese, cheddar cheese, Monterey jack cheese, green onions and tabasco. Transfer the mixture to a shallow baking dish.

Top mixture with cracker crumbs and bake for 15 minutes, or until heated through. Remove the pan from the oven and top with the bacon. Bake again for 10-15 minutes.  Serve immediately with corn chips, bagel chips or crackers.


Here is what mine looked like...my mouth is watering!  We served it with Club crackers and chips. So good!!

You can follow me on Pinterest here!!

Happy pinning!!!

Thursday, September 13, 2012

Random Random

Well in the last few month, we have had two birthdays, the kids started school, football started, Nicole and Aaron got married and I started a new job.  To say we have been busy and I have been drowning does not even do it justice! I am so behind on laundry, my car is a mess and I just recently realized that it is Fall :).  I am trying to get back in the blogging routine now that I am finding a rhythm with the new job and the kids back at school.  So let's catch up...

I am LOVING my new job!! I am back in a business I know and love and feel at home.  I work with a great team and love our office. I am starting to settle in and that feels great. This was a huge blessing!!  I even have a nice big office to myself and that is a huge plus :).  

The kids have started school and love their teachers.  Both are doing really well and bringing home great work. Owen thinks kindergarten is great and loves all his new friends.  Claire thinks she is big stuff in third grade and is doing so well.  She is really becoming independent and we are so proud of her.

Bree has had a big week!  She decided this past Sunday he was done with "biapers" and we pretty much potty trained.  She is doing so well, that we are shocked! This kid, a week ago, said she loved "biapers".  It still has not hit me that we are pretty much done with diapers FOREVER!  Bree also had her first dance class Tuesday night.  Once again, she shocked us and went right in and did not cry!  She did not really start dancing until the tap part, but she LOVED it!!  I am so thrilled that she loves it and I can see many years of dance ahead with her :)





Well I guess that is it!  Happy Thursday!!


Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Nicole and Aaron are MARRIED!!!


First - don't you love my new blog design??!! Leslie offered to give Footballs and Crowns, as well as Suburban Strut, a new look, and I could not be happier!! Go check her out and you will NOT be disappointed!!!!

Last weekend, Aaron and Nicole got married!!!  We had so much fun and the wedding was beautiful!!!  I have tons of pictures so here we go!!

Friday, during the day, was the bridal luncheon and then we decorated the reception...



Bree helped too...tying cushions :)...
Friday night was the rehearsal dinner...




Then it was wedding day!!! Bree was one of 6 flower girls, Owen was the ring bearer, and Claire was a Jr bridesmaid. I was a bridesmaid too.  All the girls got our hair and make up done together at Dead Swanky.  Nicole gave us the cutest outfits you have ever seen to wear.  Here are tons of pics of that day and of course the wedding fun!!!


































































It was such a blast and so beautiful!!!  Lots of memories made, tears shed, and laughs laughed.  Love my family!