and the diet begins.... NOW!!!

I ate WAY TOO MUCH this Thanksgiving (and the days that followed).

I probably gained 10 pounds.

I must do something about that starting today... well, maybe tomorrow.

Today, I cleaned the house from top to bottom AND decorated for Christmas.

I think that counts as exercise.  

Just a few things...

... I'm thankful for.

 

My sweet Lord who knew I wouldn't be perfect, but still sacrificed everything for me.

The roof over my head... it may not be the biggest but it's been PERFECT for our little family and I'm so thankful we found it!

My lovely parents... who raised me right and gave me EVERYTHING I ever needed (or wanted, for that matter), and are still here today to make life easier.  I'm a lucky girl.

My in-laws (sorry, I couldn't find a pic of Papa... he hides from the camera), who raised a wonderful son (3 of them, actually) and LUCKILY, I found him!!!

My best friend, whom I could go ON and ON about.  But we'd be here all day.  I love you.

For my baby boy... who is the light of my life.  I couldn't make it without you.

And for moments like this... they don't last long enough.

Last minute decisions...

... are sometimes the best decisions.

I have an issue with being spontaneous.  I admit it... I'm a fruit-loop when it comes to doing things in order, on schedule, and by a plan.  That's why I have everything written down on my trusty calendar.  And I don't jive well with getting off track.  If I'm gonna fit it into my schedule, it should be on my calendar at least a week in advance. :)

HOWEVER, after being married to my hubby for 5 1/2 years, I have come to realize that this is not practical.  I need to loosen up... when it comes to lots of things.

Jason got home Friday afternoon after hunting all day.  He then hit me with, "I think we should go to the Jason Aldean concert tonight."

Now, it was 4 hours til showtime, we had no tickets, AND we had already planned to visit his grandmother in the nursing home.  So, this idea really threw a kink in my plan.  

But it did sound like fun! 

So we searched the internet and were able to find tickets.  Now, just a few days ago, we had a discussion about how we needed to save money right now, since Christmas is coming up and his next check with have ZERO overtime on it... if you or yours has a job where overtime pay is available, you know how helpful it is (especially around this time of year).  And here we were, TOTALLY going against that plan.  But, it's just money right?  And you can't take it with you.  It's been a little while since we've had a date night, so we gave in to the temptation... just this once.

But we still had to visit Granny... so we jumped in the car, raced to Gardendale (30 minutes away), sat with her for about an hour, and then headed back to drop Jase off with my parents (who, so graciously, never turn me down when I ask for a babysitter).  

We got ready in a hurry and somehow still had time to get a bite to eat before the show.

After the show (which was great, by the way), we walked across the parking lot at the BJCC where a carnival was taking place.  They were about to close, so the cops let us sneak in the EXIT without paying.  We chose to take a quick carousel ride @ 10:30 that night (and we were the only ones on it).

THEN... we decided that we weren't tired, so we called some friends who had been at the concert, too, and met them for a little late night snack @ Purple Onion.

Such a great night... none of which was planned. :)  See, I'm branching out.

So overall, it was a night of firsts and spontaneity!

I think I've come a long way... not to mention, I wore SKINNY JEANS AND "GET 'EM GIRL" BOOTS.  :)

That's definitely a first!

Gettin' Better...

Jase has decided that using the potty isn't that bad afterall.

Last night, Jason took him to the bathroom, sat him down, gave him a book, told him to stay there until he finished.... and he shut the door.

It seems that was the magic part.

A few minutes later, he started yelling for us.  He had finally pee-peed.  

This morning when he woke up, I rushed in his room to find his diaper still dry.  I saw that as an opportune time for another potty lesson.

Using the exact same method as the previous night, I left him in the bathroom to do his business.

AND IT WORKED!

I'm hoping we can continue on this trend.

I'm TIRED OF BUYING DIAPERS!!!

I CANNOT WAIT...

... to try this!

A friend told me about this blog - and I'm so glad she did!

A week or so ago, the "blog owner" started a series called:

12 Days of Handmade Christmas

I've enjoyed reading the posts each day, however, most of the projects have required a sewing machine - something I do not own... yet.

But on Day 8, she posted the CUTEST thing ever... that anyone can do!

I cannot wait to try it.

http://www.lifeingraceblog.com/2010/11/12-days-handmade-christmas-tutorials-day-8alphabet-crayons.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+lifeingrace+%28lifeingrace%29

Isn't that adorable!

and such a great gift idea or party favor!

LOVE IT! :)

It's that time of year...

OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD is here again!

Our church participates in this every year.  Last year, however, was the first year I've actually joined in.  

If you are unaware, Operation Christmas Child is a ministry of Samaritan's Purse.  The object is to provide children around the world with a Christmas giftbox... making the season joyful for them.

We forget how much Christmas means to children, and how many children are unable to have that special feeling of opening a present.  Yes, I know Christmas is not about presents, but let's get real.  It's part of the tradition that we love... and every child should have the opportunity to be blessed with a Christmas gift.

Operation Christmas Child makes that possible.  While supplying children with presents, they are able to share the love of Jesus with them... which makes it all worthwhile!

I couldn't wait to get our boxes together.  

I went to target and stocked up on the dollar aisle.  (You don't have to spend a lot of money to make a child happy... especially these children.)  I made 2 boxes - 1 girl and 1 boy, for ages 5-9.  I filled our boxes with coloring books, crayons, pens, notebooks, socks, mittens, hairbows, slinkies, and play dough.  You can also add items like toothbrushes, soap, candy, clothing, etc... anything you think a child may want/need.

It's so rewarding... I can't even begin to tell you.

I can't WAIT until Jase is old enough to understand the concept... it's a great teaching tool for our kids.

We are so blessed.

Operation Christmas Child's mission is to demonstrate God's love in a tangible way to needy children around the world, and together with the local church worldwide, to share the Good News of Jesus Christ.

8 MILLION children received shoeboxes last year.  

That makes my heart happy. :)

Check them out at - www.samaritanspurse.org

My favorite soup...

Since I have recently gone on a major diet (major for me, maybe not for health nuts) I have rediscovered my love/hate relationship for soup.  I'm not a HUGE soup fan.  However, cold weather gets me in the mood.  And, not to mention, soup is great for the diet.

I thought I'd share a recipe with you that I found a while back (it is a Neely's recipe, from FoodNetwork's Down Home with The Neely's).  I've made it a TON since I saw it.  I've tweaked it a little along the way and come up with an easy way to prepare it... with JUST ENOUGH HEAT.  

I'm a fan of spicy things, so you can use your discretion when preparing it for your family.

Gina's Hot and Spicy Tortilla Soup

Total prep time: about 30 minutes (I let mine simmer for an hour or so, but you can serve it immediately)

-2 tablespoons vegetable oil

-1 onion

-1 bell pepper (any color will do)

-1 jalapeno (you may seed it if you don't like too much heat; I choose not to)

-salt, black pepper

-3/4 teaspoon cumin

-32 ounce box of chicken broth

-1 (14.5 ounce) can diced Mexican style tomatoes + 1 can of water

-1 cup frozen corn or 1 small can of corn - I used Mexicorn this last time, but it doesn't really matter

-1/4 cup roughly chopped cilantro

-3 boneless chicken breasts

This is a one pot dish... I like that!  

Begin by poaching your chicken.  Remove and let cool.  Rinse pot.

Heat oil in same large pot on medium heat.

While oil is heating, prepare your veggies.  While you can chop these by hand, I use a food processor.  It's much easier and quicker.

Chop onion, bell pepper, and jalapeno.

Also, chop cilantro and place aside.

Saute the onion, bell pepper, and jalapeno until the onions are translucent.

Add salt, pepper, and cumin.

Add chicken broth, tomatoes (which I chop in the food processor also to make sure they're not too chunky), one can of water, corn and cilantro.

Dice (or shred) the chicken and add it to the mix.  

That's it!  Let it cook together for at least 10 minutes before serving.  I usually let mine cook for about an hour.

You can top with sour cream and cheese, but I feel it's too heavy.  You can also squeeze in a little lime juice if you prefer.  I simply top mine with crumbled tortilla chips.

This is a healthy, filling soup with a KICK!

Hope you enjoy!

I Like It...

Some things I'm loving right now...

Yep, I sure did....

... talk my hubby into dressing up for Halloween.  He was not sold on the idea until we wandered into the Halloween Spirit store in Patton Creek.  We were bombarded with cool options.  After looking over the "scary vampire-type" costumes, he just couldn't decide.  I, however, was leaning toward something a little more family (and 2-year-old) friendly.

I rounded the corner of the aisle, and there it was... the perfect costume.

It had Jason's name written all over it.  AND, it was the ONLY one there and it was just his size!

Talk about meant to be.

And once Jase saw it, we knew we had to buy it.  Of course he wanted Daddy to be "Toy Story."

Everyone else got a kick out of it, too.

He was such a sport... and, I love him. :)

Only catch, he has to be Buzz for the next 3 HALLOWEENS, considering what we paid for this silly costume!!!

Jase REALLY was not in a picture-taking mood, so this is as good as it gets!

We all had a great time... we did a lot of house hopping - visiting all the grandparents, great grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins.  But it was worth it... Jase loaded up.  

Bad news for me, since my diet started Monday!