Happy Birthday to the Man I Love!!

Happy Birthday Honey!! Hope you have enjoyed your day so far and know that we love you so very much! I would like to tell you a few reasons as to why I love you so much, I would be here all night if I starting typing every single reason you are such a wonderful person. Your a such a wonderful and loving husband to me and I couldn't ask for more than your love alone. Our boys have the best father in the world, you would do anything for our little monkeys and everyone knows that. You are such a great provider for our family and you are our rock whenever we need you. Your love for the Lord astounds me and we are showing our boys how great the Lord's love is by our example. When you set your mind to do something you never give up, you keep at it until it is complete and just how you want it. You care about others and will help anytime someone asks you to do something no matter what that may be. These are just a few reasons why I love you and I am so glad we have each other. So, I hope you enjoy your Birthday and always remember how much we love you.

Father's Day 2008

Our First Dance at our Wedding
"Two are better than one, Because they have a good reward for their labor." Ecclesiastes 4:9

Watching Eli at his school feast

Father/Son look- a- like contest 2006

"I am my beloveds, and my beloved is mine." Song of Solomon 6:3

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO A WONDERFUL HUSBAND AND FATHER!!!!

Loving the snow

The boys and I decided to go outside for a little bit yesterday morning and they loved every minute of it. They got so mad when I made them come back in even though you could tell they were freezing. No school again today, although not quite sure why not our roads were perfectly fine. We were all starting to get a little stir crazy around here, thank goodness this mess is melting.

Throwing a snowball at his bubba.

Cheesing it up in the middle of his snowball fight.

Attempting to make a snowman.

Taking a walk down the street.

The long walk up the driveway, all we needed was a sled.

iheart faces-Week 3

Week 3's focus is on joy and for the life of me can not really seem to find any of the boys just laughing hysterically, they are pretty much smiling in every single on of them. But I did find this one of Nic (not eating) on Christmas morning when he is going through his stocking. Who knew life saver gummies and a Happy Feet DVD from Santa would make a two year old's day? Way to go Santa!!!! So if you are interested go over to their website and enter the contest, it ends today and look at all the other pictures everyone has posted, they are so great.

Bye Bye Crib...Hello Big Boy Bed!

Little man has been climbing out of his crib for a few months and finally last night we decided to put together Eli's old toddler bed and take down the crib (who now has a Cars wooden bed). I swear I started to get all teary eyed as we carried it out of his room. This is the first time we haven't had a crib up in 4 1/2 years. We moved Eli into the toddler bed a few months before Nic was born so we could use the crib. Horrible right? He actually didn't seem to mind that much. So last night we figured it was high time to get the toddler bed out so little man doesn't get caught and possibly break his neck getting out of bed. He did surprisingly well, only got up a couple of times after being put to bed. They grow up so fast and before you know it they will be teenagers. I am not going to get all sad on you because hopefully we will be using that crib one more time, in the future. Oh yeah, I will be doing a give away in the near future. This mommy is starting her own business at home and loving it. I will let you know more details soon, I am still working out a few things to get it organized. So wish me luck and I know all of you will love it too!!!

Grape Juice Stain

First of let me start off by telling you that I love The Children's Place, it is by far one of my favorite children's stores to go to. You know when those cashiers see my husband and I walk in they start salivating at the mouth. Thinking they are going to drop big bucks and you can just see the drool flowing when they see our boys with us. No joke we go in at least every season for new clothes, these boys grow so fast it is unreal and well let's just say their mommy likes to shop for them and keeps them in style. Yes, I know they are only 4 and 2 but they are going to look good at it. I by play clothes and then there are those we wear to church/school, just admit it I am not the only one out there who does it. And if I am then call me crazy and send me loony bin. Doug always thanks the Lord because if we had girls he knows he would be in trouble and working forever. I always complain about never have very many choices of places to buy things for boys or maybe I am just picky. I have often wondered out loud about opening a store just for boys because I know I am not the only one out there in this very situation. OK, even of about that and what I really wanted to post about.

On Sunday, I take the boys and drop them of in the 4 and under class at church just like I do every week. Mr. Nic is wearing a shirt just like the one I posted of Eli in the previous post (I tend to buy them some of the same dress shirts). Well after church I go in to pick the boys up and I notice Nic has purple spots all over his shirt, wondering out loud I ask him what that it. He responds, "Grape juice." I am thinking to myself, oh how lovely and I have no spot treater or stain remover at home how in the world am I going to get this out. He had multiple big and little spots down the front of his shirt and on the right sleeve. Hello, two year olds and grape juice do not mix that well! I have spill proof cups at home and they do not at church, just might have to get some for them. Anyway, I rack my brain trying to figure out how am I getting this out. Baking soda? Peroxide? No, that might fade the stripes, possibly? So, I google grape stains and peroxide was an answer but so was boiling water. I am thinking how is boiling water going to get out all of this? But low and behold 3 pans of boiling water later and we have no grape stains on that very handsome shirt and it looks good as new. You have got to love Google and everything you can find with it. Dilemma solved until next time.

iHeartFaces : Week 2 Category

I just entered the week 2 category 'Anything Goes'. I took this pic of our little man at his Christmas program for school, it was just too adorable (but I am a little biased).

Working on this for a while...

Have you every questioned your faith, your beliefs? During a time of tragedy or while you were in a relationship? At some point in time everyone has had a sliver of doubt or questioned to themselves, why me. What do you do? How do you handle it? Some may runaway and hide, others will question over and over what they have done wrong. What should you do in a time of doubt? Call a friend to talk or sulk alone, this is not the answer. How about picking up your Bible and reading it? There are people who would not even think about reading the Bible and why not? All you have to do is open it and you can find reference to someone doubting or questioning their faith. But do they give up? The answer is no. Why should you question yourself and what has happened? The Lord loves you no matter what, through thick and thin just don't ever stop believing in the Lord. It is human nature to have questions and doubt and it has been since the beginning of time, when Eve ate the forbidden fruit, Genesis 3:5. No I am not perfect and I have had doubt before and have even questioned my faith, but I always get pulled back to my Bible and my trust in the Lord that I will be taken care of. How about another reference from the Bible, when Thomas doubted that Jesus had appeared to the other disciples, in John 20:24-29.

Now Thomas, one on the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord."
A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among then and said, "Peace be with you!" Then he said to Thomas, "Put you finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe."
Thomas said to him, "My Lord and My God!"
Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."

This passage just goes to show, don't ever give up or stop believing. The Lord works in mysterious ways and you will find your way.

I have been thinking about this for a while and wasn't quite sure how to share what I wanted to say. So I hope this will help someone who is feeling down or who may be questioning an occurrence in their life.

Doug and I have taken up a resolution together or we are at least reading at the same time every night together. We decided it was high time to read the Bible throughout in a year, it can be done. I have tried many times and have never gotten all the way through. Well it is day 19 and we are doing great, I know a few other moms who are also doing this and it is wonderful. We didn't go out and by a book, we have another source and we are not reading it straight through. We are actually following a plan made up by Will Rogers United Methodist Church. Doug's uncle is the Senior Pastor there and we love him, he also officiated our marriage, thank you very much Uncle David. Each day has particular chapters to read and it keeps you focused and I feel as if you actually learn more this way. It is not a huge amount to read and takes anywhere from 15-20 minutes, if that. So I encourage you to join us and it will not take long to catch up either and before long you could jump ahead because sometimes it is hard to put the Bible down when you want to keep reading and find out more.

Social Networking..Does it make you a bad parent?

I just read an interesting headline on AOL so I thought I would click on it and read it. I posted it to share with everyone. I don't agree with some of the people's comments on there (a few are mean and extremely rude). I personally love my blog and have met some great moms through it and wouldn't trade it for anything. But there are always a few people out there that always like to bring someone down, well it is not working. I know I am a great mom and would do anything for my family and people being ignorant and pigheaded not to mention simpleminded need to go stick there head back in the sand. Just thought I would share with you to see if you found the article and comments interesting.


http://www.parentdish.com/2009/01/13/facebook-does-it-make-you-a-bad-mom/?icid=200100397x1217449418x1201118737

Crock pot dinners..

For those of you who love using your crock pot, below is a list of many meals and even desserts. To get the recipe you just click on the link and it will take you to it. A special thank you to my mother-in-law for shooting me the email. So please enjoy!!

Crock Pot Cooking

Crock Pot - Beef
All Day Crock Pot Beef
Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry
Beef and Pasta Casserole
Beef Diablo
Beef Fajitas
Beef Ragout Over Rice
Beef Tips
Beer Braised Beef in Crock Pot
Burritos Crock Pot Style
California Tamale Pie
Cattleman's Beef and Beans
Cheeseburger Sandwiches
Cheesy Meat Loaf
Chili Beer Brisket of Beef
Classic Swiss Steak
Complete Crock Pot Dinner
Corned Beef and Cabbage
Country Swiss Steak
Cowboy Casserole
Cranberry Pork Roast
Crock Pot Beef Burgundy
Crock Pot Beef 'n Peppers
Crock Pot Beef with Mushrooms
Crock Pot Beef Roast
Crock Pot Cabbage Rolls
Crock Pot Corned Beef and Cabbage
Crock Pot Creole Steak Strips
Crock Pot Delight
Crock Pot Easy Swiss Steak
Crock Pot Enchiladas
Crock Pot Fajitas
Crock Pot Fajitas II
Crock Pot Italian Beef
Crock Pot Meatballs
Crock Pot Rump Roast
Crock Pot Sauerbraten
Crock Pot Spaghetti Sauce
Crock Pot Swiss Steak
Crock Pot Taco Casserole
Fiesta Tamale Pie
Glazed Corned Beef
Glazed Corned Beef #2
Harvest Dinner
Harvest Pot Roast with Tomato-Wine Sauce
Hot-and-Spicy Sloppy Joes
Lean Crock Pot Beans
Nina's Beef and Beans
Pot Roast Dinner
Old Time Beef Stew
Pot Roast with Noodles
Ranch Style Beef
Reuben Casserole
Roast Cooked with Coke
Roast with Veggies
Sage Pot Roast
Salsa Swiss Steak
Savory Pepper Steak
Savory Stewed Beef
Slow-Cooked Beef Stifado
Slow Cooked Pepper Steak
Slow Cooked Steak Rolls
Slow Cooked Swiss Steak Supper
Slow Cooker Italian Spaghetti Sauce
Slow Cooker Lasagna
Slow Cooker Swiss Steak
Slowly Deviled Beef
Smothered Steak Strips
Spaghetti Sauce Italiano
Spicy Wine Pot Roast
Stuffed Cabbage Casserole
Stuffed Pasta Shells
Swiss Bliss
Swiss Steak
Teriyaki Steak
Three Pepper Steak
Three-Way Beef
Yankee Pot Roast and Vegetables



Crock Pot - Pork
Casserole in the Cooker
Chicken Lickin Good Crock Pot Pork Chops
Chinese Style Country Ribs
Country Pork with Mushrooms
Cranberry Pork Roast
Crockpot Apricot Pulled Pork for Sandwiches
Crock Pot Festival Sausage
Crock Pot Hawaiian Pork
Crock Pot Pork Chops Supreme
Crock Pot Sausage & Potatoes
Crock Pot Sausage and Egg Casserole
Crocked Cherry Pork Chops
Polish Kraut and Apples
Pork Chop Delight
Pork Chops and Mustard Sauce Potatoes
Pork Chops with Corn Stuffing
Pork Stew with Vegetables
Rosemary Potato Pork Chops
Sauerkraut Supper
Slow Cooking Pork Chops
Soy-Glazed Spareribs
Super Easy Pork Chops
Sweet and Spicy Kielbasa or Polish Sausage
Sweet 'n' Sour Ribs
Sweet 'N' Sour Sausage



Crock Pot - Poultry
90s Style Crockpot Coq Au Vin
Bacon Wrapped Chicken
Baked Cajun Chicken
Baked Chicken Breasts in Crock Pot
Basil Chicken
Broccoli Rice & Chicken
Caf?? Chicken
Cantonese Sweet & Sour Chicken
Caribbean Chicken
Cheesy Crock Pot Chicken
Chicken & Cherries Jubilee
Chicken a la King
Chicken and Cherries Jubilee C/P
Chicken & Rice Casserole
Chicken and Artichoke Casserole
Chicken and Dumplings
Chicken Breasts Supreme
Chicken Creole
Chicken Crock Pie
Chicken Curry
Chicken Curry #2
Chicken Curry Hurry
Chicken Hearts Crockpot
Chicken in the Crock Pot
Chicken Marengo
Chicken Merlot with Mushrooms
Chicken Ol??
Chicken Paprika
Chicken Parisienne
Chicken Parmigiana
Chicken Sesame
Chicken Stew
Chicken Stroganoff in Crock Pot
Chicken Taco Filling
Creamy Chicken with Vegetables
Crockpot Buffalo Wings with Blue Cheese Dip
Crock Pot Chicken
Crock Pot Chicken Cacciatore
Crock Pot Chicken Dinner
Crock Pot Chicken in Mushroom Gravy
Crock Pot Chicken Teriyaki
Crock Pot Chicken Tortilla
Crock Pot Garlic Chicken
Crock Pot Lacquered Chicken
Crock Pot Robust Chicken
Easy Chicken Noodle Soup
Forty-clove Chicken
Garlic Lemon Chicken
Ham 'n' Swiss Chicken
International Chicken
Italian Chicken and Potatoes
Italian Chicken Breast
Lemonemonade Chicken
Lemony Roasted Chicken
Lo-Cal Crock Pot Chicken
Low-Fat Glazed Chicken in Crock Pot
Mama's Chicken Stew
Pat's Creamy Chicken
Portugese Garlic Chicken
Turkey Casserole
Turkey Rice South with Tomatoes
Working Woman's Chicken and Rice


Crock Pot - Fish & Seafood
Bayou Gumbo
Bouillabaisse
Cheese-Shrimp Chowder
Cioppino (Fisherman's Stew)
Crock Pot Bouillabaisse
Crock Pot Citrus Fish
Crock Pot Clam Chowder
Crock Pot Clam Chowder #2
Crock Pot Crab Soup
Crock Pot Fish Stew
Crock Pot Manhattan Style Clam Chowder
Crock Pot Shrimp Marinara
Jambalaya
Louisiana Gumbo
Mediterranean Fish Soup
No Clams Clam Chowder
Oyster Bisque
Seafood Naples
Shrimp Creole for the Crock Pot
Shrimp Creole
Shrimp Curry Macaroni Salad
Slow Cooker Seafood Chowder
Sweet and Sour Shrimp
Swiss Crab Casserole
Tuna Casserole
Tuna Noodle Casserole


Crock Pot - Soup, Stew & Chili
Barley Soup
Bean Soup for the Crock Pot
Bean Soup Italiano
Beef-Barley Stew
Beef Chowder
Beef Ragout
Black Bean Chili with Beef
Busy Day Stew
Calico Ham and Bean Soup
Chicken and Vegetable Chowder
Chicken Vegetable Chowder
Chili
Chili con Queso
Confetti Yellow Pea Soup
Cowboy Sausage & Beans
Crock Pot Bean Soup
Crock Pot Beef Barley Soup
Crock Pot Beef Stew
Crock Pot Beef Stew #2
Crock Pot Beef Stew #3
Crock Pot Beef Vegetable Soup
Crock Pot Chicken Corn Soup
Crock Pot Chowder
Crock Pot Broccoli Soup
Crock Pot Chili
Crock Pot Chili #2
Crock Pot Cock 'n Bull Stew
Crock Pot Corn Chowder
Crock Pot Dumpling Soup
Crock Pot French Onion Soup
Crock Pot Hamburger Soup
Crock Pot Hearty Beef Stew
Crock Pot Homemade Chicken Soup
Crock Pot Onion Soup
Crock Pot Potato Soup
Crock Pot Split Pea Soup
Crock Pot Stew
Crock Pot Wild Rice Soup
Debbie's Potato Soup
Easy Crock Pot Chili
Favorite Beef Stew
Greek Beef Stew
Healthy Chili in Crock Pot
Hearty Bean Soup
Italian Bean Soup
Italian Sausage Vegetable Soup
Jolene's Chili
Lentils & Vegetable Stew
Low-Fat Potato Soup
Minestrone Soup from the Crock Pot
Navy Bean Bacon Chowder
Polish Hunter Soup
Pork Chop Stew
Possum Lodge Firehouse Chili
Potato and Mushroom Chowder
Ranch Style Stew
Red Beans, Barley & Sausage Stew
Slow Cooked Texas Stew
Slow Cooked Two Meat Chili
Slow Cooked Tex-Mex Chili
Slow Cooker Mexican Beef Soup
Slow Cooker Mexican Beef Stew
Southwest Stew
Southwestern Corn Chowder
Southwestern Chicken and Bean Stew
Spicy Black and Red Bean Soup
Spicy Cajun Gumbo
Taco Soup
Tex-Mex Chili
Tomato-Bean Stew
Tortilla Soup
Vegetable Barley Soup
Vegetable Beef Barley Soup
Vegetable Gumbo
Vegetarian Split Pea Soup
Waldorf Astoria Stew

Crock Pot - Barbeque
B-B-Q Beef
BBQ Chicken in a Crock Pot
Barbecue Crockpot Meatballs
Barbecued Beef
Barbecued Beef
Barbecued Beef 'N Beans
Barbecue Beef Sandwiches
Barbecued Meat Loaf
Barbecued Pot Roast
Barbequed Spareribs
Crock Pot Barbeque
Crock Pot Barbecue Chicken
Crock Pot Barbecued Beef and Beans
Crock Pot Barbecued Pork and Beans
Crock Pot Bar-B-Que Beef
Crock Pot BBQ Beef Sandwiches
Crock Pot Pork Barbecue
Crockpot Pork Barbecue
Crockery Cooker Barbecued Ribs
Marinated Barbecue Brisket
Pulled Pork with Root Beer Barbecue Sauce



Crock Pot - Side Dishes
Aztec Black Beans
Barley with Mushrooms & Green Onions
Bean and Cornbread Casserole
Bean Pot Medley
Bean Ragout with Cilantro-Cornmeal Dumplings
Best Crock Pot Beans
Bourbon Baked Beans
California Rice
Cavatini
Cheese and Potato Casserole
Cheesy Creamed Corn
Chuck Wagon Beans
Corn, Ham and Potato Scallop
Cottage Potatoes
Cowboy Beans
Creamy Green Beans
Creamy Scalloped Potatoes
Creole Black Beans
Crock Pot Baked Beans
Crock Pot Beans
Crockpot Boston Baked Beans
Crock Pot Casserole
Crock Pot Cauliflower and Broccoli Casserole
Crock Pot Cheese Potatoes
Crock Pot Corn
Crock Pot German Potato Salad
Crock Pot Mexican Dish
Crock Pot Scalloped Potatoes
Crock Pot Spanish Rice
Crock Pot Tijuana Pie
Double Squash Combo
Enchanted Beans
Frijoles (Pinto Beans)
Frijoles Borrachos
Herbed Squash AuGratin
Layered Dinner
Mexican Red Beans
Mormon Beans
No-Fuss Party Potatoes
Pineapple Baked Beans
Pizza Beans
Potatoes Au Gratin
Prysnac Serbia (Broccoli Casserole)
Rice
Risi Bisi
Saucy Green Peas with Onions
Scalloped Corn
Slow Cooker Oven Bean Salad
Spanish Rice
Spinach Souffle in a Crockpot
Sunshine Bean Casserole
Thelma's Beans
Vegetable Casserole
Vegetable Enchilada
Vegetable Spaghetti
Wild Rice Casserole
Zucchini Parmigiana



Crock Pot - Dessert
Apple Brown Betty
Apple Cranberry Dessert
Apple Granola Dessert
Apple Pecan Bread Pudding
Baked Apples
Baked Stuffed Apples
Banana Walnut Loaf - Crock Pot
Blueberry Grunt
Bread Pudding
Bumbleberry Cobbler
Chocolate Cherry Cobbler
Chocolate Pudding Cake
Crock Pot Apple Cobbler
Crock Pot Baked Apples
Crock Pot Baked Stuffed Apples
Crock Pot Bread Pudding
Crock Pot Curried Fruit Bake
Crock Pot Peach Cobbler
Dessert Delight
English Bread Pudding
Fruit & Nut Baked Apples
Home-Style Bread Pudding
Hot Fruit Dessert
Indian Pudding
Old Fashioned Rice Pudding in Crock Pot
Pina Colada Bread Pudding
Pumpkin-Date Pudding
Pumpkin Pie Pudding
Pumpkin Pudding
Raisin Bread Pudding
Rice Pudding with Bourbon
Rice Pudding with Fruit
Slow Cooked "That's Good Peaches"
Streusel Pound Cake - Crock Pot
Triple Chocolate Mess

Crock Pot - Miscellaneous
Butter Mints
Cocktail Meatballs
Crock Pot Apple Brandy Brew
Crock Pot Apple Butter
Crock Pot Apple Butter
Crock Pot Applesauce
Crock Pot Banana Bread
Crock Pot Peach or Apricot Butter
Crock Pot Pumpkin Bread
Crock Pot Spiced Rum Cider
Crock Pot Spinach Dip
Crock Pot Tropical Tea Warmer
Homemade Hot Dog Sauce
Honey Wheat Bread
Hot Buttered Punch
Hot Mulled Cider
Hot Spinach Dip
Meatless Sloppy Joes
Monterey Spaghetti
Pat's Crock Pot Apple Butter
Pumpkin Tea Bread
Slow Cooked Pizza in a Pot
Slow Cooker Rosemary or Basil Infused Oil
Spicy Sausage Pizza Dip
Tex-Mex Cheese Dip
Tuscan Pasta
Wassail