Mel Tells has MOVED!

This blog has moved!!!

2010-02-14T22:50:00.003-06:00

Hi friends! Mel Tells has now moved locations and names! ☺ I am so excited to introduce to you the new Mel Tales. Come on over and let me know you stopped by!

Please make note of this change as this blog will be shutting down very soon!

The new address is http://www.meltales.com/

P.S....There is a giveaway going on over there! ☺

The. Perfect. Day.

2010-02-13T07:26:00.010-06:00

Yesterday was seriously the perfect day! I woke up to my alarm, leaped out of bed, and ran to the window just like a kid on Christmas morning. My heart was smiling big when I saw our yard covered in snow. Snow is a BIG deal here in the south. We do not see it much, and when we do, it is a very light dusting. While yesterday's snow may seem like a 'light dusting' to some people, it was so much more than that for us southerners. We had about 3 to 4 inches, and some areas had 6+. It was great!

Wade was home, the kids were out of school, and I was able to take the day off to be with them. I made a big pot of coffee, bundled up, and we were off! We (minus Andrew, he didn't want to go walking with us) headed out on foot behind our house. We walked, took pictures, measured snow, laughed, made snow angles, and enjoyed a beautiful white Friday morning. The snow was still falling pretty heavy. It was such an awesome sight. God really showed out! I love this picture of these two. Avery was the first one on the ground making a snow angel. He couldn't resist. ha!3 of my loves! They make my heart smile! Me and my man. Sorry, I do not have on one bit of make-up! ha! A cow pasture down the road from our house.

As we were making our way back to the house, the snow ball fights started. This is Wade throwing one at me, ha!Avery and Daddy in a snow ball war..."I am gonna get you now."Andrew could not stand it any longer. He saw that we were back home, and he came out to participate in the snow ball war. "It's on now." The kids decided to go in for a bit and warm up, but Wade and I were not ready. Ha! I think we were having more fun than they were. We built a snow-woman! ☺ Andrew was invited over to his girlfriends house. So we loaded up and took him over there. I captured a few shots on the way. Lauren has 3 older brothers and there was a house-full of boys over there hanging out and enjoying the snow. We sat outside and talked with her mother a while and watched all the big kids have fun! I finally convinced them to let me take their picture. ☺So sweet! I got this shot on the way home. It was so beautiful driving down this road where the trees made an arch.

We finished the day off with some warm chili and tried to watch a movie, but Wade and I were fast asleep by 9:15. Ha! That is the earliest I've been to bed in a LONG time.

Thank you, Lord for such an awesome and beautiful day with my family. It was truly THE. PERFECT. DAY. I could not have asked for a more perfect ending to my week.

Bar Stool Make-Over

2010-02-07T22:43:00.007-06:00

A few years ago, my dad and Sharon gave us some wooden bar stools. They were actually the bar stools that my parents bought when they built the house I grew up in...So needless to say, they are OLD. Old, but they served their purpose.

I have been wanting to paint them and "spruce" them up so to speak, but I just haven't had time. SO, I finally just made them a priority on my "2010 craft to-do list".

This is the before pictures.....A. HOT. MESS. I didn't realize how bad they looked until I looked at these pictures, ha!

And, this is the after!
I always forget to take the 'during' pictures, but here is what I did (and I am NOT good at giving a tutorial). :o)

I was going to first use a primer, but the paint I ended up buying had primer mixed in. So I just painted two coats on the stools and let dry. Easy peasy!

The hard part was making up my own pattern for my slip-covers. Not really hard. Just a lot of thinking on my part. Oh no, thinking....hee hee! I had several ideas running through my head on the best way to do it, so I asked a few (more experienced) sewers for their opinions. I ended up just winging it, and I was very pleased with the outcome.

The most disappointing thing about this whole project was that the husband and the boys didn't like my fabric choice. At all. They said it was girly, funky, bold, etc....I'm not sure what they had in mind for me to use, but obviously this funky square fabric was not. Oh well, they'll get used to it. :o) I do think it is already growing on Wade. It matches the green walls perfectly! I ♥ it and so does Annah Brooke! :o)

I just realized I don't have a picture of all three together. I'll have to get one and add it soon!

Thanks for stopping by! Happy crafting! :o)

Party Site(s)

Happy 1st Birthday Reagan

2010-02-07T18:51:00.011-06:00

Our niece, Reagan, turns 1 this week so we had her birthday party today. We got up and drove to my hometown (3 hours), stayed for the party (2 hours), and then turned around and drove home (3 hours). So needless to say, we are tired from being in the car for 6 hours, but it was well worth it! My SIL, Heather and I decided a while back to do Polka Dots as the "theme" for the party :o) As part of my gift to Reagan, I made her invitations, outfit, & cakes. I was happy to do this for her! :) I think Reagan had a great party, and she ended up with lots of loot!

Her invitation

Sweet Reagan is growing so fast. She has really gotten the hang of walking and she is getting around just fine. :o) She has changed so much since the last time I saw her. She has little ringlet curls that are to die for.

This is her birthday outfit I made for her. I was so nervous about her ruffle pants fitting her, but they did. WHEW!! I can make ruffle pants, but they are definitely not my favorite thing to make, ha!!!

Cousins--Avery & Reagan

Annah Brooke, Reagan, & Rylee

Daddy's girls

She loves to eat. She was enjoying her fries and chicken :)

Her cakes....

She LOVED her smash cake and I SO love this sweet little face!

HAPPY 1ST BIRTHDAY REAGAN!!!!!!!

WE LOVE YOU SOOOO MUCH!

Who Dat!!!!

2010-02-07T17:36:00.002-06:00

Can you tell who I am cheering for?!?!?! WHOOOO DATTTT?!?!?!?!

While heading home today from a quick trip to my hometown, I heard this song on the radio. It is a "Who Dat" remix to one of my favorite songs! I couldn't' wait to get home and You Tube it! ha!!! ENJOY!!!!

More completed projects

2010-02-04T23:16:00.014-06:00

For quite some time, I have been wanting some apothecary jars for my bar in the kitchen and for my bathroom. When I would be out and about shopping around for them, I would seriously cringe when I would see the price. Call me cheap, but I just can't pay $40 or more for one jar (and I want 6 of them). YIKES! Not with 3 kids that always need something! So I have just done without the jars.

While in Hobby Lobby a few months ago, I ran into a friend of mine. A friend that doesn't update her blog like ever. I think she forgot the password to log-in. ☺ Anywho...We chatted for a few seconds and I told her I wanted some of those jars, but can't pay the price. She told me that she had found a tutorial online on making your own jars. She quickly told me how she did made them, but I wasn't really picturing what she was saying. So I haven't thought twice about our conversation...UNTIL a few weeks ago, I stumbled upon this blog while blog hopping one night. O. M. G.....I felt like I had hit the blog jackpot!!! What an awesome blog with great inspiration and ideas, and there it was--the Apothecary Jar Tutorial!!!!! YES!

So do you know what happened next?! Well, let me tell you....I immediately made a Hobby Lobby run to buy my supplies and went to work! BINGO....Finally I have some apothecary jars! I ♥ them! I will be making a second set (a little different) for my bathroom really soon.

Thanks to the wonderful ladies at Shabby 2 Chic for the tutorial and inspiration!

Another project that I was able to mark off of my craft to-do list last week was my
Dry Erase/Key holder. Wade has been telling me for a while that we need something to hang our keys on. We are bad about just coming in and putting our keys anywhere and everywhere. Then when we go to leave, we are searching high and low for our keys.☺

I have also been wanting a dry erase board for a while too. A lot of times Wade and I are in passing, going in different directions, taking kids here and there, so I thought a little dry erase board would be perfect for quick little notes to each other or reminders, etc. I already have too many chalk board trays in the house so that is why I wanted the dry erase board.

So, I decided to combine the above two things and make it one.

I forget to take before and during pictures. But I started with an old wooden frame that was in the attic. I painted it a greenish color. Waited for it to dry, the applied a coat of crackle medium. Waited for that to dry and then painted a coat of Burnt Umber. I then took a piece of burlap and hot glued it to the cardboard that was in my frame. Then I put my glass back in my frame, then the burlap and closed the frame. Next, Wade added the key hooks for me. I tried for the LONGEST time to put these hooks in by myself, but it just wasn't happening so he got the drill out and we made little holes to screw the hooks in. And I finished it off with a piece of twine as my hanger.

I do like how it turned out, but I would like a different frame with more detail b/c I think the crackle effect would show up better, but I was determined not to have to buy something for this project. Hopefully soon, I will run across a dirt cheap frame at a garage sale or something and I can re-do it, but for now, this one will just have to work.

And who is excited that today is FRIDAY???? I know I am! I have a busy but fun weekend ahead! TGIF! ☺

Crafting fun!

2010-02-02T23:42:00.007-06:00

It is no secret that my guys are avid duck hunters especially the Mr. November through January, he literally thinks of nothing but ducks. I used to get SO mad when he would want to go hunting EVERY weekend for two months out of the year. My feelings would be so hurt that he would rather be doing something so silly than spending time with me... His sweet little wife. He would tell me that I need to "find a hobby" because I would sit at home so lonely and sad from the minute he walked out the door till the minute he walked back in.

I've been called "needy" by friends, but seriously, I am not a "needy" person. Just "needy" for my husband. I don't function well without him. PERIOD! We do everything together from grocery shopping, to cooking, to laundry. You name it, we do it together (well, except hunting). That's just how we roll.

So, back to my story…It took me years to "find a hobby", but I have found one or two or six, and he is as happy as a clam. I don't mind him being gone on Saturdays to hunt, and he is more in love with me now than he was 8 + years ago. I am sure of that. Ha

Sewing, painting, crafting, & creating are some of my favorite hobbies now. I spend many Saturdays (and weeknights) at home doing one or more of these things, and I am just fine being alone to do my "thang". ABS is home with me some of the time, and she has really gotten into crafting too. I love our little mother-daughter time together! Sweet memories!!!

I made these cute frames this past weekend. I originally saw this project over at Suz Speaks. Suzanne is a very good (blog turned real life) friend of mine and she saw the idea from Jen at Tatertots & Jello. I was inspired and knew that project was going on the "craft to-do" list. The only holiday I really go all out for is Christmas, but I do enjoy semi-decorating for the "little" holidays as well. I wanted to add a "splash of L♥VE" to our home this month for Valentines Day, and this project was perfect. Easy, fun, cute, & CHEAP! Dollar Tree frames, a few sheets of scrapbook paper, & Dollar Tree rock marbles. Jen gives a great tutorial here. I didn't have any E600 glue so I just used my hot glue gun and that worked well for me!
I also recently made this. I can not even begin to tell you how many frames I have thrown away over the years because of broken glass or just old and dingy looking. Not anymore!!!! Spray paint is my BFF! It is amazing what a little paint will do for you! I forgot to get a before picture, but this frame didn't have glass (I'm sure a kid broke it) and it was a golden-yuck color. Well I took a can of white spray paint and gave the frame a misting. I liked the look I was getting with misting it so I stopped there. I then cut a piece of burlap (a favorite at my house) and painted our name on it using a stencil. Once everything was dry, I put it all together and viola….my new piece. I LOVE it! And yes, another chalkboard tray. I had another great tray in need of a transformation that my SIL gave me so I whipped this one up the other day too! I love it.And...Did any of you notice my GREEN walls? Yes, I painted my kitchen green Saturday. Mr. Smith came home from hunting to quite a surprise. :o) I had the whole kitchen painted (except for the trimming out). That was the job I was leaving for him!!! HA! It looks like a whole new kitchen! We love it! This is the bakers rack my MIL gave me a while back. Right now I just have some "stuff" thrown on it. I am having a hard time deciding how to "decorate" it. I am a matchy-matchy person, so I feel like everything I put on it should flow and coordinate. HMMM....what to do? Any suggestions? I do know that I want to sit my lamp on something to give the bottom shelf some height. I have more projects in the making. Will be back soon with more to share! Happy hump day!

Survey Says....

2010-01-21T00:04:00.003-06:00

I LOVE these things! ☺

01. High heels or boots? LOVE Both
02. What time did you get up this morning? 6:00
03. Diamonds or pearls? LOVE diamonds, but starting to like pearls
04. What was the last film you saw at the cinema? A Chick flick with some girl friends. I think 27 Dresses was the one we saw last.
05. What is your favorite TV show? My all-time favorite is The Young and the Restless, but I am also a fan of The Bachelor/Bachelorette and I like when I catch Private Practice on Thursdays.
06. What do you usually have for breakfast? I always have coffee with 2 blue packets and a shot of sugar free French Vanilla. I am also trying to make myself eat something and that is normally a granola bar or banana.
07. What is your favorite physical trait about yourself? This is a hard one b/c I am very hard on myself, but I do like my skin tone :o)
08. What food do you dislike? Tuna Fish. And it used to be a favorite, but after a 24 hour stomach virus and tuna was the last thing I ate....Well, you get the point!
09. What is your favorite CD at the moment? Don't have one. All I have been listening to lately is KLOVE.
10. What characteristic do you despise? Lying
11. Favorite Clothing? jeans, T-shirts, lounge pants, flip flops ☺
12. If you could leave for vacation tomorrow where would you go? A tropical island somewhere or a CRUISE or DISNEY
13. Are you an organized person? Somewhat and trying to be even more so.
14. Where would you like to retire to? The Beach
15. What was your most recent memorable birthday? My last birthday was nice.
16. What are you going to do when you finish this? going to bed
17. Something people may not know about you? I have a skin disorder on my lower legs
18. Do you remember other's Birthdays? Yes, I think I am pretty good at remembering friends and family birthdays
19. Are you a morning person or a night person? NIGHT OWL and wish I wasn't!
20. What is your shoe size? 7-7.5
21. What did you want to be when you were little? Dancer or dance teacher
22. What is your favorite flower? LOVE sunflowers because they remind me of my mom (that was her favorite flower), and I love day lilies and Gerber daisies!
23. What is a day on the calendar you are looking forward to? Our vacation. Just don't have THE date yet, ha!
24. What was the last thing you ate? a wrap with ham, cheese, lettuce, and mustard!
25. Do you wish upon stars? Can't say that I do.
26. If you were a crayon, what color would you be? PINK or multi-colored..ha!
27. How is the weather right now? breezy night
28. Last person you spoke to on the phone? My SIL
29. Favorite soft drink? Have always LOVED coke, but have converted to Diet coke
30. Favorite restaurant? Joe's Crab Shack in Destin, FL and Newks
31. Hair color? brown with highlights
32. What was your favorite toy as a child? Barbie
33. Summer or winter? BOTH
34. Chocolate or vanilla? Chocolate
35. Coffee or tea? Both, please.
36. Favorite food of all time? A good ole hamburger with all the fixins!
37.When was the last time you cried? A few days ago when I found out a blog friend was pregnant!
38. What did you do last night? read post below, ha!
39. What are you afraid of? grasshoppers, bugs, etc..
40. Salty or sweet? both
41. How many years at your current job? almost 2
42. You miss_____: My mom
43. Positive or negative? trying to be completely and 100% positive...no room for negative in my life!
44. Pet peeve? The kids are bad about putting the empty tea pitcher back in the fridge... ☺
45. Anywhere in the world you want to go that you have never been to? DYING to go to NYC in the month of DECEMBER, any tropical island, Disney, and I'm sure that is not all.

Teenagers....

2010-01-20T23:46:00.003-06:00

Today I received the weekly email from Andrew's Algebra teacher with his grades. I was not too happy with what I saw so I sent him a text. Below is our conversation through text messages...

Me: Andrew, put you phone in my room when you get home. I am not happy with your grades.

Andrew: But Mom, I benched 135 today.

Me: Great job! You are now grounded for 135 days!

Needless to say, I didn't hear back from him after that!

But seriously though, he is comparing his Algebra grade to his football/workout period. I don't think so! :)

And here is proof that he is working on bench pressing more than Algebra 1...

Teenagers. and to think I have two more right behind this one!

Meet Jillian...

2010-01-20T22:52:00.002-06:00

I'm sure most of you know trainer, Jillian, from the show The Biggest Loser. I do not watch the show, but I have heard she is one tough lady, and after tonight, I can totally vouch for that!

I don't seem to make it to the gym as much as I would like to. Unless I go at 5:00 in the morning, I just do not have the time. And in order to go at 5:00 a.m., I have to be up by 4:45 a.m., and when you don't go to bed till midnight, well, that just ain't happening!
At night, I come home and get dinner ready, spend time with the kids, sew, clean, do laundry, yada yada yada. and not to mention the kids being involved in sports. Maybe those are all just excuses of why I don't go to the gym as much as I'd like, but it's the truth.

I've had several people tell me that the 20 minute 30 Day Shred was a good workout so we decided to give it a try. I thought surely 20 minutes would be a breeze. WRONG!

I did my first 20 minutes tonight and O to tha M to tha G....that was the longest, hardest 20 minutes of my LIFE! :o) I had an audience. Wade and the kids were all sitting back on the couch cheering me on. I think I even heard Wade say a few times, "baby, this is a 20 minute video, not 5 minutes. Baby, keep going, you can't give up! Baby, nobody said it was going to be easy." And I think I probably snapped a time or two and told him to shut-up and he needed to get up here and join me if he thought it was so easy. WHEW! I made it through the 20 minute video alone, but not without moans and groans and sweat and almost tears! Yes, she is that hard! And I am only on level 1. There are 3 levels. So, after I finished my 20 minute work-out alone, Wade and the kids were giving me a VERY hard time. Practically calling me a wimp. SO, I challenged the four of them to do the workout and I would WATCH. hahahahahaha!!!! It was HEEElarious!!!! Wade was complaining and whining about 7 minutes into it and by the 10 minute mark, he was sitting on the couch and didn't get back up. LOL!!! None of them made it through the whole 20 minutes. :o) But, ABS really liked the end where you are cooling down and stretching. :o) My favorite part too! Anywho, if you are looking for a good, want to feel pain and sweat, hard, challenging workout, I HIGHLY recommend Jillian! She's da bomb!

I'm sure I will not like her after a few more days of this, but hopefully I'll LOVE her in 30 days!

Lemon Cupcakes and a new addition!

2010-01-19T23:53:00.005-06:00

Do you know what you get when you mix one box of cake mix with a diet soda???

24 wonderful little cupcakes! YES, you read that right. ONE cake mix + ONE 12 oz DIET soda= 24 YUMMY little cupcakes. No eggs, No oil, or No water...just a canned diet soda! :)You see, I am on Weight Watchers. I have always struggled with my weight. I am only 4'10" so 5 lbs on someone else looks like 15 lbs on me :o( I have said for the last several years that I am going to do something about it, I am going on a diet, blah blah blah. Well, I would lose 10 lbs or so and then gain it back. Lose 10, gain it back...so on and so forth. WELL, I am ready to lose 10, and then lose 10 more, and so on.... :o) I am determined! :o) I am excited! I am ready!

So I guess you can imagine my excitement today when I found out that I could make cupcakes and there are only 2 points in each one. In weight watchers, that is a BIG deal! I have been eating lots of fruit, veggies, etc, but sometimes you just need something sweet! I seriously didn't think these little jokers were going to be any good, but they were DELICIOUS! Wade actually thought I made them for him and the kids and that I was "cheating" on my diet when I had one tonight. ha!!!! Yes, they are that good! Even if you are not on WW, this is a "healthier cupcake"! :o)

I dusted a little powdered sugar over some for them. And actually, as little as I put, it is not even enough to make a point in WW! I don't think I will have any left by the time I get home from work tomorrow as Wade had THREE of them tonight! UGH! Wish I could eat like he does! ha!!!

I hear you can use a chocolate cake mix with a diet Dr. Pepper and those are quite yummy! Really just use your imagination. One cake mix and one diet 12 oz soda! The possibilities are endless! :o) This was the first one I tried tonight and I am impressed!

Here is your break down of this heavenly recipe...

Weight Watcher Cupcakes

1 cake mix (I used Lemon Supreme)

1 diet soda (I used diet Sprite)

Mix the two ingredients well and then fill 24 greased cupcake tins half full (I had just enough for 24). Bake in a preheated oven (350) for about 15 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. (I really didn't time it, but they were not in there long).

ENJOY!!!!

And, I will go ahead and give you a little sneak peak of what I am adding to my shop! More information on this later! :o)

And just for kicks.....Look what I caught on camera tonight! Avery falling off of the bar stool! Ha!

and I am not really sure what to call this......BUT, it had nothing to do with my WW Cupcakes! :)

Cracker Jacks, O.C.D., & The Bachelor

2010-01-18T18:33:00.009-06:00

I just want you to know that this picture below was taken at 2:13 a.m. this morning. Yes, they are that crazy that they leave and go duck hunting in the wee hours of the morning. And I'm even crazier that I stayed up with them and took their picture at 2:13 a.m....It was quite alright though as I was off work today so me and ABS slept in. :o) And before I knew it, she had consumed pop tarts, chocolate milk, cracker jacks, & a fudge pop all before noon today. :o) oops! Hey, it was her day off. I let her eat junk most of the day! I guess I have been depriving my kids of cracker jacks. I never buy them mainly because I never think about it. Well, last night while I was grocery shopping, I spotted them and thought I would get a few packs. Well, you would have thought I let her loose in Toys R US. Ha! She was soooo excited about opening the cabinet today and spotting them! I think this is her new favorite snack. :o)

On another note, I would not consider myself O.C.D. but, there is something about loading the dishwasher that drives me bonkers. It has to be done a certain way and for goodness sake, all of the utensils have to be grouped together in each slot or I get all stressed out! Whew! I know crazy!!! :o)

Another thing that I am crazy about it the garbage can. I hate a dirty garbage can. We have a white one in the kitchen and I am constantly cleaning the outside of it and at least once a week, I clean the inside of it. We use garbage bags, but still it gets dirty! Are you O.C.D. about certain things in your house?

My favorite show is coming on as I type this so I need to cut it short, ha!!! I LOVE The Bachelor. I don't know why, but I do. I don't watch too much TV, but I have really gotten hooked on this show on Monday nights! Source

Our favorites this season are Tensley, Elizabeth, & Ali. Actually, Wade's favorite is Ali and my favorite is Tensley. We have liked those two from the time they stepped out of the limo! They seem genuine and down to earth. Elizabeth is another favorite, but I am starting to have second thoughts on her. We'll see what Jake thinks, but those are my predictions! :o)

Source

Do you watch the show and if so, who are your pulling for?

*****************************

UPDATE:

So, Elizabeth went home tonight. I guess I could sort of see that coming. She did start acting like a tease and was very wishy washy! :( I guess Jake started sensing that too!

Tensley and Ali are still my favorites! I wouldn't mind seeing him with either one of them. And I think Kathryn & Corrie are pretty cool too! Can't wait till next week!

Just Because Designs

2010-01-18T01:07:00.003-06:00

Just Because Designs is now taking orders again. Email me at justbecausedesigns (at) yahoo (dot) com for questions and ordering. I took a little break around Christmas to finish orders and enjoy the season and my family, but I am now up and running. I am working on Valentines Day, St. Patricks Day, Easter, & spring designs. I will be working tomorrow on getting my site updated. Here is just a sneak peak of a few things I have to offer now.... :o)

The "LOVE truck"
The "LOVE" shirtName shirtsThank you all for your continued support of my little hobby. I ♥ my JBD customers! :o)

Wonderful Sunday & a funny!

2010-01-17T23:53:00.004-06:00

We have had a great Sunday. Church was great. Our pastor spoke an amazing message this morning. Like the kind that you feel like you are the only one in the church and he is speaking only to you.....Yeah, that kind of sermon. It was powerful! I love feeling God's presence like that though!

We came home and cooked Beef Enchiladas (see post below for recipe), and then we took a Sunday afternoon nap. Ahhh, Sunday afternoon naps are so divine! :o) So divine that our nap went into "overtime" and we almost missed church tonight. ha! We flew out the door and made it just in time though.

As I was taking notes during our message tonight, I noticed Annah Brooke was also "taking notes" (copying mine). :o) Then I noticed a sentence she wrote on her own. It read, "Jesus is my save your." Ahh, my heart completely melted and then I got all giggled. I think she is going to take after her momma in the spelling department. I can't spell to save my life. I use spell check a lot and Google all of the time and I still spell words wrong. Oh, well! :o)

Then towards the end of our message tonight, a gentleman just a few seats down from us yelled, "Amen". :o) ABS jerked her head around to see who said it and then she looked at me and said, "now that wasn't very polite, was it?".....hahaha!!! It really happens all of the time in our church, all through the service, she is just normally in kids church. :o)

On the way home tonight, we were talking about the spelling of "save your". Andrew told her the correct spelling is, "S.a.v.i.o.r". She quickly told him that he was wrong and she was right. She said, "save your. S.A.V.E. and then Y.O.U.R. save your. It's a compound word Andrew". Hahaha...I think she will be spelling it her way forever. :o)

Oh, that child. She really keeps me rolling laughing! Her little funnies were the perfect ending to the perfect day.

I hope you all have had a wonderful Sunday.
Is Jesus your save your?

A few new recipes

2010-01-17T23:29:00.004-06:00

I cook a few times a week usually, but over the last two weeks, I have cooked a TON. Mainly because it has been freezing cold here in the south, and because my man has been on 12 hour shifts. I figured he needed some good, warm meals after working that much.

I have cooked veggie soup, chicken n dumplings, chili, chicken casserole, beef enchiladas, and homemade chicken noodle soup just to name a few things... :o) The Beef Enchiladas and the Chicken Noodle Soup were two new recipes so I thought I'd share them with you.

I came across this recipe from Kelly's Recipe Blog. It sounded good so I gave it a go. I did not follow her recipe exactly (just b/c I never seem to follow directions to a "T"), but it is pretty much the same.

Beef Enchiladas

1.5 lb hamburger meat

1 small onion, chopped

1 can of cream of mushroom soup

1 can of Green Chili Enchilada sauce

shredded cheddar cheese (I didn't measure the cheese)

10 flour tortillas

Brown the meat and saute the onions in with it. Drain and then add back to the skillet. Add a few handfuls of shredded cheese (more or less depending on your liking). Stir and let cheese melt. Fill tortillas with the meat mixture and roll up. Combine the mushroom soup and enchilada sauce and pour on top. Top with remaining cheese. Bake at 350 for 20-30 minutes.

Serve with Mexican Rice. Enjoy!!!

As you can see, paper plates again....ha!!!

My next recipe is Chicken Noodle Soup. Sharon gave me her recipe for this and my friend, Shannon, gave me her recipe, & then I found a few online that I liked too. So I just sort of made my own version of Chicken Noodle using a little ingredients from each of the recipes. :o) It was so YUMMY. Wade and the kids LOVED it!

Chicken Noodle Soup

Chicken (I boiled a whole chicken and then used about half of it)

Large package of Egg Noodles (I think about a 10 0z pk)

1 can of cream of mushroom

1 can of cream of chicken

1/2 lb of Velveeta

half and half (I just poured some, maybe a 1/2 cup)

salt and pepper to taste

1 cup frozen veggies (I had a mixture of peas, corn, & carrots)

Boil chicken and debone. In chicken broth, add noodles and let cook. When noodles are ready add cream of mushroom, cream of chicken, half & half, veggies, shredded chicken, and cubed Velveeta. Add salt & pepper to taste. Let simmer on low heat for about 20 minutes. Enjoy!

**Please note that these two recipes are not weight watcher friendly** :o)

Haiti

2010-01-13T21:53:00.003-06:00

My heart has been so heavy after hearing about the earthquake in Haiti. I will be completely honest with you. I had no idea where Haiti was and had to google it. That probably seems so shallow, but I just didn't. I don't know a whole lot about other countries and that is something I am growing a great interest in right now. I have learned that living in Haiti before the quake that life was hard so I can't imagine it now.

(source)

As I was preparing my family a hot meal tonight, in our warm home, while my children were playing and laughing it just broke. my. heart. thinking of this disaster. To think I complain and whine about wanting a new outfit, or a new pair of boots, or a bigger house, etc....It really breaks my heart that these people have nothing. Literally. Nothing. And now they don't even have the basic needs to get through the day like water, food, & shelter.

Please PRAY for this country and these people. These are real people with real feelings. Just like me and you. God's children. God loves them as much as he loves us. I know God is bigger than this and he can restore this country.

There are so many different ways you can donate to help Haiti. The easiest ways are to text "Haiti" to 90999 to give $10.00 to the American Red Cross. It will be charged on your next phone bill. You can also text "disaster" to 90999 to give $10.00 to the Compassion disaster relief program. $10 is what most of us would probably spend on eating out for lunch with your friends. You can also go here and sponsor a child through Compassion.

You can visit KLOVE for more information on the Haiti disaster and for more ways to donate to trusted organizations.

Do you back up???

2010-01-12T00:22:00.003-06:00

Do I have any readers left??? I am so sorry I have been MIA. As you can see I am still alive :o) and I am trying so hard to get the blog updated. I am back-dating everything just because I am weird like that so there are going to be lots of post so be sure to scroll down. I just want everything in order by date. Sooooo.....

The reason of the absence? Well, I had quite a scare. You see, I sat down one night to start blogging and this little message pops up on my laptop screen that reads, "operating system not found"....Hmmm. I have never seen that before, I thought. I was on the phone with my brother and he didn't seem to think that was a good sign. So I then called my BIL who let out a heavy sigh when I told him....I knew at that point that this was NOT good. My poor little hard-drive had crashed. At that point, I wanted to puke. I had 2 years worth of pictures of my life, my family, my children on my laptop and they were all gone.....I was physically ILL!

Fast forward a few days....I took my laptop to a friend and coworker and he immediately let out that heavy sigh that I had previously heard. He then gave me a little hope and told me not to panic...yet. So I try hard not to stress and then few days later, I have my laptop back up and running and NOTHING was lost!!!!! AHHH! I was doing a happy dance! I assure you! I did have to order a new hard-drive b/c the old one had crashed, but he was able to recover most everything and clone the old one or something...I am speaking way out of my league right now, but the bottom line is I have my pictures and it is time to back-up from now on!!!!

Do you back up your files and pictures? If not, your may want to start! Seriously! I have heard of this happening to other people and they were not so lucky, but it is just one of those things that I thought would never happen to me. Well, it did and I am very relieved and thankful that I didn't lose everything.

So here I am now, trying to get caught up on blogging and blog hopping! :o)
Happy Tuesday!

Happy New Year!

2010-01-01T23:48:00.007-06:00

WOW! Two thousand ten, twenty ten, or whatever. What are you calling it? I have been saying two thousand ten...anywho! Happy, happy New Year!!!

We had a very low key New Year's eve and day. We had a few invites for the eve, but Wade and I decided we just wanted a quiet night at home. I do think this was one of my favorite ones yet. I just love me some family time!

I got off of work a bit early, and we made up a few appetizers and literally just hung out. We had "Party Buns", Corn dip, & BLT bites on paper plates! So good and easy clean up! :o) Just the way we like it.Annah Brooke and I ended up watching My Sister's Keeper which was SO good, but sad for sure. We were finishing the movie at 11:30ish sobbing and then put on our "party" face to ring in the New Year. Shortly after midnight, the guys headed out to go hunting. Yes, they leave at like 1 or 2 in the morning. It is about an hour or more drive and then they have to get their "spot" before someone else beats them to it, blah, blah, blah....So me and this princess slept in and then we did a little shopping. This is one time she wanted to stay with me instead of hunting. She had money that was burning a hole in her pocket! lol!

We did get our peas and greens in too.....on paper plates, but hey, that is just how we roll!! :o) HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Christmas 2009

2009-12-26T22:33:00.004-06:00

It's crazy how you prepare for weeks or months shopping, decorating, cleaning, baking, and wrapping and then Christmas is all over in a flash! :o) This year Christmas flew by to me. I did enjoy it very much so, but it was just over and done with sooner than I wanted :o)

Christmas Eve we were headed out to a family gathering and we stopped to snap a few pictures. Obviously Mr. Smith was in a playful mood! :o) I didn't realize why the boys were laughing until I looked at the picture I had just snapped......Crossed eyed and all! Gotta love him :o)
Ahhh, much better! :o)

These four people make my heart SMILE! I love them SO! I can't get over that I am now looking up to a son and I do mean literally! I have to look UP to him when I am talking to him and he absolutely LOVES it! And before you know it, Wade may be looking up too! ha!!! This picture makes me giggle. He is my joker! He loves to goof off and joke around. I was trying so hard to get a good picture of him, and this is what he did when I snapped the picture....Lovely! Since our children do not "believe" in Santa anymore, it is a little different at our house now. Not too different, but we are not up at 4:00 a.m. anymore opening gifts. They now sleep until about 7:00. ha! No, it is really bittersweet. While I do miss that, it is less stressful!!! :o) I suppose I will ALWAYS fill their stocking and put out their "Santa" stacks. Even when they are long gone and come home to see us for Christmas (or we go see them), they will have "Santa". But that is a few more years away! whew!!! :o)

"Santa time"

Everyone got pretty much everything they wanted! They were happy as clams! :o)

My, what pretty legs you have.....:o) Both boys got some new boots that they had been wanting.

Daddy was feeling a little left out Christmas morning so he put on his work boots and sported them around! :o) I love this man's style! ha! ABS in her new hat that I had made for her for Christmas. My boss' daughter started making these hats a few months ago and I of course had to have one for ABS. She made it to coordinate with her new scarf. I love how it turned out and it was cold enough to wear it Christmas morning to ride her new ride!!!
A BIKE!!!! Finally!!! This child has NEVER shown any interest in learning to ride a bike until this past year. So she has been knowing for a while what she wanted for Christmas...and she got it! She jumped right on and did great!!!
Avery got an IPOD Touch and I'll just say that it has kept him quite content since Christmas morning. Andrew and Annah Brooke laugh at him and call him a "computer geek" or something of that nature, but name calling hasn't phased him. He has even turned down hunting a few times b/c of this thing, ha!!! He LOVES it!
I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas!

Christmas Cookie Fun!!!

2009-12-23T21:16:00.006-06:00

Normally I do a good bit of baking during November and December, but this year, I was quite busy with...you guessed it...sewing!!! I had orders galore, not to mention my own personal sewing to do so baking was definitely on the back burners. I am not complaining about it as I am SO blessed that my little hobby has turned into something more. I'm just saying that I was extremely busy and honestly, I didn't quiet expect it to happen like that. Glad it did though! :o)

I am also so blessed to work for such a wonderful company that allows me to take the week of Christmas off to spend with my little family! This was the 2nd year that I was able to spend a week home with the kids during their Christmas break, and it was oh, so great!!! I actually worked Monday, but was off the rest of the week.

So once we finally finished all of our Christmas preparations, we started our "baking". Funny, I say baking, but after we were done with everything, not one thing we made was baked..ha!

Last year, I received this recipe for Oreo Truffles at least 5 times through emails from different friends telling me I had to try them. They seemed quite popular. Since then, I have seen them all over the Internet and people oohing and ahhing over them. So we decided to try them this year.

Oreo Truffles

Take a whole package of Oreo cookies and finely crush them (I used my food processor).
Add one block of cream cheese to crushed oreos and blend well with your mixer.

Once the two ingredients are mixed well, put in freezer for about 15 minutes to firm up.

In the meantime, let your little one lick the bowl and the mixer sticks....do those have a name? I just drew a blank?!

Take the mixture out of the freezer and roll into little balls (I did mine about the size of sausage balls). Dip each ball into melted almond bark and let dry on waxed paper.

Once dry, drizzle with chocolate almond bark and ENJOY!!!!

These were super easy, fun, and so kid friendly! ABS really enjoyed making these! We also made white trash, graham cracker truffles and oyster crackers. I said we didn't bake anything, but the we did have to toss the oyster crackers into the oven for a few minutes. :o)

I saw the recipe on Kelly's recipe blog for the Oyster Crackers. It sounded really yummy and would help level out all of the sweets we were going to be eating. Ha!!! I figured Wade and I would especially like them, but guess what?!?!? This is what was left for us..... CRUMBS!!! I didn't even get a picture of those yummy little crackers! ha!!! So I have no picture to go along with the recipe, but I assure you they are scrumptious! These would be so good for showers, cook-outs, etc...

Oyster Crackers

•3/4 cup vegetable oil
•1 (1 ounce) package dry Ranch-style dressing mix
•1/2 teaspoon dried dill weed
•1/4 teaspoon lemon pepper
•1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
•1 (12 ounce) package oyster crackers

1.Preheat oven to 275 degrees F (135 degrees C).
2.In a mixing bowl, whisk together vegetable oil, ranch-style dressing mix, dill weed, lemon pepper and garlic powder. Pour this spice mixture over the crackers in a medium bowl, and stir until the crackers are coated. Arrange the crackers on a large baking sheet.
3.Bake in the preheated 275 degrees F (135 degrees C) oven for 15 to 20 minutes.

ENJOY!!!!

She's gone quacky on me!

2009-12-19T20:16:00.002-06:00

My sweet little, adorable, animal lover has turned a little quacky on me lately. She has been having a fit to go with her Daddy and brothers hunting, and she finally got her chance. This wasn't her 1st trip, but I normally persuade her to stay home with me so we can hang out and do girly stuff. I am quickly seeing that she is over the "girly" mother/daughter time and she loves hanging with the guys.

Today wasn't a great day for ducks as they only got 3 or so, but she did have a blast. She also got to shoot the gun, but realized quick that shooting was not so fun. She wasn't expecting the backfire or whatever you call it. She told me that it hurt her arm. :o) Brings back memories when I shot Wade's gun while we were dating and I had no idea it would backfire on me like that. I dropped Wade's gun in the mud and we'll just say he has never let me do it again...not that I'm complaining! :o) I would much rather stay home and do crafts, sew, shop, bake, and play on the Internet any day! ha!!!

She was so anxious to get home and show me what they shot. The boys quickly undressed out of their camo and were not in the picture taking mood...imagine that! So, I guess I am out numbered for sure!!! I now have FOUR duck hunters on my hands!!!

CHRISTmas Card Carousel

2009-12-16T00:05:00.001-06:00

I am joining in on Faith’s Christmas Card Carousel today!

I ♥, ♥ Christmas cards! It is probably one of my favorite things about Christmas! I run out to the mailbox every afternoon, and I get really giddy when I open them from our dear family and friends!

I have designed our Christmas card for the past few years and I also have designed a few cards for friends and family this year. When I am creating their card, I have NO problem what.so.ever, but when it comes to creating my own…well my mind just goes blank and all of those creative juices just aren’t “juicing”. So I finally just put together this simple design at the very last minute for our 2009 card and once I sent them to the printers, I realized that I didn’t even put one of my favorite CHRISTmas verses on there that I had planned on using! :-( I was a little upset, but there was no turning back at that point.

Even though my kiddos are older, it still seems impossible to get a good photo sometimes. Especially when they are in goofy moods which seems like most of the time around the Smith house.

These are some of the shots that didn’t make the cut, but I still treasure them!! And this is the final, thrown together really quick, no verse 2009 Christmas card. :o) But, I am happy with it!

I am a little late this year in getting them out but, they are in the mail. I’m sure some people that will be getting a card from us may see it here on the blog first (so sorry), but rest assured, it is on it’s way! :o)

Thank you for stopping by and Merry CHRISTmas!

Christmas Tour of Homes

2009-12-13T23:45:00.005-06:00

Welcome! Come on in!! I am so thrilled to be participating in The Nester’s Christmas Tour of homes this year! Christmas is my favorite time of the year and I love to decorate every room of our house! :o) This is my front door. I made this burlap stocking last year with our initial. I added some foliage and voila….There you have it. My front door decoration :o) I have some ideas of what I’d like to add to our front entrance, but it didn’t happen this year. Hopefully, I will have it ready for next year! :o)

This is the view from the front door coming into our home.

I started collecting the Willow Tree figurines a few years ago and I was so excited when I saw their Nativity scene. I still do not have all of the pieces for it, but for the most part, I do. My dad made me the crèche last year because I could not see paying $100 for it when he could build it for me! I ♥ how it turned out!!

My MIL gave me these red glittery trees a few years ago and I have them sitting in the foyer. Actually I borrowed them from her to use and she ended up giving them to me later :o) I was so glad, because I didn’t know if I could give them back!! This is my living room. After my mom passed away, I took over her Santa collection so I have them everywhere. My Dad now gives me a new one each year to add to my collection. The ones on the mantel are some of my newer ones. The bulk of them are on the top of our entertainment center and then I have a few more on the end table.

There is a very funny story behind our tree this year…Wade and I bought our very 1st tree last year after Christmas. We’ve always used the tree my parents used growing up. Needless to say, it had about had it. So we head out a few days after Christmas last year in search of “the tree”….We found the perfect tree. It was huge, but we really loved it.

Well, this year, we get it out and put it together and the darn thing is tooooo big for our living room. It really fit, but the top was seriously smashing against the ceiling….SO, we took the top section off of the tree and made it work for us. I found these sequin sprays at Pier One and some feathers from Hobby Lobby to help fill in the gap and for the most part, I think we pulled it off! Hopefully one day, we’ll have vaulted ceilings and we’ll be able to use the top of our tree :o) But for now, this is how we roll!

These are a few of my new ornaments this year!

This is my mantel. I am ever so pleased with it this year! I love, love, love the word “JOY” at Christmas! I’m sure most people do, but this word is almost a theme in our home. I’ve made towels and ornaments and shirts that say “JOY”. “JOY to the world, the Lord has come” is really why we are celebrating!!!

I painted some letters that I picked up at Wal-Mart (or Hobby Lobby) and attached ribbon and hung them over our mantel! I LOVE the way it turned out!

I made our garland by using white lights, red balls, red feathers, foliage, & pinecones. So easy and so cheap! And I LOVE the look it added to the mantel! I have used garland in the past for our mantel, but by adding some things I had around the house, really made it (in my opinion)! :o)

This is a glittery tree and basket I have sitting by the fireplace.

Last year, my Dad gave me this “Kneeling Santa”. I do think this one is my favorite one yet! LOVE it! More Santas

My dad gave me this Nativity snow globe for my 21st birthday! It is beautiful!!! This Santa plate was my mother’s. I have always used it at Christmas to put goodies on, but have never thought about standing it up on a plate stand until this year! Another platter. I LOVE platters!!! I bought this tree a few years ago for really cheap and it has become Annah Brooke’s tree. We added some tulle and pink balls to it. I am going to be on the look out for a few “girly” ornaments after Christmas this year, but we were pleased with the new look of this tree! We made this ornament this year. We put some pink shred in clear glass balls, added her initial, & some ribbon and cute, cheap ornaments!!

I have a tree in the boys room, but just realized I don’t have a picture of it yet. My granddaddy made it out of grapevine and we added white lights to it. I will have to get a picture of it and post it later. I love and cherish that tree now especially since he has passed away!

I posted some pictures of our dining room tree and decorations in the post below so be sure to scroll down.

Thank you for touring my home! Merry Christmas!!!

No more pictures, please!

2009-12-12T22:25:00.001-06:00

I ♥ this baby!!!!!

Feeling like a kid again!

2009-12-12T22:06:00.001-06:00

My birthday was this past week and it was such a great day! I was sure feeling the love with all of the sweet birthday text messages, calls, emails, face book comments, & even snail mail! I got a ton of goodies from friends and family too! I was sure feeling like a kid again! HA!

I got a new zebra duffle tote bag, coffee mug, note cards, MSU fleece coat, a candle, notepad and pen, monogrammed cup, chocolate, monogrammed towels, cook-book, pampered chef spatula, coffee gift card, Starbucks ornament, sewing happies, a Christmas lamp, & a beautiful scarf!!!!

BUT, the greatest birthday present was watching this darling in her Christmas program at school the morning of my day!l! She did such a great job!!!

During the 1st part of the program, she kept pulling her hat down over her face. I thought I was going to have to march up there on stage to make her quit, but luckily she did on her own! :o)

THANK YOU to all who made my birthday so special!!!!! It was definitely a great day! Love you all!

Let it Snow!!!

2009-12-12T18:17:00.001-06:00

We were so excited to get some snow down here in the deep south last Friday night. Just a few flurries is enough to giggle the Smith family!

It all started like this….Just a few flurries!!

I love this picture of Sadie…It looks like she is winking at us! Ha!!! We finally got Avery to come outside with us. He loved the snow, but from the inside looking out. Smart, Smart kid! My grown up looking kids! :o( The snow really started to build up on the trampoline so I decided to have some fun before the kids started jumping! :o) Then we all went in for a bit to warm up and when we came back outside…..this is what we saw! The ground and trampoline were covered in white stuff and the “white stuff” was falling hard and fast! Yay!!! She enjoyed catching snow flakes on her tongue… but it wasn’t long before a snow ball fight started… and on to jump on the trampoline and mess up it’s pretty white coating!!! :o( We were headed out of town 1st thing Saturday morning so we had to say “goodbye” to the snow…we knew it would be gone when we returned! We enjoyed it while it lasted, and we’re hoping for more!!!!

I’m dreaming of a white Christmas……That would be oh, so beautiful!!!!!!!!!!

Show us your life-Cookies

2009-12-11T10:28:00.007-06:00

I am participating in
Kelly's Show us your life Tour-Cookie edition!
A few years ago, a friend gave me this recipe, and it has become one of our family favorites especially during the holidays! Wade and the kids have been asking for a few weeks when I was going to make "those" cookies! Ha!!! I plan on doing some this weekend!

I had never heard of Dishpan cookies, but some time later after I had this recipe, I was looking in one of my mom's old church cook-books and there it was....DISHPAN Cookies! :o)

They are so so yummy!!!!!!

DISHPAN COOKIES

2 C Oil
2 C Packed Brown Sugar
2 C Sugar
4 Eggs
1 tsp Vanilla
4 C Flour
2 C Regular Chocolate Chips
1 1/2 C Oats
2 tsp Baking Soda
1 tsp Salt
2 C Crushed Corn Flakes
1 C Flaked Coconut

In a medium bowl, cream oil, brown sugar, sugar, eggs and vanilla. In a large bowl, mix flour, chocolate chips, oats, baking soda, salt, corn flakes and coconut. Slowly add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients in the large bowl and mix well. Drop by spoonfuls onto an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 11-12 minutes. Makes 8-10 dozen. ENJOY!!

Another favorite is this fudge!!! It is the absolute best fudge I have ever tasted. I call it the "Better than _____ Fudge" (you fill in the blank) :o)

2 sticks of butter (unsalted) 4 cups of sugar 1 can evaporated milk 6 oz package of semi-sweet chocolate chips 6 oz package of milk chocolate chips 1 small jar of marshmallow cream
Pecans pieces (as many or as little or none)

Bring butter, sugar, & milk to a boil. After bringing to a rapid boil, stir continuously for about 8-10 minutes. Remove from heat and add chocolate chips and marshmallow cream and pecans. Pour into a lightly greased pan and refrigerate or set out over night. ENJOY!!!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY BAKING!!!!!

I ♥ Christmas!!!

2009-12-11T09:31:00.003-06:00

Welcome to the Christmas edition of "Getting to Know You". My friend, Shannon, emailed this to me so I decided to put it on the blog :o) Feel free to use it if you'd like!

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? wrapping paper and then I use clear cellophane bags with shred tied with cutesie tulle and ribbon for "happies".
2. Real tree or Artificial? LOVE real trees, but because I like to decorate mid November, we use an artificial (and b/c we have more than one tree).
3. When do you put up the tree? the weekend before Thanksgiving sometimes sooner than that.
4. When do you take the tree down? a few days after Christmas. I am normally over it by then.
5. Do you like eggnog? I can't drink it by itself :o)
6. Favorite gift received as a child? anything to do with Barbies.
7. Hardest person to buy for? It would have to be my Dad and his Dad.
8. Easiest person to buy for? ABS
9. Do you have a nativity scene? YES and I so LOVE it!
10. Mail or email Christmas cards? definitely MAIL.
11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? Right after we got married, my sweet husband bought me a pair of pearl earrings. I was very rude and told him that pearls were for grandmothers. Needless to say, I have NEVER received another piece of jewelry from him :o( and now 12 years later, I would so love to have those pearls.
12. Favorite Christmas Movies? Home Alone and ELF
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? when the funds are available.
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Can't say that I have.
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? LOVE fudge and my homemade wedding cookies.
16. Color of Lights on the tree? white
17. Favorite Christmas song? I absolutely LOVE Christmas music and it is so hard for me to pick one....Joy to the world, Little Drummer Boy, Hark the herald Angels, Away in a Manger, Jingle Bells, Carol of the Bells.....see I can't stop!
18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? stay home for sure!!
19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's? Is one of their names Vincent? :o) No, that is a running joke at my house....I always throw Vincent in there for some reason.
20.. Angel on the tree top or a star? funky sequin sprays
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Both-The kids get to open their gifts from us on Christmas Eve and "Santa" on Christmas morning.
22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? Christmas lights can be a BIG pain at the Smith house!!!! It never fails we always have some that will not work.
23. Favorite ornament, theme, or color? My "theme" for my dining room tree is lime green, reds, and zebra print. And for the living room tree, we don't really have a "theme", but we do use a lot of reds, whites, & greens. My favorite ornaments are the ones I buy every year at Mistletoe with each of our names on them and the year.
24. Favorite for Christmas Dinner? We don't do a Christmas dinner. I normally make up a ton of finger foods for Christmas Eve and then I make a BIG Christmas breakfast!
25, What do you want for Christmas this year? a pair of rain boots and perfume are the main things I have asked for.

Merry Christmas!!

Decorations and Beverly Hills

2009-12-07T23:34:00.010-06:00

I ♥ this time of year!

I ♥ decorations; lots and lots of decorations!

I ♥ baking for my family!

I ♥ giving!

I ♥ Christmas music!

I ♥ watching Christmas movies with my four favorite people in the world.

I ♥ sitting in the dark enjoying the glow of only Christmas lights.

I ♥ driving around looking at lights.

I ♥ Christmas musicals.

I ♥ the warm and cozy feeling that this time of year brings.

It really is the most wonderful time of the year!

We have four trees this year so I decided to break it down room by room and give you a little tour of our home.

A few years ago, we started putting up a dining room tree. I decorated it in maroons and golds. Pretty? Yes. But, for me, I just LOVE reds and greens and it is hard for me to not use those colors. So I decided this year to change things up a bit while working with a budget.

Wade bought me some green poly mesh and the majority of the ornaments on this tree are just red balls (and a few green ones). There are red and black feathers sticking out all over the tree, a few ornaments, and sequin sprays coming out of the top! I added a piece of zebra fabric as the tree skirt. We ♥ how it turned out.

I have also used the clear balls in the past years and painted the inside of them with an initial on the outside and added ribbon, but that gets very time consuming working with paint. So this year, I got an idea from Kelly's blog and we filled the clear balls with red shred paper and added ribbon and a sticker on the outside and viola...CUTE, cheap ornaments! This is also very kid friendly! All three of my kids sat around the dining room table and helped me make all of these ornaments! I didn't have any green shred paper so we decided to fill a few with lime green tulle to see how it looked and they turned out cute as well! While we were gathered around the table making the balls, the kids were trying to think of different things to put on the outside besides our initials. We did a few that say "JOY" and "NOEL". Annah Brooke wanted to do one with Jesus on it, but we were out of "S" stickers. So then this conversation took place:

ABS: Mom, let's do one with "BH" on it.

ME: What does "BH" stand for?

ABS: Beverly Hills

ME: Annah Brooke, why do we want a ball that stands for Beverly Hills hanging on our tree?

ABS: In the most innocent voice ever...But momma, that is where Jesus was born.

Laughter filled the room as me and the boys literally fell out laughing! Poor thing! She was a little confused! Gotta love her! :o)

The candy buffetDining roomCenterpiece I'll be back later with the rest of the house! Happy Tuesday!

SNOW

2009-12-04T20:52:00.003-06:00

The Smith family has been eagerly waiting the predicted forecast for snow! Well, about 7:30 tonight it started!!!!! YAY!!!! At first it was just a few flurries, but as the time has passed, it is really coming down!!!! What a wonderful way to end my busy week!

I will leave you with this, but I promise to be back with more!!!!!

Today I am thankful for....

2009-11-23T23:47:00.003-06:00

I am thankful for a husband that doesn't mind Christmas decorations going up before Thanksgiving! :o)
I am thankful for my three beautiful kids that still get excited about hanging the ornaments that they have made over the years right in the smack dab front of the tree! I am thankful for grandparents that keep the kids overnight so I can have some "mommy" time and ~~take goofy pictures of myself~~ be really productive! I am a very blessed wife & mother!!!

Rudolph Shirts

2009-11-10T09:29:00.000-06:00

I am now offering Rudolph shirts for little boys and girls! Check out my shop or email me at justbecausedesigns (at) yahoo (dot) com for questions! Thank you!!!

Randomness....

2009-11-09T21:11:00.000-06:00

I love these things.....Thanks Laura!!!

1. It's early morning, about 2:00AM, and you're driving home. You come to a red light and sit there. There is no one in sight for miles around. Do you wait it out or run the light? I would have to wait it out--my luck a cop would be hiding out and see me if I rolled on through that light! :o)

2. If you had the chance to re-do the last 24 hours, would you change anything? Ummm...Probably not! I had a good day yesterday and a very productive evening last night!

3. When you reply to some one's comment on your blog, do you reply in your comments or go to her blog and comment? Well, I have done both, but I really like to reply to them via the email notification that I receive for that blog comment. That doesn't always work though, because not everyone has their email in their public profile.

4. Your favorite Disney movie is: I have always LOVED The Little Mermaid, but now Nemo is running a close race!!!!!!

5. Do you recycle? No....I don't have room to recycle in my home! :o) I am constantly throwing away!

6. Games of strategy or games of chance? BOTH! I do love a good game of Chess against my husband! He is SO awesome at Chess and always has me in check-mate in a hot minute, but I still like to try! I have beat him maybe once or twice in our lifetime together! But there is just nothing like a good game of chance where you don't have to think...Just hope! :o)

7. Do you have any recurring dreams? I don't think so....

8. What did you learn from your first real job? That I did not want to work in the restaurant business

9. Do you buy or borrow most books? Borrow from friends.....And normally I return them unread! I am not a reader!

10. What fashion trend of the past did you say you'd never wear again but did?
I don't know if this is really of the past, but I have always said that I will never wear black and brown or black and navy together and I find myself slowly coming out of my shell....Thanks to my dear friend, Amber!

11. When do you start Christmas shopping? November.....or when the funds are there! :o)

12. Have you ever been so happy that you literally jumped up and down for a few seconds? If so, what was the occasion? Yes....this happens often at the Smith house over any random thing! :o)

Happy Tuesday!!!!!!

p.s.... I am almost to my 500th post.......do you remember what I told you would happen at 500???????? Stay tuned!

How can I keep from singing

2009-11-05T09:10:00.003-06:00

My heart burst with joy every time I hear this song!

There is an endless song
Echoes in my soul
I hear the music ring

And though the storms may come
I am holding on
To the rock I cling

Chorus:
How can I keep from singing Your praise
How can I ever say enough
How amazing is Your love
How can I keep from shouting Your name
I know I am loved by the King
And it makes my heart want to sing

I will lift my eyes
In the darkest night
For I know my Savior lives

And I will walk with You
Knowing You'll see me through
And sing the songs You give

Chorus:
How can I keep from singing Your praise
How can I ever say enough
How amazing is Your love
How can I keep from shouting Your name
I know I am loved by the King
And it makes my heart want to sing

I can sing in the troubled times
Sing when I win
I can sing when I lose my step
And fall down again
I can sing 'cause You pick me up
Sing 'cause You're there
I can sing 'cause You hear me, Lord
When I call to You in prayer
I can sing with my last breath
Sing for I know
That I'll sing with the angels
And the saints around the throne

Chorus:
How can I keep from singing Your praise
How can I ever say enough
How amazing is Your love
How can I keep from shouting Your name
I know I am loved by the King
And it makes my heart want to sing

Happy Thursday!

Seriously...

2009-11-01T21:02:00.003-06:00

Halloween is OVER!!!!! Take the decorations down!!!! Or maybe I just need to do some MAJOR fall cleaning! :o)

We noticed this HUGE cobweb in the light fixture above the dining room table tonight while we were eating dinner! I pretty sure my Dad & Sharon are picking their jaws up right now! :o)

Happy November!!!!! I'm off to do some cleaning! ha!

Grab my new button!!!

2009-11-01T00:35:00.002-05:00

<a href="http://justbecausedesigns.blogspot.com/" target="_blank" title="JustBecauseDesigns"></a>

I am working on re-designing my shop and getting new items added!

Trick or Treat!

2009-10-31T21:04:00.006-05:00

Happy Halloween! We took the kids trick or treating tonight. The boys are really too old for it (Andrew especially), but they still go with Annah Brooke.

When I asked Annah Brooke what she wanted to be for Halloween a few weeks ago, she grinned really big and said, " a black eyed pea." Ha!!!!! I guess she wanted to be like her momma since that is what I was for my Halloween Bunco this month! I didn't argue with her though...cheap and easy!!! Just the way I like it :o)

So a black eyed pea she was! Ready to go trick or treating!
Daddy, Sadie, & ABS Since the boys are really too old for this, they don't really dress up, but we did let them get a mask at Wal-mart. Andrew is the red face and Avery is the gold face. Avery did have some black gown thing that he wore over his clothes that he had from a previous year.
We had a few neighborhood boys walk with us. Every time I take a picture of Sadie, she closes her eyes!!! ha! I ♥ this one! Andrew and Daddy Hope you all have had a fun and safe Halloween! I can't believe tomorrow is November 1st!!! Where did the time go?!?!

Oh, and don't forget to set your clocks back an hour tonight!!!!

The magic pan...

2009-10-29T23:00:00.002-05:00

Happy Halloween! I am sitting here trying to figure out where the month of October has gone, but it's just that. Gone. :o)

I woke up Monday morning sick and by Tuesday, I just felt awful! I am not one to go to the doctor very easily, but I made myself go Tuesday afternoon! Everyone was pretty shocked when they found out I actually went to a doctor, ha!!!! But, I have way too much to do to let a cold (or whatever I had) get me down. Plus no one likes to be sick :o)

I was already feeling better by Wednesday night as I was in the kitchen baking more of these cookies for the kids.... And then tonight, I have been making brownies. Speaking of brownies...My kids ♥ brownies, especially Avery. The sad thing about it is that I don't make them often, because no matter how long I let those little jokers cool, when I cut into them they still fall apart and I NEVER get cute little square brownies. It is normally just a hot mess!

Well no more, my friends! My MIL gave me and my SIL a happy a few weeks ago, and to be honest, I thought it was such a silly purchase at the time. But after my SIL told me how wonderful it worked for her and I tried it tonight, this magic pan is NOT so silly!!!! I ♥ it....so much that I made two batches of brownies tonight, and plan on using it a whole lot more! :o)

You see, you pour your brownie mix into the pan and then put the divider into it. You bake it with the divider and then once done, it makes PERFECT little brownies!!!!!
No more janked up brownies! I was SO excited! I really love it, MIL! THANK YOU!
She ordered ours from QVC aka her favorite store, but you can read more about the pan here!

Well, I am off to bed. Sooooo glad tomorrow is Friday!

Have a safe and happy Halloween!

Decorating for Christmas....

2009-10-29T12:45:00.007-05:00

You do realize that there are only....

Right?

Yes, FIFTY-SEVEN DAYS.......Oh My!!!! I have so much to do and so little time to do it!!!
I just wanted to share a quick idea for decorating the outside of your home this Christmas.....

Perhaps you could do what this clever neighbor on the right did...... :o)

I think this is BRILLIANT!!!! I ♥ it!!!!!

Happy THURSDAY!!!!!!

In case you are wondering....

2009-10-26T22:49:00.004-05:00

The boys do still live here! :o) I realized I have not blogged about them much lately. Mainly because I do not have any pictures of them. When I try to snap pictures of them, I usually get this.... or a goofy look like this....Unless I sneak into the bedroom to snap a picture like this...

Other than that, I don't have really any recent pictures of them!!! :o( I mentioned this past weekend about us doing our Christmas pictures soon and they both moaned and groaned! They so do not like to be in front of the camera! ha!!!

They are having a lot of homework and book reports so needless to say, they are not happy campers! Their nights are usually full with reading and doing equations....blah, blah, blah!!!! Glad it is them and not me! ha!!!

They are both playing football, but I honestly have not really gotten any good pictures this season. Most of their games have been on the same night so Wade goes to one and I go to the other. Normally I have the camera with me, and it has seemed like when I have the camera, they don't get much playing time, but when I have forgotten the camera, they play the whole game...Go figure! My Luck...Note to self....take your camera EVERYWHERE you go and send the back up camera with Wade! :o)

Last week Avery brought home the middle school class ring form...Yes, you read that right. MIDDLE SCHOOL! We didn't have middle school class rings when we were in school, but they offer them now! Andrew got one in 6th grade and now its Avery's turn! :o) And I'm sure Andrew will be bringing home the HIGH SCHOOL order form any day now! My boys are growing up too fast!!!! :o(

They are both doing great though and just keeping us really busy! Hopefully I will have some football pictures to share in the next few days!

Good night!

Holiday fever & weekend fun!

2009-10-25T20:59:00.007-05:00

I guess you can say I have Holiday fever really bad!!!! Not just one holiday, but all of them! I am so ready for Halloween, Thanksgiving, & Christmas! I ♥ this time of year.....seriously!!!!

I have spent the whole weekend doing some of the things I enjoy most!!! Baking, sewing, & painting! And I'm sure there will be plenty more of those activities in the upcoming weeks for me!

I've told you time and time again that I am NO Cookie Mama, and even though I am NOT comparable to the Cookie Queen, I still love making my family sugar cookies! :o) I baked some Halloween cookies on Thursday night and spent most of Friday night icing them! I was so over it that I didn't even do the stems of the pumpkins, ha!!!! They are now almost gone so I promised the kids that I would do more this week so they would have some for Halloween! :o)

Saturday was a day full of football at the Smith house! We had it on ALL DAY long! I did sneak out late afternoon and make a Hobby Lobby & Target run! My friend, Julie, got me hooked on Pumpkin Spice coffee creamer so I had to go ~~wipe them out~~ buy some. It is SO YUMMY and I hate that it is a Limited Edition :o(

My Granddaddy has been on my mind a lot this weekend. He passed away a year ago today so in memory of him, I decided to start painting these..... He grew these gourds (not sure why, but he did)....I had a few last year and just never got around to painting them so I pulled them all out this weekend and got busy! They are all so different and funky, and I can't wait to display them with my Santa Collection in the years to come! I will always think of my Granddaddy when I look at them.

This was the 1st one I painted today....I call it my "trial run" Santa! I don't think it turned out great, but Wade and my parents loved it! I am now working on my 2nd Santa, but I am not done with it yet! I will show pictures when I am through! :o)

I have also been wanting to paint Annah Brooke a Halloween Pail all month and decided I better do it since Halloween is in less than a week! So I started with this....And it turned out like this.....She ♥'d it, but was quick to tell me that she would have it full of candy fast! I assured her that I would carry along a bag for her to "dump" her candy in so she could keep re-filling the pail! :o) Ha....Can you say greedy??? ha!!!I also started on some of my Christmas designs.....I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE these hand towels. They make such great happies for teachers, friends, daycare workers, etc....Email me today to order yours! Christmas Present Shirt..... I have some new Christmas fabric and I am working on getting pictures of it in my shop. Email me at justbecausedesigns (at) yahoo (dot) com for ordering and questions. Can you tell I have holiday fever?!?! Ha!!!! I so love this time of year! It has been a great weekend and I have gotten a lot accomplished, but still SO much more to do! :o) Have a happy Monday!

Ready to ship!

2009-10-25T20:52:00.002-05:00

I am done filling my Halloween orders, but I do have 3 "ready to ship" shirts that could be yours just in time for Halloween! They are $13.00 + shipping!

I have one 2T spider shirt available. And I have 2 Frankenstein shirts available in an 18 month & 5/6.

If you are interested, please email me at justbecausedesigns (at) yahoo (dot) com! Hurry before its too late!!!!!!!

Monday?!?!

2009-10-19T06:54:00.001-05:00

I sure wish that I were this excited that it was Monday!!! :o)

Bows, shirts, & a bunch of ramble...

2009-10-18T23:45:00.006-05:00

It is really a crying shame that I didn't like to do crafts and sew when my kids were small. I just really got into it in the last 2 years, and I feel like my kids "missed out" on so much fun stuff that I could have made and did for them and with them.

The boys are too old to wear any of my cutsie shirts and Annah Brooke informed me that she probably won't wear them in another year or two. Ha! Bless her! So I guess you can say I am making up for lost time....well, with her at least! I am constantly making her outfits, dresses, shirts, & now bows. I also have two nieces and a nephew who are still small so I can spoil them with some of Aunt Mellie's hand-made items too. :o)

Over the last few months, Annah Brooke and I have really gotten into bows. She has never really worn a lot of bows mainly because she doesn't have a lot of hair to hold them in. Well, I ordered her some before school started and she has been wearing them proudly everyday (with the exception of a few days when she asked could she wear her hair down without anything, ha). I always have a ton of ribbon around as I use it to make my bibs so I decided a few weeks ago to give "bow making" a go....I have been so pleased with the outcome and I hope Annah Brooke stays on her "bow kick" for now as she is going to have a gazillion of them! Ha!!!

She wanted a witch's hat shirt to wear to school so I made her one...

along with a Halloween bow to wear! Then I was playing around and made her a few more....And I can assure you there are tons of more bows in the making! :o) I made my sweet nephew this little turkey shirt. And before you ask...Yes, this turkey will get eyes, just not today! ha! I will also be adding this shirt to my shop in girl and boy fabric!

I made my sweet nieces some Halloween spider shirts to wear for the next few weeks. I love how they turned out!

And they get a Halloween bow too!!!!

This is the owl shirt that I made for Annah Brooke to wear Friday for her party, but I didn't even get a picture of her wearing it b/c she changed so we could paint!
This shirt has also become quite popular too! I have had several orders for this shirt! "Who" doesn't love an owl? :o)Sorry for all of the rambling! All of my free time is wrapped up in sewing lately so I don't have anything else "good" to talk about! :o)

Hope you all have a Happy Monday! I'm off!

Whooo's Birthday?!?!?!

2009-10-17T19:13:00.011-05:00

We have been in party mode all weekend celebrating Annah Brooke's 9th birthday! The party started Friday morning when she celebrated with her class with these cupcakes for morning snack! I'm sure the kids were bouncing off the walls by lunch from all of the sugar! :o)

The BIG party started Friday night when we had 4 silly girls over for a slumber party! This was Annah Brooke's 1st sleep-over at our house and we all had a blast!!!!

We are "owl" crazy right now! Owls are so in, and we LOVE them!!! We decided on an "owl themed" party after Ms. Lucy had an owl party last month. I made her invitation after I was inspired by the talented and creative Jenny Holloway! Jenny is so good and if you need notecards, invitations, announcement, etc...go check her out! You will be so glad you did! We started with Pizza and juice drinks! I thought we ordered too much pizza, but let me tell ya, these 5 little girls CAN eat! ha!!!! I figured they would maybe eat one piece.....NO, they each had anywhere from 2 to 4 pieces!!! ha!

We even had some very special out-of-town guest come in to party with us! We've known all week that they were coming, and we have been counting down the days!!!!!!

Aunt Samantha, Mrs. Shannon, Macy, & Lucy all made the trip for the party! Nana Sharon was coming too, but ended up not being able too! She was missed! :(The girls had a dance-off and danced the night away! Ms. Macy showing off her moves! I think she "get it from her mama!" ha!!!We kicked all of the guys out, but Daddy was having a hard time leaving! ha!!! He hung around for a little while and watched the girls paint! Look at these little Picassos! MM watching sweet Lucy....She is SO into it! ha!I ordered some cookies to match her invitation from my bestie, aka The Cookie Mama! So adorable and SO good!!!!! This was her cake that I made to match the invitation as well!!!! I am no cake decorator, but Annah Brooke LOVED it and that is what matters! :o)I forgot something very vital for the party....CANDLES for the CAKE. So what do you do with a house full of girls at 9:00 at night when we are ready to sing Happy Birthday?!?! We use TOOTHPICKS, ha!!!!! This was not the greatest idea, but it did the job. :o)She got lots of loot! She was so proud of her $50 bill from MM & PawPaw along with all of the other money she got! :)She got a very cutsie gown from Macy, Lucy, & Mrs. Shannon. Gran Gran wrote her a special little poem in the card from them. She got some CUTE clothes from them as well! Lucy, Annah Brooke, & Macy in their matching gowns! These girls are definitely BFFs! :o) FINALLY!!!! Around 3 a.m. they were all sacked out! :o) Shannon and I were so relieved! ha! We sat up and talked for a bit more until I fell asleep in mid-sentence! ha!!!
We had to have a few more pictures this morning before they had to leave!

Look at those adorable shirts that Shannon and her mom made for Macy & Lucy!!!! They ALWAYS look so precious!

Me & my BESTIE!!!!! I SO love this girl! She is the BEST!!!!!

THANK YOU ALL for making the trip to come make Annah Brooke's 9th birthday so special! We had a blast!!!!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANNAH BROOKE! We LOVE you baby girl!

Halloween Bunco

2009-10-08T23:22:00.007-05:00

I started playing Bunco last month for the first time ever!!!! A couple of friends from church were starting up a brand new group and asked me to join! I was so excited as I've been wanting to join a group for a while now. We did not all know one another, but I can already see great friendships being made! This group of ladies are a blast to hang out with! I am so thankful to be apart of this group!!

We had our October Bunco tonight at my house. Since it is October, I decided to go with a "Fall/Halloween" theme. We had chili, corn dip, pumpkin bread, & dice sugar cookies. We also had a costume contest which was a lot of fun!!! I was a little worried when I told everyone to come dressed up that I would be the only one, but they out did themselves! I was so excited to see them showing up one by one dressed up!!!! We had a few ladies that didn't participate only because they got off work late! That was okay too!!! :o)

Carla & LauraAshley, Jamie, Mindy, & LeighSusanne, Cheyenne, Shamra, & PamLet the games begin!!!!!!!!!!!Crazy Laura!!! This girl is a HOOT!!!! You can't really tell, but I was a black eyed pea! A co-worker gave me that idea yesterday and I LOVED it! I had never heard of such, but you just black out one eye and then I sewed a "P" onto a white shirt!!! Ha!!! Mindy showed up as a black eyed pea as well, but she wasn't in this picture! lol!!!! The great thing about Bunco is that you have winners, but you also have a loser prize. I actually was the "biggest loser" last night! I don't know what was wrong, but I couldn't seem to roll a "6" to save my life. lol!!! I bought a cute pumpkin platter for that prize so I was tickled to win that!!! :o) We had a great time, and I can't wait till next month!!!! :o)

Do any of you play Bunco?

Rainy afternoon

2009-10-04T18:51:00.004-05:00

I have been wanting to make Annah Brooke some fall outfits for some time now. My friend, Julie, gave me a pattern for ruffle pants Friday so I decided to get in here on this rainy afternoon and give it a try. The pattern only went up to a size 4 so I had to make my pattern for Annah Brooke from the size 4. I've never really sewn with a pattern and to be honest a pattern has always been intimidating to me. :o) I quickly got over it and got busy sewing! :)

I love to sew, but I really LOVE to sew when it is for my baby girl! She just sits and watches me and ask questions and it really makes my ♥ smile. She did inform me that probably in about another year or two she would be too big to wear ruffle pants like this! Ha!!!! LOVE IT! No idea what she is doing :)Now we just need to figure out what shoes to wear with these outfits and we'll be good to go! :o) I can assure you that there will be more outfits to come!

Pumpkins & gourds galore....OH MY!

2009-10-03T23:48:00.007-05:00

Happy Fall Y'all!!!!

The kids spent last night and today with my MIL & FIL so Wade and I took advantage of having a "no-kids" day. We got up bright and early this morning and headed out to go pumpkin shopping. I LOVE this time of year, and I have been having a fit to get my house decorated for fall. Honestly, I can't believe I haven't already decorated, but we've been super busy!

Anywho...back to shopping. Wade took me to 2 different Farmer's Markets today, and he was ever so patient while I looked and stacked and looked and stacked. I finally found THE. PERFECT. PUMPKINS...and gourds might I add! I was in heaven!

After stopping by two different fabric stores (yes, he took me fabric shopping too:o) we rushed home to decorate! Normally I do a fall scene in the front yard with hay bales, scarecrows, mums, & pumpkins, but this year I decided to do things a little different, and I am very pleased with the outcome!

I am going to take you on a little "fall tour" of our home! :o)

Front door

I have seen the pumpkin topiaries for the past few years so I gave it a go this year. We wiped down the pumpkins really well, and then Wade sprayed a coat of varnish on each of them to give them a shine! I ♥ it! I want to add some fall leaves to it, but I didn't have any today. Maybe this week?! Hope so! I had a small wash tub that we filled with pumpkins, gourds, & corn on the other side of our front door. I really like the way it turned out too! Kitchen

You know I just had to make me some pumpkin towels to hang on my stove!! :o) Happy Fall Y'all napkins, pumpkin spice candle, & Fall trail mix. This is sitting on the center of my bar, but I guarantee you it will not look like this long. Those are Reese Pieces all around the candle and I have caught Wade and the kids digging into them more than I can count tonight! :o(My breakfast areaI found this cute little fall basket at a garage sale back in the summer. It is sitting in my foyer filled with mini gourds and pumpkins.

Dining Room table

I also found this cute little covered dish at a garage sale this summer and I have been dying to use it. I put a few mini pumpkins in it and it sits in the living room on the inn table. FireplaceSo there you have it.....my fall decorations! I ♥ FALL!!!!!!!

Have you all decorated? What all do you do?

Happy Fall Y'all!

Bulldog Weekend

2009-09-27T23:05:00.002-05:00

We spent Saturday in Starkville tailgating at the MSU game! This was the first game we have been to this season, and we had a great time! I got to keep my niece, Reagan, and we had a fun little photo-shoot! Isn't this the cutest lil' bulldog? She is growing so fast, and I was so glad to get to spend some one on one time with her!

While we were all at the game, Annah Brooke went to the Disney Live Concert with Rylee. They had a great time at the concert! Thanks for taking her along Aunt Heather! She had a great time!
Our tailgating "neighbors" had a bulldog so the kids let me snag a picture of them posing with "Bully"! :o)

Hope you all have a great Monday! I have another busy week ahead of me!

Apple Dumplings

2009-09-24T22:51:00.002-05:00

I am participating in Kelly's "Show us your Life-Desserts". I posted this recipe a while back, but wanted to share it again!

I love it when I find a new, easy, yummy recipe! My mom made these awesome Apple Dumplings for us this weekend and I just had to share!!!! They are so easy to prepare and will make a great dessert or breakfast food. I promise you that they will be a hit no matter what time of day you eat them :o)

Sorry, my picture isn't the best, but you get the point....

Apple Dumplings

2 packages of Crescent Rolls (do not let them get room temp-need to be cold and firm)

1-1/4 cup of sugar

2 Granny Smith apples

1 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 tsp. vanilla

1-1/2 sticks of butter

1 cup of Mt. Dew

Preheat oven to 350

Peel and slice apples into 8 slices each (we use an apple wedge).

Wrap each slice in a crescent roll triangle and place in baking pan.

Combine butter, sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla in a saucepan and cook on medium low, stirring until it becomes a gravy-like consistency.

Pour the mixture over the wrapped apples then pour the Mt. Dew over that.

Bake for 30 minutes then place a piece of aluminum foil loosely over the pan and bake for 15 more minutes.

ENJOY!!!!

For additional satisfaction, top with a scoop of vanilla ice-cream and dig in! :o)

Halloween T's

2009-09-15T10:45:00.006-05:00

It is not too early to start thinking of Halloween and the holidays! I am taking orders right now for Halloween, Thanksgiving, & Christmas shirts and towels! Get your lil' pumpkin a shirt today and you'll have it in time to enjoy through the whole month of October. Any of my designs can also be put on hand towels.

I have more designs coming soon, but this is just a few of the ones I've done so far.

Candy corn towel or shirt
Tie shirt

Pumpkin shirt or towel

Monster shirt

T-shirts-$13.00

1 hand towel-$8.00

Set of two towels-$12.00

Email me today at

melanieshea78 (at) yahoo (dot) com.

More designs coming so keep checking my STORE!

Thank you!

Crazy Love Winner

2009-09-14T14:37:00.003-05:00

CONGRATULATIONS Suzanne from Suz Speaks!!!! You are my winner! Get me your address ASAP and Crazy Love will be on its way!!!! I hope you enjoy it as much as Wade and I have!

Thank you to everyone who entered the giveaway! I hope each of you still go and purchase this book! It is truly awesome!!!!!! You will not want to put it down!

Stay tuned!!!! I have some yummy recipes to share with you!

CRAZY LOVE Giveaway

2009-09-06T15:18:00.005-05:00

If you are a regular reader of my blog then you may remember me mentioning the book Crazy Love by Francis Chan.

Wade and I started reading this book 6 weeks ago with our Sunday School class, and it has been such an eye-opener and breath of fresh air for both of us individually as well as in our marriage. We have each grown so much in our spiritual walk with the Lord in the last few weeks and it is just such an awesome feeling.

I have learned to slow down and just sit back and be in awe of our Creator. I have learned to appreciate and adore all of the little things in life that go unnoticed so often when we are wrapped up in our crazy, busy lives. God has convicted me in several areas of my life. I have had to change and give up some things that were pulling me down and that were unpleasing to Him! I feel good!!!! I actually feel great!!!! God is faithful....all of the time!

In this book, Francis helps to guide you into having a true intimate relationship with Jesus Christ. A relationship that is just oh so amazing. I am falling head over heels in love with Jesus Christ and it is indescribable! It is "Crazy Love".

I have an extra copy of this book that I would like to pass on to one of my readers. All you have to do is leave one simple comment on this post by Sunday, September 13th. I will draw the winner the following Monday. If you already have this book, enter anyway and you could give as a gift to someone in your life if you won! Feel free to spread the word about this giveaway.

Good Luck!!!!!

Game Day Fun!

2009-09-05T22:21:00.000-05:00

GO STATE, GO STATE!!!!!!!

We had an awesome day here at "Smith-Wade" Stadium!!!!! It was a packed crowd....all 5 of us were piled up in here! ha!!! I made us some yummy, tailgating appetizers (MS State Sin, Pork Loin Sammies, & BLT Bites) so we pigged out and then cheered on our Dawgs!!!! We even pulled out the cowbell and got a little bit rowdy! :o)

We had awesome seats right on the 50 yard line!!!!! :o)We also had the best cheerleader ever!!!
And we even had half time entertainment......wrestling!!!!

Oh, it has been such a great day!!!!!! Family, football, & food!!!!!! Life is good! :o)

Now I get to be a good wife and dress up in Red & Blue tomorrow to cheer on the Mighty Ole Miss Rebels!!!!! Ha!!!!!! Hotty Toddy!

Standing out....

2009-09-04T21:20:00.004-05:00

Have you heard of this song? WOW! It is really awesome! This song is such a reminder and encourager for me to stand up, step out, be different and share Jesus' love with everyone!

Hello, my friend
I remember when you were
So alive with your wide eyes
Then the light that you had in your heart was stolen
Now you say that it ain't worth stayin'
You want to run but you're hesitating
I'm talkin to me

Don't let your lights go down
Don't let your fire burn out
'Cause somewhere, somebody needs a reason to believe
Why don't you rise up now?
Don't be afraid to stand out
That's how the lost get found
The lost get found

So when you get the chance
Are you gonna take it?
There's a really big world at your fingertips
And you know you have the chance to change it
There's a girl on the streets, she's cryin'
There's a man whose faith is dyin'
Love is calling you

Don't let your lights go down
Don't let your fire burn out
'Cause somewhere, somebody needs a reason to believe
Why don't you rise up now?
Don't be afraid to stand out
That's how the lost get found
The lost get found

Why do we go with the flow
Or take an easier road?
Why are we playin' it safe?
Love came to show us the way
Love is a chance we should take
I'm movin' out of the way

Don't let your lights go down
Don't let your fire burn out
'Cause somewhere, somebody needs a reason believe
(Stand out)
Don't let your lights go down
Don't let your fire burn out
(Stand out)
'Cause somewhere, somebody needs a reason to believe
Why don't you rise up now?
Don't be afraid to stand out
That's how the lost get found
The lost get found

So when you get the chance
Are you gonna take it?
There's really big world at your fingertips
And you know you have the chance to change it.

GOOO DAWGS!!!!!!

2009-09-04T12:31:00.008-05:00

Its that time of year! SEC football! Whoop Whoop!!!!

I have always liked football, but I have never been a die-hard, gotta watch every game, wear maroon & white, and yell "fight, fight, fight" kinda girl.
If I have tickets to go see the Dawgs play, then YES! I'll go, but I don't rearrange my weekends around college football....

UNTIL NOW!!!!

I about know my Dawgs schedule by memory and plan on being in Bulldog Country a few times this season! The rest of the weekends we'll be watching from "SMITH WADE" Stadium! HA!!!!!

I'm not quite sure what happened (and neither does my husband), but this girl is PUMPED about some MSU FOOTBALL!!!!!!! I have been counting down the weeks and it is here!!!!!!!!! WOOOHOOO!!!!!
HAIL STATE! HAIL STATE!!!!

A reminder...

2009-08-27T22:59:00.005-05:00

Wade took me outside this afternoon to show me something. He pointed up to the sky and I saw a complete rainbow! WOW!!! So beautiful!!! Just another reminder this week of God's faithfulness and promise to us. I immediately thought of the song Indescribable by Chris Tomlin when I saw the rainbow. We truly serve an amazing God who is all powerful and always faithful!!!!!

From the highest of heights to the depths of the sea
Creation's revealing Your majesty
From the colors of fall to the fragrance of spring
Every creature unique in the song that it sings
All exclaiming

Indescribable, uncontainable,
You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name.
You are amazing God
All powerful, untameable,
Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim
You are amazing God

Who has told every lightning bolt where it should go
Or seen heavenly storehouses laden with snow
Who imagined the sun and gives source to its light
Yet conceals it to bring us the coolness of night
None can fathom

Indescribable, uncontainable,
You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name
You are amazing God
All powerful, untameable,
Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim
You are amazing God
You are amazing God

Indescribable, uncontainable,
You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name.
You are amazing God
All powerful, untameable,
Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim
You are amazing God
Indescribable, uncontainable,
You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name.
You are amazing God
Incomparable, unchangeable
You see the depths of my heart and You love me the same
You are amazing God
You are amazing God

TGIF!!!!!! Hope everyone has an awesome weekend!!!!

Its beginning to look a lot like Christmas....

2009-08-25T22:50:00.004-05:00

Okay, maybe not! BUT, it is beginning to look and feel a lot like fall!!!!

I love all seasons of the year and each of them have their perks, but normally by the end of "that" season, I am ready for the next. I have my favorite things about each one, but I really do LOVE me some fall!!! I can officially say that I am over summer! Bring on some Fall!!!!

The perfect Fall Saturday to me is having veggie soup in the crock pot, pumpkin bread baking, fall scented candles burning, and listening to Wade and the boys cheer along their favorite college football teams on TV. Pure Bliss!!!!!!

Pumpkins, baking, football, OH MY! Soup, chili, holidays, OH MY! I really love this time of the year and everything about it! Also, it just means that my other favorite time of the year is right around the corner....You guessed it. CHRISTMAS!!!!! You do realize that Christmas is only FOUR months from today?!?! That is so hard to believe, but it will be here in a flash!

Both of the boys are playing football and practice is in full swing. Games are only a few weeks away!!!! I am seeing the next few months be very busy for us, but we wouldn't have it any other way! I can't wait!!! They are only this age once and we are enjoying these years so much!

Well, I am off to bed...Just felt the need to ramble a little bit tonight!!!! :o)

How Beautiful....

2009-08-17T21:19:00.008-05:00

Wade and I joined a new Sunday school class about a month ago. This class is more focused on marriage and family, and we felt that this was where we needed to be right now. Living in today's world with today's challenges and raising kids in today's times....well, it is just hard!

To start off the new class, we are all reading the book Crazy Love by Francis Chan. Each Sunday morning we are going over a chapter until we finish the book. This book is just amazing! And I know it is only going to get better! So far I have learned to just stop, sit back, and be in awe of God, our Creator, our Lord.

I know that God created everything, but I am bad about getting caught up in life and not appreciating the small things! Tonight as I sat outside watching Wade work on my truck (that is a whole nother story), I looked up and saw this beautiful sunset. How awesome is that? How does one not believe in God?

I also captured this gorgeous shot a few weeks ago! I personally think this is just breathtaking!
Hope you all have a happy Tuesday! Good night!

Praise you in this storm

2009-08-17T20:00:00.000-05:00

I was sure by now God You would have reached down And wiped our tears away Stepped in and saved the day But once again, I say "Amen", and it's still raining

As the thunder rolls I barely hear Your whisper through the rain "I'm with you"And as Your mercy falls I raise my hands and praise the God who gives And takes away

And I'll praise You in this storm And I will lift my hands For You are who You are No matter where I am And every tear I've cried You hold in Your hand You never left my side And though my heart is torn I will praise You in this storm

I remember when I stumbled in the wind You heard my cry to you And you raised me up again My strength is almost gone How can I carry on If I can't find You

But as the thunder rolls I barely hear You whisper through the rain "I'm with you" And as Your mercy falls I raise my hands and praise the God who gives And takes away

I lift my eyes unto the hills Where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord The Maker of Heaven and Earth

I miss her so much!

12 years and still going..... :o)

2009-08-16T22:03:00.005-05:00

Wade and I celebrated our 12th wedding anniversary today! One second I feel like it was just yesterday that we said "I do", but then the next second, it feels like forever ago! Nonetheless, it is great!

I love our life together, and I love where the Lord is taking and leading our marriage and family. God can do amazing things when you just move out of the way and let him take the lead!

I am so thankful and blessed to have Wade walking by my side as we raise our family and grow old together. God sure does know what he's doing! :o)

I am no Cookie Mama, but I still like to try to be :o) I made these cookies for us to enjoy this afternoon!!!! :o)

Happy 12th anniversary My Love!!!!!!!!

I love you so much!!!!!!!!!!!
-Come grow old with me, the best is yet to come-

Easely Amused....again

2009-08-16T22:02:00.001-05:00

Sharon came down and went to Easely Amused with me and some friends! We first went to eat Mexican and then off to paint! We had a great time and I am so thankful for times like this that we share! Laura, Julie, Sharon, me, Angela, & Machelle

Nikki, Me, Laura, Julie, & Machelle

I do have to say that these flowers turned out much better than the hideous ornaments we painted last month!!! UGH! :o)

Back into the swing of things....

2009-08-16T21:07:00.007-05:00

First let me apologize for my absence from bloggy land...I recently did a little evaluation of my life and realized that my priorities were not quite in order like they needed to be or like I want them to be. SO, I took a little break from blogging and it has been nice. I have gotten on the computer a time or two, but only for a minute here and there.

Before, I would find myself spending hours at night blogging, blog hopping, facebooking, farm-towning (a game on Face Book), etc...and before I knew it, it would be bed time and I would not have done any laundry, house-work, and family time and then I would be so mad at myself for letting the time slip away from me. SO, I decided THAT had to stop :o) and I have been working on better time management skills at home! All seems to be going well, and I am not having any computer withdrawals...so that is good , right?!?! :o)

The kids just completed their 1st week into the new school year. Monday was bittersweet for me! Andrew is a Freshman this year and that in itself was hard for this momma to swallow. I will admit...there were some tears once they left for school Monday, but then I got excited for them. We are starting on a whole new chapter in our lives and we will make the best of these next four years!!!! High school football, homecoming dances, driving, dates, proms, etc....Whew!!!! I am scared and excited all rolled up into one!

Avery is now a big "middle schooler"!!!! I was scared for him, but I don't know why....He may be small, but he has self-confidence like nobody's business!!!!! :o) I know he will be just fine! He decided at the last minute that he didn't want to be in the band, so he had his schedule changed and he will be playing football too!

Annah Brooke is in the 3rd grade this year! She is loving it so far, but I think her teacher already has her figured out....Little Miss Social Butterfly...ha!!!!! I emailed her teacher the 1st day of school to see how her day went and she informed me that she does like to talk....So I asked Annah Brooke about it, and she said, "but mom, I had to make friends today." ha!!!! Let's hope that all of her friends are now made, and that she'll be in the learning mood from here on out!!! What are the chances? lol!!!

I didn't get the best pictures Monday morning due to the bright sun and the bus coming.... :o)

My FRESHMAN!!!!My MIDDLE SCHOOLER "Mom, just hurry!!"I am loving that ABS is enjoying "dressing girly" and wearing bows, but wouldn't ya know that lil' tom boy would show back up.....By the end of last week, she asked me could she NOT wear a bow to school, ha!!!!!! I did a little begging and pleading with her and she happily wore a bow that day!!!! We'll see what this week holds for us, ha!!!! She couldn't wait to wear this shirt to school!!!!!!!! Nana Sharon found it while she was out shopping one day and knew that it fit ABS to a "T"!!!! :o) It reads..."I love recess"...So very true!!! Thank you Nana Sharon!!! :o)

I guess the boys were worn out after the 1st day of school....This is the way I found them Monday when I got home from work.....They were passed out! :o) I think we are finally getting back into the swing of things!!!!!!! I love the summer, but I love getting back into a routine as well!!!!!
Hope everyone has a great Monday!!!! I'm off to bed!!!!! :o)

Survey Says...

2009-08-04T22:35:00.003-05:00

I love these little survey thingys...Thanks Laura!

1.My ex is.......who??
2.Maybe I should.....cut out my afternoon coffee so I can go to bed at a decent hour..
3.I love......The Lord, my husband, children, family, flip flops, the beach, diet coke, hamburgers, music, haircuts, pedicures, high heels, tshirts, and all things girly... (I could go on and on on this one).
4.People would say that I am.....a literal person!
5. I don't understand....politics.
6.When I wake up in the morning......I go straight for the coffee pot.
7.I have lost....too many pairs of earrings :o(
8.Life is full of....ups and downs.
9.My past taught me....that tomorrow is not a guarantee.
10.I get annoyed......at negative and lazy people.
11.Parties are....tons of fun!! Wade and I are actually going to one Friday night! :)
12.I wish.....I were leaving on a cruise right now!
13.Dogs .....are great!!!! I never thought I'd love a big dog, but our black lab is the BEST!!
14.Cats....are nasty!!!!! I do not like them :o).
15.Tomorrow is....Wednesday...Work, church, home!
16.I have a low tolerance for......bullies.
17.If I had a million dollars....build our dream house, give, put up for my children's future and give some more
18.I am terrified of....grasshoppers, roaches, crickets, bugs....
19.I've come to realize that my last kiss.....didn't last long enough. ;)
20.I am listening to....Law & Order.
21.I talk....a lot...wonder where ABS gets this from?.
22.My friend(s).....are GREAT!!!!.
23.My first real kiss.....was a while ago. ;)
24.Love is.....1 Corinthians 13:4
25.Marriage is....hard work, but truly amazing!!!!
26.Somewhere, someone is thinking...."Is it Friday yet?"
27.I'll always....be short.
28.The last time I really cried......was probably about a week ago.
29.My cell phone is....with me where ever I go!
30.Before I go to bed........ I take the dogs out, brush my teeth, make sure all doors are locked and lights are out! :)
31.Right now I am thinking about.....what a busy schedule I have for the next few days!
32.Babies....are true blessings from God, but they grow up :o).
33.Today I.....went to work, did some reading, sewing, laundry and now blogging.
34.I really want to...work out more often than I am now.
35.Someone that will most likely re-post this is....Amber, Shannon, Suzanne

All because of a cookie....

2009-08-02T23:25:00.004-05:00

Do you remember me telling you that I ordered myself some Mother's Day cookies in May? Well, not only did I get a dozen cookies, but I also got a friend for life!!!! Shannon (aka The Cookie Mama) and I hit it off instantly through email after I placed that order. We grew up in the same town, but NEVER knew each other. I know people that know her and she knows people that know me, but in 30 years, we've never crossed paths until now and it was all because of a cookie! :o)

In just three short months, we know SO much about one another and have talked about anything and everything under the sun! We have a TON of stuff in common and we are so much alike that it is scary! We email EVERYDAY, we have talked on the phone a time or two briefly, but we had never met.....until NOW! :o)
Wade, the kids, and I went "home" Friday for a quick visit to my parents. Shannon and I decided since I would be in town that we HAD to get together and meet! So Saturday, Annah Brooke and I met Shannon and her two girls at a park. Please excuse me in the above picture. It was so hot and we were pouring sweat, but we had to have our picture! :o) The girls hit it off instantly and became friends really quick! The three of them played so well together and had a ball. They didn't act as if they wanted to leave!

Lucy, Macy, & Annah Brooke swinging Tire swing fun!!!! And, no! We had no idea that Macy & Lucy would be wearing blue shirts too!!! :o)

The girls were little troopers out in that heat! They had a blast playing! Shannon-I am so glad that we are now "IRL" friends and not just bloggy friends!!!!!! Annah Brooke and I can't wait until our next visit!!!!!

7 Things Award

2009-07-30T00:11:00.003-05:00

I won an award from my bloggy friend, Laura! I don't know the name of this award, but it IS an award! I feel so honored! Thank you girl :o)
Now, I have to give you 7 random things about myself that you don't already know!!!!! If you do know these things, just pretend you don't! M'K?

1) I LOVE CHRISTMAS!!!! I love it so much that I listen to Christmas music all year long! It makes me happy! I also wear Christmas socks and panties all year long too!!! Well, not everyday, but it doesn't have to be December for me to have on a pair of cute "HO HO HO" socks :o)

2) I have a very rare skin disorder on my lower legs called Lichen Planus. Actually they say it is common, but I have never met anyone with this disorder so I call it rare! Very rare! They also say that it is very uncommon in children and I have had this since I was 3 years old. THEY also say that it typically runs a course of about 18 months and I have had it for 27 years now....SO, I don't think THEY know exactly what they are talking about! Can you tell that I don't really have much faith in dermatologist?!?! This is really a whole nother blog post in itself, but I really don't like to talk about it! So enough of this.....

3) I have never been to a concert and would really like to! I think it would be fun!

4) One day I plan on going to New York City in December! I wouldn't pass up a trip if it were given to me for any time of the year, but if I am planning and paying for it (which will be the case), I want to go sometime during the month of December!

5) I get car sick if I am not looking at the road. I can't dig in my purse, read, write, etc while traveling....Looking down makes me SICK....I usually stare at the lines in the center of the lanes and try to count them....only when I am the passenger in the car of course. I can't believe I just ~~said~~ typed that out loud! :o)

6) I do not like history. Not.one.bit! I have no idea how I passed in school! My dad gave me a quiz this past weekend of who is on the dollar bill, five dollar bill, etc...I got them all wrong! Oops! Oh well, I really don't sweat the small stuff! :o)

7) I have a HUGE fear of crickets, frogs, grasshoppers, & roaches!!!!! They seriously scare me to death!

Okay....So I am boring...Oh well! I am passing this award onto Shannon, Samantha, Jill, Julie, Beth, Shelley, & Haley.......Congratulations ladies!!!! :o)

A new chapter...

2009-07-26T21:19:00.005-05:00

Wade and I are definitely at a new chapter in our life. While most of our friends and family have little tots running around, Wade and I are long past those days. Thursday Andrew turned 14!!!

It is hard to believe that we will have a son in HIGH SCHOOL in just a few weeks. It is somewhat bittersweet. I miss my babies being little, but I am enjoying (most of the time) the ages they are now. They are at a very fun age. We have some really good and interesting conversation each night at the dinner table and it is nice!

My parents and others keep telling me that once they hit 9th grade, it is all over with as the next four years will fly by. I am having a hard time picturing him walking into the high school in a few weeks, much less walking across a stage at graduation.....But, there is no stopping time so all I can do is embrace today, have fun and make tons of memories!

Dad & Sharon came down Saturday morning and set up their camper and we had a big cookout for Andrew's birthday. Andrew's grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins all came to celebrate his day. They went jet skiing, swimming and just made a day out of it. My parents ended up staying a few nights in their camper so the kids are with them camping out and having a big time! Thank you Dad & Sharon for everything and thank you to all that were able to come and help us celebrate!!!!!!!

Andrew opening gifts with Avery standing over his shoulder checking out how much money he was getting, ha!!!

Mo money

Andrew & Uncle Josh

He racked up on the money this year, but this 14 year old was NOT disappointed!!! LOL! He also got some Pumas that he has been wanting. So I think he is a pretty happy camper!

I with the help of my brother, Josh, made Andrew's cake. Josh helped me "smooth" the icing and he outlined the "M" for me!!!!! It turned out pretty dang cute, if you ask me!!! :o) Thanks Josh for all of your help! :o)
14 candles.....
He got them all!!!! :O)

HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY birthday Andrew!!!!! I hope your day was special!!!!!!! We love you, Mom & Dad :o)

Easely Amused

2009-07-16T23:22:00.004-05:00

I had a blast tonight with a few of my girlfriends! We went to the new "hot spot" in town....Easely Amused!!!!! This week they had "Christmas in July" and tonight we painted a whimsical ornament called "Deck the halls"!!!! I'll be honest--I think my ~~masterpiece~~ painting turned out to be a hot mess, but I had an absolute BLAST!!!!!!

Girls, I had a great time and can not wait for our next date!!!!!! :o)

My sweet friend, Julie.... ME:O)My dear friend, Angela...Me & Julie

Me & Angela Group picture....Me, Pam, Julie, Angela, Machelle!!!!

We go back in a few weeks for another painting date and I hope that I will be proud of that one, ha!!!!!!

Confessions

2009-07-16T05:15:00.002-05:00

Just for the fun of it!!!!! Thanks LT!!!

Confessions!!!
1. The phone rings. Who do you want it to be? Wade
2. When shopping at the grocery store, do you return your cart? Normally I do, but there have been times that I didn't.
3. In a social setting, are you more of a talker or a listener? I think I do a little of both.
4. Do you take compliments well? No, but I am trying. This is one thing that Wade stays on me about!
5. Do you play Sudoku? Never played....
6. If abandoned alone in the wilderness, would you survive? Probably NOT!
7. Did you ever go to camp as a kid? Yes, but this one time right before ~~band~~ GA camp.....ha!!! No really, one year I had to have emergency surgery due to appendicitis so I didn't get to go....BUMMER :o(
8. What was your favorite game as a kid? operation and connect four.
9. Would you slow dance with someone that you knew was married? Yes, my husband :O)
10. Could you date someone with different religious beliefs than you? Probably not.
11. Do you like to pursue or be pursued? I'm old fashioned and I like my man to pursue me, but I sure don't mind pursuing him either!!!
12. Use three words to describe yourself? in-love, determined, short
13. Do any songs make you cry? Yes. There are quite a few....Songs speak to me!
14. Are you continuing your education? Well, let's just say I am contemplating starting my education!
15. Do you know how to shoot a gun? ABSOLUTELY not! I have no desire to know either!
16. If your house was on fire, what would be the first thing you grabbed? My kids!
17. How often do you read books? not much.....I am still trying to read the book that I took to the beach and didn't finish!
18. Do you think more about the past, present or future? Here lately, I've been trying to "let go" of my past and embrace today and make plans for the future!
19. What is your favorite children's book? I don't think I loved books as a child either.
20.What color are your eyes? brown
21. How tall are you? 4'10"
22. Where is your dream house located? It is not built yet!
23. Have you ever taken pictures in a photo booth? Yes, when I was younger
24. When was the last time you were at Olive Garden? several, several years ago on our anniversary. Had a bad experience and have NEVER been back and don't plan on going back!
25. Where was the furthest place you traveled today? Work
26. Do you like mustard? yes
27. Do you prefer to sleep or eat? Being that I don't allow myself many hours a night to sleep, I guess I would say eat!
28. Do you look like your mom or dad? Daddy.
29. How long does it take you in the shower? 10-15 minutes
30. Can you do the splits? Girl, YES!!!! That is one thing I can STILL do to this day! :o)
31. What movie do you want to see right now? The Proposal
32. Do you think The Grudge was scary? I didn't see it.
33. Do you own a camera phone? Yes
34. Was your mom a cheerleader? Mom-no, Sharon-yes
35. What's the last letter of your middle name? "A".
36. How many hours of sleep do you get a night? oh, maybe 5-6...I've got to start getting to bed earlier!
37. Do you like care bears? I did as a child
38. What do you buy at the movies? Diet Coke
39. Do you know how to play poker? No
40.Do you wear your seat belt? Every time I am in the car
41. What do you wear to sleep? big t shirts or cute pj's...depends on the mood
42. Anything big ever happen in your hometown? I was born???? :o)
43. How many meals do you eat a day? Normally just 2, but I am trying to now eat 6 small meal/snacks per day....Gotta love Weight Watchers! :o(.
44. Is your tongue pierced? NO
45. Do you always read MySpace bulletins? Hate Myspace...No
46. Do you like funny or serious people better? Funny
47. Ever been to L.A.? No and is this an invitation??? I'm game!
48. Did you eat a cookie today? No
49. Do you use cuss words in other languages? I once was taught a few,but couldn't tell you now what they were! :o)
50. Do you steal or pay for your music downloads? I use Itunes and pay
51. Do you hate chocolate? Uhh, do I look like a hate chocolate....??? NO, love it! My weakness!
52. What do you and your parents fight about the most? No comment!
53. Are you a gullible person? I like to call myself a LITERAL person! :o)
54. Do you need a boyfriend/girlfriend to be happy? nope. I need my husband to be happy and can't and won't imagine life without him :O)
55. If you could have any job (assuming you have the skills) what would it be? Britney Spears :o)
56. Are you easy to get along with? I think so....
57. What is your favorite time of day? 5:00 p.m.!!!!
58. Do you have a crush on anyone right now? I still have a crush on my man :o) even though he is getting old as dirt, lol :o)

Feel free to join in on confession time!!!! :o)

Beach Day 5

2009-07-13T00:13:00.007-05:00

Our last full day at the beach was jam packed full with fun!!!!! We were just trying to enjoy our every last minute and I think we did!!!

AJS showing his sis some love, ha!!!!
ABS & AJS playing...

"diving" for shells...The water was so beautiful...clear and pretty!

ABS & Daddy

They got splashed while trying to pose for a picture....oops...

She let us bury her...

AKS & Daddy wrestling! They did this the entire trip....

Then more wrestling in the pool...Avery didn't want any part of it...Smart boy!

BEAUTIFUL!!!!! I loved watching the sunset every night!

Writing in the sand...

They guys played Frisbee for hours that night!!!!! They had a blast!

One more day to go....whew...Almost done :O)

Beach Day 4

2009-07-12T19:36:00.007-05:00

Back to my vacation documenting......I am almost done! This is mainly for the grandparents to enjoy, but I hope you will as well :O)

Day four:

We spent the day at Big Kahunas Water Park. We had loads of fun!!!!!! If you are ever near Destin, you should plan on going to this park! It has so much to offer and worth every penny!

I only have a handful of pictures because we left the camera in the truck so we could all enjoy riding the slides and "lazing" in the lazy river together. I did go and get it towards the end of the day to get a few shots of the kids.

Wave Pool Fun
Fun Fountains

One of the many slides that we enjoyed. This was one of the "smaller" ones, but it was so fun!

Daddy in the lazy river
An attempted photo under the waterfall....what was I thinking?!?!

We were completely worn out after spending the entire day there so we stayed in that night and cooked....Spaghetti...YUM:O)

Jet Skiing Fun

2009-07-12T18:57:00.005-05:00

Thanks to my Dad and Sharon, we have had a really fun weekend jet skiing and tubing! I will probably pay for all of the fun I had tomorrow morning when my body is aching, but it was well worth it!!!

My 3 men....Go Daddy go!!!ABS getting ready to ride with DaddyDaddy & ABS...She yelled out to me one time, "Mom, I'm okay...we're having fun"....I guess she knew I was worried! :O) Wade is known to take you for a ride....literally!!!!!! He makes ME nervous when I am riding with him! ha!!!! The boys going tubing!!! Daddy came by slow so I could get a few shots of them.

And that was our weekend!!!! Thanks again Dad & Sharon! We had a blast!!!!!!

We have a winner.....

2009-07-10T23:33:00.004-05:00

I'm so sorry that I am SO late in getting a winner picked and posted!!!! It has been a busy day and night!!!! You know...work all day and sew all night, ha!!!! Isn't she a cutie??? I ♥ her so much and I am so thankful that she likes the dresses and outfits that I make for her!
I know you all have just been sitting here waiting all day on the announcement..ha!!!!

Annah Brooke and I just put all of our entries into a big bowl and I let her draw our lucky winner!!

CONGRATULATIONS HEATHER SKAGGS!!!!! You are the lucky winner!!!!!! Please email me your address so I get your goodies in the mail to you! (melanieshea78 at yahoo dot com)

Thank you to all of you who entered!!!!! I was so excited at all of the entries!!!! Stay tuned....I have a BIG giveaway planned for my 500th post which is just right around the corner...well, unless I get into a blogging funk and it takes me a while to get there, just kidding....ha!!!!!

Again, thank you for entering the giveaway and being a reader of "Mel Tells"!!!! Have a wonderful weekend!

Summer favorites giveaway

2009-07-09T11:08:00.001-05:00

*This is a sticky post that will be up all week. Scroll down for new updates*

I can not believe that we are in the month of July already! Where does the time go? Before I know it, the kids will be back in school, I'll be decorating for fall, and then Christmas! Who ever said that the older you get, the faster the time flys was right! It seems as if each year passes by faster and faster! Anywho...

I have a few new summer favorites that I'd like to share with you!

I have never been one that cared for "cold coffee". I mean, I have never even had one, but it didn't sound appealing to me...until recently. One the way home from the beach, we stopped by a Starbucks and I ventured away from my normal order of a Caramel Macchiato and I ordered a Double Chocolate Frappuccino. Oh. My. Heavens. It was fantabulous!!!!!!!!! So refreshing!

While my friend, Angela, and I were out garage sale shopping last weekend, we stopped by her mother's house for a quick bathroom break. Her mother had the best smelling hand soap/lotion in her bathroom and I fell in love. It is from the Bath & Body aromatherapy "stress relief" line. Eucalyptus Spearmint hand soap and lotion are definitely a new favorite of mine!!I am hosting a Summer favorites giveaway. The winner will receive a product (soap or lotion) from the Bath & Body Aromatherapy Stress Relief line, a $5.00 Starbucks card to treat yourself to a cold (or hot) drink on that hot summer day, & two of my favorite hand towels (your choice of fabric from my collection). You know that I can't do a giveaway without including my favorite initial hand towels. They add a little sass to any kitchen or bathroom. I heart them!

The giveaway will last until Thursday, July 9th. I will announce the winner Friday, July 10th.

*Leave a comment on this post telling me your favorite Starbucks drink for ONE entry*

*Become a follower and leave a second comment for another entry* (if you are already a follower, that automatically earns you the second entry.)

*Post about this giveaway on your blog and leave a 3rd comment to earn a 3rd entry*

Good Luck!!!!!

Movie Reviews by Mel

2009-07-08T19:21:00.009-05:00

Last month Wade introduced me to something called "Movie on Demand". He has obviously known about this little feature on our cable package for 2 years now, but I never did! I am not a big TV fan, but I do love me some movies!!!!

I thought that Movie on Demand was the greatest thing EVER.....until my cable bill came in and I owed $20 extra in movie fees!!!! UGH!!!! I mean, I knew that I was going to be paying for these movies, but paying for 4 or 5 movies on top of your cable and Internet services....well, it was just a high cable bill this month!!! It is very convenient b/c you don't have to worry about taking them back and then chancing owing late fees, but they are still like $3.99 or more.

Well, two weeks ago Wade told me about $1 rentals they have at Wal-mart. O.M.G....this is like the best thing since sliced bread!!!!! They have a very nice variety to choose from even new releases. You pick your movie(s) and then just swipe your debit card. You have to return them within 24 hours and if you don't they just charge your card another $1. Simple as that!!!!! So easy, so convenient, and SOOO cheap!!!!!! (just be sure to take them back or they'll charge your card $1 per day)In less than 2 weeks, I've watched several movies! I am going to give you a little "Movie review by Mel"...Here goes....my opinion that is!!!!

The Women-Cute, cute girly movie, but if you have a husband like mine then he'll just curl up on the couch and watch it and giggle too! The entire movie is women...no men...not the first male voice or nothing....Women only!!! And some really great women at that. You have Jada Pinkett Smith, Meg Ryan, Debra Messing, Bette Midler, Eva Mendes, and several more!!!!! I recommend this movie! New in town-This movie started off a bit slow. I'll be honest, I didn't think I was going to like it, but I stayed with it and I am glad I did. It turned out to be another cute movie! Renee Zellweger stars in this movie! I recommend New in Town!

Taken-If you like a high suspense, keep you on your toes type of movie then you'll love Taken! This movie had my attention from the "get-go"! I l♥ved it!!!! I HIGHLY recommend this one!!!

And I do have a bad review to share with you....Granted, you are only paying $1 for the movie, don't waste your time or dollar on "Then she found Me". It stars Bette Midler and Helen Hunt. These two ladies are two of my favorite actresses, but seriously, this movie sucked and that is all there is to it!!!! I was bored to tears and ended up playing on the internet the rest of the movie!!!!!

I have also watched "Mama Mia"...We had not seen this one and it was really good!!! Very cute, fun musical comedy!!!! Wade seriously liked it!!! I think I watched him more than the movie!!! I caught him dancing a few times and just grinning from ear to ear the whole time!!! ha!

UPDATE-One of my commenters mentioned "Confessions of a Shopaholic". I knew there was another good movie that I watched this past week. This movie was really, really, really, funny and cute!!!!!!! I l♥ved it!!! I would rent this one again and again! Its next to "How to lose a guy in 10 days", ha!!!!! There are only a handful of movies that I could watch more than once and this is one of them! So there you have it..."Movie Reviews by Mel"...If you have any movie recommendations, please leave them in the comments for me! I will be making a movie run this weekend!

Until next time!

A typical night!

2009-07-06T21:17:00.004-05:00

Tonight was just another Monday night at the Smith house. You know...the usual-cooking, cleaning up, load of laundry, blah, blah, blah! I am always tired on a Monday afternoon/evening. Usually because I stay up way too late on Sunday nights trying my best to get in every last minute of my weekend and then I always pay for it on Mondays!!!!

Well today was no different. It is Monday, I am tired..not to mention that I had to sit in a meeting and listen to someone talk about the stock market this afternoon...That in itself wore me out! All that stuff is SO foreign language to me. I felt like I was in a French class....Back on track, see I told you that I am tired.....Anywho.

Oh...and to make matters worse and without giving you TMI, my back is hurting and I am tired....Ladies, do you feel me????? Okay, thought so.

So tonight, I am in bed with the heating pad on and Wade starts yelling "baby, baby, baby come here, hurry". He had just walked into the bathroom and I could see him from my bed. ABS was taking a bath and my first thought was that she had used all of my AMAZING GRACE bath gel that I won from Michelle at Stuttering Shell, and he didn't want to get on to her for it. By the way, that stuff is AMAZING!!!! Thanks Michelle! I ♥ it! And this was the rest of the conversation.........

Me: Wade, can you just tell me what she is doing wrong? I don't feel like getting up.
Wade: No, COME HERE......
Me: okay.....*walking into the bathroom* What?
Wade: Look, she is SHAVING.
Me: *looking down into the tub* ANNAH BROOKE SMITH, WHAT ARE YOU DOING?????
ABS: I'm shaving * grinning from ear to ear*
Me: This is NOT funny, you are NOT allowed to shave your legs. How long have you been shaving?
ABS: Well, I just started.
Wade and I busted out laughing! Once we were both settled down, we had to have a talk with her about why she can't shave yet, and that she could cut herself if she wasn't careful, and all that crap!!!!!!!!!

O.M.G........She is 8 years old going on 16!!!!!!!! HELP!

Happy 4th & homemade icecream

2009-07-05T22:06:00.006-05:00

We had a great holiday weekend. Pretty low key, but nice. We "lazed" around all day Friday and then went to dinner and let the kids get a few fireworks. We came back home and had our own little fireworks show! This little man didn't really like the show. He stayed like this in my truck the entire time.

Saturday we got up and were very productive. We did the yard work, house work, cleaned the garage out, did the grocery shopping, and then had a cook-out! After we grilled, we made homemade Butterfinger ice-cream. Thanks to Sharon for the recipe! It was oh so yummy!!!! We LOVE to make ice-cream on hot summer days! It is so refreshing!!! You should really try it; you will not be disappointed!!!

Butterfinger Ice-cream

4 eggs

2 cups of sugar

1 can Eagle Brand milk

1/2 can of Pet milk

1/2 tsp vanilla

6 large frozen butterfinger candy bars crushed

Beat eggs. Then add the next four ingredients. Mix well and then add the crushed Butterfingers. Pour into ice cream freezer and finish filling up with regular milk (I use 2%). Start ice cream freezer and wait....Enjoy!!!!!

Yes, I have a PINK ice cream freezer! Don't you just LOVE it?!?!?! ha!!

We later headed out to the fireworks show that we go to every year!!!!! We realized quickly that they were not having it!!!! They go all out!!! Seriously, it is like the best show I've ever seen!!!! And every year is bigger and better! BUT, due to the economy, they decided not to do it this year. Or at least that is what we were told. I'm sure many people were disappointed as we were. There were vehicles lined up and people sitting around waiting on the show to start only it never started :(

It was getting late, but we made a few phone calls and hauled tail to my MIL & FIL's house. A park across the street from their subdivision puts on a nice show and we were able to make it just in time to watch that one! So they "saved" our night!!! We were starting to get really bummed out! :o)

I hope you all have had a good holiday weekend! Have a great week!

At it again...

2009-07-03T00:08:00.002-05:00

Yes! I have once again changed my blog look! I love the rotating headers and so I thought I would give it a try with the kids beach pictures. Each time you visit my site (or reload the page), you should see a different picture of the kids. I am still working out a few kinks and need to "freshen" up my sidebars, but I'll get to that tomorrow. And who knows, there may be a whole new look too, ha!!! No, I'll keep this one for a minute!

So what do you think? Is it "working" for you?

Stay tuned for a great giveaway coming your way!

I am off to bed! Night!

The noise music has started

2009-06-28T20:46:00.003-05:00

This + this
= one crazy momma!!!

Yes, that is a trumpet! Avery will be in the 6th grade band come August. He is very excited, but after a few short hours tonight, I think I am going to be crazy. My dad let us use my brother's trumpet and that is all Avery has done tonight!!!! Anyone know of a really good brand ear plug???? I think we are going to need it! :o)

Beach Vacation-Day 3

2009-06-26T18:38:00.012-05:00

TGIF!!! I was so excited to see this afternoon roll around! After 9 days of vacation, going back to work is no fun! It really hasn't been a bad week, just hard trying to get back into the groove. So on with the vacation documenting!

Tuesday we spent another lazy, but fun day on the beach and at the pool. Believe it or not, I didn't take as many pictures on the beach that day. Every time I picked up my camera, the boys scattered. They were so over pictures from the day before, ha!!!

Beach Fun!!!

Mr. Smith hanging out.

We left the beach mid-afternoon to go swimming in the pool. The thing we really liked about our pool was that it was covered. It was like an indoor pool just with no walls. Around the pool was open, so you could lay out and still get some sun, but over the pool was shaded. So that was really nice being able to get out of the sun and relax in the water.

The kids having a race.

Avery...he had the right idea. He wore a shirt some of the day, because he didn't want to turn into a lobster.

Andrew being goofy as ever!!!

When we went up to our condo to take a shower and get ready for the evening, we had a friend debating whether or not he wanted to "visit" us.
Finally, he graced us with his company and actually stayed awhile.

We had fun feeding him dinner and I think he enjoyed it as much as we did.

Of course, the camera was pulled back out for "beach" pictures. Although many pictures were taken, we do not have a "family" picture of all 5 of us. I thought about buying a tripod, but didn't and thought of asking a bystander to take our picture, but didn't....So, no family picture was captured this trip!!! Oh well!! I did end up snapping away all night and I got some really great pictures of my kiddos! ABS
AJ

AK
My reason!

Of course, I could photograph this hottie all day long too (and did)! At least, he allows it and is a really good sport!!!
Beautiful!!! And we headed back to Sharky's for dinner on the beach!!! Yes, we went there twice!!! We LOVE it! Andrew didn't want a picture with Sharky!!! Bummer :(

But, I did get another group shot of them by the BIG Sharky!!!!!

Day 4 coming soon!!! Stay tuned.

THE DRILL....

2009-06-22T22:48:00.006-05:00

I am sure most of you have one of these things around your house. Right? Well, this joker can come in really handy! I mean really handy! Actually, I really don't know what men (and some women) use this for, but let me tell ya...this orange drill thingy is my new best friend.

You see, I had a kitchen crisis Saturday night when my mixer goes out in the middle of me trying to be THE COOKIE MAMA!!! Yes, I was trying so hard to make my honey some homemade sugar cookies for Father's Day and right when I had all of my ingredients in my bowl for the icing....my mixer would. not. turn. on. I was livid!!!! I was mad!!!! I was in tears when superman walks in to rescue me. He was holding this big drill and I thought (for a really quick second) 'WOW, he is going to take it apart and fix it for me'....Boy was I wrong, well sort of!!! He didn't exactly take my mixer apart, but he did get my ingredients all mixed up. He held the bowl for me while I used my new mixer!!! Now I just need another drill and a few more hands and I'll be in really good shape to whip anything up in the kitchen!!! OR....if someone feels really sorry for me, I would love to have this! :O)

Seriously, if you feel the need to do something special for me, I would like this....Is that too much to ask for? :o)

Day 2...

2009-06-21T20:55:00.012-05:00

Monday we woke up to this. We hurried down to the beach to do thisand this. We couldn't wait to play in the sandand bury each other. We rode the waves and stopped to pose for the camerabecause Mom was a picture taking fool.

We tried to catch fish... but we ended up catching crabs...(the kind in the ocean)LOTS of them. We raced the waves in and then back out. We played in the sand some more. We finished up the afternoon at the pool doing this and this... And then we did this

and this and more of this

because I told you my mom was a picture taking fool...

We ended our day watching this and wouldn't ya know, she made us do this.....

Beach Trip 2009-Day 1

2009-06-21T18:54:00.008-05:00

Last Sunday morning we headed to Panama City Beach, Florida for our summer vacation. We have been planning this trip since the January and all of us were so excited. First we were going to Destin, then Orange Beach, and then we finally settled on P.C. I am so glad we did. It was great and I have no regrets! It has changed a lot (for the better) since Wade and I have last been there (11 years ago).

We had intentions on leaving around 5 or 6 a.m., but Wade and I were like little kids the night before and couldn't sleep. We didn't go to bed until around 3 a.m. so needless to say, we didn't wake up and leave at 5:00. However, we were on the road by 9:00 a.m. and still made great time.

Once we were into P.C., we rode the strip and checked everything out. We were all as giddy as can be! We checked into our condo, unloaded, freshened up, and off we went. We knew just the place we were going to eat. SHARKY'S!!!! Like I said, Wade and I have not been to P.C. in like 11 years and we were so excited to be able to take the kids to one of our favorite restaurants from back in the day! It was just as I remembered. It is such a fun atmosphere, great food, & great service. The kids loved it!!!

The kids hanging out while we were waiting to be seated.

The BIG Shark out front!

ABS being goofy...as always!

Day 2 coming next....stay tuned!

Dear Daddy....

2009-06-21T00:00:00.003-05:00

Warning: Mushy, gushy post ahead! Read at your own risk!

Dear Dad,

I hope you have a great Father's Day. I love all the times when you take us hunting, and come to and coach our baseball games. Also, thank you for taking us on vacation to the beach this year. I hope you will continue to do all of those things. If you weren't here, our lives wouldn't be anything that they are now. I am so glad that you are my Dad. I love you very much, and I hope you continue to do what you do now. Have a great Father's Day.

Love, Andrew
Dear Dad,

I hope you have a great Father's Day. I love you very much and I enjoyed all the times we went hunting and I enjoyed all the vacations we went on together.

Love, AveryDear Daddy,

I love you and I hope you have a great Father's Day. Thank you for taking me to the beach and buying me a turtle and taking me to Joe's Crab Shack. I like when I get to spend time with you.

I love you, Annah Brooke
My Love,

I probably don't tell you enough just how much I love you. I am so blessed to be able to walk hand in hand with you through this thing called life! You are an amazing husband and father! We would be lost without you!! Thank you for all you do from supporting our family to coaching and teaching our children to fixing a bike to hanging a picture! You are our world!!!!!!
Happy Father's Day!!!! I love you Snookie!!!!
Happy Father's Day to my dad and FIL!!!! Hope you both have a wonderful day! We love you!!!!

I'm back...

2009-06-19T21:57:00.004-05:00

Hello World!!!! I am back from a much needed, fun filled week of rest and relaxation with my four favorite people!! The past 6 days have been pure bliss!!! We have enjoyed our share in swimming, eating, laughing, and just "beaching" it up!!! This week has been great and a lifetime of memories were made!

I have so much to share with you, but first I am sorting through 1300+ pictures. It may take me a minute or two! :O)

I'll give you a little teaser though! This is one of my favorite pictures that I captured this week! We watched the sunset every night and it was just beautiful! The kids were very cooperative for me except the fact that Avery is holding his sister's wrist instead of her hand. Ha!!! I guess Mom was asking for a little too much!!!! Nonetheless, I LOVE this picture and it still shows their true personalities!!! :O)I'll be back soon with more! Happy Friday!!!!

Calling all readers....

2009-06-11T23:05:00.015-05:00

I need your help!!!

I am not a reader. I do not read! Well, I ~~say~~ type that, but I really do read...some. I mean like blogs and magazines and I have a few devotionals, but like books....that is a different story! I couldn't really tell you the last time I read, um...a whole book.

Here lately though, I have been having an urge to read (a book or two or three). I just do not know where to begin. I do not know much about authors and best sellers and all that hoopla!

Wade and I are taking the kids to the beach soon and I would like to have a few books to take for those early mornings on the balcony listening to the waves crash or while I am soaking up the sun and digging my pink polished toesies into the sand!

I picked up two Nora Roberts books at a garage sale last Saturday. They are not very "thick" and I figured they would make good beach reads. Plus, I paid $.50 for the both of them! You know, I can't pass up a deal like that!!! I actually thought Nora Roberts was a Christian author until I browsed the back cover to realize that these two books are like love & romance books. See, I know nothing about books and authors!

A co-worker loaned me a Nicholas Spark book titled "Nights in Rodanthe" and "The Pilot's Wife" by Anita Shreve. I know nothing about these books either. I have been told that "The Pilot's Wife" was absolutely wonderful!!!! So, I have 4 books to choose from and hey, I may just read all of them!!!

This is where I need your help!

Do you know anything about any of these books? Do you have any book suggestions for me? Who is your favorite author?

Thanks in advance!!!! :)

Check it out...

2009-06-09T23:45:00.003-05:00

You know how I love giveaways!!!! I like to host them as well as enter them! Go check out this one here!!! I would so love to win!!!!

Mel-ology

2009-06-06T21:01:00.004-05:00

I am borrowing this from my bloggy friend Laura! Thanks girl!!!

FOOD-OLOGY

What is your salad dressing of choice? Comeback
What is your favorite sit-down restaurant? Joe's Crab Shack & Fudpuckers
What food could you eat for 2 weeks straight and not get sick of it? Hamburgers
What are your pizza toppings of choice? black olives, pepperoni, mushrooms
What do you like to put on your toast? cheese or cinnamon toast-although I rarely eat toast...

TECHNOLOGY

How many televisions are in your house? 4
What color cell phone do you have? Red-ish
What does the first text message in your inbox say and who sent it? "Eat and site see" From my MIL
Who was the last person to call you? Wade

BIOLOGY

Are you right-handed or left-handed? right
Have you ever had anything removed from your body? wisdom teeth, appendix, right fallopian tube, & 3 children :o)
What is the last heavy item you lifted? weights!

CRAP-OLOGY

If it were possible, would you want to know the day you were going to die? absolutely not.
If you could change your name, what would you change it to? I do like my name, but if I had to change it, I like Addyson, Olivia, Ava, & Chloe
Would you drink an entire bottle of hot sauce for $1000? probably.

DUMB-OLOGY

How many pairs of flip flops do you own? 8-10 right now...I need a few more!
Last time you had a run-in with the cops? I haven't personally had any.
Last person you talked to in person ? Wade
Favorite Month? oh, this is hard. I have a few favorites for different reasons. June-renewal anniversary, August-anniversary, October-I just love the fall, December-my birthday & Christmas

CURRENT-OLOGY

Missing someone? My baby girl
Mood? blah
What are you listening to? The devil wears Prada
Worrying about? a few things...

RANDOM-OLOGY

What’s the last movie you watched? watching The devil wears Prada now
Do you smile often? Yes!
Do you always answer your phone? Yes, but there are times that it is on silent and I don't realize it!
It’s four in the morning and you get a text message, who is it? Wade
If you could change your eye color what would it be? I like my eye color...
What flavor do you add to your drink at Sonic? none
Do you own a digital camera? Two of them
Have you ever had a pet fish? yes.
Favorite Christmas song? I have too many to narrow down to just one. Christmas music is my favorite!!!
What’s on your wish list for your birthday? well, I have several things I would like to have (new camera lens, new sewing machine, monogram machine....Maybe I'll get one of these things for my birthday:o) hint, hint!
Can you do push-ups? not many!
Can you do a chin up? Probably not
Does the future make you more nervous or excited? both!!
Do you have any saved texts? No
Ever been in a car wreck? Yes
Do you have an accent? southern accent.
What is the last song to make you cry? The Climb
Plans tonight? Wade grilled and we are now watching a movie
Have you ever felt like you hit rock bottom? yes
Name 2 things you bought yesterday. 2 white shirts to applique for Annah Brooke and Rylee
You ever been given roses? Yes, many times!
Current hate right now? laundry...
Met someone who changed your life? yes
What song represents you? I don't know...I would really have to think on this one.
What were you doing 12 AM last night? Going to bed!
What was the first thing you thought of when you woke up? I need coffee!

__________________________________
Check out this great giveaway Glenda is hosting over at Thats 2 cute!!! I would SOOO love to win this! Really...go check it out!!!

Ending an argument....

2009-06-04T21:38:00.002-05:00

When your boyfriend, husband or significant other does something that makes you angry, don't give in to the temptation to argue and fight. Just count to ten, remain calm and after he goes to bed, super-glue his flip flops to the floor.

However, I would never ever never dream of doing this to My Love (wink wink)!!!

Love you Snookie!!

Looks can be deceiving!!!

2009-06-01T22:22:00.003-05:00

I thought I was going to get this.................

BUT.....I REALLY GOT THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Needless to say, I took 2 bites, lost my appetite, and tossed it in the garbage!!!!

State fan at heart & sibling love

2009-05-31T18:05:00.007-05:00

I am working my little fingers to the bone finishing up some hand towel orders this afternoon. The house was quiet as the kids were down the street swimming and I noticed Wade was no where to be found. So I took a short break to walk outside to find him and this is what I found...

He was listening to the Ole Miss game on the radio while sitting in a Mississippi State chair. LOVE IT! He is a true bulldog fan at heart!

Then I noticed 2 of my 3 children coming up the street holding hands....Awww, so sweet.

Annah Brooke was given some Rollerblades yesterday from a neighbor and Andrew was pulling her up the street. The really do love each other!!!!