Blessings Are Chasing Us Down!

One more thing to add…

Power of a Praying Parent?

It has a prayer for adult children, too.

I told you it had something for everyone at every age!

 

Ok, so it’s been a runnin’-funnin’-sunnin’ Summer for us….and things get a little crazy around here at times….just like at your house, too, I bet. 

Right?

Tonight was a special night at our house….we’ve made a commitment to a very special dinner at our home once per week….

This was our second week to keep it sacred, and it has been awesome.

 

SO, without further ado, let me tell you the menu that we shared tonight….

Challah Bread

Butter Chicken

Roasted Asparagus

The Lady’s Mac and Cheese

(We normally plan our meal for Friday nights, but we’re all gonna be gone on Friday, so we planned it for Thursday night)

The Butter Chicken?!  DO NOT MISS THIS RECIPE.  MAKE IT IMMEDIATELY. 

UNO AND BIG DADDY RAVED!  WE ALL GOBBLED!

DOS?  WHO KNOWS.  HE PROBABLY THREW HIS TO ROMEO.

Anyway….WHAT A HUGE BLESSING.

Plan a night where everyone has to ‘clean up’ (themselves and the house!) for a very nice meal….light some candles….put out your best dishes….we have a sweet routine we follow based on the Jewish Shabbat meal….that includes bible reading before the meal.

 

I won’t say that our’s hasn’t been without it’s challenges….with a 3-year-old like our’s….you remember Lil Dos, right?…..well, if he’s tired or hungry, you better get ready for some fireworks.

For the SECOND week in a row, he’s made sure to inform us that “I FARTED!” several times at the table and during especially poignant moments.

SUCH IS LIFE IN SHENANIGANVILLE.

It’s taught teaching me to loosen up, and it’s given Big Daddy the chance to set a standard of expectations for our fancy family meal.

And why it’s important to honor God with our words and actions….and how manners are very important….

WE’VE GOT OUR HANDS FULL TO OVERFLOWING!

AND OUR HEARTS FULL OF BLESSINGS!

 

I don’t know about you, but I know a little more Bible and a little less T.V. are good, good thangs.

 

And afterwards, we all piled into Mama and Daddy’s bed and watched Robin Hood! 

Pretty good family movie….Dos fell asleep on my shoulder….so I got LOTS of sugars….and Uno watched it out. (I might have snuck a little, tee-nine-see nap ☺)

 

Ok, have an awesome weekend….you know we will….because we have this….

5:30PM on Saturday

LOVES!

I’m Really Not A Promise-Breaker

I’ve only been promising that I’d tell you that big ol’ secret for like three days now…sorry for the wait….we got to spend a fun night at our FAVORITE hotel….with Memo Carol…

Arbor Inn and Suites in Lubbock, Texas

I so highly recommend that joint….it is INCREDIBLE.

All for $89 per night!

 

 

Meanwhile, you’ve all been losing sleep over The Big Secret.  {wink}

 

Well, here it is….

I LOVE this book….it comes recommended by one of my longest-running friends {bless you, Wendi T.}….who is in the midst of the teens with her firstborn {gag reflex engaging}….and after I thumbed through this book, I knew I had to have it.

It is AWESOME.

Yes, all of us good Christian folks know how important prayer is to the believer.

But praying in such specific ways concerning my children has been a LARGE BLESSING.

It even has a chapter on praying against rebellion….and the friends they choose…and their future spouse {nope, it’s never too early for that!}….

SO, I find it’s current to every stage of childhood.

 

As of late, Dos has been quite difficult….and I’ll give him some credit because he’ll decide to give us a respite from his shenanigans….but then it comes back again {maybe even a little stronger than before}….and we’re knee-deep in SHENANIGANS….like ‘lose-your-sanity’ shenanigans….like ‘big, strapping, capable-Big Daddy-is-at-a-total-loss-while-I’m-wiping-the-blood-from-my-knees’ shenanigans…..

We are in SHENANIGANVILLE.

With a capital S.

And between this book and another that I’ll speak of later….if the timing is right…..feel free to email me if you’re totally curious….I have truly realized that the power of prayer….

COVERS SHENANIGANS.

And that I am even able to regain strength and joy….and have fun parenting my kiddos {most of the time}….

And that God’s wisdom is a requirement to survive and even more so THRIVE in this parenting gig….no matter how one cuts it….His way is best in all manners of our lives…..

 

 

 

And, on a funny note….because it’s the funny notes that sometimes get us by….

 

 

Death By Cooler

How funny is this?

Doesn’t it look like the poor cat finally tangled with his last cooler-on-wheels?

If a certain 3-year-old of questionable motives were in the driver’s seat, I would not be surprised by anything at this house.

Thank goodnesses this fellow had merely found a moment of rest and relaxation….far to rare around this here Shenaniganville.

 

 

Thursday Love Comin’ Your Way!!!

Not That You Asked….But Here Are My Red Toes and The Pantry Redo…

First off….a pic of the new pedi….You Rock-Apulco Red by OPI….on my lil stubby toes…but I LOVE it and think I’ll join over at Manicure Mammas….

The other thing I LOVE…thanks, Paige ☺….my new Rocket Dog flip flops!!!

They are so comfortable and have SUCH great arch support….and look great!

I got mine at DSW for $19.99….BEST flip-flop I’ve bought in a long while.

 

 

 

In the effort to make our house a slight bit more orderly…..here’s what happened with my pantry/cabinet redo…

Just a few tips that worked for me…

Use containers for like objects/ingredients and LABEL!!! 

I LoOooOvE labels!

My containers happen to be part of Tupperware’s organizational system from a few years back…I hosted a party and got LOTS of goodies…so I’m full up to the brim with Tupperware containers. 

So, that’s what I used.

I truly prefer the newer, crystal clear containers….but I asked God for contentment to use what I’ve already got….and let Him bless my efforts…..

 

$1 baskets from Dollar General keep unruly chip bags at bay….I could probably used another basket for the big bags of chips….crackers all together….honey/syrups….cookies….snacks….WHAT A NOVEL IDEA!

I didn’t realize that I had THREE opened bags of chocolate chips!  BAD!  SO, now I know what I’ve got and what I need to get.

It makes shopping and cooking SO much easier.

 

 

And after all of the organization took place…I have some EMPTY cabinets!!!

Now how is that for a blessing?!

 

 

 

As for drawers….more Dollar store baskets….I NEVER knew to organize my utensils in baskets to keep the drawer from getting jammed….while I was putting more in the drawer and SLAMMING it until everything settled enough for the drawer to close….

 

All the Fancy Pants out there are lining their drawers with baskets and dividers!

DUH!

The drawers actually close now, and I have three sets of measuring cups and spoons!!  Can you believe this?

MIRACLE!!!!

And, finally, the GREATEST thang evah….

Clean, cleared-off cabinets…this has happened in my life…like….um….NEVER!?!

I cannot believe this sight, but it’s good.

 

And I know I promised to tell you that I found the secret to parenting….and I PROMISE I’ll bring it to you THIS week….

I didn’t know I was going to share so much about the pantry and cabinets?!

I just know that seeing other’s successes in organization inspires me…and I hope it inspires you, too!!!

Mine is still a work-in-progress….but I’m happy so far!

Clean pantry= peace that passes understanding.

 

Happy Day!!!

Summer Time Stuff!!

Did you think I disappeared again?  Maybe I was transported to a tropical beach with crystal sand and turquoise waters? 

Well, almost, but not quite.

Just lots goin’ on this summer….a sweet and special friend who had a birthday…and we got pedis and ate some good stuff…a baby shower…floatin’ at The Riviera…a girl’s got to have some ‘me’ time! LOL!

Anyway, here’s the newest pedi….

You Rock-apulco Red by OPI

Of course I WOULD love this color….I mean, the name alone is AWESOMENESS.

It’s a glimmery crimson….so gorg!

 

 

Besides a new pedi, I also got inspiration from this link…

I mean, seriously, who would think to make their pantry into a showcase?

Well, I prayed for guidance and then went and reorganized my pantry and cabinets…

Thus making it more user-friendly in order to cook and bake more stuff like we had for supper last night…

Korean Grilled Chicken

Thai BBQ Chicken

Bibimbap Salad (OH! MY!  SO yummy!  Especially with the Korean Dipping Sauce from the Korean Grilled Chicken!  I made mine without the mushrooms, carrots, or cilantro…Big Daddy LOATHES cilantro…boo!  And I really wasn’t in the mood for mushrooms)

And fresh-from-the-farm corn-on-the-cob….from Crosby County….a nearby place that is home to many friends and some special family (Thanks, Pop and Nana!)….so Uno was sayin’  ‘Crosby County Corn!’

It was all quite delightful.

And, oh yeah, I think I’ve found the SECRET to raising kids!  I’ll tell you tomorrow!!!

 

Until then…

You Rock-apulco!

Loves!

Lov’n Summer Manis….

My current mani….

LOVE IT!

Probably my favorite color for the summer….a peachy pink cream….so flattering to most skin tones…lots of fun!!

 

What’s your current summer mani??!!

Nope, Not Done Yet!

Thought I’d give you the link with some GREAT video tutorials on how to make the most of picnik.com….

Check it out here!

There are also links on that page to all of her Photography Tip posts.

I am just crazy about using Picnik.com and this tells how to get the most out of it…I upgraded to the “Premium” package…SO much cheaper than Photoshop and WAAAAY easier to learn.

 

 

And, oh yeah, more stuff from our TRIP!!!

 

 

Nana Kerry and I stopped at a big ol’ Emporium outside of Ruidoso….and most of their stuff was a little pricey….but we both got a little somethin’….and I found this….and I ADORE it…been lookin’ for me an old vintage fan…

Love this ol’ thang.

It works….and I saw one for sale online for over $100!!!  It was refurbished…not sure what that means…but, as is, this one will blow your socks off!

I adore the color…the look….everything.

Anyone know anything about ‘Zero’ brand fans?

My internet research wasn’t too fruitful on assessing value….not sure where it’ll end up…and it has to stay pretty high up because there is no cage on the back….and little hands and paws could get sawed right off….ewww! 

This thang is a MACHINE, I tell you.

 

 

 

 

Go Cart Track!

I am not normally a violent or aggressive person (no matter what Big Daddy says!) but I am here to testify….The Go Carts bring out my Vicious!!!

I HATE to get passed and I’m not happy unless I’m passing people!!!  If you look closely, while lil Dos is posin’ so sweet for the camera, I have FIRE in my eyes!!! 

Oh, yes, I might be smilin’ all nice-like, but I’m eyein’ down my next opponent….and tellin’ my baby to QUIT POSIN’ AND HOLD ON!

I HATE TO LOSE!

If you scream all innocently, The Kids feel sorry for you and let down their guard…and that’s when Mama goes in for the KILL! (Look at those two young ‘uns next to me!  I’d say they’re SKEERED!)

 

The family that wins at rides go carts together, stays together. ☺

 

 

The family that fishes together, stays together.

 

And, finally, Nana and I went to The Old Apple Barn up the mountain halfway between Cloudcroft and Alamogordo, NM. 

SUCH a great place!  Nana Kerry knows the owners through her job, so I got to meet them…and get some insider info on Apple Boy.

They hand make fudge, caramel apples, and have all sorts of goodies!!!

Plus, TONS of fun things to shop for….I bought some Christmas…and got the boys some surprises….like they need anything else…but, hey, what are moms for?

Dos LOVES this picture of Apple Boy…which is also, incidentally, made by the owners! 

Dos was more excited about seeing a picture of Apple Boy than getting his ‘prizeys’.

 

Alrighty, I think that’s all for now….if I have anymore to share about The Trip, believe me, I’ll post it!!!

 

Have a lovely day!!!

I Admit….I ♥ The Rockwood, But We Need A Break From One Another

SOOO, it’s been a crazy week!

We’ve been at The Riviera since Monday, and I’ve missed Ye Ol’ Sassy Gal SO MUCH!

Nothing too exciting happened….just tons of fishing, swimming, and of course, I had to get a bee sting while we were there!

Does anyone know what sort of options are out there for someone like me?  I found some info online that said that “immunotherapy” was an option….allergy shots for several years…and that would possibly make one immune to bee venom…one one would most likely be able to quit the treatment after ‘several years’!  OY!

This is a very miserable allergy to have, so I am wondering what can be done.  It seems I will need to check with a medical doctor, and if you’ve been around here any time at all, well, you know I try to avoid The Doctor as much as possible.

I’ll keep researchin’ The Internet or hope that Grey’s Anatomy will have a bee sting victim…and someone will tell me about it…since I swore off of that ridiculous piece of Babylon.

 

 

Ok, just a side note….on how much I LOvE Picnik….a picture of Uno when he was 5 years old….when we took he and Dos (who was 3 months!  WHY? I DON’T KNOW!) to Sea World……

Before

After

This photo was actually taken with a point-and-shoot camera….just a lil’ photo touch-up know how….LOVELY shot from our vacay…..eat your heart out, Olan Mills.

 

Ok, back to this planet….

How did you enjoy my Vacuum Talk from the last post?

I am pretty sure that talking about vacuums makes me 1)super-boring or 2) a little older and slightly more mature than I thought I really was.

I guess this blog probably isn’t a big hit with The Kids.

Oh well.

 

I’ve been meaning to mention this moisturizer for awhile now….

Dove Cream Oil Intensive Body Lotion

 

I’m kinda funny about moisturizers.  I don’t generally need to put it on everyday.  I usually just apply at night after shaving.  But I don’t like a lot of scent to get in bed.  I like something that does what it says, but doesn’t make the bed I share with a certain Big Daddy all grody and greasy.

On the other hand, I’ve also bought so-called lotions that feel like you’re applying water each time you use it.

HATE THAT.

So, I have to say that I keep going back to this one.

It has a nice, clean scent….but it definitely does NOT linger.

It moisturizes without feeling greasy.

Overall, it’s a very nice friend to have under the sink after a long week at The Riviera.

Or anytime, I suppose.

It’s like a good friend….does what it says, doesn’t wear out it’s welcome, and smells quite nice.

 

Yay!  It’s Monday!  Have a great day!