What a Surprise

What a surprise I received when my neighbor knocked on our door this morning and gave this to me.  I just love it!  And it goes so well in our Kitchen.  Mrs. E said her daughter made it.  She is so creative.  I've seen these before on Etsy and had it saved on my list of crafts to do one day.

Katie and I finished her Fingerprint Snowman Ornament today.

This is exactly what Katie wanted to do most of the day.

Of course, we both are all snug on the couches tonight for our "Polar Express" party.  The Christmas lights are shining bright as we are watching Christmas movies.  Right now, we are watching "The Chipmunks Christmas Movie".  The moon is full tonight.  I told Katie that it looked like a spotlight shining down on the earth.  Katie suggested it might be Jesus checking on us with his flashlight.  I agreed and added that he might be seeing what we might be up to.  "Yep" she agreed.  

So Funny!

I know it's not Wordless Wednesday, but I so have to share this with my Bama brothers and sisters out there. I'm a member of a local Bama Club and they had this picture on their Facebook.

Auburn Head Football Coach celebrating the winning bid for Cam Newton

This won't be funny unless you're not an Auburn fan and keep up with sports news.

Enjoy!

Dad and Mom's Anniversary/Bama Party

What a great opportunity to get together for a good football game between Bama vs. Penn State than for an anniversary party. My dad and mom celebrated their 55th anniversary July 31st, but they were out of town. So, we decided to give them a party today, hoping it would be a little cooler. WRONG! It was so hot and humid, but we all melted and had a blast. Lots of good ol' friends and family members. It was also a great opportunity for our family to finally meet Chase's family. As you may know, Chase and our Leslie are planning to get married in the next couple of years. Chase's mom, Kelly, and I have gotten to know each other online, but this was the first time I would get to personally meet her. She is so sweet. It was a good thing that his family are huggers just like ours. Very sweet and seem to fit in perfectly.

Everyone signed the "A" before the night was over

Bama Food Tent

Chase's parents ~ Larry & Kelly

Susan and Tim decided to make the anniversary party a Bama football party as well, since most of us would be glued to the television during the party anyway. She got ahold of her connections (family & friends) and decorated the house and outside in all Alabama Crimson colors. It was great! I couldn't believe Chase actually loaned her his signature footballs as part of the decor.

Kevin & Maryann got the cake - Chocolate Peanut Butter accented chocolate covered strawberries.  It was delicious and rich. 

The cooks & foremen looking on ~ ribs, chicken, boar & dove kabobs

We had food, food and more food. Doug and I took the following:
Tex-Mex Dip with Scoops,
Buffalo Chicken Dip and
Squash Casserole
This was the first time I had made the Tex-Mex Dip.  Everyone went on and on about how it was so good.  I couldn't make the guacamole the way the recipe said because the avocado was too hard.  Since I've never deliberately purchased an avocado before in my life, I didn't when how to pick out a ripe one.  Apparently, my wasn't ripe enough.  I tried everything to get it to mash, but I was making a mess.  Needless to say, I filed 13 on the guacamole and it still went over very well.  Personally, I liked this recipe even without the guacamole.  Doug definitely wants me to make it again.  It was very simple and easy.  The things I did do different for this recipe is the following:

• the recipe calls for 1 can of sliced black olives.  I love olives so I put 1 1/2 cans instead.
• The recipe calls for 1 large diced tomato.  I love lots of tomatoes and I didn't think 1 would be enough, so I cored and diced 2 large tomatoes. 
• The recipe calls for 1 cup of cheese.  I sprinkled a little over 2 cups of cheese.

The Squash Casserole was the first dish to empty quickly.  I'm telling ya, Paula Deen has a winner in that recipe.  I love it and will keep it in the rotation. 

The men absolutely love Doug's Buffalo Chicken Dip.  At first, he wasn't going to take it, but I told him that he had better because our nephews would be upset if they didn't get their dip fix.  LOL!  Sure enough, Ryan and Zayne were ready to get some as soon as Doug got it prepared. 

Chase's nephew, Blane and Katie fishing in the pond

They caught one

Some of the Bama fans routing for their team ~ RTR!

Dad and buddy, Ralph

I think dad and mom had a great time and appreciated everyone coming together today.  They were smiling and laughing, really enjoying themselves.  I think their life long friends, Ralph and June, being here added to their joy.  Ralph and June has a sweet sweet Yorkie named Sophie.  Katie and I just loved her.  I told Katie how it would be nice to have such a sweet little dog like Sophie.  She agreed.  We'll have to work on daddy in a few years.  He has put his foot down and told me that we would absolutely not have a house dog.  We'll keep working on him because I think a little Yorkie or dachshund would be perfect for the kids.

Katie blowing bubbles for Blane and Colton to catch

Jon and Kacy

Colton helping get the ingredients out of the cabinet, while I prepare the Squash Casserole.  He had food all over the Kitchen floor and having a ball doing it.

Katie Story
As you know Katie's favorite color is pink, but when it comes to Alabama football apparel it's an automatic "NO". She strongly feels sports apparel are strictly for boys only. I practically have to force her to wear school or football apparel or she will not touch them with a ten foot pole. Saying this, I went ahead and informed her this morning that today's party will be a Bama party and everyone is to wear their t-shirts. She gave me this look as if "you're kidding. Right?" I told her that she would have to wear either her red or pink Bama t-shirt. Still giving me the look, she asked me why she had to wear the shirt for grandma and grandpa's party. I informed her because it was a Bama party. Still confused, she asked "but why does Aunt Sue-Sue want to have a Bama party?" "Because Alabama's playing football tonight." I told her. As she is rolling her eyes and dragging herself to the closet. She caved, "I guess I can wear my pink t-shirt." You would have thought that I asked her to clean the whole house. Honestly, I don't know why she acts like that. The Bama shirts she has are really girly and cute, but she just doesn't like to wear sportswear. She prefers dresses and glittery clothes.

How about that game tonight?  Can you say "ROLL TIDE!"?  I felt that we would have a good chance because Doug said that Penn State isn't that good this year, but never this bad.  I don't think Coach Joe Paterno liked the beaten that they got too well.  Ouch!  His interview after the game was SOME-THING.   He may tell it like it is, but he lets his feelings show as well.  Eeew.

Final Score:
Bama 24 
Penn State 3

I LOVE IT!!!!!!  ROLL TIDE ROLL!!!!!!!!!!!!!

As I Grow Impatient . . .

As I grow impatient, waiting for Diva's school wish list and schedule to be posted and mailed, I wandered over to Etsy. I'd really like to get Katie a custom made nap mats with blanket and pillow. I've been pricing them for about a year. Of course, I found a FEW at Etsy that I like real well. I want a material that won't show dirt too much (no white or pastels) and it must be washable. On top of that Katie will insist that it is PINK. While I was checking the nap mats out, I came across Pattycakes and Playmates Shop.  She had some cute outfits including Bama stuff like this cute cheerleader shirt.

So cute, this shirt can be in long or short sleeve ~ $20

This would look soooo cute on Colton this Fall ~ $34 set

I know it's real early for this, but I absolutely fell in LOVE with this Grinch outfit ~ $38 set

There are so many sweet sweet outfits and gift items that I couldn't list or show pictures of them all. When you have time, you've got to go check her out. So cute! She is a former educator that works out of her home from Alabama. Her company started when she decided to leave her job to take care of her mother.

I found these cute "Bama" blocks decor from So Lovely Creations.

This future "Bama" cheerleader in training poem is so precious! This picture is fromKids 'n Training. She started her painting career in 1988 from her hometown, Birmingham, Alabama. She shares such an ah inspiring story. In 2001, she was in an auto accident, which confind her to a wheelchair. But thank the Dear Lord, after her last surgery she can walk again! What a great story!

$32 ~ The above poem reads as follows:

Wait for me, Bama

Daddy says I may cheer for Bama

When I get big and yell better

And I’ll have my own pom pom

And cheerleader sweater.

But first I have to eat

All the veggies on my plate,

And brush my teeth,

And not stay up late.

‘cause if I want to cheer

For Daddy’s school,

I have to learn to go by rules.

When I go to sleep tonight,

I’ll dream my favorite dream

. . . that I lead the cheering

For my team . . .

And get the crowd of people

To jump all around

And yell, “Roll Tide”!

When we make the touchdown.

I've seen these travel scribble sets before and thought about getting one for Katie, because they help out when we have to wait in restaurants or long trips in the car. She would love this one because it all Mermaids. Little Brown Crane made this one.

Happy Mother's Day!

I'd like to wish all you Mothers and Mothers to come a very special Mother's Day!

I had a fantastic Mother's Day, like every other year. It's just a time for me to appreciate and be thankful of all my many many blessings, God has granted me. I'm so thankful to be able to celebrate/share another Mother's Day with my mother. I appreciate the fact my mother is able to spend another year with her grandchildren, so they will build memories. I'm grantful to have a husband that truly appreciates me and more importantly loves me for being ME. I thank God for listening to my many many (tearful at times)prayers for a family. I still can't believe he has entrusted me with these two beautiful children, more beautiful than I could have ever imagined. It is an honor everyday I wake to try to take care of these two precious gems. Being a full-time mom has got to be the hardest job. I run into road blocks, climbed some steep mountains, held my breath through some difficult times, but I continue to survive and the rewards are rich and make it well worth it.

Katie Story
For the past several days, Katie's been asking me how much longer before Mother's Day.  Well this morning, Katie asked me if it was Sunday.  As soon as I confirmed, she asked if it was Mother's Day.  I told her "yes."  "Happy Mother's Day, mom!" she told me.  She not only told me "Happy Mother's Day," but she told Doug, Colton, and my mother, when I was on the phone with her.  I guess Katie thinks Mother's Day is a holiday like Easter or Christmas because she expected me to tell her "Happy Mother's Day" back to her, Colton and dad (Doug).  I tried to explain to her that she wasn't a mother yet and daddy and Colton were boys, not mommas.  She giggled and suggested I wish them a "Happy Mother's Day" anyway.  So, I told her what if I wish her "Happy Daughter Day," Colton a "Happy Son Day" and daddy a "Happy Daddy Day."  She began giggling because she thought that was funny, but liked the idea, especially "Happy Daughter Day." 

How do you like my new glider? 

This was my gift from Katie, Colton & Doug

I love it!  I've always wanted one.

Colton Update

Colton's new thing is going around and around in circles.  Last night, Doug and I got tickled at Katie and him because they were going around in circles and getting dizzy.  The more Katie laughed, the more Colton would giggle and do it more.  They are my little nuts!

A few family members were able to come over for a good ol' Country Boil. If you've never had a Country Boil, they are a great one pot dinner. Depending on how many people you're cooking for, you would fill your pot full of water, but not too full. Once your water begins to boil, you add corn on the cob, onion, sausage and potatoes. Doug likes to add a little "O-Bay Seasoning." I think he put in 1 tablespoon for every gallon of water. Once your corn and potatoes get soft and tender, add your shrimp. Since Nicholas is allergic to shrimp, we boiled the shrimp in a separate pot from the corn and potatoes. Normally, we would have added them in with the veggie mix. Doug knows how much I LOVE crab legs, so he added about 2 pounds with the shrimp. Everything was so GOOD!

We tried keeping the kids pinned up, but it didn't work.  Notice the jackets.  We had a very chilly Mother's Day with temps staying around the mid-60s.  The air was very cool!

Doug was getting on me because I wanted him to sit down, so I could get his picture with the group.  He and Jon celebrate the same birth-date ~ May 12th.  He and Jon had gifts to open.

Celebrating Mother's Day and Birthdays for Jon (16 years old) & Doug (42 years old)

Kids were acting goofy, so I had to get a picture.  Check out Colton in the background, June was holding him up.

Jon wouldn't let Leslie have a word in edgewise

Feel the Love

Susan's kiddos!

Tim & Susan with mom

Us girls with mom.  Only ones missing were Maryann and Sandy.  Maryann was gone to NC, visiting Ryan. Of course, Sandy lives miles away.  They were there in spirit.

Katie made this for me in school.  The photo was of me and her on our pumpkin patch hay ride.  We had lots of fun that day, but it was SOOO cold.  Memories, memories!  Katie's handprints have flowers coming out of the fingertips.  So precious!  And she was proud of this placemat. 

In the movie "The Blind Side," did you notice how the Tuohys always had their "Ole Miss" glasses in their hands all the time.  Doug and I noticed right off the bat how they REALLY supported their team.  We talked about how we needed to get some Bama glasses and show our support.  Well apparently Doug remembered our conversation and brought these home yesterday.  I love them! 

Prayer Request
I've had the opportunity to become friends with a very special lady, a few years back.  I can't mention any names right now, but she needs your prayers.  She let us know that she was just diagnosed as having Colon Cancer.  I have no idea what she might be going through emotionally or physically, I just can't imagine.  She will have to undergo surgery to remove the cancer, I don't know how much of her colon will be removed.  She will also have to go through Chemo as well.  Her doctors seem very optimist and her spirits are high.  Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers that God will not only heal her disease, but lift her up and give her the strength to carry her through this ordeal. 

Hope you had a wonderful Mother's Day!