What I'm Looking Forward to in 2011

I can't believe it's the last day of the 11 in 2011 blog challenge!  It's been so much fun!  I've been inspired and have found some great new blogs. 

Today's Topic: What Are You Looking Forward to in 2011

2011 has started out great, and I'm hoping that it continues on this path!  I have many things that I am looking forward to this year, Lord willing.

Student Teaching

I'll begin my student teaching in February, less than a month away.  It's exciting and a little scary all at the same time.  I'm hoping my maturity (aka: age) and experience as a mom will help me in the classroom.

Holidays

I love decorating for and celebrating holidays with my family.

Vacation

We are planning a great trip to Colorado this summer and I just can't wait!

10th Wedding Anniversary

I feel so blessed to have spent the past 12 years with my wonderful husband.  I'm so glad we are celebrating 10 years of wedded bliss this year!

Romance

I'm looking forward to a romantic getaway with my hubby and some date nights.

Summertime

...and the living is easy!  I think it will be especially true this year since I'll just be finishing up student teaching and balancing the other three million things I have going on.  Summer is my time to relax.  Bliss!

Birthday Parties

My children have birthdays five days apart in June, and I absolutely LOVE planning their parties.  I seriously start planning months in advance, and I think I get more excited about it than they do! :)  I really want to do a combined circus/carnival themed party this year, but my daughter wants a party at Chuck E. Cheese. (Boo)  We'll see how this one pans out, but I will plan a party sometime this year!

Balloon Fiesta

We are planning on going to the annual Balloon Fiesta in Albuquerque, NM this October.  Our youngest hasn't been yet, so I'm excited for him to see it!

Being Thin Again

This was me right before I found out I was pregnant with my youngest (who is 2 1/2 now).  Big difference from where I am now, but I am working on it and am determined to lose the weight.

Spreading God's Word

Our congregation is organizing a huge door-knocking campaign to spread the Gospel.  It is happening in June, and I'm really looking forward to it.  I'm praying that it will be a huge success and that we will be able to reach a lot of people.

Wishing you all a fabulous 2011!!!

A Few Random Things...

First of all, I must let you know that it is COLD here!!  I'm talking bone-chilling, bitter cold.  We're currently under a "Wind Chill Advisory" and temps are dropping to dangerous levels.  My heart goes out to those who do not have adequate heating.  It's just too cold. 

Last Friday, my dear friend Bre had a precious baby boy!  His name is Preston and he weighed in at a healthy 8 lb, 10 oz.  I went to visit soon after he was born and just held him for a long time.  I didn't take a picture because it was a really special, private time but when he gets a little older, I'll be posting some pics!  His big brother Parker is a great pal and comes over for playdates often.  We love them!

I want to thank Emily @ The Johnson Five and Shannon @ Growing up Imel for awarding me with the Stylish blogger award!  Go check out their blogs...they both are pretty mamas with adorable little boys.  And they are friends in real life.  And they have a cooking blog.  So much to love!  Run on over!

When the weather gets cold, I crave warm comfort food.  Since we had chili and cornbread last night, I decided Mexican food was the way to go.  We had creamy chicken enchiladas and they were delicious!  Here is a link for the recipe if you want to try them.  It comes directly from the label on the Old El Paso green chile enchilada sauce.  Seriously!  Someone copied it and has it posted at previous link.  Since I'm watching what I eat, I tried to make them as low-fat as possible and watched my portions.  Goodness!

Favorite Girls Night Out Events

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It's day 10 of the 11 in 2011 blog challenge.  Only one more day left.  It's been fun!  Today's topic is Favorite Girls Night Out Events.

My friends and I don't get enough "Girls Nights Out".  We are all mommys of young children, so most of our get togethers are playdates.  We are not into the bar/party scene at all, so when we do get a rare opportunity to go out, here's what we usually do:

*Have dinner at a great restaurant and talk for hours!  (And we usually have husbands calling a lot with questions like, "When are you going to be home?") 



I also love meet friends for coffee and just chat.  

It's just always nice to get together with friends when we are not distracted with children.  "Girls Night Out" is so important, especially when you are a mommy.  You've got to get away occasionally and have some down time!

Can't wait to see what everyone else does!

Another Blog Award! :)

I am happy to say that I just received another blog award!  Kalina @ Te Amo Mucho gave me this one, so I want to take a minute to thank her.  If you haven't already, be sure and check out her blog.  She's a super sweet, smart young lady who is going to school to become a wedding planner.  How cool is that?  She posts about all kinds of fun things so there is something for everyone on her blog.  Run over and check her out! 

Kalina, thank you so much for my award!

The Rules:

1. Thank and link back to the person who awarded you

2. Answer 10 questions

3. Pass it along to 7 blogs you've recently discovered and enjoyed

4. Leave your recipients a comment to let them know about the award

On to the questions...

1. Why did you create this blog?

I started this blog simply to document our little family's life.  I love to scrapbook but have gotten busy and behind in my scrapping so this seemed like a good way to post pictures and notes about my kids and our daily lives.  I never expected anyone but my mom to read my blog! 

2. What kind of blogs do you follow?

I follow a wide variety of blogs!  I especially love craft, food, and mommy blogs.  I've made a lot of bloggy friends by doing blog challenges.  I never expected to do blog challenges but have found out they are a great way to inspire others and find inspiration!

3. Favorite Make-up Brand?

Oh, it would be too hard to pick just one!  I use everything from Cover Girl to Christian Dior to Clinique.  Almay has one of my favorite concealers and foundation.

4. Favorite Clothing Brand?

I'm not obsessed about labels, so I'll wear anything that fits!  Kohl's is one of my favorite stores to shop at.

5. Indispensable Make-up Product?

Concealer, without a doubt!  I would look like a zombie without.

6. Favorite Color?

Purple.  I love all shades of it, from lavender to amethyst.

7. Favorite Perfume?

Happy by Clinique

8. Favorite Film?

Another hard one...probably The Wizard of Oz.

9. What country would you like to visit and why?

I would love to go to New Zealand because it looks stunningly beautiful.  So many great beaches!  I would also love to visit Norway to view the Northern Lights.

10. Would you rather forget to put mascara on one eye or forget to put blush on one side of your face?

I look weird without mascara, so I would rather forget the blush!

And now to award a few blogs...

Kari (Klove) @ Love, Luci

Karen @ 14 Fir Street

Kristy @ Darn Near Domestic

I'm only naming a few (and apparently their names all begin with a K!) since I just awarded some other favorites not too ago.

Enjoy the blog award ladies and thanks again Kalina!

Favorite Things to Do on a Cold Winter Day

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It's day 9 of the blog challenge and today's topic is Favorite Things to Do on a Cold Winter Day.

I love this topic, especially since it is supposed to be a high of 20 with snow here in Amarillo tomorrow!

(Thank you Google images for all pictures!)

There is nothing like chili and cornbread on a cold day!  It's always my go-to meal when the temperature drops.

I love busting out my sewing machine when it's just too cold to go outside.  It's the best time for me to get some projects done.

What better time for a family movie night than when it's cold and snowy outside.  When dim the lights, pop some popcorn, and snuggle up.

Those are a few things we like doing when it's cold out. 

Favorite Healthy Snacks

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It's day 8 of the 11 in 2011 blog challenge.  Today's topic: Favorite Healthy Snacks

Almonds- These provide an energy boost and are super healthy.  I just try to make sure I eat them in moderation because they do have a lot of fat (but the good kind of fat).

Fresh fruit.  I love just about every fruit.  I wash and prepare snacks size bags of fruit the night before I need them so that I can just grab a bag on my way out the door.

String cheese.  I love cheese but it is loaded with fat, so I grab a low calorie, reduced fat cheese stick instead.

Smoothies.  I love me a good smoothie!  I love trying different combinations.

Can't wait to see what everyone else snacks one!

 

Family Game Night Friday

We try and reserve Friday evenings just for our little family.  We usually make dinner, then pop in a movie or play games.  The holidays threw us off a little with all the happenings and get togethers, but we are recommitting to setting aside this special time just for us.

On the Menu:

Make your own pizza!  Since Casey and I are trying to eat healthier, we can make our pizzas with lower fat toppings without depriving the kids of their favorite: pepperoni.  I love artichoke hearts and roma tomatoes on mine.

source

Even though we are watching our calories, we're not skipping dessert.  Nope, not in this house!  I have a lot of Weight Watchers cookbooks and found a yummy, low fat recipe for chocolate fondue.  For dippers we'll have angel food cake and fresh fruit. 

The Games:

Trouble.  Oh, we love this game!  It's gets kinda competitive around here when we're playin'!  Abby always makes Dad be green since it's "the color of a booger" (her words!).  Yeah, it gets hardcore.

Operation.  Santa brought this game for Abby this past Christmas and it's been a big hit.  This is the version with the sound effects (which just happens to be the best part of the game according to my kiddos) which can get a little annoying after a while.  I had this game when I was a kid so it's fun to see my kids enjoying it now.  Lots of fun!

Time to get my game face on.  The competition looks fierce...