Recap...

This week has been one of those weeks that has been jammed pack with stuff to do, but at work it seems like it has just crawled along. SO glad it is FRIDAY!!

Last weekend we got together with my college teammates for a fun couples shower. We even skyped with one of the couples that were in New Mexico. I'm sad to admit it, but it was really the first time we had Skyped...embarrassing, I know...but we had a blast! We may or may not have taken a couples picture with the computer as to include the happy couple in New Mexico...we are cool, don't be jealous.

My part in hosting was designing the invites, even though we did it all digital. I still designed a double-sided invite so that we could give it to the girls to scrapbook. Here is the invite...{yes I crossed names and addresses off as to save them from any creepers!}

I also volunteered to bring some food...I brought party sandwiches, lil' smokies in the crock pot, and jalapeno popper dip. It's making me hungry thinking about it. The lil' smokies were super duper easy. 1 cup of grape jelly, and one jar of chili sauce (by the ketchup at the store), and combine all in a crock pot, heat on low and serve when ready. They go fast, just FYI. On to the jalapeno popper dip...ridiculously good.

The recipe:

• 2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 1 (4 ounce) can chopped green chilies, drained
• 4 ounces canned diced jalapeno peppers, drained
• 1/2 cup shredded Mexican style cheese
• 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 cup Panko bread crumbs
• 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and spray an oven safe serving dish with non-stick cooking spray.
2. Using an electric mixer, blend the cream cheese and mayonnaise until smooth.
3. Stir in green chilies, jalapeno peppers, and Mexican and mozzarella cheeses. Spoon this mixture into the prepared baking dish. (I spread it into a 13x9 dish)
4. Mix together the Panko and Parmesan cheese and sprinkle it over the cream cheese mixture.
5. Spray the Panko and Parmesan with a quick spray of non-stick cooking spray.
6. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the mixture is hot and the topping is lightly browned.

People were talking about that dip...I wish I had some right about now. It would be a fabulous addition to Superbowl Sunday!

The other day, PW had to go and post this recipe. It will be made this weekend, in case you were wondering.

HAPPY FRIDAY Y'ALL! Let the weekend begin in about 4 hrs and 15 minutes.

Innocent Wonder. I Heart Faces.

Haven't done an I Heart Faces challenge in a while, but when I saw this week's theme, I knew I had the perfect picture. A few weeks ago, I got to witness the miracle that is Preston. Preston belongs to some dear friends of ours from college. Preston was born with a pretty rare heart defect that required open heart surgery at just 2 days old. This picture was taken after he was assessed by the nurses and was headed thru the hallways over to Tx Children's CVICU. They wheeled him to see his mommy, as she had to stay behind and recover from a C-Section. He wasn't too happy in his little carrier, but as soon as he locked eyes on his mommy, he was SO calm. It was a beautiful thing to witness.

Head on over to I Heart Faces to see some more awesome pictures. Also, you can keep up with Mr. Preston on his mom's fabulous blog.

Random Thoughts

It's Friday. Know what that means? The maid comes. Hallelujah! Best investment. EVER.

Tomorrow morning I get to go see Preston. Be jealous! Oh yeah, and we're doing his newborn pictures. You will be overcome with cuteness, I promise.

Tomorrow evening is an SFAVB party. {FYI. SFAVB=Stephen F Austin Volleyball} I can hardly contain myself. These girls are family. We laugh entirely too much together, and you cannot hold us accountable for what comes out of our mouths when we're together. Some of our parents will be at this party...I hope they're prepared for what they'll witness. These are some of the girls that will be there. Again, excited. Oh, forgot to mention, we have a babysitter for the night. Score.

Sunday morning=photo shoot in 30+ degree weather. Brrr! Rescheduled!

Sunday afternoon, please give me the energy to paint Emery's bed and go to Mattress firm and get her mattress. Oh, and finish the laundry and go grocery shopping. Dear 'important people who wear suits' in Austin, I guarantee you that us teachers would be MUCH more productive if you would switch schools to a 4-day week. Just sayin'.

I'll spare you from anymore of my random thoughts for today! However, I will leave you with my latest special!

Show us Your Singles

Kelly's Korner is doing another Show Us Your Life-Singles edition. Last time I wondered how it would work, but after the success stories came pouring in, I decided I'm going to do it!

I decided to showcase my mom and my brother this go round. I want nothing more than for them to be happy and who knows...maybe this will get them there! Time to show them off...here goes nothin'!

Meet my mom. She's a 60-something, high school computer teacher, who also answers to the name Mimi. I talk to my mom every morning on my way to school, and at least once after school. Emery and Trey would probably rather go to her house than to ours. She traveled all over the country just to be at my games when I was younger. I could keep going on and on and on. She's was the rock for my brother and I when my dad passed away, almost 17 years ago. She has dated off and on, but nothing serious. I think it's time, don't you. :) Without further ado...here's Karen.




The stats:
Karen {aka...my mom}
60-something
High School Teacher
Houston {TX} area

Time for my brother, Cody. He tends to be Trey and Emery's preferred babysitter. He is loyal, conservative, loves country music {he sings and plays guitar}, and loves kids. What else do ya need? He likes the tall girls, that like sports and music. Do you have a match?!

The Stats:

Cody {aka...my brother}

35 {almost}

Works for State Farm

Houston {TX} area

Leave a comment if you're ready to help me match them up! :)

Pinterest, anyone?

I just had to share my new obsession, besides the miracle that is baby Preston...

Pinterest!

I'm not very organized at home, but I definitely welcome a web site that will organize ALL of my hair brained ideas, and the ideas that I want to steal borrow from other bloggers, etc. Recipes, decor ideas, fun for kids, etc! Whoa.

The only downside is that you have to be invited to join. Let me know if you want to send you an invite {I'll need your e-mail}, and I'll get on it!

Happy Birthday Trey!

My baby boy is 5 years old today. Can someone please tell me where the time has gone?!

This is Trey back in the day...

...and from our 5 year photo shoot the other day...

Trey, Trey, Trey...where do I even start? You make our lives complete with your ability to live life to the fullest. You randomly come up to us and give us hugs and tell us you love us. You are constantly checking on your sister, or knocking the mess out of her. It has been SO fun for me and daddy to watch you and Emery start to make a complete mess out of each other's rooms play together. People are always asking me where you get your energy...care to share? Mommy needs some of your energy! You are the BEST laundry 'putter upper'. Today is the day that your car covers are to stay in your bed, I hope you can handle it buddy...you did a good job this morning leaving them behind. You asked me this morning if today is the day that you get to start riding the bus and going to school every day. No, and no...mommy has a lot of therapy to get thru before that happens in August.

We love you more and more each day for the laughter and blessing that you are to us. Love, Mommy and Daddy

...and on to the rest of the pictures. We've managed to hold off 5 years without having massive parties for the kids. We choose to have our family over, Grammie and Iggie {they watch Trey/Em during the day} and that's about it. We had some yummy potato soup and sandwiches for dinner, a cookie cake, and topped it off with a little ice cream. Trey had a blast with his new nerf gun {Thank you DeeDee!} and spending time with the ones closest to us. Massive parties to start next year...wait for it.

Ok, the pictures...

He was SUPER excited to have a cake like we got Joe...


He didn't know what to think about everyone singing to him...




He was reacting to the question, "Are you ready for you 5 birthday spankins?!"
Don't call CPS, he didn't get them.


He got a ch, ch, Chia Pet from Mimi...
yes, we have a Chia Pet on the kitchen counter.
Don't judge.

Now, I just have to decide if I'm willing to subject myself to IT'z or Chuck E Cheese for his birthday dinner tonight. Decisions.

{Preston's Arrival!}

ANOTHER UPDATE!
Praise God from whom all blessings flow! Preston is out of surgery. The next 24-48 hours is obviously critical. However, the doctors are pumped at how well the surgery went...better than expected! Dear Lord, please let Mr. P pull through and be a testament to your goodness! Check out Tiffanie's blog to stay updated!

UPDATE:
Preston will be undergoing open heart surgery Thursday morning at 7 a.m. It is predicted to be at least a 6 hour surgery. Please be on your knees in prayer for this little man and his sweet parents. Also say a special prayer for the surgeons minds and hands to be guided with infinite wisdom. I already tweeted to mom and dad this morning that I was having withdrawals and needed to see the little dude, he's just so stinkin' precious. Lord, be near tomorrow morning and wrap your arms around Tony & Tiffanie and everyone involved. Tony & Tiffanie have a twitter account set up if you'd like to get updates.

I was honored to be a part of something so much bigger than little old me today. Preston Randal is one prayed for little boy. He made his entrance into the world today, with a heart that needs mending. Tiffanie and Tony {mom and dad} have been friends of ours since our Lumberjack days. You can't meet two nicer people...don't even try! Anyway, I was so thankful that today was just a teacher work day at school, because I bailed and got to be present for Mr. P's grand entrance. Y'all he is precious, and such a fighter. There is a possibility he will need surgery this week. Squeeze your little ones tighter each night, and lift this sweet little family up in prayer for strength, comfort, and peace in whatever God's master plan is for Preston. We of course pray that we will be taking many, many more pictures in the years to come! Enjoy Preston's arrival...

The Big 3-1!

Joe is 31 today. Man, where does time go? We've known each other now for 13 years...how is that possible?! Here's 31 things about Joe that I wouldn't change for the world:

1. He is the BEST father I could have ever asked for Trey and Emery.
2. He loves God.
3. Joe is more sarcastic than me...I know, hard to believe.
4. He does the dishes and loads/unloads the dishwasher.
5. He loves photography, almost as much as I do.
6. He tells me I look good, even when I know I don't. :)
7. He's a handyman!
8. He's smarter than me...trust me, he is.
9. He doesn't need a lot of things to make him happy. He's a simple man.
10. He stays patient with me, most of the time. :)
11. He'll clean the kitchen after I cook.
12. He takes Trey to do boy things...no girls allowed.
13. He's a gentleman.
14. He's my best friend.
15. He's pretty darn handsome.
16. Joe is an awesome listener...much better than I am!
17. He lets me be me...enough said.
18. He plays the guitar...not enough anymore, but he is good at it.
19. Trey & Emery scream 'daddy!!!' when he walks in the door...melts my heart.
20. He is goal oriented.
21. He can get along with just about anybody.
22. I often get texts that just say, "I love you"
23. He loves his family.
24. From time to time, he will go grocery shopping with me.
25. He likes to de-clutter the house.
26. He doesn't allow Trey or Emery to disrespect me.
27. He is super tech savvy.
28. He is not afraid to share his emotions...shh, he may not want me to say that.
29. He will eat anything that I cook, and pretend to like it.
30. He's mine.
31. He would sacrifice anything for his family.
32. I know you're not 32, but I thought I'd add one to tell you how much we love you Joe!

Happy Birthday!

{Sidebar:} When you're saying your prayers tonight, please add Tiffanie & Tony to your list. Sweet Preston is arriving tomorrow morning at 9:30, and he needs prayers to mend his little heart. Tony & Tiffanie are college friends of ours, and I will be at the hospital documenting his arrival. The Lord could not have handpicked a better two for Preston, but all prayers are welcome for their strength and the doctors hands and minds.

2011!

Goodbye 2010, hello 2011! We had a great year in 2010, and looking forward to what 2011 might bring our way. We are blessed to have 2 awesome/entertaining kids, fabulous family, and wonderful friends...2011 has a lot to live up to!

Grandma and Papa came down after Christmas and we've been enjoying their company. We went on a double date with them to Azuma downtown for a sushi date. It was nice to get out of our 10 mile radius, and it was yummy! Yesterday Joe, Grandma, Mimi, Aunt Debbie, and I went to another auction. LOVED it. I got a really cute turquoise low bench and a vintage tractor toy. Both will be used for photo props in the near future. Mimi got a framed G. Harvey print {Mission San Jose} for under $200...yeah, go look up what a little print costs {here ya go} Have I mentioned, we love the auction?

We plan on starting our resolutions this week...we're going to get thru Joe's birthday tomorrow before we get serious! Joe and I both are going to try and keep the same goals. Lose weight, work thru the Couch to 5k, and have more technology-free nights with the kids {game nights, etc}. I think it'll go well with us holding each other accountable, or at least I hope so! :)

Here are a few pictures from our New Year's Eve celebration at our house...it was a low key, family fun night!

Joe's favorites...saturn missiles

Trey being a big boy...

Emery...into anything and everything!

Joe and I had fun with the sparklers and the camera!

Hope you and your family have a wonderful, blessed New Year!!