They Make My Heart....

...melt in a million peices!

Thankful Tuesday!

After spending lots of time with my family, I realized how much I have to be thankful for more than ever.

- I am thankful I have such a loving, forgiving, special, inviting family who I love dearly. I honestly can say I have no idea where I'd be without them and thank God every day for them. I am proud to say they are my best friends.
- I am thankful for my parents. Most people my age are probably saying they hate their parents or some crap like that, but I am proud to say that my Mom and Dad are my best friends. I am so lucky I was able to spend Christmas with them.
- I am thankful for God. He loves me unconditionally, never leaves my side, and always makes the best decisions for me whether I think they are right or wrong in the moment. He never gives me more than I can handle, though he gets me pretty close sometimes. He's awesome and without Him, I wouldn't be where I am today.
- I am thankful for all of my lovely presents I got this year. We got way too much, but appreciate everyone's kindness and thoughtfulness. :) We are blessed.
- I am thankful for my Snuggie. It is so warm and snuggie. Plus, it's ECU. IT really is a great invention. One day I'm going to invent something wonderful.
- I am thankful I was able to clean up some today. It's only the beginning of what needs to be done, but atleast we started. Maybe New Year's Eve...

I am so thankful for everything in my life andI am blessed... I love you all!

Not Me! Monday

I did not tell Jalen we can leave his Christmas tree up all year. I did not tell him that will will find new ornaments for all of the holidays. Nope, I would never do something like this to avoid having to put it up and hear him sad. I am not a sucker!

I did not stay up until 3 in the morning searching blogs for great deals right before Christmas. I just walk into stores and pay the full price, nope, not me. (Those great blogs I found are on the side of my blog, check them out!)

I did not bake cookies the other day with Jalen (and pumpkin pies) because he was acting crazy and I knew that was the only thing that would calm him slightly down. (Oh yeah, we turned Sprout on, too!) Nope, not me, we read books and do yoga together to calm down.

I am not sitting here blogging, surfing the internet, and doing Facebook while my house is covered in Christmas presents, playdough, and other messes. Nope, my house is always neat and perfect.

Well, if you haven't figured it out, it's a not me! monday and if you want the whole scoop on it, head over and see MckMama (see my side blogroll). Happy Monday!

Merry Christmas!

We had a lovely Christmas and we hope you did to. Spending the day with family and enjoying ourselves shouldn't only come once a year. I hope in this upcoming year I will be able to get my family together more and more as those are the times of the year we most appreciate and remember. It's amazing to me that we have God who loves us unconditionally and blesses us with more than imaginable. I can't tell you how many times we take things for granted in our lives. I love my family and I am so thankful I have them. Hope you're family had a lovely Christmas, just like ours did. More pictures to come!

Oh Christmas Tree..

This year was my first year with a real tree! It smells great and I really haven't seen the big 'trouble' with real trees. We have angel ornaments that I've collected over my 21 years from my Mom, Nick's Duke ornament, the ones Jalen made, and a few odds and ends. It's very pretty and I love it! I do not have a tree skirt because the stand is too fat for it to look normal, so instead we have a blue movers mat that we had from when we got new furniture. Ha! It works, it does the job, and who sees a tree skirt anyways?? Exactly! On the top is a metal, wiry star with little diamonds dangling. Very pretty, when it chooses to stay up there! It's OUR first Christmas tree...

You know, when I typed the word 'Christmas' it really made me get on my tangent of people putting X-Mas. I can't stand it and I do not understand how it takes less time to write X-Mas than Christmas. Why do we celebrate Christmas? Because of CHRIST... so why take His name out of it? Sorry, it really annoys me and bothers me when I see it. My Christmas cards will say 'Merry Christmas,' not Happy Holidays. That's my tangent. I'm done. Merry Christmas!!

Great Times, Great Family...

We had a blast at the beach. We did a lot of shopping, hanging out, and just having fun. We've all come to an agreement that we are a tough crowd - you can't have any imperfections, dress crazy, or do anything wrong because you will get called out. Jalen loved being around everyone. It was very cute - at the pool a boy took one of Ry's toys and Jalen swam as fast as he could to get that toy back from the boy and proceeded to tell him it was his Ry-Ry's and to not take it! They have a love/hate relationship.. Do not mess with his Ry-Ry or he'll beat you up! Ha! :) Jalen is an excellent swimmer with absolutely no fear. He has to wear his vest and he doesn't try to take it off because he knows the rules. It was the best invention ever. I don't know what we'd do without it - have a heart attack! We were able to see Grandnana while we were there and she looked great. Jalen slept most of the time. Ryan loved playing around. It was a great visit with her..


While we were at the beach we had a gingerbread house builiding activity. It was a lot of fun. We found out who was a sore loser about their house and we saw how creative we all can be. Overall, it was a very fun activity and one we will continue to do!!

Now, it's time for Christmas! I am very behind on my shopping, so therefore, I'll be shopping today. Poor Jalen, he will be attending the majority of the stores. We'll see how Christmas shopping for him goes with him there.. We'll see how many actually last until Christmas day!! Plus, we're battling the grocery store, too! Oh what a fun day.. My last day off until Christmas!!

Color Inc.

As you can see from my last post about Better in Bulk, I've won a few things from her blog. My last winning was a 20x24 wrapped canvas print from Color Inc. I was very excited to win this because I had a few pictures in mind that I wanted to use. Now, we have a life-size Jalen picture on our mantle. I'd love to get 2 more and put them all together in the hallway. We'll see! It was a $115 value!! (and if you're wondering, I haven't taken the plastic off because I'm scared it'll get messed up)!

Better in Bulk!

I love snooping around on blogs and I've stumbled across a great one... Better in Bulk! I've won numerous things off of her blog and enjoy reading it, as well. Right now, she's giving away Wal-Mart gift cards. Check it out!! www.betterinbulk.net

Beach Bound!

Oh, how I miss those days? Pray for our safe travels! See you in a week (or maybe sooner!)

Thankful Tuesday!

This time of the year we have a lot to be thankful for or it seems as if it comes out more. I am always blessed and thankful for everything I have in my life. There are days we all lose sight of what is important, but it is important to always come back and remember.

* I am thankful we're heading out to the beach for a week of family times and memories. I'm very excited to have no plans and be done with school for a little bit, so I can enjoy it.
* I am thankful Jalen loves school. He wakes up and is ready to go. He enjoys playing and having fun. It does make me a little sad when I leave. I walk outside and his classroom backs up to the walk-way. He waits for me at his classroom door that looks outside to wave bye to me. Aww, it breaks my heart, but he's happy!
* I am thankful my Mom will be coming up on Christmas Eve!
* I am thankful we were able to go a Christmas play earlier in the week and enjoy a scrumptous dinner before at El Dorado!
* I am thankful I have my beautiful Christmas tree and heat in my house. We thought our heat died, but luckily, they fixed it for us. It was a mear 54 degrees when we woke up. I couldn't imagine not having heat - oh the things we take for granted.

I am thankful for so much and so blessed. Have a good rest of the week...

Pray for our safe travels!!

Not Me! Monday

This past week has been very hetic!

* I did not get my clothes for each day out of the clean clothes pile x 10 that I've failed to fold or carry up. Nope, I fold the clothes and put them away as soon as they get out of the dryer because I don't like for them to wrinkle!
* I did not turn George on for Jalen so I could sleep a little bit extra. Nope, I get up as soon as Jalen does to cook him a huge breakfast because it's the most important meal of the day!
* I did not take Jalen to Target to get out of the house and just have something to do. I did not buy him an Icee and Popcorn so I could look around in peace. Nope, not me!
* I did not go and get my test grade from school, see it was a 90, and leave. Nope, not me. I stay every single time and take wonderful notes. But, tonight is my final and I will study all day long. Nope, not me!

It's That Time...

...for our Christmas pictures and card! I'm not going to post our pictures or card until I'm completely done, but here is a taste to keep you coming back!


Need help with your Christmas card? Want to do something different this year? Tired of signing a Hallmark card with your names? I'll help you! Get creative.. creativity isn't expensive!

It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas...

The other day Jalen had a blast putting up his little tree in his room. This little tree has been around for 3 years now and it amazes me it still stands. He was so cute and so serious about putting it up. Do not mess with his ornaments because he will know if it is misplaced. He loves how it lights up and gets so excited to show people his tree. You can tell he is very proud and I am proud he is proud...

We got our big tree tonight and for the first time ever, I have a real tree!! I am super excited and hope by the morning it is all comfy and cozy in our home so I can decorate it!

Fall Is Here (and hopefully gone soon!)...

I love this picture. I have to say, I did a good job :)

The other day it took us 2 hours to blow the leaves out of the front yard. We kept thinking one of our lovely neighbors would've loved to suprise us and do it, but we were wrong. Jalen helped us and while he was helping us the ice cream truck came! It was a lot of hard work that was for sure and guess what? I'd be happy to never do that again. Oh the joys of fall! We miss the joys of summer. By the end of the time, Jalen was basically walking around in his underwear and Crocs because he was dirty and we all know he hates being dirty!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Turkey Day! I hope you take this day to look around you and see how thankful you are. No one is guaranteed anything in life, therefore, we are all blessed. I am beyond blessed and thank God every day for the life He's given me.

I was driving to the grocery store and I was listening to G105 and they had a 'thon for Bob's Buddies, which deals with brain tumors and children's illnesses. I was listening to a story as I pulled into Harris Teeter and found myself in tears. I couldn't get Jalen out of his car seat fast enough to hug him. The gentleman's son was 9 years old and passed away last February from a brain tumor. His last 6 months of his life, he asked his Dad to just let him be a kid. They quit all treatments and allowed him to be a 9 year old. I can't imagine and that is something I never want myself or anyone to go through. Take time out of your day to really look around and see how blessed you are in life...Don't dwell on the things you can't change! God will be there and He will never give you more than you can handle, He may test you, but He won't.

I am thankful for...
-my family (all of my family)! They are my life and my world. I can't thank them enough for all they've done for me and I wouldn't be where I am today if it wasn't for them.
-Jalen. I never imagined a big brown eyed, 3 years old, loves to cook and clean, smart, little boy could ever change my life the way he has. He's my life, my world, and my little hero!
-a home. I have a house, but it, also, is my home.
-my health. I am so blessed to be healthy and able to run to catch Jalen when he's running to get out of trouble.
- I am thankful for my life and so much more.. I love you all so much and thank you for being a part of our lives.

Christmas Show

My sisters and I went to the Christmas Show in Downtown Raleigh the other day... It was filled with crafts and crap. It was a fun day and we bought way too much, but suprisingly, everything was very reasonable! You'll see on Christmas what we bought, if you're lucky.....

Disclaimer: I can fix up and look nice, it was just a bad day....

He's a Fixer!

The other day I had to go get my oil changed and I told Jalen he could go with me, but Mommy's car had to get fixed. He ran into the basement and said he was going to fix Mommy's car. I didn't know what he was doing until I got there and he was getting the tools to go outside. I couldn't help but laugh. When he got there he wanted to help the man do it.. He's such a little helper. At school they always say he is the first to start cleaning up and the last one to stop. He loves helping other people. He deffinately is going to be a heart-breaker! :)

They Grow Up Too Fast...

Ryan is going to be 10 months. What the heck?! Just yesterday I was at the hospital for like 24 hours waiting for him to be born. Now, he's crawling everywhere, walking a few steps, laughing like crazy, and his big blue eyes make you buy him whatever he wants! He is deffinately a little messer and knows what he's doing. Can't imagine life without our Ry-Ry!

Salah is growing up so fast. It's hard to believe she'll be 4 months on Thanksgiving. Where does time go? She is going to be a slim little girl that is probably going to turn into a spitting image of her Mama! She gives her parents a run for their money because she screams the house down at them for no reason and then is fine with everyone else. She's spoiled. :) She's a cutie with a ton of hair!

Cookie Decorating Time!!

Tomorrow, Jalen's preschool class is having a Thanksgiving party! Every time parents sign up for food and they bring it, but I know how much food Jalen really eats, so I'm sure they throw half of it away! I suggested to his teacher we would do something else if she'd like that the kids would enjoy, so I said we could do cookie decorating. She agreed and we did it last Tuesday! We had 8 bags of icing, 4 colors of sugar sprinkles, and a tub of sprinkles. Nicholas got meat trays for the kids to decorate on and appearently, they had a blast! I kept complaining that I spent $40 on this activity, but after I saw the pictures and their faces, I couldn't believe how much is was worth it. They loved it and I am so glad....

Jalen loves his school. He goes in so happily every day. The other night he went to bed at 2:00am and I knew he'd be a monster to get outta bed... He got up and went to school just as happy! Love his teachers....

My Little Cook

Jalen loves to help me cook and always has! It really depends on my mood of how involved I let him get because he stirs a little too hard and messes a little too much, but he loves it. He gets excited when I say we're cooking and he ususally eats what he helps cook. The other night we made BBQ meatballs (a little something different), yams, and wild rice. He ate all of his meatballs, which is rare he eats meat like that. These will be memories I will always remember and I hope he does too (minus the JALEN! Ughhhhh! STOP MESSING!!!)

Doggie Search...

As you all know, Lucky passed away and we've been slowly looking for a new dog. I am not in a rush because in reality, I still just want Lucky as a dog. Jalen wants a puppy, but has really handled not having one better than I thought, which is a blessing. Again, we are still looking and soon enough, we'll find our perfect one.. But, until then, I guess we will just have this lil puppy...

Disclaimer: I did not put him in there, he put himself in there and was playing in it! No children were harmed in this photo shoot!

You Can Have Your Cake...

...and eat it too! For Nicholas' birthday, Jalen really got to enjoy his Daddy's cake!

Thankful Tuesday!

What a week, what a week.. and wow, I am so blessed!

* I am thankful I had a blast yesterday at the park with my sisters. We had lots of good laughs, were able to be kids and play with the kids, and we even tried to do a few things we could do 10-15 years ago when we were little. Priceless.
* I am thankful Jalen is a healthy little boy who melts my heart everyday. I drop him off at school today and I'm talking to his teacher while he's playing and he comes over with his lips stuck out. He gives me a big kiss and walks back to play with his friends. Whew, he makes me tear up!
* I am thankful that I get to see my Mom and Cherish tomorrow, then on Thursday go to the Taste of Home cooking show with my Mom and sisters. I love our girl time and the last time we did this was a year ago. Pray for our safe travels to Mebane (wherever the heck that is!)
* I am thankful that the holidays are here. Family, fun, and lots of pictures. Speaking of that.. Camera - if you are listening, please come out of your hiding spot, I do miss you.. (I can't find my camera!!)
* I am blessed and so lucky to have everyone in my life that I do!

Preschool Update

Jalen is doing really well at school and I'm so proud of him. Lately, he has been walking in and doing wonderfully with saying goodbye. Jalen doesn't go to school by himself though. Scruffy attends everyday with Jalen. With Scruffy, he doesn't cry, so we don't object to him going. Hey, what's a smart owner with a smart dog? Might as well get our monies worth. His teachers say he is the best cleaner they have every seen and is a wonderful helper. He brings home lots of crafts and is excited about his worth. He doesn't not talk about his day and anything you ask him, he'll probably tell you happened, but no details. We're very proud and excited to see how smart he is getting. Plus, he has wonderful teachers. Have I said that enough?

Fair Day!

When the fair came into down, I was so lucky to be able to go. Yes, that is sarcasm. I'm playing. It was enjoyable and a good time with my Mom, Jessica, Ry, Jalen, and Shane, but by the time we were leaving I was very thankful and not thinking about going back for a little bit. The weather was nice and the kids had fun. Jalen was worn out afterwards and passed out for awhile! I got a few good pictures and one day, I'll get pictures posted within days of doing something... Until then, just enjoy these a little late..

Thankful Tuesday!

As always, I have a lot to be thankful for and I am very blessed to have everything that I do have!

I'm thankful...
* I made a 97 on my math test. Whew! Also, I was able to get into my Spring math class and then, I am officially DONE at Wake Tech (unless, I only have a few more courses until I can get a degree, then I'll do those.)
* Jalen's manners are getting so much better that even, people are complimenting us. 'Mommy, I got to hold the door for the wadies..'
* I was able to go to church on Sunday! Great, uplifting time.
* in less than 2 weeks, we will be attending the Taste of Home cooking show. What a fun time it will be!
* that we're healthy and doing well.

Yummy! Yummy! Sausage Balls!

Every year, usually around the holidays, I like to cook up my sausage balls. Everyone loves them and they are super easy, so I thought I'd share and let you enjoy to, if you wish.

~1 cup Bisquick (doesn't have to be perfectly exact)

1 package Neese's Sausage (nothing else, or they'll be not as yummy!)

1 package (2 cups) shredded sharp cheddar

Let your sausage get to room temperature, so it'll be easier to mix.

In a bowl, combine sausage, Bisquick, and cheese.

Knead it all together until you have barely any bisquick left at the bottom of the bowl. Form into little balls (I usually make about an inch) and put on a tray.

Grease will form from these so make sure your pan has some form of a side, so it doesn't pour off into your oven! Bake at 375 until turning brown (~15-20 minutes).