Christopher the Elf is here!!

He was a little late getting here, but he's finally arrived! He says Hi! :)

 

He'll be watching over the kids and giving full reports to Santa on who's being naughty and who's being nice! :)

 

Christmas is knocking on the door...

I thought I'd be further along with decorating by now. But, so far a wreath on the front door (no the above is not my door, just a random picture I thought was pretty-haha) and sending out Christmas cards is as far as I've gotten so far. Yes, I'm slacking!!

I'm hoping this weekend we'll go pick out a tree and get it decorated. This weekend we have plans to attend the "Cowboy Christmas" downtown. The kids are really excited about it. I'll fill ya'll in with lots of pictures on Sunday! And, we also will be going on a North Pole adventure in Montana the following weekend.

Christmas is a favorite time of year for me. Where family comes together and everyone's so happy to ring in the upcoming new year. This year for us, like Thanksgiving will be very different. It'll be our first Christmas that we're away from all our family in Florida. This blog has been a great way to stay in contact with everyone....along with Facebook, email and skype! Needless to say we're going to miss everyone very much but we're excited for our first "White Christmas" in North Dakota!!


I've got so many sugary visions going through my head ... Ok, enough of the daydreaming! I'm supposed to be on a diet, but this time of year is so hard!

My husband will be off for 2 weeks and we've got lots of plans starting to come together...Mt. Rushmore in S.Dakota sounds exciting....and even Wyoming....Hmmm....



{Oh, and for my family that's not on Facebook I posted this for you all this morning and wanted to share on here}

Facebook Post:

"Christmas is on it's way and memories are all I'm thinking about this morning. We're going to miss Christmas Eve dinner at Mom and Max's and waking up Christmas morning early and going to Maw Maw and Paw Paw's for Christmas breakfast. And, then spending the day with Clay's family and my Dad, brother and sister. Normally Christmas is so busy with us running around house to house. This year will be the first Christmas we wake up in North Dakota and stay at home all day, just us four. It's a special new beginning for us. Just know, we love and miss you all ♥ ♥ ♥ "

 

{Wordless Wednesday}

 



Chinese in this Southern house!!

Oh my gosh! I had to share this recipe. You might have seen this on pinterest because that's where I got it from.

 

It was amazing!!

 

I also paired it with Fried rice that I put together with rice, peas, soy sauce and a package of fried rice seasonings.

It was a major hit in my house and my family can't wait to have this supper again!
 

Got the recipe from Made it. Ate it. Loved it.

 

 

Sweet and Sour Chicken

adapted from: Mels Kitchen Cafe

Chicken Breading:

3-5 chicken breast
salt and pepper
1 cup cornstarch
2 eggs, beaten
1/3 cup canola oil

Rinse chicken, trim off fat or extras and then cut into 1 inch cubes. season with salt and pepper. Dip chicken into cornstarch and coat all the way and then into eggs. Heat oil in large skillet. Cook chicken until browned. Place in baking dish. 3 chicken breasts can be in a 9x9 but 5 chicken breasts fits better in a 9x13.

Sauce:

3/4 cups sugar
4 Tablespoons ketchup

1/2 cup white distilled vinegar

1 Tablespoon soy sauce
1 teaspoon garlic salt


Whisk until smooth. Then pour evenly over chicken. Turn chicken so the sauce gets on both sides and then put in the oven at 350 degrees for 15 minutes. turn chicken and then cook for 15 more minutes.

Angels Are Among Us

I noticed a man sitting on the side of the road today, holding a sign that said "I'm hungry". Something was telling me to go back ... It was cold & windy and he only had a light weight jacket and hat on sitting on the ground. I said I'm gonna turn around and give him a $5 and hopefully he'd go get himself a burger or something. Then Maddie spoke up and said he can have my candy bar and quarters.

 

It just melted my heart to hear her say that....When I rolled the window down he quickly came, shaking from the cold. When I gave them to him, he said "God Bless You and all yours". He had the most heartwarming eyes and I have been thinking about him all day. I pulled away with tears rolling down my face. It makes me wonder and think about this verse.

Hebrews 13:2
"Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it."

 

I believe with all of my heart that he was an Angel and the Lord was with us that day, like he is everyday.

 

God is amazing! 

 He gives us little reminders that puts life in perspective. It touches my heart to know my children were with me and also got to experience this. This was the first time I've ever stopped on the side of the road for a homeless person. Maybe I should do it more, but normally I'm scared to. I've always been so nervous about it because you just never know about people.

But, this time, God spoke to me and told me to turn around.

 



15 Southern Girl Beauty Tips!!

1. Boots go with Everything!!

 

2. The higher the hair, the closer to Jesus.

 

 

3. Don't wear sandals unless your toes are painted!

 

 

4. Use your manners always...

 

 

5. Rock those Aviators Girl!

 

 

6. Find your signature color and work it!! "Pink is my signature color"

 

 

7. Smoky eye & nude lips are a must have.

 

 

 

 

8. Flip flops are the glass slippers of the South.

 

 

9. It's ok to throw on the camo!!

 

10. If you love it, Monogram it. If you like it, Monogram it. Heck, Monogram Everything!!

 

11. Whether it's shoes, a purse or your little girls hair....The bigger the bow, the better!

 

 

12. Your accent is a part of your roots ... Being proud is beautiful!

 

 

13. Pearls are your #1 accessory!

 

14. Never leave the house without your imaginary crown.

 

 

 

15. Who doesn't like a girl who loves SEC Football!! Roll Tide Roll!!

 

 

 

 

 

All the Southern girls know all about these tips!

And, if you're not a Southern girl ... Bless Your Heart!!



 

 



 



 





 

6 Things to be Happy About!

Saw this sort of thing posted on Chasing Big Dreams blog. I thought I'd also start doing the same. Here's some things that made me happy in the month of November!



1. I'm happy that somehow I manage to capture the perfect photo of my kids together. You know, the one that shows their personalities and love for each other. This month it was them playing with the leaves one day at the play park.

2. Our Thankful Tree. It made me so happy hearing what my kids were thankful for. It was a fullfilling moment as a mother and I'm thankful for that! :)

3. Everytime I get in the car to go somewhere in this beautiful state of North Dakota, a smile comes across my face.

4. Ahhh, crafting. A hobby I love!

5. I'm so happy that my blog is doing so well and I've had so many new visitors! Thanks for stopping by!

6. Jewelry makes me happy! And, I've gotten several new pieces this month and I love them all.