Jacob’s Birthday Invitation

I never knew that party planning was such hard work! Jacob will be 5 this year, and this is the first year that we will be having a party. Now that he is in school he has friends and of course wanted to be able to invite them, so the planning began.

I found this really cool place that has glow in the dark miniature golf and laser tag and he could not be happier. And he requested a sports them this year since he is about to start plating soccer. I am going to do cupcakes and decorate them like soccer balls, baseballs and footballs. The goodie bags are still up in the air because I am not sure what to put in them yet.

Then came the invitations… I did not want to buy store bought ones {which I have just in case I need them}, I wanted something more personal and memorable. I looked around Tiny Prints for ideas and inspiration, and what I came up with really excited Jacob, which made me even happier :) I used the basic concept of one of the invitations from Tiny Prints, but changed a few things to make it special for us. Here is how it came out……

Now I have to just get through the rest of the party planning process and then the actual party before I have to do it all over again for Tyler’s birthday right after the first of the year.

Our Little Day Trip

Yesterday we wanted to get away for the day, so off to the ranch we went! We spent the day outside hunting and cooking over a campfire. And I got my first deer of the season! Yay!

I am having a hard time getting the wording to work by the pictures so I will just let you know that The first two pics are of the boys and Michael, the third is of one of the many {many} cacti that were everywhere!, the fourth and fifth are pics of an old ford that were out in the pasture; Tyler said it was broke Doc Hudson {from the movie Cars}, and the last is of an old broken down tractor that was sitting out by the stock tank.

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend!

 

 

 

 

 

Lookin for a new camera bag

Here lately with me taking more pictures and wanting a more stylish way to carry my camera gear around, I have been looking for a cute camera bag to replace my boring,  not so stylish {ug-ly} one. I have found three that I fell in love with, that are completely different styles. They are all amazing looking and I would love to have all of them, but eventually I’m going to have to pick one… but which one?!? 
 

The first one I found on Etsy at the Porteen Gear shop. 
The bag measurements: 12 inches long by 6 inches wide and 8 ½ inches tall. 
Price is $125 plus $10 shipping and is ready in 7-15 days

The second one is from Jo Totes and is called the Missy Bag. I love this design as well! See my dilemma? But I do like this on because it looks like it will hold way more!

The bag measures 16" x 11 1/2" x 6 1/4". It has enough room and pockets for any girl on the go.

And I like that you can also use this one as a cross body bag. Comes in very handy with two little ones. This bag is $94 with $13.95 shipping.

This one is also from Jo Totes. It is the Rose Bag. I have two different colors posted because I liked the pink one and the teal one! Dimensions and price are the same as the Missy Bag.

 

 

 

The Great Outdoors

Over the past few weeks I have really been getting into this photography thing. I enjoy just going out for a walk and snapping pictures of whatever I can find. Whether it be a lonely tree on a cold rainy day or a rusted water tank standing alone in a field surrounded by overgrown grass. It’s so nice to be able to go out and capture the the beauty of my surroundings. Just remember, I am still learning so my pictures are not going to be perfect :) This weekend I am having a photo session with my kids and I can’t wait to see how wonderfully they turn out and also I am taking my friends family photos! I thrilled to pieces that someone wanted ME to do their pictures!!!

This photo was taken on the highway just south of town.

 

I don’t know what it is about a white picket fence, but they just scream ‘home’ to me.

 

I thought that the grass looked beautiful against the blue sky.

 

This tank is just down from my house. I am a sucker for old, rusted things just sitting in a field :) I guess you could say I’m a country girl at heart, because those are the things that I find the most beautiful.

The Thunder Rolls

Here are a couple of pictures that I was playing with today…

Barb wire fence near my house

 

Storm that passed through. I think that storm clouds are so beautiful to photograph!

Black Friday

Photo courtesy of Google

With Thanksgiving fast approaching that can only mean one thing… SHOPPING! Black Friday is one of my favorite times of the year. Not only do I get to shop, but I get to shop and save money! If you are a big Black Friday shopper and have not yet checked out Black Friday dot Net … I would highly recommend it. They already have a ton of ads posted. You can even shop online if that is what you prefer.

I plan my shopping trip weeks in advance and make sure that I have everything ready to go so I can be out the door by 3am. There is also no sleeping and LOTS of coffee involved as well. Oh how I love Black Friday *sigh* I even think I am going to have my dear sweet hubby go this year to be the bag carrier, that is the hardest part.

Do you Black Friday shop or do you prefer to avoid the crowd?

A few pics…

Today has been a pretty lazy day. Michael worked from home today, which was awesome! We love having him around. Me, well… I played around with some pictures I had taken in my photo editing program. I don’t want to toot my own horn, but I have to say that I am impressed with my work :)

{My} Boots and Pearls

  
Do you know how hard it is to find a grasshopper in a field?

My sweet little boy!

  

My neice ‘B’. She has the best personality!

 

Menu Monday

*Update* I tried to stick to my menu this week and I have to say that it just did not work out at all! Something always comes up and I don’t get to make what I planned. I think that I am just going to make a menu for the week and cook pick something the night before to cook. That seems to be working best for us right now.

Monday: BLT’s… it’s been a crazy day picking cleaning up the kitchen from my dear sweet husband cooking yesterday. I love him to pieces, but he sure can make a mess while cooking.

Tuesday: Chicken Alfredo with Texas Toast and Salad

Wednesday: Fend for yourself night :)

Thursday: Chicken Fried Deer Steak with Parsnip Mashed Potatoes and Green Beans

Friday: Pizza and Family Movie Night

Saturday: Grilled T-Bones with Asparagus and Potatoes… they were on sale for $4.97 lb.

Sunday: Antelope Roast with Carrots and Potatoes, Rolls and Salad

Brightening up the Kitchen

 
I picked these up at the grocery store last week and can’t believe that they are still alive! They are some of the most beautiful flowers that I have bought and it’s nice to have them around the kitchen… they just make me smile :)

Best Friends

Warm soup on a chilly day

I am sure you will absolutely love this soup. It is so easy to make and has just enough spice to give it a little kick. Michael hates soup, but he will sit and eat bowl after bowl of this.

Chicken Tortilla Soup

Ingredients:

Whole roasted chicken- pulled into pieces earlier in the day
2 quarts chicken stock
2 cans mild rotel
1 jalapeno- deseeded and chopped
1/2 medium onion- chopped
3 tablespoons Olive oil
Pinch of salt
Grated cheese, avocado slices, lime and tortilla strips for garnish

Directions:

In advance: Take chicken off the bones and pull into bite size pieces.
1. Heat your dutch oven or pot over medium high heat. Chop your onion and jalapeno and place in the pot with the olive oil. Cook until tender.
2. Add chicken stock and stir to get all the brown bits off the bottom. Then add both cans of rotel. Simmer 15 minutes.
3. Add chicken and simmer another 15 minutes to let flavors fuse together.
4. Ladle into bowels and garnish with tortilla strips, cheese and avocados and a lime on the side.

Living Proof Live 2011

*UPDATE* They have posted the schedule for the day!

Schedule

Doors Open ... 8:00am
Event Begins ... 9:30am
Session One ... 10:00am

Lunch Break ... 11:30am

Worship ... 1:00pm
Session Two ... 1:30pm

Invitation/Break ... 3:00pm
Session Three ... 3:30pm

Closing Worship ... 4:00pm
Conclude ... 4:15pm

*********************************************

Okay, I know that it is forever and a day away, but I am so excited I needed share with y’all. In September my MIL and I are going to see Beth Moore’s Living Proof Live in Lubbock. Living Proof Live has never came anywhere near close enough to where we could see her live! in person! So this is HUGE!

Last December we went with the ladies from my my MIL’s Sunday School group and saw the Deeper Still conference with Kay Arthur and Priscilla Shirer, and it was AMAZING! So you can see why I am uber excited to see her again!!

It took place at the Cox Business Services Convention Center the first weekend of December and I have never seen a place so packed with so many women in my life! We had really good seats and the lunch that we pre purchased for $10 was actually not to shabby. It was a sandwich with packets of mustard and mayo, and it came with a bag of chips, some cookies and a bottled water. You could purchase food at the concession stands if you wanted to but it was all kid of pricy. But the lessons were amazing! I should have paid more attention and took more notes. Looks like I am going to have to attend another one :)

I pulled this from the LifeWay website:

Beth Moore’s life-transforming Bible study challenges and inspires women of every age, everywhere. Joining Beth at this weekend event is acclaimed worship leader Travis Cottrell and the Praise Team.

Beth's focus will be on the Scripture that God lays on her heart for each individual Living Proof Live event — no two are the same. As she explores the Bible and how it applies to real life, you'll be amazed by her own experiences as a believer, and you'll be inspired to magnify and strengthen your own relationship with God.

Beth's mission is to guide women everywhere into a richer, more fulfilling relationship with the Father. She is a woman of purpose, preparation, prayer and passion. It's apparent in everything she does, from teaching Sunday School at her home church to sharing her biblical insights and observations in her Bible studies and books.

Here is more on Beth:

Beth Moore is a speaker and author of best-selling Bible studies and other books for women. Beth is a woman of purpose, preparation, prayer, and passion. It's apparent in everything she does, from teaching her weekday class at Houston's First Baptist Church to speaking to the thousands of women who attend her Living Proof conferences each year.

And more on Travis Cottrell and the Praise Team:

Travis Cottrell and praise team are musicians from the Nashville, TN, area. Travis is a contemporary Christian singer, arranger, and worship leader. He uses a blended style of worship in leading churches, student conferences, and events such as Living Proof Live with Beth Moore. Some of Travis's recent musical projects include Jesus Saves: Live, the 3:16 Worship Musical, The Lamb Has Overcome for Living Proof Live, and the live worship project Alive Forever. He and his wife Angela, who often ministers with him, are also songwriters. For more information about Travis visit LifeWay's Travis Cottrell page.

For all my Texas bloggers here is the info on the Living Proof Live Event in Lubbock, TX if you are interested in attending:

Location Information:
United Spirit Arena at Texas Tech
1701 Indiana Ave
Lubbock, TX 79409

Register by Phone:
Call LifeWay Events Registration toll free at 800.254.2022

Register by Fax:
Fax your information to: 615.251.3730.

Register by Mail:
Mail your information to:

Living Proof Live
P.O. Box 24001
Nashville, TN 37202

All seating is general admission, $65.00 per person.

ASL interpreting available for the deaf / hearing impaired.

Wristband(s) are mailed to each registering individual or group to be worn for admission to the event.

Cancellation Policy

If you wish to cancel your registration 30 or more days before the event, you will receive a refund of 50% of your conference fees (does not apply to lodging charges). There is no refund if cancellation is received less than 30 days before the event. We encourage you to take advantage of the ministry opportunity to transfer your registration to another person, or you may apply your registration to another similar LifeWay event.

Videotaping Policy

During this event, LifeWay will be videotaping, audio taping, and photographing. Most likely, you will be filmed, recorded or photographed as part of the audience or individually. By your attendance, you are granting your permission to be videotaped, audiotaped, or photographed for commercial purposes and agree to the following: being recorded, filmed, videotaped, or photographed by any means; commercial or any other use of your likeness, voice and words without compensation; specifically waving all rights of privacy during the videotaping, filming, recording or photographing and release LifeWay Christian Resources from liability for loss, damage, or compensation from the commercial or other use of your likeness, image, voice or word; compliance with all rules and regulations of LifeWay for this event.

Hotels

Booking code for all events is Living Proof Live/LifeWay unless noted differently.

Staybridge Suites
2515 19th Street
Lubbock, TX 79410
806-765-8900
800-238-8000
Queen $99.99
King $119.99
1.6 miles
Breakfast, internet, parking

Overton Hotel & Conf Center
2322 Mac Davis Lane
Lubbock, TX 79401
806-776-7000
$129.00
1.7 miles
Self parking

Radisson
505 Avenue Q,
Lubbock TX 79401,
806-747-0171
$109.00
2.5 miles
Internet

Holiday Inn Hotel & Towers
801 Avenuue Q
Lubbock, TX 79401
806-763-1200
$89.00
2.8 miles
Parking, internet

Holiday Inn Park Plaza
3201 S Loop 289
Lubbock, TX 79423
806-797-3241
$89.00
5.3 miles
Parking, internet

Embassy Suites
5215 South Loop 289 Lubbock Texas 79424
806-771-7000
$134.16
$154.16
8.6 miles
Breakfast

For More Information Contact LifeWay Registration at:
800.254.2022

Hope I may get to meet some of you there (:

Picture Perfect Tattoo

I made this today with a picture of the tattoo on my wrist. Some people may think that tattoo’s are trashy, but this one is special. It has special meaning to me and this tattoo was a daily reminder to have faith in the Lord and his greatness.

I will give you the brief cliff notes history version on my tattoo so you just don’t have to wonder. I got it about 6 months ago to help me through a very rough time. My husband had filed for divorce and I was in a really bad place. I wanted to get something that I would see every day to remind me to be strong and have faith it would work out like God had planned. Fast forward 6 months…here we are still happily married and working our way towards a happier marriage. Well, there you have it! The story of my tattoo.