I'm so Thankful ~ Day 1

I will be taking party of this years Gratitude Challenge... Join on in here! I'm really excited to do this. I'm also doing something similar on facebook!

I'm so thankful for being a child of God! I am truly a princess of the highest King! I can not imagine my life without my Almighty Father! And he loves me and all of us so much that he gave us the GREATEST gift ever! His one and only son, Jesus Christ, as our Lord and Savior! He did this so that we are saved and have eternal life in Heaven!!! What a wonderful promise and gift! And because of that, I know that even though my dear Momma has passed on from earth that is is celebrating the greatest life possible in her forever eternal home! And One day I will join her and all the others that are waiting there! It will be a party like no other!

Today I started with a huge thankful blessing in my life, but without this, I'd be nothing and I'd have nothing!!

Hugs and Blessings,

Faithful Fridays ~ Listening when God speaks

oops, I started this yesterday and well, now I am just finishing it..... Sorry for the delay.

Want to check out other Faithful Friday posts, Check them out here!

I thought I'd share something with all of you this week on Faithful Fridays.... As most know we have moved many times in the last 6 years and have yearned for a Church home, but we try and try and nothing feels right. We were just going to stick it out at this place, but by the time the day was over, I couldn't tell you what we learned about at Church. I wasn't being fed! Life was getting crazy and hectic and what could go wrong was! But I keep faithful, and started a Bible Study with a dear friend. I knew that God our Heavenly Father was going to bring me to the right place so that we could live abundantly! In this all, we remained faithful and walked the walk.

After Lil E started public school, I made a new friend, and right away she asked if we wanted to try their Church! Like only the 3rd time she even spoke to me. And by speaking I mean very general talk while picking up our girls from School. We started standing on opposite sides of the area, but God moved us to the same area! First convo was her asking if I made the girls bows. Then Satan stepped in and kept us for talking the next couple of days, then we had sick girls that kept us home and not at school. So it was nearly a week before we had a 2nd time to chat. Funny thing is, God had already planted into my heart that I needed to find out in a round about way what Church they went to and give it a try. She just screams Proverbs 31 Lady! So of course when she asked, I said yes! Without even knowing anything more about the Church.

I first tried out the Women's Bible Study and feel in love! I couldn't wait to try Church! So it was off to Church their we went and WOW O WOW! I am so happy to say, that we have found a Church home! All of us are beyond excited and love it there! No one wants to even miss now! Before if we missed a day, it didn't matter so much. We weren't getting what we needed! Now we can't get enough!

But see if I had not been listening to God's seeds in me, I just might have not been eager to try a Church that someone I had only spoke to 3 times, invited me to! Because in my mind, I would have said, what if I didn't like it, I wouldn't want to hurt their feelings. Or I would have asked what type, and wanted to check out their Faith Statement and beliefs before I'd even consider trying it. But God spoke, and I listened (and it was something so not normal that I'd listen to) and then he spoke to her too! She listened and acted! We listened and now have a beautiful Church home and some awesome friends who share in our faith and walk with Christ! And it's so awesome!!!

So if you aren't being fed where you are, listen to God he will lead you where he wants you to go. He will make the way and open the door to that special Church, because he wants all his children to be in the word, walk the walk, have the fellowship, and be together in the body of Christ! He wants only the best for his children, but as his children, just like we want our children to do, we have to listen to his instructions!

Hugs and Blessings,

Faithful Fridays ~

I plan to start joining up each week with Faithful Fridays... If you want to join in or read other Faithful Fridays, just click the link and it will take you there. I want to share just how awesome our God is!

So tonight I am sharing something that happened just tonight.

Tonight we were driving home, and out of NO WHERE my dearly spiritually gifted and blessed Lil E, exclaims "Momma do you see Jesus? He is right there looking at me! Right out my window! See him, see him Momma. He is showing me Belle and her little feet. See her eyes. Momma Jesus is showing her to us! She is coming soon!!" ... WOW!!!! I had some super happy tears!!! Happiness that our little one will be home soon, but not just that, I am elated that my sweet daughter is that spiritually connected to our Lord, that she could see and feel him! And knew! But not only am I beaming about her and the message, but it made me start thinking, if we all had the faith of a child, just how much better we would be!! And how much closer we would be to God! And not only that, but it would please him so much!!!

Hebrews 11:6

And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

Matthew 18:3

And said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

So that's is my work, to be more child like in my faith, so I can hear him better, see him better, and please him more!!!

Praising God for my 7 year old daughter who showed this very thing tonight!!

Hugs and Blessings,

Slow Cooking Thursday ~ Meatloaf

It's that awesome time of the week where I get to share another crock pot recipe with all of you, and also get other great recipes. So be sure to check out, Slow Cooking Thursday's @ Dairy of a Stay at home Mom.

Today I am going to share a recipe with all of you, that I just never thought I would do in a crock pot! As much as I love my crock pot, it never occurred to me to make a meat loaf there, then I found a recipe, well a few... And I was like I can do this with my own recipe and style. So here you have it.

Crock Pot Meat Loaf

2 1/2 lbs of Lean ground beef

1 small can of tomato sauce

2 TBS spicy brown mustard

2 TBS brown sugar

1 egg

1 cup of bread crumbs or crushed crackers

2 TBS worcestershire sauce

1 small onion, diced

Salt, Pepper, and Garlic to taste

Sliced American or Cheedar Cheese

a couple of slices of bread

Topping

1/4 c. mustard

1/3 c. ketchup

2 tsp brown sugar

1 tsp worcestershire sauce

Mix everything for the meat loaf in a large bowl, except the cheese and slices of bread. Spray your crock with non stick spray or use one of the crock pot liners. Place the bread on the bottom. Divide the meat mixture in half. form half for the bottom layer of the meat loaf. Place it on top the bread in the crock pot. Then place the cheese in the on top of the meat. But not all the way to the edge. Then add the other half the meat and make sure it's form together on the edges. Cook on low for about 7 hours. Then mix the topping together in a small bowl. Add to the top of the meat loaf and cook for another hour.

I hope you and your family enjoy our favorite styled meat loaf, and what's better than it being so easy to throw in the crock pot and not have to worry with it all day!

Hugs and Blessings,

First Day of School

We had planned to kick off our official first day of school after Labor Day... Then when we started doing mini days and things went crazy around here. I had to do something that I never wanted to do and was pretty much against! (against for us) And We put Lil E in public school!!! So on Aug 29, she started her first day of school! She is in kindergarten and doing GREAT!


She was so ready and eager to go!

Mommy and her big girl!!! Man time flies! My Baby girl is growing up!!!

Daddy and his girl!


As she was walking into the school.....


and by her locker.....


And by her desk.....

She was so excited and happy to take on this journey! She was scared and nervous too! But she has blossomed and is shinning! She has made a great friend and is doing really well at school!!!

I now know without a doubt, God lead us here, because it's the top rated public school around here! And it was like really stepping back in time. They still do a moment of silence each morning so the kids can say a prayer. They do the pledge for both the US Flag and the Texas Flag and then the silence! It really is an awesome place! Even though it wasn't my dream or plan, I'm thankful we are here if I was going to have to send her to public school!

And I hope that maybe one day home school will work out for us again. Either way, it's in God's hands and I just want the very best for her!!!

Hugs and Blessings,

Our Aug as we ended Summer

After our mini vacation with my family and my Scentsy Convention, it was back home to enjoy some time with daddy!! I hate when I am out of town and we don't get to spend lots of time together. He is the GREATEST!!!!

No real importance of this picture, but just that I love it! My sweet sweet girls!!! They are my world!!!

Is it really a storm? Are we about to get some rain? ...

With the storm near us (it missed us), there was Thunder and lightening and Lil K did not want to hear it! So just look what her awesome big sister did!
Lil E had her sister dressed up in her fairy princess and then when the thunder was bother Lil K, E put her ear phones on to Lil K and held them and her sister so that she wouldn' t be scared by the Thunder!

I couldn't go to Scentsy and pass up these shirts for the girls! Being as Lil E always wants a Scentsy shirt, I knew it was a must! They are my Scentsy Girls! They love everything about Scentsy! And love to help me sort and label shipments.

Aren't they the cutest lil Mommy's Scentsy Girls around? I sure think so!

And how could we let summer end without more fun at as a family in the front yard!

There's nothing more fun that playing in the sprinkler! It always makes me smile and still takes me back to my childhood.

Oh my, someone had been playing so hard, she had to relax for a bit! But don't be fooled, it wasn't too long of a rest, she was up and running again!

And Lil K found a blow flower, as she calls it!

One weekend, we spent painting on the hood of Daddy's race car! How awesome it was for the girls!!!

It wasn't just the girls who painted, both mommy and daddy painted a lil too. So here's our painted hood! It's so so so special to me!

Just as a little proof of how much racing is a part of all of us, check out Lil E as she is busy racing herself! In her super cool mustang! And btw, she is drawn to mustangs more than any car out there! We have even tried to trick her to see if she would know a mustang in other years and she hasn't been wrong yet.

And Lil K has to have some time to do her favorite thing, play in the mud! I flooded more than just the yard when I left our sprinkler on, and it made her day! As she had a lot of mud to play in.

This is one of my most favorite pictures of her in the mud. I just love it!

It was the night before Lil E was to start school, and we are making some last minute summer memories!

Our world will change as Lil E starts school and summer is over as we know it!! But I am so looking forward to fall! As it's starts my most favorite time of the year!

I hope everyone had a great Aug, and is looking forward to an awesome fall full of blessings!

Hugs and Blessings,

Bible Study

I am so excited, I joined a new Women's Bible Study yesterday with my new found friend! It was the best Bible study I have ever joined and I am so excited and looking so forward to next week! It's about being Women of Destiny! Being the woman God wants you to be in all aspects of your life!!! And I learned so much! Even stopped and thought tonight before I said something rude to James. Because he didn't listen to what I said 3 times already. Normally I would have popped something off like "Do you even listen to me" or "you wouldn't be lost if you would have listened to one of the first 3 times I have said this". But instead I stopped and just answered him, because I don't know what or why he didn't hear me. And is it worth being rude, or is it better to be Godly and just answer the question? So I did that, I just answered him. And I'm sure it was the fact he was in a bad area and his cell phone cut out, but before I wouldn't have cared about why. I also could see and feel my momma's presence with me at Bible Study and I knew she lead me there! And I am so thankful that I listened to God speaking to me, because I would have maybe not had this chance.

I have also been ding the Celebrate Recovery Bible study with my friend. And I have learned so much about myself and my life! It's not all about an addiction. I really think this is a very powerful and helpful Bible Study for all to do.

What Bible Study are you doing? Are you enjoying it as much as I am both of the ones I am doing.

Hugs and Blessings,

Aug Started with a STAMPEDE! Scentsy Convention 2011

It was so much fun to kick off Aug at the Scentsy Stampede! Our annual convention!!! It was tons of fun!!!

Me and my roomies at the Water Gardens, at registration!!!

Scentsy kicked off our event with a family night at the Stock Yards. Armadillo races, long horn rides, machanical bulls, Cattle Drive, and much more! Then 2 concerts!!!

It was way to hot there!!!! WHEW!!!!

Gloriana and Clint Black!!!

And I mean at 9:30 at night it was still 114*.... That's just way to hot for me! But you can't beat the Scentsy Spirit! It's the most awesome!!!

A lone star full of hats!!!

And our team bags!!! Aren't they too cute!!!

sitting in our seats all ready for it to start!!! :)

Before I go any further, I want to share why I love Scentsy so much! First, yes it's the safesty way to enjoy a candle! It's pretty and decorative! It always me to express something about me. It's a wonderful product! But much much more important that this, is that Scentsy is about being REAL, it's about Simplicty, Authenticity, and Generosity! Scentsy is completely about giving more than you take and giving back!!! There is always something going on around Scentsy to benefit and help someone!!! Even the consultants band together to help those in need! Just like with the wild fire in Texas burned so much, many consultants collected various things to help those in need!!

Each selling season, Scentsy offers a Charitable Item! And 100% of the net profits off the sale of this item will go to the said charity! The first one was Sunshine Kids Foundation, then Breast Cancer, and then Autism Speaks! All of which were warmers!!! But are you ready for the newest Charitable item!!! It's not a warmer!

Oh no, but it's a soft and cuddly ever so cute, Scentsy Buddy!!! Her name is Sasha and she for the Ronald McDonald house!!! This is so exciting!!!

At Convention, they reveal to us the new products coming out! And below are a few of my other favorite things, because we all know Sasha is for sure a top favorite in my book.

Scentsy also has blessed me with some wonderful friends!!! And even reconnected me with a long lost friend! We both sell Scentsy!

Award night was beyond awesome too!! I don't think I'll ever skip out on awards night again!! It was worth going to!

Scentsy has help me grow in many ways, and I'm so thankful for the blessing my Scentsy business has been to me!

If you see anything you want more info on, or if you want some info and the business, please let me know. I'd love to help you!

Hugs and Blessings! Have a SCENTsational day!!!

Tamale Pie in the Crock Pot

I'm so excited to share another crock pot recipes, being as I love crockpot cooking so much! Today I actually have a roast in mine. But since Mexican dishes are a favorite around here, I am sharing a Mexican dish today. Check out Diary of a Stay at Home Mom for more Slow Cooking Thursday recipes.

Tamale Pie

1 1/4 lb lean ground beef or turkey

1 small onion diced up

1/2 tsp garlic

1/2 - 1 tsp cumin

1/2 - 1 tsp chili powder

3/4 c. yellow corn meal

1 1/2 c. milk

1 beaten egg

1 package/envelope of chili seasoning

1/2 tsp garlic

1/4 tsp salt

1/2 to 1 tsp black pepper

1 can (14 oz) of petite diced tomatoes or for added spice you can use rotel.

1 can whole kernel corn drained

1 - 2 cups of grated cheese (of your choice, we use cheddar monterey blend)

In skillet cook ground meat with onion, garlic powder, cumin, and chili powder. Until meat is crumbled and done. Drain any grease off the meat mixture. In a large mixing bowl, mix together milk, corn meal, and egg together. When it's mixed well add in the meat mixture. Stir together well and add in the chili seasoning, garlic, salt, pepper, tomatoes, and drained corn. Stir it together until it's mixed well. Pour into crock pot. Cook on low for about 3 1/2 to 4 hours. Remove lid and top with grated cheese. Cover and cook for 15 more minutes. Garnish with sliced black olives and sour cream if you desire.

Everyone loves this around our house. Hope you enjoy it too!!!

Hugs and Blessings,

To My Momma

Momma, I can't believe it's been a year! The tears roll down still for you! I yearn for you more and more all the time. But I know one day we will be reunited and I will be able to have a party with you! And I'm so thankful that God's word tells me this and that I have that promise! Thank you for everything you taught me and for being my strength now! Even though you have left this earth, you are so much of my strength to get through, my strength to keep going, my strength to be the BEST me! I miss you so much!!! I love you so much and my heart will always break and yearn for you! Nothing can change that!!! Nothing helps really! Well that's not true, knowing that I will one day get to see you again, is a promise I hold very dear! I wish you were here to hold baby B. She needs that special rock that only you can do! Your lap never got to small for us! Even as an adult, you would hold and rock us! I am so proud that as a high school girl, I had your lap and lovin arms to hold and rock me to comfort! But Baby B, she needs to hear In the Lord's Army, and really she needs to think that Walking in a winter wonderland is a lulaby. I love you so much and I am so thankful that I was blessed beyond messure to have you as my Momma!! You are the GREATEST person I have ever known!!! Thank you for that!! And for teaching me how to love, just like you! For showing me that if you really love your spouse, you can get through anything with them!! Your unconditional love for dad was such a testament to this, as was your unconditional love to each of us kids and grandkids! No matter what one did, it didn't change how you felt or loved us!!! We all knew we could count on a loving you!!! Thank you Momma!! I know you know how much we miss you, but I am thankful you aren't in pain! I'm thankful you don't have to hurt anymore! I am glad you get to hold and hug Tina! I just wish we could get some more hugs! I am so thankful that you spent and devoted your life to your family! And that we are what mattered! And I try my best to be just like you! Momma, you have taught me to forgive! And to let it be! You have taught me, that I can't change others, but to love them anyway! Doesn't mean I have to like what they do or how they are doing it! You have taught me to feed many! I sure like to cook for company just like you did! No matter the occasion! Actually, like you, just like to do it! Thank you for giving me my love for crafts! Thank you for being the best example in life that I ever had!!! Thank you for never giving up on me, and always teaching me, I can reach my dreams!!! Nothing is to far out of reach, that I can do anything I want to do! That I have to believe!!! And the way you loved all my friends as your own! Thank you for being the Momma that took us to do all the fun stuff, like the week every year at the Country Fair, to shopping, to crafting, and so much more! to making me the night owl I am! And giving me a love of games like I do! I miss you visiting and us staying up near all night long to play cards!!!! Or how I wish we could have another Christmas Eve up all night baking cookies and candy! What sweet memories!!! But not matter what, us night owls sure had fun!!!! It was always so much fun!!! We may not have had lots of money to do all the big things, but you always made every visit and time we had together, so special and fun!!! I guess God and You knew it was by that example, of you loving my friends as your own, that I'd choice adoption, even before I knew of my infertility! It was your love and acceptance of Shelby more than so many others, that I knew I had one of the GREATEST supporters ever in adopting my kids! You and Dad loved them kids like NO ONE else ever can!!! Momma, the girls miss you so much!!

K, your sweet name sake, tells everyone that her Mamaw is died on the Cross and one day we can go to Heaven too! She is still a little spit fire, but she is so funny and charming! Oh how she loves you!!!

And E, oh how she still needs you! You were by far her most favorite person in this world! She really can't get over you not being here! She refuses to get rid of anything that was from you, or that she thinks is from you. She even is angry that others have their Grandma, and her's isn't here with her! She misses sleeping in bed with you! She misses staying up late with you, and popsicles on the porch! You would be so proud of her! She is doing great in school and adjusting pretty good! She talks about you all the time, and how much she misses this or that! And how you would be at the hospital when she was sick! She remembers everything you did! Like the silly faces you would make to make the kiddos laugh! And how you would rock and sing to her! You are very much a big part of her life, even without being here!

I hope to be the best class mom and supporting Mom just like you!! You never missed anything! You were at my games, at scouts, was at all school functions! You made everything more fun! And it was always so nice to know I could count on you to be there!!! I wish you could see me as Big bird walking back and shaking my hiney on more time after the parade! Or could you see me dance one more time! There are so many things I wish we could do again!!! It's been so super hard to even consider renewing our wedding vows and you not be here on earth with us.

and Momma, James still is lost! You are his Mom! He admired you so much! He misses your phone calls to just check on him and let him know you loved him! To see how the weather was, and in reality, you just wanted to make sure he was wide awake out on the road! He misses you making him put up all the clean clothes you would wash and dry and fold, while visiting, and yet I didn't have to do any. I don't think he will ever have another connection with anyone else like he did you! Momma, you were a HUGE part of making him the man he is!!! And I'm so thankful that you saw the BEST in him and loved him from the start and always did!!!!

And well Momma, you know I'll always want you here with me! I need you so much! I can't tell you how much! But know I did the right think and stayed with my family and didn't hide from the world. I'm thankful I"m just like you!! From the good and not so good to everything! I'm a mini you and I'm very proud I am!!!

I love you and miss you!! More than I can explain or say!!!!! But I am the lucky one! Because of you I am who I am!!!! I just wish you could scoop me up into your arms and rock me in that rocking chair again!! I need that comfort! I need you and love you!!!! Then tonight, I needed to call you and you bring me back to reality and I didn't have you. And there is no one that can help me like you did! Momma I love and miss you more and more all the time! I will forever and always love you!!!!

with all my heart always and forever, I LOVE YOU Momma!!!!! You are the BESTEST Friend a person could have!!!