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Thursday, April 25, 2013

Morning, Sunshine!

Hey there! I shared with you several months ago that I took the Hello Mornings Challenge last fall. I loved it so much, I stepped up to the plate and became an accountability captain. That title doesn't make me any more spiritual or mean that I have it any more together than anyone else, it just means I'm leading a group. I've enjoyed my winter challenge group so much. It's been really cool getting to know women from all across the U.S. and grow with them a little the past 13 weeks. Tomorrow ends our winter challenge and begins registration for the summer challenge. If you have no idea what I'm talking about and would like to know more, click here.

Christian Community
 

I am not a morning person at. all. I enjoy staying up late when the house has finally settled down after the hustle and bustle of the day and do a project, or browse my favorite blogs, or look at all the awesomeness on Pinterest. But, I have found, I really enjoy going to bed a little sooner and then waking early to spend time studying the Word and praying before my kiddos get moving in the morning. My body has actually kind of adjusted to waking early and I look forward to my time now. Don't get me wrong, I can sleep in like nobody's business, but it's been good having a structured time to start my day planning, studying the Word, and working my body. I feel like I'm getting a good start to the day.

Do you need some structure too? Click on the links and find a group that's right for you. Let me know if you do. It's fun knowing you're doing a challenge together.

I hope you have a fantastic Thursday!

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

What's for dinner?

For a while now, I've been trying to do a menu plan for the week around our house, so I don't have to scratch my head and stare at the fridge wondering what to cook for the hungry mouths of mine. It's been good. I started using Ziplist, and it has revolutionized the way I plan and shop. Ziplist is free! I wish this was a paid endorsement, but it's not. I just can't stand to keep things as awesome as Ziplist to myself. You should try it out. I haven't even had time to explore all the options available on the site, but I currently use the recipe clipper to "pin" recipes I find on blogs and other websites, the menu planner, and the grocery lists. It's so awesome...I can't even tell you.

Anyway, last week, we had a bang up good menu. I would share it with you, but I've already erased it from our menu board, and trying to remember something like that would be stretching it a little too much for me. This week, I'm totally stoked, because I'm using what we already have (freezer, pantry, etc.) and not having to buy much at the grocery store.

I found some brisket in the freezer the other day and tossed it in the fridge to thaw. Last night, I really didn't want to serve just sliced brisket, so I jumped on Kelvin's brilliant idea of throwing it in the food processor and making chopped brisket sandwiches out of it. I added a little bit of this and a little bit of that to the meat, and voila, dinner was served, and seconds were requested! YAY!

Tonight we're having tacos, because it's Tuesday, and that's how we roll on Tuesdays. I'm using the Creamy Black Bean Chili we had for dinner Sunday for the tacos. I'll cook off some of the liquid, chop some lettuce, open a can of salsa, steam some rice, and make this yummilicious condiment to go with it, and voila, dinner will be served tonight!

Wednesday night is camp-out-at-the-dance-studio night. I'm making hot dogs and taking them with us and throwing in some sliced fruit and veggies. I'll probably buy a bag of Fritos too, because, how can you eat a hot dog without Fritos? Cora and Luke and I will have a picnic, either in the car or the park, whichever weather permits, and Carleigh will have to scarf down one before we get to dance practice, or between classes. It's a bummer, but the that's just how it is for the next couple of Wednesdays. Her recital is May 4th! I can't wait to see her dance! Kelvin has his last classroom class Wednesday night...I mean last EVER! Can I get a double Whoo Hoo! Yah baby, I'm over-the-top excited!! After this week, he has a couple of finals to take at school, and one to take online, and he is finished! Graduation is May 18. I'm so proud of him...there are no words.

Thursday night is Broccoli and Sausage Skillet. It looks yummy. I bought some broccoli the other day, and I have the sausage already, so all I need are the noodles.

Friday night is YOYO (your on your own), because I have bunco! :)

Saturday night we have dinner plans with some new friends. Can't wait!

Sunday is fajitas...¡OlĂ©!

So, what's for dinner at your house? Do share. :) Have a T-riffic Tuesday!

Monday, April 22, 2013

Soccer and Gumbo and Sundays

A few weeks ago, Luke played his first soccer game of the spring season. They ran all over that poor little team...it was kinda ugly. He was so excited he even laid out his uniform the night before! :) Love that boy! Of course, being the "Mother-of-the-Year" that I am, I either forgot the camera and didn't get any shots, or I took some and can't locate them now. :/ Saturday, his team played the same team again. The other team looked better this time, but Luke's team still won! He loves soccer! It's fun to see how excited he gets about the game...even practice! This time I got a shot with my phone. Hopefully next week I'll remember my camera.

 
Thank you for your grace with the poor photo quality. :\
Kelvin missed this game because he was helping Team Lubrizol Gumbonauts (sp?) set up for the Gumbo Cookoff and Zydeco Festival Saturday afternoon which benefitted Emma's Hugs. We were so thankful for the opportunity to raise awareness for Emma's Hugs in Houston. We all had a great time, and the Lubrizol Cooking team won 2nd place! Whoo Hoo!


The photo looked much better on my phone screen than it does on my computer screen...bummer.
Yesterday, we had some yummy homemade waffles and deer sausage for breakfast and then headed to church. We enjoyed a lazy Sunday afternoon of playing outside, napping (for me :) ) and a Sunday afternoon drive. When we got back home, the Creamy Black Bean Chili I made earlier in the day was ready to eat. Don't you just love days like that?

So, how was your weekend? What did you do? Anything fun? Has spring sprung where you are? We are loving the mild days and savoring each one. Cora and Kelvin and I went for a run/walk/play-at-the-park this morning. It was so nice not to burn smooth up.

I hope you have a most happy Monday!

Monday, April 15, 2013

Do I see gold in her future?





Cora loves her little gymnastics class. I hope she sticks with it. She's so cute!
(Sorry for the poor quality of the photo. The camera on my phone pretty much stinks!)

Sunday, April 14, 2013

Tooth Fairy

I may or may not have worn these tonight...

 
 
"What are they?" you ask. Why, tooth fairy wings of course! Our little man pulled a big 'ol hunkin' tooth out of his sweet head last night. It was one that had a cap on it, and one of the dang roots was so long the tooth could be a weapon. Pure craziness, I tell ya! Anyway, upon seeing his silvery tooth, she just didn't have enough money to leave last night, so the tooth fairy had to come back tonight. Glad she didn't forget. ;)

So, what did you do this weekend? Friday night Kelvin and I had dinner with some friends sans kiddos at one of our very favorite restaurants downtown, Sam Bucca. It was soooo good! We talked, and talked, and talked, until we almost shut the place down! This old mama was tired yesterday morning when Carleigh's stinkin' alarm went off at 6:30 after I had only had a few hours of sleep! Hate it when that happens! Saturday, Luke had a soccer game, and then we came home for a bit before taking Carleigh to a birthday party. It was so cute. All the girls brought their dolls, and they decorated headbands for the dolls and had a good, girly party. After I got back from taking her to the party, I grabbed a nap. Ahhh, don't you just love naps? I do!

Yesterday evening, Luke and I headed out to get the 5th Harry Potter movie. He is reading the series right now and amazing us with his ability to speed through these ginormous novels! I'm so stoked he's reading. I think right now it's more about the competition between him and his friends to see who can get the most Accelerated Reader points than the actual reading, but I'm not complaining. Maybe the love of reading part will be a side effect. We got the video and the fixings for grilled cheese sandwiches and headed home. By the time we got home and ate dinner, it was too late for a movie, so he watched it today. Kelvin and I stayed up last night and watched Downton Abbey. Are you a fan? It's kind of addicting, if I do say so myself. It's also kind of cool that you can watch however many episodes your little heart desires on Netflix. We got through one, and crashed during the next, so we'll have to catch up another time.

Today, we got up and enjoyed a leisurely morning, then headed to church. I enjoyed the message very much. It was about conflict in marriage. The scripture came from Ephesians 5. Our pastor said we have to get the part about being under the influence of the Holy Spirit and submitting to one another before we get anything else. It was good stuff! Very good indeed!

We headed to the grocery store after church, and I bought stuff for lunch. I made Pasta with Escarole  Spinach and Shrimp. Our store didn't have the escarole, so I substituted spinach, and it was still good. The rest of the day was spent working on our presentation for the Pilot Club Gala Tuesday evening. I'm just a little bit nervous. Thanks for your prayers.

Looking forward to the week ahead. Hope yours is splendid!

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Marv

I'm missing my father-in-law today. He was one of the best people I have ever met. I wish he was still with us. Today marks 5 years since he lost his battle with Multiple Myeloma, cancer of the bone marrow. Marvin was like the energizer bunny. Even when he wasn't feeling his best after a treatment, he still hung in there. Our family went to Colorado several years ago. I remember him going on a hike with Kelvin and me and Kelvin telling us that we talked too much! :) He loved hunting and being outdoors. He taught Kelvin well. He had a fantastic sense of humor. For his birthday one year he chose to take us all to Hooters. The waitresses made him get up while they sang "Happy Birthday," and he had to spell his name with his hiney! He did a superb job, even jumping to dot the "i"! We about fell on the floor laughing! :)

I miss you Marv!


Marvin and Carleigh at his suprise party


Marvin Wilson Dunnam and Luke Wilson Dunnam (he was so proud:) )


Marvin and Kelvin enjoying a day of fishing

Marvin with Luke, Emma, and Carleigh
 

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

So much to share

Between Cora's 4th birthday and and all the Easter fun, there's so much to share with you! We had a fabulous weekend. It kicked off with a little friend party for Cora Friday morning. She was SO super excited to have some friends come over to celebrate her special day with her. We kept it small, but it was perfect. They played with bubbles, bubbles and more bubbles, swung on the swings, chased each other, bowled, climbed, colored and had a grand time in the backyard. I went with a bubble gum theme, because other than her sweet daddy, I've never known a person to love bubble gum as much as that little doll!


A princess for a princess.
She loved her Princess Aurora and the matching dress for Princess Cora. :)
 
birthday cookies by Amanda

 
She was super excited her best buddy who moved away in the fall could come to her party.
She misses him at school!
 
Cora and her BFF
 
Cora decided to get up close and personal with the bubbles...hence, the "wet look" hairdo. It's not every day a gal turns four, so we went with it. After our friends went home, we dumped out the bubbles from the itty bitty swimming pool and filled it with water. The kids were thrilled to change into their bathing suits and jump in the pool. It was pretty funny. The pool can't be more than about three feet in diameter, and all three of them were trying to get in together. I wish we had a bigger backyard and could install a swimming pool. Our kids are part fish, and I am convinced we would stay in the pool about 12 hours a day if we had one. Anyway, we had a ball. Later Friday night, we had the family over for dinner and cupcakes and cookies. It was scrumptious! Cora loved being the center of attention. She also loved all the gifts. :)


1. yummy cupcakes and cookies
2. Cora and her BFF cousin, Camdon
3. Starting to wear out
4. Another princess doll
5. Oh boy!
6. Camdon picked the best My Little Pony!
7. Bday stickers are awesome
8. I love new clothes. These dresses are SO cute!
9. More cupcakes and cookies

Well, that about sums up Cora's 4th birthday week. ;) There's more to share about our weekend, but I still have to work-out before I pick up Cora from school in 45 minutes! Gotta go!
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