Show and Tell Monday

Don't know why this didn't post yesterday!


So I am linking up with Becky at From Mrs. to Mama again this Monday for Thanksgiving traditions.

1.  Tell us about your family traditions on Thanksgiving.

For Chris and I Thanksgiving is usually the most exhausting holiday of the year.  We try to squeeze in visiting so many families that at the end of the day we can barely keep our eyes open.  However EACH year we always start the day by watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and this year will be no exception.  It won't mean anything to Alex this year but I can't wait to see his face next year!

The last few years we go to Chris's families house in the morning and do a Thanksgiving lunch and in the afternoon we go to my families house for Thanksgiving dinner.  This year there will be no exception to that other than it will be just Alex and I at my Mom's.  But we will also be stopping over to my Dad's sister's house since a few of his family members have yet to meet Alex and we have some family in town.

2.  Tell us about your favorite foods.

Well I have to say above all it is candied yams.  You know the ones with marshmallows on top.  Yeah, those!  I could eat a whole batch of them by myself.  But my second favorite would be the skin off of the turkey.

3.  Show us a picture that reminds you of this holiday.

I don't have a picture of the actual event, but one year for Thanksgiving my cousin Tommy was in town and there was a documentary being filmed about him.  My Mom was on edge to say the least.  She was so anxious and trying to make sure everything was perfect.  Well all of a sudden we smell something burning.  We open the oven and smoke just comes pouring out!  The turkey pan got a hole in it somehow and the juices were burning on the bottom.  Instantly the whole house was filled with smoke.  We were all coughing and laughing so hard!  Then the filmer/director said, "Oh this is definitely making it into the movie."  My Mom  busted out laughing and I have to say it was a good thing the turkey was done, and this just may be one of my favorite memories ever!

4.  Do you decorate for Christmas before or after Thanksgiving?

I decorate right after Halloween.  I find Christmas decorations bring such a peacefulness to any room they are in and I find the longer they are up the longer you can enjoy them.  But I typically start taking them down on New Years Eve and leave my snowmen up until Chris's birthday in February.

5.  Tell us what you are thankful for this year.  

This year I am so beyond thankful for my family.  Chris and I have been blessed to be born into families that are so helpful for anything we may need.  I am also thankful to be able to spend the holidays with our families and cannot help but pray for everyone away for the military or on some kind of mission.  I am thankful for my son that he is here and healthy, that he has taught me how to be patient and taught me that love only multiplies.  I am thankful for my husband who puts up with my moodiness and meltdowns and loves me through it all.  I am thankful for my job and my home.  BUT this list could go on and on. 

New Mommy Tag

New Mommy Tag

1. What do you wish someone told you about pregnancy?

Well considering pregnancy was not the plan, I was not "researching" or polling others on what I should and should not do.  But I would have to say I wish someone would have told me not to wish time away!  Now I really miss him being inside of me, kicking and rolling.

2.  What do you wish someone would have told you about Labor & Delivery?

I honestly cannot think of an answer for this.  Being a nurse, I knew the general procedures for L&D and that I also need to be my own advocate and let my caretakers know when I am uncomfortable or do not like something.

3.  What did you feel when you delivered, emotionally and physically?

The feelings going through my head after Alex was delivered are indescribable.  It was such an amazing feeling and sound to hear him crying and see him in my husbands arms.  Physically I felt doped up!  

4.  How long after delivery did it take you to feel normal physically again?

Well I still do not feel normal, since I have the jaws of a dog hanging on my belly, but in all other aspects I would say probably once I hit the 2 month postpartum mark.

5.  What is the best thing about being a new mom?

Watching Alex grow and change daily.  It is also so amazing to see the bond he is already forming with my husband.

6.  What is the most unexpected thing about being a new mom?

The extreme guilt about each choice you make for your child.

7.  Do you miss being pregnant? 

Yes and no.  There was a really miraculous few weeks where I was not swollen or sick and I miss that part. (And the kicks and hiccups :))

8.  How many kids do you want?  How do you want them spaced out and why?

Chris and I would like 2 or 3 kids.  Since Alex was born I have had a Mirena inserted.  As of right now or plan is to "re-evaluate" things in 5 years and then MAYBE start trying again.  But our answer to everyone who asks is, "When Alex can ask for a brother or sister."  And we want to space them like this for the sake of our financials.

9.  Is it hard seeing how fast they grow and how do you handle it?

It is very hard watching him grow so fast.  When I work over the weekend, like I did this weekend, I come home on Sunday nights and he looks like a totally different baby.  It is so hard to know he is changing right in front of my eyes.  But I just make sure I take A TON pictures so I never forget what he was like at this stage.

Buffalo Chicken Wrap (A Picture Recipe)

Pinterest Inspired Buffalo Chicken Wrap

I found this at Kroger and it worked perfectly.  You just roll it out on the tray!

This is the dressing I use when I make Buffalo Chicken Dip so I thought I would use it for this also.

You need 1/3 cup

We love all things spicy in our house!  

You need 1/2 cup.

Preheat your oven to 425 degrees.

I sprayed the stone with Pam, then rolled out the dough.  I mixed the ranch and hot sauce together and then spread it onto the dough.

I then grated up some Sharp Cheddar Cheese.  How much you use is based on how much you like cheese.

I then took two pieces of leftover chicken from the fridge, microwaved it, cut it up and spread it onto the dough.

I then covered it with cheese.

Rolled it up, making sure to tuck in the edges so it did not ooze out while cooking. And covered it with the remaining sauce mixture.

Cook for 22-25 minutes.

Now Chris and I like it a little bit doughy, but if you like it crispy cook it longer than this!

It will come out looking like this!  It smelled heavenly!

Thankful Thursday

So I dropped the ball since it is after midnight.

However this Thursday I am extremely thankful for my family and how incredibly helpful they are.  

Time and time again they all step up to the plate to help us with anything we may need.  I will never be able to express in words how incredibly grateful and thankful we are.  I wish we had a million dollars so we could give each of them what they deserve.  Hopefully the good karma fairy and God know what good people they are and keep them protected!

Stay tuned for my Breaking Dawn review.... AFTER I take my best friend to see it on Saturday!

Complaints of a Crafter!

So over the last few months I have become very crafty.  I find it as a way to calm myself down and really focus on one thing at a time.  

But I have also come up with a list of complaints since I have started doing this.

It is as follows:

Why is hot glue so hot but never really leaves a burn?

(not really a complaint but makes you think?) 

Why is it so expensive at Hobby Lobby?

Why can I never find a comfortable way to sit while crafting?

I never have enough money to do all that I want.

All of the good craft shows are scheduled for the weekends I work.

I never have enough space to store my stuff!

My craft room is just not big enough!

Can't you see I am crafting here!

Everytime I go to Hobby Lobby for one thing I come back with 20!

It is always so hard to get the lid off of the mod podge!

I can never get anything done early, I always wait til the last minute!

DIY Felt Flower (Dahlia)

DIY Felt Flower Tutorial

Start by cutting your felt about 2 inches wide.

Then glue the felt together after folding it in half.

After gluing it in half cut small strips (half the width) all the way down the felt strip.

Begin to roll the strip and glue it down as you go.

This is what it looks like with one felt strip.

If you want bigger flowers you can choose to add more strips to it.

This is what two strips look like.

My Momma's Chili (A Picture Recipe)

My Momma's Chili

1st start by browning 3 pounds of ground beef.

Now drain off all that grease!

Take the meat off of the hot stove element and get ready to mix all the ingredients together!

You need one jar of spicy beans and one jar original beans.

Each time you dump a jar in make sure to fill it with water and put that into the pot as well. 

Dump these in and then fill them with water and add that too!

Scrape these out and put it into the pot.  But did you remember to fill this with water and add it to the mix?

Add 2 packets of Brooks Original Chili Seasoning.

Slowly add in your 3 pounds of ground beef.

Bring the mixture to a boil.

After boiling let simmer for 1-2 hours and serve.  Or let simmer all day and see how delicious it tastes!