Kinnison had a hoot owl themed birthday party at Chuck E Cheese this year. It was REALLY busy, but she and her friends still had a blast! They had a hoot! HA! I can't believe that my baby girl is five!
Monday, November 15, 2010
Friday, November 12, 2010
Denial.
I am in complete denial. There is NO possible way that my baby girl is turning five this weekend!
Five years ago God blessed Luke and I with a miracle. She has forever changed our lives. Kinnison is thoughtful, smart, compassionate, loving, generous, and funny. She has the most beautiful smile and an even more beautiful personality. She has brought so much joy into our lives. I have no idea how we lived a day without her. We are so blessed to be her parents.
Here is her new video montage:
You can view previous montages by clicking the following links:
You can view previous montages by clicking the following links:
I'll be updating soon with pictures from the party!
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Friday, October 22, 2010
Ranch Style Deer Stew
I found this recipe on PW's Tasty Kitchen Website. I made some modifications. Luke LOVED it!
- 1 pound Ground Beef/ Deer Meat
- 1 whole Medium Onion, Chopped
- 1 Tablespoon Chili Powder
- 1 Tablespoon Sugar
- ½ Tablespoons Garlic Powder
- 1 Generous Teaspoon Salt
- 1 Generous Teaspoon Pepper
- 5 whole Medium Potatoes, Cubed
- 3 cups Water
- 1 can (15 Oz. Can) Ranch Style Beans (with jalapenos)
- 1 can Green Beans
- 1 can (15 Oz. Can) Whole Corn
- 1 can (10 Oz. Can) Rotel
- 1 can (14.5 Oz. Can) Sliced Carrots, Drained
- 1 can (14.5 Oz. Can) Tomato Sauce (I used canned tomatoes from the garden! YUM)
- 1 Dash of Hot Sauce
- Pepper Jack Cheese, Shredded
In a medium skillet, brown your ground meat with the garlic powder, chili powder, sugar, salt and pepper and your medium chopped onion; drain.
Put all of your canned goods, potatoes, and water into a large pot. Add your meat mixture. Stir well and let simmer, covered, on your stove top for 1 hour or until your potatoes are fork tender. This makes a lot of stew, so use a large pot.
Serve topped with desired amount of shredded cheese.
This can also be slow cooked for 6-8 hours or until your potatoes are fork tender.
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Fall Fun!
Fall is our favorite time of the year! One of our favorite fall traditions is visiting Ranalli Farms in Tontitown. We took pictures, picked out pumpkins, and bought a delicious cinnamon roll. We made some great memories. Here are some of my favorite photos:
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Season of Change.
This will be my last week as a Leverett Lion. Crazy, huh? I started off the year as a Kindergarten Instructional Assistant/Interventionist. Then, my principal asked me if I would consider teaching 5th grade math and literacy half the day. Apparently the person they hired for that position wouldn't be allowed to teach a certified job because she participated in the early retirement buyout that Fayetteville offered last year. Of course I said, "Yes"! I was hoping this would be a stepping stone to a certified job, and it may have been. I was also excited about the pay increase. I would have been called a "Certified Interventionist". Unfortunately, because I am not certified for 5th grade the job wouldn't count for my NTL, which meant that I wasn't certified at all. And, because I switched positions with someone, my Kindergarten position was no longer available. My principal tried to make my schedule compensate for the extra work, but in the end it was not worth my time or the money. I was working 7.5 hours and only being paid for 6.5 hours. I was driving 45 minutes each way. And, I was taking stuff home with me every night to plan for the next day. I have enjoyed my short time at Leverett. All of the faculty and staff were really nice and supportive. I met some great students and learned SO much in a short time!
The plan for now is to stay at home with the girls. I have really missed spending time with them and have realized that this is a time I will never get back. I have been working full time and going to school full time since before they were born. We sacrificed a lot to finish school. Now we are going to sacrifice a lot so I can stay home. I might try to sub or get a part time job, but my number one priority is spending time with my girls!
Kinnison and Kimber are doing great. They are growing up so fast. Kinnison is going to be 5 next month! That seems impossible. One day I can't get her to do anything I ask and the next day she is my helper doing things without being asked. She asks tons of questions. She loves to learn! She also loves to dress up right now. She is taking gymnastics again and has really improved her cartwheel. Kinnison constantly surprises us with how much she retains. She remembers everything!
Kimber is also going to gymnastics and is learning a lot. She still loves to play with baby dolls. She is really into movies right now. She likes Blues Clues, Backyardigans, and Finding Nemo. Kimber constantly surprises us with how funny she is. She makes us laugh all the time. She is talking non-stop. She is saying some really funny things. A few examples:
"Me like puddy" I like pudding
"Oh, me die" Oh, I died (off of a movie)
"Nee Nigh" Night Night
I am so blessed!
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Happy Fall Y'all!
'Tis the season to be jolly! This is my FAVORITE time of the year. I made it all summer without an air conditioner downstairs. I think I deserve an award. Those of you who know me know that I hate being hot. I cannot wait for the weather to cool down! I enjoy spring and a few things about summer (staying home with the girls), but I countdown to fall all year long. I also countdown to Christmas. I just love this time of the year!
I have some exciting news...I GOT A JOB! Two weeks ago the principal from Leverett Elementary called me at 8:30 p.m. to setup an interview. I interviewed the next day at 8:00 a.m. She called me the next day and offered me a job. I started last Monday. I am an Instructional Assistant/Interventionist. Everyone there has been really nice and helpful. And, today the principal asked me if I would be interested in teaching a few hours as a certified interventionist. Of course I said, "YES!" I am excited and nervous. This will be a pay increase and more importantly it will give me experience to prepare me for my job hunt next year. I will be teaching 5th grade math and literacy!
I took the girls (and myself) to the doctor today. We all three have a sinus infection. We all started to get sick on Saturday and just couldn't beat it. We are all on antibiotics now and will hopefully start feeling better soon. Two nights ago Kinnison was trying to let Tator in the house and somehow fell and hit her face on the concrete floor. I thinks she was trying to stand on or climb over the dog food container. She has a lovely black eye. Dr. Lee checked that out for us too. Luckily she didn't break anything or damage her eye. Dr. Lee was so busy today and he took his time, talked to the girls, and let them play with his stethoscope. He always pretends to find animals in their ears and they think it is hilarious. His staff is wonderful too. They are always so sweet Kinnison and Kimber. We are so blessed to have them here in Prairie Grove!
Thanks for stopping by!
Friday, September 3, 2010
Redneck Romance.
Luke and I went on a romantic date last Saturday. We decided to go for a romantic drive to the farm instead of the typical dinner and a movie. On the way to the farm we stopped to snap a photo of the new barn. It was kind of hazy, but the picture is still beautiful.
We proceeded to drive to the farm. We circled the upper field and then parked in the very spot we were married. So romantic. I snapped a few photos of the house and the barn.
Then, we turned up the music and enjoyed the view. We even took a nice leisurely walk before it got dark. I walked to the suburban and a large piece of hay went through my flip flop and into my foot. Because we haven't gotten much rain this summer, the cut hay was more like sharp thorns sticking out of the ground. It hurt. But, my sweet hubby rubbed it for me. Finally, the sun went down and we sat under a blanket of stars. It was breath taking. Sitting at the farm, feeling the cool breeze, and looking up at the stars brought back so many childhood memories for me. It brought tears to my eyes. Luke and I laughed and reminisced. We circled the field one more time and decided to head home. On our last loop I spotted a skunk. Luke shot at him, but missed. He was disappointed that he missed a shot in front of me.
Mom and dad asked us to stop at the house to make sure all of the solar yard lights were working. Luke started working on one of the lights so I decided to walk around the yard to check out the remaining lights. There was a nice breeze that night. I heard a noise. I tilted my head back to look up at the leaves rustling above me. I said, "Oh honey, I love this breeze, I love this tree, I love everything about this place." Then, I heard the rustling noise again. I turned my head to the left and saw a VERY large armadillo digging in the flower bed about 15 feet away from me. I screamed and ran to my man's side. He told me to go get the spotlight while he got his gun. I grabbed the spotlight and it wouldn't work. So, I jumped in the suburban and quickly turned the headlights on the armadillo. Luke fired once and hit it. It went wild. It wedged itself between the tree and my mom's clematis. I screamed at Luke, "Kill it before it tears up the clematis." If you have ever killed an armadillo you know how resilient they are. This one was no different. He was doing backflips and running in circles and even charged Luke a few times. This armadillo was huge! Luke fired again and again and again. Fifteen shots later the armadillo finally died.
We had to remove the armadillo from the yard. We decided that the log my dad would be cutting up in the morning would be the ideal place to put him. We didn't have any gloves so I had to dig some napkins out of my glove box. Luke held the armadillo while riding on my trailer hitch. So romantic.
As if the night wasn't romantic enough Luke shot another armadillo on the way home.
I felt bad about putting the armadillo on the tree and didn't want to scare my dad half to death. So, I called my dad and told him about the armadillo. His response was, "Beautiful". I think he appreciated the company.
Friday, August 20, 2010
Funk.
I am in a funk these days.
My Grandpa still isn't feeling well. I hate that he feels bad and is in pain. The doctors want to try a shock treatment to see if that will stop his heart from going into A-Fib. Hopefully it will work. If it works he will be able to stop taking the blood thinner that is causing other issues.
I still don't have a job. I have applied for everything out there; aide jobs, sub jobs, certified jobs and even a few at Tysons, NWACC and UofA. Hopefully I will find something soon. I am so thankful that I have a husband who is willing to work extra hard to make ends meet. He is totally supportive of me and I am so blessed to have him in my life.
Today would have been our baby's 3rd Birthday. Happy Heavenly Birthday. We love you!
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Coupons & Samples!
I love using coupons and getting free samples. Here are some of my favorite sources:
Just ordered this coupon booklet!
Awesome coupon book with a lot of savings! (Tide, Pantene, Ect)
Free samples and free music downloads!
Awesome coupons! I got AlkaSeltzer, Cereal, Hamburger Helper, Biscuits, Rolls, Pizza, Cookies and more!
Some of these coupons are the same as Pillsbury, but not all of them. I got Bisquick, Cake Mix & Frosting Coupons!
Enjoy!
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