Sweet Friend

Today was so fun.

My sweet friend, Bridget, invited me to go to Galveston with her kiddos today.  By the way, she is an amazing mom to 4 kids!  The Lord has truly blessed me with her friendship and we have had some great times together! 

So, today I am very thankful for the friends the Lord has blessed me with who Love Him with all their hearts.

Fun in the sun today!

 On our way to Fredericksburg!

These are just a few pics of some special memories Bridget and I have shared! 

Donna's Diaper Shower

Yesterday,  I hosted a diaper shower for my friend Donna at our house. 

Several other girls helped make this shower a success. 

 Here are a few pics from the morning...

Donna has a bird theme for Hayley's room, so we went with a bird theme for the shower.

We wrote verses and meaningful thoughts on note cards to "Build Hayley up with words of love."  We stuck the notes in the building boxes to send home with Donna.

Instead of playing a traditional shower game, we opted to make a craft. 

 We made "Hairclips for Hayley."

 Here are the girls crafting away!  I thought this was such a fun alternative to playing a game.  The girls got very creative with their hairclip designs and had sweet fellowship while making them.

The hostesses with Donna in pink!

 For the brunch we also stayed away from the typical chicken salad.  Thanks to my Southern Living Magazine, we had a delicious southern brunch.

Biscuits with ham

 Blackberry and Honey Walnut butter

 Gouda Grits

 Fruit salad with vanilla yogurt.  We added brown sugar and honey on top of the yogurt.

 Tomato & Herb Frittata

If you would like to use any of these recipes, just let me know! 

Santa Fe Chicken Salad

John and I made this for dinner the other night.  Super healthy and delicious!

  You should make it tonight! 

Here is how we made it...

Start by chopping up your veggies (sorry this pic is a little blurry).  And don't worry, we did end up taking the sticker off of that pepper.  :-)

One thing I LOVE about my husband is his LOVE for chopping veggies.

  He really takes pride in this.

 I know it sounds silly, but we have an on-going, friendly little competition going on in our house as to who chops veggies better.  I must say that I do think he is better at it than me!  He knows just how to tuck under his fingers so he doesn't cut them off as he quickly and finely dices veggies...ok, enough about that!  Just thought it would be funny to give you a little background into that.  Ha! 

Also, I am so thankful to have a man that loves to eat veggies or we might have some serious problems going on! 

Ok, moving on...make the black bean and corn salsa.

 (this is what MAKES this salad)

Add your chopped veggies WITH a can of corn and black beans, rinsed and drained:

-red and green bell pepper

-cilantro

-jalapeno

-fresh squeezed lime juice

*Feel free to make this salad your own by choosing any veggies you like!

Stir it all together, and no, those aren't my hands squeezing the lime...they are way too manly!

Grill chicken and chop into bite size pieces.  We marinated our chicken in an HEB Southwest flavored marinade.  We think the flavors go great with this salad.

Then plate your salad.  Start with a bed of greens and top with the chicken, black bean & corn salsa, avocado, reduced-fat montery jack cheese, and a creamy cilantro dressing!

These plates were empty within minutes.

So, what are you having for dinner tonight??

WARNING!!

Make sure you have surge protectors and not just power strips in your home, or this might happen...

This power strip was located under our couch.  Praise Jesus that we didn't have a house fire.

  Hopefully now we can get the new wood flooring that I've been wanting!!   

Father's Day

I am so thankful for you, Dad. 

I loved sharing memories over dinner with you...some funny and some more meaningful. 

I am so thankful for YOU...

~teaching me to read at such a young age

~all the stories you told me before bed when I was little, and how I was always the princess in the story

~holding me and laying with me when I was scared

~providing for me in such incredible ways, but never spoiling me (well, maybe sometimes!) 

~teaching me the importance of being responsible with money

~the push-ups you made us do for punishment and all the times you made me finish my carrots with our roast dinners!  Ha!  At least it helped me learn about the importace of excercise and healthy eating!

~the way you've loved mom and shown John and I a wonderful example of marriage - have you guys already been married for 36 years??

~giving us our puppy, Beau, and being such a great "Grampies" to him - he has brought so much love and joy into our family

"I love you,

a bushel and a peck,

a bushel and a peck,

and a hug around the neck!"

I am thankful to my Heavenly Father for giving me such a wonderful Father here on earth.  I love you Daddy.

***Father's Day Menu***

Cilantro-Garlic Ribs

Fresh Corn & Asparagus Salad

Garlic Bread

Tres Leches Cake

Summer Fun

It has been way too long since I've posted!!  As most of you know I am on my summer break from teaching!  I LOVE summer and the freedom I have to do whatever I want to do, when ever I want to do it!  Here is a glimpse of what my summer has looked like so far...

•   Spending time with Jesus ~  I love being able to wake up each morning and enjoy a cup of coffee while spending time with my Lord, the spring of living water ~ the only One that can give me life and SATISFY.  I have a lot more on my heart to share, but I will post that later.

• Working Out!!  Road biking, Spin Class, Soul Grooves, and jogging with B is all I need to say about that!

•  Eating ~ Enjoying great food with friends and family.  John and I are going to attempt having friends over once a week each week this summer to invest in our friendships and have sweet fellowship.  Here's some of the food we've been enjoying...

Strawberry Crepes ~

All you need are these 4 simple ingredients!  Thanks to our neighbors, Tisha and Jason, for this dessert!

   

     Delicious!

   

Crockpot Chicken Tortilla Soup...and my cute hubby!

  

So yummy and EASY!  If you want the recipe just leave a comment below and I will get it to you!

•  Girl Time ~ Some of the girls in our Bible study group headed out to Old Town Spring for a day of shopping and I can't forget to mention the delicious cake balls we ate! 

 It's a little blurry, but yes, that is us standing in front of the cake ball stand. 

 It was so fun getting together with my friends from high school!

Lunch at the Black Walnut Cafe was amazing!!  Love ya Lisa and Deanna!

I promise I won't take as long to get my next post up!