Halloween 2012

We had so much fun this year!! Halloween was a great success.  

 We started off the day at playgroup, we hadn't been able to go in so long so it was nice to finally see our friends again!! L had tons of fun as usual

 The kid thinks he is the funniest thing

We then went trick or treating in our neighborhood.  Hubby had to work so after a little pit stop to show daddy our costume we were off to get some goodies!

 I wasn't sure what I wanted L to be this year...well, take that back, I saw this costume on pinterest ages ago and thought it would be perfect for our hot Houston weather...then we had a cold snap so I figured it would be way to chilly to let my baby traipse through the neighborhood half-clothed so I drug out his costume from last year as a last resort.

Then, It got hot again like close to 90!! I made a mad dash to hobby lobby to get a few things and this costume came to life for about $10 and 20 minutes!!  It was perfect because it was hot and muggy!!

He looked so so so cute!! He was hands down the cutest baby on the block, everyone loved his costume and he was in love with all the attention!! Anytime he is the center of attention he is in heaven so he was in his element with trick or treating.  He loved walking up to the people to get his candy, although could not figure out why we were not going in to these houses we kept walking up to and became quite frustrated at first especially when people had dogs, he just wanted to go in and play!

Me and my little guy had such a great time and I cant wait till next year when he can talk more and really get into it more!!

The Conviction of God

So, I have been reading the book 7 by Jen Hatmaker and WOW, is it not so true that you should be careful what you pray for!! In church this last Sunday our Pastor was talking about how he improved his marriage over the 20-something years he's been married and that was by figuring out what he needed to change about HIMSELF not his wife.

This is so true because I feel like so often in relationships we are quick to find what the other person needs to change to improve that relationship be it a marriage, friendship, coworker relationship etc.  This really hit me because I do it, I wish my husband would do this or that when really he is a fantastic husband and father but I have stuff about myself that I need to change.  So on sunday I prayed that God would make clear to me what I need to change about MYSELF, what are my faults that need improved upon.

Well, in reading this book it really convicted me and struck a cord.  I am not done yet with the book but each page I read I just cant help but feel that it was written just for me!

I see it a lot lately the pursuit of "stuff" and "things" what cute outfit can you find for your child, what cute clothes can you get for this season.  While yeah I love shopping for L and it helps that he grows so quick I have an excuse to keep buying his stuff but me? not so much.  I don't need 10 pairs of dark jeans or 10 turquoise shaded tank tops.  I have started to pare down what I do own and think twice before I go to Target or anywhere else to buy STUFF.  I love shopping I really do but I think lately it has just gotten a little out of control.

I'm learning to be content with just what I have.  Not just in regards to stuff but in life in general.  I am learning to be content with just my one baby.  L is so sweet and fun and while I want more than anything to have more apparently thats not Gods plan.  I need to just be content with NOW and cherish NOW.  Everyday I go to work I'm reminded that tomorrow is not a promise but a gift.   Things can change in an instant and I want to cherish every second I have with my sweet boy because time just blows by!!

The chapter about waste is a good one too because we are so wasteful and I often balk at the word "green" and think about hippies but really this is God's earth we need to take care of it and not be so wasteful. I don't have a green thumb but I have started to buy more local fruits and veggies.  I guess my cloth diapering is helping in this aspect too.  It really changed my perspective on the whole "green" thing!

The other chapter that really hit me was the media chapter.  Whoa do I spend a lot of time on the tv, cell phone, computer, twitter, Facebook, blogs etc the list goes on.  I have been trying to be more present for L not always with a cell phone in hand or the TV in the background.  I think I waste a LOT of time on electronic stuff and like I said before, time is precious and I can imagine how much more time I will have if I turn off the TV and put away the cell phone a little more and read a book, play with L, and even more time to spend in the word which I have been struggling with.

This  book is so fantastic I highly recommend it.  It really makes you think and realize how wasteful and overindulgent we are in this country.  It was exactly what I needed and quite a wake-up call.  Its not something I can change in a day, its certainly a process, but with lots of prayer and a few trip ups along the way I really hope to be more content with the here and now and cut down on the pursuit of more!

Punkin' Festival 2012

This past weekend our neighborhood had a pumpkin festival that we decided to check out.  Last year it rained and L was really too young to enjoy it so this year we were excited to be able to check it out.  

 It was great and I think L will enjoy it even more as he gets older as many of the activities were too old for him.  It was put on by a church in our neighborhood that owns this large plot of land.  It was free to get in but you could pay $5 for a "ticket" which was a card with different things to do.  So for $5 kids could have a hay ride, pick a pumpkin, ride a pony, ride a fire truck, and go on a mini train ride.  Also they got a cookie, bag of popcorn, cotton candy, and a sno-cone.  There was a lot of line waiting which was the one downside, but it really was a neat little festival.  They also had some food you could buy and a bluegrass band for music.

 With daddy pickin out his punkin'

 So many choices!!

 He chose this one and insisted on trying to carry it

 My strong boy carrying his punkin'

 Love this picture, daddy and his mini me

 L got to go on his first pony ride!! He was a little skeptical but I think he really enjoyed it !!

Big Boy

This boy melts my heart on a daily basis!!  He is going to be such a heartbreaker one day I know it!!

I think this is possibly one of my most favorite pictures of L right now!! He looks so old I just cant stand it but he just looks so cute to  me, this was before church on Sunday.

He really is such a sweetheart, I love that he follows me around the house, and will randomly just walk up and give me hugs and then go on about his day.  I also really love that he gives kisses now, they are so sweet and often unprovoked.  he is such a busy bee but still has moments where he loves to cuddle and will just sit on my lap and watch his cartoons.  This guy is a mommas boy through and through and I wouldn't have it any other way!!

Football Fun

This past Saturday UTSA(University of Texas San Antonio), which is where hubby and I went to school, was playing Rice in Houston.  We thought it would be fun to take L to his first game!

To be honest, this my first game too!! UTSA just got a football team last year and I wasn't able to make any of the games, so I was just as excited!

Up to this point UTSA had been undefeated, unfortunately we lost to Rice which is pretty sad but we at least had fun doing a bit of tailgating and game watching

Rowdy was able to stop for a photo-op with our little family

 It was pretty cool that our team had more fans than the opposing team! The team spirit was over the top and so much fun! I think since everyone has been wishing a football team on UTSA for so long now that its finally here current students and alumni alike are just so excited!!

Me and L with our friend who went to the game with us

  L did so amazing during the game, I was a little unsure of how he would be, but per the usual, he impressed me!  The stadium has bleacher style seats and luckily there was no one in front of us so L just sat in front of me on the floor and played with two water bottles, the whole time!

before the game, doing a bit of tailgating

It was so hot and the sun was beating down on us but the boy never cried or got fussy, just before half time he did start to get a little antsy so we took him out to the jeep to cool of a bit.  Once we went back to our seats he once again entertained himself with either watching the game or playing with the water bottles, such a dream this kid is, we are so blessed!

a little photo of the game

Crockpotalooza 2:: Easy Deconstructed Enchiladas

Today I'm linking up with Kelly's Korner for her Crockpotalooza.  I love the crockpot but honestly lately everything I make is not good.  The meat is dry the taste is poor.  Well, I thought I would try this one out and wow, it was so good and super easy! Its quite messy so have plenty of napkins on hand!! Even the tiny tot loved this!!

Its Easy Deconstructed Enchiladas, I followed the recipe exactly but for my enchilada sauce I used Enchilada Verde sauce, the mild option.  It was so good!!!

Ingredients:

• 1-½ pound Boneless Skinless Chicken (about 3 Large Breasts)
• 2 cloves Garlic, Minced
• 1 whole Onion, Diced
• 1 Tablespoon Ground Cumin
• 2 Tablespoons Chili Powder
• 1 can Enchilada Sauce (28 Ounce Can)
• 1 package Grated Cheese (however Much Or Little You Like!)
• 1 can Black Beans, Drained And Rinsed (15 Ounce Can)
• 1 can Corn, Drained And Rinsed, 15 Ounce Can
• 1 package Tortillas (10-12 Count)

Directions:

Put the garlic, onion, cumin, chili powder, and chicken breasts into a 3-quart crockpot. The order doesn’t matter. Pour the enchilada sauce over it all so that the chicken is covered. Turn the crockpot on to low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours.

When you’re ready to eat, shred the chicken. I do this by holding the breasts with tongs and using a fork to break them up.

Serve the chicken on tortillas with a scoop of black beans, a scoop of corn, and cheese.

Sorry folks no photos, I made this prior to knowledge of this link up and honestly its not that pretty anyway!!

Quality Time

This weekend, which for me was Sunday and Monday, was so good.  I don't know if its because for the next three weeks I won't have more than one day off at a time (I'm a nurse and don't work your average schedule) I and just really embraced these two days or what, but it was just a great easy weekend.

Although it was a bummer that hubby had to work me and L had some great time together.

I worked Saturday night (I work night shift 630pm-7am) and on Sunday I had to teach Sunday school.  Thankfully L had to wake up extra early so we could do "the switch off" at hubby's work so when I got home L was tired and fell asleep with me until it was time to get ready for church.  I taught Sunday school and then we came home and both took naps.  We were both exhausted! L slept for 2 hours then I brought him in bed with me and we slept another 1.5 hours! I couldn't believe it and it was just one of those "Thank you Jesus" moments where God knows our needs and provides.  I was so tired and he aloud me to rest.

L had on the cutest outfit on Sunday.  He will get a lot of wear out of it this fall because I think he just looks so precious!! The ladies at church loved it! Its from GooseBerry Pie Kids She had fantastic customer service and I can't wait to see what she comes up with for winter!

The weather has been so nice so after we woke up we went for a walk and then came home to dinner which I had made in the crock pot.  I made Easy Deconstructed Enchiladas it was AMAZING and so easy!!

On Monday we once again had a laid back day I went for a run in the morning since it was so nice out and then we headed to the park.  L loves the park and its so fun now that he can climb on the play equipment,  I have to go up with him because there are so many spots he can fall off and he hasn't gotten real good at climbing down but I think it really is his favorite place!! We came home and he rested while did some things around the house then it was so nice that we went back on a walk and to the park! 

The weather is so pleasant and during our walk I just had such a feeling of contentment.  It was just so perfect the breeze was perfect, our neighborhood is beautiful and L is the perfect buddy to walk with.  I just felt so blessed and happy at that moment.

He loves to just walk down the sidewalk!

During L's nap, I tried out the sock bun via Meredith's tutorial I love it on her, but I'm not sure how I feel about it on me! I want to like it but maybe I need practice.  I feel like because of how my highlights are it looks wonky...what do you think?

I also finished off these lounge pants for L.  I love them!! I want to order more fabric and make some for myself because they are so soft and look so comfortable! Disregard the mismatched shirt haha I was eager to try them out once L woke up!

Wall Collage:: Project PInterest

I'm linking up with I love You More Than Carrots for Project Pinterest this week.  Its good motivation to actually do your pins not just pin pins :)



This is something I pinned way back when I first joined interest.  We had just moved in to our home and our entry way had a ton of wall space that would be perfect for something of this sort.

Source: younghouselove.com via Katie on Pinterest

Here is my rendition

I used nails but reinforced the bottom pictures with command strips and some of the fancier frames didn't have hooks so I only used command strips on those.  Its perfect for the low pictures that are in little hands' reach.  This command strips are something serious, I love them!! I think I want to add a few more small pictures to the first set with the canvas just to fill it out some but I love this wall!!