Starbucks Winner!!

Congrats Melissa Lister! She won my Starbucks giveaway!!!
I will get that to you on Sunday girl!!

Thanks to everyone who entered!!

Have a great Day!!!

Why I Count it All JOY Wednesday!!

It's Wednesday so you know it's time to COUNT YOUR JOYS!!

Join my friend Angel & grab her button!

Why am I filled with JOY?

I ONLY HAVE 3 DAYS LEFT OF KINDERGARTEN!!

I work with a fabulous team of ladies. 

My husband is amazing. He has pitched in so many times 

since I am subbing to help out around the house & with 

the kids...I love you sweet man. He has kept me sane.

I am getting close to finishing shopping!!

I haven't gotten sick during this time of subbing...

which is a miracle considering...if you could see

all the booger noses, puke & pink eye I have dealt with!!

Every time I look at our tree it brings me JOY.

Christ birth..what an incredible event.

Christmas songs.

The Kindergarten Program is over & was a success!!

Seat warmers in my car.

Coffee.

Our Staff @ FCC...blessed by each of them.

All of you bloggers & followers...I have missed reading about

your daily lives. I am going to catch up soon. 

Warm socks

Fleece PJs

Oh I could go on & on this week since I missed last week. 

Joy...Unspeakable Joy...Over following Well...No Tongue Can Tell. 

This song by Chris Tomlin Pretty much Sums it up for me!

Pause my Playlist at the Bottom first!!

GIft Wrapping Tip...

I like to share little helpful hints that we use around our house.
Not that we have a ton...but every once in awhile we DO!

Now...I would say I am a crafty type of person. I can create
& make things. I used to scrapbook.
But Gift Wrapping...to put it plan & simple...
I STINK! Really I do...

Mine always looks like a 2 year old wrapped it.

Anyway...every year Matt & I (yes he helps...I figure I do all the shopping he
can atleast help wrap & he doesn't mind) wait until most of our presents are bought
then we have a wrapping marathon one night after the kids go to bed.
Just Get R Done!!

A couple of years ago we started wrapping each kids gifts in one type
or color of wrapping paper so we do not have to label them & there is no
peeking or calculating how many gifts they have under the tree. They are
clueless on what is theirs!

So there is my Tip of the day for wrapping...."that's a Wrap"

Do you like to wrap gifts? I would put everything in a bag if I could...
but I sure like watching them rip into a present to be honest.

Cinnamon Glazed Pecans/Giveaway

Do you have a favorite treat you make every year for Christmas? I DO!
Several years ago I started making Cinnamon Glazed Pecans & the funny
thing about them is...I don't like pecans...but I love these.

They are covered in Brown sugar & Sugar & Cinnamon.! YUM!
I give them to our friends & family & my kids teachers.
Every year my kids teachers & even their bus driver ask
"Is your mom going to make those Pecans again?"
Pecans are not cheap these days...but the ingredients to make them
are super cheap so it evens out I guess.
BUT A BIG THANKS to my mom in law for always buying me
a big bag of home grown Pecans!!

And they are not really as bad as some treats...it's a nut.

So I thought I would share this with you & make it a giveaway also!!
What am I giving away? Of course a  $10 Starbucks Card!!
Here is how you can enter:
1. Comment
2. Follow my blog (if you already do...tell me)
3. Post your a Recipe treat you like to make at Christmas (worth 2 entrees)

Cinnamon Glazed Pecans

2lbs Pecan halves

1 egg white...beaten

1 cup sugar

1 cup brown sugar

2 T. cinnamon

1/2 t. salt

Beat egg white & coat pecans (you can add another egg white if needed).

Mix all the other ingredients in a separate bowl then pour onto pecans & stir

 until they are coated with sugar mixture.

Line 2 cookie sheets with parchment paper & spray with Pam. Spread Pecans

evenly onto pans. I usually spray a light coat of Pam on top just to make them

stick together after you bake them. 

Cook @ 325 for 20 minutes. Remove from over & let cool for 10 minutes.

Then I put them in festive little bags.

Now it's your turn.

Share your recipe.

Make a comment

Follow my blog.

Win a Starbucks card.

Simple.

Now...go eat a treat or two. I can't be the only one 

to gain a few pounds over Christmas!!

Big News: I graduated...

Yes...that is my big news...I graduated.
For the last 13 years I have been studying.
How to park, turn, back up, feed a bottle to a baby,
pack for 100's of trips, clean puke and many other details.

OK ok...that was just for dramatic effect.

After 13 years of being a Minivan Mom...
I'm graduating to an SUV. Yep. I know.
We have loved our "Star" as we call her.
Yes...we name our cars. Weird huh?
But it's time to say...farewell.
She has been a great ride. But She has
begun to cost us more than she is worth in repairs.
Here is our "so long" picture...

We bought this back in May...I know you are thinking...

excuse me that is a wreaked car???

Yes I know...but see, I have a dad who is a genius & he
can take that car up there & make it look like this with some
help from his friends...so it doesn't cost you as much. :)

It's an 07 Expedition. I have really never been an SUV
wanna be. But I have to say...the extra room is amazing.
Matt helped my dad put this all together too.
We took it to Branson & Oh MY...it was nice! It actually
seats 8 people.

Do you know what my favorite thing about this car is?
The heated seats my friends....HEATED SEATS!!!
It's the first button I hit when I get in the car.

SO that's my BIG NEWS...I know some of you are thinking
whoop d do...but to me...it's a big deal to leave the Minivan
stage.

Anyone else graduate from the Minivan club?
And we need to name this one...any ideas?

Jeremy Camp "Overcome"

Not sure if you have heard this new song by Jeremy Camp..."Overcome".
The entire CD is amazing really...
He is Worthy of ALL Our Praise.
Take time to just sit & listen to the words of this song today & give Him all
Praise & Glory for your life...He Overcame.
Blessings my sweet friends,

Happy Friday!

Just have to check in to tell ya'll Happy Friday!! I missed my JOY Wednesday post.

I am just too busy people! Sad huh?

We are off to one of my favorite trips of the year this weekend.
My entire family goes to Branson the first weekend in December every year.
We have so much fun. I love it.
If you have never been there at Christmas...well you are missing out.
One of our friends will be staying here at our house keeping a close
eye out on our dogs...chickens...etc.

And I only have to work a half day tomorrow...can I get an AMEN???

I have big news for our family next week. Stay tuned.

Have a fabulous weekend!!
Blessings,