Happy Birthday Abbie Lee.....

Time flies...especially when it comes to your kids growing up. Abbie just turned 11 and it seems like yesterday (as everyone says) she was born...or taking her first steps....or learning to swim...or saying 'pwes' instead of becasue...or call our suburban ' mi-suburban'...or starting school...or riding a bike.... The list could go on of all the first she's had and we are fortunate enough to have shared them all with her.

Dear Abbie,

It's here. The day everyone waits for ALL year long. Their birthday. It is SO, SO, hard to believe you are 11 years old. No one wants their babies to grow up, but it's something that has to happen. While you were ten many things took place in your life. I can't for the life of me recall them all but when your older and you read this you'll think back and say oh yeah...I remember that. Like going to Cedar Hill for your first ever Southern Plains Junior Convention and winning two first place ribbons in photography, second place in a dash, first in a relay with Kayla, Haylie and Whit, second in checkers, seventh place in archery. My kid...with a bow and arrow. I believe that was your first trip away from home...like major trip not like staying the night with someone. You also made Honor Roll all four quarters at GCA therefore you earned a trip to Six Flags Over Texas in Dallas and besides Disney that was your first theme park. Super Proud Parent moment by the way...your honor roll and you were one out of two kids who got perfect attendance!!!!! You became closer friends with Whitney and I can say she is probably your best friend..besides your sister. Even though you are 'older' it makes us so proud that you still play school, babies, and such....pretty sure it just re-assures us you are still a kid! You make us proud in everything you do. At the moment you like to play basketball, are on the volleyball team at school, almost always have your iPod in your hand, you are confident, happy, an over-achiever, smart, beautiful, a pleaser, not into boys, a winner...in just about everything you do, you know who you are and don't follow the crowd, the list could go on and on. You make us so proud to be your parents. If you change....let it be the Lords change, not the world. Just know that whoever you become and whatever you do we will always be proud to be your parents. By the way, the best birthday gift you got this year was free. We couldn't have been more proud when the words " I'm want to be baptized" came out of your mouth.The Lord has great things in store for you... you will forever be our Abbie Lee

Tastiness......

A few recent meals we've had consist of the follwing: Chicken Enchilada Pasta

Which can be found at: http://pearls-handcuffs-happyhour.blogspot.com/2010/11/five-starsand-then-some.html

Yummy spaghetti:

And Mamaws Chicken and Dumplings

No Better Way.....

To start the blog year off than blogging about food. Thanks to pinterest I've been having a very happy family. Today it was Chicken & Black Bean Enchilada Casserole. DELICIOUS.....a combination of ALL my favorite foods.

2 cups diced or shredded chicken breast meat (or for extra lazy days use a rotisserie chicken)
½ teaspoon ground cumin
½ teaspoon ground coriander
½ teaspoon garlic powder
2 Tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
1 (15 oz) can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 (4.5 oz) can diced green chili peppers, drained
1 (10 oz) can red enchilada sauce
8 (6 inch) corn tortillas
2 cups shredded Mexican blend cheese
1 (8 oz) container sour cream

Preheat the oven to 375°. Heat a large skillet over medium heat, and spray with vegetable cooking spray. Sauté chicken with cumin and coriander until chicken is cooked through. Transfer to a medium bowl. Stir in the cilantro, black beans, and green chili peppers.

Spread half of the enchilada sauce over the bottom of an 11x7 inch baking dish that has been sprayed with cooking spray. Place 4 tortillas over the sauce, overlapping if necessary. Spoon half of the chicken mixture over the tortillas, and sprinkle with half of the cheese and half of the sour cream.

Spoon the remaining enchilada sauce over the cheese, and make another layer of tortillas. Layer the remaining chicken mixture over the tortillas.

Cover dish with a lid or aluminum foil. Bake for 30 minutes in the preheated oven.

Remove the cover, and sprinkle the remaining cheese over the top and dot with sour cream. Continue cooking, uncovered, for an additional 5 to 10 minutes, or until cheese melts.

Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

November 1st.....

Today, this very first day of November, I am so very thankful for my very best friend. He's someone I who is always there to pick me up or to give a hug when feeling down. He's the one who adores me. The one who does small things to see me smile. He's the best daddy a kid could ask for. More importantly he listens and obeys God. He' my main squeeze, my babe, the best hubby.......You got it, it's Chris!!!!!

Photo Book

So, it seems like 2009 was forever ago. Especially when looking at the kiddos. Anyhow, these are photos from our Disney vaca which, by the way we CAN NOT wait to do again. (When B is a little bit older, that is )

Click here to view this photo book larger

Challenge......

I just read an article about childhoods cut short. All I can seem to say is wow. I mean, you know times have changed....but wow!
We try to protect our children. Our oldest right now is probably what you would call the odd girl out. You see, she doesn't have a cell phone or a facebook.We try hard to preserve her innocence and childhood as long as possible. I'd rather her call friends on the home phone. Facebook is well, just a place for kids attack. We choose to protect her from these negative things. Remember our role of parent is one of leadership and not one of "well my kids want it".
She has younger siblings so this helps her stay young too. She naturally has more responsibility than the others becuse she's older. I am stumped when people question this. Our life does not revolve around anyone ONE person it revolves around our entire family. Each person's needs are equally important and we weigh all needs when making a decision.We each have roles and responsibilities in this large family. I think it's important to make things work. We have chores to do and we don't get money for it. We teach our children that the responsibilities in a family are shared. We shouldn't expect to get something for helping out. It's just what a family does.
How do you think a family back 100 years ago did it? Only today we have entitlement issues.
We make decisions based on the 6(our family size) not on 1. In my opinion as it should be. This is opposite in today's society. But then again so is having 4 children.Our family is so very rich in love. We spend time together and enjoy each other. I can't tell you how many times a day we laugh. This makes my heart smile. Our children learn our faith and know Jesus through our family.The world has become a dark place. Young teens are surrounded by such immoral things. We as a family feel called to be the "light" in the world. We don't give into things because everyone else it doing it.... actually we do the complete opposite because usually that is the "right and Christlike" thing to do. Sometimes we feel alone in our thoughts and we aren't alone. Many time others would stand if only someone would stand up first.

AWESOME.....

I just found out about this free ebook offer that ends at midnight tonight. The book is called 31 Days to Clean: Having a Martha House the Mary Way. I am very excited to read it as I can use help in this area....managing a home in a God glorifying way. It looks really good! The author, Sarah Mae, has a really inspiring blog too that I look forward to exploring more. See more at http://www.likeawarmcupofcoffee.com/home