10.02.2012

i was in the middle of...

composing my post about isabella's 5th birthday, BUT i'm having issues uploading photos...ARGH!  so, instead i'm going to share something i've been wanting to share w/ you lovelies...

and i'm just warning you, you will see something you like...love...gotta have.  so be careful ;)

two of my fave websites...


this is an awesome resource for all things crafty and lovely :)  you can sign-up to recv daily deals via email or you can find the daily deal on my blog (to the right).


this is also another daily deal type site w/ everything from jewelry to party supplies to photo-ops!

enjoy ladies...and don't say i didn't warn you!


9.19.2012

multi-tasking is great...

except when it's not.  last week i treated isabella and her friend to sonic after school goodness.  i ordered via drive-thru and kept in the front console until we arrived home so there wouldn't be any chance for mess :)  i drove up to my mailbox and fetched the mail, parked the car in the driveway, and we all unloaded.  i was trying to make it all in one trip...purse, mail and one CHERRY slush and one OREO blast all being handled by me.  i unlock the door somehow, open the door and the creamy cookie yumminess falls.  i (obviously forgetting the RED CHERRY drink still sitting atop my mail in my hand) threw the mail down while RED falls next to black and white goop on our fairly new rug.  SWEET! :D

yeah, so my multi-tasking skills were not up to par then, but i made something pretty yummy in the ol' crockpot the other day, and that is muti-tasking at its finest!



i found this recipe on pinterest :)

i used about 3/4 of green chiles and the spiciness was just right for our familia :)  girls loved it over yellow saffron rice...


this stuff is a staple in my pantry.  fyi, they have a good red beans and rice bag AND spanish rice :)

try it out and enjoy...and try not to do TOO much ;)

and btw, the sweet mess cleaned up nicely w/o any trace of my awesome brain working on the lowest gear!




9.12.2012

i don't have...

happy updates of a two year old :(  yesterday was awful.  more crying for the both of us.  sophia reluctantly walked into her classroom crying but this time w/ blankie and "blabla" (her lovey) in her arms telling her teacher, "i want to hold you."  she wouldn't even look back at me which is probably best.  i left w/ soooo much guilt.  really, i just came home sat down on the couch and watched "the view".


whoopi's shoes were a nice distraction, lol


phone calls from my hubby and girlfriend to check on me were sweet...poor things just had to hear me sobbing on the phone!  after an hour t.v. and boo-hooing, i cleaned up and made good use of my time.  sophia of course was found playing and enjoying her time when i picked her up...until she saw me in which she started crying and running to me...nice to be missed, right?  i dread tomorrow morning, but i just know it will get better!

by the end of the day (8:00 p.m., lol) i was exhausted and decided to lie down on my bed...fell asleep.  i then wake up to my amazing husband washing dishes and cleaning the kitchen (after taking mucho and the girls for a walk, bathing them, and helping get them to bed...and exercising).  i tell him to stop...shower and relax!  he tells me, "don't worry about it, go relax or go to sleep."  knowing this man won't stop cleaning i smile and go to bed...9ish and loving it!  these last couple of weeks have been draaaaaining.  yes, it's the new schedule of waking up early and having a longer day, but i'm sooo emotional lately.  these changes and my little miss cryyyying...ugh!  listen, when i'm driving and i hear "lean on me" on the radio and i'm loving it, cracking up b/c it's so old school but yet, somehow trying to hold back tears!!??!!  this mama needs a break!

9.10.2012

yesterday was...

"post 5th birthday party planning/throwing" hangover, lol!  and today was "i can't seem to catch up" day!  it's 9:20 p.m. and i want to be in bed...sleeping!  BUT i've been wanting to sit down in front of my computer and blog every day, too, and it just keeps getting pushed down the ever growing list of to-do's.

let's see...last week i wanted to tell you about how fun it was surprising my now 5 year old on her birthday (will post later), how not-fun it was to start my week w/ a dead battery and therefor resulting in my now kindergartener's first tardy (on the second week of school!!)  i then thought you all would think it amusing that after all the anxiety of taking sophia to children's day...i couldn't leave her at first b/c they didn't have her shot records which i had forgotten!  score 1 for mom-of-the-year.  i raced to the doc's office and recvd a letter stating she had been seen w/ in the last year and was up-to-date so i could take her back...and i did...



she loves the accessories school brings


how cute is that?


the teacher was giggling at me for taking this pic!

she absolutely LOVED IT!  and then there came the second day...we arrive early.  everything is cool.  her pal abigail shows up.  they're playing.  her teacher then tells me that piece of paper i gave them won't work today.  they need her shot records.  i say, "oh sure!  i'll pick them up today!"  as i totally meant to do in lieu of having a dead battery situation!  she says, "no, i mean you can't leave her here."  meanwhile, sophia has decided this whole children's day thing isn't such a great idea and is clinging to my leg...crying.  awesome.  so, i pick up my curly-haired crying little miss and race to the doc's office and grab those shot records.  i return w/ records in-hand.  sophia is crying.  she does NOT want to stay and does NOT want me to leave.  i hand her off and walk right outside the door where she can't see me just waiting for her to stop crying.  i start crying and a lady asks me if everything is okay (this doesn't help matters) and so i then go to the uncontrollable ugly cry.  i had to leave.  i left w/ such feeling of guilt.  i keep thinking she doesn't need to go to children's day.  i don't need her to go to children's day.  she doesn't NEED to go, and i don't NEED her to go, but it's GOOD for both of us.  she ended up having a good day and was playing when i arrived.

we will see what tomorrow will bring.  i'm not having warm fuzzies as we drove by there since then and she saw the building and immediately got upset :(

pray people!

i'll be back to share 5th birthday goodness :)  and hopefully happy updates of a 2 year old!



8.29.2012

just a glimpse...

of how much sophia might like going to "mother's day out" or "children's day" as it is called at the church she will be attending...


the girl went many times to this toddler time at the library last school year and sat in my lap the entire time...every time.  today was the first time to go back, and she couldn't wait to sing and dance!  she played w/ her friends and other children she didn't know.  it was such a delight to see!!!


after toddler time she was excited to color.  this girl LOVES to color...on paper, herself, furniture :/  i had a proud mama moment when she pointed to the number on the page and said, "two!" and pointed to her blue colored cats and said, "blue!"


later she told her grandma all about her new purple shoes...i didn't even know she knew the color purple!


she calls grandma, "mom".  which i find cute and is alright w/ me since she calls me "mama" ;)

it's so nice to realize your little ones do listen to you and learn, too!  it makes me excited to see how much her brain is going to grow this year!  and i'm having better feelings about leaving her on the first day.  she is going to see her friend "agigail" (abigail) and sing and dance until i come back for her :)

i now must prepare for the many SURPRISES i have in-store for our girl isabella whose 5th BIRTHDAY is tomorrooooooooowww!






8.28.2012

day two of kindergarten...

and the energy level is a little less this evening (for everyone) ;)  isabella had another fun day at school...her favorite part is RECESS!  lol!

my favorite parts...

*being able just to drive up to the school and someone opens the door for her while she jumps out

*reading books one-on-one w/ sophia

*making myself wake up so much earlier and actually doing it!

*the open communication w/ her teacher via email and flash updates

*isabella's eagerness to go :)

*knowing she is getting an education that i couldn't give her at home!

i know sophia and even our dog mucho misses our big girl.  i actually caught sophia pretending to talk w/ her today.  and mucho, well, this says it all...



next week it's sophia's turn!  she'll be attending "mother's day out" twice a week for the first time.  just what will i do w/ the time?  ooohhhh, i find it pretty funny when people ask me this.  i'll be doing pretty much the same thing but w/o a little one following my every move!  actually, i am very much looking forward to playing tennis again once a week!  i'll keep you posted on what my knees (arms, neck...whole body) have to say about that!  lol

8.27.2012

a back-to-school...

back-to-blogging post.  hello friends!  today was the day.  our oldest daughter started kindergarten!!!  it's a day that much excitement, anxiety, curiosity and bittersweetness has consumed my mind.  thankfully isabella has been blessed w/ an awesome teacher who has put me at ease.  well, somewhat...i seemed to have a slight panic attack after coming home from "meet the teacher" night, lol.  but really, isabella has been so excited as we've been counting down, picking out her "first day" outfit and making her lunch requests :)





lol, yes, she actually wants to be a fairy!

we've been preparing for these early mornings for a week now...i'm exhausted and feel my immune system hurting!  mama needs a vitamin!  i fully expected for isabella to be a tired mess when picking her up, but as always she surprised me.  she was excited after her day, eager to play at home and pretty giddy when going to bed tonight (or maybe it was a delirious state, lol).  we shall see how the week goes!

taking her to school and leaving her there for about 7 hours, reminded me that it has begun.  God's plan for giving us these precious beings to love, cherish and raise to go out in the world...

LOVE + FAITH + PRAYER = THE BEST WE CAN DO!

*GO PARENTS!  GO TEACHERS!*
**SpIrIt SpRiNkLeS**

yes, i just did that...we all need encouragement through these big changes!  which reminds me...THANK YOU TO ALL MY LOVELY FRIENDS AND FAMILY THAT CALLED AND MESSAGED TO SEE HOW ISABELLA AND MAMA WERE DOING :)

5.23.2012

i continue to feel...

beyond blessed...which in turn makes me feel guilty at times or anxious that something is bound to go wrong.  what i need to feel is simply LOVED, GRATEFUL and JOYFUL...just be and enjoy :)


Ephesians 3:14-20

14 For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom every family[a] in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge —that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,


i hardly ever listen to the radio anymore.  i have stored music in my car, and i use pandora radio frequently.  the other day i happened to be listening to the radio and heard a commercial that struck me as awesome.  i just knew it was going to be a church advertisement, but of all things, it was an energy company, lol.  anyway, i don't remember the words exactly, but basically it went something like this...

the world is a dark and troubled place
but there's joy in a baby's laugh, a cup of coffee, your first kiss...
the world is a dark and troubled place
but what a great feeling when you get that first stretch in the morning, an unexpected summer breeze, and chills when you hear a song

...the sun, birds, butterflies, clouds, rolling hills
...family, friends, helpful strangers
...opportunities to use your God-given talents
...love.

in the end, it's all lovely, isn't it?




my girls finding joy in a dark and dirty place ;)


5.22.2012

making a to-do list...

for my hubby was on my to-do list :)  and i made one!  i was waiting to post this after he hung it up for me, but who knows when that will be...


i bought a frame from hobby lobby (50% off!)


i bought chalkboard paint and a sponge roller


i followed the directions from the can.  i painted two coats (opposite direction the second round) and let it dry over night.  i then flipped the glass over...


i made a stencil w/ my silhouette cameo, aka sally ;)


i used a rough, dry brush (to give it that rustic look) and brushed on white acrylic paint.


and then primed it by rubbing chalk all over...


works like a charm...well, sorta :/





5.21.2012

in hopes...

that you're still around, i thought i'd say, hi!  april showers brought on may craziness :)  if you've been wondering...

-i'm still here
-i haven't read much of hunger games
-i've been happily busy w/ dandies
-we're counting down the days til summer (there are 2)
-i've started mapping out a SURPRISE disney trip
-we're counting down the days until our new puppy mucho comes home!

and while there's much anticipation for summer fun and new puppy love, i've been wanting to push the pause button...or at least the sllloooow arrow button.  this summer my youngest will no longer be a baby, and we will be celebrating her 2nd birthday in a couple of weeks!  my oldest will be turning 5 and starting KINDERGARTEN in august!  the physical (i can't keep up w/ having long enough dresses for isabella) and mental (sophia is already asking 'why?') growth of both my girls brings many smiles and even tears when i find myself dancing in the kitchen w/ them or holding them while falling asleep.


isabella's first dance recital...


and her first visit to the nail shop :)


pre-k graduation!


sophia mastering the corn-on-the-cob like a big girl...


and sitting pretty w/ one of her many babies.

i'm savoring these young but hard years, and i'm looking forward to the growing and hard years ;)



4.26.2012

it's a teen book...

or is it?  i don't really know, but i have started reading the hunger games.  i was very hesitant about it b/c i thought i would get nightmares from reading it.  the whole story is just outrageous to me, but friends have been talking, and i i've been intrigued.  i've only read the first few chapters, and it's been alright, but i think i'm more into the idea that i can chat w/ friends and even my hubby about it!

me - "babe, i can read it, too.  we can even go see the movie together!"
hubs - "well, you better hurry up and read it."
me - "we can read all the books together and discuss it!  we can have our own little book club!" *giggling*
hubs - "i'm going to pretend you didn't say that."


my sis-in-law, christy, emailed me an excerpt from a blog that she reads.  it was about the hunger games and a christian's view of it.  i never read it, thinking if i decided to read the book, i would come back to the email.  so, i did tonight and i thought it was pretty interesting...interesting enough to share...


The Hunger Games and Easter

                                                  By JANE DELANEY | Founder of eMeals

click above and check it out!  this website is pretty neat!

4.16.2012

it's a kids' book...

but i was immediately encouraged and inspired by this cute book.  my little miss and i checked out a couple of books from the public library recently...llama llama nighty-night and be happy! a little book for a happy you.  sophia LOVES the "llama llama" book.  i think it's super cute too and didn't know there were "llama llama" books for toddlers!  she likes be happy! as well, but she mostly just wants me to count the balls on the cover and the first page :)  anyway, the first time we read this book, i thought i just had to share...



sing and dance a little!
draw and paint a little...
make friends!
share what you have.
don't compare yourself...with others.
be the best you!
be helpful!
be curious.
be brave!
be kind.
be thankful...for all the people and things you love.
dream big
and don't lose hope.
you never know what tomorrow will bring!
so have fun!
and...be happy about being you!
can you think of some things you're happy about right now?

while typing this post i flipped the book over to discover the author, monica sheehan, based this childrens' book on her bestselling book be happy which is actually for adults!!  well, there you go...i guess it wasn't too farfetched that i thought you BIG KIDS would like to be reminded of these simple  and lovely truths :)



4.12.2012

nifty stenciling...

has been my latest craft.  i use my silhouette cameo for making most of them, but you can make your own or even buy them at craft stores.  i posted pics on my last entry of an intricate cross i cut w/ my silhouette, aka "sally"...that's right, i named her!

i simply used double-sided tape to attach it to a chalkboard vinyl that sticks on my fridge and traced it w/ chalk!  chalkboards are popping up all over the place and thought some of you could try this technique.  i use my fridge chalkboard for diff things...depending on what's going on...holidays, birthdays, etc.  i chose a pretty cross for Easter...beautifully and simply stated :)


i've made several banners by cutting circles with a bottom of a wine glass!, cutting Easter eggs out w/ my sally and using a nifty stencil i bought from hobby lobby!  actually, i think it's made for painting and/or mod podging...

here's an easy tutorial on how to make a simple burlap banner using a stencil...

supplies needed:
banner stencil (or draw a rectangle on a piece of poster board/cardboard/cereal box and cut it out!)
material for banner (if you like burlap, i recommend using 100% linen burlap.  it's easier to work w/ and gives a cleaner finish)
marker
scissors
string (twine, ribbon, etc)
acrylic paint
small sponge or brush
stencil for letters


the great thing about this stencil is that is has holes drilled, and i can mark where i need to punch holes later.  i lined my traces right next to each other as to get the most out of my material :)


cut them out and flipped over so there wasn't any marks showing...


and lined them up.  i placed my stencils on top...


and even used a ruler to make sure my letters were placed about the same spot on each triangle.


and then i pained w/ a sponge!  (i forgot to use foil underneath and got paint on my counter, so don't forget to use something underneath!)

i also forgot to take pics of making the holes, but i just used a normal punch hole and it worked easily through the material.  i then used some string to string through...


this banner was used at a baby shower for a friend, and she now uses it in her baby's nursery :)  the burlap and string give a rustic and organic feel while the hand-painted letters give it that special touch!

*tips*
-the burlap i used came in a package.  it's pricier than normal burlap so don't forget a coupon ;)  i've been meaning to find out if it's sold by the yard.


4.09.2012

i can't just...

not post about Easter.  but brain is having trouble...i'm pretty much exhausted from the weekend's events and trying to play catch-up on the house today. but i have to say something.  who knows, one of you may not really "get" what Easter is about.  so, here goes...short and sweet story of Easter and the symbolism behind the beautiful cross.


Easter Sunday is the celebration of the resurrection of THE Lord Jesus Christ.  He was nailed to a cross, buried in a tomb and rose from the dead.  It is because of this Christians have eternal life.  The crosses you see on necklaces, walls and shirts symbolize the pain and beauty of just that.


"Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life.  The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die.  Do you believe this?"
 --John 11:25-26

3.28.2012

mmm, mmm, good...

soup!  here's the santa fe soup recipe from the fab-mama, brooke.  and let me tell you, if you love queso (and who doesn't?), you're gonna love this!


Santa Fe Soup:
1 lb ground beef
1 medium onion, chopped
1 can kidney beans
1 can whole kernel corn
1 can stewed tomatoes
1 can chopped Rotel tomatoes
1/2 lb Velveeta cheese
1/2 lb Velveeta Mexican cheese


Brown ground beef and onion. Combine tomato mixture and cheese in the microwave and mix together. Use all the juices from the browned meat and cans of beans, corn and tomatoes. Mix together. If mixture is too thick, add 1 can of tomato soup and one can of water.  Heat one medium heat until hot, stirring often. (The soup will burn on the bottom if you don't stir it often)
Serve with sour cream and tortilla chips on top!


Sweet Cornbread:
1 c flour
3/4 c cornmeal
1 t baking soda
1 t baking powder
1/2 t salt
1/4 c brown sugar
3 T butter
2 eggs
1 1/2 c milk

Combine all ingredients and place in 9x13 greased pan. Cook at 400 until the cornbread is golden brown. Yummy!!


thanks for sharing the yumminess, brooke!

3.23.2012

march's fab-mama-jama is...

BROOK-ay!  well, i call her that on occasion ;)  her name is brooke.  she's an at-ease mama of two cutie pies, hudson and elaina, and a fun-loving wifey to her man nate-dogg (okay, i call him that on occasion), i mean nate ;)  already you can probably tell w/ the way i joke w/ her and her husband, brooke is a hoot and a joy to be around.  i admire her positive energy and love her silly sense of humor.  she's someone that doesn't take herself too seriously, but she does takes her mom, wife, teacher, friend, volunteer roles seriously...and in most of these roles, she uses her cooking to show she cares :)

meet brooke...


*what did you want to be when you "grew up"?*

Growing up my career choice changed daily! I wanted to be a doctor, a mommy, a Sea World trainer, a lawyer, a singer, a politician, the list went on and on.  The one thing that was always on my list was teacher. I loved kids and I knew that when I when I grew up I wanted to help people. And, if you ask my sister and brother I was very good at telling people what to do! ;)

*what is your best memory of your mom?*

My mom worked full time growing up but I don't ever remember her being tired. She would always come home and cook a good dinner and whenever possible she would have us sit around the table and eat as a family. Some of my best memories are of these times. She would also wake up on Saturdays and make us homemade biscuits or pancakes shaped like Mickey Mouse.  I can imagine after working all week sleeping in on Saturday would have been something she would have liked to do, but she rarely did that. My mom was and still is a very selfless person.

*what do you do to relax?*

Relax...what is that!!  When I do get the time I love to read, cook and workout. Running (I know some of you will think I'm crazy) is very relaxing to me. I love being out there by myself, listening to music and just being alone. It is very relaxing to me.  I also come back after a good run, a very happy mommy!


*what is your favorite activity w/ each child?*

Now that my kids are getting older I am beginning to see just how different they are and it is really neat. I try to do things with just that one kid throughout the week, but I am not always very successful.

Hudson: This boy has a huge imagination and he loves when I participate with him! Playing Batman, legos, or just going outside to play any game he picks is fun for him. He got a bike for Christmas so this is his new favorite activity. He can ride it with no help, but he just likes me to be outside with him so he can talk my ear off!

Elaina: This girl LOVES her books. He favorite thing to do is to read. She loves it when I read books with her. Her favorite book right now is Knuffle Bunny. It's a cute story (you should all buy it). Right now her big thing is "I help!"  she wants to do anything that I am doing and she wants to help. She loves cooking with me, putting makeup on with me or fixing my hair with her new princess hair kit!  It's very cute and sweet!

*everything you cook and bake is super yummy, where did the love for yummy-making come from?*

My love for cooking comes from my mom and aunt. Those two ladies are the best cooks in the world.  I never thought I would be able to cook like them so I never really got into cooking until about 4 years ago. I got a Barefoot Contessa cookbook for Christmas and the recipes looked fun to make so I started trying some out.  Then I began attempting some of my aunts and moms recipes and I guess the rest is history! This Christmas my aunt gave me a framed recipe of my Mamaw's pecan pie.  It was her original recipe. It is probably one of the best gifts I have ever received. My mom and aunt say that my Mamaw was one of the best cooks they knew so maybe it started with her...




*what recipe does your fam love the most?*

I asked my husband what recipe he liked the best and he said everything I make is great. (He is such a kiss-up!) So, I told him he had to think of one and he came up with Santa Fe Soup and sweet corn bread. It's a great cold weather recipe!


*what is your best kept recipe?*

Sausage Bread!! I am not sure that this recipe is a big secret but it is one of my favorites. It is actually a recipe that my aunt made up. I don't even know if I have the recipe written down. It is one of those that I can do from memory! It is simply delicious!!
I do have a secret spice that I like to add to a lot of my dishes...but I'm not telling you that!! ;)

and speaking of secrets...it was killing me to keep this post from going "live" for so long.  poor brooke answered my questions and took pictures back in january, and she has had to wait until now to get her surprise (sorry girl, you know how i am!)!  when choosing that certain someone to share some kind words about this special lady, i knew w/o a doubt who to go to...her mom...and brooke, i hope this was worth the wait...

One of the greatest joys a mother can have is to watch her own daughter become a mother.  It was a very rewarding experience to watch my oldest daughter, Brooke, become a mother when Hudson was born.  It touches your heart in ways that are hard to explain.   Often, you see your children as little ones they once were and you forget they are grown adults with families of their own. 
Brooke is an amazing young mother, her patience and sense of humor with Elaina and Hudson never ceases to amaze me.  She handles each situation with grace and love and never seems to get her feathers “too” ruffled.   She enjoys her children and takes time with them, which is one of the greatest gifts she can give them.
Brooke loves her family and has created a warm and caring Christian home for them.  She has created many wonderful memories for Hudson and Elaina and I know she will create many more in the years to come.
I am proud of all my children’s accomplishments, however, watching Brooke, as a mother is a special accomplishment/bond only a mother and daughter can share. Brooke has made me a proud mother and I know one day her children will be writing the same thing about her.  She brings such joy, laughter and happiness to our family and many others.




brooke, you are a lovely lady that i'm blessed to call friend.  you are a wonderful role model of a working mom, a supportive wife and nurturing mother.  i'm always impressed how you handle life w/ ease.  i know i haven't sat in your classroom, but witnessing your kind, natural way w/ children, i only hope my girls have a teacher like you!  you are one of the most encouraging and supportive people i know.  thank you for being one of my biggest cheerleaders...you know how to make this blogger feel special ;)  i just hope i can persuade you to blog about your delicious recipes...
much, much love to you BRRROOOK-ay!

oxox,
sandra

p.s.--that santa fe soup recipe will be posted soon!!

3.21.2012

it's like hangman...

but better!  it's a new app called draw something that i LOVE and laugh every time a play a turn.  it's a great game that includes drawing and sending turns back and forth w/ friends via your mobile device.  my brother recently introduced me, and i just had to share!

draw something

it's FREE!  my username is sdburk if you wanna play ;)