Cafe Rio Here I come!

Well yesterday I had the day off so I thought I would put my cooking skills to the test. It turned out okay. I made a mock Cafe Rio Salad. You might be wondering where I got this recipe, Well I found it on MyFoodStorageDeals.com. Thanks to a friend for referring me to this site. I made the wonderful PorK, Green RicE, and Tomatillo DressInG. It was pretty good if I say so myself. The FamiLy liked it. I should have taken a picture of how much ParKeR piled on his plate. It was bigger than the salad they serve at "Rio". He ate the whole thing. Well I will be making it again soon to make a few teeks.

Can You say FOoD StoRagE???

I would like to say that I have a good supply of food, but I really don't know how long it could possibly last with all five of us eating it. It is my goal to start cooking with the things I am storing. Last Year I decided that I would start storing things that we would eat rather than just WHeAt and FLouR and SugAr. I had heard so many times that we should store things we are going to eat. Now, I LoVe WheAt BrEAd, but could I make it???

Well I have been following this wonderful blog http://everydayfoodstorage.net/. She uses everything she stores. It is my goal to be more like her. I am so inspired, that I already put a bin in my fridge. I cleaned out my pantry by the fridge and moved stuff to the hall closet to make my kitchen more functioning. As most of you know, I don't have a big kitchen with lots of cabinets. Well I used to love to cook, and I think if I try some of her ideas It will bring the love back into cooking.. Well maybe..
I will post pictures later to show what I have been up to..
Have a great weekend...

Happy Birthday To Jason!!

1. 1 balloon with sign out front.
2. 9 balloons in a bundle inside waiting.
3. A Great Mexican Dinner (his favorite Meal).
4. Gift Certificate to purcahse the Hand Gun he has requested.
5. Several Birthday Cards.
6. A few Phone calls..

add it all together and what does it make??

"HapPy BirThDaY to JaSoN"

Today IS my deaR HusBanD's B-Day. I just Want to GiVe Him A BiG ShouT OuT. He deseRveS to HaVe the Best DaY EveR.

I want him to know what A WonderFul Man and FaThEr he is to Us. Thanks for being You Honey. (Yes, He will read this sooner or later.)

Happy Birthday to you.

Happy Birthday to You.

Happy Birthday Dear Jason.............

Happy Birthday to You!!

Today iS his 21'st Birthday...Hee Hee.. Everyone make sure to wish him a great one!

I wish we could put up some of the Christmas spirit in jars and open a jar of it every month. ~Harlan Miller

MeRRy ChriStMas to All Of You!!

I hope The ChrIsTmAS SpIRiT finds everyone. I love this time of year. I can't believe it came so fast. My Kids and HubBie are all asleep. Only Problem is That HubBie needs to hELp with a few things.. I guess He Is geTTinG woke up in a little Bit. I Told him not to GO To Sleep!

Well I hope to get back to a regular blogging ScheDule next year!!

Have a HappY NeW YEaR...

Love ya all,
JaCkiE *Ü*

Well It's been quite sometime since I posted. I realize I should be doing better at this. I check my blog each day to see if I have posted. Nothing. I guess I will break down and share another post with you.

Well Sunday we spoke in church as a Family. It is always such a neat time for me to watch my kids and see what a testimony they have at such a young age. I also love to hear "My Dear Hubby" speak in a setting like this. He is such a great man and I am so lucky to have him. I definately feel blessed. Our topic was on Gratitude and after all of us gave our talks I have to say that we all have much to be grateful for. Perhaps Jackson's talk put it the simplest. This is a little poem he read.

I’m thankful for …
Two eyes that see,
Good food to eat,
Two ears that hear,
Two walking feet,
Two busy hands,
My family,
A beautiful world God made for me!

(I'm sure when Jackson grows up he will see just how much we are all so thankful..)

As Christmas draws near, My wish is that all of us could just think of all the wonderful things we have around us. I am so thankful for family, a great bunch of friends, If we weren't surrounded by people who truly cared about us, I think life would be a lot more difficult. I think it would be a sad place. I'm thankful for Food on my table each day. A house to live in. I am thankful for a place to work. Yes I am newly employed at the Elementary school!! I have so much to be thankful for. I know that its hard for us not to get caught up in the gift giving, but I want to challenge each of you this year to buy a little less and spend a little more time with those you love.

Well I'm know I have rambled a little in this post, but I do that from time to time. I'm sorry. I hope to have more exciting things next time. Maybe some pictures and stuff.. Have a Great Week!!

Thankful Thursday Quote

I awoke this morning with devout thanksgiving ...................for my friends, ............................the old and the new.

.................................................................Ralph Waldo Emerson

I was tagged by Lindsay...
10 Things I Can't live Without!

I know this is gonna be hard, because who could live with only 10 things in there life. Come on lets be honest.
1. Our Heavenly Father! I have been through a few trials in my life time. I know we have all had a few. I have to say that he is the one that I always fall back on to help me through. I know with him I can get through anything, no matter how tough it might seem. He loves us and cares about us. I am so thankful for Him!!!

2. My Husband!!! I am so thankful for my hubbie. He is everything to me. He is always there for me. He takes care of our family in so many ways. He is a hard worker. He goes to work each day and never complains. He makes sure that we have the things we need. I am grateful for that. He is the perfect example to our children. He is so forgiving. I love him for always being there for me. I have given him a run for his money so many times and he is so patient.

I love you "J". Your the best! I am thankful for you.

3. My Children!I love these 3 little kiddies so much. They keep me busy, but they teach me so much in life. I just hope I can teach them all they need to know to become responsible adults and contribute in a positive way. They love endlessly. They are so full of life. They keep going each day even if it gets hard. I am thankful for the bright lights that they are in my life. They are so lucky to be surrounded by great friends. They all help each other to be the best they can be. We live in great neighborhood.
4. My Friends!! Well I wish I had a picture of every friend I had, but I don't. I am not putting any names for fear of leaving someone off. I love everyone of you. I am so glad I have friends that I can laugh with and just hang out with. I am grateful for all the love and support you give me. I couldn't do it without you guys. I only hope I can be half the friend that you all are to me. I love my friends! What would life be without them..

5. My Computer!!I don't think I could function without my Computer. I am so thankful to be able to have one of these bad boys in my house. It has a world of knowledge on it. From medical help to craft ideas to Decorating, to Kid games. (For the kids of course) You won't ever catch me playing a game on here, I spend to much time surfing blogs. I know what some of you are thinking right now too. Maybe I should read up on my English skills. We'll this is what you get. I've tried to work on my writing skills many times..

6. Thrift Store!!I totally love the Thrift Store. I am addicted to this place. I know lots of people don't understand it, but come and hang out with me sometime and you'll see why. Even if I had an endless supply of money I would still love this place. I love the feeling of reusing something. Its amazing what one man's junk is to another woman. I know a lot of you might be changing your opinions of me right now., but I really love the D.I. 7. Yummy Food! Okay who can't live without food. I love food! I love all kinds of food. I can eat just about anything. I don't like canned peas! Anything else. Bring it on!!8. Water....... If you don't believe me you can call My MOM.....Seriously, I love Ice Water... But I have to have a Pepsi now and then!!!

9. Sushi!! I have loved Sushi for a long time now. I have to admit I have been known to sneak out get some all by myself. I just recently admitted this to my husband. He never acted to interested in this stuff. I crave this all the time.. I wish it were cheaper.. I could eat a hundred of them I bet. If you are in the neighborhood and like sushi, check out "Samuri 21" It is a little pricey, but well worth it. 10. Blogs!! Since I have started blogging, I have to admit that I have spent way to much time stalking peoples blogs. I love to look inside other peoples lives. Everyone has so many interesting ideas and great families and values. Its just awesome to be able to meet people through a blog and not even know them in person.

This was tons of fun. Thanks Lindsay! I am so thankful for a ton of things. I could name a million more.

I have been tagged!!(Thanks Erin)

I am supposed to post the 4th picture from the fourth file.

Here it is.

This is McKayla and Abbey on Christmas Day 2001. They were so little. I can't believe how BIG! Little ole, kayla is now! Hope you enjoy this tag as much as I did. Now I tag Cyndi, Rennie, Lindsay, Andrea, and Kristin M.

I can't wait to see all your cute pics..

Sneak Peak Pictures

Last weekend we had family pictures taken by one of our friends sister. I must say she did Awesome!! I am so excited to get these babies on the walls, in picture frames, in the Christmas cards that will be coming in the mail for sure this year.. This is just 2 of the almost 300 shots she took. She was so patient with us. Its always hard to get everyone looking great at the same time. I requested this picture of the kids holding hands. I saw this on someones blog(can't remember who) and I loved it immediately. It works so perfectly with Jackson.

We haven't had family pictures in soooo long that I feel like our family is growing up way to fast. I am setting a goal to get a family picture taken each year from now on. I hope you all can get a family picture this year too!