Friday Favorites!

Thank you all who messaged, sent cards, texts, etc. after my grandma's passing. She was OH SO loved, and is a treasure we will miss daily. Honestly, it's hard to come back to the blog after that... and get back into the swing of things. I think of things daily I would love to find the time to share or document, but insta and facebook had to do for awhile. :) Forget playing catch up... I'm just going to share some of my FAVORITES from these past (non documented) weeks for FRIDAY FAVORITES! *Linking up with Andrea, Erica, and Narci!

First up... baby Claire arrived and is absolutely precious and our new FAVORITE!

The pic below sums up HM's feelings about the new addition. :)

Burke made a book for Claire while we were waiting for her arrival. 

Y'all... the title was "Baby Claire is Safe"... it was a story about Baby Clare's birthday, and a tornado

tearing everything away except a Christmas tree... and Baby Claire. She made it through the storm... and oh... how looking back on that story... how much of it was true.

They found Claire had some scary heart complications. They did a procedure and she stayed in the NICU at Children's for a bit, but is home and doing great now!

We are dying to get our hands on her again soon! 

Another favorite... our Tigers!

Auburn has been a top priority around here... What a joy it's been to work with these girls!

And as a result of all the AU runs... more sleep has never been so needed. :)

Burke's favorite these past weeks, has been the fact that he lost his bottom two teeth! Only 2 days after his portraits! (Yeah... close call ya'll.)

We were wrestling in the floor and he literally hit the edge of the pillow, and seemingly spit at me! lol 

Me- "Did you just spit at me???"

B- "No, I think my tooth just came out!" 

Sure enough we found a hole in his mouth and the tooth in the floor. :)

Kissing up^^^

A favorite time last week was had when we went to Disney on Ice with Burke's K class!

Sister was in heaven. #obviously

 Burke may have been more interested in using his 15$ plastic binoculars. :)

And on of my favorite things that happened this week, includes a sweet shout out from Burke's teacher.

 So proud of this sweet boy.

Now... onto our Friday Favorite this morning... Coffee and Friends Friday morning tradition!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Good food and an even better read

When you feel like you can't cook .... crockpot.

When you feel like you don't want to cook for the next three days (#leftoversanyone?)... crockpot.

When you like walking into the house and smelling something delightful (that you put little to no effort into)... crockpot.

You get the point.

What momma now-a-days doesn't long for a go to crockpot recipe??? I know I LOVE when I come across one that doesn't always taste ... crockpotesque. (You know... when meals made in the crockpot all start tasting the same.) 

I don't exactly remember where I got the recipe, but I have adapted it to my liking... and we all love it around here. (I may love it more than others because I don't have to cook the next day.)

Change up the veggies to your liking!

2 lbs chicken breast (chopped into cubes)

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. pepper

3/4 cup honey

1/2 cup soy sauce

1/4 cup chopped onion

1/4 cup ketchup

2 Tbs vegetable oil

2 cloves of garlic, minced (I use the kind in the jar)

1/2 tsp. red pepper flakes (I leave these out when cooking for the kids... and don't really miss the heat anyway!)

Water chestnuts (1 can, chopped)

Broccoli (I use about 1.5 cup chopped)

-Chop chicken into small cubes.

- In a bowl combine all ingredients except water chestnuts and broccoli.

-Pour over chicken.

-Cook on low about 3 hours.

-Throw in veggies, stir and continue to cook for 3 more hours.

Serve with rice.

And while you're prepping your grocery list, or adding to your Amazon pantry shipment (what do they not do?!) throw this book in your cart.

It speaks so true to my heart and personality!

I am embarrassed at how long I've been reading it, but I like to go read the scriptures the author reflects on throughout the book... (so I like to think that's what is taking me so long to get through it. lol) 

Seriously though... I remember finding Luke 10:42 sometime during my early college years. It's funny... this verse never stuck with me before then. (But I guess being in high school or a freshman in college, it never crossed my mind that little things like "dinner preparations" or anything really... that you put infront of God, was blinding me from experiencing God's true grace.) I suppose those early college years were the beginnings of molding myself into the person, wife, and mother that I wanted to become one day, and I admit- being a Martha is where my mind wanted (and still often wants) to take me. However, I'm figuring out being "Martha" is not bad, per say ... (I mean... who wouldn't want to prepare the VERY BEST for Jesus?!) but knowing when to sit at His feet... vs. wash the dishes... there is where I struggle. Anyway... this book is heaven sent, and I highly recommend the read if you're in the market for one!

So the Chinese got it going on...

I have the MOST exciting news... I have a new job!

I am going to be a stay at home momma! 

 Although I'm going to miss my school friends and teaching some sweet sweet students, I have longed for this opportunity since he was born. I often felt I was short changing my students just because I wasn't able to put my whole heart into being their teacher, like I had in past years. I know many people do it... and do it extremely well... but it bothered me.... like, a lot. What's even more important for me to remember is that I was SUPPOSED to be a working mom last year. There were things that our family needed with my income, students that needed me in their life, and things God needed to teach ME! It's funny... I do not regret working full time last year. I sorta find that weird. However, I desired so badly to spend the next year at home. I'm thankful God is saying yes to my prayer.

Burke says a new word, finds a new fascination, and does something new Every. Single. Day. I LOVE being able to witness these time first hand, and I am beyond blessed to get this opportunity. I'm so thankful for Ryan's ability to provide for us and his eye for a potential on a house when he sees one. Because the good Lord knows I couldn't envision how we were going to transform this once two bed,/one bath house, with peeling siding, and a tiny... rotten... bathroom into what it is today. We will be putting it on the market in approximately one week!

So, on to many fun filled days! I'm sure some will be amazing and some will be amazing and exhausting, but I am just so thankful for the blessing God has given us, when he gave us Burke. He's nothing short of spectacular, and I'm so happy I get more time to teach, laugh, learn, guide, read, direct, cuddle, sing, and so many other verbs.... full time!

1 Thessalonians 5:16-19 Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 

And to address the title...

1) I promise this was my fortune a couple of months ago. 
It was teacher appreciation week, and our admin. provided us a Chinese buffet at lunch.

You better believe I read into this. :) And what's even more humorous....

I promise I'm not making it up, but you probably won't believe it.

Burke tweeted the picture of my fortune (above!)

I had just picked him up from Ms. Beverly, and I had run out of snacks (a big no-no). So I gave him my phone to preoccupy him. When I looked back (completely stopped at a traffic light mind you), Burke had opened Twitter and the picture was added! I left him with it.... just to see if he would actually tweet it. Sure enough, when I got home, I checked... and it was posted along with a long strand of "jmdkjcidhkwosnld"!

I kid you not.

I quickly deleted it, because I didn't want anyone thinking that I had plans to resign from school, or do something else drastic because of a fortune I received at lunch. :)

2) The Chinese birth calendar was right on with Burke's gender.

3) And this was my most recent fortune...

Note to self: October 10th should be promising.

2012 in pictures

Yes, it's almost mid January and I'm just now writing this post.

2012 was a year that will never go unnoticed. It was a crazy, busy, and exciting kind of a year. One that I will never forget. These are just a few of the highlights through 2012.

January ...

The house renovation was put into overdrive in anticipation of baby boy's arrival. Specifically, the deck, kitchen, and Burke's room. 

Thank goodness for handy husband and dads with super powers.

February ...

Burke's room was finally now the focus. Thank goodness Burke ended up making it to his due date, or he would have had to sleep in the garage. ;)

Other festivities happened in February...

Cade turned 3, I had the last baby shower before Burke arrived... held by sweet, sweet friends, and Valentine's Day ... I even received a card from my unborn child. :)

March...

Way too hard to pick pictures to represent this month, but here are some of my favorites:

Officially baby ready:

The name... , sweet Bailey wanted some attention too, blue toes to welcome B, and a kiss from Daddy.

Burke's birthday:

All taken on March 2, 2012

... you knew I wouldn't be able to hold it to one collage did you?

Getting ready to head home! I love the photo of Ryan holding the bottle next to Burke... it really puts into perspective how tiny he once was!

AND A LITTLE MORE MARCH :)...

DIY newborn photo shoot, first bath, and first trip to Cullman to see all the great grandparents!

APRIL...

Billy, Ryan's dad, was inducted into the Cullman Sports Hall of Fame, 1st Easter, 1st A-Day in Jordan Hare, and a trip to the Dogwood Festival at Piedmont Park.... where I caught cuteness in a yawn.

MAY...

Hand painted piggy band from NaNa, Burke and Dr. Seuss Snooze, and Burke in a robe... cracks me up.

JUNE...

First trip to the zoo, being silly after bath time, girlfriends (Anna Bell) were made, and my parents enjoying Burke after a hard days work on the house.

 Great shot with Ree at the lake house, Bailey dog left us :(, Father's day, and chillin at the duck pond.

July...

Deck progress, being silly :), best friend (Woody) was born, 

and mom's last day with my little muchkin before it was back-to-school.

August...

The three amigos headed to the park, Burke and Dad, Burke and mom, and the beginning of making Burke's food.... yum for sweet potatoes!

September...

September brought lots of weekends spent at the lake, Auburn football, and quality cousin time.

It was also when Burke turned 1/2 year old.

One happy baby.

October...

Black bean go-tee, eating things other than solids... how about dads nose?, pickin out our pumpkin, Halloween=cutest tiger...ever.

November...

He fit in our pumpkin!, Mr. Stache, looking like a big boy, and 1st Thanksgiving and haircut!

December...

I loved looking at not two, but three stockings hanging from our mantle this year. :), 

Burke loved trying to get to the bottom ornaments... I'm pretty sure this is what prompted him to crawl!, Uncle Jon and B, and the adorable Coleman boys on Christmas Eve.

Gram and PawPaw, Ree and PaPa, Mom and Dad, and lots of awesome family :)

As for a favorite picture,

this one sums it up.

Does it melt your heart too?

THANK YOU LORD FOR A SPECIAL AND BLESSED YEAR! 

OUR CUP RUNNETH OVER.