Easter 2012

He has risen!!!! We had a very blessed Easter. We got up, got our Sunday best on, and headed to church. It was a great service and all of the youth put on a great play. After church, we headed to the Carlow's for an Easter egg hunt. My Best friend Nicole invited us. We had a blast!

Sweet cousins!

Kaden came and stayed with us last night. He is such a cutie and reminds me so much of my little cousin Tori when she was that age...she is almost 21 now...makes me feel old, eh? This morning I decided that since Kaden and Reagan looked so much alike, I would snap some pictures.


Here is what we got:

These pictures will last a lifetime :) Do they not favor???? So cute.

Sometimes you just have to slow down...

and NAP! Oh and it felt so great. This sweet little girl was worn out!

Spring, Oh Spring! All things beautiful!

Spring is here! Lowe's was hoppin on this bright, sunny beautiful Sunday!

The hubs and I planted flowers and finished up our garden. As soon as we finish the porch I will put in some flower beds. As far as the garden, we planted tomatoes, onions, squash, bell pepper, banana peppers and cucumbers! Should make lots of meals for my hungry family!

Now on to something not so bright and cheerful. Today makes 16 years since my Mom passed away.

I miss her so much and often daydream about who she would be today if she were here.

I know she would visit me often..We would hang out and she would be my best friend and my number one supporter. I have no doubt of this!! Sometimes I wish I could just pick up the phone and call her! I wish when I am sick that she was cooking me chicken noodle soup and nursing me back to well. Most of all, I wish my kids would have met her. I know that she would have eaten them smooth up and they would love her. I named her Nana, but I wonder what she would have them call her??

I have tried my best to live my life so that she would be proud of me. I think she would be. I think she is. I know she is in heaven, looking down on us.

I get so aggrvated at people who have thier moms and they just act like they could care less. They have no idea how much thier mom helps them....loves them.....and cares for them....

I get jealous when I see mother's and daughters shopping, eating lunch, planning events, garage sale-ing, working out...(and all other things done with a mom, lol)

BUT I do know that not having my Mom has made me a stronger person...I am independent, I had to be in the past, now I just am....I am a better mom, because lets face it, I know what not having a mom feels like...the list goes on.

I LOVE YOU!!! GONE BUT NEVER FORGOTTEN!

This was taken when we first started dating.

I will end saying this, I love my Husband soooo much. He is my rock! I cant express what a joy it is to be married to him. The Lord has blessed me. He is my soul mate. I am so happy that some days I am just oozing with happiness!!!!! I had a rough time all my life, and didnt really know "laid back" normal lifestyle was until I got with him. We have the All-American family. It is everything I have ever dreamed of and then some. I love you Adam!!

Wedding shower March 2011.

Another shot from our shower.

Fall 2010

Abendigo's-Summer 2011

Spring 2011

No doubt, the best year of my life!

We've got crabs!

Not really! ha We had so much fun today! We didnt get to go to the petting zoo because we spent the morning finishing up a ball tournament that got rained out this past week, so we got a late start. We did visit the Louisiana Boardwalk and ate lunch at Joe's Crab Shack! It was great!

Spring=Baseball!

Sister, proudly supporting her Baseball sister shirt!

So proud of Kullen. Not only is he handsome (to me, of course!) but he just shines! His personality is awesome! He is always joking, laughing and just living to the fullest! I hope he stays this way forever!

Slowcooking Friday!

I have had alot of you ask about some slowcooker recipes. I am going to show you a few of my favorites.

Chicken Bacon Ranch Slowcooker edition

2  turkey bacon strips, cooked and crumbles
1 tsp minced garlic
1 package ranch dressing mix (use half for less "punch")
1 10.75 oz can condensed cream of chicken soup (98% fat free)
1 cup fat-free sour cream
16 oz. chicken breasts, frozen or defrosted/raw
8 oz. rigatoni, cooked

Combine the first five ingredients. Place frozen or defrosted/raw chicken in slowcooker sprayed with nonstick cooking spray and pour sauce over the top (do NOT include water like the can mentions). Cook on high for 3.5 hours. Shred chicken with two forks. Cook pasta per package instructions on stove. Serve chicken over pasta.

This isnt really a freezer meal, but one of my low fat fav's so I thought I would share!

Next up,

Freezer meals!

Beef Pepperoncini Sandwiches (my version on a French Dip)■2 lb Chuck Roast
■16 oz Jar Peperoncinis
■1 Good Seasons Italain Seasoning Packet

Add all three ingredients into a Gallon Size Freezer Bag and put in freezer.  When you are ready to cook this, put all ingredients into crockpot and let cook for 8 hours on low.  Once the meat is cooked, shred it and serve on rolls or hogies with swiss or provolone cheese. YUM!

Brown Sugar Chicken ■Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts, I did 4
■1 cup Brown Sugar
■1/4 cup Sprite (I will add this once I add everything to the crockpot)
■2/3 cup Vinegar
■3 cloves smashed and chopped garlic
■2 Tablespoon Soy Sauce
■1 Teaspoon Black Pepper

Add all ingredients to Gallon Size Freezer Bag, except for the Sprite.  When you are ready to cook this, put all ingredients into a crockpot, add the sprite and let cook for 3-4 hours on high.

Honey Garlic Chicken ■Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breats, I used 4
 ■3 Garlic Cloves, smashed and chopped
 ■1 Teaspoon Dried Basil (I used Fresh)
 ■1/2 cup  Soy Sauce
 ■1/2 cup Ketchup
 ■1/3 cup Honey

Add all ingredients to Gallon Size Freezer Bag.  When you are ready to cook this, put all ingredients into a crockpot and let cook for 3-4 hours on high.

BBQ Chicken
■Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breats, I used 4
■Chopped Green Pepper
■Chopped White Onion
■BBQ Sauce, I used Sweet Baby Rays (but use whatever you have in your stockpile)

Combine all ingredients in a Gallon Size Freezer Bag. When you are ready to cook this, put all ingredients into a crockpot and cook for 3-4 hours on high.

Veggies in a Bag
■Chopped Onion
■Chopped Banana Squash
■Chopped Red Potatoes
■Chopped Green Pepper
■Garlic
■Fresh Basil

*Please note that I did not create these meals. These were all inspired from different blogs and Pinterest over time. I will start making sure I keep track of where I get recipes so I can credit the creator!


I did make this one up...it is not that healthy but it is cheap, quick and easy. (Not much to it)
My family loves it.

Mandi's hodge podge
2 packages link Sausage (we use the Great Value brand from Walmart)( skiced or 3inch pieces)
1/2 Onion cubed
1 bell pepper sliced
1/2 zucchini cubed
1/2 sqaush cubed

Put all above in freezer bag and freeze. On the day you cook it, put in crock pot and add 1 cup of water. Cook 6 to 8 hours on low. When you get ready to serve, drain water, add Worcestershire sauce to taste. We usually season with Webber's Garlic and herb as well.


Happy Friday Ya'll!

It's my FRIDAY!

Hey! So, its my Friday! We have lots planned for our weekend! Adam and I will be celebrating our 1st Anniversary! We plan to celebrate with lots of family time! We will be going to Shreveport to the Louisiana Boardwalk.

for more info go here...http://louisianaboardwalk.com/

We are also going to take the kids to Gator's & Friends, nearby.

                                 check out this wild adventure here...http://gatorsandfriends.com/

Im hoping for beautiful weather! We have gotten so much rain in the past couple of days! We sure needed it though. After the Summer we had last year, nobody should complain!

Hope everyone has a great weekend!