YOU'VE GOTTA TRY THIS!!! THURSDAY

Check out my original post for info about this fun weekly post.

I have another recipe for my YOU'VE GOTTA TRY THIS!!

Because we live on the east coast good Tex-Mex is VERY hard to come by! So, we have taken to making our own mexican food and are always looking for new recipes. Here is our newest favorite...

King Ranch Chicken

1/4 cup butter
1 medium bell pepper, chopped
1 medium onion, chopped
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 can (10 oz) Rotel
2 cups cooked chicken, cubed
12 corn tortillas, cut in halves or fourths
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Cook pepper and onion in melted butter until tender. Add soups, Rotel, and chicken. Stir until well blended.In a 13x9x2 inch pan, layer tortillas, soup mixture and cheese. Repeat for 3 layers. Bake for 40 minutes or until hot and bubbling.

ENJOY!! It is YUMMY!!

Okay, now it's your turn. What is your YOU'VE GOTTA TRY THIS??? It doesn't have to be a recipe...share anything you want!

How cool is this??

Most of the people who read this blog are friends from ACU...check out this article that I found when I got onto Yahoo a few minutes ago. I wish I were a freshman again!!!!

http://arstechnica.com/journals/apple.ars/2008/02/26/texas-university-giving-freshmen-iphones-and-ipod-touches

Updates

I haven't mentioned how the potty training is going in awhile, so I thought I would let all you faithful readers know that it is going REALLY well!! A few posts ago I mentioned that we were using a potty chart for keeping his undies dry. This past week, he had 12 opportunities (before nap and after nap) to keep them dry and he did it 10 times!!!! He only had one accident and the other time he was in a diaper all morning because of playing out in the snow. We are sooo proud of Kennan!! The next reward he is working towards is getting to stay up a "little" later to have a movie night and popcorn with us. I am glad we waited a little longer to get this done...he was definitely ready this time!!!

Brayden is doing better with her solid food eating. She really likes green beans, which surprised me!! Her second favorite is applesauce mixed with oatmeal, and squash and sweet potatoes come in third. She does much better when Kenny feeds her!

We had some snow on Friday! So much that Kenny's classes were cancelled! He spent the day playing outside with us in the snow and then we played Settlers while the kids were napping. It felt like an extended weekend and we had a great time!

On the job front...Kenny has been approved to send out his official resume to churches. We have heard back from quite a few and some phone interviews have been scheduled. I don't think I am allowed to say much more, so I will leave it at that. We covet your prayers for discernment and that God would be preparing a church for us and our hearts for that church!!

I will leave you with a few pictures...

The kids before church on Sunday

YOU'VE GOTTA TRY THIS!!! THURSDAY

See my original post about this fun weekly post...

I have two things for you this week! Kenny and I enjoy spending time together in the evenings when the kids are asleep. We find ourselves playing the same game and watching the same movie series, so I thought I would share them with you! We love playing this game! (if you click on the picture it will take you to the amazon link) It is a strategy game designed for 3-4 players, but we have found a way to play just the 2 of us. I am not usually one for strategy games, but I really enjoy this one! The game is somewhat hard to explain, but it is easy to get the hang of it after playing! Here is a desription from amazon.com... "Players are recent immigrants to the newly populated island of Catan. Expand your colony through the building of settlements, roads, and villages by harvesting commodities from the land around you. Trade sheep, lumber, bricks and grain for a settlement, bricks and wood for a road, or try to complete other combinations for more advanced buildings, services and specials. Trade with other players, or at local seaports to get resources you might lack. The first player to achieve 10 points from a combination of roads, settlements, and special cards wins." You've gotta try it!!

The BBC has come out with this Planet Earth DVD collection. (click on the picture for a link to amazon) It is so entertaining and beautifully done. It comes with 5 DVDs and each DVD has 3 - 50 minute shows. We have only made it through the first DVD but are hooked! Here is a description from amazon.com... "With an unprecedented production budget of $25 million, and from the makers of Blue Planet: Seas of Life, comes the epic story of life on Earth. Five years in production, over 2,000 days in the field, using 40 cameramen filming across 200 locations, shot entirely in high definition, this is the ultimate portrait of our planet. A stunning television experience that captures rare action, impossible locations and intimate moments with our planet's best-loved, wildest and most elusive creatures. From the highest mountains to the deepest rivers, this blockbuster series takes you on an unforgettable journey through the daily struggle for survival in Earth's most extreme habitats. Planet Earth takes you to places you have never seen before, to experience sights and sounds you may never experience anywhere else." You've gotta try it!!

Okay, there are my ideas for the week. What are yours?? (It doesn't have to be a game or movie, whatever you think we've gotta try!!)

Okay friends (and lurkers :) )...here are a TON of pictures from the past few days. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: You will notice that Kennan has no pants on in the majority of these pictures. That is because we are potty training and it is actually going fairly well. Yippee!!

Relaxing on the couch
Most construction workers need tool belts...not this one!

Underwear will do!!!

One of the ways we have been working with Kennan to keep his underwear dry is a sticker chart. I break the day up...before nap and after nap...and he gets a sticker if he keeps it dry for that period of time. Once he gets 5 stickers (for now) he gets a reward...this time it was a trip to Chuck E Cheese. If you do the math, thats 2 1/2 days which is pretty good for our first serious week of potty training.

Boy, was he proud! We were too!!!

At Chuck E Cheese celebrating!



We had a play group the other day with some friends...I am so grateful for the community that we live in!

Evan making Brayden laugh!
Karin (with Brayden) and Gretchen with Abilgail
Hans and Kennan sharing (for the time being!!)
Katie and Kennan

The other day Kennan woke up from nap time wanting to be a cowboy. Well, since potty training is in full swing pants are hard to come by around here. So, here is pantless Cowboy Kennan for your entertainment.

After the pictures he informed me that "This cowboy is hungry and needs a snack."

I decided to do a photo shoot with Brayden on the couch the other day...

Then Kennan decided he needed to join in. He even brought in his blanket to sit on, but wouldn't look at the camera!! Silly boy!

Last night we met some friends at the fire house for a little tour. Our friend Chris is a firefighter with the volunteer fire department in our town. Caroline, his fiance was there too and held Brayden so I could take pictures and even get into the fire engine! I don't think I have done that since elementary school...maybe not even then??

Caroline and Brayden (okay Caroline...you know what to do!!!)

This deer in the headlights look pretty sums up Kennan's expression the entire time! I think he was a little bit scared, overwhelmed, and excited all at the same time!

There you have it friends!! A look into our past few days...what have you been up to??

LOVE

This post is a little delayed being that Valentines Day was a few days ago, but here I go anyway.

I have been blessed in my life to be loved by many people. I have a mom, dad, and brother who have loved and supported me all of my life. I have extended family and grandparents who have been active in my life and are a group of people I cherish being around. I have a husband that I adore and he loves me back. I have a mother-in-law, father-in-law, and a brother-in-law who have loved me like a part of their family. I have 2 children who have taught me what love is. All of that to say...I am loved.

It is so easy for me to take that love for granted, so that is why I appreciate days like Valentines Day to remind me of the love I have in my life. I know that for the most part Valentines Day is a consumer's holiday with all of the cards, candy, and flowers. But to me, it is also a day to remember love. This year on Valentines Day, we woke up to a little celebration and the exchanging of gifts. During "nap" time (for Brayden at least), I did my bible study and reflected on love and why we love. Appropriately, Kennan got a valentine from his sweet friend Hannah that reminded me...

"We love because he first loved us."

1 John 4:19

That is the reason that we love our family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, strangers, and even enemies. It is because we were first loved by God. And because we love him we can love all of those around us. What an amazing gift!

With that said, here are a few pictures to share...

The love of my life, a man I met (almost) 9 years ago

My precious kids, who have taught me the true meaning of love

YOU'VE GOTTA TRY THIS!!! THURSDAY

If you are just tuning in, here is a link to my original post about "YOU'VE GOTTA TRY THIS THURSDAYS". Check it out and then join in!!

I have 2 things this week...

The first is the Amazing Grace Soundtrack. I have never seen the movie, but I love the music from the soundtrack! If you have iTunes you should check it out!

The second thing I think you've gotta try is a series of books by Francine Rivers. I know she has written numerous books, but I have started reading her Lineage of Grace series. (the link is to the first book in the series) The series has 5 books in it, each one about an unlikely women in the Bible who has changed the course of history. They are 5 of the women who were named in the genealogy of Jesus in Matthew. I have only read the first one, but think it's great!

Okay, your turn...what is your YOU'VE GOT TO TRY THIS??? It doesn't have to be music or a book, it can be anything you want!!!

Snow Much Fun!!

Hahaha...I know you love my catchy title!

I guess I spoke too soon after my last post. The temperature rose, rain fell, and all the snow is melting away. Oh well, it was fun while it lasted! A few neighborhood kids and their moms and dads played outside last night on a small hill by our building. We broke out the sleds and the kids had a blast!

Kennan and his friend Joshua
Even Kenny had fun!

Janel, Jenna, Brayden, and me

After a COLD time outside, we went inside for some hot chocolate and we opened a present from Grammy and Pops.

Kennan was in charge of passing out the gifts
I guess Brayden was tired of all the pictures???
Kennan showing off his washcloth that Grammy embroidered.

Brayden was eager to open her present...
Where is she??
The tissue paper wrapping AFTER Brayden attacked...
She wasn't too happy with us taking it away!!
Much better...her washcloth from Grammy.

Tomorrow is "YOU'VE GOTTA TRY THIS THURSDAY". Be thinking of what you want to share with blogworld...I already have mine!! It can be anything you want...a recipe, book, product, anything!! Be creative...