A Round of Applause Please?

Just wanted to put it out there that today is the first day since Christmas that I have gotten ready and I am actually attempting to get my arse out of the house. Just wanted some kudos, that's all! I'm also going to attempt to post my Christmas pics later on today. Yowza, don't know if I can handle so much productivity in one day!

A Birthday, A Gingerbread House and Guitar Hero III...

So I turned 30 yesterday. I know that for a lot of people the big 3-0 is a hard birthday, but I for some reason, have been looking forward to it. I think people take you seriously once you are out of your 2o's and I am looking forward to all of the adventures of a new decade. I am also excited for the upcoming week of Christmas and New Year's and all of the traditions we have surrounding those two holidays. I have so much to be thankful for and look forward to focusing my love and gratitude on my family and those who I love during these last days of 2007. I am looking forward to the new year which is upon us. I love the start of a new year and all of the promises, hopes and dreams that it brings with it. Two important arrivals that will come along with 2008 for our family this year, is the birth of our new baby and the return home of my sister from her mission at the end of June. Can't wait for both of these events. So, here's to new beginnings, for all of us, whatever they may be... Here are the boys "decorating" the gingerbread house, I think they actually did more eating!


This was my "real" present from Neal and the kids. I love Willow Tree figurines and I have the original nativity. I love the simplicity of the characters and the emotions they are able to portray through that simplicity. I saw this a few weeks ago and loved it. Willow Tree is planning on adding the rest of the nativity pieces this summer. I can't wait to collect the entire set. This was my other gift and I have to say, I was ESTACTIC! Neal and I are obsessed and I am so happy to have my own copy of this addicting pastime! We stayed up WAY too late last night after the kids went to bed, but we had a blast and I kicked Neal's BUTT!!! HAHAHA love ya!

Five For Fridays, a bit late...

So I have been SICK, not just kindof sick but REALLY, REALLY SICK and I have to say that it sucks. I am thankful that in the end I will have a chubby, pink, adorable baby, but right now it isn't very fun. I wasn't sick with my first two so I am not at all used to this. Okay, enough complaining. On to the five things or people I am thankful for this week :)

1. Meet my good friend Mandy. She and I have known each other for 23 years! I met her when my family and I moved here from California. Her birthday was this past Wednesday and I just want her to know how much I love and appreciate her. She is such a positive person and I admire her optimism and faith in the midst of challanges. Hope you had a GREAT old lady 30th b-day Mand!

2. I am grateful that I can teach violin lessons at my house. It is so great to be able to bring in extra money as well as get away from my kids and do something I am good at, all while I stay in the comfort of my own home. I love it and I am very glad that my mom made me keep taking lessons (until I was 18!!!)

3. I am grateful for modern medicine. A good friend of mine was diagnosed with breast cancer this past week and had a masectomy yesterday morning. Because of the advances of modern medicine, she was home eating dinner with her family last night! Amazing!

4. I am grateful I have a garage. I used to hate scraping the ice off of my car when I lived at home and had to park on the driveway. I love hopping into my car and getting it nice and warm before I even leave the house. I am a wimp I know.

5. I am grateful for today (Saturday) because it's the best I've felt all week and I am gonna enjoy it and appreciate it while it lasts!

6. Now meet Janelle. I have a bunch of friends who have birthday's during the month of December, and this is another one of them. Janelle and I have known each other since high school but didn't really hit it off until after graduation. We shared some crazy, fun times and I love her to pieces. Hope you have a great day today poops!

I hope you all have a great weekend...

Five For Fridays...

I am especially grateful today because...

1. We are going to have another baby!!! I am so excited and consider it a great blessing to be able to have children and bring them into the world. My kids can hardly wait and tell everyone they see that "my mom is growing a baby in her tummy." You can imagine the looks that we get!
2. I am grateful for the snow and rain we have received this past week. I enjoy drinking water, bathing and keeping my grass and flowers alive, so I am thankful for the precipation we get.

3. I am grateful for Beeline Pest Control. Have a spider problem? Give them a call. I have used them for the past 6 years and I love them. We never see so much as a hint of a live spider anywhere inside the house.

4. I am grateful for holiday parties. I love going to celebrations and festivities that help me feel the Christmas spirit and get into the holiday mood.

5. I am grateful for Magic Moments Preschool that helps give me a little bit of time alone each week!

I hope you all have a fantastic weekend!

Crock Pot Chicken

I have had a couple of requests for some crock pot recipes. I love using mine and honestly use it a couple of times a week. Today's recipe is one of my favorites.

Cream Cheese Italian Chicken

4-6 boneless, skinless chicken breast (can be frozen)
1 8 oz. package cream cheese
1 packet Good Seasons Italian Dressing Mix
1 can Cream of Chicken Soup

Place chicken in crock pot, put in cream cheese, sprinkle Italian dressing over the top and cover with cream of chicken soup. Cook for 1-2 hours if chicken is thawed, then stir ingredients to mix them together, cook on low for 4-6 hours depending on how tender you want the chicken. If your chicken is frozen, cook for 2-3 hours then stir ingredients together and cook for a remaining 4-6 hours. I like to dump all the ingredients in the night before and let it cook all night and the next day. It makes the chicken just fall apart. This recipe is great served with rice. You can also make this recipe substituting Pork for the chicken (I use chops) and it is really good too!