I JUST FOUND OUR WEDDING PICS....

I have been searching for the cds with our wedding pictures on them for years. I found them this week! So exciting.

Summer in Corpus Christi

We took a trip to Corpus recently. The kids had the best time. More pics to come, but this is my all-time fave from the whole week. Lila LOVED the water. She loved walking through the sand and having the water wash up on her. I LOVED watching her little belly hang out of her bikini. :)

I've been a bad blogger.....

In the last year, our family has been through some serious stuff. Jason came home from Iraq. He was placed in ICU for a major brain hemorrhage. Lila was born five days after he came home. Then, we both attended Tech for two semesters. (Let me tell you, having both parents in school is HARD!) We also watched our big girl, Brittany, graduate in the same month that our baby girl, Lila, turned one. Now, we are starting a new chapter. Jason starts working for the FAA in two weeks! What a blessing. Brittany moves into her dorm in two weeks, too. We are also in the process of adopting two more girls! So, all that being said, I am going to try to be a better blogger. Here's to good intentions.....

Our 3, 4, and 5 month baby girl

Newednesday! (on Friday!)

This week, the newness is brought to you by Halloween. :) Since Halloween isn't one of the sugar exempt days, we have to keep all of our celebrating sugar free. I talked with Erika's teacher and told her I would find a fun snack that didn't break the rules. I succeeded. So, tonight, Jason and I spent a little quality time together in the kitchen whipping up these little critters. They are Ritz with peanut butter in the middle. Then, pretzel sticks for spider legs and raisins for eyes. Aren't they precious?

Newednesday!

So, I've coined a new phrase.....Newednesday! Wednesday is my day to stay at home, catch up on homework, clean, do laundry, cook homemade meals and play with my family. So, I want to start trying a new recipe each week. Here's what we are having for dinner tonight:

Deep-Dish Mexican Meatloaf Pie
1.25 pounds ground beef
1 cup finely crunched tortilla chips
1 envelope onion soup mix
3/4 cup bottled taco sauce (I used taco seasoning and added water to it)
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1 8.8 ounce pouch cooked Mexican Rice (I went and got prepared rice from Rosa's) :)
1 15 ounce can corn or hominy, rinsed and drained
1 14 ounce can Rotel
1 cup shredded Jack cheese
1 medium anaheim (I used jalapeno) pepper, seeded and diced
1/4 cup fresh cilantro
tortilla chips and sliced jalapeno pepper for garnish

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine beef, crushed chips, soup mix, 1/2 cup taco sauce, one lightly beaten egg, and black pepper. Press into bottom of deep dish pie plate (or casserole dish). Heat rice (or open from Rosa's container :) ). In bowl, combine rice, hominy, tomatoes, cheese, seeded and chopped pepper, cilantro, remaining taco sauce and egg. Pour rice mixture over meat mixture. Cover loosely with foil. Bake 40 minutes. Remove foil; bake 20 minutes more or until meat thermometer reads 160 degrees. Cool 15 minutes. Top with chips, onions, and/or jalapeno.

By Annie Crawford via Better Homes and Gardens 2010

A new bouncy chair

For the first two months of Lila, she was quite the little fuss bucket! We had all of the "required" baby gear: a bouncer, a swing, etc....but she cared for none of it. She cried (for what felt like) 24 hours a day. I was out at a garage sale one day and ran across this bouncer. It was so sweet and pink and the one we had a home was blue and the rest of those primary colors. Although we had no room for another bouncer and no need for one either, since she refused to use the one we had, I felt like I had to have it. So, I handed over the $5 and loaded it in the car. On the way home, I tested out how I would explain to Jason why I HAD to have this new bouncer. When I got home, he was more understanding that I'd anticipated. I took it apart and washed it all up and promptly loaded Lila into it. She instantly fell asleep. Two months later, she watches football in it, she takes naps in it, she sits in it and looks out at the world, she watches Mommy vacuum in it....she LOVES it. And I'm so thankful that we finally found something she would actually use.

Erika's little tea party

On my way home from school one night, I called home and Erika was in the background begging to talk to me. When she got on the phone, she was talking 90 miles a minute. She said she couldn't wait to get me home because she had a surprise but that I needed to act surprised and not come in until she came out to get me. She met me at the door and had Dad assist her in putting a blindfold on my eyes and a hairbow in my hair. She led me to the living room and when I took off my blindfold, this is what she had prepared for me. She amazes me sometimes. I love having little girls. :)

Claire's Birthday Cupcakes

Claire's fourth birthday party was held at a swimming pool two weeks before her actual birthday. So, when her actual day arrived, she requested another party. :) She wanted pink cupcakes, with pink icing and pink candles and real strawberries...and "it needs to taste pink!" What kind of aunt would I be if I didn't grant her this wish?

Lila, modeling a new bib for Mommy

This is an example of the new bib that I have started making. I can make them in any colors and patterns. Lila just loves the soft minky fabric on the back. :)

The Hot Air Balloon Festival

I learned that there is really no way of tracking the balloons, so right after they launch, these chase vehicles just take off and follow the balloons until they land.



All of the kiddos (minus Claire). I can't believe how well they cooperated for this snapshot. I think the chilly weather was causing them to be off of their game. ;)

Claire wasn't interested in having her picture taken, so she offered up her bear. :)




We made it out at daybreak to the Hot Air Balloon Festival in Wolfforth this year. As we were driving up, the first balloon was being aired up. Although it was too windy for many of the balloons to launch, we had a great time watching the few that did sail away. It was freezing (57 degrees) and we were up so, so, so early (630am) but it was all worth it.

Fro-Yo as a final treat for Erika's birthday!

Killing time at the glasses store

Erika was so bored waiting for my glasses to be finished, so I let her do some trying on of her own. :)

Road-Trippin'

Lila has be hauled all over the state since she was born. We have been to Seymour, Odessa, DFW, and even Carlsbad, NM. She should be used to road trips now. And, of course, she HAS to travel in style!

Our two month old baby girl, Lila

Lila's First Ride in a Swing

Mr. and Mrs. Haggard :)

Lake Kemp Summer 2010

We just love going to the lake cabin in Seymour but we have only been once this summer due to our newest arrival. When we did go, we had such a great time, but it's just a little too hot for Little Miss.

My new business: J,K, & Elle

These are wooden letters that I have painted, embossed, and added ribbons to.

Saint Patty's Day applique. I can design them and you can sew them on, or I can do it for you.

A decor wall in my house that has many of the items I offer in my shop.
Another applique. This time, it's on minky dot fabric.
Canvas painting with mixed media flower. This is my first design, but I am adding new designs daily.
Wooden M that is decorated with embossing powder, paint, and ribbons.


Easter wreath decorating with dozens of plastic eggs and ribbons.

These are just a few of the items I offer in my shop. There are many more ideas to come. I take custom orders if you have a particular design in mind.

Independence Day 2010

Who do you think Lila looks like?