Weaned

This little girl...

Is officially weaned.

I decided to finally wean Trinity when nursing started to become a "problem".  Pro-nursing people if you are reading, in no way do I mean that nursing is a "bad thing"  I mean, look how old my child is.  We loved it, but when she started yelling out for it in church it became a problem.  When she would try to "help herself" in front of just anyone.  Um...not good.  When she woke up ALL through the night, and that was her only way back to sleep.  Not fun.  When I got chewed out by the dentist because he said her teeth were starting to be affected.  Embarrassing.  So Friday night was the 1st time I said "no" to her, and she melted down for half an hour, and I melted down even longer.  It was rough, but we made it.  Saturday night she melted down for about 10 minutes, and then happily drank her water.  Sunday night, and last night she didn't even ask!  She just grabbed her sippy cup of water and laid down and fell asleep!  Not bad for being almost 2! 

Such a big girl she is!

Heartfelt Blogger Award

A sweet blogger friend, Charlotte, awarded my blog yesterday with the Heartfelt Blogger Award.  This award is for blogs who make you feel warm and comfortable when you read them.  So, thank you Charlotte that is very sweet of you, and I'm so glad you enjoy reading my blog.  I would like to extend this award to some of my favorite "warm feeling" blogs. 

Homemaker's Cottage

Beyond our Wildest Dreams

Goodness and Mercy Shall Follow

Our 3 Sons Plus 1... Super Cute Girly Girl

I chose these blogs because they always leave such sweet comments on my blog, and I know they would be great friends of mine outside of blogger world.  So thank you again!

                                                 

Brrrrr

It's cold!  I mean FREEEEZZZIIINNGGG!  It's 29 degrees here in the deep south.  The low this morning was 18.   Don't laugh if you are completely snowed in. Remember, we don't see weather like this at all.  In fact the weather man, who is always wrong right said that we haven't seen weather like this since Christmas eve of 89.  I was 7, and don't remember.  I can remember as a child Thanksgiving and Christmas with 70 and 80 degree weather.  Today, I can't stay warm with layers on...and I'm inside with central heat.  We don't own scarves, gloves, or hats.  We own flip flops, swim suits, and beach toys.  Who needs winter gear in south Texas?  My children don't seem to mind it because they were crying yesterday evening to play outside on the swing set.  I didn't let them.  Almost every house around has old blankets and sheets on all their plants.  My plants are probably freezing.  My husband left real early this morning to drive to the deer lease to sit in a blind in frigid weather to look for deer.  No thanks!  So what to do today inside is the big question.  I think I may make some chicken soup, finish art projects with the girls, learn to crochet ...I'm serious, study the Sunday school lesson for tomorrow morning, and catch up on some laundry.  I can't wait for summer, but I know when it's 105 outside I will wish for winter.  How are you spending your cold day today?

Hook 'em Horns

Dear Texas Longhorns,

Everyone here in Texas is going crazy with anticipation for the game you are about to play in a few minutes.  Please do your very best and win so everyone in my family will be in a good mood tomorrow!

Thank you and Good Luck!

Jessica

Easy Tortilla Soup

We woke up this morning to frost on the ground, ice on the windshield, and a thermometer that said 32.  That's freezing!  Here in south Texas we don't see temperatures like that often, so to me it's super COLD.  I don't know about you, but I love to make some yummy soup on a cold day.  What I like even more is something quick and easy that can be put together with no problem.  This recipe for tortilla soup is so easy, and everyone will love it. 

Here is what you need:
4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
1can (4oz) chopped mild green chilies, drained
2 cloves of garlic, minced  (I use garlic powder)
1 yellow onion diced
2 cans (15 oz each) diced tomatoes undrained
1/2 to 1 cup chicken broth (I use a large carton)
1 teaspoon ground cumin
salt and pepper to taste
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
4 corn tortillas, sliced to 1/4- inch strips
1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
1 avocado, peeled, diced and tossed with lime juice to prevent browning

This is how to make it:
1. Place chicken in the Crock Pot slow cooker
2. Combine chilies, garlic, onion, tomatoes, chicken broth, and cumin in a small bowl.  Pour mixture over chicken
3. Cover; cook on LOW for 6 hours or HIGH for 3 hours until chicken is tender.  Remove chicken; use two forks to shred the meat and return to slow cooker.  Adjust seasonings.
4. Just before serving add cilantro and tortillas to slow cooker.  Stir to blend.
5. In bowl; top with cheese, avocado, and a squeeze of lime juice.

If you want your tortilla strips crunchy then pop them in the oven at 400 until crunchy.

Enjoy and stay warm!

Not Me Monday...Camping Edition

Today's Not Me Monday is going to be a hunting/camping version because I would NEVER write a post about how much I HATED strongly disliked my first camping experience.  We actually didn't camp out in tents we stayed in an OLD camper which didn't have running water.  I would certainly NEVER complain from the second we arrived at the camp site.  I would NEVER beg my husband almost to tears to bring me back home on the first day.  I also would NEVER bring my designer handbag and shoes on a camping trip thinking I might have some use for them.  I would NEVER take my laptop and even hope that there would be some kind of internet service in the middle of nowhere. 

I did however enjoy taking pictures of the red dirt roads that lead to NOTHING but cactus. 

I also would NEVER allow my daughters to run on a path that leads to the unknown.

                                    

As you can tell my girls are WAY under the age of 16 so I would NEVER let them play on a ATV that is made for adults.

                                      

...or let them drive away in it

                                        

ok...I really didn't let them drive away...honest! And finally, since it was freezing (35 degrees...freezing to me) I would NEVER put a hunting mask on my child who was cold in the morning.

                                                 

I would really NEVER complain this much!