DipTacular Dips

OK so Boo Mama is hosting a dip party if you will. It's really to kick off the College Football season but I love anything that I can dip chips into or anything that contains cream cheese for that matter.

But seriously what a better way to get some new ideas for the impromptu tailgating shindig where everyone just shows up and your house and then screams at the TV for the next 3.5 hours.

I know the big talk is about A&M moving to the SEC and so on, but I just have to say this, I don't really have a preference, it's college football season...enough said. Gig'em.

Ok back to the reason for this post. DipTacular dips!

I have two.

1. Baked Potato Dip
1 16oz container of Sour Cream
1 package (2cups) of finely shredded cheddar cheese, mild, sharp, it's really your preference
1 3oz package Oscar Mayer Real Bacon Bits
1 package Ruffles potato chips

Empty sour cream into a bowl and season to taste with salt and pepper. Add bacon bits and and mix well. Add cheese and mix well again. Serve with Ruffles potato chips.
*It's better if you let sit over night and serve the next day.

2. Chocolate Chip Dip
1 8oz package Cream Cheese - softened
1/2 cup butter - softened
3/4 cup of confectioner's sugar
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup (6oz) miniature semisweet chocolate chips
Graham cracker sticks - I used Teddy Grahams

In a small bowl, beat cream cheese and butter until light and fluffy. Add the sugars and vanilla; beat until smooth. Stir in chocolate chips. Serve with graham cracker sticks. makes 2 cups.

Happy Dipping!

I wasn't going to tell you about my weekend.

Well we made it through our first week of school. I was little worn out by Friday in much need of some weekend rest.

We really did pretty much nothing during the weekend. Friday night high school football game. I would like to say we won but lets just stop there. It was U-G-L-Y!

Saturday, went shopping with the fam most of the day. Then some unexpected girl time with my best friends. We went and got pedicures. And after the week we all had it was just what we needed. Then Saturday night was date night with Hubs.

Sunday was supposed to be church but I woke up with such a horrible headache. I had been battling it since Friday. And finally Sunday afternoon Hubs realized I hadn't had any caffeine. Go figure. I had felt so bad that all I to drink was either water or Sprite.

So after two cokes I started to feel better. And it was then that I also guessed someone was hogging the laundry fairy. And since I didn't want my kids to go to school with no socks or shorts I figured I had better get started on the mountains of dirty clothes. 7 loads of laundry, all washed, dried, folded, and put away. High five to me!

And there you go, a recap of my weekend that I wasn't going to tell you about.

It's just a little hot

A friend and I were talking yesterday and the conversation turned to the weather and how hot it's been. Imagine that.

I know y'all get sick of hearing me complain about how hot it is because it's like Texas is always smokin' hot in August. But this year is it hotter.

Well it's beyond HOT. It's like extreme heat. It's like the molten center of the earth has found a way to pierce it's outer shell and found a way to open up right in Texas and OH MY THE HEAT!

And just so y'all don't think I am exaggerating...

I do believe all of my activities for the weekend will be centered around the indoors with plenty of A/C.

It's only the third day and I need a vacation

So school has been back in for three days and I am already to go back on summer vacation.

Everything has been great up to this point, R1 is adjusting to Jr. High very well. I'm not but that's a story for another day. R2 loves his teacher and comes home telling stories about things that happened during the day.

But me, this being on a schedule again has kicked my butt! I could fall into bed every night at 8pm. I seriously don't know who has been more tired, me or the kids.

They go to bed at 9 every night and so far, knock on wood, they go right to sleep.

So I'm hoping I can get to bed tonight at a decent hour, like 7pm. Just kidding. Maybe.

Oh and just to put this out there. I thought all fees at the beginning of the school year were crazy for elementary school. Jr. High has totally blown that thought out of the water.

In just the past few days I had to pay for a Baritone mouth piece, band fee, book fee, gym uniform, and lock for a locker. WHEW! Can you say the money tree in the backyard has dried up! So those of you that have kids going to Jr. High next year get ready!

OK now that's off my chest, I'm off to find somewhere to take a nap.

See ya!

Yeah I totally dropped the ball

Yesterdays post was supposed to have a picture of the boys on their first day of school and we got so busy with breakfast and making lunches and grabbing backpacks that I didn't have time to post the picture I took.

And I also forgot my USB cord at home so I couldn't even put the picture up from work.

It's there now but to save you some trouble by having to go back...here it is again.

They both had a great day! I was so glad. I was more nervous than both of them.

R1 didn't even knuckle bump me as he got out of the car when I dropped him off at the Jr. High. He just said bye mom, see you this afternoon. My mama heart broke into a million little pieces. I was prepared for no kiss and hug but no knuckle bump. Seriously, he's grown up. Thank goodness I still had R2 to take to school. I knew he would be my saving grace.

R2 and I walked into school together. He was saying hi to just about everyone. We got to his class room and he gave his teacher a big hug and told her he loved her. I was so happy. He put on his name tag and sat in his place as I filled out a few papers. Then it was time for me to leave. He told me he loved me and wrapped those arms right around my neck and hugged me tight. At least one of my boys wasn't embarrassed to still hug his mama.

Oh and I guess R1 still needed me after all. We had discussed before I dropped him off that I would be picking him in the front of the school but he called me because he couldn't remember if I was picking him up or if he had to ride the bus to the elementary school to met Hubs and R2.

So glad we all survived the first day of school, especially me!

1st and 6th

Sorry, last week I took an unexpected mini vacation. We tried soak up as much as we could these last few day of summer.

Today is the first day of school. I am now the mom of a 1st grader and a 6th grader. Oh be still my mama heart.

I'm not nervous for R2 at all but R1 that's a whole other story. He's fine with it as a matter of fact he's more than fine. He knows all of the kids and knows his way around the Jr High and knows most of the teachers. But me I'm a nervous wreck. I've been trying hard not to let R1 see how nervous I am for him, I don't want my insecurities to rub off on him.

So last night as I put my boys to bed, I prayed over them for the up coming school year. And when I was done R1 thanked me. He said he was excited for the new school year and couldn't wait to see his friends. R2 said he couldn't wait to see his teacher and his best friend Jude!

And with that here is my 1st grader and my 6th grader...

I'm apologizing now

So I owe my internet peeps an apology. I have been a horrible commenter. Usually when I pay each of your blogs a visit I leave a comment. It might just be one word or it might be a book but nonetheless a comment.

I would like to say it's only been a week or so of me doing this but that would be a lie. It's been more like 2 months maybe 3.

I seriously don't know what has happened to me. It's like I went on summer vacation and forget what I was doing before I left.

I can tell you this, I still stop by each day to keep up with what's been going on with y'all.

All I can say is I'm sorry I haven't been such a great commenter. Once school is back in session, I'm hoping that will change. So just bear with me.

Thanks y'all!

Fall

OK, I am over this heat! 97-100 degree temps everyday and heat indexes some where around 104-107.

DONE! THE END!

You would also think I would be used to this. I have lived in Texas all my life and South East Texas for over 20 yrs. But I'm not used to it.

So in high hopes that the heat ends soon, I'm going to show you what I am obsessing about for Fall.

6 and 11

That's the ages of my boys.

Right now I keep thinking about all of the last things.

Like R2, my 6yr old, is now to the point where picking him up after he has fallen asleep in the living room and carrying him to his bed is not an option.

And R1, my 11yr old, is 5 feet tall. Just 3 more inches and he will be as tall as me. And when I took him to the doctor this week and they weighed him I nearly fell over. He is growing up. He no longer needs me to answer the questions the doctor asks, he can do it for himself.

School is getting ready to start again and we are moving on to First grade and Jr. High.

For R2, I remember the last day of kindergarten. The way he smiled when I took his picture on the school play ground with his three best friends.

R1, was at the top of his campus the big 5th grader, now he's starting all over again and he'll be fine. But the last moments of elementary school are etched in my brain. A tall smart young man walking down the hall to the doors that lead out into the parking lot and him looking back one last time.

I know I remember their firsts. Words. Steps. Birthdays and so much more. But I want to hold on to the lasts. I want to remember it all.

And one day when they ask, Hey Mom, do you remember the last time I....
I will be able to yes, yes I do just like it was yesterday and I loved it.

Fun day with R2

The other day I took R2 to a local water park.

He didn't get go with us to the beach because he was at grandparent camp and I didn't want him to feel left out. So while R1 was at grandparent camp I took him.

He was just tall enough to ride all of the water slides and still small enough to play in the children's area. He even went down the big slides by himself. He also hung out in the children's area too. He kept waiting for the big bucket to fall and splash water everywhere.

And then there was the lazy river. Only I don't think it was to lazy as all R2 wanted to do was swim down the lazy river and not ride in a tube. I would have been happy to float in that thing all day.

I think it's pretty evident by the picture below R2 had a blast and was worn out!

It's my obsession

This is my newest obsession.

PINTEREST

Go check it out.

Enough said.

Hello

Tap tap tap....is anyone still there???

I'm back. I think.

We have been busy with birthday parties, grandparent camp, and getting ready to go back to school. SSSHHHHH don't tell the boys.

Yes we only have two weeks left of summer. B-U-M-M-E-R-!

And since I'm on the topic of back to school. R1 has to read The Witch of Blackbird Pond for AP English. And the other night he was laying on the couch reading and when I looked up from the computer this is what I saw.

Ummmm, yeah, he's gonna get A LOT of reading done that way.

On a better note he only has three chapters left.

A day or days off is more like it

So since I gave my self the choice to blog or not to blog during the summer, I have literally taken my words at their meaning. My blogging has been VERY sporadic. Even Hubs made the comment the other night..."Hey you need to blog, you haven't done so in a while."

But it is even going to be more so. It's time for a bloggy vacay. We have tons of stuff going on the next few days and I'm looking forward to hanging out my boys and the rest of my family.

So to the three of you that I have left that read this, I'll be back here in a week. I might even have a picture or two to share with you.

Y'all have a great weekend.

Peace out!

Sweet summer time

A sweet boy and his sweet dog

Last night I snapped this photo of R2 and Cookie in the recliner.

Cookie just couldn't wait any longer for me sit down and so she found the next best thing...R2!

To sweet!

Frito pie and a little Friday Night Lights on a Monday

So Hubs had some dental work yesterday and because of this my in-laws took the boys to the lake for the night so I would only have one child to look after. Hubs being the child.

And before he gets all in an up roar, he's was a really great patient. He didn't wine, cry, or moan once. I was proud of him.

Anyway so since he really couldn't eat anything but soup, it was a kinda fend for your self night at our house. I chose Frito pie, but only because we had left over chili from the night before.

And since the boys weren't home, Hubs and I got full rein of the TV. No Phineas & Ferb. No iCarly. No Good Luck Charlie. Really no Disney Channel whatsoever. I know their ratings took a nose dive at least for one night.

So what did we do with our free TV time. I put my foot down and said I was finally watching the series finale of Friday Night Lights. I had read a few spoiler alerts, thanks Big Mama, but it was OK because I knew Coach and Tami would end up fine whether they stayed in Texas or moved. I knew Matt was going to propose to Julie, I knew at that Tim and Tyra's dreams might merge. Who am I kidding. I had no idea!! But what I did know was that at some point I was going to watch the finale, I just had to bring myself to do. It was like Harry Potter, I didn't want it to end. But that's another post for another day.

What Hubs finds ironic is that I don't like to watch football. No pros, no college, not even high school football. But I love movies and TV shows about football. One of my favorite movies is The Blind Side. It's really not directly about football, but it is a big part of the movie. I have been watching Friday Night Lights FOREVER! The movies Remember the Titans, and Facing the Giants. See football. Go figure.

Anyway after I used almost half a box of tissues, I managed to dry my eyes and get rid of the huge lump in my throat, Hubs and I moved on to some great TV classics, such as multiple episodes of Pawn Stars, about 6.4 seconds of Monday RAW and Real Housewives of New York City.

Don't judge.

And adult TV didn't last long the boys will be home tonight and the Disney Channels rating will go back up. I Promise.

VBS 2011

Well I survived the week of Vacation Bible School.

But by the time Thursday night came my get up and go had gotten up and went. I was wiped out! Kitchen detail had kicked my butt!

The kitchen crew cooked dinner every night for five days for about 50 people and we cleaned up and then did some preparations for the next day. But I have to say the kitchen crew is awesome! I'm glad I was apart of it.

All the glory goes to God! This year we grew and grew in numbers each night. We started off the week with more than we ended with last year. And I know the kids had so much fun! At least mine did. Every night when we left my boys were saying how much fun they had.

And I have to say that while I might have been to tired to leave comments on the regular blogs I visit, don't think I wasn't reading and keeping up to date, because I was.

Hope y'all have a great Monday!

God is a movin' and a shakin'

I have been praying for something for a few years. Nothing for me personally but for something specific to happen.

Early in the year those prayers were answered. I saw God had moved a mountain, one that I knew only he could move.

I love it when God shows you things. Whether you have been praying for specific things or not, when he shows himself, it's completely awesome. I am always over come with a feeling of gratitude and humbleness. I find it amazing that He finds me worthy of His grace.

Anyway, God is movin' and shakin' things up further. I was glad my prayer was answered and I thought OK that's it, it's done, it's finished. But God shook his finger back and forth in my face, as if to say no no no....I'm not done. Just wait and see what I do now.

He has taken things beyond the beyond. He drew the line and then stepped over it and kept going.

And you know what? I'm going with Him. While my humanness is making me ask questions, my faithfulness in Him is taking me right along.

For great is your love, reaching to the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies. Psalm 57:10

The Big Apple

Every night this week I am visiting the Big Apple. That's right folks, it VBS time and we are going on the...


Got ya! Y'all really thought for a second I was going to New York. I wish!!

And this year as usual I am working in the kitchen. I love working in the kitchen. My fellow chefs and I have a blast. The only bad thing about working in the kitchen, and I really haven't decided if it's such a bad thing, is we get to sample all of the desserts that come in for the night.

We have some wonderful bakers that are members of our church and each night a few of them bring some fantastic desserts. Tuesday night will be my favorite night because Mrs. Rachel is bringing her homemade Chocolate Pie. YUMMY!

Anyway, I'm outta here. Tonight is taco salad night and I'm off to start the chopping and dicing of the lettuce, tomatoes, and green onions.

Peace out!

11

And just like that he's 11.

It's hard to believe that 11 years has passed so quickly.

We started here.

Then went here.
And there.

Now all of a sudden we're here.

Happy Birthday R1. I love you!