Joy

So, I am into the videos today. Another one that I cried while watching on Facebook this morning and just wanted to share it, too.

This is so awesome! The joy on this kid's face is absolutely so real and true.

I Love Jesus But I Drink A Little

Okay, this is a little long, but someone posted it on Facebook this morning and I just cried laughing. So precious and so stinkin' funny. Enjoy!

Thanks to you, Much Overdue

Leann passed this blog award along to me a LONG time ago and I just wanted to FINALLY thank her! She is one of the sweetest people I have never actually met. ;) She comments regularly on my blog and misses me when I am gone.

She blogs about her kiddos and hubby and it is just plain sweet and fun over there.

So here's the scoop on this award:

"These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find, and be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers."
So now I need to pass it on!

Aw, I am honored. Thanks LeAnn and here are mine

Ali at Home of the Lazy Dog
Dawn at Running My Race
Amy at Just Keep Praying
Kristin at Fill My Cup
Chris at Dreams are Free

***

And then this award came my way from Kim at Situationally Single Mom. She seriously amazes me. Her hubby is deployed in Iraq right now, she has four kids, works full time, keeps a blog and is just really keeps a great attitude. Go visit her and tell her hello!


Thank you Kim for thinking of me.


So, to pass this one along it should go to some bloggers that have great attitudes - all the time!

Chris at Dreams are Free
LeAnn at Tollsons4Him
Jenn at The Peacocks Nesting Place
Carrie at Gremlin Wrangler


These are always so hard to choose. I cannot tell you how many amazing blogs are out there. Too many to name here!

Thanks again, ladies and sorry for the delay in posting them!

Winter Blues? Try this...

Okay, so in a post last week, I talked about how I get the winter blues.

As a matter of fact, since I posted that I have heard from you that I am not alone. I guess just being inside so much and the lack of sun really does have an effect on our body and how we feel.

Now, I want to go on record here by saying, I am not a doctor. These are things that make me feel better when I am feeling down. If something like this does not help, you can't get out of bed or you are feeling serious dread - visit your doctor. Don't wait to feel better. I have been there.

Okay, so these are to perk yourself up when the winter blues start to settle in.

• Prayer, quiet time, journal, meditate. Time alone with God is IMPERATIVE to my mental health.
  

• Visit with a friend. Now. Call someone. Go to coffee, lunch, the park. Just be with someone. It is a proven fact that friends make us feel better!

• Exercise - endorphins are released to make us feel happier.

• Buy fresh flowers for the house - Everything is so drab and dead looking in the winter. I need things that are colorful and alive in my house. I mean, other than my kids and hubby.
  

• Shower and put on make-up. It seems self-explanatory, but really I often just throw my hair up in a pony and put a sweatsuit on and run around. Sometimes, I need that but when I am feeling down, I try to do this next thing.

• Get dressed in a favorite outfit. It makes me feel less dumpy.

• Put perfume or scented lotion on. Something that makes you feel light.

• Get outside. God intended for us to be a part of his creation, not insulated from it.

• Play with your kids. Okay, they are fun!!! They almost don't even know how to be sad. Take a lesson from them and just play.
  

• Play favorite music.

• Go on a date with Hubby. Love, sweet love.

• Clean or organize. Works for me, maybe not for you. Sometimes the clutter weighs me down. I need to get rid of it to feel lighter! I honestly feel like my house is lighter when I get rid of junk.
  

• Watch a chick flick and let it all out! Sometimes a good cry is all you need!

Okay, so what do you do?

For more Works For Me Wednesday, visit Rocks In My Dryer.

What I Learned with 5 Weeks of Track-Out!

I am joining in on the fun with Jo-Lynne and friends at the What I Learned This Week carnival! I'm excited to reflect back on my week to see what I can learn rather than plowing on through to the next week without even looking back. So, the object of this carnival is just to post something about my past week or so that can be serious, silly, long, short, profound - just family friendly. Okay, so here goes...

I learned that 5 weeks off of school is way too long for this mama.

I've mentioned before that we are in year round school. Our particular track happens to have a "track out" right after the Christmas break which means about 5 weeks of no school for my sweet girl.

Oh, she is sweet. Today we went to breakfast to celebrate her last day of track out.

But I do think she is bored now and it is time to go back to school. For both of us.

I loved the time with her home and the later mornings. I have to admit I will miss those.

I just feel like I have been on vacation for 5 weeks since we don't have to be anywhere until after 9:00 on any morning. Thank goodness my son is back in preschool or we really would be in trouble.

I think next year when both kids are in school full time and tracked out for this long that I will need to find something with a little more structure for them like a track out camp.

So, tomorrow we track back in for 9 weeks and now my son is in preschool for 5 mornings a week! I better learn to be good with my time or my next What I Learned post will be something like, "I learned that you can waste a lot of time when the kids are in school."

Here is to being productive!

Visit Jo-Lynne's first What I Learned This Week Carnival and check out what other bloggers are learning! There is some good lessons there.

Monday Monday

Well, I am back from my retreat. Did you ever notice that women's retreats are really not that restful? Well, for me anyway. The talking and sharing just never ends! I don't think I was in bed before 1 am for 2 nights in a row. And yes - I loved every minute of it!!! That is just one great group of women who are excited about God, our church and about getting women connected.

I was exhausted yesterday and even thought I might be getting sick but a good night of sleep will do wonders!

Thanks for those that linked up to Souper Saturday! There were some great recipes on there that I want to try this week.

The kids are off of school today - AGAIN. Honestly, with a 5 week track out, vacation, snow days and holidays, the thought of both kids being in school again is almost surreal. Will it ever really happen? And what will I do with myself? Right.

So, my church just announced this weekend that we are going to multi-sites. Basically, each site will function as their own church with staffs and such but our pastoral team will be recorded at our main campus Saturday night service and broadcast at the other locations on Sunday. One of them will be right here in my little town! I am excited to be a part of that new site but a little melancholy about not being at the main campus on a regular basis once this kicks off. But I gotta go where God wants me to go, ya know? He hasn't steered me wrong yet!

So, how about you? Do any of you go to a multi-site church? Tell me about your experience.

Sunday Word - He is Your Life

Colossians 3:1-2 (The Message)

He Is Your Life

1-2 So if you're serious about living this new resurrection life with Christ, act like it. Pursue the things over which Christ presides. Don't shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ—that's where the action is. See things from his perspective.

Linked Up

Some interesting posts from the week:

This one should get you talking. Real men: George W. Bush
And this is from the White House Blog. Change Has Come to the White House


Great advice from ProBlogger - 21 Ways to Write Posts that are Guaranteed to Grow your Blog

The Worthington Wire debuted this week. What a great way to get ALL the news you need in one place. Thanks Mrs. Fussypants!

Want some crockpot recipes? Here are 365 of them! Thanks to my friend Amanda for that link.

Thanks to Beth on Triangle TRACKs for this post of Office Max's Replacement Warranty on old school Supplies.

Okay, happy weekend everyone. I am sitting in a cabin by a lake in my slippers with a bunch of really cool women from my church. I promise we are working. ;)

Souper Saturday - Shrimp and Poblano Chili

I am re-posting another one of my favorite soups! I hope you enjoy it, too.

Shrimp and Poblano Chili (Southern Living Magazine - January 2007)

First, you have to make this which you can use for other chilis and soups
Chili Seasoning Mix
Makes about 1 1/2 cups.
Prep 5 Min.

3/4 cup chili powder
2 Tbsp. ground cumin
2 Tbsp. dried oregano
2 Tbsp. dried minced onion
2 Tbsp. sugar
2 tsp. dried minced garlic

Shrimp and Poblano Chili
Makes 8 servings
Prep- 10 min. Cook 25 min

2 poblano chile peppers - diced
1 Tbsp. olive oil
4-(16 oz) cans navy beans, undrained
4 - cups frozen whole kernel corn
1 Cup chicken broth
2 Tbsp. Chili Seasoning Mix
2 lb. peeled, medium-size raw shrimp
Fresh Cilantro and fresh limes - optional

1. Saute diced chile peppers in 1 Tbsp. hot oil in a Dutch oven over medium high heat for 2 minutes.

2. Stir in navy beans and next 3 ingredients;bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally. Cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer, stirring occasionally, 15 minutes. Stir in peeled shrimp and cook, uncovered, 5 minutes. They will turn opaque when they are cooked.

3. Serve with fresh cilantro and squeezed lime juice. Also, warm corn tortillas, sour cream, cheddar or jack cheese and diced avocados are yummy, too!

Enjoy!

Stuff to Know

Souper Saturday will be up at Midnight. Have your favorite soup recipe's ready to link up! Please, link up. ;)

I am off to a retreat with some ladies from my church and will have no internet access. GASP!

Yes, it will be tough for me. But I will planning and eating and playing so I think it will be okay. I just won't be responding to you until Sunday night.

Look for a new carnival at Musings of a Housewife this coming Tuesday! I will be joining in and hope you will, too.

Have a super fantastic wonderful weekend.

Say It Forward

This is a great idea from 5 Minutes For Mom. Honor those that are loyal commenters your blog.

Nothing makes a blogger feel better than when readers leave comments. When you are pouring your heart out to the world it's a good feeling to have support.

I have many wonderful readers that leave regular comments. But almost daily, without fail is LeAnn from Tollsons4Him. I can genuinely say that I hope to meet her one day. I bet she is the type of friend you can always count on.

Thank you LeAnn!

In the Midst...

A couple of weeks ago I talked about having a word for 2009. Mine was Aware.

Well, don't you know that our wonderful and creative God has been teaching me all about awareness.

I am learning that awareness is about learning something in the midst of something else.


Father God,

• I pray not for patience, but for awareness in the midst of when I am losing it.

• I pray not for others to change, but for how I can love them in the midst of whatever they are doing that is driving me up the wall.

• I pray not for what I want, not to change my circumstances or my ministry or my house but how to be settled and fulfilled in the midst of where I am now.

• I pray not to lean on my own understanding in any situation, but to look toward you in the midst of my confusion.

Qlubb Review

When Team Mom first sent me this website to review, I really wasn't sure it was something I could use. I have a blog to stay in contact with my friends and family and a blog to stay in contact with the small group leaders I coach at church. My friend set up a website for our book club.

Hmmmm. Well, then it occurred to me exactly where I could use Qlubb. Right here at home!

My husband and I cannot seem to coordinate our schedules. We are forever scrambling as we discover that we are double booked or forgot an important date.

I love this site because unlike my blogs and website, each person involved in the "club" or the family can add important dates to the calendar. You can post chores for the kids and pictures of the kids sports and family vacations.

Now we can both access Qlubb to add our dates and then be in sync with each other.

You can even make it extend past your immediate family to the entire extended family. How cool would it be for each family member to know when a big game is happening for a niece or nephew or to see photos from the latest dance recital that you could not attend?

You can also link up your blogs,websites, myspace, Facebook or any other favorite sites to this.

Maybe you don't have time to set up a website for each group or club that you are in. This is a perfect way to set up a calendar, post pictures of past events, upcoming events and link to events for any club or group that you are in.

With Qlubb you can:

• Eliminate back and forth emails
• Avoid reminding (nagging?) everyone about events and responsibilities
• Easily delegate tasks to group members
• Create a secure website for your group

Qlubb is the easiest way to get your real-life groups organized and on the same page. Between our children's classrooms, scout troops, religious groups, social groups, book/wine clubs and families, we are constantly running around trying to plan and coordinate our group activities. Too often, organizing is just simply a source of headaches and undue stress.

With easy user sign-on, group calendaring, shared sign-up sheets, online rsvp, and much more, Qlubb automates many of the tasks and significantly reduces the time it takes to organize group events, activities and members, giving you more time to enjoy your groups, families and friends

Find out more about Qlubb.com by clicking Here and start a 30-day trial of getting organized!

Where in the world am I blogging today?

I am blogging Here and Here today!

Please go check them out and give me some feedback. I am taking a leap here in the writing world, so I would be interested in hearing what you think before I go and make a complete fool of myself!

I would love Jo-Lynne to ask me back for Chic Critique. I'm a bit of a beauty product junkie and it is fun to write about them!

Also you might remember that I mentioned something this past weekend about Triangle TRACKs and some news? Well, I have been selected to be a Trend TRACKer! I get to write a post or two a month talking about trends in kids clothing, toys, books and all things consumed by our children.

So, throw me those ideas if you have them! I will need them for sure.

Okay, go now HERE and HERE. Can you tell I'm excited??!!?? :)

Young Love

My son is smitten.

Our friends were with us in DC and my little Bubby and one of their daughters were inseparable. As a matter of fact, anytime we get together they are.

He will tell her and anyone who will listen, "I'm gonna marry you someday."

Of course he also wants to marry me. And his sister. But it is still incredibly sweet.

For more Wordless Wednesday go to 5 Minutes for Moms.

Are you In?

Starbucks and helping my community? I'm in!
More info at Starbucks Pledge 5

A Big Day

For a snow day, this one has been quite exciting! Our last big snow like this was in 2000. We had a small one in 2004, but for the most part this is the first time in years that we've had enough to actually go out and play in.

My kids are loving their time playing in it. Unfortunately, we are only equipped with cloth gloves and no snow pants so they keep having to change clothes. My dryer is working overtime today.

The air is brisk, cool and feels very clean. It truly is a breath of fresh air this winter day.

We watched the Inauguration in between hot cocoa and lunch.

Rick Warren rocked that prayer. Aretha's hat spoke for itself and Yo-Yo Ma and company were simply divine. My heart broke for Bush and is hopeful for Obama. He can deliver one inspiring speech. My prayer is that he will fill those inspirational shoes.

Children's Trends

Hey there my trusty helpers.

I am hoping you can direct me to websites or blogs that are specific or related to trends in children's toys, books, clothes - anything consumed by kids.

Just post the website in the comment or email me (see sidebar - Contact Me).

Thanks a bunch! Muah!

Light to My Darkness

I'm not really sure what it is about January. Or February. Or just Winter.

I really just don't like the Winter. It is one of the main reasons we moved to North Carolina - mild winters.

I am cold. And cranky. And very temperamental. And sometimes depressed. And did I mention cold!?!

Last week, I felt depressed after returning from our trip. Well, to be really honest even while I was on the trip. Yeah, most of it was hormonal and I get that, but it seemed worse than normal for some reason.

I do not like being depressed. As a matter of fact, I often fight it and deny it. The mere fact that it affects me drives me crazy. It is completely uncontrollable, though.

You see, I don't deal with depression like many others. I don't cry. I don't get sad.

I just get mad. All the time mad. At the silliest things. At my hubby. At my kids. My poor little family - they are ever so patient with me.

I retreat from my friends so I don't get mad at them. And to be honest - again, I actually get irritated at them for only God knows what. So, At the risk of losing them - I try not to call them or see them when I get like this.

But they are good friends and they keep calling me.

So when a friend called the other day to see if I was doing okay and asked me if I was mad at her, I gave her my honest response. "Of course, I am not mad at you! What could I possibly be mad at you about?"

Then she told me she missed me - That I was one of the few friends she could just lay her heart open to without fear of judgement. Dang. That's just awesome, isn't it?

So, just like a key to my heart, I opened up and I told her how I had been feeling.

I didn't think she would understand because she really doesn't get depressed. She is one of the most emotionally level women I know. Kinda like a guy is emotionally level.

Then I went to our couples small group and asked those friends to pray for me.

And they did. And they loved on me.

One of them even made some suggestions that have been so very helpful this week.

Something about giving up control. Whatever.

Hmmph. Like I want to control anything.

I want to control EVERYTHING!

So, anyway - last week? Sadness crept in. Like a slinky sneaky black snake - it moved right into my soul. It was dark and angry and I did not like it.

But God sent some angels. They are called friends. Lifelines. Light chasing the dark right out of my soul.

Monday update

• An update on my daughter's bedding - with help, I found this! It absolutely pays to ask your friends opinions when decorating. Thank you so much for your input. It was helpful for sure!

• Souper Saturday will be up this weekend. I will actually be gone on a retreat with the women's leadership team from my church. Blessed oh blessed time away with some incredible women.

BUT, I will schedule it so you can post your recipes.

PLEASE do not leave me hangin'. Link up, post a favorite soup recipe and share with your readers what you are doing. I will post a great soup recipe, I promise. You can read the rules HERE.

• The forecast says snow for us! 2-4 inches. So, I need to run to the store before all the milk, eggs, and bread sell out.

Happy Monday!

Sunday Word - Who is my Neighbor?

Luke 10:27-29 (NIV)

27 he answered " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'^[a]; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'^[b]"

28"You have answered correctly," Jesus replied. "Do this and you will live."

29But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?"

Distance does not decide who is your brother and who is not. The church is going to have to become the conscience of the free market if it's to have any meaning in this world - and stop being its apologist. -Bono

Linked Up

I am not going to be posting Souper Saturday today. Posting something with Mr. Linky and having nobody link up is kind of like what Jo-Lynne describes as having a party and nobody comes.

So, I might try to do it once a month and see how that goes.

We are off to a magic show today with B's Indian Princess group. The kids are excited. I am wishing I could just hibernate - it's just a little over 20 degrees here today and not exactly what I want to be running around in.

I have a couple links you might find interesting today.
Why Mom Blogs are the Blogs to Watch at Scribbit - I love this! Why do we blog? Here is a great answer!

Let Us All Be Encouraged at Take 90 West - Blogger frustrated? Read here and be encouraged.

Thanks to Jo-Lynne for those links on Twitter and her blog. :)

Not a Junky Car at Deadly Viper - News on how to buy Obama's car. Well, the one he traded in. It's for sale on Ebay - for real.

Local to the Raleigh/Durham area and need to know what to do with the family?

Triangle Tracks is your answer. Go here to find out EVERY family event that is happening in this town. Not to mention there is a community there - where you can join in and chat and meet people right here in your town. Be sure to keep an eye out on this site. I might have some fun news to share next week.

I went to lunch with Elizabeth right before Christmas. She is the brain/writer/creator behind this site and she is one busy, beautiful, smart and sweet woman! I look forward to getting to know her more and so will you.

Can Toile Help Me?

That is meant to be a play on words meaning, "Can Ya'll Help Me?" Toile, Ya'll - they kinda sound the same.

Anyway, I do need your help and it does involve toile.

B wants to redecorate her room. She is due. It has been a little bug theme since she was a seed in my belly. We have added flowers over the years and made it girly, but we were inspired while shopping yesterday by this lamp.

So, she thought a Paris themed room would be fun.

And. I. Am. So. Into. That.

She loves ballet and has a ton of pink ballet things in her room. And her furniture is white. I can carry a lot over into this new room.

We collected a couple things at Target today like a cute Paris map memo board (see above)
and now I am just stuck on the bedding. Although, we found CUTEST furry pink blanket. Thank you Valentines Day!

We are painting the walls a very pale green OR my preference is a taupe color. There is a light green in the lamp and the memo board, but I am not sure it will look good all over the walls.

Of course her walls are orange with lady bugs and bumble bees all over them, so too much is not really something we tend to worry about in the kids rooms, I guess.

Here is the only bedding I have found that I like - in the black toile. But maybe it seems too grown up? I mean she is only 8.

She thinks Black toile. I think maybe green. I also saw a very cute duvet cover that was white with black polka dots.

Thoughts or ideas?

Interview Me, Interview You!

Here is something fun from my good blogger friend LeAnn over at Tollesons4Him.


It's a pretty neat idea. She has emailed me 5 questions. I will answer those and then, if you want to join in, leave me a comment asking me to interview you. I will send you some questions for you to answer on your blog. Fun, huh? Don't all jump up at once....and be prepared....I might ask you to interview me right back.

1. If you were on a deserted Island and could only bring ONE thing what would that ONE thing be?
hmmm... lipgloss - no it would run out. iPod - no batteries would die. Just kidding. Definitely my bible. It is the only thing that would keep me sane if I were alone on a deserted island.

2. If you could spend one whole day with someone dead or alive who would that one person be?
Oh, I so hate this question really. Sure I want to say Jesus. Who would not want to spend the day with Jesus? Actually, while there are many dead people that would be fun to hang out with like Elvis and interesting like Anne Frank, I think I will choose someone alive. Hubby. We seldom get to spend a whole day alone together and it is not something I take for granted. I would love to spend the whole day - alone with my husband.

3. You inherited 1 million dollars from a rich uncle what would you do with it?
Pay off any debt. Pay off my mom's car and house. Redo my kitchen or buy a new kitchen. Give a huge chunk to build wells in Africa or sponsor Compassion kids. Invest whatever is left over.

4. You are a leading actress in Hollywood….who would your leading man be? Well, I can't even begin to imagine another man in my life other than Hubby. But you are asking the question and since I have to answer the question then it would be Brad Pitt. If Hubby were not a leading man or something.

5. What is your favorite quote, scripture,etc.? I have so many really.
I love many quotes by Anais Nin.

“And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.”

But of course - all of my favorite ones come straight from the bible.

My favorite scripture is Jeremiah 29:11

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future.

It sits framed right by my computer.

Okay, your turn. Just leave me a comment and a way to email you. I will send you 5 interview questions of my choice and you can answer them on your blog. Fun!

Mishaps

Well, it has been a couple weeks since I reported any real mishaps.

Most recently? As in about 10 minutes ago. I fell down my stairs with a load of laundry. Socks of all things. Hubby comes running in all "Are you okay?" Aside from my broken back and broken ego - yeah just peachy.

Then there was my new very pricey candle that I purchased in DC - on clearance. $30 candle for $9. It was in it's own little box. I was very excited to pull it out today and burn it but when I pulled it of the bag, the bottom of the box fell off and the candle went flying across my foyer and crashed into a million pieces. Big sigh. So, I managed to sweep the mirrored glass shards up from my wood floor and rugs. It is at this point most sane people would just throw the broken candle away. But it was soft and I figured I could salvage it somehow - so, I dug the rest of the candle out of the broken glass an placed it into another glass holder.

The only thing is that it did not look good, so I decided to microwave it so it would melt together a little bit. Forgetting there might still be shards of MIRRORED and most likely LEADED glass in the wax.

Yes - just 3o seconds later a fire has broken out in my microwave. Luckily, I was able to extinguish it.

And yes, I finally threw the candle away. It only takes two almost major disasters for me to get the hint.

And then there was the little forgetting of my purse in the lobby of that huge hotel we stayed in. It wasn't until late the next morning that I realized it was gone. So, I started to search and finally called the front desk to see if anyone found it and turned it in. Luckily, a security guard did. After a good scolding from her, she confirmed that it was my purse and it was safe on my arm again.

Some days - it's a wonder I get by.

Proud

For more Wordless Wednesday go to 5 Minutes for Mom.

And this is why I don't like the news

So, I come back to my hotel room with the family. Hubby is napping, kids are watching a little TV and this gives me a chance to check email, twitter, facebook WHILE drinking my tall Starbucks latte and what do I find?

I find this:

THIS. Terrible. Shocking News. Coffee Can Shrink Breasts. Really? Who says?

Say it isn't so!

And then this little piece of good news that a certain mouthwash that I use every day might aid in causing cancer!

How reliable do you think these stories are?

I didn't watch the Golden Globes last night but I did read all the buzz on Twitter about Renee Zellweger's outfit. And then I saw it. Wow - what was she thinking? And poor girl - now the world is making fun. I would so hate to be under the microscope like that. Just a couple other observations. Angelina is sooooooo stinkin' skinny but I like her hair and her man is looking good as usual. J-Lo looked hot as did Salma Hayek and Demi Moore. But Kate Winslet - that lady has got it goin' on. What a class act. Other classy looks included Beyonce, Sandra Bullock and Penelope Cruz.

Total Cuteness

Wanted to share some total cuteness with you. We have a Maltese (Buddy) who is much older than the one in this video. But he acts much of the same as Baby in this video especially when he was a puppy.

My kids LOVE this video. Enjoy!

Baby The Maltese - A dog so cute she needed her own website



And Aimee's other blog 4 The Love of Animals

Washington DC - Day 2

Yesterday, was a very full day. About as much as this family of four can fit into a day.

We started out by heading into DC from our hotel which is about a 20 minute drive. We decided to take the shuttle from the hotel which later proved to be a big mistake. But the drive in was good.

We were dropped of at historical Union Station and managed to eat lunch there from 3 different mall type restaurants. One wanted a burger, another Chinese and Hubby and I had some Indian.

We then headed to the US Capitol. I have to say it was a pretty cool feeling to just walk inside the hub of our country. It is beautiful and so well-maintained. It made me very proud. The new visitors center is very nice but not what we expected. We took a short guided tour which was extremely informative and engaging. There is so much that the general public is not allowed to see.

We managed to see the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum and walk through National Mall to view the Washington Monument. The Air and Space Museum is very cool and a great museum for younger kids because they can touch things and have interactive rides and movies.

We had to be back to our hotel for our party, though and it was getting very chilly, so we headed to our pick up point for our hotel shuttle.

We waited. No shuttle. Waited some more. Called. No shuttle. They said it was traffic. 30 more minutes. No shuttle. More calls. More excuses. Finally, an hour and a half later and a very heated call with my 4 year old screaming in the background somehow encouraged them to send another shuttle. I was just chilled to the bone. I am guessing we stood in about 35 degree windy weather that whole time.

It. was. not. fun. Anyway, we got our money back for that ride - yes we did.

It was a very quick change into our outfits. The kids looked precious. Hubby was not too into it and decided against wearing the entire outfit. Mine was incomplete but sufficed. I wanted to sew some fringe on it, but just ran out of time. The kids were so cute, though and they TOTALLY got into the whole deal. I actually did sew some fringe on B's dress which ended up looking good.

Below is the only family photo we got. Hubby has decided he needs this little beard right now. Whatever. I am not sure the 20's look is for me, but it was fun.

The highlight of this evening other than Hubby receiving a 10 years in business award was my children having the time of their life dancing the night away. At one point I could not find my daughter in a huge crowd of hundreds of people dancing.

Finally, we found her.

On stage. And she had this little posse of kids with her including my son.

Think she likes to be the center of attention or what?

We finally made it to bed about Midnight. This mama crashed into a heap in the soft cushy hotel bed.

I am up watching the Carolina Panthers getting whooped. Not a good thing. Bummer. We sported our shirts all day today except while swimming. We were so hopeful!

Tomorrow we're headed into DC again, not on the shuttle, to see some more sights. Later.

Souper Saturday - Chicken Vegetable Soup with Lime and Cilantro

One of my favorites - great for a slimmer start to the New Year!

Chicken Vegetable Soup with Lime and
Cilantro... and some other things, too.

2 lbs of skinless boneless chicken breast, cut up into 1 inch cubes

8 cups chicken broth (I use low salt, low fat)

3 cups of russet potatoes cut into cubes or shredded or small in size

1 1/2 cups of carrots, peeled, cut into rounds or small in size

1 1/2 tsp. ground coriander

1 - 15 oz. can of Golden hominy
drained and chopped

6 green onions - chopped

1/3 cup Fresh Cilantro, chopped

5 T fresh lime juice

1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper

Salt to taste ( I used sea salt)

Optional - Green Tabasco to taste
and warm corn tortillas. Shredded Cheddar Jack cheese.

Preheat large pot on medium heat

Sprinkle chicken with salt and saute it in the pot with the coriander, cayenne pepper, carrots and potatoes until chicken is turning opaque and brown a bit. I do ADD A BIT of OLIVE OIL here.

Add broth, turn heat up to medium high and bring to boil.

Reduce heat to medium low and simmer until chicken and vegetables are tender, stirring occasionally, about 40 minutes.

Add hominy, green onions, cilantro, and lime juice and simmer for about 5 minutes just to blend the flavors

Add salt, tabasco and cheese to your liking.

Serve with Warm Corn tortillas

Enjoy!

Typing In the Dark

I am in Washington DC with the family and yes, I am typing this post in complete darkness while the rest of the family sleeps. It is the only quiet moment I've had all day and I am relishing in it!

Hubby has a convention here for the next few days with his company and we are joining in on the fun. The hotel is amazing! I have stayed at a couple other Gaylord Hotels when I attended MOPS conventions. They are really like small towns. Hubby was even kidding about how we should put an offer on one of the houses that sits INSIDE the hotel. They are the gift shops.

Here are some shots of the cool dancing fountain inside the hotel also. The kids had a blast with this. Kids just love hotels, don't they. Who am I kidding? I love hotels like this, too. I worked in the hotel industry for a long time - it has a certain allure for me.

Anyway, we have lots planned for the next couple days. Tomorrow is a free day so we plan to visit some cool sites and play around. Then tomorrow night we have a 1920's theme party to attend. I have costumes for the entire family! Gangsters and Flappers. I will definitely post some photos.

I think someone is stirring. shhhh. Nite Nite.