Cooking via Pioneer Woman

So, I used to post recipes on here all the time...Remember those days????

Well, the problem is...I mostly cook Pioneer Woman's recipes these days...and I basically cant repost her recipes. I would be a poser. So...I have decided to link her recipes that I have tried and give a review!!!!

My reviews will include how much time it took me to make it...how easy/hard it was...what I changed or will change next time, reaction from people eating it...and overall opinions of the dish.

I will begin with last night's dinner which we had Josh, Randi, Frazier, Damian, Lynzie and Adalynn over for!

Appetizer:  Homemade Baked Chips by Randi and this homemade salsa...and Randi brought this super yummy white queso 

I have made this salsa twice now and it is SUPER easy and SUPER good. The first time I made it, it was a little better, I am not sure why.

Time: It took me about 15 minutes total...I had to chop the onion, chop the jalapeno, Get out and measure the spices, etc...Then throw it all in the food processor...12 pulses later...yummmmyyyy Salsa!

Changes: I didnt make any!

Reactions: My first batch I shared with alot of friends and the second batch I had at Audrie's birthday party..it was always a hit!

Overall:  We have loved this salsa. I have used it on nachos, enchilada's, tacos, etc...And quite scrumptious with just a chip! I will make this many more times and always have some in the fridge!

Main Dish:  White Chicken Enchiladas

Photo by Pioneer Woman

Time: This took me about 45 minutes to prepare. It wasnt hard just took time.

Changes: I did not boil a whole fryer. I used 3 large boneless chicken breast. I boiled them and shredded them. And I used Swanson's chicken broth instead of the broth from cooking the chicken. I did not fry my tortilla's, just nuked them in the microwave...it worked out good! The recipe uses 12 corn tortillas, I used 17 and two different casserole dishes to fit them all.

Reactions: Everyone seemed to really like it. Lynzie said next time maybe not so many onions-I was thinking the same thing. Maybe 1/2 large onion instead of a whole one.

Overall: Loved this meal! Tasted just like chicken sour cream enchilada's from a Mexican restaurant. It is worth the time! I will add this to our recipes list!

Side Dish: Fiesta Sides Taco Rice (GT's favorite)- Not homemade!

Dessert: Blueberry Crumble Cake and Blue Bell Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream

Time: This took me about 15 minutes to throw together. It is super easy.


Changes: I didnt make any changes. However, I did use too much butter for the crumble topping so mine wasnt so crumbly, but still turned out yummy.


Reactions: Everyone liked this as well.


Overall: This was a simple, light, delicious desert. I think next time I might try it with different fruits...not that the blueberry wasnt good, it was, but it would be fun to experiment with others! 


Some reviews to come: Calzones, Lasagna, Sheet Cake...

This Season

A few weeks ago, I finished attending a Bible Study by Lesa TerKheurst. I wish I would have blogged more about because I learned so much...and...maybe I will...I find it hard to blog these days...The 1 year old keeps me busy!

Anyway, something I wanted to share that someone shared with me during one of our Bible Study discussions...the girl sharing had heard Lesa say it at the Feminar where she spoke.

When we are going through rough times...there are three reasons it could be:

1. God has something better for me in store.
2. God is protecting me from something.
3. God is trying to teach me something.

I have thought about this alot since she shared this. This year has been and continues to be hard financially for GT and me. We feel like we have come to a point where we need to decide to sell our house or not.

I love our house and I dont want to leave it.

But...its like...do we put if for sale and if its in God's plan then it will sale...or do we not put it for sale at all and just have faith that He will provide the means. I know He CAN provide-but is that His plan?

It helps me to think of those 3 things. God has a reason for us to go through this season of life. And it is just that a season.

And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith? “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.

Matthew 6:30-33

Turning ONE!

So, I could write a "1 year old" post about all the fun stuff Audrie is doing these days. Like saying "uh-oh" and high-fiving, which is super cute. But I decided to do a different kind of post for her 1 year. And it will begin with a story...

When Audrie was 4 days old, my mom was staying with us. My mom insisted on taking care of Audrie during the night, so we could get some rest. Well, I had a really hard time with this, but by night 4...I was exhausted. So, we gave my mom the video monitor. The morning of day 5, my mom told us that something woke her up during the night and she looked at the monitor. At first she thought she saw a flashlight shining on Audrie and that someone was trying to steal her; but as she looked closer, she said it was a light that hovered over Audrie for a few minutes and my mom knew it was an angel.

For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your way. Rev. 91:11

Whew, that gives me goosebumps. 

I wanted to share what GT and I have prayed for concerning Audrie this past year and will continue to pray for.

We pray that Audrie first and foremost will come to know Him as her Savior.

We pray that she will know the depths of Christ love for her.

We pray that she will do BIG things for Him.

We pray that she will love others without condition.

We pray that she will be a leader and not a follower.

We pray that she will know the Truth for herself and not just what others tell her to believe.

We pray that she will make wise decisions even when the un-wise ones look more inciting.

We pray for her future spouse if God's will is for her to be married. We pray the same things above for him as well.

We pray for her to have a deep faith and vast understanding of His word. 

The list of what we pray for ourselves as parents is like 100 times longer...but our main prayer is that God will rise above our parenting abilities because we know how broken and sinful we are as parents. We know on our own we could never parent Audrie in a way that is even close to how He parents us. 

I dont say all this to seem super spiritual. I say this because we feel the only reason we are parents is to show her Christ and to teach our children (Audrie and the future ones) the love of God. Sometimes we get caught up in the milestones and excitement of new life...which is very exciting...but GT and I have to remind ourselves often that the point of family and community is HIM and He should receive all the glory. He is the reason we have Audrie. He is the reason for our existence and our job is to glorify Him with it!

I just got really excited! 

All glory to him who alone is God, our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord. All glory, majesty, power, and authority are his before all time, and in the present, and beyond all time! Amen. Jude 1:25

Tops 2 Things I would like to purchase.

Surprisingly, this was hard for me to come up with...

1. Cloth diapers.

I started cloth diapering a few weeks ago, maybe a month or so ago, and I LOVE IT. However, I would love to add more diapers to my stash. I have 12 right now, I would love to have 24...but even 18 would be better. AND Bumgenius came out with 4.0 and I really am excited about the snaps!!!!!!!!

2. A cruise...or vacation for just me and my honey bear. It would be nice without Audrie, but what would be nicer is if we could bring someone to watch her while we have fun! I can dream, right?????

What would your top 2 purchases be???? Go here and link up!

11 1/2 Months

Somehow I missed an 11 month posts....man, who knew summer would keep us so busy???? 

Here is what it is like at 11 1/2 months:

• You walk much better now and have better balance...from 10 months- 11 months, you kinda flopped around everywhere.
• Since switching to solely whole milk, you eat SO much food! I feed you Graduates Lil'Entrees and Lil' meals, you really like them. Sometimes I feed you what mommy and daddy eat, but we eat much later than you do. 
• You have started talking alot more, you say da-da, mama (only when crying), dog and ball.
• You shake your head "no" alot.
• You love to point at things and people sometimes, but mommy is trying to teach you that pointing at people is not nice.
• You give lots of hugs and kisses.
• You just started shrugging your shoulders.
• You are in to EVERYTHING and EVERYTHING goes in your mouth.
• You would much rather play with mommy's things then your 100 toys. 
• When someone sings "This Little Light of Mine", you put your finger in the air for your "light".
• You have started laughing at things instead of having to be tickled to laugh. 
• You and Mommy play peek-a-boo in the car, this really makes you laugh.
• You love giving the dogs kisses, but mommy isnt thrilled about it.
• You chase the dogs around, but they run from you because you pull their ears.
• You are starting to realize people's names...like if I say, "Where is Grammy?" you will look at her. 
• You are learning commands. If I ask you to bring me something, usually you will.
• You are fascinated with a ball. 
• Your personality is really coming out..it is so sweet, funny, caring, loving, silly, curious, you have no fear, and so much more...

I cant believe in just 2 little weeks you will be a whole year old! 

Myths of a SAHM

SAHM- Stay At Home Mom

1. I sit on the couch and eat bon-bons all day while watching soap operas. This could be further from the truth. First, what in the heck is a bon-bon? Anyway, occasionally, I will take a nap or watch a tv show (not soaps) while Audrie is napping- you would too if your job was 24/7. However, most naps are used for me to take a shower, do the dishes, read my Bible, clean the kitchen, clean the living room, do laundry, pay bills, wash diapers, etc...

2. I am lucky. Sometimes when I tell someone I stay at home with Audrie, they say you are so lucky. Luck has nothing to do with it. I am very blessed that my husband understands my heart and supports it 100%.

3. After someone says I am lucky, they say, I wish I could stay at home but we cant afford it. I understand in some instances this really is the case. However, what I would like to say back to people is...you could stay at home, you would just have to change your status of living. You might not be able to own a house, or drive the car you want, etc... You could stay home, things would just change alot. Which it has for us. What you mean to say, is you cannot keep your status of living and stay at home with your child(ren)...there is a difference.

4. It is easy. Being a stay-at-home mom is the hardest thing I have ever done. It is 24/7. When I get sick, there is no were for Audrie to go. When I need to run an errand or go to a doctor's appt for myself, I have a child with me. All my energy and attention goes into a baby except for during naps and when she goes to sleep.

5. It is for everyone. I have come to find that many women do not care to stay home with their children because they would rather work. I understand every one and every family is different. Being a SAHM is part of who I am. I was born to be a mom. Its what I always wanted. All I want to do is stay home and raise children. I completely think this is a individual decision for each family, I do not think one is right and one is wrong.

I have debated a long time over posting something about being a SAHM, but recently, I have gotten tired of people sayings things, like, I am jealous you get to stay at home. I dont GET to stay at home, I CHOOSE to stay at home.

My family has had to make sacrifices for me to stay at home. But this is so temporary. Yes, I could work and make some extra money for us, but life right now is priceless. Getting to spend everyday with my child is something I WILL NEVER and COULD NEVER get back. I would rather live in cardbox box and be home with my child.

Whew, that felt good.

Our Week in Pictures (and a few words :)

We have been quite busy these past few weeks, so I have been lagging on the blogging. Here are some pictures to show what we have been up to!

At the sprinkler park

Swimming at the city pool! 

Audrie and Frazier both had frog towels! We thought it was cute so we took a pic!

Lynzie, Randi and I went to this place in Longview called the Mud Hut where we painted on some pottery! I wanted to make a birthday plate for Audrie...and every birthday she would eat off of this special plate, but then I decided to make it just a "special day" plate since there are more special days then just a birthday! And I wil make one for me and GT eventually and then one for each of our future kids as we have them! 

Randi made the cutest LA Tech tray for her hubby for his bday...but...shhh..dont tell him, it is not until August! 

We had so much fun and cant wait to do it again!