February Goals

January always starts out with me having lofty dreams of being productive, full of life & then reality steps back in and knocks me down.  Readjusting to a school routine and sunset coming so darned earlier had me struggling to do more than the bare minimum this month.  We did finish Middle of the Year testing at school and I was blown away by how far my littles have progressed!  It was a huge encouragement to this kindergarten teacher’s heart. 

February is going to be a month full of old friends, church friends, teacher friends just an overwhelming number of friend dates & time together.  I am so excited to spend time with the people we love.

A quick look back on January’s goals

January Goals

finish year in review album

read Career of Evil

filing system revamp

I tried several other “systems” this month & decided the original was actually the best it was going to get

prepare for taxes

finish cross-stitch project

begin 52 Weeks of Savings

February Goals

first Rent the Runway Experience

begin our new year in review album

celebrate the marriage of one of our college friends in Houston

decide on summer vacation & begin making plans

finish decorating guest room/CH’s office

finish master bath re-model

IF: Gathering at church

curtains for master bedroom

15 barre classes this month

Does anyone else get the “January Blues”?

January Goals

Oh my lanta 2016 is here!  It will be a year of change within our family.  .  My parents will officially become empty nesters when my youngest brother graduates from high school this spring {good heavens to Betsy} and begins his collegiate career at what we believe to be the greatest institute of higher education in Texas…Baylor University.  I’m so grateful for such a fabulous place that poured into myself, middle brother and now the youngest of the siblings will be joining that tradition.  Coach Husband and I are excited to have him in our city of choice and I’m already thinking ahead to what day of the week we will have him over for dinner once he begins in August! 

CH also has a new spring sport, powerlifting!  Last year he was deeply entrenched in track life so the switch will be something new for both of us.  They began lifting before Christmas Break and I already loving the hours more than I can say!  We have high hopes for this group of powerlifters and have our sights set on the state meet.  This sport puts CH serving as the assistant under his coaching mentor, whose wife is MY mentor.  God is good isn’t He?

As we begin this new year I am excited to see where the Lord will lead us.  2015 was quite the journey with some unexpected twists and turns.  No telling what 2016 has in store!

A quick look back on December’s goals

December Goals

finish & send Christmas Cards

family photo session

cookie decorating with three special littles

illness hit almost all four involved in this endeavor the same week…sad

clean out/organize master closet

finish year in review family album

Angel Tree Gifts

clean house blinds

continue family tradition of Christmas play on opening night

bake bread for our neighbors

this switched from bread to cinnamon sugar pecans and were a hit

plan family focus with Coach

clean out kitchen junk drawers

January Goals

finish year in review album

read Career of Evil

filing system revamp

prepare for taxes

finish cross-stitch project

begin 52 Weeks of Savings

We are beginning several new and fresh ideas that I am so excited to share with y’all!


Till next time y'all,

Nutty Neighbor Christmas Gift

Are you looking for an easy & quick neighbor gift?  I whipped up a batch of Cinnamon Sugar Pecans today in my crock-pot to deliver to our neighbors tomorrow!  They were fairly simple and tasted delish!

Cinnamon Sugar Pecans

2 egg whites

1 Tbsp. vanilla

1 ½ cup white sugar

1 ½ cup brown sugar

3 Tbsp. cinnamon

5 cups pecans

In a medium sized bowl beat or whist your egg whites until they are foamy. 

Add in vanilla and give a stir.

Empty pecans in a bit at a time and coat with egg white mixture.

In a separate bowl combine sugars & cinnamon. 

Mix well.

You can combine your sugar mixture and pecans using either of these two methods:

 Pour pecans in a freezer size ziplock & add in the sugar mixture.  Seal and shake.

OR

Add sugar mixture to bowl of pecans a little at a time stirring to coat.

{We are completely out of freezer ziplocks in our house so I went with the bowl mixture}.

Place coated pecans in your slow cooker and cook on high for 2 ½ hours stirring every 30 minutes. 

When finished “cooking” set out on a cookie sheet and break up any big clumps of pecans.

Place in cellophane bags and voilà!

You will find a free printable to add before delivery here!

Merry Christmas,

Mrs: December Goals

It’s officially the most wonderful time of the year!  As I write this, it’s 42 degrees outside with rain falling, Christmas music from the Ella Fitzgerald Holiday Station playing, puppies are playing tug with their Santa Sock Monkey, Coach is napping, tree is up and lit and my heart is just so full!  We began the Advent season at church and I was reminded that God is good & God is faithful.  His words to Jeremiah resonate deep in my heart

“Thus says the Lord: If I have not established a covenant with day and night and the fixed order of heaven and earth, then I will reject the offspring of Jacob and David my servant and will not choose one of his offspring of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.  For I will restore their fortunes and will have mercy on them.” Jeremiah 33:25-26

As long as the fixed order of the heavens and the earth are continuing the Lord will fulfill His promises to us.   As Tim said, as long as the sun rises and the sun sets He will remain faithful.  What hope we have in the Lord.  This is a season of hope, expectancy and celebration in our Lord coming to Earth.  It just makes my heart sing. 

Before I look forward to December a quick check in of November goals.

run the Zoo Stampede 5K

read 3 books 

(Silent in the Graves, Persuasion, the Silkworm)

continue Christmas shopping

only have two more gifts left to purchase! 

clean make-up brushes

finish family room projects

this is 90% finished.  we still have to create the scrabble letters for the wall but it rained nearly all Thanksgiving break & CH couldn’t cut the pieces for me

organize teacher table materials

Operation Christmas Child box

December Goals

finish & send Christmas Cards

family photo session

cookie decorating with three special littles

clean out closet/organize closet

finish year in review family album

Angle Tree gifts

clean blinds in the house

continue family tradition of Christmas play on opening night

bake bread for our neighbors

plan family focus for 2016 with Coach
clean out kitchen junk drawers