Five on Friday

Happy Friday, friends!

So much for getting my Christmas pics up this week.

Time just got away from me...

Linking up again with these lovely ladies to share what five things I'm loving.

In honor of the new year and resolutions, I'm sharing my five favorite healthy recipes I cannot wait to try.

Considering the amount of Tex-Mex I consumed while home for the holidays, I need to get cooking these dishes immediately.

1. Suja Juice Cleanse

So, this isn't exactly a recipe, but I do plan to give it a try.

I've heard great things about this cleanse, and I'm planning on doing the 1 day version on Monday.

Luckily it's 1200 calories for the whole day, so I shouldn't starve to death {fingers crossed...}.

2. Roasted Buddha Bowl

I mean this just makes me drool.

I love roasted veggies and crispy chickpeas??

Yes please!

Here's hoping this is hearty enough that even my meat eating hubby will enjoy.

3. Arugula Autumn Salad

I am loving every single thing in this salad.

You had me at arugula but add pom seeds, crunchy nuts and avocado, and I'm in.

4. Sweet Potato, Kale and Corn Chowder

My favorite part of winter is comfort food, especially hearty soups.

Excited to try this one that looks so rich and creamy yet won't leaving me feeling so guilty.

5. Zucchini Corn Pancakes

Aside from B and me wanting to eat more healthy, I'm hoping to get my little man back on track with his veggies.

Since pancakes are his go-to carb these days, I'm hoping sneaking in some veggies this way will do the trick.

We shall see...

So what healthy recipes are you resolving to cook this year?

Found any tasty dishes that are actually good for you??

Please share!

Happy weekend friends!

Words to live by

Happy New Year, friends! Forgive my blogging hiatus but took some time to really focus on being present with family during the holidays and unplug a bit. So, how was your holiday?? Ours really was wonderful. Still sorting through pics and highlights of our travels and hope to share soon.

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Can you believe it's a new year? I cannot. I still cannot get over the fact I have another baby who is growing way too fast {five months today!}. It seems that since Jude was born we have been in constant motion and life has just been a complete whirlwind. Looking ahead to all this year has in store {travels, weddings, etc.}, it does not appear to be slowing down anytime soon. While the year ahead is filled with lots of exciting and momentous occasions, I don't want us to lose sight of the everyday moments and wake up feeling like we blinked and missed it all.

Was inspired {and challenged!} by the lovely ladies of Small Fry to come up with my word for 2014 that would ensure I would really make this new year count. Now if you know me, you know I'm indecisive {maybe that should be my word...decisive}, so how could I just choose one word?? Here are a few words that I pray can be the focus for my life in 2014 and for many years to come.

• PRESENT - I mentioned this word at the beginning of this post, and it is one that has really resonated with me lately. I am so guilty of spending time with people, playing with my kids, lounging with my hubs but just being there physically instead of emotionally/mentally/completely. I am challenging myself to really focus on being more present. No matter what the situation. Actually coloring with George at the table instead of scrolling through Intstagram while he creates his masterpiece next to me. Engaging in conversation with my husband rather than going over the to-do list in my head. Pausing and listening to a friend rather than talking just to fill space.

• GRACE - What a big word. It is my prayer that I could show others more grace this year. Others will fail us, let us down and won't meet our expectations, but I need to remember to show them grace. My kids, my husband, my family, my friends but also, myself. I pray I can give myself the grace to fall short, make mistakes and be vulnerable.

• INTENTIONAL - I think if I had to pick one word to some up my goal for making the most of 2014 it would be intentional. Now what does intentional living look like? I think it's everything I've listed above. It's the commitment I'm making to God, my family and those I love and surround myself with to make the effort to live a purpose driven life. It's giving thanks to the Lord for the blessings I have and not taking them for granted. It's spending time in prayer and the Word listening to what He has in store. It's slowing down and not trying to be at everything everywhere all the time. It's learning to say no. It's setting aside time for myself so that I can make sure I'm doing things that will make me the best wife/mom/daughter/sister/friend I can be {and yes that just may be something as simple as intentionally having some alone time while getting my nails done}.

So, what's your word for 2014? How are you making the new year count?

Five on Friday

Happy Friday, friends!

Linking up again with some of my favorite gals to share what five things I'm loving this week.

In honor of Christmas, I thought I'd share my five favorite holiday traditions.
We are currently on the road headed to Texas, and here's what I'm looking forward to most when we get there.

1. Festivities with friends

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I am so thankful for all my Dallas friends!
We have grown up together and been friends since elementary school.
I love that no matter how far away I move whenever I come home it's as if we haven't missed a beat.
Each year the Saturday before Christmas we have a mother daughter happy hour.
Sadly my mom has a wedding tomorrow night so I'll be solo, but so looking forward to catching up with my besties.
Then each year on Christmas Eve we take all the husbands and kiddos and head out for a Mexican lunch.
It's one of my favorite traditions and has become highly entertaining the more kids we all continue to have!

2. Christmas Eve Candlelight Service 

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Probably my favorite tradition has to be the Christmas Eve Candlelight Service.

It is so special to take time during all the holiday hustle and bustle and truly reflect on the meaning of the season.

Now being a mom, this means more to me than ever.

I cannot wait to watch G's eyes light up as we sing "Silent Night" and hold up our candles.

Knowing him, he'll shout out, "Happy Birthday, Jesus!"

And I'll absolutely love it.

3. Christmas Eve Pajamas

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Every Christmas Eve after we get home from church my mom says we can open one present.
When we were kids it took a few years to catch on, but now we all know what that one present is.
Christmas pajamas!
I love this.
My brothers?
Not so much.
My mom wraps up matching pjs for all the guys and matching pjs for the two of us.
Love that now my soon-to-be sister-in-law gets a pair too!

4. Twas the Night Before Christmas

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Once we're all decked in our pjs {after much coercing of the guys} we sit around and my dad reads "The Night Before Christmas."
I love that this tradition will now carry on with my kiddos.

5. Cinnamon Roll Competition

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And the highlight of our traditions...
Our cinnamon roll competition!
My family is very competitive and loves food.
I'm not sure how many years ago this started, but my mom used to always make her homemade rolls on Christmas.
One year my dad got a wild hair and decided to make a batch of his own, and thus the competition was born.
Anyone can enter and we invite over family and friends to come Christmas morning to taste and vote.
Still haven't finalized which recipe I'm entering, but I have a few up my sleeve with some secret ingredients {booze!}.
Will keep you posted!

So what are your favorite Christmas traditions?

Quick and Easy Holiday Cookies

If you're anything like me you may be feeling this holiday season has just gotten away from you.

Between holiday shopping, Christmas card sending and soiree socializing, there is little time to get it all done.

However, this time of year I think it's so important to find ways to recognize those who have blessed you. 

So, if you are needing something quick and easy to whip up for teachers, friends or anyone you want to wish a Merry Christmas, check out this yummy {but more importantly quick and easy} cookie recipe.

Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies

1 box red velvet cake mix

1 egg

1/4 cup of water

1/4 cup of oil

Powdered sugar 

Mix the first four ingredients together in a bowl.

Scoop out onto cookie sheet.

Sprinkle with powdered sugar.

Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes.

Doesn't get much easier than that!

Just package them up and you are all set.

So what are you sharing this holiday season?

Christmas for the little ones...

I don't know about you guys but Christmas can be overwhelming.

Especially when it comes to shopping for gifts.

And really, that's the last thing we should be focusing on this time of year.

I'm so thankful my boys are little and get excited about a bouncy ball from the dollar aisle at Target.

B and I started a tradition last year and are continuing this year and hopefully for years to come.

Not counting Santa {still gotta have a little something under the tree from the big guy}, the boys will get four gifts.

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Something they want,

Something they need,

Something to wear,

Something to read.

I love this!

It makes gift giving so much easier and helps keep things in perspective.

Can I also throw out that I got a lot of the boys' gifts from Diapers.com.

Do you guys use this amazing website??
One stop shop.

I was introduced shortly after G was born and used it strictly for diapers and wipes, but quickly realized it has so much more to offer.

Free shipping {usually two days later!} and for Tennessee, no sales tax!

It is such a lifesaver!

So mamas out there, what are you doing for your little ones??

Happy Birthday, George!

I have a two year old?

No way.

How can my little man be two??

They say the first year goes by so fast, but I have to say, I think the second year goes by even faster

{here's hoping this isn't the same for each year to come!}.

The first year was all about survival mode and milestones.

I laugh that we documented every month with a picture and update, and now I look back on this past year for G, and it's all a blur.

Luckily I've been journaling and documenting little bits here and there, plus emailing him often {yes, he has an email!}.

I want to soak up every moment with this little man because he is simply perfect in my eyes.

He has grown so much this past year, and I am so proud to call him my son.

He is sweet and loving.

He is gentle and cares for others.

He is funny.

Really funny.

He is a ham and loves to dance.

He thinks.

He is well-mannered.

He is the most amazing big brother.

He is smart.

He has an incredible vocabulary, and I could listen to him talk forever.

He is playful.

He plays by himself or with others and is content.

He has grown and continues to grow into the most beautifully well-rounded little boy.

He is all I could have dreamed of and so much more than I prayed he would become.

It is my prayer that each day he would continue to grow and know just how much he is loved.
Happy birthday, George! 

Scenes from the weekend...

Croup plus two year molars is not a good combination.

Our poor G was down for the count this weekend.

So much so we had to cancel his birthday party.

We spent the weekend cuddled up on the couch and endured many Doras, Guppies and Mickeys.

In between coughing sessions, meltdowns and snot sessions, B and I were able to break away and enjoy a fabulous holiday party with some of our dearest friends.

As sad as I was to cancel his party {we rescheduled so stay tuned!}, I have to admit it was pretty nice to just have a relaxing weekend loving on my boys.

We are now back in full swing with a crazy week ahead.

G's birthday, Christmas program at school, last minute shopping and packing all to be ready for our road trip come Friday.

Bring it on!

It's the most wonderful time of the year...