#2

I just had to post this picture because I got so tickled at Viv today…..she was right in the middle of it all helping her brothers. They were about to load the deer in the tractor bucket to field dress it in an open area and the next thing I knew Vivi had the legs and was helping them load it…and it was heavy. I just thought we were adopting a girly girl..(by her china photos and by what her referral said about her)…HA! But I wouldn’t change her tomboy ways for a second…I love my sweet girl!!

Okay, I’m going to sound like one of “those” mamas…probably because I am one of “those” mamas (I’ve embraced that fact a long time ago..hehe) so I am going to BRAG away! I’m so proud of this boy of mine! This deer was right at 150 yards away when he shot it. Tate is an extremely accurate shot but it was so far away that he shot him in the neck so the deer ran and ran. He tracked the deer for over 1.5 hours before he found it. After Tate found it my wonderful brother-in-law and sister-in-law were there again to help Tate get the deer out of the woods. (Paul was at work, he hated that he missed it) along with my sister-in-laws dad who is an avid hunter….her dad could NOT believe that Tate tracked the deer for that long, through the woods and a over a large creek like he did, her dad kept saying this one needs to be written down and recorded somewhere. I don’t know how in the world he tracked it either! I guess he’s got the instincts of a bloodhound…LOL. I love getting to experience this with him…it was an exciting morning/afternoon! Good job sweet boy!!!

Max and his room are ready for Christmas!

Happy Thanksgiving 2013

HAPPY THANKSGIVING from our crew, minus one and we missed her (& mike & annie bird) terribly!

First Deer

So proud and happy for my boy! This is Tate’s first season to hunt and he got his first deer today. I just had a feeling that today was going to be his day. Last night when I tucked him in bed I told him that he better bring me a deer home.  He grinned and said, I’ll do my best! I sure do love my hunter!

my glamour shot...hehehe

This would be me taking the trash to the road in my granny robe and pink rubber boot…photo, courtesy of Miss Vivi Jo-Jo.  It’s normally Tate’s job but he left a 5 AM to go hunting and I’m sure trash was not on his mind..HA! Oh how I love living in the country (not that I wouldn’t take the trash out wearing this if I lived in town, have done it a many a times)….just sayin’. :-)

3rd Grade Turkey Trot 2013

Last week at the Turkey Trot, Vivi, my competitive child (again, just like her mama when I was her age), ran 1 mile in the 3rd grade girls race and ran to win! She placed 3rd and she was one HAPPY girl! I got so tickled, you can see in the third picture that when she saw the finish line, she threw her hands up in the air…LOL. When she finished the race she was breathing really hard and said, “MOM, I FINISHED THE RACE AND I DIDN’T THROW UP!” I’m very proud that she accomplished her goal to place and that she didn’t throw up!!! :-)

2nd Grade Turkey Trot 2013

Last week our elementary school had their annual Turkey Trot. Each class (divided into girls and boys) ran 1 mile and the 1st place winner got a turkey. Max finished the 1 mile but could care less if he won or not. He grinned the ENTIRE mile. In EVERY picture (and I took a lot), he had the biggest grin on his face. That’s my Max…Smiley Max!

O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree,....

how quirky are your branches! 

Christmas tree shopping....

 in flip-flops.

Max the Arabian Knight

2nd grade program was tonight. I was very proud of my Arabian Knight… He did a great job!

Max's Room

I cleaned Mr. Max’s room today. It’s his responsibility to make his bed everyday and keep his room clean but it kind of got out of hand so I’m giving it a good cleaning and hopefully it will be easier for him to keep it picked up.

PHOTOBOMB!

Ells was being the typical big brother this morning. He saw I was taking Vivi’s picture so he decided to photobomb it. HA HA!

Max’s Thankful Turkey

Each child in second grade brought home a turkey to decorate with their family. It started out a turkey with feathers drawn on white paper….we cut the wings/feathers off and added our own. We all contributed our hands but Max came up with and wrote his own thankful words…they were: Jesus, Having a family, Food, House, Mom, Dad, Brothers, Sisters, Gran-Gran, Meme, Paw-Paw and My hands….MELTS MY HEART!

Max is officially winterized!

He’s so proud of his gloves. I love and adore that kid!! 

Goodbye books….

Winter is coming and you can’t keep us warm. I’m missing you already!

Six eyes!

I just passed by a mirror and I had my reading glasses AND my sunshades on my head. I do this often…it’s how I roll. LOL

it’s sewin’ time!

Chicken and Lime Soup

Chicken and Lime Soup is simmering on the stove. I am the world’s messiest cook…my kitchen was clean when I started.

  

Chicken and Lime Soup

Ingredients

2 Tbsp olive oil

1 medium yellow onion

2 or 3 stalks celery

1 medium jalapeno

4 cloves garlic

2 or 3 chicken breast

Salt (to taste)

6 cups chicken broth (I use the broth from the chicken I cook)

1 (14.5 oz.) can Rotel tomatoes

1 can diced tomatoes

1 tsp oregano

1 Tbsp cumin

1 medium lime…be sure and get all the juice out….I usually add more.

½ bunch cilantro

Garnish ideas:

Tortilla chips

Avocado

Green onions

Shredded cheddar cheese

Sour cream

Black olives.

Avocado

Directions:

1. In your stew pot sauté diced onions, celery, jalapeño and minced garlic in olive oil until tender.

2. Add the chicken breast to the sautéed veggies, chicken broth (if you use boneless skinless breast I would use broth, I use bone in chicken, both white and dark meat so I boil my chicken in water because it makes a rich broth…and it’s cheaper all around), add Rotel, diced tomatoes, oregano, and cumin. Bring the whole pot to a boil and then reduce heat and let simmer with the lid on the pot until chicken is done.

3. When the chicken is cooked take it out and shred it. Return the chicken back to the pot. Add chopped cilantro and lime juice. Add garnishes…EAT IT UP and ENJOY!!!

2 more things. 1) I never go directly by the recipe…I taste and add…taste and add…taste and add. 2) I ALWAYS at least double this and every recipe. BON APPÉTIT

My $5 plant stand!

 It’s just what that corner needed! #iloveotherpeoplesjunk

Hayden's in Canada

 I love these two so much!!

It was like yesterday when Britney, Mark and Hayden were Annie Bird’s age….I blinked and they were grown ups…and what incredible grown ups they are! I’m so blessed!!!

I love this sweet little family!

I LOVE ADOPTION!

ONE MORE HOME! Our friends Jody and Julie Simmons are adopting a precious little guy from China. They are fundraising by selling these t-shirts to help with adoption expenses. Super cute don’t you think!

GOD MADE US A FAMILY DAY - 5 years!

5 years ago today a very nervous little girl named Bao Xinhua walked into our lives…things seemed to be going well until she noticed that the lady that brought her was gone. She just left her without saying a word…she was there and then she was gone. When Vivi realized she was not there she was beyond nervous, she was terrified! She fell out and kicked and screamed at the top of her lungs which lasted for hours. She had no clue what was going on…it was the most heart breaking experience I have ever had. This precious little one had been stripped from all she knew and was handed over to strangers. We know now how difficult her life in China actually was but for that 4 year old little girl, that’s all she knew and she didn’t know us. It got better while we were in China, we saw some smiles and heard some giggles but much of the time we were there she was grieving. When we got home and she walked through the door, she miraculously changed, it was like she knew she was home and she would be safe with us. My precious girl has come a LONG LONG way!!! Happy Forever Family Day Miss Vivi Jo-Jo! I am blessed to be your mama! I love you to the moon and back!!!

5 YEARS!!! Happy Forever Family Day Miss Vivi Jo! We love you so much!!!

Cook out at the tree farm...

Building a fire at the tree farm…it’s hot dog time!

Daisy Mae loves the tree farm. She was moving so fast I couldn’t get a clear picture with my phone. :-)

Ells is rockin’ the overalls and work boots! #farmboy

King of the farm.

Miss Viv with her gun in hand keeping us all safe…hehe

While we got the fire going and went for a hike Tate was on the other side of the farm hunting deer. Lots of deer tracks but no deer to be seen. I know Tate, he’ll out smart those deer before the season is over.

my little love!

My $10 garage sale tree. It was NOT easy getting that baby home!

let the welding begin...

they are so cute!

the beauty of nature

We went…we hiked in the dark by moonlight (no flashlight), we sat quietly (okay, I whispered a little…hehe), we waited in anticipation, we enjoyed watching the sun rise, we waited 3 hours with no deer to be seen, as we were walking back to leave we saw 2 really big doe, he couldn’t shoot them because it’s not doe season yet. It was so beautiful in the woods as we waited, so peaceful. I’m ready to go again. :-)

Deer season is finally here!

This boy was all grins when I tucked him in tonight! Why you ask? Because tomorrow morning is opening day of DEER SEASON!!!! And guess who is going with him….ME! Tomorrow is Paul’s Saturday to work so we are going to divide and conquer! I’m taking Tate hunting and Paul is taking Elliott (and Viv & Max) to some early morning garage sales before he has to be at work. We’ve got a hunter and a thrifter living under our roof so we do what we can do to accommodate. :-) I will admit I’m a little nervous about this whole hunting business….we’ll be up at 5:30….when we get to the tree farm, we’ll be walking over a mile into the woods and crossing a creek to get to where we need to go….IN THE DARK!!! Tate let me know that it would be just fine because he would have a flashlight…haha! AND, not to mention the WILD HOGS, again Tate “eases my mind” by letting me know he’ll have a pistol with him in case any hogs come our way. HA! Seriously, I’m glad Paul is working and I get to share his first real hunting experience with him….I THINK…LOL!