Friday, January 22, 2010
Obviously, today's picture wasn't taken by me.
But, oh my, it makes me sad.
You see, I have been blessed with children.
And even more, I've been lucky enough
to not have to struggle to bear them.
Beau and I can provide for them,
protect them, feed them and love them.
Our kids have it pretty easy,
but we are the lucky ones.
And there are others who struggle.
Who want a child so bad it hurts.
Who would pay any kind of money and
make any kind of sacrafice to be a parent.
And who are, despite their own trials,
very VERY generous and giving.
People like my friend Megan.
She wants a baby. Bad.
And has been trying to adopt for some time.
She's been in contact with an orphanage in Haiti.
Trying to find her own little one.
Following every lead in the direction of parenthood.
And then the earth shook.
And said orphanage was destroyed.
Children were lost and even more were found.
Parentless. Homeless. Even hopeless.
And so now Megan fights for their cause, not her own.
To help rebuild, rejuvenate, relieve.
I know we have all given in our own ways.
Financial, emotional, prayerful.
But if you have the means and the
desire to donate to this orphanage directly,
please check out her blog for more details.
And if you don't have money to give,
prayers will do just fine.
{because}
Every Little Bit Counts.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
On tonight's menu:
Mom's Enchilada Casserole
{totally from my head, so bear with me}
Ingredients
2 cups cooked rice
2 cans refried beans {refried black beans are so good}
1 xl can enchilada sauce {red, mild - unless you like it spicy}
grated cheese {to taste}
tortillas {corn or flour will work}
garlic and onion {to taste}
Directions
Sautee garlic and chopped onions in a pan
with a little oil until soft, set aside
Pan fry tortillas in a small amount of oil,
blot dry with paper towel, set aside
Spray 9x12 baking dish with non-stick spray
Spread rice and refried beans at the bottom of the dish
Layer tortillas, 1/3 enchilada sauce, 1/3 cheese
{repeat 2 more times}
Bake at 350 degrees for 30-45 minutes
{I cook it longer - I like the cheese kind of crispy on top}
Remove from oven and let cool for 5 minutes before serving
Top with sour cream, salsa, guacamole - whatever you like!
{this recipe is also good with
shredded chicken or browned ground beef}
Yummy!
Sunday, January 17, 2010
They say the best way to a man's
heart is through his stomach.
And today, my husband was very much in love.
Ebelskeivers for breakfast and guilt-free football for lunch.
An almost perfect day in Beau's world.
Except for one minor detail...the Boys lost.
Better luck next year.
Saturday, January 16, 2010
I always have such a hard time deciding
because each have their own charm.
I love both.
Friday, January 15, 2010
I admit...I was mad a first.
When I found the scattered remains of the printer paper in my craft room.
But, when you find a little girl practicing her alphabet
and pretty much mastering it on her own at the age of 4,
you kind of feel proud.
But she owes me a ream of paper.
p.s. I know. I missed a day.
Apparently, my resolutions are all works in progress.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
After my craft-surge of yesterday, I received this link from my friend Tiffany.
And I love it.
And if you're as cool as I already think you are, you will, too.
Craftastic.
Next project?
Homemade Gold Pants
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Today, I've got a surge of energy.
Beds made before breakfast.
Laundry is a-washing.
And I, my friends, am feeling some creative juicing coming on.
Here are the fruits of my 10 minute labors.
Made while the kids ate lunch.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Someday, he'll be one.
But for now, I'll just enjoy the little, crazy boy that sneaks food {and makes subsequent messes, see below}, loves to snuggle, tells me I'm cute, begs for tickles and gives me kisses on demand.
Love me some Layners.
Monday, January 11, 2010
Sunday, January 10, 2010
All happen every four years.
This is a picture of Tatum's first {and only, thus far}
visit to the beach in 2006, posing with her Uncle Steve.
It was the last time that all of my mom's kids were
in the same place at the same time.
And in a few weeks, it'll happen again in Utah.
Four years later.
Saturday, January 09, 2010
Pictures were taken of my family...
at a very cool location by a very cool girl.
at a very cool location by a very cool girl.
Lunch was eaten with the girls...at the OG, baby.
Photo session with this gorgeous family...froze my buns off.
Today was hectic.
Friday, January 08, 2010
Thursday, January 07, 2010
Ingredients
- 16 ounces lean beef or turkey
- Various pizza toppings {family preference} - veggies, pepperoni, Canadian bacon; the sky’s the limit!
- 1 (26 ounce) can tomato sauce {Hunt’s is inexpensive and works well with this recipe}
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2 (7 1/2 ounce) cans refrigerated buttermilk biscuits
- 2/3 cup low-fat cheddar cheese (shredded)
- 2/3 cup reduced-fat mozzarella cheese (shredded)
Directions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. and spray large baking dish with cooking spray.
- In a non stick large skillet brown meat with Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, garlic {if you like}. Once cooked and drained, add any other toppings you’d like and mix well.
- Stir in tomato sauce, ½ the cheese and remove skillet from heat.
- Separate biscuits, cut each into 4 pieces and gently stir pieces into meat/topping mixture.
- Pour mixture into prepared baking dish and bake 20 minutes.
- Sprinkle remaining cheese over the top and continue baking until cheese melts, about 10 minutes.
- Remove from oven and allow to slightly cool {biscuits will be hot}. Makes 12 servings.
Serve with a fresh garden salad and your family will be happily stuffing their faces...promise.
p.s. This is a great dish to freeze - holds up really well!
A family favorite, Weight Watchers friendly, super yummy, inexpensive and easy.
Right up this mom's alley.
Right up this mom's alley.
Thank You, McDonalds...most annoying toy ever.
Especially when it's {x3}
Wednesday, January 06, 2010
Tuesday, January 05, 2010
I'll be honest, I debated.
I really did.
Not sure if I was up for another season of Bachelor updates. This girl, afterall, has a lot on her plate these days. I had planned on relaxing mornings of DVR supported Bachelor viewing, fast forwarding through the commercials and enjoying the ridiculousness of most of the girls. I had hoped that I would like Jake as much as I had in his debut season; that he could somehow escape the cheesiness that comes with being the star of the show.
And so I began to watch.
I made it about 10 minutes.
I must blog.
What the ?!?!?!?!?!?!?
Seriously, are we really going with the whole 'On the Wings of Love' theme?
Do we have to hear the muzak {elevator}, instrumental version during every shirtless montage?
And don't even get me started on the Maverik-ness of it all.
I know it happened, because I rewinded about 3 times to make sure.
They did just show Jake on his motorcycle in a bomber jacket at the beach at sunset, looking to be either struggling with an important decision or dreaming of Kelly McGillis.
And hopefully not the latter, I hear she swings the other way these days.
Could make for the most dramatic season in Bachelor history, though hot stuff.
I have yet to watch the rest of the show. Haven't me the girls, seen first impressions, how many talk about being his 'co-pilot' and who cries. But you better believe, I'll be back with some thoughts tomorrow.
Hi, My name is Evonne and The Bachelor is my drug of choice.
If this ends in a proposal, televised marriage and I hear this song for the first dance...
So help me.
Good thing it was Martenelli's,
'Cause I totally caved.
Monday, January 04, 2010
I’m a Monday girl. Meaning, anything worth starting should always begin on a Monday. Maybe it's the OCD in me creeping out, but I know I’m not the only one out there. And, being as dedicated as I am to my obsessive compulsions, even New Year’s resolutions fall under this rule.
So, starting today {Monday, January 4th}, my blogging resolution begins.
A picture a day.
Sometimes it’ll be current. Sometimes {like today} it’ll be just plain appropriate for the post. Either way, you’ll get a picture…like it or not.
Other resolutions made; some private {personal}, some cliché {weight/health}, some as a family {fhe, time together}, some financial {debts, making more money, being able to cut back on work hours}.
Hopefully I’ll be successful, that history won’t repeat itself {as it often does} and that I’m not making the same resolutions next year. Either way, I won’t bore you with all of those details.
Unless I get really skinny.
And then, you’ll see lots of pictures of me and my hot bod.
Saturday, January 02, 2010
Monday, December 28, 2009
Be Warned: Major Picture Overload to Follow
We all had such a wonderful Christmas! The kids were spoiled rotten {not only by Santa, but also many of you...thanks!!!}, we spent some good quality time with family, and mom even got some time off of work to enjoy it all!
So, here's a recap in pictures.
First up, the Fullmer Christmas Party. Please excuse the picture quality - totally forgot to use a flash that day so everything is grainy. But you get the idea. Also, notice...Mrs. Claus has the most awesome red lipstick on her teeth and Layne has no picture posed with the jolly couple. He was having none of it this year.
Christmas Eve. We spent most of the day just hanging out, getting the house picked up, making room for the loot that was sure to come in the morning. In the afternoon {as is tradition} we got ready and headed up to Grandma and Grandpa Ballard's house for our family party. It was an off year, so besides my kids, Greydie was the only little one there. Didn't matter to the kids, though - they all had a great time. And the girls got just what they wanted from Grandma and Grandpa {Princess and the Frog}. The adults played a rousing game of White Elephant and we were able to visit with Uncle Gary and Grandpa, both of whom were able to return home from the hospital in time to spend it with family. We are all so thankful - they both look great!
The big day started with Beau and I waking the kids up. Someday, I know I'll wish they didn't come jumping on our bed at 7am, but for now I'll take this. It was nice to get up at our own pace! After coaxing Hayden {the grumpiest morning person alive} out of bed, the kids got to see what Santa brought for them. The girls got new bikes, Barbies, a Tag Reading System, and some other small toys; Layne got a train table, Toy Story toys, new blocks, race cars, and a blow up Little Einstein chair. The hit of the day was the doll house from Grandma Leigh - they haven't stopped playing with it since Christmas morning. And, the biggest surprise was a family gift from Uncle Jeff and Aunt Cassie {my brother and is fiance}...a Wii! We were beyond grateful and have had fun playing. Tatum kills us all in bowling. Seriously.
After spending time at home enjoying our gifts, we all got ready and went over to Grandma and Grandpa Fullmer's house. No pictures? If you would have seen how my kids were behaving, you'd know why. But, despite all of the kid drama, we all had a great time. I walked away with a gift card for a pedicure from our White Elephant game, so that made all of the stress worth it for mom. :)
Last stop was Shanna's house to celebrate with our immediate family {Beau's parents, kids, spouses and grandkids}. The kids, again, were showered with fun gifts and Beau and I got dinner gift cards and a new roasting oven from his mom and dad. I'm so excited for a few free date nights!
We hope you all had a Merry Christmas and that you {and your home} are recovering quickly from the whirlwind of the day.
xoxo,
The Ballards
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