Gretchen's Eleven

Gretchen Rose, tomorrow is your 11th birthday.

It feels like just yesterday, we were meeting you for the first time. 

You made me a mom, and for that, I'm so thankful. I always wanted a little girl, and you were our first. From the moment, you were born, you brought joy in to all of our lives. But don't worry, I still remember some of the sleepless nights, and the one time you were crying at 2 am and your daddy was away for a football game and I called him crying, because I just didn't know what to do to calm you down. 

Your great-grandmother came and stayed with us when you were a newborn. She bathed you every single day and held you all the time. She loved you so very much.

You quickly grew in to the cutest little toddler. I mean, we all thought you were simply adorable. You loved Barbie dolls and Princesses. You loved Dora the Explorer, and learned to count to 10 in Spanish! You knew your ABC's by the time you turned 2. You loved play-doh, and playing outside, and twirling and tutu's. 

You were also stubborn and head-strong. It took us a full year to get you to potty train :) You've always known what you wanted and you've always gone for it with fierce determination. I admire you for that gift. You are wise and confident beyond your years. 

While you wanted to suck your baby sister up with the vacuum cleaner and send her back to where she came from, you still loved her, and you loved Adalyn when she came along. But, you've always been independent in your own ways. 

You're resilient and strong. When we moved from Indiana to Oklahoma, I wasn't sure how the change would affect you, but you handled the change brilliantly, just as you have with this move to Texas. 

When it was time to start school, you were so excited! You loved learning and you couldn't wait to be in Kindergarten! You still let me put you in hair bows and dresses, and you were still a total girly-girl. You still loved Princesses and Barbies. You loved Sofia the First and Jake and the Neverland Pirates. 

You met your best friend in kindergarten, and the two of you have stuck by each other's side. I'm sure we will never forget, when daddy walked in to your Thanksgiving lunch, and you promptly proceeded to tell Connor, that he had to ask your dad if he could marry you. 

When you were younger, you enjoyed dance lessons and eventually found your way in to musical theater, something you absolutely adore. Your passionate about your acting roles and take them very seriously. You work so hard, and practice so much, and I'm always in awe that you set a goal, and do everything you can to achieve it. 

I pray that you will always have a fierce determination and fire in your spirit. That one day, you'll do something big because of it. I have no doubt that you'll be able to accomplish, whatever you set your mind to.

You shine bright, and you're full of spirit. You have a kind heart, and big emotions. You have even bigger passions, and you always give it your all. You are imaginative and creative. 

Somehow, over the years, you've morphed in to this big girl, and I'm not even sure how or when it happened. You're one for adventure and fun. Truth be told, you challenge me. When, I'm not feeling adventurous, you'll encourage me on. You are determined that anything is possible once you've made up your mind. 

You love Jesus. I will always remember, when you were three and you acted out the Bible stories you learned at preschool. From waving palm branches, and shouting "hosanna", from building the walls of Jericho, and lying down on the cross on the church floor and telling me that I needed to instruct you to "rise from the dead." We were so proud of you when you accepted Jesus in your heart and made the decision to be baptized. I know that one day, you'll do big things for Christ and you'll have a wonderful story to share. 

You are athletic and adventurous! You loved dance when you were little and slowly you began to love basketball. Again, your fierce determination shows whenever you set your mind to something. And as you move on to middle school, I know that you'll continue to shine in whatever you choose to do. 

I mean, you're not even scared to hold an alligator! 

Books truly do make you happy. You are happiest with a book in your hand. We're always amazed at how much you read, how quickly you finish a book, how you're always craving more. You set a goal to read over 3 million words this school year, and you're well on your way and likely to surpass your goal. I pray that you'll always have a passion for learning and knowledge, and you'll always find solitude in whatever book you're reading. 

When we moved to Texas, I prayed the hardest for you to adjust. I was the most terrified how you would handle, but with anything, you made the decision to jump right in with both feet, and you have excelled! I think the transition was the easiest for you. On the first day of school, you met new friends, and for now, the 4 of you are like glue, stuck to each other every single day. 

You made the choice to try out for your school's news team, and you made it not once, but twice! You're heading to the district oral reading challenge, and you're even in your school's geography bee! You're looking forward to middle school, and while my heart wants time to slow down, because I remember the toddler that loved to perform and sing and dance, and be the center of attention, I can't wait to see you propel forward in to middle school, high school, and even college. 

You make us so very proud Gretchen and we love you so very much! 

And, because I truly couldn't narrow down pictures, here are some favorites from this last year! 

Happy Birthday sweetheart! 

XO,

Mommy

Life Lately

Wow! It's been forever since I've done a "Life Lately" post! 

We haven't really been busy. Just figuring out what life looks like after football season. I still feel like it's long days for DJ, but we're managing. 

We went to see Mary Poppins on our last day of Christmas break. Which, I actually thought was their first day back at school. DJ dropped them off, and called me when no one else was in the parking lot. Whoops! 

So, I canceled my speech kiddos and the girls and I made a day out of it. 

Mary Poppins was super cute! We all loved it.

After the movie, we went to Home Goods, and all decided this football helmet chair should come home with us.

Spoiler alert- it didn't! 

Austin weather is crazy. Some days it's warm enough for shorts in the afternoon, and other days, it's freezing. 

You know the saying "If you don't like the weather, just wait 5 minutes, and it'll change"? Well, we've heard that in every single state we've lived in, and this is the only place that it's actually true. We'll have 70 degrees at the beginning of the  week and 40 degrees at the end. 

We started the process of finding a new church home here in Texas. Which, I plan on blogging about soon. But, it's the first time these girls were gussied up in a while, so I made them take a picture! 

 

After dinner, we went to a BBQ restaurant, Salt Lick, which was yummy! 

There were picnic tables, and a big playground outside, so we know we'll be back when it warms up!

Addy got this little wolf-dog hat for Christmas (it came with one of my Young Living orders) and I thought she looked cute as she was off to school one morning. 

You know, just a kid stuck in a box! 

Gretchen had a science fair project due last week, and in typically mommy/daddy fashion, we waited until the week it was due to actually help her! Whoops!

Friday was awards assembly day at school. Addy loves wearing dresses, so I picked her out one to wear, and Megan surprised me by picking out one for her too. They looked so cute! 

All of the girls got awards, and we're so proud of how well they've adjusted! They're all loving school! 

And, Gretchen has the sweetest group of friends! 

Friday night, we went to Hat Creek to eat. We tried the one in downtown Austin, but their playground was small, so when we found one closer to our house, with a bigger playground, we were excited! I can get behind any restaurant, with a big playground, where parents can sit and enjoy food and drinks, while their kids play!

Sunday afternoon, our neighborhood had a little get together, so I took the girls. There was cookie decorating, a bounce house, hot cocoa, and a train ride!

They even made little marshmallow snowmen. 

Off they went on the train! 

Sunday afternoon, Megan and I cuddled in to watch Frozen, and I may have had a little nap :) 

It was the best way to spend the afternoon! 

That's Life Lately friends! 

Dinner Ideas.....

At least once a week, I see friends asking for dinner suggestions! I know, I'm in that boat a lot, because I hate to cook and food just doesn't inspire me! 

Well, I'm trying to save us all! Over the last several weeks, I've been documenting a few dinner ideas, and I've compiled them all, and hopefully, you'll have some inspiration this week. 

I'll link recipes where I can, and I would LOVE for you to share your dinner ideas in the comments at the end of this post! 

First up, Chicken Pot Pie.

When, I was a kid, I hated chicken pot pie, but then I found this recipe and tried it a few years ago, and every once in a while, I'll whip this up because we're in need of comfort food.

This recipe makes enough for two chicken pot pies, so I'll make one, and then I'll freeze a second. 

Pot Roast

I feel like pot roast is hit or miss. But, I was at HEB and found a pot roast that was pre-packaged with the veggies, meat, and seasoning, and wow! This was so good! Back in the day, I would use Paula Deen's Pot Roast recipe, which is super yummy! 

I love when the girls help in the kitchen. On this night, we were making Panko crusted chicken breasts. The girls LOVE this meal, because they think it's chicken nuggets. And friends, it's super easy to make! I just whisk an egg or two, and in a separate bowl, I'll add Panko bread crumbs, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Dip your chicken in the egg, and then coat in the bread crumb mixture. Bake until cooked through.

White Chicken Chili is a favorite soup of mine, and so easy to make in the crock pot. 

I literally just add frozen chicken breast, broth, and beans. But if you need a recipe, I'll link one here. I love to top mine with Fritos and Cheese. 

You guys know we're loving Costco, and the girls are obsessed with their Chicken Cordon Bleu. On nights, that we're super busy, I'll pull these out and bake them. 

These Teriyaki and Pineapple meatballs are also yummy! I just cook them over the stove, and then I'll make mac-n-cheese for the kids and veggies. 

Chicken Fajita Soup is another easy crock pot recipe! 

It's another that I start with frozen chicken breast, broth, peppers, and rotel, and serve with chips and cheese. 

And, this was another Costco meal! But, it was super yummy and would be easy to make yourself at home! Basically, it was noodles, chicken meatballs, spinach, and baby tomatoes, in a garlic wine sauce. 

Or, you can just buy it from Costco :) They have several pre-made meals. On those rushed mornings, when I forget to plan ahead, I run to Costco, pick up a meal and just heat it up at home. Lately, I've been doing this more than I'd like to admit. 

And finally, this weekend, we had Chili! It was cold here, and we were just needing a classic family dish! DJ's dad gave us his chili recipe when we first got married, and it's what we always make! 

Yum!!! 

What's for dinner at your house this week?

If you need some other dinner ideas, click here and browse through the posts. Apparently, there are times, that I'm pretty good at cooking!