Do they have birthday parties in heaven?

February 23 is a special day. It is my sister and my grandmother's birthday. My grandaddy's birthday is February 25 but we always celebrated it with Jerri Lynne and Grandmother. So, I told Carter all about her time here on earth and, of course, he doesn't get it. Other than this week I have only told him about my sister once. It's just too much for a little brain to even try to process. Sometimes it's hard enough for me. Aubree knows. She has known for a very long time. Needless to say, we went to heaven and back about 20 times on Thursday. I took him to the cemetery to leave her a rose. I know it sounds terrible, but I hate it there. It's a terrible memory. Thursday marks the third time that I have been there. Once for the funeral, second for my Pawpaw's funeral as he is buried next to her, and this week. For some reason I just felt like I needed to go this week but it didn't make me feel any better and I sure don't plan on going back. I hope 3 of my favorite people in the world had a grand birthday party in heaven. Ok, enough sadness and morbidity. =)

Jerri Lynne, my little sis

Carter left her a rose for her birthday

My Grandaddy blowing out the candles. This was probably in 1986.

Grandmother blowing out the candles. Looks like I was making sure that she was doing it right. =)

Weren't we cute?

We went to visit my Meemaw this week. It was so good to see her. I believe that it really made her day when we showed up. She seems to be doing pretty well.

Meemaw and the boys

Meemaw and Caleb. I have known this woman for almost 30 years. She will not look at the camera. haha!

Little Caleb had a well-baby check-up this week. He is doing great! He weighed almost 15 lbs. He has doubled his birth weight so he's right on track. Sadly, he had to get 3 shots. =( He ran a little fever later that evening but was back to himself the next morning. I tried giving him rice cereal again this week and he does NOT like it, at all. The doctor said it's ok and to just keep trying. It's not a big deal until he's 6 months. He's still teething. I keep thinking that one is going to come through but not yet. He has been sleeping better thank goodness!

Trying rice cereal and not liking it! And I admit, I even mixed a little applesauce in and he still objected.

I have another crockpot recipe to share!
Crockpot Chicken and Rice
3 cans of condensed cream of chicken soup
2 cups minute rice
1 cup water
1 pound boneless skinless chicken
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1/4 tsp paprika
1/2 cup chopped celery

Mix the soup, rice, and water in crockpot. Add the chicken. Top with salt, pepper, paprika, and celery. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours.

Happy Valentines!

What a busy week! We celebrated Valentine's with a special lunch before Brian went to work. We all got small but special gifts to celebrate.

Aubree and Carter went to the dentist this week for their cleaning and check-up. Both got good reports, however, he did say that we would probably know for sure at the next appointment whether or not Aubree will need braces. I really hope not! Caleb is still battling the teething thing. He's not sleeping well at all and is just almost miserable. Poor little guy! It's heartbreaking to see a little baby hurting.

I have to include something here about Whitney Houston. I was so saddened to hear of her passing this week. As a young girl growing up in the 80s and 90s I really loved her! I can't tell you how many times we sang and danced to her music at many slumber parties! I don't care what demons she faced in her life. All I know is that she loved God, was an awesome mother, and could sing! I know she is at peace now.

And I tried a new recipe this week so I thought I'd share. It was a hit!
Sour Cream and Bacon Crockpot Chicken

7-8 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Bacon
1 cup sour cream
2 cans of roasted garlic cream of mushroom soup
1/4 cup flour

Cook bacon in a pan being sure that it remains pliable and NOT crisp. Drain on paper towel.
Wrap one piece of bacon around each chicken breast and place in 4-5 quart crockpot.
Combine soups, sour cream, and flour in mixing bowl. Blend with wire wisk and pour over chicken.
Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours.
Remove the chicken and blend the sauce with wire wisk until well blended then pour over chicken.
I served mine with wide egg noodles but think rice would be good also.
Enjoy! :)

My 3 little Valentine's!

The shirt says it all!

Aubree in her Valentine's shirt!

Aubree getting her teeth cleaned and watching the tv in the ceiling.

Carter watching and waiting!

He did so good!

My flowers from Brian. Iris's and Stargazers!

One of the greatest singers of my generation! This is how I will always remember her. She had a beautiful smile and voice.

House Hunters Atoka

Last week flew by! Brian and I decided to finally buy a house. After looking at several I think we have found one. We shall see. Let's just hope that Delta plans on staying in Memphis for a very, very long time! I didn't realize how time consuming looking at houses could be. It was fun though.

The kids had a good week. Poor Caleb is still teething. He's having a hard time. Aubree and Carter would fuss some and then a tooth would magically appear but poor little baby screams, bites, and has decided that he doesn't want to sleep.

I decided to try something new to make my life easier and it gives me more time with the kids so I thought I'd share. Cleaning house is a major ordeal no matter what size house you're dealing with if kids are around. I've started dedicating one area of the house to one day out of the week. It makes cleaning much more pleasant and even better the house always has that clean smell because something is cleaned everyday. I wish I'd done this long ago! My house and I would have been happier! It only takes a few minutes too. Here's the schedule I'm using:
Monday- Just laundry. It's massively piled up after I've worked 2 days.
Tuesday-Kitchen and Laundry room. Wipe countertops and appliances, check expiration dates on everything, sweep and mop floors.
Wednesday-Living room. Dust, windex windows and mirrors, vacuum floor and couch cushions.
Thursday-Master bedroom and bath. Wash linens, dust, windex, scrub shower, bathtub, toilet, wipe countertops and fixtures, sweep and mop floor.
Friday-Guest bathroom. You get it by now...
Saturday-Dust and windex kids rooms, wash sheets, and clean their bathroom. Well, that's actually more than one room BUT it beats trying to do all of the above in one day while dealing with a pre-teen, chasing a 3 year old, and nursing a 4 month old.
Next post I will share a recipe! That may be more appealing than cleaning. :)

And now the part you were waiting for...pics!

It's not everyday that you wake up to your 3 year old fixing his hair!

Brothers!

As they say in Minnesota, it's cold out don't cha know?

Caleb is 4 months, well really 4.5 but I'm a little busy! ha!

Aubree in her Alabama houndstooth coat! I have accepted the fact that she is truly a Bama fan!

Carter is the only guy I know who can pull off wearing his mommy's UGGS!

Brian is the big 3-0!!

Today my hubby bear is celebrating 30 years of life. Of course he's at work. I cooked a few of his favorite things for lunch before he left..fried pork chops, cheesy potato casserole, green beans and rolls. Yum yum! And of course there was cake and ice-cream. Happy Birthday, Brian! I love you!

Sneaky Little Carter

Well, so much for trying to update my blog on Fridays. Better late than never! We were pretty lazy around here until Wednesday. Vickie took the boys to the Freckled Frog in Covington to get silhouette's done by Tim Arnold aka "The Silhouette Man" and let me say, he is awesome! He was done in like 10 minutes and they look great. He is recommended by The Smithsonian and I can see why!

We also got out and enjoyed the Spring-like weather that we had for a couple of days. Little Caleb loved it outside. And speaking of Caleb it was a year ago last week that we found out about him. Time really flies. So a year ago I was spending lots of time with my head in toilets and trashcans but he was worth the 1,000,000 times that I got sick! =)

So, about the title "Sneaky Little Carter"..well, I waited until he was good and passed out Thursday night and I took a nice, hot bath. Got out and was getting dressed next to my bed and someone's little hand grabs my foot from underneath my bed. Now keep in mind this was around midnight in a dark room. Of course I had a small heart attack and it probably shaved off about 2 years of my life. Luckily common sense kicked in before the fight or flight response and I recognized that little hand! I don't think that I will have to worry about him doing that again. It scared him just as much as it did me. Sneaky little turkey!

We ended the week with dinner at the Cast Iron Grill in Munford with Brian's parents and sisters to celebrate Brian's 30th birthday early. If you haven't eaten there you really should! It's nice to finally have something besides another Mexican restaurant down here. Carter went home with the in-laws so we had a quiet evening. Brian even took me to see the paint job on the truck that he is rebuilding for Carter. Looks much better than when I last saw it. I don't think that Fred Sanford would have driven it!

Caleb and Carter's Silhouette's

My little Georgia Dawgs enjoying a nice afternoon!