Mouth Watering Wednesday: Crock Pot Mexican Chicken

Welcome to Mouth Watering Wednesday! Spice up your life and try a new recipe! This week I am sharing one of my favorite recipes that my mother in law, Teresa makes.  It is not a paleo recipe, but it is really good and is done in a crock pot which makes it easy too! 

Here's what you'll need: 

• 4 chicken breasts 
• 1 can of Rotel
• 1 can of black beans (rinsed and drained)
• 1 can of corn (rinsed)
• 1 block of cream cheese
• 1 block of Velveeta (optional)

Here's what you'll do: 

• Place all ingredients (except Velveeta) in a crock pot on low for eight hours or on high for four hours.  Stir occasionally.
• Cube and add the Velveeta 30 minutes to an hour before you want to serve. 

Enjoy over chips or alone! 

Thompson Number Two: Week 15

Weight gained to date: I don't know this for a fact yet because my scale is not as accurate but I think that I am back to my starting weight.  I go in for my monthly checkup this week so I will have a more accurate number next week.

Estimated size of baby: Navel Orange (4.5 inches long, 2 to 3 ounces)

Foods I am craving: I am still craving Mexican food; I was lucky this past week and got to eat it twice.  My dad took Everett and I out for lunch to one of my FAVE places, El Gran Charro (thanks dad) And last night my mom made tacos (thanks mom)!

Foods I am staying away from:  Nothing really this week. When I was pregnant with Everett I had trouble remembering to eat a lot of the time, but this time around Everett is always reminding me that he is hungry.. "eat, eat!"

How I am feeling: Still having some trouble with headaches but I am usually able to make them more manageable by taking some tylenol.

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To see more baby updates click here!

Week Eight- Week Nine- Week Eleven- Week Twelve- Week Thirteen- Week Fourteen

Letters to Everett: 11/22/12

Dear Everett,

You are a year and half old today!  I can't believe how fast time is going by and how big you are getting.  You are doing more and more every day and you have started to imitate daddy and I.  You are such a good boy (most of the time) and like to play, play, play. 

You are in LOVE with your Pig-Paw and every time you see him, nothing else matters.  I am glad that you two have a strong bond, it warms my heart and makes me very happy.  Today is Thanksgiving so you will be excited to see him in a few hours.  

This month you have started being extra cuddly when we are snuggling in bed. I think that you know that we are starting to have you sleep in your crib more and more so maybe you are soaking up the snuggle time.  Whatever the reason, I am enjoying every minute of it.  When we are laying in bed, you take my hand and pull my arm around your tummy to hold you close.  You are so sweet and I love you so much boy! 

You are starting to sleep in your "big boy bed" (aka crib) and you don't really like it too much.  I think you enjoy cuddling with momma and daddy!  We are hoping that you will be sleeping all the way through the night in your crib by the time your new little brother or sister gets here.   

You are starting to develop more of a "tude" when you don't get what you want.  We are working on that and hoping that we can learn more about how to share and listen to momma and daddy.  You don't like to have to wait for things- I think you got that from your daddy (haha.)   We love you and all of your personality traits! 

Here's what you've been up to this month: 

10/28/12: You started signing and saying "eat"

11/01/12: Said "wa-wa" for water

11/05/12: Said "bat" for bath
11/11/12: Said "pass-ey" for paci

11/14/12: Started "spitting" into the sink when we brush your teeth

Words you Say: 

Daa-da (Daddy), Dog, Mommmma, Kaa (Becca), Tyler, Rara (Laura), Hi, This, Yay, Go, Mine, No, Pa pa (Pig Paw and Paw Paw), Dumb, Got it, Did it, Mowg (Mowgli), Uh oh!, Eat, Wa-wa (Water), Bat (Bath), Pass-ey (Paci), Poop, Woo-woo

Signs you Sign: 

All done, Arms up, Dog, Fan, More, Please, Thank you, Nurse, Eat, Hi/Bye

Momma and daddy love you to the moon and all the way back! 

xoxoxox,

Momma

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For more Letters to Everett, click here! 

Month of Thanks: Week Three

Saturday, November 17:  Today I am thankful for keeping in touch with old friends.  Tyler, Everett, and I celebrated "Friendsgiving" with our close friends from college and it was great to get to get to spend some time catching up with everyone.

Sunday, November 18: After purchasing our house back in September, Tyler and I decided to have an Open House to celebrate and invite family and friends over.   We hosted our Open House today and I was reminded again how thankful I am to be surrounded by such great family and friends. 

Monday, November 19: Today we went out to dinner to celebrate my Grandma Dallas' birthday.  She flew in to be with us for Thanksgiving and I am so thankful that she is here!  She is a great lady and I always enjoy spending time with her. 

Tuesday, November 20: I am thankful for modern conveniences like cell phones and televisions.  Sometimes they are a burden but other times I am greatly appreciate how much they make my life easier. 

Wednesday, November 21: I am thankful for all of my sister-in-laws! I was blessed with one sister by birth but now I have five more wonderful sisters.  Marley, Tyler's youngest sister spent the day over here with Everett and I and we had a blast.  Love you Nikki, Jordan, Kelsey, Riley, and Marley! 

Thompson Number Two: Week 14

Weight gained to date: I have gained 1 lb since last week but I am still -1 lb from my starting weight! 

Estimated size of baby: Lemon (3 inches long, 1.5 ounces)

Foods I am craving: I am really excited about Thanksgiving and all of the delicious food that  comes along with the feast!  I am particularly looking forward to cranberry sauce, green bean casserole, and turkey! 

Foods I am staying away from:  I was reminded this week about my "rule of two" from my last pregnancy.   Basically, if I eat more than two of something sweet (e.g. two Starburst, two peanut butter balls, etc.) then I start feeling sick.  So I am sticking with my rule and only eating two (or less) of everything! 

How I am feeling: Feeing good! Happy to be out of the first trimester and on to the second trimester.  This is rumored to be the "easiest" of the three trimesters (as if being pregnant is easy.)

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To see more baby updates click here! 

Month of Thanks: Week Two

Thursday, November 8: I am thankful for the beautiful Virginia scenery.  Today while driving down the interstate and the crappiness that comes with 95 I was reminded of the beauty that God has given us with the changing of the seasons.  

Friday, November 9: Today I am thankful for the gift of friendship.  I was able to have lunch with a good friend of mine today, Vivid and I am was reminded of how important it is to spend time with other moms and to know that you're not alone in this whole motherhood journey.

Saturday, November 10: I am thankful today for the relationship that Tyler and Everett have. It is so reassuring to know that we are on the same page when it comes to raising him and that we are equal partners in our marriage. 

Sunday, November 11: Today I was able to serve in the nursery at church, which is something that I really enjoy.  I was reminded about how much work goes into organizing all of the volunteers, curriculum, and details of the preschool program at our church.  I am so thankful for Robin, the preschool director and all of the time and love she puts into making the program great for the kids. 

Monday, November 12: I am thankful for my little sister... even when we get on each others nerves.  Everyone always says "your sister will become your best friend" and I don't think that either of us really ever believed that.  Now that we are older we really are best friends and I am glad that we live close enough to see each other frequently.

Tuesday, November 13: I am thankful for my brother and all of his many talents.  He is currently playing the role of Rolf (You are 16 going on 17..) in The Sound of Music at The Riverside Dinner Theater.  He is so talented and I hope that everyone has an opportunity to go and see the show! 

 

Wednesday, November 14: Today I am thankful for good true friends.  Friends who know what you are talking about and can finish your sentences.  Friends who you can pick up from where you left off, even if you haven't seen or talked to them in a while.  Friends who just understand you and tell you the advice you need, not the advice you want to hear. 

Thursday, November 15: I am thankful for the support that I have from my local La Leche League group.  With the new baby coming I was struggling to decide if Everett and I were ready to give up breastfeeding and they have really helped me to be confident in the decision to continue nursing.  

Friday, November 16: Today I am thankful for baby Flubber! This whole pregnancy thing did get off to quite a rocky start but I am so excited to be bringing a new bundle of joy into this world.  Everett and I were able to hear the baby's heartbeat again today and I was reminded of how blessed I am. 

Mouth Watering Wednesday: Peanut Butter Balls

Welcome to Mouth Watering Wednesday! Spice up your life and try a new recipe!  This week I am featuring one of my FAVORITE snack recipes, it is something that I have loved ever since I was a little girl kid.  It's from my Grandmother, however I think it is originally from Mr. Rogers Neighborhood.  This is something that all ages can enjoy and can easily be modified or added to in order to fit different needs (allergies, etc.) 

Here's what you'll need:

• 1 cup powdered milk
• 2/3 cup peanut butter (sun butter, etc.)
• 1/2 cup honey 

Note: I usually double or triple the recipe. 

Here's what you'll do: 

• Measure out your ingredients and combine in a bowl. 

• Mix them together until everything is incorporated. 

• Now form into bite sized balls and refrigerate for 2 hours (if you can wait that long!)  Store them in the refrigerator- and if you're like me, hide them in the back so you can keep them to yourself!! Mwhaha!
• You can use chunky peanut butter if you like nuts, or roll them in rice crispy treats, add chocolate chips, etc. 

I hope that you enjoy this recipe as much as I have! 

Thompson Number Two: Week 13

Weight gained to date: Still at -2 lbs under starting weight

Estimated size of baby: Peach (3 inches long)

Foods I am craving: I am taking cues from being my first pregnancy and wanting wings! Specifically Honey BBQ Wings from Buffalo Wild Wings.  Mmmm so good!

Foods I am staying away from: Nothing this week!

How I am feeling: Feeing good! Happy to be out of the first trimester and on to the second trimester.  This is rumored to be the "easiest" of the three trimesters (as if being pregnant is easy.)

Everett and I at BWW

Nifty Thrifty Friday: Memory Jars

Nifty Thrifty Friday features items that I have either found a thrift stores or items I already owned and have given new life or upcycled.  These items may be as small as a shoe box or as large as a sofa! I hope you will join me on some of my thrifting adventures!
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Tyler and I have been lucky to be able to travel to various beaches across the United States and somewhere along the way I started collecting sand from these places.  Tyler thought I was nuts but, I knew one day it would pay off! :) 

Memory jars can contain sand, corks from dates or events, foreign coins, toenails (gross), etc.  and can be displayed on top of kitchen cabinets, on bookshelves, counter tops, and the list goes on!  So gather your supplies!

Here's what you'll need: 

• Mason jars, hurricanes, glass vases, etc. 
• Collectible objects, sand, etc. 
• Shishkabob sticks, dowel rods, or craft sticks
• Decorative paper, scrap paper, cardstock etc.
• Glue and/or tape
• Scissors

Here's what you'll do: 

•  First fill up your jar with your special item(s). 

• Next, we are going to make cute little display signs for the jars.  Using your scissors, cut out the shape you want for your sign. I used three layers of paper.  You don't have to be fancy, one layer works too! Card stock is good because it isn't flimsy- if you don't have card stock you can also back your paper with cardboard. 

• Next, write the name of the items in the jar on your decorative sign and tape the stick or rod to the back.  I used packing tape because it's nice and strong.  I also cut down the length of mine so that it wouldn't be too tall. 

• Now, stick 'er down into your jar and ta-da! You're done! 

I have mine displayed on top of my kitchen cabinets. I am hoping to continue to add to my collection!  I used the hurricanes from Tyler and I's wedding so this project was FREE!  Nifty thrifty, eh?

Month of Thanks: Week One

Thursday, November 1: Today I am thankful for my amazing baby boy.  He is such a wonderful joy to have and has made Tyler and I's life richly blessed. 

Friday, November 2:  I am thankful for my husband. He is always by my side and is such a great father to Everett. I can't imagine spending my life with anyone else.

Saturday, November 3: I am thankful for the gift of eternal life and salvation through Christ.  Every day is a blessing and a gift from God and some days I forget how lucky I am to have a savior in Christ. 

Sunday, November 4: Today was Orphan Sunday at our church we were reminded about the call for Christians to take care of the widows and the orphans (see James 1:27).  This reminded me about how thankful I am for my grandparents who adopted my mom.  They took in not only one child but two children who needed homes.  My grandmother and poppa are great grandparents to me and my siblings and also to Everett.  I am so thankful to have them in my life. 

Monday, November 5: I am thankful for my mom.  She has always been there for me, guiding me, and helping me through life.  She is one of my best friends and I am so lucky to have her.  I am so thankful that she is able to be in Everett's life. 

Tuesday, November 6:  I am reminded today of the great sacrifice that so many women made years ago in order to give me the right to vote.  Women DIED fighting for equality and for that I will never miss an election.  I am so thankful that we live in a country where we are given a voice and a choice in who runs our country.  (Also, if you have not seen the movie Iron Jawed Angels, you NEED to watch it.  It will help you understand the struggles that these women went through and how hard they worked.)

Wednesday, November 7: I am thankful for my dad and his adventurous spirit, loving heart, and gracious spirit. My dad is such a giving person and has taught me how do the same. He taught me how to take pride not only in my things but also in the life I lead. 

Thompson Number Two: Week 12

Weight gained to date: Surprisingly I am still -2 lbs from my starting weight! I looked back at the "Belly Book" I kept when I was pregnant with Everett, and by November 3rd/12 weeks I had already gained 2 lbs! 

Estimated size of baby:  Peach (3 inches long)

Foods I am craving: I am ashamed to admit that I have been craving Taco Bell something fierce.  I know it's not good for me or the little peach but it is soooooo good! 

Thompson Number Two: 12 Weeks

Foods I am staying away from:  Nothing this week! Yay!

How I am feeling: Feeling good! Trying to find a comfortable position to sleep is getting interesting. Right now I am still able to sleep on my stomach if I pull one of my knees up and kind of create a cave for my ever growing belly. (If this doesn't make sense to you it will one day if you plan on having babies! If you're a guy- well I just assume you don't read these pregnancy posts, so kudos for staying with me this far!)

Notes:  I went to the doctor on Friday for my monthly check up/in with the obstetrician.  While trying to find the heartbeat with the fetal doppler she was unsuccessful which was a bit nerve wrecking but luckily she sent me to have a quick sonogram just to ensure that everything was okay.  Baby is growing and the heartbeat was strong (167 beats per minute!) I also learned that this baby is ahead of schedule and is due May 18th now rather than the 20th! 

Fall Fun for Everyone

Our fall festivities kicked off a few weeks ago when Tyler, Everett, and I went with Aaron, Krystal, and Colt took our annual trip to the Graves Mountain Apple Harvest Festival. This was our second year going and we always have fun.  They have all types of vendors there (crafts, candles, clothing, etc.) and it is fun to walk through and see all of the neat items that are being sold. One of my favorite vendors, Bolen Mountain Creations sells wonderful smelling candles- check her out on facebook! I love her honeysuckle and daffodil scents! 

Uncle Aaron pulled the boys around in Colt's souped up wagon, it's got big tires and a sweet paint job! The boys loved that- and all the attention that they were getting from all the older ladies and grandmas at the festival! 

The little boys and the big boys!

Momma's and the babies!

Of course we had to buy some apples! We made out with a huge bag of pink lady apples! They are SOOOO good! 

Everett wasn't really excited about having his picture taken with his initial! 

He was excited about taking a picture with the Hay Bear!

I found this on my camera roll... yes folks that is how they act in real life.

I rest my case.

All in all it was a fun time! It wasn't too cold and the boys had fun running around and petting all the dogs that were there.  Stay tuned for a full report on our Halloween activities! :)