"Show Us Your Life - Pets"

Today Kelly's topic for "Show us your life" is PETS!!

So without going any further allow me to introduce to you our dog... SPARKY.. A.K.A Sparkplug!

He's a little Jack Russell Terrior. This is him when he was a tiny little puppy... So sweet and inocent right?!?!

This is him when I dressed him up for his first Halloween... He was Super Sparky! Ha!!

My husband got him for me back in 2003 as a surprise, and a surprise he was! He cried the whole first week we had him in his kennel. He is probably the most hyperest dog you will ever meet and very strange at times. He is always getting into something and would hide, as you can see in the picture below when he knows he's in trouble!

He was the "baby" so to speak for the longest, but now that we have kids he has been pushed back! Typical I guess... So sorry Sparks! Since we have moved into our new house, it's been about 3 years now he has kind of been staying in the garage. I know it's horrible, but we do have the cadillac of garages(carpet and all). He comes in every once in a while to play with the kids, but he's so hyper that all he wants to do is jump on them! Luckily they are both getting bigger now, so they can take it. Oh, and did I mention we live on a lake? Well, yeah that has it's goods and bads to say the least. When we first moved here there were no ducks, and well now we have a ton! I swear those things populate like weeds! Anyways, Sparky has a thing for them and honestly it freaks me out because we are always having to watch him. He's gotten out before and literally swam the entire lake trying to catch a duck! I just Thank God those ducks can fly! lol.

He's not the most low maintenace dog, as he has allergies and all, but we do love em'.

"Steal of a Deal"

Last night Katelynn and I had to run and get Daddy a pie for his work, they are having a Thanksgiving Pot Luck today(lucky dog). I would have made something for him to take, but he didn't tell me til 7:00 last night! And Grey's was coming on in an hour, so there was no way I was going to be baking. Anyways, we stopped by Walgreen's on our way home because we needed to grab some milk. To my surprise we came across this yard art for $9.99!! The kids just love Mickey Mouse, so of course I had to get it. They had a bunch of different one's and for $9 bucks you can't beat it! I think I am going to go back and get one more later on.

"Sweet Girl"

"Look Momo, I a Princess"

This was so funny... She is dancing for my mom on camera. My little girl is growing up and she is now pretending to be a "Princess"! It's oh so cute too, cause she goes and gets dressed herself!

"Thankful Thursday"

This week I am Thankful for quite a bit...

Something I am not so Thankful for is my car breaking down and costing me $500, but hey whatever! I am over it anyways!

The Hubbs for always making me laugh and for cleaning the house for me, and did I mention giving me a hard time about spending too much time on the computer and not enough time with HIM! HA! (This is only funny, b/c seriously he is always on the computer, and kinda cute that he sort of misses me!)

My kiddos for always keeping me strong and driving me crazy, oh and embarrassing me! I cheerish all those little moments because you just never know what tomorrow holds.

My mom for going shopping with me last night and going to dinner, that was such a nice treat! I hardly ever get to go shopping by myself!! So of course I had to splurge!! :-)

My sister for making me bake 48 cupcakes for her work. No, I don't mind she tells me I make the BEST cupcakes ever... wait..I hope she isn't just saying this because she wants me to make them for her... hmmm... at least they liked em'.

Getting to meet my Ornament exchange partner, Katie, she seems like such a sweetheart and I am super excited about the swap! It'll be my first!

Oh, Oh, and something even more exciting, but kinda lame... I went to check the mailbox b/c I hadn't checked it in 2 days and guess what?? There were no BILLS!! Who would have ever thought that checking the mail would make me so happy! I'm such a dork!

So what are you Thankful for this week?

"Wanna make some Chili?"

Here's what you need:

1 pkg. McCormick Chili Seasoning Mix
1 lb. lean ground beef or turkey
1 can (14 ½ oz.) diced tomatoes, undrained
1 can (15 to 16 oz.) red kidney beans, undrained
1 green bell pepper(chopped)
1 Onion(chopped)
1 Pkg. shredded cheese

BROWN meat in large skillet on medium-high heat. Drain fat.

STIR in Seasoning Mix, tomatos, beans, bell pepper, and onion. Bring to boil; cover. Reduce heat and simmer about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Serve with shredded cheese as a topping.

This is super easy to make and it pretty much gives you the directions on the back of the chili mix, the only thing I do different is add in the onion and bell pepper for a little more flavor. Oh, and I love the cheese on top! :-) The hubby prefers to have white rice with his chili, but I don't. So to please him I always make a small side of white rice...aren't I such a good wife!?! Hope you enjoy!

Oh, and just an FYI, this is a great dish for a big dinner party, just double up the recipe! And don't forget the crackers to go along with it!

"Shopping with Kids"

Is oh so simple... Are you kidding me?!?! Sometimes I crack myself up, because I already know how hard it is to take two little one's shopping, clothes shopping at that, but I still do it! I am determined not to let anything keep me from doing things solo with the kids(I know, crazy). My husband thinks I am shooting for the "mother of the year award or something".

Anyways, I am in need of some new pants for work, so yesterday after I picked up the kids from the sitters, I thought I would swing by Ross and just see what I could find. So I attempt to get the kids out of the car, Katelynn already had kicked off both shoes and socks and was covered in Cheetos!! So I got her put back together and then grabbed Jacob and we were off. I found a cute pair of pants and a few tops at which I was totally not looking for right?!? But I needed to try them on first, I never just buy anything b/c I've tried that and every single time I do, I get home and it doesn't fit! ugh..

Anyways, I was able to take the buggy into the dressing room(thank God) as I am changing Katelynn is yelling Mommy... Boobies!! And I'm like Katelynn Shhhh..... and I have Jacob cracking up as if he understood what was going on. Kids, they say the darnest things sometimes!!

"Praying for a Better Day"

Okay, so yesterday was not my kind of day either... work was crazy, then the weather is changing, so I think I might be getting a cold. We did manage to pick up my car yesterday from the shop, and it seems to be running a lot better, which it should after all that! Ugh...

Anyways, the weather is changing here and it's getting COLD! The wind almost blew me away yesterday when I was walking to my car after work. We even had to use the heater this morning, cause it was pretty chilly when we woke up. So we'll see how long this cold spell last.

I can't believe that Thanksgiving is next week, my sisters and I are starting to plan the dinner and dessert menu. I am hoping I will get to try out some of the recipes you guys have shared. I love getting to bake from time to time and desserts are right up my alley! :-) I'll have to let you know how everything turned out!

"Are you Freakin' Serious"

Ugh, I am so annoyed right now... Didn't have that great of a weekend, my car broke down on Saturday night, which was horrid by the way. We had both kids with us, so I had to call my sister for help and a ride home! Just got a call from the hubby telling me the bad news... turns out it's my water pump and the damage is about $460 bucks! Just what I wanted to hear right?!?! Grrr....

On a better note...I did manage to finish Jen's blog yesterday, which I was really happy with how it turned out. She has such great wedding photos, so that set her blog off to me! Thanks Jen for letting me design something for you!

"Happy Friday Everyone"

I am so glad that today is Friday and I bet you are too! The weather we are having here in Houston is incredible and I am lovin' it! I plan on taking the kids to the park in a bit, wear em' out and then come home for naps! Sounds like a good plan to me! hehe.. :-)

Okay, so I am sure many of you have noticed by now that I changed my blog look up... I LOVED the one I had before, and Traci is amazing! But... I needed something that I designed up for right now. Yep, you heard right, I am starting up my own little Blog Design Business. After many months of tutorials and tons of trials and errors, I have decided it's something I want to pursue, weather or not anything will come of it, I don't know. But you never know until you try right?!?! So that's were I am at right now. I hope that you will head over to my Blog Design site and check me out, I would love to design something for you!

"Thankful Thursday"

I know I say this just about every Thursday, but man I really can't believe this week is already almost over, it's crazy! I have had so much going on this week and have been staying very busy. I have some BIG news to come shortly, so be on the look out(and NO I am not preggo) Ha!

This week I have a lot to be THANKFUL for... for starters I am thankful for my HUSBAND because he has been so patient with me this week.

My beautiful KIDS for always making me laugh at the new things they have learned. Speaking of which, Katelynn has now learned how to cover her ears and pretend like she can't hear me! I could only start laughing when she did this, because I thought how in the heck did she learn that!  My wonderful FAMILY for always being there for me and believing in me. My FRIENDS for always being so sweet! My HAIRDRYER for not going out on me this morning,(I know I have beat you to death and need to get a replacement, just give me time)! This HOUSTON weather for being so perfect! My COMPUTER for not crashing on me. And most of all I am Thankful for my STRENGTH & FAITH this week for carrying me through and keeping me strong when I need to be.

How about you? What are you Thankful for this week?