I suck at some challenges....

I was good during November with the thankfulness challenge, but some challenges are not for me...I have tried to challenge myself to do the photo-a-day in the past... and this time I did not even make it to day 2... so no more photo-a-day challenges.... it does not help that I was sick and gave been super busy since the 1st of December.... I will post all about the fun soon!!

New December Challenge...Photo A day

I have decided to do a new challenge for the month of December...I am going to follow the Fat Mum Slim's photo a day challenge...

Here is the link if you want to follow along and join in the fun!!

http://fatmumslim.com.au/december-photo-a-day-lets-end-the-year-with-a-bang-shall-we/

I will be posting on Instagram and then reposting my daliy picture here...

Today is "red"

Day#30 of Thanks!!

November 30, 2013

Today I am thankful that I have so many things to be thankful for. God has blessed me and my family with so many things and people in our lives.

This month of thanks has been a little bit of a challenge trying to think of something new everyday and remembering to blog it everyday, but it was well worth it.

 

Day #29 of Thanks!!

November 29, 2013

Today I am thankful for hot tea. I was not feeling so great today and the. Tea hit the spot!!

Throwback Thursday

It is throwback Thursday!!

Herebis a picture of 4 generations...my Nana(great-grandma), my Grandmother, my Mom and me... I was maybe 4 or 5 and yes I had blonde hair!!

Day #28 of Thanks!!

November 28, 2013

Today I am thankful for family near and far, young and old, not living and those still with us...

I have been blessed through the years to have an amazing extended family. I never lived close enough to them to see every weekend or every month...but the holidays always seemed to bring us together. Now living in California I have new family to spend time and holidays with this year and in the future.

Very thankful for all of my family this year!!

Day #27 of Thanks!

November 27, 2013

Today I am thankful for cast iron skillets.  I love to cook and my cast iron skillets make my cooking more "homey"for me. My Grandpa Jack, Grandma Aggie, Dad and Mom all cook with cast iron.  There is something that cast iron does to food that non-stick pans cannot. And I do plently of cooking in non-stick skillets, but there is something about my cast iron skillets.

Day #26 of Thanks!

November 26, 2013

Today I am thankful for GPS and the person who invented it... I am not sure how my mom and I would have made it from Anaheim to Hollywood without it...  I think we drove on at least 4 different highways.

Day #25 of Thanks!

November 25, 2013

Today I am thankful for my Mom... As some may know I was born on my mom's birthday and I am her only biological child... she has and has had four-legged furry children.  My mom is always there for me to bounce an idea off of or help me expand an idea.

We are both strong women with strong opinions at times Although we butt heads and have disagreements I know she still loves me no matter what...

Day #24 of Thanks

November 24, 2013

Today I am thankful for my siblings. I have a step-sister, Kelly and a half-brother, Kyle. I am not super close with either and it is hard living different time zones. I am thankful. to have them...I know they would be there for me and I for them if we needed each other.

Also since getting married, I have even more siblings...well siblings-in-law.  Marty has 2 half-brothers and 2 half-sisters. I am thankful to have new family to get to know and love them.

Day #23 of Thanks!!

November 23, 2013

Today I am thankful for my Daddy-O!  He is the best dad a girl could ask for.  Now that I am  in California we have weekly talks on the phone pretty much every of Monday. We talk about everything for the weather to politics and everything in between. He has always been a rock and calming force in my life. I don't know what I would do without him. He is always good for laughs or a thought to ponder.

Thank you Papa Bear for always being there for me and being my dad. I love you lots!!

Day #22 of Thanks!

November 22, 2013

Today I am thankful for Fridays... Sometimes Fridays are the best day of the week. It means the weekend is here and get to stay at home (sometimes) and spend time with my little family... :-)

Throwback Thursday

I am going to start a new Thursday feature on my little blog... Throwback Thursday! I know everyone is doing it and has been doing it for awhile...oh well, so I am a little late to the party but we can still have fun!!

Below is a picture of a turkey cake I about 3 years for the annual Thanksgiving luncheon at the law firm I worked in Texas, Strasburger & Price. I had fun making him and I loved the way he turned out.

Happy Throwback Thursday!!

Day #21 of Thanks!

November 21, 2013

Today I am thankful for my Step-Dad, Ronnie.  He has been in my life since I was aboout 12. We have had our ups and downs through the years and have discovered we get along much better when living in different houses... I love him so much and am thankful all the little and big lessons I have learned from him over tue years. I am grateful that he loves me and my mom so much because we are not always the easiest people to get along with....

Thank you Ronnie for being there for me and mom and loving us. 

Day #20 of Thanks!

November 20, 2013

Today I am thankful for music.  Music and singing have been a big part of my life.  I have fond memories of all my time spent in choir in middle and high school, voice lessons and recitals with Gloria and summers spent singing and acting Gloria and Jack.  Without music, my high school experience would have been so much different and possibly much more depressing.  Singing has brought me closer to God through worship at First Baptist in Lewisville with Larry, Kim, and Ron.

I miss singing and performing in front of an audience, whether in a musical, with a choir or as a soloist. I think it might become a new year's resolution to find a musical outlet besides sitting in traffic in the car...

Thank you all the people who opened my eyes and ears to the musical world and all of its wonders.  I am truly grateful for all that music has done for me and my emotional well being.

Day #19 of Thanks

November 19, 2013

Today I am thankful for history and that we celebrate our past mistakes and victories. Hopefully those mistakes and victories make us stronger and smarter.

Day #18 of Thanks!!

November 18, 2013

Today I am grateful for my smart phone. I know it sounds silly and shallow, but it is not meant to be.  I use my smart phone and its smarts everyday. It is how I am able to call my mom and dad and stay connect to my family and friends near and far... without this crazy smart phone, my moving to California and so far away from Texas would have been a much scarier ordeal.

Thank you smart phone and the people who invented them.

Day #17 of Thanks

November 17, 2013

Today I am thankful for my sewing machine.  I don't use it very often, but when I do I enjoy using.... in an effort to make with my first Christmas with my new husband and step-kiddos special, I whipped up some Christmas stockings... :-)  I am also grateful I know how to read instructions and know how to do some basic sewing.

Day #16 of Thanks

November 16, 2013

Today I am thankful for the internet... without the internet I would not be blogging or finding recipes or new craft ideas. I could find recipes and new craft ideas without the internet but the internet makes it soooooo much easier and faster.

Day #15 of Thanks

November 15, 2013

Today I am thankful for friends, old and new.

Day #14 of Thanks

November 14, 2013

Today I am thankful for benadryl... my nose, eyes and skin sometimes decide to revolt and strike and act crazy...and benadryl in its various forms is always there to save me. :-)

Day #13 of Thanks

November 13, 2013

Today I am grateful and thankful that my mom and dad had the good sense to live in Texas when I was born... I love my home state of Texas. There is no other place quite like it. Even though I am currently loving the Southern California weather, you really can't beat the joy and frustration of experiencing every season in one week. 

Also I am thankful to come from a state where common sense and politeness reign.  People say thank you and your welcome and hold the door open for you no matter if your hands empty or if your hands are full.   If someone sees you need help they offer it and make sure you are ok, without fear of being sued or yelled at... where the last thing people use is a car horn and middle finger when stuck in traffic not the first...

Texas is a place where the stars at night really are big and bright and the Bluebonnets cover the landscpace in spring. I used to love driving around and seeing cows and horses and people's smiling faces. 

I am so very thankful I come from The Great State of Texas and thankful the people that make Texas great.

Day #12 of Thanks

November 12, 2013

Today I am thankful for my job even though I'm not a jet setting philanthropist who made her millions from winning the powerball, yet.  :) The legal field always has something interesting going on and new things to learn. I am grateful for my co-workers (good or bad). I enjoy the daily interaction and how we can all learn and/or teach each other to make us grow both personally and professionally. 

Day #11 of Thanks!

November 11, 2013

Today I am thankful for all the service men and women past, present and future.

I enjoy so many freedoms because of all who have defended our country. Thank you for all that you have done, are doing and will do in the future.

Day #10 of Thanks

November 10, 2013

Today I  thankful for the little bit of creativity God has given me...

I love being crafty and fun...always happy when a project is completed even if it is not exactly like the picture or what I envisioned in my head.  I could also thank my mom and the internet for my crafty bug and ideas.

Day #9 of Thanks

November 9, 2013

Today I am thankful for Stoffer's Lasagna. 
It was the perfect easy dinner after a long day of cleaning out and reorganizing the office. 

Day #8 of Thanks!

November 8, 2013

Today I am thankful for time at home after a long week at work. It is always nice to able to sit at home and enjoy time with my husband and the cats.  Thankful to be able to unwind and relax on Friday night before a busy weekend.

Day #7 of Thanks

November 7, 2013

Today I am thankful for my little alarm clocks/cats, Mylo and Yoda.

Without their meowing every morning because of an empty food bowl,  I am not sure I would know that it is time to wake up... they each have their own personality and love to eat and play.  So happy and thankful they are in my life and are my baby kitty boys.

Day #6 of Thanks

November 6, 2013

Today, I am thankful for my step-son, Aidan.

Aidan is your typical video game loving almost 11 year-old.  He is one of the smartest 6th graders I have ever met.  He has a kind and loving heart and he shows it occasionally when he forgets that he is a boy who is about to hit puberty.  He has a super creative side that comes out in different and unique ways.  I love the crazy random things he comes up with even if I don't always understand what he is talking about.

Thank you Aidan for being unique and kind and allowing me to be a part of your's, Lauren's and your dad's life. I love you Aidan!

Day #5 of Thanks

November 5, 2013

Today, I am thankful for Miss Lauren-Claire.

Lauren is my amazing step-daughter. She has a loving and giving spirit.  She is a smart and resourceful 3rd grader, who knows her pop/rock music. She is always humming a tune or two.  She loves to draw pictures,  color and create artsy things.  I am grateful she shares her creativity and love with us.

Thank you for being the best you possible...I love you Lauren-Claire.

Day #4 of Thanks

November 4, 2013

Today, I am thankful for my husband, Marty.
We have married 6 months today.  He is my best friend. He understands me and supports my slightly crazy ideas. He is always open to my opinion and gives me honest feed back.

We have been on a crazy adventure this year and he has been there to listen to my fears and reassure me when I am not so sure. I hope I have done the same for him.

Thank you Marty for letting me in your life and being my husband and best friend. I love you, Marty.

Day #3 of Thanks

November 3, 2013

Today, I am thankful for the sun and daytime...

The night sky snuck up on me way to fast today with the time change... the sun going down by 5:30 is going to make for some not so fun drives home this fall/winter.

Day #2 of Thanks!

November 2, 2013
 

Today I am thankful for my Grandma Aggie. 
 

She is 87 years young. Growing during the Great Depression she knows how to  stretch a dollar.  During my childhood summers she taught me cross - stitch, cook and quilt. Every time I would visit her, we would watch the movie "Lust in the Dust."  I love my Grandma Aggie.

Day #1 of Thanks

November 1, 2013

 

Today I am thankful for antibotics. 

 

About 2 weeks ago, my sweet even if a little crazy kitten, Mylo, scratched my right wrist. It was healing nicely and almost gone when last Sunday it became irritated and itching. As the week went on my skin got more and more itchy and uncomfortable, so as a precaution and because I have super sensitive skin and about prone to weird issues with my skin, I went to the doctor and she prescribed antibotics.  36 hours later it is looking much better.

 

As a side I am not thankful for the size on the pill... it is huge and about the size of my pinkie finger.

A Month of Thanks!!

In the midst of this crazy, hectic, sometimes selfish and ungrateful world, I feel I need to stop and do something good... so in response to my urge to renew and grow a sense of thankfulness and gratitude in myself, my husband and my stepchildren, I found the below link after a google search because of a friend's facebook post...

 

She posted about her husband and why she was thankful to have him and his support, but her status update began with 30 day thankful challenge...I thought "I am thankful for lots of things but do I have enough things to fill up 30 days?!?"

 

In response to self doubt and my recent need for a little challenge, (even though they don't know it yet) I am going to challenge my husdand, the kids and myself to be thankful every day and to write down one thing we are thankful for each day this month. 

 

I have made little journals for us to write in every day and I am also going to blog about my thankfulness...this will be a challenge for me because I have not always been the most consistent blogger.

 

http://www.30daysofthanks.com/

 

One Week Later!!

I can't believe we actually did it... We got married in front of God, friends and family!  It was a great weekend and I was super sad to see it come to an end... My husband and I were very blessed to be surrounded by friends and family ... Here are a couple of pics!

Getting Ready!

 


Getting love from my two favorite guys!

 

 

Fun with new kitchen toys

This morning I used my new veggie shredder attachment and waffle maker to make fresh completely homemade waffle hashbrowns!! They were a hit...Marty, Aidan and Lauren love them!!

Jaclyn's Chicken Nuggets & Waffles...

Last summer I started using Kraft's Fresh Takes to make chicken nuggets for my almost step-kiddos and hubby-to-be... They love them and hear shouts of joy every time they ask "what's for dinner?" and I reply "chicken nuggets."

It is one of the easy and most flavorful things I make.  I use my kitchen shears to cut the chicken breast into bite sized pieces, shake and coat with breading and bake in the oven... super easy!!

Now tonight I am adding something to mix it up...Zucchini Waffles... yes waffles with zucchini... we will see what kind of reaction that gets tonight...  

The kid have a Belgian grandmother who makes amazing Belgian waffles, so we will if they compare at all... plus I am pretty sure they have never had waffles with dinner...

7 Days to go!

It has been quite a journey that last 17 months or so, since an amazing man came into my life...in 7 days we will be getting ready to commit our lives to each other in front of family and friends in Las Vegas.

I am very excited and very blessed to have Marty (hubby-to-be) in my life. We have had a lot of ups and downs but we have had them together. We have both learned a lot and will continue to learn a lot.

I have a busy busy week ahead and I can't wait to become Mrs. Marty Martin!!