No Plain T's Giveaway

The adorable Etsy shop--No Plain T's! Heather has some of the cutest flower pins and necklaces! You can head over to  Lyndsie Gives Away and have a chance to win your very own pin!!

Isn't this Gorgeous?!

Which one would you like to win?

What I'm Loving Wednesday

   Happy Wednesday - I am linking up with This Kind of Love - for what everyone is loving this Wednesday.

   I am loving that tomorrow we have a half day of school with students.  Then meetings in the afternoon and parent-teacher conferences in the evening.  Then after that a group of us from school are going out for pizza and the school bought us gift cards for the pizza.  Telling us they appreciate all our hard work.

  Then Friday in the morning is parent -teacher conferences and the afternoon we are off.  Hope to get lots of errands done :)

   I also loving that today I was evaluated at school - and my students were wonderful - I guess its a good that after 14 years I still get nervous when they come in to observe my class.  I feel like this is the first time I taught :)

  I love my Wednesday night bible study - we are studying the book of James.  I Love the ladies in my group they are so sweet.  When I tell them I struggle a little with balance of work and home.

   I am loving the boots - I don't have a pair - but thinks it would be neat to have a pair and wear them with confidence!  What pair would you get?

 As  always I Love my family!  Could not ask for a better family!

59 Days till Christmas!

Monday Meals

    Its Monday again - linking up with A Love Worth Waiting For    for Monday meals.  What have you been cooking?

             Crock Pot Corn

                      

           2 LBS Frozen Corn
           8 OZ Cream Cheese (softened)
           3 Tablespoons Butter (softened)
           2 Tablespoons Milk
           2 Tablespoons Sugar
           5 Slices of American Cheese

  Place Everything in the crock pot except the corn.  Turn crock pot on high and cook until all the cheese is melted stirring occasionally. 
  When hot and melted, add the corn, continue to stir until corn is coated.  Cook ONE HOUR ON HIGH.

   Makes about 16 servings.

        Can you believe this weather?
    

Fun Weekend!

    It was a fun and busy weekend. 

    Friday night supervised the 6th grade dance at school.  The kids loved it.  Ashley also went to the dance and had a great time.  Thanks to River for following her around.  Ashley  was sad when the dance was over.
My mom said she was still talking about the dance Sunday morning.

There is a picture of me on another bloger post Champaign Taste - I was just around the corner from school at Lord and Lacy Barbecue at lunch.  She got the back of me - I am in my Friday Illini wear.  They do have good barbecue but lots of time the food is not ready.  I have tried the rib tips and chicken and my mom has had the polish.  I did not get anything from them on Friday because the polish or hot links were not ready.

    Saturday was U of I homecoming -  It was great weather - plus  an  ILLINI WIN is always great!

I took my dad and Doug to a tailgate before the game - that was fun and they both behaved for the most part.  ( we won't talk about the candy in my dad's  pockets)

Franklin Girls basketball  team had a game they played Springfield Franklin - that did not turn out so great!  They played really hard and it will only help them get better.

Saturday night went to Cindy surprise birthday party.  I can not believe I have worked with Cindy 14 years.  Her party was in Arthur at Yoder Country Kitchen.  The food was really good.  Cindy was so surprised and it was great to see her family again.  Then also meetimg  her friends that she talks about at lunch. 

On the way home I saw a wreck that had already happened the car was a total mess - you could hardly even tell it was a car.  It makes you think how many times we are out and about and make it home safely. How do you know its your time to go to heaven?  Is your house in order if you go?  It makes me Thank God for all the times I have been on a school bus with kids and we have made it home safely.  I prayed allot today for the families effected from that wreck last night.  I saw news crews out there but have not seen it on the news.

I thank grandma for taking such good care of Ashley Saturday and Sunday :)

Hope everyone had a great weekend.  I also hope you have a productive week!

Thankful Thursday

  I am linking up with  A Love Worth Waiting For  Thankful Thursday.

 I am Thankful  that I got to spend Tuesday with Sebastian.  His babysitter is out this week and I was able to take off the day and help his family out.  We had lots of fun, we also met grandma for lunch that is always adventure.

                                                           Sebastian and Grandma


     I am also Thankful for  the fall colors and pumpkins and mums :)

This was taken at the The Great Pumpkin Patch in Arthur.  It was so much fun and beautiful!

Deuteronomy 31:6
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."

What are you Thankful for on this Thursday?
Have a Great Thursday!

Monday Meals

  Hope everyone had a great weekend!  I am linking up with A love Worth Waiting For for Monday Meals.

Scalloped Potatoes

8 to 10 potatoes

Smoked Sausages

Salt and Pepper to taste

1 Cup of grated Cheddar

1 10-ounce can cream of mushroom soup

Paprika

Cut up potatoes, and sausages

Put half of Sausages, potatoes in crock pot.  Sprinkle with Salt/Pepper, then grated cheese.

Repeat with remaining half.  Spoon undiluted soup over the top. Sprinkle with Paprika.

Cover and Cook on Low for about 8 hours

                    I am sure Kyle is happy about Sebastian pushing the  pink stroller!  I am so excited about them growing up together - I hope they become best friends :)

What I'm Loving Wednesday

I'm linking up with This Kind of Love today for What I'm Loving Wednesday!!

I am loving that the school where I work had a Pink out day  October 1 for breast cancer.

I am loving that my Franklin Cross Country Girls  that I coach made it to STATE - we run this weekend.  A total of 938 runners from 166 different schools will compete in the four races at the 2010 Illinois Elementary School Association (IESA) State Final Cross-Country Meet Saturday (October 16) at Maxwell Park in Normal.

   I am loving it is a 4 day work week.  We also get out of school early on Friday. :)

   I am loving that my daughter loves to go to Church on Wed night to 607.

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins

  When I learn how to use my camera and computer I will post pictures of the muffins :)
 Ashley and I made Pumpkin Chocolate Chip muffins tonight.  Ashley thought she was a big help she loves to "help you"  She kept taking the chair over to the refrigator wanting to get a gumball off the top of the refrigator.  She does not like the word NO.


 I think I will take my muffins to our team meeting tommorrow.

  

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup white sugar
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 2 eggs
• 3/4 cup canned pumpkin
• 1/4 cup water
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Grease and flour muffin pan or use paper liners.
2. Mix sugar, oil, eggs. Add pumpkin and water. In separate bowl mix together the baking flour, baking soda, baking powder, spices and salt.. Add wet mixture and stir in chocolate chips.
3. Fill muffin cups 2/3 full with batter. Bake in preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes.

Happy Tuesday!

Monday Meals

  I am linking up over at   A Love Worth Waiting For  for Monday Meals -

  I take this alot for New moms at church we have a ministry that we take meals to new moms.  They seem to enjoy the meal.  I found it in Good News Radio Family Family Favorites from WGNN cookbook it come out in 1998 it was a fundraiser cookbook.

    Creamy Seasoned Chicken Casserole -  Heidi Hanson, Champaign

    6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
    1 C shredded cheddar cheese ( I sometimes use more)
    1 10 3/4 oz can cream of chicken soup
     1/4 C water (or 1/4 C dry white wine)
     1C herb seasoned stuffing mix, crushed
     1/4 C butter melted

  Preheat oven to 350
  Lightly grease a 9 X13 pan
  Rinse Chicken and arrange in prepared baking pan
  Top with Cheese
  Mix Soup and Water (or wine)
  Pour over chicken.
  Sprinkle with stuffing mix.
  Drizzle butter over top.
  Bake 45 -60 minutes.

  3- 4 servings.

  It does not taste like a Casserole.  Let me know if you try it and what you think of the dish.

   Happy Monday

Thankful Thursday

God has truly blessed me and I have so much to be Thankful for! Here are just a

few things I'm Thankful for on this Gorgeous Thursday!!

I'm Thankful for my Franklin Family that I work with they purchased Ashley a wooden swing set for her birthday/adoption. They are also going to come and put it up for us.

I'm Thankful for this sweet little girl who turned 3

I'm Thankful for the Godly, encouraging women the Lord has brought into my life!

What are you Thankful this Thursday?

Ashley is 3 Wednesday Oct 6

   Ashley -

       I can not believe it has been 3 years since you have came into my life.  I remember the agency calling and asking if I would foster a new born being released from the hospital.  I remember thinking how long could this be?  The agency said they would call back in a hour with details.  I remember just sitting in my house with the T.V. off thinking - What am I about to do?  I won't lie part of me was thinking I won't be able to just go out when ever I want - late at night -  When really God was telling me that is not the life you need to be leading.
     In the last 3 years you have brought so much joy to my life - you are so smart and loving.  My life would never be the same without you.  I just light up when you tell the daycare that I am your momma.  You love your me-ma and pe-pa to death, they spoil you and are so good to you.  I could not of done this without their help.
     I am so blessed to be your mother.  God is in control and he has great plans for you. 
   ADOPTION IS LOVE!  HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Love

Mom

Crockpot Taco Soup

   1 pound lean ground beef
  1 can 15 ounces Kidney beans
  1 can ( 11 to 15 ounces) Whole Kernel Corn
  1 10 oz can Rotel tomatoes
  1 evenlope taco Seasoning
  1 can tomatoes (28 oz)
  1 small can chopped chile peppers 4 ounces
  1 can pinto beans
  1 evelope hidden valley ranch dressing

Brown ground beef add all to crock-pot
Cook on low 6 - 8 hours.

Put a little sour cream and cheddar cheese on top - Very Good!