Because Of You

A couple weeks ago Dustin mentioned that he & Alanna planned to take the kids to Omaha, Nebraska to the Henry Doorly Zoo. Jared and I hadn't been in close to 5 years and I asked if he'd mind if we tagged along. He, of course, said sure but as the time came near we realized it just wouldn't be responsible to go financially. On Friday we text Dustin to say we were going to have to stay home.

The awesome thing in this story is remembering who our God is. He is huge, all knowing, and holds the world in His hands. He is also our Abba our Daddy and cares about the small intimate details of our lives. On Sunday (the day before the planned Zoo trip) I received a small envelope during Sunday school. In it was a letter that had been printed out that basically said: This is a gift for you to use for something extra. Not for bills but for a date night or an Easter dress etc. I teared up immediately and told Jared. Because of someone's generosity we were able to go after all.
We went to Wal-Mart and loaded up on snack foods, sack lunch, and water bottles. At 6 am on Monday morning I ran upstairs, turned on the lights and yelled, "Field Trip!!" The kids were oblivious. I dressed them all in blue (to help keep track). They didn't know about Dustin's family until well into the trip. At one point Jared said, "They're a good 30-40 minutes behind us because they're running late." Brennan immediately said, "I know who's meeting us. It's Uncle Dustin because he's always late." We had to giggle.
While wandering the zoo the older 3 boys kept coming up to Jared and I and telling us how much they loved us. They were so excited. Going with the cousins was extra special. They had a great time but it just seemed like having the cousins added a lot.
Kennedy was a doll. She was so well behaved and every time I took a picture she'd say, "can I see it?" I would have taken a thousand images just to hear that precious voice.
We didn't make it around to the entire zoo simply because moving a herd of children takes time, but we were there from open to close. The kids all had the best time and asked on the way home how soon we'd be able to return.
Jared picked out a penguin for Anneliese since we decided to not take her. It's as big as she is and watching her walk around the living room all while loving on it is hilarious.

Jared and I are so thankful to a loving God who cares about our boys going to the Zoo. We are so thankful for a loving church family that takes care of all our needs and most of our wants. We are blessed and it's all because of you.

Ode To Aunties

While at church Wednesday afternoon cooking Aunt Erin called. She had been at a consignment sale off Metcalf and wanted to know if the kids needed anything (too sweet!). I told her Anneliese could really use some little girl toys. So within a couple hours she was at my house with a ton of stuff for our little girl! She now has a maid's cart with mop, bucket, broom, dustpan, and working vacuum! She has a princess phone that she LOVES!

She loves the blender that teaches her shapes and letters. It plays music and she wiggles her little bottom when it plays.

My personal favorite is the huge pillow book. It's a super soft book the size of a standard pillow. You open it up and it has the story of Snow White and Ariel. It's adorable with bright pictures and the full story and it's completely washable. She immediately laid down on it and snuggle in. Anneliese also has two swimsuits for the summer with a matching cover. Thank you Auntie Erin! It meant so much, we appreciate it more than you could ever know!

I was talking to Aunt Sonya Wednesday night and told her Anneliese had her first nightgown.

We chatted about Sis' chubby little legs. The cute little ruffles on the gown that surround her diapered bottom. The cuteness oozes from this little girl regardless, but put her in a pink princess nightgown and she would have to win some kind of reward.

This conversation obviously brought some nostalgia to Aunt Sonya who has 2 girls of her own. Since it's rare that the Rice family is in our home near bed time I thought I'd take some pics last night as my precious girl played.

She loves all things soft and this is her favorite blankie (thanks Tashy!). Whenever she spots it the blanket receives an "ahhh" and a snuggle.

Anneliese is so different from the boys. She loves babies and it is obvious that she was designed to be a mommy some day. At one year old she already loves playing house with her baby Sarah.

Thank you Aunties! We love you!

You're Such A Grill

***Blog Reading Novice? Any text that is a different color or is underlined is a link. Simply click on the text with your mouse and it will take you directly to the link referenced in the sentence***

Now that Spring has sprung it's time to dust off the old grill.

Jared and I have a rickety old grill that was given to us brand new by my in laws 10 years ago. We have replaced it's guts at least 3 times and I'm seriously contemplating getting a whole new grill this season.

Grilling is a Weight Watcher's necessity. During the summer you can do SO much and if you have a gas grill you can have a tasty meal in mere minutes.

One of my favorites is a grilled chicken breast for lunch. I just season it with garlic, salt and pepper and throw it on the grill. I'll pair it with a cup of brown rice or a baked potato (also super quick in the microwave). It's a great way to have a non-processed meal with the same time savings as a hot pocket (also one of my FAVS).

You need to have a bag of my RUB on hand. It's delicious on bone in chicken breasts. Since we WW's take off the skin I highly recommend using a paring knife to lift the skin and apply the rub directly to the breast meat and then put the skin back down to trap the moisture. Cook on your grill rib side down. It takes about 35-45 minutes and it's the best chicken you'll ever eat!

I also really like grilled veggies. Take your favorite, I like zucchini, slice it length wise and thin. I season it with garlic, salt, pepper, and a couple spritz's of olive oil (LOVE Pampered Chef's oil spritzer) and just slap it on the grill. You can layer them with a boneless chicken breast on a bun and it's a delicious way to get in some veggie servings.

Don't forget foil packs. You can do so much with foil. A favorite from my childhood is sweet Vidalia onions with salt, pepper, and a tab of butter (I use Country Crock lite). Wrap it in foil and sit it on the grill while you cook your main course. They are tender and sweet and SO good to just open up and eat with a fork!

The ideas are endless. Try Alisa's pizza on the grill. Make healthy choices for your toppings and this can be a lean treat!

What are your favorite grilled meals?

NEW BLOG FOR ALL YOU WEIGHT WATCHERS!!!!

My sweet Christi sent me a quick text today saying I should check out this blog.

I just thought, "oh, sure, I'm always looking for something new, I'll check it out...eventually."

For some reason eventually was today and I just checked it out and I am IN LOVE! I am now a follower and am so excited to share the link with you! YOU HAVE TO FOLLOW THIS WOMAN! This is a GREAT resource.

Have fun, eat less, move more and think THIN.

Gina's WW Recipes

What's Going On?

-Jared and I have decided with our felines we could really use a cat tree. I started shopping craigslist and such. Honestly I don't want a "used" cat tree. Ewww. A nice new one could easily run over $100. We carpeted this house and we have a ton of remnants and there is a bunch of wood out in the garage. Hmm I may just have to see what I can create.

-If anyone out there has gently used tiny little girl toys we're interested. Now that we're having bible study on Sunday nights there are two little girls that come play and we just don't have much. Thankfully after Anneliese's birthday we have a few more things but I would love a little kitchen, or any toddler stuff. Just let me know what you have and how much. Otherwise garage sales will be my friend this summer (like they aren't already).

-We are perpetually plagued by pests. Our trash cans are constantly tipped and our castoffs are drug all over the yard. It had gotten to the point that we were cleaning torn up diapers daily. Jared dowsed the cans with straight Ammonia and we're pest free! YAY! Just a tip in case you have also considered putting out antifreeze for the local wild life.

-CALLING ALL MOMS OF BOYS!!! Does your bathroom reek? Are you constantly searching for the source of the urine smell? Well I have the solution!!! While reading my bottle of OUT! Stain and Odor remover I saw a small snipit stating it could be used on tile grout. So I headed my happy self in to the bathroom and sprayed away. I soaked the grout around the base of the toilet and let it sit for 20 mins or so. After wiping up the solution my bathroom smelled fresh as a daisy! It's an enzymatic cleaner so it breaks down the urine and the smell. It's for pets but hey, my boys are a lot like animals :)

-Have I mentioned my love of Goodwill (lately)? Sunday I wore a beautiful dress that was from Anne Taylor. It was brown tweed, lined and a size 6 (honestly it could have purple with orange polka dots and I still would've worn it due to that beautiful digit). I paid $4.99 for it at Goodwill. It was missing a thin belt and I was able to pick up a leather brown belt at Forever 21 for $2 and topped it of with a gorgeous soft cashmere shrug I purchased on eBay for $5 (it was brand new!!!). It was quite the sophisticated outfit and cost a grand total of $12!! I took my "in between" clothes to Goodwill on Sunday to drop them off and went in to browse. I found 4 pair of capris from Banana Republic and an Easter dress for me and Anneliese. The total was $20. I honestly don't know what we'd do without second hand stores! LOVE THEM!

-Ozark Christian College's annual woman's retreat is coming up. It's April 23rd, 24th. I am going and plan on taking a group of women. Let me know if you're planning to attend asap so I know how many for the hotel reservations. I'm very excited!

Arrruuuugahh!!! (Random seemed too repetitive :)

-I had the fun task of working over my closet this week. The word "fun" was not sarcastic. I removed all my "in between" clothes and filled the closet with my skinny clothes out of the attic. They've been up there for 2 years. I did fill 2 30 gal. trash bags for Goodwill. After being out of commission for 2 years some of it was out dated.

-While digging through piles of clothes I realized a couple things about myself.

1) I love jeans. I mean really love jeans. There's about 15 pair in my closet. I would like to say that I did not buy a single pair new. They are all Goodwill, garage sale finds and most are great brands and super cute! I love second hand clothes!

2) I love pink. I would venture to say 60% of my shirts/dresses/tops have some shade(s) of pink.

3) I love dresses. Again, I purchase all my clothes from second hand resources but I have a ton of dresses. I can't get enough!

-While explaining to Tanner that he had to write an essay on George Washington on Friday and one on Abraham Lincoln on Monday, we talked about the two presidents. He said he didn't really remember much about Abraham Lincoln. So I took a minute and told him what slavery was and how President Lincoln is remembered for abolishing slavery. Tanner looked at me with huge eyes and said, "He was such a good man!! That was SO wrong, Mom!" As much as I love teaching the children to read about neat things, it is really difficult to tell them about the really awful things that make up our history.

-Graham is going through an incredibly difficult stage right now. He's really been a breeze up to this point. We didn't struggle with the terrible twos that I can remember. All of a sudden he's stomping in anger when I tell him to do things. He ran from me at Wal-Mart yesterday, and he mumbles under his breath when we ask him to do things. Pair that with Anneliese finding her will and the daily disciplines in the Altic household are at an all time high right now! WOW it gets overwhelming at times.

-While the snow stinks (figuratively of course) it's temporary. We had a beautiful day Friday and I loved taking the boys to the Legends and letting them climb on the big turtle outside Books A Million. I am eager for Spring, bike riding, green plants, fresh cut lawns, birds singing, and the windows open. I have all kinds of plans for the summer. The garage is getting an overhaul (cleaning, paint), the decks are getting stained! What a blessing to own a home with a huge yard. I feel so blessed to have such a beautiful home and taking care of it (even cleaning out the garage) is a celebration of the blessing God has granted!

Leesy K Purse Giveaway Has CLOSED!!

Congrats to entry #22!!!

Amy C!


"Amy said...

My favorite bag is the one we said looks like an apron. Although I am definitely a fan of anything involving Sissy's chubby little legs."

Thank you all so much for participating! I really appreciate it!

It was a little confusing at first because there were 3 comments that weren't actual entries. The winner was picked through random.org.

Thanks again!