Family Fun - Week 2

We spent today cheering on our Houston Texans & our Green Bay Packers!  Both teams lost, but they played their hearts out.  I absolutely love football season!  Food, Family, & Fun!!

I made Pioneer Woman's Spicy Pop Pulled Pork, Cilantro Coleslaw & Au Gratin Potatos!  Delish! 

Happy Sunday!

Family Fun - Week 1

Headed out on a date with my boys!  They fill my heart with so much love!

P.S. I'm blogging from my handheld now, trying to keep it simple!  Living life through my handheld.

*tpj

Another Year...

Has come and gone and I am SO excited to see what 2012 has in store!

Another chance to make things right!  I am starting to appreciate new beginnings.

Starting a photo project, but not sure which one it will be.  A photo a day is difficult, so I just might shoot for a "Family Photo a Week".  Yes, that sounds good & I think 52 family shots during 2012 is exactly what I'll do!  Starting tomorrow...

Today, I have uploaded a shot from the thousands of cell shots.

Happy New Year to ALL!

*tpj

10 Reasons Why I Love Fall

Fall is my absolute FaVoRiTe time of the year. It is a season that reminds us that nothing is permanent. As daylight hours wane and temperatures cool, it is great reason to set aside a bit of time each day to enjoy this season.

Here are 10 Reasons Why I Love Fall

1. I love the colors of Fall
They are so warm & welcoming and I have them all through my home.



2. Cooler weather!
I love sitting on the porch with a great book & a cup of coffee, just enjoying the cooler weather.

3. Baking
Nothing makes me happier than spending time baking in the kitchen for everyone I love. Sure, I do this during the other seasons, but I do it more during the Fall and I can make goodies using pumpkin!

4. Two Words: CANDY CORN!
Who doesn’t love a fat free candy?! Not to mention all of the FUN things you can make with candy corn. Bring on the baking!

5. Football Season

I can curl up on my sofa with both of my boys, slide open the windows, and feel the chill in the air, while watching a great game of football! This time is so special to me!

6. My Birthday
Just wish the presents did not come with adding another year to my life, especially since I only have one more year in my 20′s. But we won’t talk about that, mmmmk?

7. Velour Jumpsuits
Yes, I am THAT girl!

8. Skirts & Boots. I LOVE wearing skirts & boots and skirts with boots.
If skirts with tall boots are ever not in fashion anymore, I would still wear them! I love tall boots & I love wearing them during the Fall.

9. The sound of the leave crunching under my feet.
I’m really a simple girl & it’s the simple things that make me so very happy.

10. My Favorite Holiday of the Year: THANKSGIVING (Tied with Mother’s Day, of course!)
Is there anything better than spending time with the family, getting overly competitive while playing games, cooking an insane amount of food and baking goodies that should be considered illegal? The last few years have not been easy ones, but I have so much to be thankful for.

**Check back often for lots of FUN Fall ideas!**

*Tiffany

Breathtaking Barstool Transformation

OH.MY.WORD!

I stumbled upon this barstool transformation project by Amy and I must say, she did an AMA-ZA-ZING job!

Stop by Amy's blog to check out step-by-step details on her barstool transformation.

*Tiffany

DWTS Cast - Season 13

Where are the Stars???




The cast includes: transgender advocate Chaz Bono; CNN host Nancy Grace; model Elisabetta Canalis; NBA player Ron Artest; former "The Hills" starlet Kristin Cavallari; TV personality Ricki Lake; singer Chynna Phillips; U.S. soccer goalie Hope Solo; actor David Arquette; Kardashian family member Rob Kardashian; celebrity stylist Carson Kressly; and "All My Children" actor and Iraqi war veteran J.R. Martinez.

Bono told People.com, "Doing this show is an opportunity for me to reach a larger more mainstream audience with just a simple message of being transgender is okay and not something to be scared of."

The contestants, whose professional dancer pairings will be announced Wednesday on "Good Morning America," will hit the dance floor September 19 on ABC!

A DOZEN Years!!!

"It was an improbable romance. He was a country boy. She was from the city. She had the world at her feet, while he didn't have two dimes to rub together. But in spite their differences, they had one important thing in common, they were CRAZY about each other." - The Notebook



Today is our twelve/two year anniversary!!

12 years ago this month, I began dating the Man of My Dreams & two years ago today, I FiNALLY married him!

I fell in Love with Big D the moment that I met him and I haven't stopped falling since that day.

I want to be one of "those" couples, the ones that are old and gray, but still look at each other with tenderness and refuse to walk alone without holding the hand of their love. I want this for us. From this day forward...

Big D, I absolutely LOVE that you picked me to go through life with and I love that no matter what happens, you are STILL the Man of My Dreams!

*Tiffany

In His Thirties

Happy Birthday Big D!!



Today is Big D's 31st Birthday and as I have over the last 12 years, I was the first person to wish him a happy birthday!

I wondered and asked him if he was happy with where he was in life and his immediate response was "yes". This has to be the best birthday present he could ever give himself... To be happy and content right where he is.

With Lil Man this past year, I did a list of things I loved about him according to the age he turned. I was thinking about the list while tryng to relax yesterday evening and decided that it is only fair that I write one for Big D as well (Have I officially lost my mind?). I have to admit it's somewhat of a task, but one I'm happy to complete.

A list of 31... Here it goes:

1. I love that you are a dare devil and will never back down from a challenge. (I DO love this, even though I'm bound to have a few panic attacks thanks to you!)
2. I love how eclectic your taste in music is. I never know if it's going to be Texas Country, Alice in Chains, or Phil Collins playing in your truck.
3. I LOVE that you are one helluva swimmer (Especially since I'm a non-swimmer).
4. I love the color of your eyes (Tiger eyes).
5. I love your cute tushy (ALWAYS have) & I love that you love mine!
6. I love that you win any discussion about the most rebellious thing someone has done. Hands down!
7. I love how liked you are by others because you are YOU.
8. I love the way you help and talk to elderly women and make them blush like a 20 year old.
9. I love the way you love your Nanny and would move Heaven and Earth to keep her happy.
10. I love that you appreciate my head full of useless knowledge.
11. I love that you never pretend to be something you're not.
12. I love that you can make me laugh more than anyone else I know.
13. I love that you absolutely appreciate my shoe addiction, because you have one of your own.
14. I love that you can fix anything I brake (minus the ducktape).
15. I love that you respect the way our Lil Man looks up to you.
16. I love the way you love my girlfriends and appreciate how important they are to me.
17. I love how you will grab hold of me and kiss me as if it were our last.
18. I love how much you love sports. (Did I just say that?)
19. I love that you can quote lines from so many movies.
20. I love listening to you sing (Even if you don't always know the words... Yes, it still makes me crazy!).
21. I love that you bring me coffee every Friday morning as I get ready for work. You don't even ask if I want it, you just know!
22. I love that you don't require a hot meal every night for dinner. You are beyond happy with any meal I make!
23. I love that you will drop everything for anyone who needs help. Your heart is SO BIG!
24. I love that you will watch every single episode of Sex and the City a hundred times, just to spend another second with me!
25. I love how people in your life will never have to question your loyalty (Even if you begin to question theirs).
26. I love how possessive you are of me as your wife when people are being disrespectful to me.
27. I love how you support all my extra activities and very gently let me know when I am in over my head!
28. I love how particular you are about your hair (or lack there of).
29. I love the way you make me feel like I can do anything and succeed.
30. I love that what we have is so very different from every other relationship, but somehow it works for us and it works well.
31. I love that you are the man I get to spend the rest of my life with!

I love your guts Abel Jones! Have a VERY Happy, Happy Birthday!

Wordless Wednesday - Botox

This makes me smile!
(At least I think I'm smiling! Ha!)

School's Out For Summer!

I’m so proud of my Lil Man… He finished his 3rd grade year on top and I couldn’t be anymore proud of him!!

He was Gold Commended on his TAKS tests, which is a VERY big deal. He has come a long way this year and he makes me more proud every single day.

Looking forward to what 4th grade has in store…

Memorial Day - A Time to Remember

Memorial Day



This Memorial Day, before I grill and before I spend time with family and friends, I want to spend time giving Thanks for all of the men and women who give their lives to protect ours. Without them, our lives would look a whole lot different.

Let's also not forget all of the families and loved ones they leave behind. Their gift to our country is every bit as great as the men and women overseas protecting us.

A very special thank you to my brother-in-law who is currently serving in Afgahnistan and to my sister-in-law, who is allowing him to follow his dreams.

"Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." - John 15:13

Happy Memorial Day to all!

Galveston, Oh Galveston!

AND... most importantly, I adore that Lil Man LOVES Galveston just as much as I do!

BKN Girl of the Year!

Guess who was announced Beta Kappa Nu's Girl of the Year!?!

ME!



And what an honor it is! As one of my Sisters stated, "To be voted Girl of the Year, is an honor in itself. It is the woman who gives so much of herself to helping others and expects so little in return."

What can I say?? I absolutely LOVE helping others!

Girl of the Year is annouced annually at the Beta Sigma Phi Founder's Day event. This next year, Beta Sigma Phi will be celebrating 80 years!

I am so blessed to be apart of this amazing organization and so grateful to have the most beautiful Sisters (inside & out)!

Here are a very few photos from Founder's Day... Enjoy!

This year we hosted the event and decided to tie this event with a cause that is near and dear to our hearts.

Breast Cancer Awareness!



Beta Kappa Nu
Love this picture of my Sisters
(minus a few... who were most definitely missed)

Teacher's Gifts GALORE!! (Part 1)

This week is Teacher Appreciation week and I just hit the Jackpot for Teacher's Gifts! This is Part 1 of a 3 Part Teacher's Gifts Galore Update.

I am ALWAYS looking for great Teacher's gifts and think these ideas are absolutely A.DOR.ABLE!

Can I just say how much I WISH I could receive one of these gifts?! I'm not a Teacher, but I am sure that I have taught at least one person something. Does that count? ;-)

The photos above are of just ONE of the gifts featured at the website below. They have a MILLION (slight exaggeration) more with pictures, tutorials, and free downloads.

Hurry! Hurry! Click here to see!

This post is for the "Journal Jar" for Teachers. Super cute AND you can print out all the questions to go in the jar. What a great, creative & thoughtful gift!

Enjoy your day Crafting Away!

*Tiffany

Good Friday Should Really Be Great Friday

(Although I wrote this post last Good Friday, I believe it is a great reminder for every Good Friday, so I've re-posted it at the top of my blog. Wishing everyone a VERY Happy Easter... May you focus on what this Holiday is truly about!)

Good Friday is observed on the Friday before Easter Sunday. On this day, Christians commemorate the passion, or suffering, and death on the cross of the Lord, Jesus Christ.

Many Christians spend this day in fasting, prayer, repentance, and meditation on the agony and suffering of Christ on the cross.

The biblical account of Jesus' death on the cross, or crucifixion, his burial and his resurrection, or rising from the dead, can be found in the following passages of Scripture: Matthew 27:27-28:8; Mark 15:16-16:19; Luke 23:26-24:35; and John 19:16-20:30.


Photo I took of the Sagemont Church Cross

Today is Good Friday. If you read the account of the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus in the passages above, each of the gospels will tell a slightly different account of what happened that day. However, the core details are the same.

He was innocent. He was mocked. He was beaten. He wore a Crown of Thorns. He was nailed to the cross. His mother was there. He died. He was buried and He WAS raised from the dead.

There were many who believed that soldiers had removed Jesus' body from the tomb and there was no resurrection, UNTIL they saw for themselves the undeniable scars. His nail scarred hands and feet. Those scars represent redemption and they represent forgiveness. Those scars represent the love for mankind that our Heavenly Father and His Son bestow upon us. In His complete restoration, the nail scars and the scar in His side were left intact.

I see my resurrected Savior without the dirt and mud covering His body, without the dried blood matted hair, and without parts of the whip left in His back. However, I see the scars and although the jagged scars on his back may be gruesome to some. To me, it is a reminder of the love he showed that day. A mark of magnificence.

Do our scars mean the same thing?

I have had self-inflicted wounds from insecurity and little belief in my self worth. These wounds that are more than fleshly wounds. They are wounds left from hurtful criticism and every.single.one of those wounds has left a scar. Unless I forbid the enemy to use them against me, those scars will continue to ridicule and haunt me.

Choose to see your scars as a representation of redemption not only today, but everyday. They represent forgiveness. They represent a love for us that only our Heavenly Father and His Son can bestow upon us.

Dear Lord, may we realize afresh today what Your death and resurrection mean for us. Forgiveness … Freedom … and the ability to walk with You through this fallen world into eternity. May we always find our satisfaction in You and Your willingness to offer Yourself to us. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Have a GREAT Good Friday!

*Tiffany