Books to Share

As many "Mom" friends as I have following my blog, I thought I would share the books we checked out at the library this week! I highly recommend taking your kids to your local public library! They have a blast and for those of you who read books on a daily basis, it gives you the opportunity to not read the same books all the time;) I actually really enjoy going because I love finding books that I used to love reading when I was little. It really is amazing going in there and seeing the huge selection! I hope my kids read more than I did, and enjoy it! Here are our check-outs from this week:




I think I have enjoyed these more than the boys;) Hope your family does to:)
RL

Distressed...Furniture, that is!

I have been working on the guest bedroom for a couple weeks now, and although it isn't done, I thought I would share the pictures of the furniture we just painted and distressed! I am hooked on BOOKOO and am constantly finding beautiful furniture to fix up! We haven't had furniture for this room yet, so I glad its finally feeling more "homey". Here are the before and after shots:




This piece is my favorite and I bought it for $40! A little paint, some sand paper, and new hardware and voila!:)

This is a very simple night stand I bought from a Soldier who had a quick PCS change! I bought it for $20!

I still have work to do with finding little knick-knacks and maybe adding a shelf to the wall! I also would like to find a big bookshelf to house all of my books. I don't even have all of my books out because I have run out of space!



I have thoroughly enjoyed getting old and worn furniture and re-doing it! It is so rewarding and it makes it to where you get EXACTLY what you want!
We are hanging with friends and taking it easy this weekend! Hope you all have a great one! I will be adding a new recipe later!
TGIF!
RL

Library and A New Recipe

I have been taking Wyatt to Story Time at the Library on Wednesday mornings and he really enjoys it. We are having a play date at our house today with some new friends, so we aren't able to go. So yesterday I took him to just get some new books. If only you could have seen him;) He was running around the children's book center grabbing books off the shelves without even looking at them! I would look at it, it wouldn't be a good one for him, so he would run and put it back (or I would because they are labeled by last name), and go get the next one! He was having a blast. I like this Library because they have play mats out, tables and chairs for them to read, and puzzles on the tables for kids to occupy themselves:) So I am able to go checkout our books while Wyatt plays. As pretty as this picture may sound, it wasn't all a bed of roses..Elias was fussing, and trying to push himself out of his stroller...which, as you know, the readers in the library love to hear;) Things aren't always what they appear..or as pleasant as how you read it;)

I made Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup last night and thought I would share the recipe!

WHOLE WHEAT CHICKEN NOODLE SOUP
Take your Bone-in chicken breasts and roast them in the oven on 375 degrees for about 20 minutes. Take them out of the oven when finished and let cool. Pull the chicken off the bone and set aside.

Cut up your carrots, celery, and onion.

I made some homemade stock last week, so I used that as the base in my soup. Then add another 6 cups of water to your 6 cups of stock. Let your veggies sauté in your pan with EVOO for about 3-4 minutes and then pour in your stock and water!

Add 2 Bay leaves and a couple whole cloves (optional) and let it come to a full boil. Turn down the heat, and i like to let it sit and rest-it allows the flavors to combine better. Bring it back to a boil and add your noodles. I used whole wheat egg noodles, but you can use whatever you like!
This makes a huge pot of soup; plenty to freeze for later, which is the best part! I served my soup with Garlic Cheddar biscuits! (Red Lobster wanna-be's;))
Enjoy!
Have an awesome Wednesday:)
RL

Around Our House

It has been very busy around our house lately, but we sure are enjoying life! Weston and I say often how happy we are here and how much we love our new home! I thank God everyday for His will and knowing whats best for us! We feel at home here, have found a great church, and have made some great friends! Here are some glimpses into life lately:)
The Boys playing..And yes, tidbit is standing:)
Eli is a big ONE year old now;)
Our Pond is full now after the recent rain!
Our Front porch which we thoroughly enjoy!
This shot makes me happy! He plays hard:)
This captures his preciousness!
Such a doll!
This is what my living room looks on a daily basis:)

I <3 my life! Thank you Lord!
RL

Once You Go Homemade, You Never Go Back!

I have been doing more home made foods lately, and love seeing my other blog friends posting yummy recipes, so I thought I would join in-especially now that I have a GREAT camera to capture the essence of the food itself:) Thanks to Mandy at Mandy's Marbles for encouraging me to try this bread making thing! She has 4 kids and inspires me to do more! I grew up with homemade bread and want my family to, as well! The recipe is here : all recipes.com/recipe/simple-whole-wheat-bread/

You will need a combo of Whole Wheat and All Purpose Flour(I prefer organic or all natural brands, but this is all I have found so far

It should rise in the bowl first,then punch it, separate into loaves, and let it rise again!

Use a good quality loaf pan

The finished product:) Delicious! Makes 3 loaves!

I will post tomorrow pictures of the boys and our visit with "Ma":)
RL

Welcome Ella Marie Gulden!

Our best friends Brian and Amanda welcomed their second baby, a Girl, Ella Marie last night!! I sure do miss my bestie, especially now when there is a new baby to love on! Both of us have been together for each of our children's births so far, so this is a new realm of missing them:( I am so thankful for Amanda's quick delivery (she ROCKED It) with NO drugs and about 30 mins to spare! They are the best parents and I am so excited we now have a girl in our little "family"....I love you both and can't wait to see you in a few weeks! Until then..

WELCOME SWEET ELLA!

God is Good!
And yes, this is one more reason for my husband to try and persuade me to have #3;)
Love, RL

Elias Turns ONE!

This one is my favorite. It sums up his "preciousness!"
On January 4, our sweet little boy turned 1! We had a quiet little celebration at home and I baked our traditional "birthday cupcake" cake! Wyatt INSISTED on EVERYONE wearing a birthday hat...a hat he himself picked out:) Here are some photos of Eli's BIG day:)










Eli has truly become a JOY!
He LOVES:
to walk
to eat
take walks outside
clap his "feet"
play with wyatt
jump up and down in his bed
"fake" cough
to smile
to be hugged and kissed
I love you more than you could possibly know, my sweet, precious baby! Your smile everyday is breath-taking and makes it all worth while...You are a blessing from God and I am beyond thankful that He blessed us with you! Nothing brings me more JOY than being the mother of my two boys!
Love, Momma

Steel Magnolias

We have begun the start of many adventures here in Louisiana. We have been to Alexandria, Lake Charles, New Orleans, and a couple smaller towns. As much as I love New Orleans, this recent trip may be one of my favorites. We took my mother in law, Jane, to Natchitoches as her Christmas present. We had a blast:) It is a beautiful, historic, southern town with tons to do and delicious food! That is all great, but the main reason for going was "Steel Magnolias." I LOVE that movie and this is the town where it was filmed. Amazingly enough, it still looked the same-it was as though I was living in the movie:) We got the tour map for the movie scenes, and started out! It was a beautiful, what felt like spring, day! We walked to lunch-ate at a delicious Cajun restaurant, did a little shopping, and drove to other scene spots. it was a wonderful family day, and a place we will be going back to. They have one of the biggest Christmas light displays in December, a huge Christmas festival, civil war re-enactments, and much more!

The One and only:)


The backyard-Scene of "Day of the wedding"

Ousier's House

The Cemetery where "Shelby" is buried

The hospital where the baby is born in the movie

Jane and I

Another Cemetery shot

This is posted in the cemetery by the scene site

Truvy's church

A beautiful drive

Mama's Oyster House

Wyatt throwing coins in the fountain

The oldest house-built without a single nail. Only clay and mud
If you are ever in Louisiana, or just passing through, this beautiful town is definitely worth your while...I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas, a Happy New Year, and a wonderful first weekend in 2012!
RL