Sitting Pretty

Elsie must have been tuckered out from her trip to the North Pole last night. She's resting on the dove. Took Little Miss a little while to find her this morning. 

She only panicked a little, and we need to keep her on her toes anyway, right?

Well, off to Pinterest I go... I think Elsie needs to get a little more creative or I won't have anything to write about!

Elsie the Perfectionist Hosts a Picture Perfect Tea Party

We've been iced into our neighborhood since my last post but that didn't stop Elsie! She's fueled by Christmas Magic, remember?

After Elsie parachuted into the house on day one. She decided to "finish" the Christmas house art project that Little Miss did with her Nonna. Apparently we forgot to make a red nose for Rudolph. We can't have that, now can we?

Elsie perched on the light fixture to keep a watchful eye on Santa and his reindeer. Looks like a nice place to relax... for an elf.

After a night of swinging from the rafters, Elsie is ready to have Tea with her BFFs. On day 3, Lambie and Ariel take turns serving tea and posing for the camera. No doubt Elsie is getting her stash of pictures ready to take back to the North Pole so she will have plenty of material for her scrapbook. Surprised? What else would she do all summer?

So when Little Miss awoke to the sight of this... the first two questions she asks are:

1. What is going on here?
2. Why is my teacup stuck to Elsie?

The first is an easy answer, right? Having a tea party!
(Ha! I've got this!)
And the second?
(Ok, maybe I don't.)

Here's how that conversation went:

• Me: What do you mean stuck? I think she's just holding on tight.
• LM: Well, that's not what her hands look like!
• Me: (Dang it, she has a point there...) Um, I don't know. Wait, did you touch Elsie?
• LM: Nooooooo. I just tried to get the cup. It's mine and it goes upstairs in my kitchen!

The child who scatters her toys far and wide is now concerned that two teacups are not with the rest. Of course!

Note to self: keep Elsie at a safe distance from sticky fingers AND scrutinizing eyes!

Look Who's Baaaaack!

First and foremost, let me say how incredibly rediculous it is that I've only had one post since Else left us last Christmas. I shake my head in disdain at myself...

Ok it's late, let's move on shall we? Our darling Elsie has returned again this year. She was going to come after Thanksgiving but somewhere between the North Pole and our garage she got buried under some boxes and we had to go on a rescue mission and dig her out. 

So first her book materialized in the livingroom last night. Then her ribbon got hung up on the mantle when she was parachuting into the house. Apparently she can pass through the roof like a ninja, or a ghost, you pick. 

Here is the evidence...

Oh yeah, if Little Miss asks -

All Christmas ribbon is made at the North Pole and then distributed to the stores to sell. That's why Elsie's ribbon looks so much like our Christmas ribbon. Little stinker - perceptive for a 3 year old!

Hopefully I'll get back into the blogging mode with a little help from our elf friend...

Until tomorrow, stay warm. It's icing here and more precipitation in the forecast with below freezing temps all weekend. Schools and daycares shut down for tomorrow! One of the perks of living in Texas, we rarely have to leave home if winter weather comes our way.   

Oh Christmas Tree...

Happy Birthday Jesus!

Oh Christmas tree, how evergreen your branches! Don't you just love a decorated Christmas tree all lit up and glowing? 

Old Faithful Angel

Little Miss sure does, she was so excited when "Her Christmas Tree" came out of the attic last night. Her squeals of delight were absolutely precious when we plugged in the tree and she came a-blaze with colorful lights.

Monkeying Around

Girls are much different than boys. All Little Dude was excited about at her age was plugging in the tree and what kind of presents were going to show up underneath it.

Shiny Sparkles

Getting it just right

This is what happens when you let a two year old decorate the tree without guidance... All the ornaments get stuck in the same spot.

Cluster Claus Decor

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!

Sweet Children 

Meet Elsie

Our elf. She came from the North Pole to keep tabs on Little Miss.

Seeing RED

Went to get a fill and pedicure today. I thought sparkling red would be nice for Christmas coming up.

Then I got home and Little Miss Toot said she needed to have toes painted like mommy. So this is what happened...

Gotta Love a Good Pizza

I'm thankful for...

#26 - Having such a handy husband. My superhero picked up and installed our new super quiet dishwasher this evening after work. 

Which leads me to... 

#27 - Dishwashers! I'm pretty sure that if I had to hand wash all of the dishes all of the time, we would just use disposable everything...  

Phelps Family Pizza Pics...

The perfect touch...

Hmmm, this looks tasty.

Little Dude's finished product.

Say "Cheese"!

My masterpiece "Before" picture

Serving up some yummy goodness...

Being a silly boy!

My masterpiece "After" picture

Thanksgiving Has Come & Gone

Well, folks that wraps up Thanksgiving. Next up - Christmas.

WAIT - wasn't it just Halloween? The older I get, the faster my life goes by. Truly amazing. I continue to be in awe of God's work in my life and the lives of those around me.

Spending time with the family is always wonderful. Smaller group this year, but still nice. Each of us brought a side dish or two so it wound up being quite the feast!

I even did my fair share of Black Friday shopping. Which brings me to my next topic... Macys.com. I was sitting around at, oh a little before midnight, doing a little online shopping. I found two great deals so I picked out my colors and put them in my shopping cart. Then I went about shopping for other things but didn't see anything else I just couldn't live without, so I went to the online checkout. Then, what to my wondering eyes, should appear? Big red letters saying: "Please remove this item from your cart. It is no longer available."

Are. You. SERIOUS??

Apparently I was supposed to pick my Black Friday deals and checkout one at a time... I wouldn't get to take advantage of the "Free Shipping on Orders $99 or more" and I would actually have wound up paying for shipping TWICE. Really? Lucky for me, I was still able to get one of the deals at Macy's at the mall before 1 pm but the other deal is sold out - trust me I keep checking the website. Boo on you Macys.com.

Ok, that's my Black Friday rant for this year... on to better things, my Cricut.

Have you seen the results that come up on Amazon.com when you search for Cricut? I feel like there's this whole new Cricut world out there that I'm just now stumbling into. Apparently scrapbooking - and Michael's Black Friday sale - to satisfy my paper addiction is the gateway to getting me hooked on the Cricut. So naturally, I found things that I didn't even know I needed, like the Cricut tote bag, cartridge case, and of course cartridges that I didn't even know existed... oh the possibilities. 

Time to play catch up on Thankfulness List: Things I am thankful for...

#22 - Beautiful weather. The weather was fantastic on Thanksgiving Day. It was nice enough to not need a jacket during the day, and we were able to open the windows and let in the cool air in the evening because cooking the Thanksgiving Feast warmed up the house.

#23 - That I am NOT a crazy Black Friday shopper. Don't get me wrong, I do my fair share of shopping with the locals on Black Friday, but Black Friday news stories are crazy! From the man who left his girlfriend's child in the car while he bought a big screen TV at Best Buy and then took the TV home and left his car in the parking lot of the store. To the Black Friday shoppers that were nearly run over in the parking lot by a drunk driver. And of course, the regular parking lot campers who are intent on being the first one through the door. Most of the time these news stories have me shaking my head...

#24 - My family and friends are safe this Thanksgiving. I was shocked and sad after hearing about the crazy pile up outside of Houston, 2 people died and 80 injured. Yes, I probably found out about the story a little late, but at least I finally heard about it. I'm pretty much burned out on the news after the pre-election, during-election, and post-election crazy-beyond-crazy frenzy. Definitely praying for those involved and their families. 

#25 - Four day weekends. This little break really gave me some time to hang out with the family, get some much needed rest & relaxation, and get some cleaning done. It was starting to look like squatters were living here. Ok, maybe it wasn't that bad but it sure did feel like it. Now, if I can stay focused and get the Christmas tree up and decorated tomorrow before heading back to work on Monday...

Thanksgiving is near...

More things I'm thankful for...

#20 - Listening to my daughter talk to herself while she plays in the bathtub. It's very entertaining and makes me wish that she would stay this little forever. It also reminds me that she soaks in everything that she sees and hears around her. From "Shoo-wee that diaper stinky!" to "SHHH! I'm talking on the phone..." to "Get a bite" in her southern belle accent I can recognize the people who she spends the most of her time around.

#21 - My son's helpfulness. Sometimes this preteen thing is about to kill me but most of the time he's still my sweet boy. The age difference between my mini munchkin and my not-so-mini munchkin really comes in handy sometimes. He's always willing to help out, sometimes it is building lego structures so that she can tear them apart, and other times it is setting up the Jenga game so she can just knock it down again. He can also help with the laundry and vacuuming and other household chores. Super big help and I'm sure I don't thank him enough!

Gearing up for Thanksgiving tomorrow. I've mixed up the fruit salad and pre-baked the green bean casserole. Now I'm ready to spend some time relaxing and pretending that my house is clean... I'll admit it - I just don't feel like cleaning! Big surprise? No, not really.

Meandering Moments

#7 - My dog. I loooove my little English Bulldog - Bella. (No, she was not named for the Twilight series and we do not have another dog stashed away named Edward.) She is the most stubborn dog EVER but she makes me laugh. Someone that is always happy to see me no matter what and loves to lay around watching TV, I could't ask for a better pet. Ever since I was little I've always wanted one, so being the super awesome, knight-in-shining-armor man that he is, my oh-so-sweet husband bought this dog for me.

She drives him bonkers, well truth be told, she has at one point or another has pushed each of us to the brink of insanity! I could have died the Christmas she ate an entire PS3 game and left it in tiny pieces all over the floor. I do mean entire - the bow, wrapping paper, cellophane wrap, plastic case, booklet, and CD. My son found the pieces and I was absolutely sure that he knew out the other large box under the tree was a PS3. The good news is that he didn't catch on - or at least he never admitted it! (He's such an amazing son.) The other good news is that she didn't die from BPA-and-who-knows-what-else-poisoning from plastic shreds of CD passing through her system.


#8 - Technology. I'm so thankful for technology, besides the fact that I wouldn't have a job without it, it keeps me entertained for hours. I'm a technology junkie... if it has to do with computers or gaming - I'm interested! Not that I'm a hardcore gamer or anything but from time to time I do enjoy some Sims, Skyrim, SimCity, and Black Ops... by the way, is Black Ops 2 out yet??


#9 - Audible. I LOVE to read but I just don't have the luxury of being able to lay around and read. Between husband, kids, dog, work, and life in general - I'm entirely too busy. But then one of my friends suggested Audible.com - I thought that listening to books would be boring but I was wrong, SO wrong!

The Help was the first book that I listened to. It was so hilarious! This particular book had more than one reader and it was so easy to get lost in the story. When the movie came out and some of the same women were in the film, it just made it that much better!

Love love love! If you haven't tried it yet - go sign up and try it for 30 days and I bet you get hooked. I can listen to books while I'm driving in the car, or taking a break at work, ANYWHERE that I can bring my phone. Absolutely satisfies my craving for reading great books. They. Are. The. Best. Ever. That is all.


Recap for the week?

About the most fun I had all week was going out to see live music and eat great Mexican food. I wasn't diggin' the stuffed avocado, so I ate some sopapillas (yes, more than one - don't judge me) and drank about a gallon of sweet tea. Gotta love that stuff!

Nothing else really happened - just lots of work preparing for a business trip next week, to Pennsylvania of all places. I checked the weather and the forecast is cold to colder, with a high of cold, and a low of freeze your toes off. Please Lord, let me comeback with my nose, fingers, ears, and toes still attached and not black from frostbite. (Ew, gross mental image.)

Tomorrow we are headed to hang out with some really good friends of ours who are FINALLY getting married. I'm so glad to share this weekend with them. Totally low key, just a bunch of close friends, hanging out and enjoying the scenery and the company, and nothing fancy - well, besides the wedding dress, I'm sure! Completely, utterly, 100% them - it couldn't be any more perfect.

Fab Fam

#4 - My family. I really lucked out, you know? I have a wonderful family and even though we're spread across the world - we try to stay close at heart. My parents, grandparents, cousins, and don't forget my in-laws - I'm thankful for all of them. Sometimes we act like little children bickering over crazy silly stuff, but we all know that no matter what, we're family and like it or not, we're all stuck with one another.



Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.  (1 Cor 13:4-7)

Valentine's Day

Look what was waiting for me this morning! Sweets from my sweet husband for me and the kids! 

Behold my pile of goodies...

a sweet bulldog puppy V-Day card,
dark chocolate candy,
chocolate covered cookie dough candy,
the Hungry Girl cookbook,
and a new lens for my camera!

A picture of our Valentine's mess with my new fisheye lens... better pictures coming soon! I promise!

I hope your Valentine's Day made you feel as special and blessed as mine did!

Sweet & Sour Skewers

This is great to have your family make together! Simple, fun, and fast to make!

Originally a recipe from Kraft, but we changed it up to fit our family preferences. I've included a link to the original at the end of this post for your convenience.

What you need:

32 - 1" fully-cooked meatballs approx 1 lb -thawed

1 onion, cut into 1 inch squares

1 green pepper, cut into 1 inch squares

1 tomato, cut into 1 inch chunks

1/4 cup apricot jam

1/4 cup barbecue sauce

approx. 12 skewers

Start by soaking the skewers first if using the wood variety - you can pick these up at the local grocery store. 

Chop your veggies and assemble on skewers, alternating between veggies and meatballs. Try leaving a little room between the veggies and meatballs to let them cook evenly.

Heat the jam in microwave safe bowl for approx 15 seconds.

Mix the apricot jam and barbecue sauce in a small bowl and brush half of the mixture over the assembled skewers.

Ta-Da! Ready for the grill...

Grill on low flames until you have the right amount of charr and grill flavor. Or approx. 8 - 10 minutes, until the meatballs are heated through, turning occasionally.

Brush the remaining sauce onto the skewers during the last two minutes.

Remove from grill and serve warm with your favorite sides! (Kraft recommends grilled corn on the cob.)

Original recipe can be found here: http://www.kraftrecipes.com/recipes/sweet-sour-meatball-skewers-113530.aspx

Chili + Cheese + Kraut Coneys

This was something we threw together quickly and the kids loved it. We had homemade (thanks to my awesome husband!) chili on hand but you can use whatever kind of chili you have handy. 

P.S. Sorry, as of the time of this writing - at my husband's request - we are not releasing the world famous, award winning "No Beans, Just Bud!" super secret Phelps family chili recipe.

Warm up chili and hotdogs... um, usually separately unless you're trying to cut down on the amount of dishes you have to wash later...

Eating healthy? Pick up some turkey dogs, low fat cheese, and low fat chili.

We added sauerkraut - Kosher brand straight from the jar...

Assemble the bun and hotdog, scoop on some chili, add some kraut, and finally top with a generous heap of cheese. My husband suggests adding diced onions and mustard if you like that sort of thing...

~~ENJOY!!

Adventures in Potty Training

Start children off on the way they should go,and even when they are old they will not turn from it. (Proverbs 22:6)

Mommy, WHY do you want me to sit on this? WHAT is this???

Two year olds are funny... and they seem to find the strangest ways to remind us of the things we take for granted. We are in the Introduction phase of potty training and battening down the hatches for the long haul.

Is it a shoe? An anklet?

Did I mention that she only wants to sit on it until the diaper comes off... then she wants to run around the house bare booty!

OH I SEE!! It's a mask!! Silly Mommy!!

 This could be a long tough road ahead folks!

Luke 5:15-16

15 But so much the more went there a fame abroad of him: and great multitudes came together to hear, and to be healed by him of their infirmities.16 And he withdrew himself into the wilderness, and prayed.


Love this devotional reading for tonight. This message totally resonates with me as I'm sitting here way past my bedtime to get a few minutes of "Me Time" in, knowing I'll pay for it when the alarm clock goes off in the morning. There doesn't seem like enough time in the day to put in a full day's work, come home and give all I have left to my family, and then find some time for me. Don't get me wrong, I realize I am extremely blessed and I love my life. I wouldn't trade it for anything! 


.........How do you "recharge your batteries"?


Parenting puts tremendous demands on our time and energy. These demands can start before our kids get up in the morning and last long after they've fallen asleep. In addition we often find ourselves meeting the needs of others in our family, people at work, and friends.

Jesus knows the extent of your weariness. Many people besieged Him when they discovered He could heal the sick and perform miracles. There was no end to the ingenious ways they devised just to touch Him or get His attention (see Luke 5:18-19). He recognized the huge demand for His time.

But, Jesus also knew the only way He could deal with the demand for His time was to spend time alone with His Father to rest, pray, and recharge His batteries. It wasn't selfish; it was the most loving thing He could do for His children. It gave Him the energy and strength to deal with their many issues.

Sometimes saying "no" to your kids so you can spend quality time with your Heavenly Father is the most loving thing you can do.

http://www.youversion.com/reading-plans/parenting-by-design-daily-devotional/9