Because tomorrow is not guaranteed

White Queso, anyone?

Justin and I are hardcore Mexican {food} fans. We became close friends with our favorite waiter at San Miguel's Mexican Restaurant several years ago and he so graciously offered me the recipe for that delicious "White Queso dip" that is offered at most fine Mexican establishments! So, without further adieu...

• 1 package {24 slices} of white American {not the Swiss American-- white American}
• a couple spoonfuls of chopped jalapenos {the pickled ones in the pickle aisle, they come sliced you have to do the chopping}
• milk to thin

Unwrap the cheese and break/cut into small pieces and place in microwave safe bowl. Add a few spoonfuls of finely chopped jalapenos. I like to chop mine in the mini-food processor. I throw a little jalapeno juice in too. Microwave on high for 1 min. Stir and add some milk to thin. Continue to microwave, stir and add milk until you've reached your desired consistency. I prefer mine a little runny. I keep it in the crock pot to keep it warm while serving! Enjoy!

After you devour your cheese, I suggest you devour this:

Chocolate Eclair Dessert

I won't be surprised if y'all already know about this one... but I am surprised as to why none of you have told me about it!?! It's DELICIOUS!

My SIL brought it to our Taco Night on Sunday and I pretty much ate 2/3 of it by myself.

For the filling:

• 1 large and 1 small box instant vanilla pudding
• 1- 8 oz. container cool whip.
• 1 box of Graham crackers

Mix pudding with 3 cups of cold milk and fold in Cool Whip. Layer graham crackers, filling, graham crackers, filling, graham crackers and finally top with the chocolate topping in a 9x13 pan and let refrigerate for 8 hours before serving.

For the chocolate topping:

{Thanks to informative readers, I've learned you can just use chocolate frosting from the store... nuke it to soften and spread it over top! 1 tub covered a 9x13 perfect}

• 1 c. sugar
• 1 c. butter
• 1/3 c. cocoa
• 1/4 c. milk
• 1/2 tsp. vanilla
• 1/8 tsp. salt

Bring to a boil, cook for 1 minute. Cool.

They are HERE & They are CUTE!

Ok, they're here and they might can even be to you by GAME TIME ON SATURDAY... unless you live in Singapore! :)

Here's the plan of attack. If you preordered I will email you an invoice through PayPal. You can pay me through PayPal and if you don't use PayPal you should I can wait for a personal check and once it's cleared I'll mail the shirts. If you prefer not to use PayPal it's really ok... just email me and let me know you'd rather send a check... or bring a check if you live around here!

Because so many of you ordered I am able to sell them for a little less {$15 each}... not a ton less but every little dollar counts, right!? I will only ship Priority Mail because it's reliable and free packaging... which makes my life as a mother easier.

I, of course, ordered a few extras {but really just a few} in case anyone asks you where you got that super cute t-shirt!

Check your email box for your invoice! If you ordered a t-shirt and don't get an invoice by the end of the day tomorrow {Thursday} your original order must be floating in cyberspace.... so email me again.

The winner of a free t-shirt is: Lindsey @ Where the Wild Things Are !! My very kind husband was willing to interrupt his book reading tonight to draw your name from a hat!

ps- Thanks for ordering these!! I thought they were going to be cute and I'm glad y'all trusted me!

1, 2, and 3

This is the look he gave when I mentioned 4, 5, & 6. I had the same look on my face. No, not pregnant... just joking around.

I told him to not look quiet so frightened so Morgan helped him smile, he was thrilled.

My Mom

So my post on Monday was about "My Husband" and was laced with a little humor at his expense. Now I'll share a little humor at Mom's expense.

Here's how the conversation between Erika {my twin sister} and my mother went earlier today...

Mom: Erika do you have something you need to tell me?
Erika: Like what?
Mom: Like what I read on Darby's blog about you being pregnant. Are you pregnant?
Erika: No! What are you talking about?
Mom: Yes you are!
Erika: No. Really I am not. What are you talking about?
Mom: Well I read on Darby's blog this morning that you are "big time" and "you're going to be even BIGGER soon" Doesn't that mean you are pregnant?
Erika: No mom. That's about _____. {which can be publicized later}

1st- Mom, I promise if Erika ever decides to have a baby I won't post it on my blog before she tells you. And she better tell you first.

2nd- Erika isn't pregnant just in case anyone else thought she was because I said she was "big time". I was referring to her occupation not her uterus.

I hope you all are smiling because this has made me laugh on numerous occasions today!

Loving you all,
Darby

Tallahassee

This past weekend was really good. All of it. The whole thing... from Friday to Sunday night when my head hit the pillow after painting my fingernails... well, I got 5 done and couldn't keep my eyes opened to finish the other five... thankfully they're clear. I emphasize that the whole weekend was good because I needed it to be good. Last weekend was long and exhausting and this one was too short and very renewing for my motherly soul.

Because the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23

We started off the weekend in Tallahassee. {pictured above} Canopy roads are everywhere in this town and I took them for granted when I drove them everyday. We have lived there twice and it has a very, very, very special place in my heart. I know, that sounds cheesy but I can't think of how else to put it. We came to love Tallahassee not only for its beauty in and of itself, but for the people we came to know and love while we were there. Someone told me that the places where your children are born will always hold a very special place in your heart and I believe them. It's true of Anniston, AL where Morgan was born and it's true of Tallahassee, FL where Paige was born. Not only because of their births but because of all the special people and memories that were created there.

We stayed with some very special people: Mitch & Gaye. I could write an entire post just on them. They are some of the most fabulous people I've ever met. We lived with them for several weeks when we moved to Tallahassee the second time around while we did a house renovation. In a few words, they are: humble, giving, loving & God-fearing... and precious to us & our children. Mitch is the father to my most precious friend {who also deserves a post all of her own}, he is a business man, an elder, a community leader, a grandfather, he is kind, he is honest and he is generous. Gaye is energetic, compassionate, magnetic, selfless, kind, and she is fun to be with. They have been through what no one on this planet would ever want to go through, the tragic and horrific loss of a child. And yet, through their trial, loss and grief God has been glorified.

Aren't they precious? And what about their house? It's fabulous and was recently built. I have to take a second and brag on my sister, who played a very KEY role in the design and furnishing of this house. The whole time we were there I'd tell Gaye, "Oh! This is fabulous! I love this! Where did you get this? Who did this?!" And every time her answer was the same, "Your sister!" I've never once doubted my sister's ability to do her job with great skill but to see it in person absolutely blew my mind. I can pick paint colors and throw some pillows on a sofa but seeing this house all pulled together was INCREDIBLE. Sister, I know why you're big time and why you're going to be even more BIG TIME soon! I love you and this is SERIOUSLY the most beautiful house I've ever seen in my entire life. And Mitch & Gaye are grateful for all your help... and I know why, because I saw ALL that you can do! You should do a post on this house on your blog... your readers would LOVE it!
Paige was fond of the silk curtains. I didn't let her play in them for long, I promise!

She was also fond of the pantry {which was the most beautiful pantry I've ever seen... with a quartz counter top all of it's own}. Her favorite snack was the Fresh Market popcorn! I think y'all will remember that Paige is "Queen Snacker". See Gaye's smile? This is how she is. She and Mitch really love our children like they are their own grandchildren. It's amazing... really it is!

I only snapped a few pictures, but I'll share what I have with you...

As you can see the house is elegant but not showy; comfortable and classic. They're still finishing up some details but overall it is simply amazing.

We took all 3 children with us and the girls loved building a pallet in the "secret room" which is a walk-in closet in the guest room. We all slept great and loved waking up to coffee with two of our best friends!! We love y'all and thank you for the hospitality!

I guess I should tell you why we were there... for the most special baby shower I've ever attended. My friend Rachel is expecting a son in several weeks. This is a child that has been long awaited and prayed for by many {myself included}. They have prayed for a child of their own for many long years and have now been blessed with a son. I couldn't miss the opportunity to celebrate with her and many of my other friends that I miss dearly {hello Tallahassee girls, you are precious to me, I loved seeing you all and I love you dearly!}. To have almost all my friends in one room was such a treat. We had so much fun and this was my favorite gift she opened {I try to keep politics at bay on the blog... but this was too cute not to post!}. If McCain/Palin don't win in '08, perhaps the Republicans will take office in 2032.

We also had the opportunity to go by our old house. Lots of memories flooded my mind when I saw it. I know it's just a house but I do love it. And I also wish the owners would trim the bushes and throw out some fresh pine straw. We tried to see our neighbors {hey, Sue & Jerry!} but were sad to miss them. We should have called but we don't normally operate the courteous way.

Before making the trek home to Alabama we dropped in on our "first friends" in Tallahassee, Cameron and Meghan. {I stinkin' forgot to get a picture while we were there} It was SO fun to see them and catch up on lost time. Meghan is also having a baby that has been long awaited and prayed for. She's such a tiny thing and her little bump is really cute... but I'm afraid my post-partum bump was bigger than her baby bump. Oh well!

Sunday evening we had Justin's brother {& his family}, sister {& her family}, and parents over for a little family fellowship of swimming and tacos! We had a lot of fun and always enjoy their company. It was a great way to end a great weekend! Here's a picture of Paiger and her cousin Chapel... she loves him and I thought this was a cute picture of the two of them.

My Husband

This will be the first of a couple {maybe 3} posts today... as long as the kids are still sleeping...

I love this man deeply. Lately I've been telling you how his long working hours are getting on my nerves and I just want to make sure he gets some positive press too! I love him a LOT and he's a great husband! He's also an awesome dad and does a lot to help me around the house when he's home from work in the evenings and on the weekends, etc. Yesterday morning, I laid out the children's clothes for church and asked him if he'd mind to dress them while I showered. He graciously agreed {I say graciously because dressing 3 children is hard... especially if you are a man and 2 of the children are girls}. I saved the hair brushing and bow placing for myself.

We get to Sunday school {30 mins late} and quietly take our seats on the back row with John Martin in that hellacious car seat carrier. John Martin starts to make a little peep so I glance down at him to see if his pacifier is nearby only to notice that his clothes are on backwards. How did I not look at my child until we got to church and had been there for a while? I laughed to myself and leaned over to Justin and said, "Honey, his clothes are on backwards." Justin said, "Morgan told me I put them on backwards but I told her he was a boy so his buttons went down the front!"

I smiled really big and thought, "I'm just glad he's willing to help!"

2 crafts & 2 little girls {for DaddyBoy}

First, I'll show you what I've been working on.
You know I have a problem.
I like to make stuff.
So first I made this.
Let's call it a WAR EAGLE WREATH!

• 6 spools of wired ribbon from Michaels {3 of each color}


• a 12" wreath form {$2.99}


• a coupon from the Sunday paper {or two}

Just tie a BUNCH of bows and voila... you're done!

I alternated the rings of the wreath to make it "fuller". Once all the bows are tied you can trim the ends and adjust your wired bows to make them all look pretty. I dug {in the scorching hot garage} for my AU Christmas ornament. It just has a big AU {no santa or anything} but couldn't find it. Instead, I decided I'd stitch out a tiger to accompany the bows. But I think it'd be cute with or without him! Anyway, you oughta give it a try {and please show me if you do}! I got the idea from here. If anyone is expecting a baby it would be really cute with an assortment of pink or blue bows too!

When I was at Michaels searching for my ribbon... I ran into these 2 "spooky" stinkers. Dad gum they're so stinkin' cute I couldn't resist. They're in the fall flowers {towards the front of the store where all the fake flowers are}. They're called "Fall Birds" and on sale this week {reg. $4.99}. I paired them with this {this one is 18"}...
which was also in my garage but covered in a baby blue boa from when JM was born. I stripped the blue boas off and added 2 black boas {which I bought at a local costume shop for $3.99... they're $12 or $15 at Michaels so I can't recommend you buy them there}. I used fine gauge wire to attach the boas and 1/4" white elastic to attach the owls. This one took 1/2 as long as the bows and the bows didn't take long. The owls come in 3 different colors. I decided on white for mine. If I had a money tree I'd buy about 6 owls and put them all the way around.

And wouldn't you know when I got it all done I realized my door is black and it may not even show up. Do you think Justin would mind if I asked him to paint the back door just for the "Halloween" season so I could hang my black wreath? Hmm... probably not!

I was on the phone with DaddyBoy while in the carpool lane at preschool today and I was telling him what the girls were up to in the backseat and how the Raiger had on a "B" crown. He said, "snap a picture and send it to me!" Well, I snapped a picture and I'm going to show DaddyBoy and the rest of the blog nation...

Paige told me that she played with toys at Mother's Morning Out. Morgan interrupted us...
"Paiger, I go to big girl school now. It's called preschool. And we have to learn stuff!"

Still contemplating a move... I'll let you know!

Short & Sweet

"ghost hand"

This picture cracks me up of both of them!

Hello friends!

It's been a busy week! John Martin had a check up and is right on track... a little on the big side {but the doctor reassured me he's not too big}. He weighed in at 13 lbs at his 2 month check-up on Tuesday! He also got a round of vaccinations including the Rotateq which neither of the girls were ever offered and it's one I'm thrilled about. If any of your children have ever had Rotavirus you're probably wishing they too had been offered the vaccine!

I've been working on a few little craft projects that I plan to share with you soon! I'm wiped out tonight and will be heading to bed shortly.

I'm also contemplating a move. That is a "blog" move to a new web address. I've considered this about 10 times and have never done it for fear of losing what's already on here. My understanding is that I can take it all with me!? I still am curious if all my embedded links {specifically links to previous posts} would come too. Anyone know?! I of course would want all of you to come with me too. Anyway, just thinking about it. I attempted to do a little search for creative blog names and well they're pretty much all taken... whatever address I come up with is bound to be "super creative" to the point of not having anything to do with being a mom or crafting.

Good night!

Music to my Ears

Just wanted to share a little Elizabeth Mitchell with you this morning. John Martin and I are listening to her right now and he seems to enjoy it, I probably enjoy it more than he does. You can find her on iTunes and just a few of her songs on playlist. She sings the most pleasant and delightful children's music. You'll find yourself singing along and it's ok because it's not "The Wheels on the Bus".

There was a playlist player here but it didn't work... at least it didn't on my computer!

Listen to Mitchell HERE! And HERE!