PURSES have arrived!

Aren't they just beautiful and made with so much love!

Hey ladies, the purses from Haitian Creations arrived in the mail today! What a wonderful surprise right before Christmas! Christy and I could not be more excited to throw this party. We are planning the party to be held in January, after Christmas settles down! I had no idea the purses would come so early and have been trying them all on in the mirror since opening the box! Get excited because we want to sell ALL 50 purses in the box!

Support these beautiful women and their families in Haiti and save some of your Christmas money for a purse! Party date is to come!

What's for Dinner this Week?!

Monday: Mariano's with the Dooley Family

Tuesday: Homemade Chicken Tortilla Soup & Corn Bread

Wednesday: Bertolli Meal

Thursday: Talapia & Red Beans/Rice

Friday: Hockey Game with Youth Group - Something at the Game

Saturday Lunch: BLT Sandwiches & Soup

Saturday Dinner: Jenny's Wedding!!! :)

Sleepless nights, bleeding hands and a funny little guy!

See this sweet little face in the middle? That is my little stinker! I sure do love him, but we have some days and nights that are very eventful!

Yesterday:

1. Woke up to a very sleepy little guy because he did not sleep AT ALL the night before. Andrew held him on the couch from about 2am to 5am.

2. Had a long day in the car going to East Texas for Thanksgiving. Again, not helping the fact that he is incredibly exhausted already.

3. Last night, Andrew went to the store... of course while he was gone, Wyatt grabbed a Christmas Ornament off the tree, smashed it in his hands and when I entered the room I saw a massive mess and bleeding little hands. I was really freaked out at first, but once I got them washed, I realized it was a bunch of little paper 'like' cuts. Those are actually the worse to have, so he was pretty upset for a little while. Needless to say, I hope he no longer messes with the tree!

4. ME: "Wyatt, it's time for bed!"

WYATT: "I watch movie!"

ME: "Okay, 5 more minutes."

WYATT: "No, 2 more minutes Mommy!"

ME: "okay." (with a giggle!)

He makes Andrew and I smile daily!

5. Another sleepless night and a low grade fever. :( I seriously have one of the sweetest little guys. He is always giving hugs and so nice to others, BUT when he does not feel well, he turns into a little monster. He just demolishes everything. He does not cry, or get upset, but the opposite. He goes crazy hyper! The doctors have always told us he has a high pain tolerance and it can be pretty scary since we never know when he is 'really' sick. So, as time has gone on these last 2 years, we have learned to watch the little signs that he does not feel well. Here they are; not sleeping, demolishing everything in site, and sometimes a fever. Looks like we are headed to the doctor this week and who wants to bet it's another ear infection?

Side story to #5: A month ago, we were noticing some of the signs that Wyatt did not feel well. We decided to take off work and keep him at home, determine how he was in the morning the next day and then take him to see Dr. Nale. Well that night everything went crazy. He did not sleep all night, instead, kept waking up vomiting. I thought he had a stomach virus. I mean I am not a doctor and he had no other signs, just throwing up everything. THEN, the next morning I was laying on the couch with him waiting for the doctor to open when I noticed something all over my shirt. It was coming from his ear! Yucky-gooey stuff on my shirt. I began to freak out! I knew in that moment that his ear drum had busted. We headed to the doctor as soon as they opened and the doctor confirmed the problem. He was vomiting the night before because his ear hurt so bad. I know this makes me sound like a bad mom, but when you have a child that never cries about being hurt and is not running a fever, how was I supposed to know?! I felt AWFUL! So like I wrote above, we have to watch for the smallest signs because our little man is powerful in the no pain department!

I would not change being a mom of this little 2 year old for anything though!

What are we eating this week?

We are looking forward to eating home all week this week and getting back into the habit of working out each day! We have planned a yummy week of meals below! Feel free to steal any of our ideas!


Sunday Lunch: The Veracruz Beach Wrap

Sunday Dinner: Baked Chicken, Broccoli & Rice

Monday: Shrimp Alfredo & Salad

Tuesday: Crock- Pot Tex Mex Pot Roast

Wednesday: Frozen Pizza & Cesar Salad

*CHRISTY COMES HOME FROM AFRICA!* :)

Thursday: Vegetarian Chow Mien & Egg Rolls

Friday: Mexican Chopped Salad & Bean/Cheese Nachos

Saturday Breakfast: Blueberry Pancakes & Bacon

Saturday Lunch: Chicken Salad Sandwiches & Ranch Dip with Chips

Saturday Dinner: Andrew's Work Christmas Party - La Hacienda Ranch!

Funny things a little 2 year old said...

Wyatt and I ran errands this morning! I had a ton of things on my to-do list and am proud to say I accomplished all of them!

Here are a few funny things he said today:

Wyatt: "Mommy, I love you!"
Me: "I love you MORE Wyatt!" (a joke Andrew and I say all the time)
Wyatt: " NO WAY MOMMY! NO WAY!"

.......................

Me: (leaving Old Navy) "Wyatt, now we are going to the grocery store."
Wyatt: "ONE MORE Mommy... only ONE more!"

I died laughing. We say this to him all the time, never thought he would turn it on us!

.....................

We were in Kroger and I was just talking to Wyatt like I always do. Wyatt was busy making tons of friends, like he always does in the store; talking to every person we walked by. The store was packed by the way!

Me: "Mommy has to potty, we need to hurry!"

To every person we passed...
Wyatt: "My Mommy pee pee.... Mommy pee pee!"

I did not even know how to respond! Oh how I love this little monkey. He brings a smile to my face daily! Spending time with him is one of my favorite things to do!

Shower for Deighton and Baby Leilani!

Me, Deighton & Ashley
It's a GIRL!

Flavored Milk!

Cookie Jars :)

Deighton's favorite cookie!

Sprinkles CUPCAKES! YUM!

My sweet friend Deighton had her baby on Wyatt's birthday; 11/18/10! I was so excited and Wyatt was enthralled by her when we went to visit them in the hospital. What a great birthday gift, and such a beautiful blessing. She is a beautiful little girl, just like her mommy! God has added a precious angel to the Gongora family!

Ashley and I threw Deighton a shower the weekend before the baby was due. So below I am going to post some of my favorite pictures, and then show you sweet Leilani Rheese!

We did a cookies and milk shower. I got the idea from Kirby Apels blog! It turned out to be a hit and I fell in love with the idea! I will definitely be doing something like this shower again and changing it up with some new ideas I have! Throwing showers is so fun!

Welcome Leilani Rheese Gongora! We love you and your mommy!

My little monkey turns 2!

My little guy turned 2 on 11/18/10! I can't believe he is 2 already. Time has gone by so fast. God has blessed us beyond our wildest dreams! We love that he provides Wyatt with people who love and want to grow him into a little Godly boy! Thank you to everyone who came and participated in the celebration of Wyatt!

Here are a few things Wyatt is doing these days:

• Repeating everything you say!
• Favorite lines, "What's that noise?" and "Come play with me Mommy/Daddy!" (I love this one)
• Dancing... he dances and sings to EVERY type of music!
• IS IN LOVE with SPORTS. But wants to watch the Rangers every night! We are having issues since baseball season is over! Trying to convert him to football or basketball for the time being!
• Wears a baseball hat everywhere!
• Will play with any type of sports ball available.
• Prays for every person he knows at night time! This brings tears to my eyes every night!
• Sings with me when I rock him at night!
• Is obsessed with cheese and popcorn!
• Favorite meal = rice and beans, corny dog or yogurt
• Asks questions = "What's that?" "Where?"
• Says please, thank you, and yes ma'am!
• Has the funniest little personality! Hilarious
• Beginning to test us! :)
• Counting and singing ABC's!
• Loves reading books!

There are so many other things! He is growing so fast! It is hard to keep up with everything he does! We sure do cherish these moments with our little guy and thank the Lord daily for him!

We love you Wyatt Jeremiah Crawford!

Here are some pictures of his 2 year old Wyatt Earp Cowboy Party!

NASHVILLE 4 NEW YEARS

If you didn't know, I have an amazing husband! His birthday just so happens to fall a few days after Christmas, December 28th. In my family we think Birthdays are a BIG deal! I have always wanted to do something Big for him on his birthday, but it normally turns out to be dinner because the Holidays are just so crazy! So, I got together some of our closest friends and planned a trip to Nashville for New Years! It was supposed to be a surprise, but I can NEVER seem to keep surprises from him. He always seems to figure them out.

So, when we were talking the other night and he said, "Jodi I know what you have planned for my birthday!" I decided to just let him be in on the planning! We could not be more excited! The group going is; Me, Andrew, Cobb, Christy, Kathryn, Steve and Frush! What a fun crew... and people we love dearly!

If you have ever been to Nashville and know of somewhere yummy to eat, or something we MUST see, let me know! I am counting down the days!!!

HAITIAN CREATIONS PURSE PARTY!

Hello Everyone! So I know I have not blogged in a while, but I am going to get back into the swing of things! My sweet friend Christy just got back from Haiti and after reading the Hendrick's Blog we both want to have a PURSE PARTY! If you don't know what a Purse Party is, read Heather Hendrick's Blog. She is an amazing women of God, living with her family in Haiti as Missionaries right now.

Check out the details of a Haitian Purse Party.

NOW, here is the thing, I am on the waiting list through Haitian Creations for a party. Read about it on the Haitian Creations site! BUT, I have to give a number of people I think will attend. We already have a large number of girls who are so excited to support these women in Haiti. If you would like to be apart of our Purse Party, please leave a comment or email me at jodi.crawford@risd.com.

Haitian Creations is such a wonderful organization, spreading God's love and helping the women of Haiti to provide for their families!

Let me know if you want to be apart of our Party!

EEEK

That is how I am feeling right this minute! In a good way! I wrote the first semester of Reading Curriculum for my district; Elective Reading 8! About 10 minutes ago I submitted all 3 six weeks and could not have been more happy to hit send!

I was excited to take on the challenge and even more excited to know that my first semester is planned out and I did it! But wow, it became daunting at times and there were MANY nights I went to bed at 2 in the morning with a completely FRIED brain!

It is FINISHED... and I must celebrate! :) HMM.. How should I do that?!

A Book You Must READ!

If you want to be challenged in your walk with the Lord then read this book. BUT beware, Francis Chan is very blunt and states exactly what the Bible says. He backs up all his words with scripture. I love it! It is just what I needed at this time in my life.

God is so good and I have been taking advantage of all the blessings in my life, instead of praising him for what He has given me

. I have avoided God because there were several things in my life that I was not willing to give up yet.

This book challenged me beyond words and my heart is booming with desire to spread the word about this book so others can fall in love with Jesus again. Chan is constantly directing you too the Word. He does not want you to focus on what he wrote in his book, but instead guide you to God's Word to see the truth.

Go get this book, borrow mine, or tell me and I will get you one. It will rock your world in a way you might not like at first, but in the end will bring all the glory to our Heavenly Father!

Fun Time with Ellie Jane

The two little munch-kins below can be a handful together, but they sure do love being together. They are 2 months apart and it has been so neat for Jill and I to see them grow, learn and play together. The laugh, cry, sing, dance and play together so well! They are always going to be best friends! We are so thankful that this summer we have gotten to spend so much time with them,and to make things even better they are moving 10 minutes away from us so we will get to see them all the time! Here are a few pictures of some of the time we spent together! NO Wyatt does not take a passie and NEVER has... but when he is with Ellie he likes to play with one. Silly buddy!
SEE.. she has a passie too!

Little punkin's!

They loved the new section of the Dallas Zoo. It was wonderful!

The Dallas Art Museum - FREE Tuesday!

Such a cool place to take pictures!

Playing on the art sculptures. You can outside, I promise! :)

We love Ellie Jane and Aunt "Dill" as Wyatt calls her! Look forward to more fun times together!

The 4th!

We had a wonderful 4th of July! We went to the Lake, this time to Andrew's family's lake house on Cedar Creek! Wyatt loved his new red sunglasses, and even wore them at bed time!
One night we decided to play with fireworks. Wyatt was not scared of them, but fell asleep watching them. He also fell asleep on the 4th during the crazy firework show going on around us. I guess loud noises put him to sleep!

"Gaddy" and "Grammy" with Wyatt

(We were calling them Granddaddy and Grandmommy, but this is what he calls them! )

I love my sweet husband. I cannot say enough how amazing he is! Sometimes I wish we could spend all our time together because we have so much fun! :) Next week just the two of us are taking a vacation to the beach and I am looking forward to some quality time with him!

Look at that smiley little guy! I love that he says "CHEESEEEE!" for pictures! We are so blessed. Hope everyone had a wonderful 4th!

Ideas?

I love being outside and doing fun things around Dallas during the Summer. It is the perfect time to spend with family. What are some fun things you have done in the area? Museums? Shows? Free Events? Summer Events? Kid friendly activities?

I want to make a list so that our family can do something "different" at least 1 time a week together this Summer! We love quality time together, but it is always fun to try new things and Wyatt loves to be out and about!

Please give me some ideas so I can get a Family Fun Calendar together!!!

We are BACK!

Yes, I am BACK! The last two months of school were so exhausting. I had to take several things off my plate so that I could be a good wife, mother and teacher at work. So I took a break from blogging, along with several other things. Now that it is summer I want to get back into blogging. I love to blog and to keep up with friends!

To start things off, Wyatt is now 19 months. I can't believe it. He is such a big boy. Here are a few fun things he is doing these days:

• Talking in complete sentences.
• Asking questions; (Where Daddy? Where Mommy? I eat "nack?" Go swim?)
• Counting to 5!
• Singing and dancing every chance he gets!
• Taking off his clothes! He wants to be naked all the time!
• Now yells "WHOOP" and "GiG'Em Aggies!"
• Still in love with CRASH... his stuffed Duck
• Repeating everything!!!
• Loves to drink from a juice box
• Wants "fries" for every meal. (But only gets them like 1 time a week, if that!)
• Learns a new word and knows how to use it every day!
• Gives Knuckles
• Gives ALL kinds of kisses (butterfly, fish, Eskimo... and several others we have made up)
• Know tons of animals and the sounds they make. His favorite right now is an Alligator... "chomp chomp" he says!
• Talks about Jesus and the Bible throughout the day and can tell you Bible stories. His favorite right now is "Baby in waater" AKA Moses in the Basket on the Nile!
• Prays every night by repeating me and giggling!

Sweet Smile! I love this little man!

On the boat with Granddaddy!

I had to take a picture in his swim diaper before the pool! It looks like a SPEEDO! Yes, I put swim shorts over it before we left!

Wyatt loved the Rodeo!


We are loving the pool time, late bed times, and all the time we get to spend with family and friends. Summer is my favorite part of year!!!

Easter...

Wyatt and my niece Ellie Jane had so much fun hunting Easter Eggs together. Here is a few fun pictures of their full evening. I just love these two little guys to pieces!

almost here..

So sorry I have not posted in a while. The last three weeks have completely zapped me. I am looking forward to Spring Break. It is right around the corner.... 3 more days of school and I am free for a little while!

Here are the things I need to post about:

• TAKS... UGH it is running my life right now.
• Chi Alpha! :)
• Wyatt and all his new words.
• Girl's Night Out
• My new obsession... Baking and Country Dance Lessons

I will upload my pictures and start blogging tonight. My husband has been away since Thursday Skiing with buddies and we are so looking forward to him coming home tonight! We have missed him soo much!

Hope you are having a good week!

Meal Planning Monday

Monday: Tacos, Mexican Rice, Beans, Cake Bites for dessert! (We got these for Valentines from my Mother- N - Law... amazing!) Learn how to make HERE. I can't wait for the next party so I can make them!

Tuesday: Spaghetti, Salad, Garlic Bread

Wednesday: Tomato Soup, Tuna and Tomato Sandwiches

THEME NIGHT for Youth Bible Study is "Favorite CHIPS night!" What kind of Chips would you bring??

Me = Salt/Pepper Kettle Potato Chips

Andrew = Nacho Cheese Doritos

Wyatt = Cheese Puffs

Thursday: Lemon Pepper Tilapia, Red Beans and Rice, Squash and Zucchini

Friday: Chick Fil A (I have the Junior High Dance at my school!)

Saturday Breakfast: Eggs, Bacon and Waffles

Saturday Lunch: Day full of errands and shopping.. grab lunch & out for Dinner

Sunday Lunch: 11th Grade Youth Lunch Out

Sunday Dinner: Southern Living Chicken Parmesan Pizza and Cesar Salad

Couldn't ask for anything more...

Words cannot express how much I love those two boys above! They bring joy to my life daily. But this post is about my amazing husband. I really could not ask for more. Not only is he dedicated to our family and whole heartedly serves the Lord, but he also serves me all the time.

I have not been feeling well since Friday, since I seemed to be getting worse every day, I decided to go to the doctor instead of my usual of taking NyQuil for a month. I left the doctor yesterday morning with two shots, an antibiotic and nasal spray to rid me of "walking pneumonia!" I could not believe that I had this. I knew I felt bad.... but never imagined I was that sick. Glad I went in.

Needless to say, when I got home from work yesterday (because I took off last week 2 days because Wyatt was sick, and just cannot take any more time away from the classroom right now), Andrew was cooking dinner. He made the entire meal, cleaned up the entire kitchen, played with Wyatt while I laid on the couch, got Wyatt ready for bed and then sent me to take a bath and go to bed. I was in bed by 8:45. When I woke up this morning he had done ALL my laundry, ALL Wyatt's laundry, straightened the house and put all the clean dishes away.

I do not think I could be taken care of any better than this. Andrew always helps around the house, but he took away ALL responsibilities of mine so that I can rest. Thank you babe for loving me so much, and serving our house. Wyatt and I couldn't ask for a better Daddy or Husband!

I love you!!!!!!!

My taste buds are gone...

Man, I caught either what Wyatt had, or something from school. I started feeling bad Friday morning. I thought it was just a stuffy nose and would go away, but each day it has slowly gotten worse.

Friday night I sat on the couch, ate Chick Fil A and watched Julie and Julia after a full day home from school taking care of Wyatt who was really sick. Loved the movie by the way.

Saturday I took 26 kids to work with Habitat for Humanity, got my nails done with some church friends and then crashed at home. Andrew brought be McAlisters and a LARGE sweet tea and rented two movies. What an Amazing husband! Then again... crashed.

Today I have felt the worse. I am hoping it is over since I cannot take anymore days from school, or I would rather not. Andrew and I woke up to head to church this morning and it was a chore getting ready. I was exhausted and coughing up a storm. We got to church and our wonderful Friends sent us home and took over my teaching for the 11th grade class. We are very blessed.

Needless to say, Since I have been sick I don't have taste buds. I hate it!!!!!!!! I crave things and can't taste what I am eating. Maybe Ice cream will fix it?!! Have you ever been sick and can't taste anything? It is the worst.

So say a prayer that Wyatt is sooo much better tomorrow, and that I wake up refreshed. GO AWAY ICKYness far away from our home.........

FOOD!

Sunday Night: Crock Pot Chicken, Potatoes, Carrots

(chicken breast, potatoes, carrots, 1 can cream of chicken, 1 can rotel, cook everything in crock pot ALL DAY on low)

Monday: Guacamole Turkey Burgers, Fixin's, Chips and Dip

Tuesday: Fajitas, Nachos, Rice and Beans

Wednesday: Frozen Pizza

(we love these!)

Thursday: Spicy Shrimp and Rice, Broccoli

Friday: Mexican Food Out

Saturday Lunch: Sandwhiches, Chips and Dip

Saturday: Dinner Out with Family

Sunday: SUPER BOWL PARTY with THSM - Frito Pie and Cookies

Sick

Ear Infection, Virus in his chest, Fever, Croup.... No Fun! My heart breaks when he is so sick! Say a prayer that my little man gets better QUICKLY!

MEALS

Monday: BBQ Cupcakes, Baked Potatoes, Broccoli
(I went to Bunco last week and did not get to make this meal)

Tuesday: Mexican Cornbread Casserole, Chips & Home-made Salsa

Wednesday: Tuna & Tomato Sandwiches, Chips & Ranch Dip

Thursday: Spaghetti, Salad and Bread

Friday: Family Dinner Out

Saturday Lunch: C-C's Pizza for TOPS Field Trip after Habitat for Humanity Job

Saturday Dinner: MEXICAN Out

Sunday Lunch: Left-overs

Sunday Dinner: Crock Pot Chicken, Potatoes, Carrot's, Squash and Zucchini

Get your Blog ALL PRETTY!

Ashley AKA Great Grabbie is one of my sister's friends from College! She has designed 2 of my blog pages now and is in the process of re-modeling my blog again! I love her, she does some great work and at a good price! Go check out her blog page and look at all the options for your blog home! Blogs are always better when they are pretty!

Ashley also makes cards! I love them... and they are so easy to stick in the mail and send out to friends and family for any event. She made Wyatt's birth announcements, my friend Lynsey's Surprise Party Invitations and Wyatt's 1st Birthday Party Invitations! You can check out her cards here!

Go look at Great Grabbie's Designs and give your Blog a Make-over!

Stuffed Pepper's Recipe

Ingredients:

4 large green peppers
1 lb ground turkey
1 can rotel
pepper
onion salt
1 slice of bread
cheese

Start by cutting the tops off of the peppers and cleaning out the insides. Throw away tops. Place the cleaned peppers in a large skillet of boiling water. Boil the whole peppers for about 10 minutes or until soft.

While peppers are boiling brown meat. Add pepper and onion salt to meat while cooking. After meat is cooked, drain excess liquid from meat.

Place meat back into skillet and add the can of rotel. Let the meat and rotel simmer until the most of the juice is soaked into the meat.

Stand the peppers up on a baking sheet. Fill the peppers with the meat/rotel mixture.

Tear up the slice of bread and place a few pieces on top of each pepper. Then put a dab of butter on top of the bread and sprinkle with cheese.

Cook in the over at 350 degrees for about 10 minutes, or until bread is crispy.

Remove and serve immediately.

I always serve the stuffed peppers with Red New Potatoes. It is one of our favorite meals!!!

Hope you enjoy!