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Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Blessed

It's not everyday that you have the clarity to say, "I am so blessed beyond measure." Well today I had that.  Over the past few weeks my work family has been celebrating the birth of David Sacran, the child of my co-worker, Louis.  When David was born, he needed medical attention due to a heart defect. While getting him the help he needed, the doctors also discovered that David has Down Syndrome.  And today, after reading the latest update on baby David, I felt so blessed. Thankful of my life, my walk with Christ, and the relationships that we build every day.

If you know me, then you know that I love special needs children. I have always had a special place in my heart for any person that needed a little extra love to get through the day. I am also blessed that my job allows me to love these children as well.  I know that Louis and his family are going to be experiencing a lot of information overload and a lot of questions over the next few years. But, I also know that a Downs Syndrome child is truly a ray of light! I have never met a family that has a stronger faith in our God than the Sacrans.  I am so blessed to know Louis, but even more blessed that he now has a blog about David. As I said before, this child of God will truly be a ray of sunshine.  Well the family knows that and they are calling him Sunshine Sacran.

If you want to be blessed beyond measure and learn about this bundle of joy, I encourage you to visit and share their blog.  www.sunshinesacran.com  Start from the beginning and read how God has blessed and strengthened this family. You will not be sorry!

God bless,
Emily

Monday, May 13, 2013

I'm Gonna Knock your Socks Off!!!

Ok get ready. I am about to knock your socks off!!! Each year for Mother's Day I try to make a dessert that is tasty but also beautiful.  However, if you will remember from this post: http://ramblingsofrealcraziness.blogspot.com/2012/05/mothers-day.html my cake looked like a baby shower cake.

So....I decided to do simple this year. I found this recipe on Pinterest and unlike some recipes on there, this does not disappoint! It is phenomenal, easy to make, and again, will knock your socks off! Here it is:

First, gather all of your supplies
  • Box of Chocolate Cake Mix (I used Betty Crocker Super Moist Chocolate Fudge)
  • Can of Eagle Brand
  • Jar of Caramel topping
  • Heath Bar topping (I used the Bits 'O Brickle, but you can use the mix with chocolate in it too)
  • 2 small tubs of Cool Whip (not pictured and the recipe called for 1 tub, but I LOVE Cool Whip!)
1. Bake your cake as directed on the box (you will obviously need the egg, water, and oil called for on the back of the box too)
2. Let it cool for about 10 minutes
3. Poke holes in the cake with a wooden spoon handle
4. Open your can of Eagle Brand and pour it on the cake. I really enjoy doing this part because you can take your time and make sure some of the ooey gooey goodness gets into every hole you poked!

5. Let this sit and soak for about 5-10 minutes.
6. Pour the jar of Caramel on top of the Eagle Brand goodness. Again, I like doing this slow because I want some caramel in every bite.
7. By this time your cake should be cooled enough to "frost" with Cool Whip. Here's a helpful tip...make sure your Cool Whip has thawed and is at room temperature. It will not spread if it is hard...don't even try.

8. Add your topping. In the picture below, I forgot to take a picture of the final project, so this is the half eaten version of a final project.


There you go...an easy and FABULOUS dessert.  I will add this: I made my dessert the night before and put the Cool Whip on, but didn't put the topping. Then before I served it, I added more Cool Whip and the Heath topping.

As well as this dessert, my family got together to celebrate on Sunday, here are some pictures from our Happy Mother's Day.....


 




I have the absolute BEST family in the world!!!!!!!! I am so thankful for my "other" family in West Point (my husband's family), even though I don't have any pictures of them, we had a Fantastic time Friday night! I sit here and realize how blessed I am to be surrounded by such amazing women. I was raised by wonderful women that taught me and molded me into who I am today. Thank you to every "mother" that I have had. I love you all with a whole heart!

Monday, May 6, 2013

I'm a Little Crazy

So it's only been a month since I wrote a blog... Let me toot on my own horn! With everything that has been going on, I'm pretty happy about this little accomplishment. My title for today is "I'm a Little Crazy", and I would like to explain why.

Since the last time I updated everyone I. Ads the announcement that we were moving, well we are but the process has not been what I planned. I thought that we would put our adorable house on the market and 2 days later sell it. I mean it is a good price! But alas we have not. Granted it has only been on the market for a month, but as stated above, I'm a little crazy! You might say, "Emily, you're not crazy this is normal." Before you make this declaration let me continue...I have all of these worries and questions, why doesn't anyone want to buy our house, when will we sell it, what if we don't sell it, where will we go if we do sell it, what if we don't find a house, what house will we buy, where will we put our stuff, will we live with my parents forever, what if my parents get tired if us, what if we hate living here, what if I go crazy before we move!?????? See I told you I was crazy! I know that it will all work out, I just need to trust in God to provide. But, that doesn't stop me from obsessing!

So instead of focusing all of my energy on the move, I put some of that crazy into a shower for my friend Cindy. I was on of the co-hostesses for this awesome shower. I decided that we would do Mad Libs and play a game based on the bride and grooms answers to some questions. I have to say they turned out so cute! The mad Libs are below and if you want a word copy of your own or a PDF of this, I'd be happy to share. I think in another lifetime I was a graphic artist. I don't want to offend any of my friends who are really graphic designers by my lack of training or true lack of talent, but I love making documents and cute invites!


 
 We also had great food! Elizabeth made this pasta salad that was to die for!! It was also so pretty. I made these sugar cookie cheesecake bars that were ridiculously good if I do say so myself.
The recipe is here: http://www.justapinch.com/recipes/dessert/cookies/cheesecake-sugar-cookie-bars-by-freda.html#.T41l94LA0xJ.pinterest

Let me warn you though...you HAVE to let the cream cheese get to room temperature before you make these. If not you will be disappointed like I was. The taste doesn't change but the look does. Also don't expect to pull these out of the fridge, cut them, and think they will look like the picture...not gonna happen. But what does happen is fireworks in your mouth!! I mean slap yo momma good! I'll admit that I went a little cray cray when I cut them and only half of the batch looked decent. But everyone ate them anyway and raved!

Here are some pics of the fun shower! Also, next weekend is the bachelorette party so get excited to hear about that..well some of it because I don't think I can censor everyone!
This is before all the food was plated, but look closely at the cheescake bars...not like the picture!

Doing a Mad Lib

She got all of the good pictures...plus she looked REALLY cute!

The Bride and Sloane
 I have to also share one really new thing that I'm adding to Emzy's Whimsies bow business...flower headbands/clips. What do you think?!



Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Bringing Me Through It!

Hellloooo... Ok just imagine that I am saying this like Julia Child! If you don't know who that is...imagine Mrs. Doubtfire, it's the same thing.

I have been absent for a few months, not that many people would notice, but my apologies.  This new year has been a whirlwind! We have been happy, sad, excited, scared, and any other emotion that might come to mind. There are a few things that aren't internet appropriate to tell you about, but I can say that we are one tired family!

These past few months have been a true test to my faith. Let me explain.. I tend to be the one that takes on everyone else's feelings (even when I don't have to). I hurt when someone hurts, I cry for someone when they don't even cry! In other words..I'm just a big ol' mix of emotions, ready to hand them out to whomever might need them. The hard part is when I need to face something on my own. Those emotions that I am so willing to throw around, don't seem to work for me! I don't know how to feel when it comes to me. So...I did a little soul searching during spring break and found out something amazing...I'm ok!

Those of you that know me might be saying, "No, you're are most certainly not ok!" So for those that may be thinking this...kiss it, I love you! So I may still be crazy, but in all seriousness, I'm alright! I have faced my fears (except birds) and I was good!

What really helped was when I got to hear my old youth pastor preach a few Sundays ago.  When he was talking all I could hear was this still, small voice saying listen Emily, listen to him.  He talked about love and loss, heartaches and triumphs.  He kept saying..."If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it." He said it over and over, each time pounding harder and harder on my heart.  It was just the message I needed to hear.

After hearing this message, I talked over all of my emotions with Charles.  This little talk secured my thought that I must have done something right in another life to get him!! I am so blessed! I also talked to some great friends!! I was reminded that I have friends who are there for me even when I don't see them all the time. I have also made new friends that I treasure and that I am putting in my inner circle!  I think that a main thing that has happened this year is my eyes opening to see who is going to get me through the next 28 years. With my faith, family, and friends I know that I'm really going to be "ok".

So what is all of this about? Well for the most part it is all a good thing! God has brought my family and friends through a lot this year. My family is changing...we are moving! We aren't moving far, we are moving back to Booneville.  Charles has a job (as an administrator-so the school thing payed off) in Booneville and we have decided to sell our house and move "home". This means that our house is on the market, we are looking for another house, and we are semi packing. With this move, the emotions have ranged from excited to nervous and then overwhelmed! Other things that are going on... friends are getting married, having babies, and furthering their lives. It's a really exciting time...just scary and new.  So I am putting my faith in God...He's brought me to it, and I'm placing all my bets that He will bring me through it!

I hope to be a little more attentive to my blogging, but I am quite sure that everyone will survive if I'm not back on here until May! Haha! Oh...if you need a house in Saltillo, I have a great one for you!! :)

Friday, December 14, 2012

One Day I'll Miss This....

My last post was about being thankful. I am still super thankful for everything...but at some point in the future, I would like to move. I'm not saying that I'm ready to pack up and leave forever, but there are some things about our current home that I would LOVE to change. Since we are not going to add on or renovate, we will have to sell and find a new home.

I had some extra time about a month ago to sit and think about what I want in a new house. (When I say new, I mean new to us, not brand new) There are just a few things that I am asking for...a laundry room, 2 living spaces, a bigger kitchen, a garage or carport, no stairs and if there are stairs-I want at least 2 bedrooms on the first floor, and LOTS of storage. Ok so that seems like a lot, but that's what I came up with for real! Anyway, while I was making this list I started feeling pretty crappy. Here I am making a list about all the things I want and not thinking about all the great things I have.

So, I took some more time and made a list of the things that I will miss when we eventually move:

1. The neighborhood dog.  His name is Jackson and I think that he is a little blind and a little deaf.  He lays in the middle of the road and does not move...you must move! Everyday though, there he is, waiting to be almost hit by the neighbors.  He is the neighborhood mascot and I will miss him.

2. All of the parking space.  This is something that most people don't think about, but I love to have people over! Parking is a big deal breaker when you want to have a crowd. We have our spots we made which will hold one more, the spot on the side of the house, and the field behind the house.  Ok, so this isn't actually ours and it is kinda the neighbors front yardish, but still..great parking places!

3. Double sinks. Who knew that having 2 sinks was so wonderful!? ME!! In the smaller rent house we had before we bought this house, we only had one sink and it was terrible.  First, I like to put my contacts, toothbrush, and soap next to the sink.  Charles does not.  I also do not shave my face and leave small little hairs that stick to places that cleaning doesn't touch.  I like for my sink to be hair free and with 2, it's not a problem!

4. Dining room dresser.  So we bought a really nice new bedroom suit for each other last year for Christmas.  The dresser would not fit up the stairs...so it is in the dining room.  Most people don't notice that it's a dresser so it's really not that bad, but it bugs me.  So while thinking of things that I would miss, this came to mind.  Hey, it's a great conversation starter!

5. Interesting neighbors. I grew up in a house that was away from any neighbors.  The neighbors that were close were either more like family members or they were really strange and I wasn't allowed to talk to them.  So, now that I finally have neighbors, I don't know what to do with them.  Granted there are a few that I really like.  Actually there is one house with a mom and 2 daughters and I really like them.  I don't know them really well, but the girls are cute and the mom is really sweet. Anyway, getting back to the point, the others I haven't had in-depth conversations with; however, I have made up some really interesting stories.  We have a family that is in witness protection because the mom witnessed a murder by her mob boyfriend.  There is a family who lets the kids rule the roost and I think that the little boy ties the parents up at night and force feeds the dad Twinkies (well probably not anymore since the shortage).  The neighbor down the road is an undercover narc agent and his wife comes from a lot of money; she doesn't work and her parents send people over to the house to do chores.  Lastly, there is a family who the dad was married for a while and cheated on his wife with the feed store girl. This girl got pregnant and the dad divorced wife #1, married current wife, and had a little girl who rides around the neighborhood and leaves her bike everywhere.  So...do you see how interesting life is around me!
                                                               This is our neighborhood

And last but not least....

6. Double flush toilets.  I did not know that these existed until we moved into this house.  Now, I don't think that I can ever live without them! Enough said!

I hope that you have a great day and can be thankful for some things while wanting others! :)

Friday, November 30, 2012

Thankful

I know...I know... everyone does the whole month full of thankfulness.  But, I've never done it and I'm not putting it on facebook everyday (not that there is anything wrong with that). So I thought I would give it a try.

I'm thankful for:
God: I have peace and understanding, for that I am truly thankful!
My wonderful husband: He deserves a medal for putting up with me and my craziness! I say this all the time, but I don't know what I did in another life to get him...but I hope I do enough in this one to keep him!
My fabulous family: If you haven't met them..you are missing out! They are great, and a little crazy too!
Wonderful friends: I am lucky to have friends that accept me for me and who support me when I need them!
My health: after the scares this year with friends and family I am happy to wake up and have my health
My job: with so many people out of work, I'm so proud that I have one! I love my students and I love making a difference in their lives!
Forgiveness: I know this goes with God, but I am so lucky to have forgiveness from the Lord.  I am also thankful to have forgiveness from friends and family.
The Sense of Smell: I love to smell stuff...I'm weird I know! But have you ever discovered a strange smell and thought, I'm proud I smelled that...well you should!
The Future: I can't wait to see what God has in store for me, my family, and my friends!
Laughter: I am usually the one making the jokes, but I love listening to people laugh!
Junior Auxiliary: I get more out of this than I put in...even when I'm stressing out over Angel Tree. Plus I am surrounded by great girls!
TV: well...I am and I bet you are too! Duck Dynasty and Revenge are my saving graces sometimes.
Trendy Top: If you haven't seen these...you have missed out! They are on the As Seen on TV aisle at Wally World
Music: Even if I don't have the voice I think I do, I sure love to sing!!
Cowbells: Such a wonderful sound...even if we aren't winning! I'm true Maroon!!
Christmas decorations: It just puts you in the spirit!
My Home: I love walking in and seeing what we've built together!
Reece's Pieces: Best Candy EVER!
My car: It's awesome and it smells good!
The Internet: I'll admit I'm a little addicted!
Blogging: enough said!

So I don't think any of those really were earth shattering, but I am so thankful for everything that I have. I am surrounded by wonderful people and I am lucky enough to have everything that I could ever want. This upcoming holiday season, I want to remember the reason we are really here...to help others. I found this quote the other day and I think that it is a great note to end on:

Do all the good you can,
By all the means you can,
In all the ways you can,
In all the places you can,
At all the times you can,
To all the people you can,
As long as ever you can.
-John Wesley

Friday, November 2, 2012

Ummm....

I know it's been a while...I mean a really long time!!! I was so pumped to be blogging and then it kinda took a nose dive! I have decided that there are several reasons why this is.... a.I am lazy...b.I am boring...c.I don't have kids.  Those are all truths and very good excuses.  You see being lazy stops me from writing, because I am too lazy to think of words.  Being boring stops me from writing because I don't really have anything to write about.  And, not having kids stops me from blogging because that's what other people blog about and they don't have to come up with witty or funny things to say due to their children being so dang adorable. BUT I have found a remedy for this!

Wait...No...I'm not fixing the not having kids thing...totally not preggo!

But I can be creative and when you are telling everyone what you've been up to for more than 2 weeks, it can seem (to the untrained eye) that I am in fact, not boring! So here goes a little ditty I came up with (while being lazy and boring might I add!)

You may be thinking
that I have gone away
But I'm back in the saddle
And I have a little to say..

To catch you up
On my life for the past while
I wrote a little poem
And I hope that you crack a smile

Dad had surgery on his back
And it went pretty swell
But he got out of bed
And broke 3 toes when he fell
 
I got a nail in my tire
And ran over a snake
Got mad at the world
And decided to bake

I got bored with the food
And went back to bows
Spent the next month
with ribbon coming out of my nose


My dear friend opened
A neat new shop
Now all of my money is gone
Each time that I stop

But it was back to the bows
And getting them sold
The fall festival snuck up
 And it was really cold!



In between all
Of the aforementioned stuff
I've had some days
that have been pretty rough
  
But with pals to lean on
I had fun at last
So now that catches you up
on my story pretty fast!

So there were some lower points in that little ditty, but in all honesty this has been a pretty tough summer/fall.  With my dad's surgeries/hospital stays and some other personal stuff going on, I really haven't been my usual upbeat self.  So if you know me well...I apologize; If you don't know me well...well I'm sorry about that too!

I promise that I'm going to do better about blogging...and I'm going to post happy, funny, witty, and all that other crap that I'm supposed to be writing about!

Much love!!