Amazing Weekend!

It has been an amazing weekend! It started on Friday with 2 big events: the boy's graduation from preschool and the oldest's big choir concert. Since we couldn't be in two places at once, we were so thankful for Aunt Melissa who offered to go to the concert with our eldest. If we couldn't be there, she was definitely the next best thing! Thank you, Melissa!!!

Meanwhile, we went to watch the little graduate. He was soooo excited! He kept turning around to whisper things to me from his seat.

They performed lots of cute songs. The boy was into it. He kept looking at me to make sure I was clapping. If I didn't start clapping fast enough, he would mouth "CLAP" to me. 

Can you spy the boy???

Here he is during his big moment. This is when his teacher announced he wanted to be Luke Skywalker when he grows up. Proud doesn't begin to describe it.

Afterward, there was a cookie reception. Here's the boy with his BFF's.

Family photo minus our little songbird.

Memaw and Papa were representing too.

Saturday morning, I got up early and went to workout with my mom. She has been doing Chalean Extreme, and I have been wanting to do one of the workouts with her. We did a weight lifting workout, and I am feeling it today! I loved the combination of upper and lower-body exercises. This program is perfect for anyone wanting to incorporate a combination of weight training and cardio into their fitness routine. Here we are after our workout in all our sweaty glory.

The remainder of Saturday included soccer, baseball, and a FUN birthday party for my favorite one-year-old boy that may or may not have included me jumping in a bouncy house while wearing a fake mustache. 

I woke up today to some serious love from the kiddos. Here's the Mother's Day haul.

Please take special note of the card made for me by my oldest.

See me right there in the middle of the world? All those other X's are all the other mothers who are not as good as me. Ha!

We had my mom and dad over for lunch. The menu included:

Grilled Chicken

Corn Salsa 

Peas

Fried Squash

Cinnamon Apples

Fruit Salad

Warm, Homemade Sourdough Bread

Skinny Peanut Butter Pie

Here's my colorful plate.

It was pretty delicious if I do say so myself! And I was thankful to spend some time with my precious mother on this special day. She is an amazing mother to 4 who has served all of her children selflessly since birth. She continues to seek opportunities to take care of us even as adults! I am blessed to have her in my life. Love you, Mom!

And equally thankful to spend time with these sweet babies who are responsible for making me a mother.

Happy Mother's Day!!!

Question of the Day:

What did you do to celebrate your momma?

Crockpot Chicken Tacos

This week has proven difficult to feed my family. Most nights, I prepare our dinners, and we try to eat together. I like to make sure my kids are getting their share of vegetables and have a balanced meal.

But this week my big girls started a stroke clinic that is about 30 - 40 minutes from our house. It will only last a few weeks, but it's definitely a challenge for us. By the time we get home on those nights, it's nearly 7:00. I need a dinner that I can get on the table very quickly since they all need to be ready for bed by 8:00. 

This week we had frozen pizza (oh, the horror!), hot dogs (in my defense, I ate a veggie burger), and mac & cheese. By last night, I was ready to put some REAL food into my kids. So I went for an old favorite: chicken tacos.

I love this recipe! First, it is prepared in my crockpot. Surely you know how dearly I love my crockpot by now. Second, it's a complete meal! I don't feel like I have to prepare extra side dishes to go with it. And, finally, it's versatile. Some of us eat it in a tortilla. Some eat it with some Tostitos and a little sour cream or greek yogurt. Or, if you're like me, you can enjoy it all by itself with some fresh salsa on top.

Here's what you'll need.

First, take the chicken at put it right in the crock pot. I usually use frozen chicken, but I just happened to have some fresh chicken breasts on hand.

Next, you're going to sprinkle on some taco seasoning. I like to make my own seasoning (using a recipe I'll post below). I double or triple it and keep it in my spice cabinet in a ziplock bag so it's ready when I need it. For these chicken tacos, I use 1 Tbsp. + 1tsp. on the chicken. If you're using a packet of seasoning you'll sprinkle on about half.

Next, add your corn. I used frozen, but you could use canned corn as well.

Then, add a can of Rotel.

Finally, rinse your black beans and add them on top.

Now it's time to sprinkle on a little more taco seasoning. If you're using your own seasoning, use another 1 Tbsp. + 1 tsp. If you're using a packaged taco seasoning, sprinkle on the rest of the packet.

Now you get to walk away and let it cook. You can cook it about 8 - 10 hours on low or 4 - 6 hours on high. I cooked mine on high and took the chicken out of the crock pot after about 3 hours to shred it so it would be ready when we got home from swimming. Then I let it cook a few more hours. You could also shred the chicken right before you eat.

And here's the finished product. Very filling and delicious! All the kids will eat this without any weeping or gnashing of teeth, which is practically a miracle in and of itself!

Crock Pot Chicken Tacos

• 4 chicken breasts (mine were pretty large, so I only used 3)
• 1 package frozen corn (or 1 can corn)
• 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can Rotel
• 1 packet taco seasoning (or 2 tbsp. + 2 tsp. of your own seasoning)

~Place chicken in crockpot. Sprinkle with half taco seasoning. Top with corn, Rotel and beans. Sprinkle with remaining seasoning. Mix slightly and cook on low 8 - 10 hours or high 4 - 6 hours. Remove chicken and shred with 2 forks. Return chicken to pot and stir.

Taco Seasoning

• 2 Tbsp. chili powder
• 5 tsp. paprika
• 4-1/2 tsp. ground cumin
• 3 tsp. onion powder
• 3 tsp. salt
• 2-1/2 tsp. garlic powder
• 1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper

~Mix ingredients. Store in airtight container in a cool dry place.

Question of the Day:

What's your best tip for feeding your family when you're short on time?