Happy Anniversary to Us!

Nine years ago today, I married my best friend.  It's funny to think of just how much has changed in those nine years, yet so many things remain the same.  I look forward to many, many more years with this guy.

Happy Anniversary, Honey!



I was a bit more reflective last year when I wrote this. 
And, here is what I wrote in 2009.

Looking back on my posts, I see that we went to a Texas Rangers game on our two previous anniversaries.  We're breaking tradition this year and going all out: dinner and a movie while the kids spent the night at Nana & Jaja's on Friday night.  I know; you should be jealous. ;-)

Happy Easter!

Hope everyone is having a great Easter, remembering the true reason we celebrate and enjoying the fun little parts too.





I know we are!

Lori

Chicken and Corn Chili

Yesterday at church, I was sharing my new favorite Crock-Pot recipe with a few friends, and I thought I'd jot it down here for anyone else that may like it.  It's a hot soup-y type meal, so that may sound strange to be sharing it now on the second day of spring, but I don't care.  It's that good.  And if you don't like to eat comfort foods in March, then just revisit this blog post late October!

I originally came across the recipe here, but I adapted it to what I had in my kitchen at 7:00 the next morning and haven't looked back since!  So here's my version:

2 to 3 (or 4) frozen boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 16 oz jar salsa (I use On The Border mild)
1 15 oz can of pinto beans (probably any other type of beans would work too)
1 15 oz can of Mexican style corn
1 14.5 oz (I think?) can of diced tomatoes
1 tsp chili powder
1 tsp cumin
1 1/2 tsp garlic powder
Sprinkle sugar (to cut the acidity of the tomatoes)
Salt & Pepper to taste
Few generous shakes of dry ranch dressing mix*

Mix all together in Crock-Pot and cook on low for 8-10 hours.  Give it a healthy stir before serving, shredding chicken with a fork if necessary.

Seriously, that's it!  I've eaten it like a traditional soup/chili in a bowl with cheese and tortilla chips, and I've also used a slotted spoon to scoop onto a tortilla and eat like a soft taco.  Both ways are delicious.  Let me know if you try it!



*A note about the Ranch Dressing Mix: I buy it in this canister because I use it in several recipes and make dressing with it, and this is way more cost effective than buying the individual packets.  I think the canister is $5 or $6 bucks, but it is equivalent to like 20 of those packets which usually cost at least $1.25/each!

Gilvert

In January, I introduced you to the newest Eason family member.  After living with us for about two weeks, Woody decided that he would rather live in the lap of luxury that is Country Ridge Bulldogs, so back to Rockwall he went.  And we are once again a one-dog family (for now).

However, we are now a one-hamster family as well.  Let me introduce you to GilVert (that's right... with a "V", not a "B").

He hides pretty much non-stop during daylight, so a full body shot is kind of hard to come by.
But he does have a head in there somewhere, I promise.

The backstory: out of the blue one day, Carter asked if he could have a hamster.  Not wanting to give in to his every whim, Nick and I told him we'd "think about it".  Parent code for: I-really-hope-you-forget-about-this-before-asking-again.  He was relentless in his requests so Nick and I decided that we really didn't have a problem with a hamster, per say, but the expense and minor-responsibility was something we wanted Carter to understand, as much as his four-year-old brain could.

Carter had an upcoming appointment with an Ear, Nose & Throat doctor (huge tonsils, enlarged adenoids) that we thought was going to be miserable for him, so we made a deal: if he did well at the doctor, he could have his hamster.  (As it turned out, he was a perfect peach at the appointment, and it was no big deal for him.  Of course, if/when his tonsils come out, I'm sure I'll take back that "no big deal" statement.)  Anyway, as soon as we got in the car after leaving the doctor's office, he asked if we could go get his hamster.  Since Nana & Jaja had SO GRACIOUSLY offered to take Carter to get his hamster, I told him he had to wait until Saturday.  By the time Saturday rolled around, Carter was beside himself with excitement, so Nana & Jaja came and got the kids and fulfilled their promise to get him his hamster.

[Side note to D & G: I know I've said thank you in person, but I hope y'all understand how truly thankful Nick and I are that you did this.  Hamsters sound cheap, but by the time you factor in the food, the cage, the shavings, the toys, etc., etc., I know they're not.  So again, thank you!]

Pretty sweet crib, little dude!

About his name: Carter, Nick and I discussed names for quite some time before Gilvert joined our family.  At first, he said he wanted a hamster named Elephant (is this from Little Bill?).  Then it was "Show-bee" or "Bow-bee" or whatever weird, fake name Carter could think of at the time.  Finally about five minutes before Nana & Jaja arrived to take him to the pet store, out of nowhere, he came up with Gilvert.  "GilBert?", I said, thinking I had heard him incorrectly. "No, mama, Gil-Vert."  So there you have it.

Yummy hamster food...

It's been a month now, and Carter still loves him just as much as the first day he brought him home.  He asks to pet him all the time, and I usually pawn that supervisory task on to Nick.  He also loves to give him carrots and apples for his nibbling pleasure.

Carter is sure to tell every new visitor to our home about Gilvert; he just loves him so much.  And honestly, so do I.

As much as one can "love" having a rat in their home, that is.