Love Generously, Praise Loudly

Happy 8th Birthday, Connor!

Eight years ago today, my son was born.  I will be completely honest and say I did NOT want a boy.  I had so enjoyed being a girl mom, that I had no desire to switch over to the other side.  Let's just say that GOD knew what he was doing.  He is so my little blessing.  Every day I find little army men in staged battles throughout my home.  MOST of the time it makes me smile, as I know that this stage will soon pass and I will miss it.  That is the plus side of having older kids...it makes you cherish the moments a little more, because you KNOW how quickly it goes by. 

To my Southern Ca friends, have you tuned in lately to KOCE? My kidlets are in a commercial advertising the OC Parenting Expo. I have NO clue how to post it on here...which is a bummer.  I will try and have one of my older girls help me later.  If you are in the area, pick up an August issue of OC Parenting magazine, and they will be in that as well.

On to the chicken recipe I posted a few days ago.  Dale has been raving about it...just wanted to share that bit of info.  I think if I were to make it for my family again I would make 1 1/2 times the recipe.  It was ok for the four of us, but NOTHING was left over.  (And let me say that the girls didn't eat tons, so if you have growing boys definitely add more to it!)

I have another yummy recipe to share this week that I tried, AND I have a cute gift idea as well...so stay tuned!  (If I haven't already lost all of you.)

I am going to leave you with some photos of the Smith Family Annual Balboa vacation...

 
Maddi on her 16th birthday at the Spaghetti Factory.

My parents! (why is this blurry?  Grrrr!)

 

Emily...

Dale and Connor

 Maddi and Stephanie at the OC Fair...

Have a WONDERFUL Friday!  xoxo

 

Finding my Groove

Hold on to your hats, gals...I am scrapping and cooking again.  SHOCKING. I am desperately trying to carve time out of my day to do something fun.  Today I planted, and am cooked a new recipe.

Since I will be going back to work in the Fall, I have been googling recipes that freeze well, and trying them out.  I always have the best intentions of going on here and posting if they are delicious...but CLEARLY I have been failing.  This morning I cooked tonight's dinner, and after I sampled it, I had to run up here and post the recipe.  It is a KEEPER.  I got it off a website, but I think it is in a book called DINNER IS READY.  (clearly on page 86!)  ha ha!

Cream Cheese Chicken

(Dinner Is Ready page 86)

1 .7-ounce envelope Italian dressing mix
1/2 cup butter
2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breast
1 10.75-ounce can cream of chicken soup
1 8-ounce package cream cheese

Turn slow cooker on High. Place butter in bottom of slow cooker. When the butter has melted, add one envelope Italian dressing dry mix. Stir into butter until well mixed. Cut chicken breasts into 1" strips. Place in slow cooker and stir to coat with butter and dressing mix. Cover and cook on High for 2 hours. Remove chicken to plate to cool. Add cream of chicken soup and cream cheese. Stir to melt and mix well until smooth and creamy. Remove sauce from slow cooker and allow to cool. Place chicken and sauce into a gallon resealable freezer bag. Label. Freeze.

To serve: Thaw. Heat until piping hot and bubbly. Serve over mashed potatoes, rice, or hot

Enjoy!!!!!