frustrated!

Ugg...so frustrated with technology!  I spent a lot of time writing a review of my April Showers Bring May Flowers umbrella creation and somehow when I went to save and publish I got a blank screen and it is gone.  I tried to undo and refresh and try again and there is...nothing.  boo.  Maybe I'll have more time to redo it...maybe I will not...but for now I have to go be momma to a special little guy.  I know you understand.

{Monday Motivation} Nothing

Hello dear friends!
I did not anticipate being gone from blog world so long but life has been in full speed this month! Husband and I returned Wednesday from a vacation to the Smoky Mountains. It was our first vacation without child and it was wonderful!  We are so very blessed to have supportive family that made the trip possible.  A big shout-out to Grandma and Granddad for coming to our home and keeping our little love in his comfortable living arrangements and spoiling him crazy while we were gone.  Vacation photos and stories to come in future posts.
Unfortunately last week we also experienced a tragic death in our family that resulted in traveling to my hometown for the remainder of the week to attended services and be with family.  It has just been a whirlwind of emotions!  And to top off the beginning of this week and transition back to 'normal' the dog got sick all over the living room carpet today so I got to spend a portion of my morning today shampooing the carpet! Yea me!

As previously mentioned the events of this month have also initiated a lot of emotion: joy, frustration, disbelief, anger, suspense, excitement, and anticipation. Emotions are real and raw and we must be able to identify them and be able to process and cope so that we may grow into the individual God has created us to be. I am so thankful that through this life journey; in the mountains and valleys, God promises nothing can separate me from His love. 

like woah!

Happy May 7th! I figure sporadic non-traditional greetings are better than none! You were probably expecting to hear from me sooner this month, but honestly it has been a bit crazy the last week or so in our house.  We have entered into the whirlwind of husband completing residency, signing job contracts and house-hunting all in the middle of the seasons changing and wanting to be outside every waking moment with my boy enjoying the sunshine!  Not to mention wanting to cross items off our bucket list as we realize in less than two months this will no longer be our 'home'!

In the midst of it all, God continues to show Himself in the details!  Proverbs 31:25 is my current inspiration and truth that I am clinging to in these months of transition.  Please keep me and my family in your thoughts as we prepare for the future!

{MWW} Chicken Ranch Tacos

Oh, what a miserable morning in Michigan! I am thankful that all this rain means green grass and growth of God's beautiful creation!  Now if I can just keep that focus throughout this gloomy wet day as I truly am looking forward to viewing gorgeous colorful flowers in the near future!

Today I am sharing a recipe for Chicken Ranch Tacos.  I am not sure about you but my family could eat tacos every night of the week and be happy.  I am always looking for a new and easy way to change up the recipe and still keep those tummies satisfied. Corey, author of family fresh meals, states:  "This recipe really should be called Cool Ranch Crockpot Chicken Tostadas, Tacos, Burritos, Nachos, etc … You can add this yummy shredded chicken to just about anything." And I must agree!  The chicken does taste yummy and is a perfect component to many meals! You'll be thrilled to place a few ingredients into your crock pot and return to serve up something delicious!

Photo I pinned on Pinterest:

My not so exciting in comparison photo:

The original post for this recipe can be found here or read below for my tutorial and commentary!

 

Chicken Ranch Tacos

Ingredients: 

4 chicken breast (about 1 1/2 lbs)

1 packet of taco seasoning

1 packet of dry ranch dressing seasoning

14 ounces of chicken broth

  

Directions:

 Mix taco seasoning, dry ranch dressing seasoning and chicken broth in crock pot

Add chicken breasts

Cook on low for 5 hours

 

Shred chicken

Cook on low for another 30 minutes to allow chicken to absorb flavoring

 

Serve chicken with your favorite toppings

Enjoy!

Use leftovers in another creation tomorrow or freeze

for use in the future.  The possibilities are endless!

Thank you for reading today's post!  Please consider leaving some lovin' in the comments.
I'm off to put away some laundry while my little love is napping.  Thrilling, I know but someone has to do it!  Have a great afternoon!

{etsy} Mickey Mouse tie shirts

M - I - C - K - E - Y        M - O - U - S - E !!!

My friend Brooke has always been a supporter of my creative endeavors especially the children's clothing featured in my etsy store.  She came to me last month asking if I could create Mickey Mouse tie shirts for her two handsome boys.  I of course was thrilled to go shopping and look at all of the license prints available in cotton fabric.  To my surprise, there were quite a few Mickey Mouse prints available although most of them I would consider their look 'vintage' Mickey.  I was pleased to find the fabric featured above in the photos.  It coordinated so well with the navy shirts!  Come to find out, the shirts were such a hit that the handsome little boys and their daddy all have matching tie shirts now! 

{Monday Motivation} do not be discouraged

 

{image source}

We are in the midst of planning for some big life changes for our family and quite honestly, I have been overwhelmed.  There are joys and sorrows that come with my husband completing residency.  We are definitely moving into a season where "the best is yet to come" but that includes leaving the comfort of our apartment where we have lived for 5 years, saying good-bye to dear friends, leaving our church which we love so much and an area of Michigan that has become our home. God has been so faithful and in my heart I praise Him for the ways he has provided for me and my family.  But then there is my head where fears and discouragement try to sneak in and steal my joy and anticipation for what God has in store.  So today and in the days to come, I want to be strong, not discouraged and know that God has gone before me and my family preparing something beautiful and He will be with us every step of this new journey.

{gift giving} mustache shirt

Oh, the famous mustache!  What makes it so popular right now?!  I have yet to discover the true reason but that doesn't keep me from enjoying its popularity!  My friend's daughter "e" celebrated her birthday in February and I wanted to make her a personalized shirt as a gift. {Yes, I am delayed in posting it on the blog!}  I drew the images, hand-cut them from cotton fabric, heat transfered them to the shirt and used machine sewing around the edges for design and durability.  I love the eyes on the fabric used for the letter e and knew that little miss e would agree!