Just a quick note to say. . .

There's a couple new things at the boutique!

www.keishalynn.com

www.keishalynnphotoandmore.blogspot.com

Growing

I relish the fact that I am growing with my kids. I learn things every day right along with them.

I have learned that I need put a soundproof wall up between me and all negativity or either be sure I'm strong enough to ignore it and not participate in it before I put myself around it.

People in this world are rarely what they seem to be. People are negative. They talk about you and kick you when your down. They spread your personal and private life like news and they only call when they want you to do something. I have even had some call me to look up a phone number.

However, once in a great while, you will come across someone who loves you no matter what; someone who enjoys your company and is there to celebrate the good times and support you in your down time. These are called BEST FRIENDS!

I have been blessed with just a hand full of goood friends and my BEST FRIEND, Leah!

I love ALL of you and thank you for being there in THICK and THIN times and only when something bad happens or when I'm wrong.

My BFF is just perfect. She stands by me. She disagrees with me and lets me know when I'm wrong while keeping appropriate distance. A BFF knows just when to step in and just when to back up a little. Family doesn't even know how to do the things a BFF does!


Show your BFF some love, too!

Giraffe Letters for my baby boy!

Here are some giraffe print letters that spell my son's name. You can of course buy them in my boutique, but I just wanted to show them off here to those who follow my personal blog. They are SO cute on the wall. Maybe I can get a better picture of them once my camera charger arrives in the mail.

I think I may try zebra next!

Potato Soup for the Soul!

Nothing warms you like a bowl of hot soup when it's cold and figid outside. I can say that most of us have had enough of this long winter!

Yesterday, I cooked a pot of delicious potato soup and I wanted to share the recipe here.


Ingredients:

8 - 12 Potatoes (Your choice. I don't have a favorite. I just use regular potatoes)
3/4 of a small can of Cream of Chicken soup
1 bag of real bacon bits
Chives
1 bag of shredded cheese
1 small container of sour cream
Seasoned Salt
Pepper


First, of course, you'll want to peel your potatoes and cut them in the quarters. Boil them until they are JUST done enough you can cut them in two with the spoon you're stirring with. Reduce heat to medium or medium - high.

Next, drain off water until there is just enough water left to cover the potatoes well. Add your cream of chicken soup and stir vigorously to make sure you have a creamy chicken/potato broth, but not so hard that your potatoes all turn to soup. You want to keep some chunks of potato. Salt and pepper to taste.

Finally, pour your serving of steaming hot soup into a bowl. Top with a small handful of shredded cheese. Then add a tablespoon of sour cream and sprinkle bacon bits on top of that along with a few chives.

It is absolutely delicious! If you happen to try this, let me know your thoughts!

Happy 1st Birthday, Kody!

Happy Birthday, Kody!! I'm amazed at how quickly our first year went by. I love you with my entire being, my sweet little boy. You are my handsome, happy, awesome little man and I can't wait to watch you grow even more in the years ahead.


Love you!!!


-Mama

Two Years Ago

Two years ago today my baby girl came home (2/6/08) from the NICU. I can't even describe the emotions I have felt over the last two years. In addition, we welcomed our son on 2/21/09.

I have felt fear, anxiety, anxiousness, eagerness, excitement, sadness, happiness, and array of other feelings. Mostly I felt LOVE. When Addalynn opened her eyes for the first time I opened mine as well. I saw the whole world in a new light. I knew life would never get so bad that I couldn't endure it as long as she was with me. She appreciated life, fought for life, loved life. She still does and so do I. Even though things may not be just how I want them, I LOVE life. Life is worth fighting for. I appreciate life. I know that every breath I take and every moment I live is to be cherished. It's a gift. I'm thankful. I'm more forgiving. I'm more patient (though not much more). I'm closer to God... He gave me my life and let me keep my daughter. Thank you!


What did I ever do to deserve such an amazing family? I will never know. <3<3<3

Whoa!

School has started off with a bang! They aren't cutting us any slack for it being the first day back. I have 150 pages to read in one book and plenty of math homework, too. I'm starting to freak out a little about it!! I need to just calm down and take it one step at a time.

I think tomorrow I will head to the coffee shop and sit there and study for a few hours! It's quiet there and hopefully the aromas of the coffee and espresso will keep me alert.


Things are fairly peaceful other than that. Addalynn is showing off those terrible 2's. Today she's throwing a major fit. She's been crying and pouting and all for about 2 hours just because Adam took away her glitter stuff she got for Christmas. She was trying to eat it! She's been mad ever since.

Kody is still my sweetie, but he is even pressing his luck. He in the biting stage. We're going to stop that before it becomes a habit!


That's really it for today. It's gloomy and rainy. It's supposed to be that way tomorrow, too. I did add a new dress to the shop. www.keishalynn.com Check it out if you don't mind.


See ya!

Keisha