celebrating Baby Declan!

This weekend, I got the privilege of celebrating my sister Danielle,

as she is coming close to welcoming her first baby!

(and if you have known me a long time, and are thinking "Wait, I didn't know she had a sister!"...

that's because I just met 2 sisters 4 years ago when I met my birth mother and her family.

And now I am so blessed to have them in my life!)

Alex, Danielle (mama-to-be), and me...

so blessed to have these girls in my life!

Danielle was truly showered with lots of love and gifts...

I know this baby boy will be surrounded by so much support and love!

(everyone had to draw a baby on a card on the top of their head...petty funny to watch.

Danielle picked the best baby and they got a prize - Such a fun game!)

rest those feet, mama! :)

I love you Danielle and I am so thrilled for you to start this journey.

You will be amazing at it!

CHICKADEES!! (a last minute Easter treat!)

Here's a fun Easter treat I shared last year - thought I would repost!
It's great for school Easter parties!

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If you need an easy and yummy last-minute Easter treat..

Meet my Easter Chickadees!! :)

what you need:

Double Stuffed Oreos (I used the "golden" ones)

yellow icing

pretzel sticks

colored marshmallows (I used the pink and orange ones)

mini chocolate chips or candy eyes

optional: coconut mixed in with icing to make the chicks look "fluffy"

put the icing in a bowl and stir it to make it fluff up a bit.

spread it on the oreos...you can cover the sides (a bit messier!), or just on the top.

add the mini chocolate chips or candy eyes

tear the marshmallows in half and add that as a "beak"

then stick the pretzels into the oreos as legs.

and there you have your little chicky!!! :)

Abigail loved these
(well, she licked the icing off!)

and it was a hit at her MDO Easter party last year!

(gosh I can't believe those chubby little hands have grown so much since this pic!)

{chirp! chirp!}

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Y'all have a great weekend!!

Crock Pot Chili Awesome

I've never really just "made up" a recipe all by myself,

but I went for it this time!

and to be honest, I'm pretty proud of myself...

I even named it. :)

and yep. it IS awesome.

(this recipe makes a pretty huge pot, good for guests or lots of leftovers!

Or you could half it for just the fam, and probably still have some to save!)

what you need:

2.25 lbs ground beef

(OR you could use ground turkey!)

2 cans (28 oz each) diced tomatoes (i used petite)

2 cans (16 oz each) tomato sauce

1 can Rotel (I use just about 3/4 of the can)

2 cans (15 oz) black beans, undrained

2 cans (15 oz) kidney beans, undrained

4-5 TBSP Chili Powder

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1/2 tsp cumin

a few dashes of cayenne pepper, to taste

salt and pepper

Corn Bread Mix (I am faithful to the good ole Jiffy box.)

Make your corn bread however you make it.

(again, i LOVE me some Jiffy cornbread, plus its like 50 cents a box)

brown your ground beef and drain grease.

I always put a little of the spices in while browning,

like salt, pepper, and just a little cumin and chili powder.

Add meat to the crock pot.

Then add everything else.

yes, it seriously is that easy.

let it cook in crock pot for about 4-5 hours on high.

(and please excuse my toaster and my wine in this picture.

Clearly, these are my kitchen essentials. :) )

That's it!

Now go enjoy...while I do love chili with Fritos,

I have really started loving it over cornbread!

Our girls love this too, AND its super easy for Mama.

win win. :)

This would also be really great for a large family or group gathering!!

Who doesn't love come chili and cornbread?!

enjoy the awesome.

spirits being brightened...

scooters ridden.

swings pushed.

shoulder rides given.
duckies chased.

sunglasses worn.

memories made.

...spirits brightened...

it really is amazing how beautiful weather can lift spirits.
so needed...and so thankful. :)

love you all!!

Bloglovin help!?!

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

 just trying to set my little ole blog here up on Bloglovin... Ill give y'all the deets on following me there soon! :)

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ok SO....
I need help with this, my blogging friends.
Im gonna be honest. I have NO idea how to use Bloglovin!
i know i know. im a blogger. i should be better at these things.
but alas, I'm not.

Help? :)

what do y'all do?
how do you use it?
how do you find blogs with it?
why use it?

haha I know I sound a little clueless here,
but hey I kind of am. :)

I know I could just tweet out these questions to all you fabulous bloggers and tweeters,
but that would take a million back and forths.
So, would yall do me a favor and just email me your thoughts/answers
about using Bloglovin??

THANKS! and love ya.

email me, for real.
racingtowardsjoy@gmail.com