Hey Peoples!

How was your weekend? Mine was great! We had our church's first annual Chili Cookoff this past Saturday and it was a blast let me tell you. There was plenty of chili, friendly-competitive competition, and good wholesome fun going on. We even had the firefighters from the local fire station be the official judges. My husband was one of the main organizers for the event so naturally we had to compete. Although, truth be told I was a reluctant participant.

Not that I didn't want to support the event. That's was not the issue. The issue was I have never made chili myself. Before this contest we never even thought to make chili at home. We always have chili from a restaurant. So needless to say I was not so confident with my chili-making skills. But I just dove right in feet first. Get it? Because when you cook something good down south people tend to say, "I put my foot in...". Oh never mind, I can see the blank stares already.

Nonetheless, we took third place in the exotic category. Which I am over the moon excited about. This modified recipe is definitely going in the recipe book. There was barely any left. I'm glad I thought to pour some off before taking it.

After church the next day, we took a drive to nearby Bolling AFB to get some needed uniform stuff for my guy. Then we stopped at GameStop to pickup some new games and ended the day playing them. As my son says "it was a great day".

Here's some pics from our weekend...

Doing some online work during family time (tisk tisk)

Kinect Playtime

Yes we are trying to walk. We are 9 whole months now!

What did you and your family get into this weekend?

Happy Humpday everyone!

Hope your week is going well. I've been quite busy myself planning our family activities for our son's birthday and cleaning up the castle for spring. Today I wanna talk about some products that I've tried lately.

I recently told you that I wanted to switch our household products to more earth-friendly and chemical free choices. I'm still digging on Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day in my kitchen (dish soap and countertop spray); so for now that won't change. Especially since Target is currently having a sale on all of their products. I currently am trying Method's bathroom cleaner and fabric softener spray. I haven't really had a chance to put the bathroom cleaner to the heavy duty test, just some light here and there wipe downs and it does the job well. I looove the smell of the dryer spray. It makes me remember to use it; which I had a problem with before. I would a lot of times forget to put in a dryer sheet arrgh.

I'm trying Seventh Generation laundry detergent and so far it's okay. Nothing overly impressive to share yet. I ordered the free trial of household essentials, baby diapers and wipes from The Honest Company. So far I've only tried the diapers and wipes which are so cute. The wipes are thick and hold up well to baby mess. I'm definitely gonna get more of those. I'll be trying the laundry detergent next. It's a sample size that's only enough for one load, so I'm gonna try it out on my little chipmunk's clothes.

I'm very impressed with the selection of alternative choices for products for my family's care. Most companies now offer products that are what they call "free and clear". So if you're partial to the name brands then most likely you can find a free and clear option from your preferred brand.

What alternative products in caring for your family are you using or have used?



I was not asked or compensated by any of these companies or their partners for a review. I'm just sharing with you what's being used in my home. All thoughts a views are mine and mine alone.

Aaaah! I can't wait!

With 12 days left, the countdown to our family's arrival to celebrate my son's 5th birthday has officially begun. I'm so totally stoked! Whenever my husband's mom and siblings are in town a good time is guaranteed to be had by all. There will be games played from cards to video games, little people running around everywhere, trips to the mall and other stores and local attractions, a home beauty salon-full service hair and nails, and of course- plenty of FOOD. They are the craziest bunch of people I've met; and I'm sure that after almost 7 years of marriage, and over a decade of knowing them, it has rubbed off on me. But that's okay I don't mind. Don't get me wrong. It's not always roses and sweet stuff. Sometimes we flat out get on each others last nerve. But we know that's family. We have our moments and move on. I wouldn't trade them for anything.

Everyone will be spilt between two houses. Ours and my sister in law who lives about an hr an 45 mins away. But if we happen to be up late.... Who am I kidding? We're gonna be up late. And I don't mean 11 pm or 12 am late, cuz thats not late thats an early evening for this family. I mean 2 or 3 am sometimes even 6 or 7 am at which point it doesn't even make sense to go to sleep and some of us don't lol. But i digress. Like i was saying if no one wants to leave on one of those nights that we are up late, thanks to us being a combo of military families and people who love to travel, there are plenty of sleeping bags. I'm hoping we can fit in some time for a family photo shoot. I just wish that my husband's older brother and family were able to make it. But alas, nothing in life is perfect.

We are in full swing here around the house trying to prepare and complete at least 90% of our Spring castle cleaning by the time they arrive.

And I still have to figure out what we are doing for our son's 5th bday party. Soooo off to Pinterest I go....

Later gaters

My thoughts and prayers are with the victims and everyone affected by this terrible tragedy.

Well one of them anyway....

 My husband and I had separate errands to run today before we met for lunch and to do our taxes. I finished before him, so I decided to pay a visit to Target. I hadn't been in there in a few weeks and before then it was a few months. And I had been reading updates and reviews from my blog feed recently about Target and all of their fabulousness. I'm so glad I got to finally see it first hand. The new home line Threshold is absolutely ah-mazing. I could've stayed there all day; and I might've, had I not remembered my hubby was waiting for me.

 I've always liked Target for the value and prices of their products. But in recent years I have begun to fall in love with them. I'm able to find such nice things in every department that suits my wallet and my taste.

Now I must admit, I was an avid Walmart shopper as a college student and newlywed. But as I grew into my adulthood I began to prefer the quality of Target over Walmart. Don't get me wrong, We still go to Walmart. My husband especially because it's closer to our home than the Target store is. But if given the task to chose, I'm sure by now you can guess where I would go.

If I am ever blessed enough to review them officially, I'm jumping no questions asked. Well maybe, just one question. What's my reward :)


This post contains thoughts and views that are my own and in no way are influenced by the companies mentioned or any outside company on their behalf. 

Hello All!

Today I come to you from the land of "not quite Spring". Although we are anxiously awaiting the warm weather, we are not waiting to start our annual spring cleaning project. Thanks to the 40 bags project we have gotten rid of most of our clutter. There are still a few areas that still need some attention; but the important areas have been addressed.

I can't help but smile when I think of how much more clutter-free my home is. I now have a clear direction of what I want out of my home (organization and function-wise) and in my home (decoration-wise). The theme for me this year is simplifying. I want to use everything I have in my home. I don't want my house to be full of "pretty storage". If I can't or don't want to use it then it has no place here. I can't wait to see how my home and life will evolve this year.

I also can't wait to show my mommy and my mother-in-law who are both flying up the first week in May for my oldest's birthday. I'm motivated to have everything finished before they get here. Who am I kidding? I'd settle for at least 85% finished. Hey don't judge me...... I'm a realist lol.

So around here we are blasting upbeat music (mostly from my workout playlist) and blasting away clutter.

Btw....
 I know I'm terrible with posting pics but I will have some up soon as well as my latest DIY projects.

So how about it? Are you kicking it in high gear for Spring?

Wow wee! Boy I am full and tired. We had a great day yesterday. We went to church and my heart soared as my oldest did his thing during the Easter program. Everyone looked beautiful in their spring colors; some of us hoped Spring would take a look at our outfits and be inclined to make an appearance. The afternoon was spent with some of our church family for Easter dinner. The food was good and so was the fellowship. My macaroni and cheese was a big hit and everyone left with stuffed bellies and plates. It was fun seeing the mixture of people young and old having fun together. I love being able to spend the holidays with people I truly care about.

I couldn't help but reflect on the sacrifice that was made in order for my family and I to have this day to celebrate. I don't know if I could ever sacrifice myself or my child for the "greater good" particularly if I knew the sacrifice was not going to be valued or appreciated. And I pray I never have to make that decision. But I'm ever so grateful to the Almighty for looking beyond the cross...

Now let's talk about this thing called "spring" that's supposed to be here. Ummmm..... where the heck is it?! I'm so ready to rock my "short sleeves and sandals"! I have been anticipating the arrival of the cherry blossoms in DC and even though the festival is in full swing, the cherry blossoms are slow to appear. Hopefully, we will be able to see them at or close to "peak bloom" when we go to the parade. This is the official start of our warm weather activities and I'm dying for it to get going. Is it Spring where you are yet?

How was your Easter Sunday?