Catch up

The holidays are about to hit and I want to catch up on all the old news before I start with the holiday blogs!

Lets start with the Hubby.

Todd's dr's appointment went okay. The doctor told us he was not going to die from the lump in his breast and that he wouldn't even do surgery to just remove it. BUT Todd does have some more lumps on his back that are clogged sebacious glands (aka HUGE zits under his skin)

If Todd wanted to have those drained (which if this happend I would totally have to be in on this to see!) he would remove the lump as well.

Todd wanted it removed but agreed to watch 4-6 weeks to see if there were any changes. As of now he is just trying to forget about it

He has been keeping busy with decorating the house with Christmas lights. Last night we had had remove some so we could rake. But they are back, and here is a picture.

this picture doesn't do it justice on the left side is a snowflake and cross in lights.

Madyson is just a very busy girl! She rode in her first Christmas parade a few weeks ago. Todd and I took her on a "date" to see Disney's New Princess and the Frog. (AMAZING JOB DISNEY!!) This was her first movie and she LOVED it! She is already wanting to go back

Aubrie Kate has gone potty the past week! She still is in diapers (santa is bringing training pants!) but she will go 1 & 2 if you remind her! She also spent the day home with me last week! We finished up our holiday shopping. She ofcourse wore her new ZOZOBUGBABY outfit that I won from the blog follower drawing! IT is amazing! I love it so much because it is a "grow with me outfit" it can be pants, long top (over a turtleneck) right now. In the spring it can be a dress or a long sleeveless top w/pants and as she grows the pants will come into capris and the long top will become a smaller top! She loves it too! She was very proud to wear it!

well that brings us to Me.

I have been busy cleaning and getting ready for the holidays! Last night I completed my first electrical job-hanging my new light fixture in the dining room! I am in the debate over weather to turn my hair back blonde, and preparing for the year 2010! The Broadus family is going to change ALOT in 2010! We are going to pay off all the bills, save for our 2011 Disney Trip, worship more, shop less, serve more, complain less! Todd and I are praying about this big change and hope we can adjust!

Tomorrow I am going to post pictures of my favorite holiday stuff. We are a simple family so its not very "fashionable" but they each mean alot to me! So check back for our tour!

Wednesday's Word: Letter A

A

A is for Aubrie:

She is 21 months old this month! So hard to believe how time flies. She is potty training, talking all the time, sleeping through the night, and finding her own place in "madyson's world".

She loves dressing up. She adores a good pair of peep-toe pumps (esp. mine), her favorite store is Nine West. She loves any type of jewelry or anything that sparkles.

(this amazing photo is from flyaway photography)

Advent:

We have never had an Advent Calendar before. Actually, I wasn't really sure what one was until I started researching them. (i know this is pitiful, but my parents weren't into this kind of stuff when I was growing up) This year, Todd's grandma picked out one for us at Pier 1! I love it and Madyson has enjoyed opening the days. I am now on the hunt for a perfect one for us to use every year.

2009 Christmas Lights

One of our very favorite holiday traditions is going to look at Christmas Lights throughout the metro Jackson area.

Well I have compiled a list of our favorites from this year! I am sure we missed alot of great houses and if you know of any, please let me know!



Here are some houses in Clinton

Here are some in Ridgeland




This is our favorite "house" it actually 3 neighbors!

Flyaway!

Today I received one of the greatest Christmas gifts I could ever receive, pictures of my family!!

Now, I have LOTS of pictures of my family but none that are just us being us. This past Sunday we got the opportunity to come and "models" for Flyaway Photography. Operated by Christi and Becca. Becca and I have known each other most of our lives. (that is one of the blessings of growing up in Clinton,Ms...knowing everyone in your graduating class!!) She ended up marrying mine and Todd's best friend's cousin...so that makes us family =).

Anyway, she facebooked me the other day and asked if we would sit for them to do some test shots, of course I agreed...I am always on the quest for 1 photo of my kids looking somewhat normal!

These "ladies" didn't just give me 1 photo, so far they have given me 6 (i think) and Becca tells me there is a CD coming! Becca, thank you so much for thinking of us for your business! We are so grateful that you helped us capture our family. Your photos not only bring smiles to our faces, they create memories for us to cherish!

Here is one photo that we have seen. Click here to go to their blog and see more of their amazing work!

What do I like about me?

The last 6 job interviews I have been on I have been asked the question (or something similar) What is your best asset?

Never really understood this question in an interview because as a past pageant contestant you know the right answer, "My best asset is I am very organized." I mean go to dictionary.com and they will tell you the answer! But really what employers should ask is What do you like best about yourself??? If I was hiring someone (which I have done in the past) I would like to know what they like about themselves and not except cookie cutter answers (any body part, or generic answer "personality, love for animals and others.."blah blah blah.

Seriously, WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT YOURSELF?!?!?!

Here are a few things I like about myself

1) the ability to make homemade biscuits in less than 10 minutes (not counting cooking time)

2) the ability to take something plain and simple and turn it into something fantastic (I crave my creativity!!!)

3) How I can think with my brain and not with my heart. I know that sounds weird but it is a secret talent I have developed over the years. I can take a situation that is full of drama and force and spit out a logical solution. This is not saying that I NEVER think with my heart I do, but I am capable of thinking without it at times, and I like that about myself.

I am sure there are some more but as of right now, those are things that I know at this point in my life.


And with the positive there comes the negative.

Some things I don't like about myself:

1) How instead of being thankful for what I have, I sometimes compare my life to others.

2) I talk sometimes before I think.

3) I will take on others problems before solving my own.

Well there is some insight into me.....so people, What do you like about yourself?

Chicken Rotel Soup

Great soup and under 20 bucks to make!

3 chicken breast
4 cans of Campbell's Cheese Soup
3 cans of Rotel
1/4 stick of Velveeta cheese (cut in cubes)
1/4 cup of chopped onions (i use the dried kind that you have in your spices)
1 can of chicken broth
1 can of kernel corn
salt & pepper

Step 1) boil your chicken breast

Step 2) mix all your cans, onions, and Velveeta in a pot on medium heat

Step 3) when you chicken is done boiling shred it and add it to the pot of sauce

STIR

Simmer for 45 minutes, stirring every 5-10 minutes

add some salt and pepper and you are good to go!


For less heat only use 2 cans of Rotel
For a thicker soup use 1/2 bar of Velveeta

Serve with crescent rolls PERFECT for dipping!!

Thanksgiving week!

Well Thanksgiving has come and gone and boy was it a BUSY one!

Well first off, Todd's car (my car from high school) finally passed away. So we were stuck with 1 vehicle. This wouldn't be a problem if Todd still worked in Clinton BUT he doesn't, he works far far away so we had to get a new vehicle. We searched and searched and finally decided we wanted to go ahead and get a newer vehicle so it will last us a while. SO we decided on a 2009 Hyundai Sonata. It is beautiful, it loves me and I love it. I have new carseats and a carseat protecter thing it is fabulous!
Thanksgiving was great, we ate turkey, we ate dressing, we had a great family time...until Aunt Lindy received a phone call that her house had been broken into and all the tvs and computers were gone!
Madyson & Aubrie stayed with Todds parents for the first time Thanksgiving night and I went shopping for BLACK FRIDAY! It was a fun 16 hours of shopping (9pm-1pm!) but i got alot done, still not quite finished!

Which brings me to the challenge. I posted in a previous post about a lady who did Christmas for $100.00. This really inspires me! I mean seriously, who really needs all the stuff they receive anyway?!?! I know I sure dont! I like a little happy but I get really overwhelmed when it becomes a gift giving frenzy! So I made my list...I have 13 people to buy for (not couting my 2 neices, nephew, and children I have already purchased gifts for)
So i decided on $150.00 is my budget that gives me about 11.50 per person. which isn't TOO bad!

So my goal is to keep up with every receipt and blog about each person and their items. It should be fun, lets hope!

Off to the doctor for Todd's Breast Appointment. If you don't hear from me tonight, then everything went good!