Battle of the Piney Woods!

We started a new tradition with our friends this year - tailgating at the Sam Houston vs. SFA game at Reliant!  We had so much fun!  Hubby and his buddys went to Sam Houston, and made the wise decision to marry Aggie girls :)  haha!  Even though  Sam Houston lost, we really enjoyed our day! 

Me & Hubby

The Smith Family

The boys decided they wanted to play like they were still in college and shotgun a couple of beers before we went into the game.  They were too funny!

Some things never change :)

We had great seats!

I think it's a sign you are getting older when you think the college cheerleaders look like they are tiny and about 13 years old...they were so itty bitty and adorable!

This is where hubby set up camp after the game.

And then he danced...

and danced some more...

We are now the proud owners of this cone.  And its twin.  Hubby decided we needed them.  See that beer in Josh's hand?  This is seconds before it was poured down the cone...haha!

What a day!

Friday Fives!

It's been awhile since I participated in Beth's Friday Fives, and I've really missed it!



1. What's your go to recipe?

First of all, you have to read Beth's.  My mouth watered just reading the ingredients.  I think I shall make it on Sunday!  Thanks Beth!!!

My favorite, running out of time recipe is chicken crescent rolls.  They are so quick and easy, and hubby and I adore them!

Here's what you need -

One tube crescent rolls

4 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cooked (I boil) and shredded or cubed

1 block cream cheese (we use fat free and I really can't tell a difference)

1 bag Lipton flavored rice (I buy the chicken garlic flavored, but it's good with anything)

Cook the rice per the instructions, stir in the cream cheese and chicken.  Lay crescent rolls flat, making four squares.  Put a 1/4 of the mixture in the middle of each crescent roll square, and wrap it up with the sides, making a ball.  (Do this on the cookie sheet you are going to bake them on - they do not transport well before they are cooked).  Cook for 15 minutes, or until the tops are browned at 350.  Yummy!

You can add whatever you like to these.  Sometimes I add some diced veggies, like broccoli or squash, and I like onions in there too.  The possibilities are limitless!  If you are having people over, brush the tops of the balls with an egg white before cooking, it makes them look so nice :)

2. When you hear "American food" what comes to mind?

HOT DOGS!  I LOVE hot dogs, but the only time I really treat myself to them are at baseball games.  I like them with onions and mayo, and ketchup!  I know, I know, everyone tells me that sounds gross - but I LOVE it!

3. What would you say is one of your "weirdest" quirks?

Hmmm...this is be a much better question to ask my hubby.  I am very methodical.  I do things in certain orders.  Like, I have a running to do list at work, and I work on it in sections of 5 items at a time.  If it's not highlighted to be worked on at that time, I have a hard time changing it up.  I know it's really weird, and probably a little OCD, but it works for me, I guess.  I have to pick up the house in order of how you walk through it, guest room to laundry room, kitchen to den, dining area to bedroom, bathroom to closet.  It's weird and inefficient.  I don't know why I'm that way - It just makes sense to me.

4. What color do you mainly wear?

I'm with Beth on this one - black.  It's easy, slimming, classic and goes with almost everything.  But yes, it is a little boring.  Hubby has banned the purchase of any new black shirts or black dresses.  Oops.

5. Always have to say everything on your mind or never speak again?

I do not always speak my mind.  I do at work, but in my personal life I am very worried about hurting other people's feelings, so I tend to be PC and stay pretty quiet if it not something nice to say.

Link up to Just Me & My Life and play along!

Happy Friday!

Prayer Thursday (On a Friday...)

Hi Ladies! 

Thank you all so much for your prayers this past week!  If we can pray for you, please leave your prayer request in the comments below, or feel free to email me - michelle.ann.ellis@gmail.com

Here are our prayer requests for this week -

Please pray for Leslie Joy Evans' family.  She recently went to be with her heavenly father.  Please pray for her husband and her family during this time.  You can learn more about her here.

Please pray for Teresa.  Her husband, Jack, had a stroke and is hospitalized.  Their family needs us to pray for them and Jack's doctors and care.  You can read about them here.

Please pray for Leslie and Noah.  She is newly pregnant, and they are having some difficulties.  You can read about their pregnancy and worries here.

My Grandmother was recently diagnosed with Alzehiemers.  We are all confused, concerned, and scared.  Please pray for her, that God will give her the peace that he will take care of her.  Please pray for our family, that we all have patience, strength and understanding for her.

My Grandfather is having severe back problems and may require serious back surgery.  Please pray for God to show him the right decisions for his care and the relieve his pain.

Please pray for Laura.  Her Grandma is showing signs of kidney failure.  She has had a very rough time over the past 15 years, losing two husbands and her mother.  Please also pray for her husband Don, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer last year and is going through treatments.  Please pray for God to give her the strength and hope to fight through this, and that he hold her tight with love and comfort during this time.   Please also pray for Laura's husband, that he have God's guidance in his life right now.

Please pray for sweet baby Bennett.  He was born oh-so-tiny, but has been getting bigger and stronger!  You can read his little story here.

We have been praying for sweet Annika for awhile now, at the request of Kasey.  Please say a special prayer for her dear little body, that God will give her the strength to fight this disease.  Annika is 5 years old and was diagnosed with a rare form of acute lympocytic leukemia.  Please pray for her, her family and her doctors.  I can't imagine what her family is going through.  Isn't she beautiful?  Just look at that smile!



Please pray for baby Cohen's parents. You can read their story here.  He is in God's beautiful hands now. 



Please pray for sweet Sarah.  She is praying and waiting for God to bless her with a true Godly man that could be a wonderful influence to her young son to share their lives with.  Her testimony is so beautiful, I felt inspired just reading it.

Please pray for my coworker Colin.  His daughter in law had breast cancer three years ago, and won that fight.  Unfortunately, the cancer is back - this time in her spine.  She is going through radiation now and the prognosis is not positive.  Please pray for her.

Please pray for my Daddy's (Jerry) job search and that his good spirits continue.  I just know God has the perfect plan for him. 

Please pray for little Jed Harper.  You can read about his story here.  What a beautiful family turning their sweet son's health over to God.  They are truly inspiring.

I have been following Lianna's blog for a few months now, and she just seems like the sweetest girl!  She and her husband are waiting for God to bless them with a child.  You can read about them here.  Please pray for their journey to become parents.

Could you please also pray for our friend's Dad?  He had surgery a few months ago and is having some memory problems.  Please pray for their family and his doctors, and that they can find out what is wrong.

Thank you for praying for hubby and I.  We have a huge praise that I will share with you ladies this weekend :)
Thank you so very much for all of your prayers!  Please let me know if we can pray for you!

The last year of my twenties begins...

It's official - the last year of my twenties has started...I'm 29 years old.  It didn't bother me as much as I thought it would, but, ask me how I feel about turning the big 3-0 next year - haha!

I had a wonderful birthday.  There is just something about birthdays that make you feel so special.  Checking the mail starting the week before, getting so excited each and every time a card came.  I love reading the sweet cards that I know the people that I love take time to choose just for me.  My hubby and sweet friends made my day even more special by surprising me with dinner at Cadillac Bar.  We love that place, it's where we had our rehearsal dinner!  Thank you so much Jill, Kelly & Sarah!  I love you!

Bandit even got a present - all the way from is homeland - Alabama :)

The girls got me these beautiful hydrangeas.  I just love them!

My new shirt and necklace that my Aunt Cinny and  Grandparents sent - thank you, I love them!

My flower cake the Valarie from New Orleans sent me - isn't it just the cutest thing you have ever seen!

Cards make me so very happy.  Hubby and I will, without a doubt, disagree on what is a reasonable amount of time to display them ;)

My Mother in Law bought me these adorable pumpkins - I LOVE them!  I needed some cute fall decor and these are just the thing!

P.S. I really do feel older this year.  I don't know why - but I am NOT a fan :)

Prayer Thursday

Hi Ladies! 

Thank you all so much for your prayers this past week!  If we can pray for you, please leave your prayer request in the comments below, or feel free to email me - michelle.ann.ellis@gmail.com

Here are our prayer requests for this week -

Please pray for Leslie Joy Evans' family.  She went to be with her heavenly father last week.  Please pray for her husband and her family during this time.  You can learn more about her here.



Please pray for Teresa.  Her husband, Jack, had a stroke and is hospitalized.  Their family needs us to pray for them and Jack's doctors and care.  You can read about them here.



Please pray for Leslie and Noah.  She is newly pregnant, and they are having some difficulties.  You can read about their pregnancy and worries here.



My Grandmother was recently diagnosed with Alzehiemers.  We are all confused, concerned, and scared.  Please pray for her, that God will give her the peace that he will take care of her.  Please pray for our family, that we all have patience, strength and understanding for her.



Please pray for Laura.  Her Grandma is showing signs of kidney failure.  She has had a very rough time over the past 15 years, losing two husbands and her mother.  Please also pray for her husband Don, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer last year and is going through treatments.  Please pray for God to give her the strength and hope to fight through this, and that he hold her tight with love and comfort during this time.  Please also pray for Laura's niece, she is having eye surgery.  Please also pray for Laura's husband, that he have God's guidance in his life right now.



Please pray for sweet baby Bennett.  He was born oh-so-tiny, but has been getting bigger and stronger!  You can read his little story here.



We have been praying for sweet Annika for awhile now, at the request of Kasey.  Please say a special prayer for her dear little body, that God will give her the strength to fight this disease.  Annika is 5 years old and was diagnosed with a rare form of acute lympocytic leukemia.  Please pray for her, her family and her doctors.  I can't imagine what her family is going through.  Isn't she beautiful?  Just look at that smile!

Please pray for baby Cohen's parents. You can read their story here.  He is in God's beautiful hands now. 







Please pray for sweet Sarah.  She is praying and waiting for God to bless her with a true Godly man that could be a wonderful influence to her young son to share their lives with.  Her testimony is so beautiful, I felt inspired just reading it.



Please pray for my coworker Colin.  His daughter in law had breast cancer three years ago, and won that fight.  Unfortunately, the cancer is back - this time in her spine.  She is going through radiation now and the prognosis is not positive.  Please pray for her.



Please pray for my sweet friend Jackie.  She is starting the bring the quadruplets home!!!  They are all safe and doing well.  She is super mom!  Please pray for her and the babies.  You can read about her journey here.



Please pray for my Daddy's (Jerry) job search and that his good spirits continue.  I just know God has the perfect plan for him. 



Please pray for little Jed Harper.  You can read about his story here.  What a beautiful family turning their sweet son's health over to God.  They are truly inspiring.



I have been following Lianna's blog for a few months now, and she just seems like the sweetest girl!  She and her husband are waiting for God to bless them with a child.  You can read about them here.  Please pray for their journey to become parents.



Could you please also pray for our friend's Dad?  He had surgery a few months ago and is having some memory problems.  Please pray for their family and his doctors, and that they can find out what is wrong.



In closing, could you please pray for hubby and I?  Everything is fine, but we have some different things going on lately and I am praying that God speaks to both our hearts and shows us the right paths and decisions that will be pleasing to him.  Hubby is struggling with giving things over to God.  Please pray that he feels the peace and comfort that comes with trust God and giving him all that we have.  Thank you!  (I can tell you sweet ladies have been praying for us.  I can feel God making changes in our lives and hearts!  Thank you, thank you!)



Thank you so very much for all of your prayers!  Please let me know if we can pray for you!

Making Your Home a Haven Challenge - Week 2

This week's challenge:

Play soft music in everyday in your home and Focus on using peaceful words and maintaining peaceful releationships.

I love this!  Hubby and I play music in the evenings sometimes while we are cooking dinner.  It is so relaxing to come home to music playing, it's a nice way to wash the day away.  I'm only home for about 3 hours each evening before we go to bed, so there is not a lot of time for me to really play music, but I'm going to try to do it on the weekends while I clean and stuff at least.  It makes chores more fun!  I cannot wait until Christmastime, then I have music playing constantly! 

I love Courtney's tips for peaceful words.  This is something that I work on each day, along with patience :)

1. When you feel tempted to raise your voice, us a child's name in a snarl, furrow your brow into a scowl or speak rapidly in anger...purposely lower your voice to just above a whisper.  Focus on gentle words, facial expressions, and touches.

2. Purpose to not let some else's anter make you angry.  Do not respond to other's emotions.

3. Yelling at a bud won't make it bloom.  Your home will not blossom into a haven if you are not controlling your temper.
My solution for this one is to walk away when I am starting to get mad at hubby.  I have the perfect example from last night. 
So, I got home around 6:15, because I stopped at the grocery store on the way home.  I hadn't been feeling very well that day, and I was so tired from a stressful 10 hour work day.  So, when I got home, he immediately said, "I am out of tea and hairspray."  What I wanted to say was, "That's nice, do you think you could have told me that before I went to the store, I called you on my way there for that very reason?  And, oh, do you KNOW how to get to the store?  You have been home for 4 hours watching TV!".  But I didn't.  Instead, I told him that I was sorry, I didn't realize he was out, and that I would go back to the store.  He told me not to worry about it, that he would "make due" for the evening and tomorrow until I made it home (ugh!).  And then, to top it all off he said, "You are going to the gym tonight anyway right?"  I told him I wasn't going to the gym because I was so tired and had a long day.  Then - he laughed at me!!  "I knew you would have an excuse not to go".  I was MAD.  So, I said nothing, put on my gym clothes, went and walked on the treadmill for 30 minutes, worked off some steam, and then I went and bought him his tea and hairspray.  By the time I got home it was closer to 8PM, and I was exhausted, but I wasn't mad anymore, just annoyed.  He had dinner made and was waiting on me to eat, and had done two loads of laundry.  So, I decided not to be annoyed anymore.
Walking away avoided an argument that could have lasted for much longer than a couple of hours, and nothing mean was said.  I need to practice this more often :) 

4. Continue to pray for peace in your home. 

I love this challenge, and I love the idea of our home being our haven away from the world.  Visit Courtney's Blog and link up!

Special Prayers - Leslie Joy Evans

The services for Leslie Joy Evans and her twins will be held this afternoon.  Please say a special prayer for her husband and her family.  I pray that God gives them peace & heals their pain in the way that only He can.

Leslie Joy Evans

Prayer Thursday

Hi Ladies! 

Thank you all so much for your prayers this past week!  If we can pray for you, please leave your prayer request in the comments below, or feel free to email me - michelle.ann.ellis@gmail.com

Here are our prayer requests for this week -

Please pray for Leslie Joy Evans.  She is in a coma after delivering her twin babies that did not make it.  Please pray for her husband and her family during this time.  You can learn more about her here.

Please pray for Teresa.  Her husband, Jack, had a stroke and is hospitalized.  Their family needs us to pray for them and Jack's doctors and care.  You can read about them here.

Please pray for Leslie and Noah.  She is newly pregnant, and they are having some difficulties.  You can read about their pregnancy and worries here.

My Grandmother was recently diagnosed with Alzehiemers.  We are all confused, concerned, and scared.  Please pray for her, that God will give her the peace that he will take care of her.  Please pray for our family, that we all have patience, strength and understanding for her.

Please pray for Laura.  Her Grandma is showing signs of kidney failure.  She has had a very rough time over the past 15 years, losing two husbands and her mother.  Please also pray for her husband Don, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer last year and is going through treatments.  Please pray for God to give her the strength and hope to fight through this, and that he hold her tight with love and comfort during this time.  Please also pray for Laura's niece, she is having eye surgery.  Please also pray for Laura's husband, that he have God's guidance in his life right now.

Please pray for sweet baby Bennett.  He was born oh-so-tiny, but has been getting bigger and stronger!  You can read his little story here.

We have been praying for sweet Annika for awhile now, at the request of Kasey.  Please say a special prayer for her dear little body, that God will give her the strength to fight this disease.  Annika is 5 years old and was diagnosed with a rare form of acute lympocytic leukemia.  Please pray for her, her family and her doctors.  I can't imagine what her family is going through.  Isn't she beautiful?  Just look at that smile!

Please pray for baby Cohen's parents. You can read their story here.  He is in God's beautiful hands now. 



Please pray for sweet Sarah.  She is praying and waiting for God to bless her with a true Godly man that could be a wonderful influence to her young son to share their lives with.  Her testimony is so beautiful, I felt inspired just reading it.

Please pray for my coworker Colin.  His daughter in law had breast cancer three years ago, and won that fight.  Unfortunately, the cancer is back - this time in her spine.  She is going through radiation now and the prognosis is not positive.  Please pray for her.

Please pray for my sweet friend Jackie.  She is starting the bring the quadruplets home!!!  They are all safe and doing well.  She is super mom!  Please pray for her and the babies.  You can read about her journey here.

Please pray for my Daddy's (Jerry) job search and that his good spirits continue.  I just know God has the perfect plan for him. 

Please pray for little Jed Harper.  You can read about his story here.  What a beautiful family turning their sweet son's health over to God.  They are truly inspiring.

I have been following Lianna's blog for a few months now, and she just seems like the sweetest girl!  She and her husband are waiting for God to bless them with a child.  You can read about them here.  Please pray for their journey to become parents.

Could you please also pray for our friend's Dad?  He had surgery a few months ago and is having some memory problems.  Please pray for their family and his doctors, and that they can find out what is wrong.

In closing, could you please pray for hubby and I?  Everything is fine, but we have some different things going on lately and I am praying that God speaks to both our hearts and shows us the right paths and decisions that will be pleasing to him.  Hubby is struggling with giving things over to God.  Please pray that he feels the peace and comfort that comes with trust God and giving him all that we have.  Thank you!  (I can tell you sweet ladies have been praying for us.  I can feel God making changes in our lives and hearts!  Thank you, thank you!)

Thank you so very much for all of your prayers!  Please let me know if we can pray for you!

Making Your Home a Haven Challenge - Week 1

I am so excited to start week one of Women Living Well's Fall Challenge - Making Your Home a Haven.  This weeks challenge is:

Go buy a large candle and light it everyday in your home.  Each time the candle catches your eye, say a prayer for peace in your home. 

I love this idea!  I went to Bed Bath and Beyond today, and bought three new fall scented candles.  Tonight, I lit the Yankee Candle Autumn Wreath 22oz Jar.  It smells amazing!  Hubby noticed it and liked the smell immediately.  And I love the idea of saying a prayer for peace in our home each time I see it.  I placed in on our bar in the kitchen, because it is the center of our home.

Please take a moment to visit Courtney's blog and read about the two types of homes that we create as women.  I do not have children yet, so I can't relate to all of these, but I definitely recognize that it is me, my actions, and my attitude that set the tone for our home.  And, I want it to be a home that my husband cannot wait to get home to, feels comfortable in, and sees as his haven.  I'm working on it :)

I want to be like the Proverbs 14:1 woman that Courtney references, "The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands, the foolish one tears hers down".

Show Us Your Life - Dining Room!

This week, Kelly's Korner is hosting Show Us Your Life - Dining Room edition!  Well, we have a space in our home for a dining room, but we don't have a ton of room, and we don't have any dining room furniture!  When we got married, we were combining two houses full of furniture into hubby's house.  To say that we have different tastes is an understatement.  But, we are finding our "couple style".  It's slowly coming along.

Here are some pics of our dining room as it currently stands.

This is the view from the entryway.

(Seeing these pics just makes me want to paint the walls!)  I want to so badly, but hubby doesn't want to mess with it.  I am trying to be patient :)  I want to paint that straw chair.  It's wicker - any ideas?

This bistro table is one of my favorite things from my apartment.  The wooden box is from the Four Kings wine that my Daddy loves.  I *might* drink more than the average girls fair share of wine.  Maybe.  I collect all my wine corks.  I'm not sure why, or what I'm going to do with them, but I love them.  The candle holder is one that we used on our head table from our wedding day.  They are scattered throughout the house, I love that they remind me of our wedding day.

Hubby LOVES Texas.  LOVES.  These flags are his favorite.  We have quite a few Texas History themed pieces throughout our home.  Not really my style, but it makes him happy.  He calls this room, "Texas Wine Country".  ha!

Please excuse the messy couch pillows.  I don't know why I didn't take the time to straighten them!  This table was my great grandparents, and I love it.  And yes, more corks.  And a Texas star - of course.

I just love this wall hanging.

I think I would like some darker drapes in here.

This is my favorite piece of furniture in our WHOLE house!  I love this baker's rack.  It has all the things that I love.

Like, My favorite wines and all my cookbooks....

Basically all my favorite decorations from my apartment....

(and of course, more wine corks and a Texas thing...)

My Alpha Chi Lyre, my Grandfather's decanter and some other faves....

And, my favorite stemware!!!!  I also have a few of my wedding chandeliers, and my Tavern on The Green horse and carriage.  It is my Mom and my favorite place, and she ordered that for me when they sold it.

I hope you enjoyed our "dining room"!  We have a long way to go, but for now, it's perfect for us!  If you are visiting from Kelly's Korner, thanks so much for stopping by!

I hope you ladies have a wonderful weekend!