The 2010 Christmas Card

I'm a little behind in showing it off, but here is our annual Christmas card that went out to family and friends this year. Yes, I handwrite all of the addresses...one of these days I will figure out how to do labels!
I picked these pictures because they represented my kids at their best. Braden at the Dallas Cowboys Stadium playing catch on the field, Kaybrie posing for her first professional photo shoot and then both of them together at the Pumpkin Patch being ornery and not knowing I was snapping the camera!

We hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas and have a wonderful and prosperous 2011!
May God Bless each and everyone of you and your families. Thank you for your contiued reading of
 The 4-Crow's and The RHOK and we look forward to what the next year brings!

Today's Post....

...is at

And here is a sneak peek..

 Now you are curious, so get over to The RHOK and read what I have to say as ♥Mrs. Hart♥ today!



MckLinky Monday: Crow Family Christmas Traditions

Our family Christmas traditions kick off with a visit to see Santa the Wednesday night before Thanksgiving each year! I just love The Bass Pro Shop here in Broken Arrow and their Winter Wonderland!

Then on the Sunday before Christmas we have our Christmas Dinner with Grandma Betty- the Crow side of the family! Here Grandma is with all of her Grandkids- ages 19, 15, 10 and 3!

Christmas Eve is busy at our house. When I married Jason, I became acquainted with a little thing his family does. They call each other up on the phone and try to say "Christmas Eve Gift" first to the other person! Kind of a "Got You" game! Well, I liked this so much that I thought why not do Christmas Eve Gifts from my kids to the neighbors. To me it is very important that my kids learn the lesson that giving is better than receiving.  Neighbors were important to me growing up and I want them to be important to my kids. After all, we never know when we might need them, correct? So before my kids get gifts, they walk to each neighbor on Christmas Eve and give a treat with a gift tag that has a picture of them on it! We only pass out to the neighbors and close friends we know around our house- 12 this year! My kids love it, are learning a valuable lesson and look forward to this each year!

Then Christmas Eve, we try to attend services at church but don't always make it, it just depends on Jason's work schedule and the weather. We also try to go to Texas Roadhouse to eat and reflect upon the year and the excitement of the few days ahead. We did make it to Roadhouse this year and enjoyed it very much. Then we came home and opened our gifts to one another, before singing Happy Birthday to Jesus and eating his cake and then setting our cookies, carrots and milk for Santa and the reindeer!

Christmas morning the kids awake to see what Santa has left them and then we prepare to go to my parents in Wilson, where it is a BIG Christmas with 18 of us in attendance, including 10 grandkids. Next year we will have 11! What a wonderful blessing to have such a great grand family! A favorite tradition of my Moma's is to drink cappuccino with her granddaughter's...she finally found the perfect size mug!



For more family traditions, don't forget to read The RHOK, you never know what might be RHOK'in our world!!

MckLinky Monday: My Favorite Ornaments

Today at The RHOK we are sharing our favorite ornaments. Won't you hop on over and share yours?

First of all if you are a Christmas ornament that adorns my tree, you are very special to me! Each ornament has either been given to me, bought by me, made for me, represents my kids, or my Savior. Picking a single favorite is impossible. So here are a few of many...

 Raggedy Ann & Andy- made by Judy Smith many years ago and given to Kaybrie for her 1st birthday!

 The 'Boys- Our Pro Football Team

 Of course there are a few HOG ornaments!

 Each year I buy everyone a new ornament to add to the tree as we trim it, this year we added ballet to our family likes!

 This ornament is self explanatory- The year we became The Crow's- 2005

And the greatest  and my favorite ornaments of all tell the story of how our Savior Jesus Christ was born in a lowly manger to become King of this world to die on a cross for our sins, so that we might have eternal life.

Happy Birthday Jesus!



Today's Post....

....is at The RHOK! Take time today to read all about My Grown Up Christmas List!

Don't forget to leave a comment, we love comments!!!

Our Weekend: Double Digits, Lobsters, PJ's & Pigtails- Oh My!

Happy 10th (DOUBLE DIGIT) Birthday

Braden Chase

Birthday party at home w/ friends and family dinner at Red Lobster!

...and a PJ & Pigtail Christmas Party with the RHOK Star's!!

Put a face to The RHOK Housewives time!

L to R,  Back Row

 Jenny Kate aka Mrs. Edwards, Me aka Mrs. Hart, Aubree aka Mrs. Sinclair,  Georgie aka Mrs. Bundy, Jonni aka Mrs. Priss, Christy aka Mrs. Coco 

Sitting: Jen aka Mrs. Montgomery and Dawn aka Mrs. Albright 

MckLinky Monday: My Fave Christmas Food

I can't survive any holiday without my MIL's Cranberry Salad and Hot Rolls

and

Cornbread Dressing- It's DRESSING folks NOT stuffing- lucky for me, I make it just like my Moma and my MIL makes it just like we do!!!

So now that I have made you hungry, you want the Crow Family Secret Recipe's, don't ya?

Okay, Okay- might as well share the calories and the knowledge and if you make, give us some credit m'kay!

Betty's Rolls *

1 bag of Rhodes White or Wheat Frozen Dinner Rolls

1 melted stick of butter or margarine

1 bundt pan sprayed w/ cooking spray

Layer 12 rolls, after you have dipped them in butter/margarine, in the bundt pan, then form a second layer on top of the first layer alternating the rolls. Then cover w/ a piece of saran wrap coated in cooking spray. Let rise according to package directions and then cook according to package directions.

After baked, turn pan over and place bread on a dinner plate.

* Yes, I have mastered these rolls also. The big secret-NEVER let anyone know how easy this is, of course you make homemade bread ;-)!

Cranberry Salad

from Betty Crow

1 pkg fresh cranberries

1 C sugar

1 C miniature marshmallows

1 C chopped nuts

1 can pineapple tidbits drained

1 C of halved grapes

1 C cool whip or whipping cream

Grind berries and add sugar. Let stand overnight. Next day add all ingredients and fold in cool whip or whipping cream.

"My" Cornbread Chicken & Dressing*

2 C Shawnee Best Yellow Corn Meal Mix

1 1/2 C Milk

2 Unbeaten Eggs

2T Oil

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Stir ingredients only enough to thorough mix. Pour immediately into well greased  hot cast iron skillet, and bake for 30-35 minutes.

After cornbread is cooked crumble into a huge mixing bowl

add

1 C chopped onion and 1/2 C celery - more or less if you like celery (yuck)- sauteed in 1/3 C butter until  or margarine until transparent

1 T poultry seasoning

1/2 t sage

1/2 t black pepper

2 eggs, lightly beaten

1 1/2- 2 C of deboned chicken (just depends on how much you like)

3 chopped boiled eggs

3 C of chicken broth off of the chicken above- because you better have boiled it yourself!

1 thinly chopped apple- this keeps the moisture in your dressing (my MIL taught me this trick)!

Mix all of these ingredients thoroughly and then place into well greased  9x13 pan. You should have enough moisture in your dressing to see it. If not, add more broth!!! Bake 1 hour or until well browned and fork comes out clean!

*Notice I use Oklahoma's own Shawnee Milling Company's basic Cornbread & Dressing recipe with just a few twists of my own!

Now, its your turn- share with me and the other housewives your favorite Christmas Food!

Link up at The RHOK and get some other great recipes as well!

Merry Christmas and Happy Eating!!

It's a Hard Knock Life

How many times have you actually tripped over your shoelaces and fell to the ground like your Mom and Grandma warned you would happened? Or been warned to be careful around play guns and never have them pointed at your face! Well the almost 10 year old got two black eyes on Saturday and a bruised cheekbone and I didn't give them to him!!!

It really is a Hard Knock Life!

Today's Post....



...is at The RHOK!!! Yes, I tell all about how Mrs. Hart became a Grinch!!



MckLinky Monday: Black Friday? Do I Dare? Oh Yeah, Baby!!!

At The RHOK this week our topic is Black Friday, we want to know all about your experiences, thoughts, websites, and deals for Black Friday.

Crazy?!? Maybe. But, I don't look at it like that at all. For one thing this will be my fourth year to be able to go Black Friday shopping since I quit working in the corporate world and only my second time to actually go shopping. Second, I don't look at it as push comes to shove, I got have it or else kind of shopping like some people do, this is girlfriend time. Oh yeah, girlfriend time! When my girlfriend Angie and I went two years ago, we had a blast! We hit Target at 4AM, went to breakfast, had our gab time, and we were even interviewed by KJRH! You can read about it and see our pictures here!

Black Friday, one of the earliest recorded uses of this term was September 24, 1869; a day of stock market catastrophe. By the early 1980s, an alternative theory began to be circulated: that retailers traditionally operated at a financial loss for most of the year (January through November) and made their profit during the holiday season, beginning on the day after Thanksgiving. I remember when you never saw the Black Friday advertisements until Thanksgiving Day. Now, and particularly this year, they have been leaked at least a month in advance and even some online company's have even allowed early bird shopping. I know- I did it! Thank you Wal-Mart! Braden will be a very happy boy this year for his birthday/Christmas for only $179! (That's it, Bubba!!)

So, what/who are my favorite sites for finding my deals?

BlackFriday.info

and

MoneySavingQueen.com

And, what am I really after this year?

Toys R Us - Wii Controllers $29.99 was $49.99 (2)

Target- Wii Fit Plus Bundle with Balance Board $67.00 was $99.00

Oh, and I may be hitting Toys R Us and Wal-Mart on Thursday night also 10PM-1AM, never done that one before-sounds fun, everyone will be in bed!

Now it's your turn to tell us your plan for Black Friday! Get on over to The RHOK and link up!

MckLinky Monday: What Am I Thankful For

This post is actually at The RHOK today since I am hosting, but I think I will share on my own blog as well. Make sure you check out the other blog each Monday for the next two months because we have some great topics lined up. We have also have four new housewives writing for us and we are RHOK'in!

What am I thankful for? Those of you who have been reading me for the past seven months probably expect me to say God, my family and all of our health. Yes, you know me well, no shockers for you today. However, there are six things that I have taken for granted, that up until recently I have learned just how thankful and blessed that I am to possess.

I am thankful for my eyes. Two eyes that have sight so that I can see the beautiful world around me. The eyes that watch my babies grow each day. The eyes that still catch the love of my life's eyes looking lovingly at mine.

I am thankful for my ears. Ears that hear the words Mommy, Honey and I love you. Even when those ears hear things they shouldn't, I am thankful, because I learned right from wrong by listening with my precious ears.

I am thankful for my nose. No, not the size or the shape. My nose is actually a very good smeller. It smelled my family's house fire when I was 10 and saved all from within. And every one knows there is nothing like the smell of your kid's clean snuggly skin.

I am thankful for my mouth. It is definitely a loud and proud mouth. So much so that my own mother in law will not even sit with me anymore at sporting events. A mouth that allows me to nourish my body, more often than not with foods that will last longer on my hips than it did on my lips. Kisses, sweet kisses, God definitely knew what he was doing when he made the mouth!

I am thankful for my hands. Oh the many uses of my hands on a daily basis. Fixing my three year old daughter's curls each morning, changing the many diapers at my job, preparing dinner for my family and writing a multiplication problem down for my fourth grade son. I look down at my hands and yes, I am beginning to see my Moma's hands and for that I am thankful, because that means she taught me well because hands should never be idle.

I am thankful for my feet. Those feet have carried me many miles. I have always been told I have pretty feet. It is a huge pet peeve of mine not to have cute toes. Paint your toenails Housewives, I promise you, your feet will LOVE you! Feet get to be accessorized and shown off more than any other part of the body, at least in my opinion. It is all about the SHOES my friends! I unfortunately have to shy away from my most desired pairs due to a broken ankle last year, and thousands of dollars. Enough with my shoe fetish, (pray, m'kay). My feet let me run after and play with my kiddos, they are growing up so fast. I pray that one day my feet allow me to also play with my grandchildren, the way my kids grandparents play with them.

Our Son the Smart One

The first nine weeks is over of 4th grade, and the required Parent/Teacher Conference has been attended. I will be honest, I was a little scared. A new school, two teachers, changing rooms, and actually being graded in four subjects this year is a little very overwhelming for both a nine year old and his mother!

I am very proud to announce however, that Braden ended up with two A's and two B's!

A's in science and social studies, B's in math and reading.

Grades like this makes him eligible for the first time for the Honor Roll! Yay!!

This past Friday, was the assembly. Braden not only was recognized for his success in grades, but also received a certificate for perfect attendance and stood up for making is Accelerated Reader goal for the first nine weeks! Way to go baby boy!We are so proud of you! (I know, I know, I am not supposed to call you the BB name, but it is my blog and one of these days you will be wishing I was more affectionate toward you again)



Braden after receiving his Honor Roll Certificate





Braden & Stephen hold their certificates proudly



MckLinky Monday: Thankful for Food

 

What? Me? Thankful for food...not a bit, you can't tell by looking at me, and sorry folks you WILL not be telling by looking at my plate this Thanksgiving holiday. Yes, I am just a wee bit on a dieting trend and I'm going to be a braggart- doing very well at 15lbs lost since Labor Day! Yes, I will eat, but only one plate and ONLY the foods that I absolutely MUST have. Turkey breast, cornbread dressing with a little giblet gravy, green beans, a roll and a salad! I will also make my famous Crow Bars-my family can't live without these! Now there is a story behind these. Don't I always have a story? Six years ago when Jason finally got brave enough to call and ask me out, I was busy making these for my staff at the bank, I of course had to change the name from K-Bars to Crow Bars once we married and he got a great many sampling of them! Whoever said the way to a man's heart was through his stomach must have known what they were talking about, because believe me, I am thankful for so many great and wonderful meals I have shared with my husband these past six years, and look forward to many, many more years of meals!

Crow Bars

1T butter
1/2 C white sugar
1/2 c white syrup
3/4 c peanut butter
3 c crushed cornflakes
1pkg milk chocolate chips
1pkg butterscotch chips

Bring butter, sugar and syrup to boil. Add peanut butter and cornflakes, mix well. Press into 8 1/2 x 11 pan. In double boiler melt chocolate chips and butterscotch chips. When melted pour over cereal mixture. Let cool. Do not Bake! Cut into squares. Can be doubled, but I do not double the chocolate chip mixture, it is too rich! Use a big cookie sheet if you double!

Now it's your turn to share what food you are thankful for and link up at The RHOK, thank you Mrs. Priss for hosting and having everyone share their great recipes today!

An Outpouring of Pink

This is a portion of the post that was written and posted  by me at The RHOK (The Real Housewives of Oklahoma) today. Typically, I will not repost on my own personal blog, but because of the sensitivity and nature of this subject, I felt it necessary to share with my reader's who receive my posts via email who might not read me at the other blog. For the complete story, click on the above link!-----ShaRhonda


Save the TaTa's. I Love Boobies. Save Second Base. No matter how you phrase it or wear it, its all about one thing: Breast Cancer Awareness

Every 69 seconds a women dies of breast cancer. Breast cancer not only affects women, but also men.

I am simply amazed at the outpouring of awareness that continues for this dreadful disease. Young and old. Male and Female. From survivors, to those who are still fighting. Professional organizations are even stepping up for the cause. The 19 teammates on my son's Broken Arrow Black 4th grade football team have also joined together and are wearing pink shoelaces donated by the local New Balance store in Tulsa. The players wore these in honor of 13 friends and family members who are survivors or have lost lives due to breast cancer. It is never to early to start supporting and educating!

My sister-in-law sent this letter to her loved ones and supporters exactly one year to the day that she first found the lump in her breast. The lump was a stage 2b and she did have cancer in a lymph node. She is now cancer free for two years, but has not been able to take the medicines most breast cancer patients take. Her Oncologist wanted her to take it for 10 years but she had a severe allergic reaction to one medicine and had milder reactions to the others.

9/28/09
It was September 28, 2008 when I first discovered the lump in my right breast that I would soon find out was malignant. I had seen a commercial about Breast Cancer Awareness and how important it was to do self check exams and if you were 40 or over to have a mammogram. The truth is I hadn't had a mammogram in 5 years but I had this nagging feeling to do a self check after seeing that commercial. I would schedule a mammogram and then forget about it (because they don't call and remind you of your appointment) but I did keep having that nagging feeling that I needed to get a mammogram scheduled even though I had done self checks and gone for yearly exams. I think God was trying to tell me all along but I kept putting it off. It's that time of year for Breast Cancer Awareness, please make sure you and your loved ones are checked out. The important thing is early detection, I also want to point out that it's labeled as a woman's disease but more and more men are being diagnosed with Breast Cancer each year. By the Grace of God and your support I am finally seeing light at the end of the tunnel. It's been a long journey but I am stronger and a better person for going through it. Thank you for coming along with me through this journey!

What will you do to join in the cause against breast cancer? Support? Educate? Promote awareness?

♥Mrs. Hart♥/ShaRhonda

*At 6:45 p.m. on 10/20/2010 a very dear friend's mother will be undergoing a breast biopsy to examine two lumps that were just found last week. The mother has a history of breast cancer in her family and has had her mammograms regularly. Please keep this family in your thoughts and prayers.

Today's Post

Today I /Mrs. Hart am/is hosting the MckLinky Monday at The RHOK! The Question is about Scary Movies! I tell a scary story about my college years that should have been sold to J.J. Abrams (and should have resulted in a beating had it been known)- and actually he did make a movie similar to it! Now get over there and read, then link up!

WW: Moma Crow & Babies at the Pumpkin Patch

Pumpkins Pumpkins Everywhere, big ones, small ones, funny face ones, no matter what we loved them all!

We even got a halfway decent picture of the three of us! Too bad Daddy Crow didn't join in, but someone had to be behind the camera for this one!

Today's Post...

Are you ready to get Your Carve On? Well today Mrs. Hart tell you how at The RHOK! Now get on over there and read, don't forget to leave a comment!

MckLinky Monday: My Favorite YouTube Video

Today at The RHOK, Mrs. Priss is challenging us! Of all the million of YouTube video's out there, she wants to know, what is our favorite. I ran across this one on my friend Tanya's blog!

I think I will start using this affirmation daily, only change the words a bit!

I don't want to be a nag.

I love my husband.

I love my kids.

I love my face that is showing signs of age.

I love my hair, even the pieces that are turning gray.

I love my house, even though its a tad bit unorganized and the walls feel like they are closing in on me at times, I really love my house! Did I mention I love my family?

Now get back to your blog and post your fave. Tell me and don't forget to link up at The RHOK!

Today's Post...

Is at The RHOK! ♥Mrs. Hart♥ take a walk down Memory Lane with Tunes!

MckLinky Monday: Pet Peeve

What is your favorite pet peeve as of late?

Wieners!!!

First of all I detest the word wienie. I think the word is a borderline synonym of a part of the male anatomy. Whatever, don't ask me. I also believe that coffee and cigarettes killed my grandparents so that's why I don't do either one. Well, I'm getting a little better with the coffee thing...but its still way back in my childhood mind! So around my house we call wienie's or wieners- Hot Dogs!

So my pet peeve started again two weeks ago. I went to my son's football game in Pryor, OK. Now mind you, I now live in a large city, Broken Arrow, OK, a suburb of Tulsa, population approximately 97,000 and I grew up in a town of 1,803. In both places, when you asked for a hot dog at the concession stand you got the entire thing. Meat and Bun!

Well, I asked for a hot dog and only got a bun. Whaaaat? Yeah, I looked down at my bun, up at the lady and asked, "Can I have a wienie, with my bun?" She looked at me like I was crazy and then pointed to the right and told me it was at the grill. At the grill? Well, fancy that. I think she just wanted me to say the "w" word.

And, it just keeps going on. The "w" curse. This morning I go to make a grocery list and pull out the bottom meat crisper. What do I find, someone in my family opened a package of Hot Dogs and did not drain the juice off of them before putting unclosed package back into the crisper. Now I have "w" juice all over everything. Just another nasty pet peeve to clean up!

At least the Wiener Mobile hasn't penetrated my home like it did this one in July of 2009! Really, it did- read about it here!

Today's Post....

Visit The RHOK today! I'm/Mrs. Hart is hosting today's MckLinky Monday!

Read what I think my kiddos would say about Moma & Daddy Crow on Career Day!

MckLinky Monday: A Few of My Favorite Things...

Favorite Actor: 

Hmmm let's see I drool over only one MAN (okay maybe two) other than my husband and that would be-

MATTHEW MCCONAUGHEY... hey hey hey

My Favorite Actress:

Sandra Bullock

My name at The RHOK came from the role she played in Miss Congeniality, Gracie Hart.

This picture is from Miss Congeniality 2.

Favorite Movie:

Miss Congeniality

Favorite Band:

I don't really have a fave, but I have a lot of likes!

I did get to go see these guys last year and danced and partied like it was 1989!

Def Leppard...

and Poison (Bret Michaels is my other drool man!)

Favorite Musical:

Oklahoma

(yeah, really)

Favorite Novel:

I read a lot, well I used too... but I do not read books more than 1x! The only book that I have read more than once is my favorite and its sequel. I actually did my term paper in high school over these books.

Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell

Scarlett by Alexandra Ripley

Favorite Cuisine:

Mexican or Italian

(do I really have to show a picture of this?)

Favorite Drink:

Route 44 Sonic Diet Coke w/ extra ice!

Favorite Store:

Is it my fave? IDK, is it where all my DH's $ goes, oh yeah...

Favorite Vampire:

Seriously? Okay, so I have read the Twilight Series, and I don't dare miss a movie and everyone knows I'm Team Edward, but the Cougar in me is soooo Team Taylor! But, if I remember correctly I did have a little bit of a crush on this bad boy vampire in my teen years!

Kiefer Sutherland

Favorite Primetime Series:

Army Wives

Just finished season 4, sure hoping for another couple of seasons! Come on Lifetime!

Favorite Time Waster:

Do I have to put this one? My family gives me a hard enough time...

Facebook, Twitter, Blogging

Favorite Chore:

My husband would say LAUNDRY!

Me? Putting the kids to bed.

Favorite Quote:

I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Phillipians 3:15

This didn't become my favorite until last year when I started bootcamp and broken my ankle. Yep, Pressing toward a goal, any goal for that matter is so important, but the ultimate goal is to be with Jesus Christ!

Favorite Smell:

or maybe its the sweet babies it goes on

And Finally..My Favorite Vacation Spot:

Cruisin' in the Bahamas, next time I want to stay here- at the Atlantis on Paradise Island

To see other blog fave's make sure you head over to The RHOK!