BBQ Chicken Wraps {Tasty Tuesday}

I have a thing for tortillas here lately.  I've been using them for everything.  Today I have another recipe used with tortillas for you. 

BBQ Chicken Wraps. These are so simple, and delicious.  I cooked my chicken in the crock pot with a bottle of BBQ sauce.  I like my chicken to be very tender so that I can tear it up.  Then, you just add whatever you want.  I used romaine lettuce, cilantro, onions, and of course chicken.  I love cilantro. 

You will want to lay your ingredients towards one side, not in the middle.  This will help the folding process easier.  Next, fold in the ends of the wrap, then the sides by rolling it from the left to right.  You are just making a "burrito".  Slice, and enjoy! 

Thanks for reading.

I'm social!  You can keep in touch with me on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, and even Instagram under Christy's Cuties if you would like

I like to party here.

Flat Me/Flat Stanley Project

Happy Monday Friends.

I have met some amazing people while blogging the past year.  One of these include Andie Jaye from Crayon Freckles.  Andie Jaye is an amazing teacher to her little guy.  They do so many fun activities.  Last month Andie set up a Flat Me {Also known as Flat Stanley} Project.  A group of bloggers also signed up to do this with her, including me and my kids.

Andie set out project files that each child downloaded and colored their own "Flat Me", along with a travel journal.  All three of my kids were excited to decorate their own boy, or girl.  We also gave each one their own name.  I didn't get pictures of them before we mailed them off to their first stop.  I will update when we get them all back.  We then mailed them off to their first stop in another part of the World, which will mail them to another spot, and so on.  In all the stops each "Flat Me" will get to go do something with their host or hostess. They will take pictures, and update their travel journal with the story of their travels to that state.

There were a lot of participants and you can see the list, here.  We were  separated into groups of 4-6 kids and that is who my kids "Flat Me's" will get to visit with.  Here are some things that my kids have done with other's "Flat Me's" thus far. 

 The boy's took a few to Gymnastics's Camp last week.  They had a blast.

 Riley took her visitor to the splash park on our Military Post.

This was the second group that came to visit with us.  And we are very excited to get our next group.  When we receive ours back in the end, they will have friends all over the world. How cool is that!  Here are the main blogger's {and children} we will be sending and receiving from:
One Artsy Mama
Tiaras and Bowties
Mama's Little Muse
Train Up A Child
Kindergarten and Preschool for Parent's and Teachers

I will continue to do updates on our fun!  Have a great week.

Bloggers Filling Back Packs {Boys and Girls Club}

Hi!

I love when bloggers are able to use their talents and blogs to help others and do good in the world. 

My good bloggy friend Andie from Crayon Freckles is teaming up with The Boys and Girls Club to help fill kids back packs for school.  They are getting an E-book together to sell for $10.  The funds from the E-book will be used for Billing Back Packs for children.  They are looking for kid friendly ideas/crafts to add to their book.

Submission Guidelines:

• A previous or new children's learning activity (you can submit up to 3)
• I would like to have submissions by August 1st (contact me if other needed)
• Email submission text w/photo attachment or the url -or- leave me the url of the post you're contributing in the comments section

Head on over to Crayon Freckles to find out more about this great cause,.

Girl's Night {Gift Baskets}

A few weekends ago all of my girl cousin's from my mom's side of the family got together for a trip and a girls weekend!  It has probably been 10 years, or more, since we have all been together for more than a few hours at a time.  We were all so excited and planned it a few months in advance to make sure everyone had plenty of time to do what they needed to so that we could all go. 

We met up at my sister's place in Memphis.  The car ride was hilarious.  We sang to old school music and danced in our seats. We ate Sushi for dinner.  There may or may not have been one cousin that drank a bottle of pepto right after dinner.....tipped it up like a drink....it happened.  We stayed up really late.  It was a blast!  Here are all of us getting ready for bed.

 Don't be jealous, I know we are all too cute!  HA! {left to right: Top to bottom}  Mandi, Deanna (my sister), Kay, Me, Chasity (Mandi's sister), Magin and Amber (who are sisters)

Anyway, back to the reason for this post.  My cousin Mandi made everyone some "Girls Night Out" baskets.

 So cute, right?  Here are the insides.....

 Each had:
Bath poof and salt (That's what in the pink ice cream container)
Eye mask (to help us sleep)
Pedicure kit (it was a girls weekend...of course we needed to make sure our nails were good.)
Ear Plugs (we definitely needed these with 6 people in one room sleeping.)
Snacks (for late night snacking)
Tissues (cause you know we cried from laughing so hard!)
A photo frame (for a picture from the week of our choice)
And a cup (that she even personalized for each of us.)

What a great, and thoughtful gift.  Thank you Mandi.  I loved it all.

And just so you don't think we are all lazy bums, the next day we did get up and go shopping.  Here is a better picture of us!

I had a blast and I can't wait till our next one.

I like to party here.

Trifty and Fabulous {Sponsor Spotlight}

Happy Thursday.  Today I wanted to show off one of my fabulous sponsor's.  Erika from Thrifty and Fabulous.  Erika has such a great eye for accessories.  There isn't one thing in her shop that isn't adorable.  What makes her shop even better is her prices are really reasonable.

Here are some of the fabulous items from her shop.

 Grey and Yellow Ruffle Flower Necklace

Pink and White Flower Ring

Neon Yellow Stone and Chain Bracelet

I would love any of them.  I have personally orderd from her (a few times, acctually.  haha) and her items never dissapoint.  She is quick shipping, and makes you feel special with her cute packaging.  I would love it if you would take a moment and go look around her shop.  I know you would not be disapointed.

Have a great day, Friends.

Work it out Wednesday {The Warrior Dash?}

It has been a full week since I started training for my first 5K.  I used to claim (even last week) that I am not a runner.  But, I am beginning to wonder if I have always been a runner, and just didn't pursue it long enough at a time to realize it.  I am loving it.  I am loving the way it makes me feel.  I am loving the nasty sweat (gross) and knowing that I am getting some stress out.  I haven't noticed a change in inches or weight, but, I can tell a change in myself and that is really all that matters. 

I will say that if you are wanting to start running, good shoes are the most important thing.  I didn't have good shoes to start with, and it killed my legs.  After getting some good running shoes, my legs aren't hurting hear as bad. Start with shoes first. 

Here is what I have been up to:
Thursday - 2 miles walking, 2 miles running.  4 miles total.
Monday - 1 mile running at a 12 minute mile with two at a brisk walk.  3 miles total
Tuesday - 2.75 miles running at a 12 minute mile pace. 3 miles total
Wednesday - 20 minutes on the rower,10 minutes walking at a 5 incline, 15 minutes on the elliptical.  {My legs needed to rest today from running the past two days.}
I will pick back up with my running tomorrow.  According to a schedule that a friend gave me I should be running for 15-20 minutes at one time.  I have to push myself to make that 12 minute mile, so I'm not up to where I should be at the moment.  I know I will get there, though.  If you would like a copy of the schedule to start your own training, leave me a comment and I will send you one.

Now the husband is pushing me to do The Warrior Dash with him in September.  Have any of the females out there done this before?  If so, would you do it again?  If not, should I stop being a weenie and do it with him?  haha  This will be his second time.  I watched the first I wouldn't call it "fun", but I hate to disappoint him.  If you haven't read last weeks Work it out Wednesday then here is a picture of one of the "obstacles".  And in case you did read it, here is another picture.  These aren't from the Warriar Dash, but it's the same kind of obsiacle course stuff.

The husband is trying to touch the platform (after going all the way across) so that he doesn't fall in the REALLY cold water.  So, what do you think?  I would love some encouragement...or some "You would be crazy to even try that". HA!
I'm social!  You can keep in touch with me on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, and even Instagram under Christy's Cuties if you would like.

Guest Posting {A Glimpse Inside}

Happy Wednesday Friends!

I am so excited today!  Why you ask? Because I am over visiting Allison at her blog A Glimpse Inside!

Another reason I am excited is because I am finally getting to show off my Master Bath Redo. 

I would love for you to come visit and say hi.

Have a great day.

Tasty Tuesday {BBQ Chicken Pizza}

Hi.

I want to show you my new favorite lunch.  While searching for something to eat, and wanting pizza but having none, I decided to be creative.

I used what I had on hand:

Wheat Flour Tortilla
Pizza Sauce
Peppers
Onion
Cheese
Cilantro
Leftover BBQ chicken

You can guess what happened next.  I just layered all of the above ingredients onto the tortilla.  I heated the oven to 400 and left the "pizza" in the oven long enough to heat it and crisp the sides a little.  It was good. So good that I may have that for dinner tonight!

I'm social!  You can keep in touch with me on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, and even Instagram under Christy's Cuties if you would like.

I like to party over here.

Birchbox: July

I received my July Birchbox last week.  Let me say that I honestly love it every month when I get it in.  It is always a surprise, and I always love what I get.  This month Birchbox teamed up with Glamour and sent out some great things.

Here is what I received....

Ear buds - LOVE THIS
Eyeko Liquid Eyeliner - LOVE THIS
Ahava Mud Mask
Minteas - LOVE THESE
Alterna Hair Color Protection
Harvey Prince Perfume Hello - LOVE THIS!

No kidding.  Birchbox keeps surprising me.  I have tried four of the six things this month and I couldn't be happier.  Who can get ear buds for $10??  Plus I got so much more than those.  What a deal.

Not sure what Birchbox is?  Birchbox is a monthly beauty subscription that sends out a box of high quality deluxe size samples.  The cost is $10 monthly with FREE SHIPPING!  After joining you will fill out a survey about what kinds of beauty products you are interested in.  Then you will receive a surprise in the mail once a month.  You can sign up for Birchbox HERE!

If you already subscribe to Birchbox I would love to see what you received.  Leave a link in the comments, or just tell me what you got.

Have a great day.

Walkin' on Sunshine

Hi!

Riley and I love to listen to music and dance during the day.  We also love the 80s chanel.  It's all we listen to.  A few months ago we started hearing I'm walking on sunshine all.the.time.  It became one of our favorites!  Since I am re-doing our living room (still)  I decided to make a wooden sign for our wall. 

Lucky for me my neighbors had a pile of wood to burn, and I wasn't afraid to ask to go through it.  HA!  Here is what I got...

I'm sure they thought I was crazy for wanting the wood that used to be a bench that went around one of their trees.  But I didn't care.  :) 

After a lot of sanding...a lot.  I cut some of the pieces into different lengths and put them together by attaching two boards along the width of the back.  One up top, and one at the bottom.  I painted it a bright blue, and with the help of my sisters good tracing skills had the letters drawn on to paint.  

I love it, and I smile every time I see it. 

I like to party over here.

Work it out Wednesday {A 5K}

Happy Wednesday!

I'm a little late posting today because I wasn't sure what I wanted to do with my Wednesday posts...until now.  I have just recently committed to doing a 5K.  My first 5K.  It is is October, so I have plenty of time to get ready.  And I'm not going to lie. I have no "follow through" with working out.  Especially when it comes to running because I am not a runner.  I have never felt like I could run. 

Source: Uploaded by user via Christy on Pinterest

You see, my hunky husband is seriously athletic and in shape.  He's constantly working out or doing marathons or things like the Warrior Dash.  {Hes in the orange) 

So lately I've been feeling like I need to get into doing something.  I'm not getting any younger, and as I get older I realize that they weight seems to hang around a lot more.  BOO!

There are a few ladies in my church that are running the half marathon, so I decided I would at least get a start and do a 5K.  And I'm pretty excited about it.  Not only will they help keep me motivated, but I figured it couldn't hurt  if I would be held accountable to updates for my blog as well.

Every week I will post a Work it out Wednesday where I tell you how I am doing with my training.  How many miles I have ran/walked, and if I am noticing a change in my body.  To start us off, here is a picture of me from this morning before my first workout.  Don't judge, and be nice, please.  I would tell you how much I weigh...but I don't tell my husband {is that crazy?} and I'm not sure if he checks the blog or not.  haha  So you don't get to know.  But I will tell you if I have lost any each week.

Today I did 4 miles on the treadmill.  I ran two miles, with two miles walking.  I felt really good having not ran in a very long time.  I also did weights for 20 minutes.  Tonight I am definitely feeling it.  I'm sure tomorrow will be worse. 

Alright, here we go!

Love {1 Corintians 13:4-7, 13}

I'm not sure about where this post will go, but I need to get some thoughts out.  Please bear with me, or feel free to skip this post if you would like.  No crafts or recipes here.

Love.  Love has been on my mind a lot lately.  What is love?  Who deserves love?  Why does love leave?  Why is it so hard on Marriages that were built with love to work and last?  Why does abuse happen between people who love one another?  Does love end?

For years now I have been surrounded by family and friends who are having troubles in their marriages.  Some are unhappy with their partner.  Their partner has changed, or perhaps both people in the marriage have changed.  Some are being hurt and abused by their partner.  Physical, verbal, mental abuse.  And of course we can't forget about infidelity.  The divorce rates for Military members are astounding.  And these things are happening in marriages that are Christians and in church, as well as non believers.  It breaks my heart.

I do not understand why love has to be so hurtful and hard.   I keep being brought back to this passage in the Bible.

Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous;
love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly;
it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered,
does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth;
bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Love never fails...But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love.
1 Corinthians 13:4-7,13

I have been reading this passage in my bible for a few weeks now, and I get it. It seems like every time I read it, I learn something more about love. I want to break this down. 

Love is patient.  To me this means that love is willing to give as much as necessary to the other person.  It is unconditional in time and understanding. 

Love is kind and is not jealous.  This to me means that love does not give something and expect something in return.  It only wants the best for the person. 

Love does not brag and is not arrogant.  This means that love is a graceful love.  It is uplifting. 

Love does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own.  This means that love is not inappropriate, in any since of the word.  It is not morally wrong.  It looks for what others are wanting, rather than what you want. 

Love is not provoked.  This means love does not manipulate others or itself.  It does not seek to harm itself or others. 

Love does not take into account a wrong suffered.  This means that love is forgiving.  It does not keep track of what wrongs were done. 

Love does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth.  Love is truthful.  It it hurts it is meant to hurt in a loving, truthful way.  Not by lying about actions that will harm one another. 

Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.  This means that love is unconditional.  Love will be there no matter the circumstances.  No matter the hurt.  No matter the problems. 

Love never fails.  Love is meant to last a lifetime.  Love will always be there. 

But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love.  Even when faith and hope are gone.  There will still be love because it is undying.  Love is unfailing.  Love is love.  There is no end to it. 

I am saddened that America is giving up so easily on their loves and their marriages.  And I am saddened that abuse is getting to be regular in our homes.  What if God's love gave up on us?  What if God did not give us grace?  Where would we be?  We need to pray for our homes and our marriages.  I am shown more in my own marriage what love is.  God has truly blessed me with a caring, loving, patient, kind, giving, man and so much more.  I honestly couldn't ask for more. 

I'm sorry if I bored you.  But I do feel better for getting it out and on "paper".  Sometimes you just need to "write" what you are feeling.  Get it out. 

Thanks for reading.  I pray all of your loves are blessed.

Orange Slice Cookies {Tasty Tuesday}

Happy Tuesday Friends.

A few years ago for Christmas my mom made my sister and I a huge homemade cookbook of family recipes.  It has about 150 pages, with multiple recipes on each page.  I pull it out every now and again and go through it.  It's so fun to see recipes to things that you remember eating as a kid, but haven't had in years. 

This week the Orange Slice Cookies stood out to me.  I love orange slices, and my kiddos do too.  So I knew I needed to give them a try. 

Here is what you need:
4 Eggs beaten
1 bag orange slices (cut up small)
1/2 tsp. salt
1 1/2 nuts (I used pecans)
2 1/2 c. flour
1 box brown sugar
1 teas. vanilla

Mix all of the above together.  Spoon onto your cookie sheet.  Bake for 12 minutes at 350*

That's it!  They are really easy.  I'm sure any kind of nut you wanted to use would be fine.  I just used walnuts because I already had them.  They are the perfect mix of sweet and salty in a treat, which I love.  The kids liked them too.  I will be making them again!  Now I need to go through the book and find more goodies.

I'm social!  You can keep in touch with me on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, and even Instagram under Christy's Cuties if you would like.

I like to party.

Have a great day!

Thread Necklace {Tutorial}

Today I am going to show  you how I made a thread necklace.  A few weeks ago while at Maurices {LOVE IT} I spotted a necklace that I wanted.  Luckily I had my mom there.  I'm telling you, the only time I try to make any jewelry is when my mom is with them.  It's her specialty.

 Seriously, thread and gold jewelry circles.  Too easy.  Off to Wal*Mart I went. 
Here is what you need:
2 packs of thread
2 packs of jewelry circles (I used the larger size)

This is how I did it:
Lay your two packs of thread out, measure them into three long sections of the same size, and cut.  You will now have one long piece of  6 threads.  Put tape around your ends so that you are able to slide the circles on easier.  Next, double knot on one end where you would like your first set of metal circles.  I used 30 circles per section.  Once your circles are on, double knot the other end of the circles.  Continue this leaving as much space in between the metal circles as you would like.  When I had the amount I wanted I just took the tape off of the ends, and double knotted the ends together.  You can of course use a regular necklace clasp, but I didn't have any on hand.

And there you go!  Your own thread necklace.  I love it.  And instead of $16, it only cost me $5.  Can't beat that!

I like to party here.

Chip bags {Aria In Wonderland}

Today I am going to show you how my sister made her single serve chip bags for the Aria In Wonderland Party. 

Start with a lunch size paper bag.

Use a funky pair of scissors and cut along the bottom fold.

She used address labels for the front side of the bag.

Write whatever you like.

Then fill.  They were so cute, and the perfect size for guests.

If you missed the party decor you can find that here.
If you missed the party food list you can find that here.

I like to party over here.

Have a fantastic day!