Simply Craig

I love being married to this man. He would do just about anything for me. I say  just about  because there is one thing he simply will not do for me. Any guesses? Hint: It happens when I pull out my camera. That's right. He won't smile for me when the camera is pointed at him. His mama says he's always been this way. I thought for sure I could break him of it. Seventeen years later...I was wrong. But don't worry. I'll keep t-r-y-i-n-g. Smile or no smile, he's still my prince. Thank you for all the little things and all the big things you do for me. They never go unnoticed. I love you, Mr. B.T.C. Happy 17th Anniversary. Here's to 18-19-20-21...and many, many more.

Every Tuesday night is chicken night at our house. Which means I'm always on the lookout for another way to cook chicken that doesn't feel like...well,  another chicken dinner. This Kung Pao Chicken was a hit with the family, so it's definitely one worth passing along. Ingredients 6 skinless, boneless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces 3 tablespoons cornstarch 6 teaspoons sesame oil 4 green onions, chopped 4 garlic cloves, minced 3 teaspoons fresh ginger, grated 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (more if you like it spicy) 9 tablespoons soy sauce 9 tablespoons seasoned rice vinegar 3 teaspoons sugar 1 cup roasted peanuts Cooked rice, for serving Directions Prepare rice according to package directions. Combine chicken and cornstarch in a bowl and toss until evenly coated. In a separate bowl, combine soy sauce, rice vinegar and sugar. Set aside. Heat sesame oil in a wok over medium-high heat. Once hot, add chicken and stir-fry until cooked through and no longer pin...

Did anyone else want to throw the covers back over their head when waking up this morning? I did. Spring Break went WAY too fast this year. I let our once rigid routine fade into a distant memory for a while, and it was nice. We stayed up way too late eating popcorn and watching movies. We traded homework for long bike rides and walks along the beach. But I suppose it's time to get back to the ol' routine. Darn it! Before the kids left for break, Britley's first-grade class had a field trip to the zoo. Britley begged me to volunteer as one of the chaperones. I looked into those pleading little eyes and actually considered it... Then I came to my senses. I've tried the whole field trip bus thing with her older siblings. Somehow I always end up with a pounding headache from what feels like an eternal bus ride home surrounded by a kid...or two or three or four...with very high-pitched, l-o-u-d voices. I know. I'm pathetic. So we compromised. I told Britley I'd meet...

The girls REALLY got into Spirit Week this year. There was planning. There was coordinating. There was some serious discussion about how closely they could match each other. And every morning they were up at the crack of dawn, bursting with excitement to put on whatever carefully planned creation was waiting for them. Hawaiian Day Grass skirts, leis and all. Twin Day Because apparently being sisters wasn't quite close enough. Matching shirts, matching hair, matching everything.   Nerd Day I'm not sure those faces are helping their case. They make "nerdy" look pretty darn cute. Team Day And look who decided to join in... The boys! Crazy Hair Day This may have been my favorite. The girls added color, bows and braids. The boys went BIG. Very big. And judging by the pictures, they knew exactly how cool they looked. ou guys rocked Spirit Week this year! And Momma thoroughly enjoyed having an excuse to pull out the camera every single morning.

Just three short days after our last trip, we were traveling again. And once again, I found myself at an airport. Pushing a wheelchair. Thankfully, this time I had a little experience under my belt and there were no airport mishaps. We were traveling for pleasure and were off to visit some very dear friends. You know those friends... The ones you may not see for months...or sometimes years...but when you're together, you pick up right where you left off. The ones you trust enough to leave your children with while you're out of town. We actually did this about nine years ago and our kids still thought it was the best weekend ever. The ones who are simply a positive example to follow. They have "good energy." Their home feels loving and secure and is filled with laughter, affection and a whole lot of love. For all of these reasons and many more, it came as no surprise to us that this couple's profile was chosen not once, but twice, by birth mothers looking for adopt...