Hippity Hoppity Easter’s on it’s Way! #HoneyBakedEaster

This is a sponsored post in part with HoneyBaked Ham
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I cannot believe Easter is less than two weeks away! It seems like it’s really early this year. Easter is a time to celebrate with friends and family and that’s always something I look forward to. Here in Texas we have a large family…I think we are about to have our 10th nephew/niece. It’s SO much fun to watch all those kiddos get together and have fun.

There is nothing like celebrating the holiday and then after church preparing for the BIG HUNT.

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All the kids wait eagerly inside while we hide the eggs for them. I just love their faces as they run out and start to find them. It’s pure joy.

Another thing that is pure joy for the adults is a yummy Easter meal. It’s an excuse to indulge a bit and eat casseroles, desserts, and my favorite…..HoneyBaked Ham turkey breast. I kid you not the HoneyBaked Ham is the BEST turkey I’ve put in my mouth. The sweet & crunchy glaze on the outside is full of flavor. It’s also sliced and ready to serve.

With HoneyBaked it’s easy to start planning now. I literally walked out of the store and brought it to my in-laws house and it was ready to eat.

HoneyBaked offers a variety of easy and delicious Easter meal solutions. There are so many items on their menu EVEN DESSERTS!

Right now you can get an exclusive, limited-time offer to plan your Easter meal.

$5 off any purchase of $50 or more

Offer valid 3.14.15 – 4.4.15. Must present coupon at time of purchase to receive offer. May not be combined with any other offer. One coupon per person at participating retail store locations. While supplies last.

I can’t wait for this year’s hunt to begin! What do you have planned this Easter?

I’m looking forward to spending time with those I love and reflecting why we celebrate this day. Enjoying a nice meal and conversation are how memories are made. Your day doesn’t need to be fancy, it just has to have heart….because in the end that’s all that matters 🙂

No…I’ve Not Fallen Off The Face of the Planet.

Oh my gosh y’all! Things have been super busy lately. I’ve neglected my bloggy blog for a bit too long. I’ve been busy with my new job, photo shoots, and doing laundry. Ya know…living the life.

We are about to put our house on the market and packing is craziness! We watched Tiny Houses on Netflix and going through all our crap makes me want to “tiny” my life. I don’t think I could actually live in a tiny house, but the idea is appealing. I know I want to get rid of all that junk we don’t use anymore. We went through closets last weekend and gave a ton to good will. I felt free!

The idea of moving is scary, but we are hoping to get moved before Connor starts the big Kindergarten this year.

Terence and I have been juicing again for dinner. I’ve been avoiding Easter candy like the plague. Stupid Cadbury mini eggs!!! They are crack.

I got to spend time with my good friend Sarah and her precious lil diva Ellie. I just adore this high/low dress. She’s the cutest little thing….like….EVER.

Sarah is also the owner of the cutest shop Wake Me Up Designs. She made me my very own sparkly “Java Mama” t-shirt. Watch out J-Lo….I be blinging.

Here’s a little throwback for you. Ter-Bear and I dating and sharing our first Easter together. Gah…I was skinny. Must have been before Cadbury mini eggs came out. It was 15 years ago after all. I am blaming the Cadbury mini eggs for everything right now.

Also, if you live in DFW I have a spring photo special going on. Email me if you are interested at beckylbranch@gmail.com

ColorVibeTM Dallas Race Day

This post is sponsored in part by Tum-E Yummies. All opinions are my own.

Last Saturday we woke up early to attend the Dallas Color Vibe race. I honestly didn’t know what to expect because I’ve never been to one of these color races, but I have heard a lot about them.

Here we are dressed very COLORFUL before the race starts!

Tum-E Yummies was there to offer refreshment for everyone. Tum-E Yummies was a sponsor of Color VibeTM. Tum-E Yummies were perfect for this race because they come in all different colors and flavors. Connor got a Tum-E Yummies temporary tattoo and then we were off to race.

Terence was taking pictures of me and Connor getting ready for take off.

Once you start the race there are different color zones you run through. The first one was green and I got HOSED in green! The color used at Color VibeTM races is 100% safe, edible, biodegradable, and beautiful.

Connor got a little green on him too 🙂

The blue zone

The FINISH LINE!!! I don’t look near as excited as those two ladies in front of me. Ha ha!

Seriously though…Connor is still talking about the race we went to where he got to run through all the colors. There were a lot of kids there too and it was very family friendly. If you are looking for something fun to do as a family I highly recommend a Color VibeTM race. We are looking forward to attending next time they come to town.

Someone get me a wet wipe. Y’all I’m NOT a race person, but this didn’t even feel like a race because it was so much fun! And if you are into races then more power to you.

Color VibeTM is touring all over the country right now, so check out the website and see if you live near a location hosting a Color VibeTM race.

The aftermath and much fun was had! Until next time….

Win a 4-pack of tickets to the DFW Auto Show!

This post is compensated by Shebuyscars. All opinions are my own.

There’s nothing better than a new car. The smell, everything is shiny and new, it’s just so darn pretty! If you are looking to get a new car in your near future there is no better place to do your research than the DFW Auto Show.

The 2015 DFW Auto Show will run March 25-29, 2015, at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center (formerly the Dallas Convention Center). One of the most anticipated annual events in the Metroplex, the DFW Auto Show is the ideal opportunity for consumers to compare styling and pricing of every major line make under one roof in just a few hours.

The DFW Auto Show was conceived in 1982, and now boasts more than half a million square feet of new cars, trucks and SUVs at the Dallas Convention Center.

Info about the show:

Dates
March 25-29, 2015

Times

Wednesday: 4 to 10 p.m.
Thursday: 4 to 10 p.m.
Friday: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Sunday: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Ticket Prices

$12 for adults
$5 for senior citizens 65 and older
$5 for children 6 to 12 years old; children 5 and under admitted free

You can also ENTER TO WIN a 4-pack of tickets to the Dallas Auto Show!

Just leave a comment below telling me what your favorite kind of car is?

(Giveaway ends Sunday, March 22nd)

Connor’s 5th Bowling Party

Connor turned 5 last week. I can’t believe my baby is already going to be in Kindergarten. In the blink of an eye they grow up!

We weren’t going to do a birthday party this year, but Connor has been wanting to go bowling so he chose a couple of friends to go bowling with. His best friends Lucas & Bridget met us for some bowling and cookie cake. Of course no birthday would be complete without our Uncle Adam and Aunt Christa 🙂

I think we’ve celebrated every one of his birthdays with them. This year baby Carlisle aka “my future daughter in law” got to join us too!

The kids had fun and I’m glad we got to make some memories. Now all he can talk about is when we can go bowling again. Ha ha!

Happy birthday my sweet Connor boy!

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Don’t Pinch Me I’ve Got a GREEN Thumb!

This article is sponsored by Monrovia

Well, spring is officially here! We have all turned our clocks forward and it’s a bit brighter outside when we get home. It’s time to start thinking about our front yard again and what to plant.

Terence does a great job every year planting and designing our front flower bed. We have owned several Monrovia bushes over the years and they grow just beautifully. One of my favorites is the Monrovia Snowcap Indian Hawthorn.

Here is our front flower bed right now:

The green bushes you see are the Monrovia Snowcap Indian Hawthorn in the winter.

Monrovia Snowcap Indian Hawthorns are compact, mounded shrubs with large, dark green, highly disease-resistant foliage that changes to dramatic, burgundy-red in cold weather.

Clusters of pink buds open to pale pink flowers, fading to white and followed by small bluish-black fruit. So, in the spring they will bloom to look like this:

I picked up another Monrovia Snowcap Indian Hawthorn at my local Nursery last week. I can’t wait to plant it when the weather gets nice outside. These bushes do great in the Texas heat and direct sunlight too!

Monrovia has 3,600 plant varieties that are all nurtured in a customized soil mix that helps develop a strong root system. Mycorrhizae are added to the soil mix–this is a “good fungus” that helps the roots absorb moisture and nutrients from the soil. The sales lady was telling me about this “good fungus” as I checked out with my Monrovia plant and how she loved them herself because they were exceptional plants.

What are you going to plant this spring?

Check out all of the different varieties Monrovia has to offer HERE.

The Women Who Inspire Me

Thank Eyeconic for sponsoring this post.

When I think about my life in a nutshell it’s hard to narrow it down to just one woman who has inspired me. To be honest there are SO many! I know I’m not the best wife, mom, daughter, sister, etc….but I do try to live my life the best I can. I try to encourage others and lift people up. I try to always be upbeat because your personality can effect so many people around you. Kindness is like a disease and it spreads (a good disease mind you!)

There are two women in particular I’d like to mention. The first in my Mom, Vicki, she’s put up with my twin sister and I for almost 34 years now. God bless her. She’s been a teacher and a reading specialist for many years and effected a countless number of children’s lives. We can’t go shopping in town without my Mom running into a former student or parent and they always tell her how she was their favorite teacher or how she changed their lives. It’s SUCH a blessing to know MY Mom is so special to so many people. I’m beyond proud of her and her accomplishments. She’s worked very hard and all that hard work pays off in all those children’s lives.

The second woman is my Nannie Sue. She’s my Mom’s Mom and she too was a teacher and guidance counselor for many years. There are not words strong enough to describe my Nannie. She’s like a rare gem, there aren’t many women like her in the world today. Her heart is beautiful and her spirit uplifts everyone around her. Her strong faith in God and her prayers are felt every day. She is one of the best cooks I know, she’s not quick to judge, and she’s a wonderful teacher. Not just to her former students, but whoever is around her.

So, when I think of who I’d like to model my life after I think of them. My Mom and Nannie. If I end up half as wonderful as them I’ll be alright.

This month, eyeconic.com is asking people to share a story about a woman who inspires them. In return, they’ll be entered to win a $500 shopping spree to VSP Vision Care’s online eyewear store eyeconic.com AND they will donate an eye exam and glasses to a woman in need through Women’s Empowerment, which helps give women who are homeless the skills and confidence to gain employment, housing and make a better life for themselves and their children.

You can participate in the “Eyeconic Women Who Inspire You Sweepstakes,” by entering your own short story on eyeconic.com for a chance to win a $500 Eyeconic shopping spree and help a woman in need.

Sweepstakes details can be found HERE.

Copywright The Java Mama/Becky Branch 2014