Just Another Day in Paradise : May 2011

Monday, May 30, 2011

Busy Busy Weekend

I hope everyone had a great relaxing Memorial Day weekend! We sure did, although it was very busy - but it was all doing fun things!!

Friday night - we had our home group and got to hang out with some great friends. I am so blessed to have the wonderful friends that I have from the group.

Saturday - I had breakfast with some of our home group as we celebrated the birthday of one of the girls in the group. We met up at the Cork wine bar in Uptown later that night to celebrate again with her. We had an absolute blast!!

Sunday - Jason finally joined the cool club and got an IPhone

And pretty much since then, he has been playing with it. I haven't really talked to him since yesterday afternoon. Ha - jk!

Monday - Jason and I walked to Starbucks in the morning and enjoyed a cup of coffee before it got too hot.

Then the rest of the day was spent with this little cutie!

Tomorrow its back to reality. Boo! But here is hoping that Friday comes quickly!!

Friday, May 27, 2011

Show Us Your LIFE Fridays - Dessert Recipe

I'm linking up with Kelly's Korner today for favorite dessert recipes. I can't wait to add to my list of desserts to make! To see other recipes go HERE

I LOVE DESSERTS!! I'm pretty sure I could eat dessert every day if my hip size would stay the same - ha! I had a hard time just picking one dessert recipe because I like them all so much but I picked one from my all time favorite dessert cook book that I got as a wedding gift. It combines my two favorites: chocolate and peanut butter!

Chocolate Cake with Peanut Butter/Milk Chocolate Frosting

Cake:

2 cups of all purpose flour

1 3/4 cups granulated sugar

2/3 cups baking cocoa

1 1/2 tsp baking powder

1 1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1 cup milk

1 cup water

1/2 cup vegetable oil

2 eggs

2 tsp vanilla

1 2/3 cups Nestle Peanut Butter & Milk & Chocolate Morsels

Frosting:

1 package of cream cheese, softened

1 tsp vanilla

1/8 tsp salt

3 cups sifted powdered sugar

For Cake:

Combine flour, sugar, cocoa, baking powder, soda and salt in bowl. Add milk, water, oil, eggs, and vanilla extract; blend until moistened. Beat for 2 minutes and pour into 2 greased and floured 9 inch round cake pans. Sprinkle 1/3 cup morsels over each cake. Bake in oven at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean.

For frosting:

Microwave remaining morsels in small bowl on medium high for 1 minute and then at additional 10-20 second intervals, stirring until smooth. Beat cream chesse, melted morsels, vanilla extract, and salt in small bowl until fluffy. Gradually beat in powdered sugar. Frost between layers on top and side of cake. Makes 10-12 servings.

Enjoy!!

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Wednesday Love!

It's time to join up for What I'm Loving Wednesday with Jamie! To see what others are loving go HERE.

This Wednesday:

I'm loving that we have a three day weekend in 3 days! I am so excited to have a day off from work. I definitely need it. Thanks Memorial Day.

I'm loving that Jason and I booked tickets for a vacation to NEW YORK CITY in August. I could not be more excited. Any trip advice for places to see, stay, or eat at would be much appreciated!

{via}

I'm loving that this little boy is coming to stay with us for three weeks starting this weekend so that he can attend intensive therapy sessions. I already have fun things planned like the pool, the aquarium, and games to do with him. I can't wait.

I'm loving the necklace that I bought at the LOFT outlet this weekend.

I'm loving the books that I have been reading. I read Simple Secrets and Simple Deceits by Nancy Mehl and The Centurion's Wife by Janette Oke this month. They were great. The first two are murder mysteries and the last one is set in the early A.D. years right after Christ died on the cross. I highly recommend them.

I hope you are having a fabulous Wednesday!

Saturday, May 21, 2011

To my baby in heaven

My sweet precious baby:

Today would have officially been your due date. From the day your daddy and I found out that we were going to have you, we were so excited. We had waited for a long time to finally have the chance to become parents, and we were so ecstatic that it was going to be with you.

We wondered what you were going to look like. Would you have mommy's blue eyes? Your daddy's smile? Would you be bald until the age of 2 like both your parents? We couldn't wait to hold you and take care of you. You made your mommy very sick, but I pushed through it knowing that the reward at the end would be worth it. (I only threatened to ground you once when you had made your momma throw up for the third time in one day =) ) Then that fateful day in November came, and we found out that you were no longer with us. It was the worst day of our lives. We were so sad that we weren't going to be able to wipe your tears, kiss your boo boos, make you laugh til your sides hurt, and watch you grow into the child of God you would become. We still cry when we think of all the memories we won't get to make with you this side of heaven.

But my dear sweet child, we can only be sad for ourselves because you get heaven! You won't ever feel pain, disappointment, sorrow or sickness. And most importantly, you get Jesus. We smile when we think of Him holding you and that you get to rest in His presence. How can we be sad about that my little one??

I want you to know that your daddy and I will never forget you. We miss you every day. Your siblings will know about you and how you got to go ahead of us into God's kingdom. We can't wait for the day that we get to be together again and be in God's presence together worshipping Him for all eternity. That will be a joyous day that lasts forever.

We love you with all our hearts,

Mommy and Daddy

Friday, May 20, 2011

Show Us Your LIfe Fridays - Main Course Recipe

I love to cook. I am always looking for new recipes to add to our list of favorites. And this one is definitely on that list. It's super easy, super quick and so yummy!! I got if off the Pioneer Woman website. You can't go wrong with that.

Bow-tie Lasagna

-1 pound of ground beef or turkey

-1 can of spaghetti sauce

- 5 cups of bow tie noodles (I use penne noodles sometimes)

- 1 Tablespoon of Olive Oil

-1 tsp of salt

-1/2 tsp garlic powder

-1 tsp Italian Seasoning (or more per taste)

-1/2 cups of mozzarella cheese

-1/2 cups sour cream

Fry ground meat in pan while noodles are cooking. After noodles are cooked, drain and drizzle with olive oil. Mix in with the ground meat and then pour in your spaghetti sauce. Add cheese, sour cream and seasonings and then stir to combine until cheese is melted. Enjoy!!

To see more recipes go HERE

Thursday, May 19, 2011

Main Street Days

On Saturday, Jason and I went to the Main Street Days in downtown Grapevine. We went around lunch time and walked around for a couple of hours looking at all the booths and checking out the carnival rides. Don't worry we did not ride them - they looked too scary to me - like they could fall apart at any minute.

One of the sponsors, Central Market, was having a grilling contest of different meats during the day. We weren't there when they tasted the food but it smelled delicious!

Lots of different bands/singers were singing at the gazebo.

And of course, what else do you have to do at a carnival? Why eat the carnival food!

Me with my strawberry snowcone. My first of the season. Yum!

Jason and the giant hot dog

We had a lot of fun and look forward to the next event downtown Grapevine has. Although, my scalp was burned pretty badly and I missed a spot on my shoulders with the sunscreen - ouch! Oh well! You live you learn =)

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Wednesday Love!

To see what others are loving go to Jamie's blog HERE.

This Wednesday:

I'm loving that Jason and I went to the Grapevine Main Street Days on Saturday. They had such cute booths and fun carnival rides and we signed up for a really cheap trip! Although I am not loving that my scalp got burned to a crisp..ouch!

I'm loving the Glee episode last night. It was so sad but so sweet for what they did for Sue Sylvester's sister. I cried when they sang the Willy Wonka song at the funeral. Plus, Finn broke up with Quinn!!! Yippee for that! I've been waiting all season for that to happen.

I'm loving that I just found out the Les Miserables is coming to Dallas in December!! Whohoo!!!

{via}

I'm loving that the Pioneer Woman is having a giveaway for a weekend at her ranch with lots of cooking and relaxing involved. I so need to win this trip.

Hope you are having a fabulous Wednesday!

Sunday, May 15, 2011

29 Before 29 Update

I know you all have been anticipating me doing an update on my 29 things before my 29th birthday. I think I am doing pretty well with them. There aren't alot that I haven't crossed off but I've made progress on several of them so I think that's good =). So without further ado - here's how I'm doing:

1. Take a photography class

2. Make Spain scrapbook

3. Make 2 new recipes a month (I'm actually doing good with this one. There have been some recipes that we have decided to keep and some that we will definitely not make again)

4. Try 6 new restaurants (Firehouse Subs, Five Guys Burgers & Fries)

5. ~~Learn how to use the cross out feature on the blog~~

6. It's a secret.

7. Visit the Dallas Aquarium

8. Organize and scan all photos from pre-digital era.

9. Get professional pictures done

10. Go on a vacation

11. Have dessert only once a week (I am actually amazed that I have stuck to this one. It's so hard!)

12. Read at least 2 books a month (This has not been a problem. I love to read and I have an awesome Nook to read things on)

13. Do five craft projects

14. Take Lucye on longer walks -weather permitting (Minus a few rainy days, the weather has been cooperating and I've been able to do this pretty consistently - of course the summer heat is on it's way!)

15. Have date night at least 3 nights a month

16. ~~Go to an FC Dallas game~~

17. Go see a movie on opening day at midnight

18. Memorize a scripture verse each month. (Ps. 71:14, 20-21, Ps. 13:6)

19. Learn to sew

20. Eat at the table at least 3 nights a week (There were a couple of weeks that this didn't happen but it may have been because we were using the table as a laundry basket - I mean - no that so didn't happen)

21. Have a cookie exchange party

22. Send cards in the mail for birthdays, anniversaries etc. (Doing great with this!)

23. Own a pair of TOMS shoes

24. Take a spontaneous trip over the weekend

25. Pick a show that I've never watched before and watch all the seasons

26. Support a local artist by going to a show or buying a CD

27. Have dinner with a couple at least once a month (Sometimes we've done it twice!)

28. Get at least 2 pedicures (1/2 done)

29. Go to the state fair

I'll be back soon with another update!

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Wednesday Love!!

To see what others are loving via Jamie go HERE.

I'm loving The Voice. I like the concept of it although the battle rounds kind of make me sad because I hate that they have to pick just one. I think Adam has the some of the most talented singers. What do you think?

{via}

I'm loving that I finally found Magnum bars in the store!!! I blogged about this a couple of weeks ago and found them at a Walgreens this weekend. They were amazing just like I remembered them.

I'm loving that it's my mom's birthday tomorrow!! Happy Birthday Mom!!!!

I'm loving that Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 will be out in 2 months and that I got to see the trailer for it. I am so excited.

What are you loving today??

Saturday, May 7, 2011

FC Dallas Game

Last Sunday, Jason and I went with some of our good friends to an FC Dallas Game at Pizza Hut Park. They were playing L.A. Galaxy (David Beckham and Landon Donavan play on that team!) We had so much fun watching the game, however, the weather did NOT want to cooperate. Saturday it was almost 90 degrees and I was in shorts, and the next morning I woke up and it was 50 degrees, and I was searching for a sweater to wear in my closet. What?? It's May 1st, people.

All day long, it rained off and on, and I kept hoping that the rain would go away by the time the game came at 6. When we left for the game, it wasn't raining (yay!) but we went ahead and brought all our rain gear just in case because the rain was in the forecast (boo!). We got there right before kick off and watched the first half of the game in the cold with blankets and hot chocolate, but no rain =). I got to watch David Beckham and Landon Donavan play and at times, they were 20 feet from me...I ALMOST DIED. We got the cheap tickets but we were on the first row right at the goal line.

This group was in the next section from us and they were hard core fans. They had drums and some were waving flags and they were chanting different things. It was kind of funny.

David Beckham!! All of these pics are kind of blurry because I took them with my phone because I didn't bring my good camera.

Landon Donavan!!

Landon and David together at a corner kick. I waved hi to them but they didn't wave back. It's ok though, we can still be friends.

After the half, we saw the clouds start to roll in (ruh roh) and so we put on all our rain gear.

Me and Jessica all decked out in our rain gear right before the downpour =)

We were able to watch the game through the torrential downpour until the last 10 minutes of the game and we started seeing lightning. They postponed the game but we went ahead and left. FC Dallas ended up winning 2-1. We are looking forward to going again because we had a lot of fun but I'm hoping for better weather next time!

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Wednesday Love!!

To see what other people are loving go to Jamie's blog HERE.

This Wednesday:

I'm loving that I got to see David Beckham at the FC Dallas game this weekend. We had cheap tickets but there was times that I was 20 feet away from him and I almost died. It was worth sitting in the rain!

I'm loving Kate Middleton's dress!! Oh my gosh! Was that not the most beautiful dress ever? It looked so regal and elegant.

{via}

I'm loving the Vampire Diaries. It is my guilty pleasure show. I don't know why I like it but I do. It is so intense and I look forward to it all week.

{via}

I'm loving Starbucks Toffee Nut Lattes. Yum! I had one today as a reward for getting blood work done =). I haven't had one in a while so it was a great special treat.

What are you loving today???

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Easter Weekend

I know its a week late, but its better late than never =). We had a great time with Jason's mom and sister who came into town for Easter weekend. They came in on Friday night and we hung out all day Saturday. We went shopping at the mall near our house and I bought a really cute dress and some shirts from the LOFT outlet (which I heart that store by the way). We went to church on Saturday night at The Village (which I also love) and then went out to eat at Sweet Tomatoes. Yum!

On Sunday, we started cooking and had Easter lunch around noon. Jason's aunt, uncle and cousin also came over for the festivities.

Some of the spread

I made this cake from the Pioneer Woman's website. Make this today! It is amazing! It's called Billie's Italian Cream Cake. So delicious!!

We had so much fun for the first time hosting Easter at our house.