First comes love, then comes marriage.....

Wow. Can you say, "It's been too long!!" Because seriously, it has been TOO long. No worries, I have written down my log in and password, so hopefully that will never happen again...

Some updates...

For starters, Blake and I have celebrated our one year anniversary. It's so crazy! I can't believe it's already been a year!

 

Second of all, I'm pregnant! Ah! It's so crazy to think about it, but it's true! So, I'll just dedicate this blog post to tell the story of how we found out.

Long story short of how I found out, I took 3 test and decided by the 3rd one that I better believe it.
 

"How in the world and I going to tell Blake?" That's all I thought about for the rest of the day (it was Friday afternoon.) I always thought that I would tell him in some sweet way. You know, something off of Pinterest. Well, no. I got home and went to bed to lay down. Blake was getting ready for date night, so I decided I'd take a quick nap before we left (something I had just started that week. I'm not a nap person.) Well, he came over to me and started tickling me. We were laughing and joking and BOOM! It hit me, people! Within 3 seconds, I went from laughing to crying my eyes out. Blake freaked out - jumped back and kept asking what was wrong. Finally, I got the words out. Those 4 words every girl dreams of saying. "I think I'm pregnant." And the rest, as they say, is history. 

15 weeks pregnant

So, I'm 16 weeks pregnant today, feeling great, and so happy. Blake and I saw the doctor yesterday. I've only gained 2-3 pounds each month (total of 8 pounds, so I'm on the right path! Woohoo!) Our baby has a strong heartbeat. It was anywhere from 130 to 150 yesterday. It was all over the place. The doctor said, "That sounds like a boy to me!" We'll find out on November 23rd! Woohoo!

The end for tonight :) 

You may not know this, but...

1. I have a scar on my right knee that looks like a "V". It wasn't very fun getting it. I fell off of a trailer and hit my knee. I ended up getting 8 stitches (after my mom and sister were finally convinced I was really hurt.)

2.I love ice cream. It's my number one favorite thing to eat - cookies and cream ice cream, to be exact! My dad's side of the family are all about ice cream. Anytime, anywhere. No matter how full or sick you are. My grandma always says, "Ice cream helps your food digest. It just helps it kind of slide on down." Yea, she's awesome! Which is why we ALWAYS have a big bowl of vanilla ice cream with chocolate syrup after dinner at her house. Mmmm..... My sister, dad and I always have it after dinner too (when we're all together.) (Mom can't eat ice cream... Poor woman!)

3. I always wear skirts and I've never cut my hair.

4. I would rather have a big bowl of mashed potatoes than a nice, juicy steak (or whatever your favorite food is.) Because seriously, mashed potatoes are the bomb.com.

5. I consider almost all my friends my "best friend." Blake makes fun of me for it, but I'm like, "Whatever, dude..." Why would I be friends with someone who isn't the best?!

6. The first time I met Blake, I accidentally kicked him. During worship services. It was embarrassing...

7. I have horrible allergies. And I always sneeze a lot at one time. So, if you ever hear me sneeze, wait till after at least 3 sneezes to "bless me."

8. I love making people laugh. I just love being happy and laughing.

9. I can't stand it if someone is mad at me, or if I'm mad at someone. I seriously just don't like that feeling!

10. I love watching movies. Movies and TV shows. It's a little hobby of mine. I like seeing the new movies (clean ones.) I don't like seeing dirty movies. That is NOT an interest of mine!

Italian Sandwiches

I found something wonderful and amazing...and I'm about to show you what it is! Ready?

Tada!!

I actually found this recipe (here) at Twist Me Pretty. (Her blog was originally called "My Yellow Sandbox.") How easy and delicious does this look? As a kid, I remember making homemade pizzas out of crescent rolls. My favorite part about it was that I got to make my own. My mom would always let me create my very own masterpiece and we always had a blast. I always like really simple, fun recipes like these because when Blake and I start having kids, I feel like this is something fun that we could all create together! (Or maybe I'm just weird?)

Oklahoma Cherry Dessert

I had another AMAZING recipe that went over so well this weekend at a lunch that we had between worship services. (I actually had 2, but I'm sharing only one today!)

Oklahoma Cherry Dessert (I took this recipe from my family's cookbook.)

1/2 c. butter
1 (8 oz.) pkg. cream cheese, softened
1 c. powdered sugar
1/4 c. powdered sugar
2 cans (21 oz.) cherry pie filling
1 c. flour
1/4 c. chopped nuts (pecans)
1 (9 oz.) carton Cool Whip

Melt butter and mix in 1/4 cup powdered sugar, flour and nuts. Press in a 9x13 pan. Bake for 15 minutes at 350 degrees or until brown.

Mix cream cheese and one cup powdered sugar until creamy; add Cool Whip. Spread over cool crust. Top with cherry pie filling. Refrigerate. Serves 12-16.

-I, personally, like a graham cracker crust with it instead of the flour crust. I'm just not a fan of flour crusts. I used this graham cracker crust recipe from allrecipes.com:

Graham Cracker Crust

1 1/2 cups finely ground graham cracker crumbs

1/3 white sugar

6 T butter, melted

Mix graham cracker crumbs, sugar, melted butter or margarine, and cinnamon until well blended . Press mixture into an 8 or 9 inch pie plate.

Bake at 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) for 7 minutes. Cool. If recipe calls for unbaked pie shell, just chill for about 1 hour.

(I've gotta get better at this whole "taking pictures of food" thing.) I came home with this baking dish empty last night. I was actually kind of bummed, and yet so happy. It feels so good to have people like what you cook! I hope you all enjoy it as much as I do. It's definitely my favorite dessert. I grew up with it always being at my family dinners - on my mom's side.

This is a little side note: I started my 20 hairstyles in 20 days thing yesterday. I promise! Ask my husband! The only problem is that we have AWFUL internet!! I have to start all over with it and just use my phone for the pictures. I'm totally bummed about it... But, we're working towards getting new internet. I'll try and have something for you all tomorrow. Again, I am SO sorry!

Weekend in Pictures



I have to explain this one!! This weekend, my sister-in-law's best friend came
 and surprised her! It was so sweet! They both needed a good, fun weekend together.
PS. This was at the ugly sweater party I threw at our house this weekend! 



Crock Put Chicken Tacos

I thought I would share on of mine and my husband's favorite recipes today. If I'm tired of cooking or know that I will be extremely exhausted when I get home from work, I just pull this little jewel out before I head to work, put it together, and tada! Easy dinner, coming right up!

Chicken Soft Tacos

1-1 1/2 lbs. frozen, boneless, skinless chicken breasts
14 1/2 oz. can diced tomatoes (with or without green chilies. I like to use one can Rotel, one can diced tomatoes.)
1 envelope taco seasoning

Place chicken in a medium sized crock pot. In a bowl, mix taco seasoning and diced tomatoes. Pour over chicken. Cook on low for 6-8 hours. Shred chicken (I use two forks and just rip it up!) Serve in flour tortillas.

So easy and so delicious! Blake (who is one 'selective' eater) can put 4-5 of these bad boys down. (Don't tell him I told you that...) I usually make a big pot full, put half of it in a container, and then freeze it.

I hope you all enjoy it!  

Get Excited...Really Excited!

Ok, guys. I have some big(ish) news!! I've had a few friends who have been begging me to make hair tutorials. I haven't been motivated to do it, but I'm going to make myself motivated. Why? Because I said so!

Have you all heard of the blog "My Yellow Sandbox" or "Twist Me Pretty?" This lady is adorable and amazing. (She has the cutest kids, too!) I'm sure you've all seen her "30 Hairstyles/30 Days." If you haven't, check it out! You won't be disappointed! Anyway, I found her a couple years ago and have loved her ever since. I learned how to do my hair in so many different styles because of her. My only problem is that I just don't make the time to do anything. (Also, I have a bad neck, so I can't do too much with my hair. Excuses excuses, I know...but seriously.)

Here's the exciting news!! Starting on Sunday (the 3rd), I'm going to do 20 hairstyles in 20 days. I am SO pumped! I was going to do 30, but I think it would definitely be best if I only did 20 for right now. Wish me luck! I'm going to take the next 3 days to plan my hairstyles. If you all have any requests, let me know!