My First Gift

A guy at work gave me a $15 gift card to Baby's R Us. He's so sweet. He is one of my top 5 CNA's at work. He works hard, is sweet to his patients, he tells me things I need to know (pt having a fever, low saturation, in pain....)(some CNA's do not do this). 

He also LOVES babies. If he could settle down he would have a baby ASAP. He is so sweet! He wants babies so much that I feel bad answering his questions about how excited my hubby is and how Steven has already picked names and 'if it's a boy he's getting a dirt bike at his first birthday' or 'if it's a girl she is getting a pink four wheeler at her first birthday'. 

Yeah, my husband is the best! So cute! 

Well anyway, I was blown away by my coworkers kindness and excitement. It is refreshing when you meet people that are genuinely happy for you and are genuinely nice people down to their core.

Besides your spouse when was the last time you were blown away by the kindness of someone?

Strollers...?

Attention mommy friends! I need help picking out a Stroller. I want something light weight, totally cute, comfy for baby, and can hold my 'bag lady' crap. Other than that I have no idea what else to look for. Please ladies, help!!! Emily you said you were my go-to mom! HELP!

Meanings

I planted bulbs in the fall for the spring. I am hoping they come up and look beautiful. I was researching the meaning of some of the flowers I planted and am going to plant this year. I found it really interesting so I will share it with you!

ALLIUM
Prosperity

CROCUS

Cheerfulness, gladness

PETUNIA

Resentment, Anger, Your Presence Sooths Me

POPPY

Eternal Sleep, Oblivion, Imagination

TULIP

Perfect Lover, Frame, Flower Emblem of Holland

ZINNIA

Memory of an absent friend

SNAPDRAGON

Deception, Gracious Lady

PEONY

Shame, Happy Life, Happy Marriage

ANEMONE

Forsaken, sincerity

I Wish...

I wish I had a million dollars to spend on fabric. Beautiful, colorful, inspirational fabric. I bought some today from Fabric.com. I wish I could have bought more than I did but oh well. Here is what I bought today. 

 This is for the 'girl' quilt I am making. If our baby is not a girl it will still be a super cute quilt to hang on to.

These black and white swatches are for the quilt I am making for our King Size bed. I think It will be super cool to make a block quilt with all different black and white squares. Maybe I'll add strips of bright green or teal in it to add color. I might just save the color for the throw quilt and pillows. 

Thoughts? Feelings? Suggestions?

Prenatals

I have been taking these since BEFORE we found out I was pregnant just to play it safe since we were trying. I really really really hope these help my hair grow. I miss my LONG hair. Like mid back LONG hair. So....Here's to our baby and it's health and my hair! ;)

To Do:

-Make a black and white quilt for our bed

-Make burp cloths

-Make unisex baby quilts

-Buy shelves

    -Hang Shelves

-Buy nightstands

-Find a super cute dresser for the babies room

-Put the doorknobs on the doors

Just some things I am trying to put together. There is a ton more but if I can get a few things done a month I'll be ready in no time!

Family Love

Can I start by saying....I'm the luckiest woman in the world? My in-laws and hubby painted my whole house (almost) all weekend while I was at work. Can you believe it? I can't. they are insane! Our house looks amazing. They did a great job! Who does that? Who comes to your house and paints it for you AND cooks dinner AND does the dishes???? My mother-in-law does.


Seriously luckiest person ever!

Dear Baby,

Needing To Pee

So within the last few days I have had to pee a lot more. Am I starting this next stage? The pee a lot stage? 

If so I was already a mega pee person. I get up in the middle of the night a lot pre-pregnancy. So this should be fun!!! 

Good news is my chest cold is finally starting to go away. It sucks. I hate being sick. 

Hooter Hugger

Remember this???

Well that turned into .... THIS!

My very first Hooter Hugger!!! I think I did a good job. What do you think? Super cute eh?

We Are Pregnant!!!!

We first found out December 20th. We were (and still are) so excited! We heard the babies heartbeat today. It was amazing. I have never heard anything as awesome.

We are keeping the sex of the baby a surprise!!! Go ahead and place your bet but we won't know till our gorgeous baby makes it's appearance.

Colorful Laundry Room?

I have Knotty Alder cabinets in my laundry room so the paint color has to look well with them.

Attention Whore

We were out of town this weekend. I think he missed us.....He won't leave my side!

WHAT DO YOU WANT MORE OF?

I just posted a poll on a few things I could blog on more often. Please vote. Multiple answers are just fine. 

Is it just me or can you not see the title of the poll? I can't.....

Quick Meals

TURKEY BAGEL

• Whipped Cream Cheese

• Jellied Cranberry (Sometimes I use my homemade Jalapeno Jelly instead)

• Turkey Lunch Meat

1.Toast the bagel. 2. Smear the bagel with cream cheese and craberries. Add turkey and place top of bagel on sandwich.

VEGGIE SANDWICH

• Tomato-sliced
• Light Mayo
• Mustard
• Vinegar or Sweet Vinegar
• Cucumber
• Red Onion
• Black Olives-sliced or chopped
• Spinach
• Avocado-mushed up and salt and pepper to taste
• Sprouts
• Artichoke Hearts-Seasoned kind not plain. The plain kind is gross. 
• Slice of cheese- I like mild/new Cheddar from the Cheese factory or Gouda. 

Use bread, bagel, or wrap.  Spread mayo and mustard. Place cheese, spinach,  tomato, onion, artichoke hearts (I slice or chop them to make the sandwich less bulky), sprouts. Mix the avocado and black olives (sliced or chopped) and top off the sandwich with that. 

De-lish! Promise! I love these in the summer. 

FRUITY JELLO

• Jello of Choice

• Fruit of Choice

Make jello as normal. Place fruit inside jello after it has been in the fridge for a while so that the fruit floats in the gelatin instead of sinking to the bottom. 

*I like to use canned peaches with obviously peach jello. Or strawberries from my garden that I keep frozen for things such as this. Raspberry has to be my fave though....

Black Bean and Corn Salsa

X   1/3 cup fresh lime juice

X   1/2 cup olive oil

X   1 clove garlic, minced

X   1 teaspoon salt

X   1/8 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper

X   2 (15 ounce) cans black beans, rinsed and drained

X   1 1/2 cups frozen corn kernels

X   1 avocado - peeled, pitted and diced

X   1 red bell pepper, chopped

X   2 tomatoes, chopped

X   6 green onions, thinly sliced

X   1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro (optional)

X   Place lime juice, olive oil, garlic, salt, and cayenne pepper in a small jar. Cover with lid, and shake until ingredients are well mixed.

X   in a salad bowl, combine beans, corn, avocado, bell pepper, tomatoes, green onions, and cilantro.

X   Shake lime dressing, and pour it over the salad. Stir salad to coat vegetables and beans with dressing, and serve.

I like to use this as a filler for a Quesadilla instead of on salad. Try it! You won't be sorry.

Supplies For Work

Yep I am excited for a O2 monitor. I'm a nurse and a total nerd. Oh well......

Covergirl

Proactive

I started using Proactive. I am 24 years old and break out like a nervous 16 year old boy. It's horrible. The painful blind zits and the nasty black heads have me wishing I didn't have to go out sometimes. I started proactive 4 days ago and I am already almost clear!!! I should have taken a before picture but I was not sure this stuff would really work. 

I notice my black heads have shrunk to have their normal size and zits are getting 'zapped'. It is so awesome! 

Has anyone else used this product before? Did you have success? If I keep going like this in another 4 days I will have the clearest face I have ever had! 

Next self improvement will be my teeth! I totally want adult braces. If you have seen my smile lately you know I have a shark tooth that is in need of taming. 

Feeling good about myself makes my whole outlook change. I have never had skin like this before and that makes me feel beautiful in every way!

Online Shopping

I'm glad my laptop does not have a credit card slider. I would be sliding it all the time!!!

Flemmings Chipotle Mac and Cheese

Chipotle Mac and Cheese

Ingredients:

Servings: 8-10

Servings Size

·        

Update

• 1 lb pasta (cavatappi or curly)
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 3/4 cup onion, 1/2-inch dice
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick)
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 cups heavy cream
• 3 cups half-and-half
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon white pepper (ground)
• 3/4 lb smoked cheddar cheese, grated
• 1/4 lb cheddar cheese, grated
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon dried chipotle powder (chipotle chili powder)
• 3/4 cup panko (chunky bread crumbs)

Change Measurements: US | Metric

Directions:

Prep Time: 25 mins

Total Time: 50 mins

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a large pot, bring 1 gallon of water to boil. Add 2 teaspoons salt and pasta and cook for 8 - 9 minutes
2. Drain pasta and cool under cold running water. Pasta should be slightly firm. Toss drained pasta in oil and reserve.
3. Melt butter in a large sauce pot over medium heat. Add onions and saute for 4 - 5 minute.
4. Add flour and cook 1 - 2 minute but do not brown.
5. Add cream, half and half, kosher salt and white pepper.
6. Bring pot to a simmer. Cook until sauce is thick, about 5 - 6 minute Blend cheese into sauce and add cooked pasta.
7. Pour pasta and sauce into a 9 x 12" baking dish. Reserve.
8. In a saute pan over medium-high heat, add oil and chipotle chili powder. Heat for 30 seconds, until pan starts to smoke. Remove from stove and stir in bread crumbs.
9. Sprinkle bread crumbs over the pasta and bake for 15 - 20 minute until golden. Cool slightly before serving.

I found it online and we made it for Christmas. It was awesome! 

Toni I posted this mostly for you and Jake! It's time consuming but it is awesome!

Craft Teasers

Here are a few pieces I am working on. I hope you like drooling over the beauty of my bounty!! I'll post the finished projects soon!!! XoXo

What projects are you working on? Anything good?

The Year of 5's

Wow. I was facebook stalking some friends and family today. I haven't done that in a while so I thought today would be a good time for it. Facebook stalking and Greys Anatomy re-runs on Lifetime. Sounds good doesn't it? Well during my stalking I realized SO many of my friends and family have 5 year olds. Their children are all turning five within months of each other. This must me the year of the 5's.

Just a strange occurrence with everyone on my FB.

Wireless Printer and Tax Preparation

I am trying to print out all our tax info and any sort of invoices that can be used for a write off. This process is so time consuming. :(

2010 Recap

Our 2010 Update:

Bought and moved into our house January 1st. We love it! It is a lot of hard work but it is our piece of heaven.

*(this is the MLS picture. We have done a ton of work with the yard)

We adopted a crazy kitten/cat named Squid. He is a handful and so much fun. He likes to sleep on my neck and he hates when I give Steven attention over him. He is a super protective fur ball.

(He was a cute little kitten)

(We call this his awkward teenage stage)

We have another niece! Her name is Mae and looks like a perfect mix of Veronica and Josh. She is always happy and has a super bubbly personality. Her big sis Savannah loves her to pieces too!

We went to Zions this summer with the Cleverly clan. It was so fun! We saw some huge bugs and beautiful waterfalls.

We also went on an adventure to Yellowstone! It was a blast! We started at St. Anthony Idaho and then went through Yellowstone all the way and then took a l5 hour drive the rest of the way home through Jackson and some pretty cute no-name towns.

We also went to Vegas! We love the Vegas!

Oh....and I almost forgot....Our house almost burnt down due to the 'awesome' Machine Gun Fire. . . . Yeah....really awesome.... :(