Updates

This is why we did not have power!

This is what Dixie did during the power being out.

And...this is what I made once the power came on, but we still didn't have cable or internet.  I made it out of Mark's ACU's from when he was deployed.  It still needs a nose, but I couldn't find the right button.  

I'm Back!

After a long 4 days with no TV or internet, our service has finally been restored!  However, I am oh so thankful that we only went without power for 24 hours.  It was just long enough for all of our cold food to go bad and for everything in the freezer to thaw out.  Lovely!  Oh well....I think we fared pretty well in comparison to what others have suffered!  For now...I'm off to bake cookies and then headed to my 30 week Dr. appt.!!!!

Mexican Wedding Cookies

Most days when I think I want to bake something tasty, I scour all of my favorite blogs and look for something that not only looks delicious, but I have all of the ingredients for.  Today, however, I remembered that I had a trusty recipe for wedding cookies in my recipe tin and I knew for sure I had all of the ingredients.  One hour later....I present to you these beauties!  I haven't eaten any yet, because they are too hot.  I plan to give most of them away....(my back side will thank me later!)  I better taste at least one before subjecting anyone to them...quality control, right?!  And...I painted that cute little plate at a coffee with my old BN!  This is the first time I have used it.  :)

Happy Birthday to Trey!

How does time go by so quickly?  From this...

To this...

And now this?  

CRAZY!!!!!  Happy Birthday "little" brother!  Hope you have a wonderful day!  Welcome to your 20's!  

Belly Updates- 29 Weeks

How Far Along: 29 Weeks, 2 Days

Size of Baby:  Butternut Squash (17 in., 3.1 lbs.)

Symptoms: Still feeling good!  

Movement:  I still get excited every time I feel her move, and I get nervous if she goes too long without kicking.  Coolest feeling ever!  

Milestones:  I passed the 3 hr. glucose test!  We survived a rare 5.8 earthquake this week and we just got home from getting water and supplies incase we lose power from Hurricane Irene.  It has been a crazy week!

Recipe Review

First of all, if you have not discovered Pinterest, you should go there now!  It is basically a place to "pin" or bookmark all of the fantastic things on the internet.  I enjoy repinning things that my peeps have already pinned.  It seems complicated at first, but soon it will take over all of your free time.  So...ever since I found this gem of a website I have been pinning recipes that I would like to try and if they make the cut add to the meal rotation.  Most of them have been hits....Here is the rundown.

Baked Ziti from "The Girl Who Ate Everything"

I would probably give this a B- and Mark gives it a an A-.  This recipe was really easy and came together quickly, but the author of the recipe suggested using italian sausage...but if I make it again, I will use lean ground beef.  Also, I left the sour cream out of the recipe...it just seemed weird.  I might give this one another try...

Crockpot Chicken Taco Bowls from Budget Bytes

I would give this one an A- and Mark gives it a strong A.  I was able to throw everything in the crockpot in the morning and we had a quick easy meal at dinner time.  All I had to do was whip up some rice.  I don't think I changed anything from the original recipe, but I'm sure you could add or subtract to your liking.  This one will make another appearance in a few weeks for sure!  

King Ranch Chicken (non-fancy version) from The Homesick Texan

This one gets an A from both of us!  DELISH!  I actually split the recipe in half...I cooked one and froze the other one.  It is actually all ready to go for one night this week!  Recipe Note:  I didn't use a fryer chicken.  I just boiled 4 chicken breasts and shredded them up.  Next time I might use 6 breasts, because I like a lot of chicken!

Lemon Garlic Spaghetti 

I give this an A and Mark gives this a B.  This was light and easy and I thoroughly enjoyed it with a nice salad on the side.  I had all of the ingredients on hand so I just threw it together and it was on the table in about 20 minutes.  

Cheesy Potatoes from Mels Kitchen Cafe

A+++ all around!  I made chicken cutlets and green beans with these potatoes on the side.  I could have eaten them all alone for my meal.  They were perfectly cheesy and delicious!  Definitely not a light dish for everyday consumption, but it sure was good!  

Summer Corn Fettuccini from Mrs. Bettie Rocker

Both of us give this one a C.  It wasn't horrible, but I probably won't make it again.  It just didn't do anything for either of us.  

Happy Cooking and Happy Pinning!  

What's Shakin?

The last thing I thought I would experience when moving to VA would be an EARTHQUAKE!!!  Yesterday, started out as a regular Tuesday, except Mark was off work and we decided it would be a great day to go explore.  We decided on the Spy Museum, near Chinatown, and then we planned on getting lunch in the area.  Normally, we would take the Metro up, to not have to deal with traffic or parking.  Since it was a Tuesday morning after rush hour, at the last minute we decided to take our car.  We found a parking garage near the museum and paid a whopping $20 to park!  We looked at each other and said, "Never again!, We should have ridden the Metro."  We spent about 2 1/2 hours pretending to be spies and learning all about spies...until I was starving!!!!  We walked across the street to get lunch at about 1:45.  We sat down, received drinks, ordered food....and then....the floor started rumbling.  I asked Mark if it was an earthquake and he said that he thought it was the Metro going underneath us.  Then it got stronger and the rumble became a very strong shaking.  At that point, we were unsure if it was an earthquake or some type of terrorist attack.  Thankfully it was only an earthquake!  Everyone was evacuated from all of the buildings and people were everywhere!  We had to wait about an hour to get the all clear to go back in the parking garage and get our car.  Now it is about 2:45....pregnant lady is now STARVING!  Getting out of the city was a bit interesting, but at this point we thought that driving our car was the best decision ever and that $20 to park was the best money we spent all day!  Apparently, the Metro was down for awhile for checks and then was running 13 mph.  I'm sure the Metro stations were packed wall to wall.  I've never seen so many people just standing outside.  The traffic was insane and it took us over an hour to get home, but we were just happy to get out of DC.  Our house was fine, but we had lots of things fall off the walls and most of the things hanging were very crooked.  It was a pretty scary experience for sure and I would prefer to not feel the earth shake again any time soon!  Now the word is we might be getting a hurricane this weekend!

Pi Phi Cookies

So, I'm not a Pi Phi (however according to my Pi Phi friends, I am an honorary Angel...but really I'm a Theta!)  Anyway...sweet Kayse has rush all week and I thought she might enjoy coming home to a sweet treat at the end of a long day!

Happy Birthday Cookies- Red Raider Style

My baby brother is turning 20 in a few days, and I figured he needed some special Texas Tech cookies to celebrate!  I really can't believe he is turning 20!  How can that be when I am only 21?!  :)

Room Confusion

Since we have started setting up K's room, I think Dixie has become a little confused.  I think she might think it is her room!  She really likes to hang out in there...either chewing a bone on the rug or curled up in a blanket on the floor.  Well, today I found her in a new place...

I watched her arrange the lovies in the chair just right before she settled in for her little nap!  I think she is going to be a great furry big sister...if only she decides to share all the lovies, blankets and toys.  

Happy Dance!

I passed the 3 hour glucose test!!!!  The test was unpleasant, but I was most concerned about finding out that I had gestational diabetes and could put my baby at risk for being unhealthy.  I feel like I can go be productive now, since all I have done all day is wait for the Dr. to call.  Thanks for all the prayers and concern!

Pi Phi Cookies

So, I'm not a Pi Phi (however according to my Pi Phi friends, I am an honorary Angel...but really I'm a Theta!)  Anyway...sweet Kayse has rush all week and I thought she might enjoy coming home to a sweet treat at the end of a long day!  

Happy Birthday Cookies- Red Raider Style!

My baby brother is turning 20 in a few days, and I figured he needed some special Texas Tech cookies to celebrate!  I really can't believe he is turning 20!  How can that be when I am only 21?!  :)

Belly Updates- 28 Weeks

How Far Along: 28 Weeks, 2 Days

Size of Baby:  Small Cabbage (17 in., 2.9 lbs.) She is close to the length she will be at birth, but could at least double, possibly triple her weight!

Symptoms:  I'm just really starting to feel pregnant.  It is getting harder to wash dishes in the sink, bend over all the way and some other regular tasks.  

Movement:  She is still a busy little girl in there!  I love feeling her move!  It is definitely my favorite part of pregnancy!!!

Milestones:  We are just trucking along in the 3rd trimester!  I had my one hour glucose test last week and I failed, so I have to take a 3 hr. test in the morning.  Pray that I pass and that I don't have gestational diabetes!  

Thank You Cookies

Last week our super sweet neighbors brought over a delicious dinner for us!  They cooked their special rotisserie chicken, rice, salad and brought us some ice cream!  It was all super yummy and we ate off of it for days!  In return for their hospitality, I whipped up a plate of "thank you" cookies and we took them over tonight on our walk.  

Belly Updates- 27 Weeks

How far Along: 27 Weeks, 3 days

Size of Baby:  A head of Cauliflower (16 inches, 2.5 lbs)

Symptoms:  I'm starting to get tired again!  Maybe baby girl is having a growth spurt or something!  I go to bed early, but I wake up super early due to many bathroom breaks and a growling stomach!

Cravings:  Still loving milk!

Movement:  Some days she is really active all day and some days she only moves a few times a day.  I'm trying not to let this worry me.  

Milestones:  The room is coming together now.  We have the crib, dresser and glider, but we are waiting on the bedding and still need to purchase curtains, rug, cubbie for books and toys and a few other small items.  

Preggo Friendly Snack

After dinner tonight, I really wanted a little treat.  So, I busted out the trusty kitchen aid and tried out a recipe I had been drooling over for weeks!  

I've never been one to shy away from licking beaters or eating the majority of cookie dough instead of baking the cookies.  However, it isn't really recommended for pregnant people to eat raw eggs...or any people really, but I figure I should be more responsible for the little bundle growing inside of me.  So...here you have "Safe to Eat Sugar Cookie Dough".  It is really tasty!  Don't worry...I only had a spoonful and put the rest in the fridge.  And then I washed it down with a big glass of milk!

I can't think of anything more delicious than raw cookie dough and milk!  

If you too are a cookie dough addict, but don't love the idea of raw eggs here is the recipe:  (I found the recipe on the internet, I did not create it.  Recipe is by: Willow Bird Baking)

Yields: about 1 1/2-2 cups cookie dough

1 1/3 cups and 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1/2 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup white sugar
1-2 tablespoons water
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:
In a medium bowl, cream together butter and sugar for 2-3 minutes until light, fluffy, and pale yellow. Mix in flour and vanilla. Add water one tablespoon at a time, mixing after each, until you reach cookie dough consistency.

Belly Updates- 26 Weeks

How far Along:  26 Weeks, 2 Days

Size of Baby: 14 inches, 2.2 lbs

Symptoms:  A lot of trips to the potty at night!

Cravings:  Milk!  I think Baby Girl is sucking my bones dry of calcium!

Movement:  Lots of little wiggles all throughout the day, especially after I eat.

Milestones:  We met our new Dr. this week who will be delivering Kenleigh.  She is measuring right on schedule and everything looks good so far.  I've graduated to having appointments every 2 weeks!  Yikes!  That makes it feel like we are getting close!  

Taking a break from unpacking to Explore

We decided to beat the heat in the house by going outside in the heat!  Good plan, huh?  Our first stop was George Washington's Estate at Mt. Vernon.  It was so cool!  We learned a lot of history and got to tour the mansion and gardens.  We still missed the tombs and other parts, but we will have to go back in the fall.  We hit up the shops at the end of our tour and there is some amazing stuff!  This is a must see for any future visitors!  

This is the "Texas Gate".  :)

Right now the front of the house is under construction.  :(

How old is this tree?  I actually felt small next to it!

One of GW's carriages!  It reminds me of Cinderella!

The Potomac!

Next Stop....DC!

And a quick stop off for a picture in front of the White House!  We could even see secret service guys on the roof!

The New Casa

We finally made it to our new home and with lots of help from Mama Lisa and lots of work by my dear husband, it is finally starting to feel like home.  We arrived last week to 104 degree temps and a broken A/C.  Thankfully, it only took 3 days to get it fixed and we were able to get a hotel until it was fixed.  I pretty sure we all sweated more over those 3 days than we have this entire summer.  Mom was a total trooper and we were able to sneak away to visit Mt. Vernon, The American History Museum and the White House. Here are a few before and after pictures of the new house!

 Sunroom Before

 And After...

Kitchen before...

Kitchen After...

Guest room before (At the time we thought maybe it would be the baby room)

 Den Before

 Master before

 Den After

 Guest room after

 Guest room After

 Master After

I think I forget from one move to the next what a pain it is to move.  We are loving the character in our old house!  We love the hard wood floors, the sunroom and the granite in the kitchen!  We are also blessed with some really sweet neighbors who have already had us over for dinner!  We still have to put the baby room together, but it was more important to get the rest of the house functioning.  Now we need some visitors!  There are so many cool things to do here...so y'all come on up!