Pizza Pizza!!

So I was craving a white Pizza and veggies the other night....solution:

White Broccoli/Mushroom Pizza! (If may say so myself it was delightful, whether that is pregnancy talking or truth, that I can't tell you but I loved it none the less). For Josh I made a regular pizza with sausage and ham.

To make...use previous calzone dough recipe.

For White Broccoli pizza:

*roll out dough and bake until almost done
*spread ricotta over dough
* add provolone, italian cheese mix and parmesan...salt...pepper...garlic powder...and italian seasoning.
*add chopped (preferably fresh) broccoli and mushrooms
*bake until cheese is melted and crust is golden.

For Regular:

*roll out and bake dough
*spread pasta sauce or tomato sauce (I usually just use regular pasta sauce because I always have that on hand verses buing pizza sauce)
* add cheeses (same as above minus ricotta)
* add cooked italian sausage and ham pieces and mushrooms

ENJOY!

Belly Pic...

March 28, 2010

So again, it's not exactly a baby belly yet...I just look like I've been enjoying a few too many treats, but it's so strange to see a belly of any kind on me. It's so weird because some days I look and feel bigger than others (supposedly that's normal from what I read). I figured I'll take a picture once a week regardless if it's baby showing or not. I like documenting things....it's fun to look back on them later.

No clever title for this one...

This post will be a mish mash of everything I suppose since it's been a little while since I've gotten on here.

I wanted to start with my "Sunday Scriptures" which somehow I always remember to think of and always forget to post until Monday....perhaps I should think about changing the title to "Monday Scriptures" ;0)

Luke 1:25
"The LORD has done this for me", she said, "In these days HE has shown HIS favor and taken away my disgrace among the people".

Most of you are probably very familiar with this part of Luke...for those who may not be....Elizabeth who was barren and getting up there in age, finally found out that she was with child (this child was John the Baptist...a great man in the bible who later lost his life because he stood up for what he believed in).

Anyway, the reason this one spoke to me so loudly this week is because (even though I'm not exactly getting up there in age) I wasn't sure if I would ever be able to have children of my own, at least not biologically. I had been praying about it for a very long time. Even when Josh and I first were married (and even prior to marriage) we had always talked about having children. We tried off and on for seven years and nothing ever happened. Part of me looking back is thankful for the time we had as just the two of us and realizes that there was definitely growth still required (spiritually) before taking on parenting....the biggest, most important job you'll ever have. As a Christian it becomes an even more challenging job because it's you against the world trying to teach that child what is right and what is wrong. To show that child Jesus in a world that would rather party hard now than to be bothered with religion. The reality of it has always weighed heavy on my heart but now that I'm pregnant it is so much more real and scary.


On to the next topic....I couldn't get an appointment to get an "official" pregnancy test until April 14th! Ah! Really?! I believe I'll be 10 weeks by then, lol! At least by the time they do the first Doctors visit they might as well do an ultrasound too, right?! I assume that'll be another two weeks later....
I am trying to be patient, it's just nerve wrecking....part of me wants to go run out and buy a test every day to make sure all is well, lol. I hope that crazy nervouseness subsides with subsequent pregnancies.


Some of you may have noticed the little pregnancy ticker at the top of the page....it says 8 weeks, not 6. For the life of me I couldn't figure out why it kept adding extra time to my pregnancy when I entered the info.... I guess I was calculating it up incorrectly. According to the book "What to expect when you're expecting" you add two weeks onto the time (counting from conception to now plus two weeks). Why they do it that way I don't know....but hey that gets me 2 weeks closer to being out of that first trimester! ;0)

Oh yeah...I almost forgot....lol. Remember when I was so sick that weekend? Thought I had the stomach bug? Yeah....that wasn't a stomach bug...it was a baby bug! Apparently I was already 4 weeks pregnant. It explains a lot. I couldn't figure out why I got sick so and Josh didn't and why the sight and smell and thought of a vanilla cake with home made buttercream frosting made me lose my dinner!!! Hahaha...jokes on me ;0)

My sister in law stopped by Friday and gave us some gifts! Very thoughtful and helpful. She gave us "What to expect when you're expecting", A Pregnancy journal, and a teddy bear and a couple of little clothing pieces! The book and journal are so helpful! It has explained a lot of things that were stressing me out a little. This little one is already very loved! My mom and sister are beyond excited too! ;0)

Other than that, I've pretty much been parked on the couch, napping and resting. In between I'll do chores....very slowly....and once I do one thing I feel like I need a nap all over again. I've been trying to get on here now and then to at least see what you guys are up too, I haven't been that great at commenting but I'll get back to it soon. Once things settle down again. The last few days I've been pretty nauseous so I have been even less eager to go and blog...

I hope that you are all doing well!

Random....

I had every intention of commenting on everyone's blog by now, but after doing some chores and trying to get some exercise in I am pooped. I think I'm going to take a nap and catch up with all of you lovely ladies this evening, especially since I'll probably have trouble falling asleep again anyway. :0) I hope you're all having a great day!

Double Chocolate Cookies...

2 sticks butter, softened
1 tsp vanilla
3/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 egg
2 cups AP flour
1/4 cup cocoa powder
1 tsp baking soda
14 oz chocolate chips

Cream butter sugars and vanilla...add egg and beat until light and fluffy. Stir in sifted flour and cocoa along with baking soda. Mix. Add in Chocolate chips. Roll dough into small balls approx. 2 inches apart. Bake 350 degrees for about 12 minutes.

First belly pic...

Ok...so at nearly six weeks (this Friday) it's probably more bloating than baby but I figured I'd post the before pic for memories anyway. I definitely feel my clothes fitting differently and the other night before we even knew that we were pregnant Josh made a comment ...."honey, you must be really full!" Yes...he's a goober sometimes, but I love him dearly and he doesn't mean for these things to come out the way they do, lol....but they do! Thank GOD I know he doesn't mean them "that way"...lol. He felt really bad after I gave him "the look" and we both had a good laugh about it once we realized why I had looked so "full".

What's so strange to me is that up until about a week ago I wasn't having any symptoms at all. So far I've been fortunate enough not to have morning sickness (PLEASE GOD LET IT STAY THAT WAY!) I've mostly just felt extremely tired...but can't seem to sleep at night, crampy, emotional....had headaches, bloating (I guess...but what do I know...maybe it's all in my head) of course the boobs were sooooo very sore! Oh yeah...and I feel like I have to pee like every 15 minutes!

According to the research I've done online....baby has a heartbeat, eyes, ears and brain/nervous system are forming. It's crazy to think what's going on in there!!!

Is that a plus sign?!

Hi everyone! I mentioned yesterday that I wasn't feeling well...yeah...I thought it was because I was either dealing with cysts again or about to get a nasty visit from that monthly visitor which was overdue (since I'm VERY irregular I didn't think twice about it). Apparently that was not the case. After 3 positive tests.... I think it's safe to say that ... I am pregnant! I honestly wasn't sure I'd ever be able to see that little plus sign or be able to say those words...I had completely prepared myself to someday adopt...(I'd still like to someday). It's still such a shock...after seven years of trying off and on and so many negative tests....we're almost having a hard time believing it's true. Part of me is so very excited and part of me is terrified. You think about it for so long and now finally here it is?! As far as I can tell by my calendar and the last cycle I had I should be about 5 weeks along, making this little raisin a November baby. I know it's still early to tell everyone...most people wait until after three months, but a dear fellow blogger made a very beautiful point when she announced her pregnancy not long ago. It's a baby worthy to be known about and loved and prayed for from the moment it is created. Now more than ever that comment touches my heart and I agree with you wholeheartedly Kirsten!!!

I'm praying that this little baby in my belly is growing healthy and strong and will be carried to term! There is history of miscarriage in my family so the fear is definitely there but I am choosing to believe that no matter what happens GOD is in control and I know there are so many family members out there that are beyond excited and praying for this little one already!

I want my hair to look like this....

I've always loved Giselle's look...I think she's very naturally beautiful! She has a simple yet fashionable style. She looks great with make-up or with out. Her hair is my favorite! It's so pretty and healthy and long!!! Love it!

Sorry no deep conversation today...not really feeling all that fabulous. Hope you're all having a great day!

Scripture...

"This is the confidence we have in approaching GOD: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us-whatever we ask-we know that we have what we asked of him"

1 John 5:14 and 15


I love this verse. It actually goes well with one of Beth Moore's teachings I watched recently. It was about how we do not have because we do not ask with the faith in GOD that he will provide. Obviously GOD isn't going to give us certain things because they may not be what is best for our life at that point in time...but he would never purposely deprive us of anything. Let's face it, most of the time we think we know what we want and we want it soooo badly and truly believe it's what's best for us but when we get it (if we do...) it ends up being anything but all the greatness we thought it would be. Just like any parent would deny their child of something that would harm them or hinder their progress in establishing good character....GOD does the same for us. This is something that I have to remind myself of on a daily basis...."I see the now and the past....GOD sees the now, the past and the future...only he truly knows what I want and need".

So great to know that even though I may have no idea....GOD does. Takes a lot of pressure off of myself (pressure that I myself have placed on myself).

:0)

The Last Song...

I loved this story! I'm so glad I read the book first before the movie comes out! I highly recommend it. It's one of my favorite!

Apple Berry Crumble Cake...

Check out my friend Paisley Jades blog for the recipe. It looks delightful!

http://www.paisleyjade.com/

Enjoy!

It's Monday already?!

Well...hello everyone! I can't believe it's Monday again! The weekend was good. We got some stuff done that needed to be taken care of. Saturday we ended up taking a lovely walk on the beach (Josh ended up not having to work overtime...yey!). It's still a bit cold to be out there in a bathing suit and all...even in my shorts I was a little chilly. Believe it or not, there were little ones in bathing suits in the water?! I was like "brrrrr" but maybe I've been in FL too long, lol.
We also stopped by for a quick visit with Josh's mom who hadn't been feeling to great...but she's on the mend now. Yesterday we went to church...John Maxwell was teaching and he'll actually be there on Easter we found out! I'm so excited! I think he's great! He's one of the funniest pastors I've ever met and he's such a sincere Christian man. I adore him. I always get excited when I find out he's teaching. He's not our regular pastor but he works a lot with our church...
Yesterday the weather wasn't quite as great as it was supposed to be...so anyway, expecting sunny weather I wore a sleeveless blouse to church because we had planned to go "window shopping" after (I'll explain that one more a little later)....anyway....for reasons I do not understand. The AC was on in the building?! It was sooo cold in there that Josh at 179 lbs had chillbumps and little old me...all 107 lbs of me was shivering!!! Josh kept trying to rub my arms and back to keep me warm but it just wasn't working...We'll the sweet older gentleman behind me must have thought I looked pitiful...because he took off his sweater and gave it to me to wear! I gave him a big hug afterward and he just smiled and patted Josh on the back! :0) Too cute!
Anyway, back to the window shopping. Well, we've been trying to come to an agreement of some sort on what sort of decor we'd like for our home....eventually. Hopefully sooner rather than later. It's never really been much of an issue in the seven years we've been married because really the only things we've purchased new were the couches, TV (which it amazes me that at this point even that is considered outdated....we've really been married that long?!) and the bed....other than that everything is either hand me downs or goodwill purchases or "cheap but good enough for now" furniture/accessories. So basically what I'm saying is we've never really talked about it too much. Those of you who've been married for a while probably are more than familiar with how much (average) men ENJOY decorating! Am I right?! Well, here's the kicker....mine....he never has had much of an opinion about any of the the decor stuff except as soon as I pick something...he doesn't so much like it?! Lol...So it usually goes something like this....we need something, I try to sit him down long enough to pick something but after about 2.5 seconds he's drumming on the desk, eyes glazed over and lost in music note land (that's where musician husbands go when bored ;0)...so if you lose yours from time to time....look for him there). So I give up...set him free and finally pick something myself and tell him to please come see if it's ok. At this point usually it results in "I don't really like that honey, you know what I like"....I usually respond with "actually...no, because we've never sat there and seriously discussed it". (Boys...lol...believe me...I love mine, but doesn't mean I always get him ;0)...).So all this to tell you that we finally sat down and had a lengthy discussion about it all and boy oh boy we're in trouble...our taste when it comes to the home is completely different. I mean, I love a large variety of different things, don't get me wrong...however my first love in home decor is coastal cottage type stuff....stuff with a story, natural accessories etc. Well, believe it or not (and this really surprised me) Josh is actually drawn to the more modern furniture and accessories these days (Not the super modern stuff but just more or less the clean lines, dark woods, that sort of thing)! So here we are trying to blend the two together? Yikes...how is this going to work out?! Good thing we've started thinking about it ahead of time. Lol.

Money saving tip - update...

So last week while grocery shopping I went ahead and picked up and tried out Walmart's paper towels that I was telling you about in one of the earlier posts (usually I just buy the cheapest ones I can find). I have to say, I like them. They're a lot thicker than the ones I usually buy. They're no Bounty but those just flat out cost too much, especially since they end up in the garbage anyway, you know what I mean?!

look at all these pretty little things...

Like I said in the previous post I've been in a bit of a summer mood lately...so I sat down and googled summer themed home decor the other night when I couldn't sleep. I found so many pretty things!

You can probably tell that my new bedding isn't exactly my style...but I had to compromise somewhere...I ADORE cottage style but the hubby is still warming up to it. Besides, the frame itself is EXACTLY what I wanted and bedding can always be updated a few years from now. Break him in slowly is my motto. ;0) Someday he'll see how beautiful and cozy a little cottage style home could be! How could he not?! I LOVE that bedroom pic!!!! The subway tile in that bathroom is so pretty! I definitely plan to have those in my bathroom someday! That shell chandelier is so elegant but still has a very natural feel to it! Love it all!

Just in case you didn't notice...I love shells! It's amazing something so simple can be so beautiful!

Ah...I'm feeling so inspired now! Just need to find a little house first! :0)

I must have skipped spring fever...

and gone straight to summer fever! The weather has been so gorgeous the last few days (until today anyway) that all I've been able to think about is being outside....going for walks, riding our bikes and most of all going to the beach again....and soaking up the sun!

Sometimes it really makes me scratch my head...what exactly is it that GOD wants us to do? Hmm...do we stay? do we go? We love this, but we love that too!

How can two hearts be so indecisive about what they love MORE?! Maybe we just need to travel the world permanently....(ok back to reality...had a moment of weakness). In all seriousness though...GOD created so much beauty in so many different places, how do you decide where to settle?! Josh and I had the "move" talk the other day and we kind of realized that everytime we made the decision to move to a certain state (all places we really love and want to experience...all very different and beautiful in their own way)...anyway, it would go well "planning" for a little while and we'd pray about it and something would happen and before we knew it we didn't feel like it was the right thing to do (it usually results in disappointment naturally but after a while you come to the realization that GOD knows best and you move on). It does make you look completely crazy to everyone else (but to tell you the truth, the older I get the less I care about what other people think about us...we've always done our best to go where we were lead to go and to follow our hearts (as long as our desires were in line with GOD's). Those who think that way of us don't really "KNOW" us and people like that aren't worth the stress they bring into your life. There are so many people in the world that sit by and never try anything for fear of failure and of looking foolish. Not us...I've become quite the professional at it, lol. Not that I'm proud of each and every decision I've ever made, but I have learned many valuable life lessons along the way, and it is after all about the journey, not the destination. I read this quote once (I don't remember it exactly) it went something along the lines of "shame not on those who try and fail but those who fail to try" (I probably destroyed that quote just then...but you get the idea).

I do in moments of frustration wish that I had it all "figured out" like so many people my age...but I guess that just wasn't part of GOD's plan. For whatever reason (unbeknownst to me) he wanted me to try a bunch of different things first. It's crazy to think how many completely different things I've tried and how many different places I've lived at my age!

That being said though...we definitely feel like we need to get settled now. Neither one of us is so certain we want to go and start all over again at this point in our lives. We feel like we've had some experiences and learned enough to know that we're ready for the next phase in life. Whenever GOD makes that happen. We're still praying about the details....but we are on the same page...it's time to create a nest! A place to settle and enjoy raising a family (someday).

What's for dinner....

Black bean and chicken fajitas!
My very own recipe :0)
SOOOO EASY!

you'll need:

pack of whole wheat tortillas (or whatever ones you prefer)
fiesta blend cheese (I use walmart brand but if you really want a great cheese...I LOVE SARGENTO!)
Frozen fajita chicken strips
can of fire roasted diced tomatoes (with juice)
can of black beans (drained)
about 1/4 cup frozen corn
1/4 of an onion (diced)
baby bella mushrooms (diced)
garlic powder, cayenne, salt and pepper (to taste)
olive oil
Sour cream (small container)

*brown your chicken in the pan (don't even have to spend the time thawing it...just toss it in the pan as is.
*remove chicken from pan and add onions...after a couple minutes add the mushrooms.
*add corn
*add drained black beans
*add the tomatoes
*season
*allow liquid from tomatoes to reduce...serve with a dollop of sour cream to dip in.

ENJOY! :0)

Finally!!!

Ladies...I finally found shorts! I can't believe it! I suffered through 3 summers in South FL with long jeans because I refused to wear the little underwear sized shorts (the longer ones never seemed to come in my size...as I've shared before I have a heck of a time finding any kind of pants or dresses in my size). Anyway, I was able to find 3 pair! Hello summer! I'll be ready this year...finally!!! I got them at Charlotte Rousse. Two of them are their "sexy boyfriend" shorts and the other was just a dressier jean short that happened to fit and was long enough. (I don't know about everyone else but on me they're perfect...but I'm a shorty...on a long legged gal they may not be quite as perfect. The price was right too! Buy one get one half off!!! If you're looking for shorts I'd go check it out. I can't tell you how happy I was! I wasn't going to make it another year without shorts! :0)

Sunday scriptures....very late....

"Who of you by worrying can add a single our to his life?"

Luke 12:25

"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also"

Luke 12:34

"A wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands but the foolish one tears hers down"

Proverbs 14:1

"Better a poor man whose walk is blameless than a fool whose lips are perverse"

Proverbs 19:1

These are some of the scriptures that I've been focusing on lately...I hope they speak to you all as much as they have to me.

Sorry they're so late....

Happy Sunday!

Sorry I've been MIA...again...weekends are always busy it seems. I don't know about you gals but this whole time change thing messes me up everytime! I don't really understand why we still do it. It's not like it's necessary anymore. All it does is confuse our bodies....anyway...Here's a pic from today. Hope everyone had a great weekend!!! ;0)

The Lucky One...

Just finished reading "The Lucky One" by Nicholas Sparks the other night...loved it...no surprise there ;0)

Top 5 places I want to visit...

In the US:

1) Seattle, WA
2) Denver, CO
3) Washington DC
4) NY, NY
5) Nappa Valley, CA

Overseas:

1) Germany
2) Italy
3) France
4) Fiji
5) Australia


***There are many others...just wanted to share the top 5, so much to see!! How do you decide?***

lovelies, sleeplessness and more....

This week I got a sweet little surprise in the mail from a dear old girlfriend! We've been friends so long that I can hardly remember life before we were friends! She sent me a lovely card and bookmark! How sweet! Thanks girl be safe on your trip to TX! :0)

I also finally got to catch up with another girlfriend yesterday...finally. Our schedules seem to always work against us. She's working (during the day) and newly married and me...I stay home during the day and in the evening I do my best to be home with the hubby so usually we're on opposite schedules. It was really nice to hang out again and I hope we get to do it again soon! :0)

The hubby is working over time today so I'm trying to decide what I want to do. There's a lot I'd like to and need to do but I'm a little tired and slow moving today...seems like the last two nights I barely got any sleep at all....my mind has been working overtime again. Don't really know why...sometimes it just does that and I end up being an insomniac for a few days....don't really get it.

It's 5:30 AM on a Saturday and I'm blogging?! I've been up since 3:30 (phyisically...I laid in bed all night staring at the ceiling curled up with my kitty boy). I contemplated going back to bed but the last few mornings that just hasn't been doing me any good...I just lay there so why not at least get up and do something, right?!
At least the bed is cozy now!

Hope everyone has a lovely weekend! :0) It's supposed to be sunny and warm here this weekend...we're planning to drive South to visit family for their birthdays tomorrow...so that should be fun.

:0) Happy Saturday!

pretty in pink!

I'm one of THOSE people that can't stand having unpainted toes....I don't know what it is...just can't do it! Anyway, I just painted my toes a new color I got earlier this week. It's so cute and so festive...I'm ready for SPRING! It's PINK! It's called Pink Shock by Maybeline Express! Love it!

You know you need a new dishwasher when...

You prefer handwashing the dishes because otherwise you end up rinsing, washing, and re-washing the dishes!

Scent-sational!

I love this new scent by Airwick....cherry berry blossom!!! Mmmmm!

Money Saving Tip part 2....

As I said in the last post about saving money...there are some things I just can't use store brand because they just don't get the job done. On the other hand there are some things store brand that do the job better than the name brand (not to mention I can't stand spending oodles of $$$ on something that goes in the garbage/flushed away). Here are a couple of those... Walmart's Great Value...Facial tissues & Bathroom tissue!! I haven't tried the paper towels yet but I'll let you know how it goes. They've been making some changes with some of their products I guess because before the new look of the packaging...I don't recall the facial tissues or the bathroom tissue being so strong and soft. Anyway, whatever they did....it worked. I actually prefer the bath tissue over both cottonelle and charmin. I think it's stronger than both!

At what age does it end?

I don't know if any of you gals out there deal with acne/oily skin too (more than likely at least a couple of you do)...I'm about sick of it. I really didn't think that at 27 I'd still be dealing with it! It's better than it was as a teen for sure, but even so my face still looks like I'm about 15. Usually you can't tell so much in my photos...sure...but that's because I wear enough makeup to cover as much of it as I can (and I hate that I end up wearing so much of it but I've tried going a week at a time with out it and that made no difference at all). Have any of you found anything that works? I've tried everything from store brand to proactive to diet. Nothing helps. Every so often I'll go through a few weeks with out problems and just as my skin almost looks clear....voila...another break out happens. I mean...I'm not looking to be an airbrushed supermodel from a magazine, but clear/even skin would be swell! I mean hello...at 27 I'm so over it! Sheesh!
I was having one of those look in the mirror and let out a loud sigh of frustration type of days today...because I'm in the middle of a break out right now! I mean I get it...I've heard it all (you shouldn't worry about it...you're beautiful just the way you are....but that doesn't really take away the insecurities (and maybe to others it's not as obvious as it is to me but it bugs me sooo bad!). I love makeup and all...playing with it for nights out with the hubby but I'd love to just be able to walk out of the door with out spending 30 min putting on my face...strategically hiding one pimple after another...it's like a stinkin' art project in the mornings!

Ok I'm stepping off of my soap box now...sorry ladies...needed to vent! :0)

Sweet Dreams!!

Hello new mattress and bed!

I've only had you for one day...but I LOVE YOU! We've been praying for you and dreaming of you for a very long time!!! I woke up this morning and didn't want to get up. I can't tell you how long it has been since I've felt that way about my place of rest! Thank you for bringing me lots of ZZZZ's!!!

Love,

Nadine

Poor zoom zoom!

Yeah well, apparently I have inherited my dear mothers magnetic abilities when it comes to attracting other vehicles! She has had countless of encounters with other vehicles...none of which have been her fault! Me too (and Josh seems to have the same magnetic abilities as well given his track record!)....only this time they actually did enough damage to likely have to replace the whole bumper! (Although let me say this...I do not understand why on earth the part of the car to be the most likely to be hit is made from plastic?! Someone please explain this to me?! The girl hit me hard enough but not THAT hard!!! It shouldn't have crumpled like paper...her car, naturally, was untouched?! What are the odds of that!).

What can you do....I mean it was bound to happen eventually, I was just thankful that neither of us was hurt and the girl was very appologetic...bless her heart, she was so embarrassed. The moment I noticed how upset she was any initial anger (mostly due to the surge of adrenaline) I felt discipated quickly...she admitted right away that it was her fault because she was distracted and was very polite. All worked out fine...we even ended up having the same insurance thank GOD...I just hope they won't give me aa hassle. I mean it's not a dyer nessecity to get it fixed...but being that I have another year left to pay it off....I'd like to get it fixed. My poor zoom zoom! :0(

Look at all the fabulousness....

These are from Potterybarn's website....I LOVE Pottery Barn! Along with Pier One and Home Goods! These are my top 3 favorite Home Decor/Furniture stores out there. I'll spare you the prices....those I don't care to look at...but I figure if you're gonna dream, you may as well dream big!!!

Hope you love these as much as I do ;0) Happy Tuesday all!