Monday, February 28, 2011

A New Day


Lately I haven't been able to will myself out of bed before about 7:30 (the only side effect of pregnancy that I have experienced)--this morning was a welcome exception.


I was up, wide-eyed and bushy-tailed at 6:30, semi-ready to take on the world. After viewing my blog reel and checking Facebook (a daily task) and doing a quick pick-up around the house, I got ready for the day and had an extra 20 minutes before I left for work.

Best part of the morning included making my daily to-do list and doing some quiet reading before the day began. I think I will make this a regular part of the morning routine. I could already tell that it was going to be a great day!

Saturday, February 26, 2011

This is Hard...

Right now I am patiently waiting for Dane to get back from taking care of "The Properties," the family investment. I guess one of the families moved out of a house, and it was in pretty bad shape afterward. Yikes! The boys got to fix it all up today, pulling carpet and painting some walls--along with some other stuff, I am sure.


Lately, I have been going to sleep between 10:00 and 10:30 each night. I am usually ready for bed around 8:00 and just fight the urge to sleep as long as possible. I am trying my very best to wait up, but boy am I fading fast right now. The housework is done, so I don't have any physical stuff to keep me moving around.

Thank heavens for the Shaytards, a YouTube sensation, for keeping me up a few more minutes. My friend's older brother makes vlogs about his family, and he has like 800, 000 followers. The past few days I have watched a few of the videos, and that local family is just hilarious! Without a few of those videos and the new B.o.B's "The Kids," I wouldn't get to see my boo tonight!

Almost there...he should be home around 12:30 or so! Only 15 minutes to go. I can do this...


Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Happy V-Day to Dane

Today a coworker told me to listen to this song--and I am completely in love. So, here is my cheesy but genuine song dedication to Dane. I am trying to make Valentine's Day a daily little thing around my house--not the gifts or meals at Pasta Vino--but instead just more of an attitude of gratitude and love. Savoring all of those little moments together during this challenging but exciting time.

Dane did a great job on Valentine's Day this year though. I finished working at 9:30 after a FAFSA/application night over at Sho-Ban High School. When I got home there was a plant, letter, and my favorite chocolates on the bed. It was a busy day for him, but he still made time to make the night special. I also found out that he ordered a pair of Sperry's for me. Yikes--I can hardly wait to see them.

Anyway, I hope everyone takes some time to celebrate being with the people they love the most--everyday. What a great blessing we all have. If you have time, take a few minutes to listen--please do. I promise you will be glad you did!

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Cupcake Fiasco

Tonight I was on top of the world--work and class finished--just me and the kitchen for a couple of hours. It was pure bliss at first.


My inner domestic goddess was firing on all cylinders. I threw a couple of pots of water on to boil, and tumbled the laundry on my way out to grab the mail. Seriously, I was loving this productivity.

I secretly wished Dane could see me managing dinner (lemon pepper chicken, smashed garlic red potatoes, and steamed broccoli) and baking some killer cupcakes at the same time (melting stuff for the frosting and taking perfectly-cooked cupcakes from the oven).

And then it happened! Of course that evil thing hubris was present--and I really believe that it ruined everything. Seriously, people--don't you get cocky!

I decided it was time to let the frosting cool on the burner, so I proceed to turn it down to just a warming temperature. It was the logical thing to do--well, I turned down the burner for the boiling pot of potatoes instead. Oh, dear--did that frosting burn up. After wondering why it started to boil and wouldn't stop, I finally noticed that ill-fated mistake earlier.

With very little time to correct before mutual, I salvaged what was left and topped the perfect little cupcakes--tainting those little things. I was sure that the girls wouldn't notice--they still tasted okay. And Dane did some cute little piping to make them look like Hostess cupcakes too. That would certainly cover up any flaws.

On my way out of the car, ready and pounce and set that room up at the church, I nearly lose the cupcakes to the cold asphalt below. My cat-like reflexes came to the rescue, only to smash those cupcakes to pieces.

Only one person was willing to eat my cupcakes. Another leader Lindsey, bless her heart, ate two. I called her after mutual to thank her for eating. She noted that she thought they were great, and then she followed by saying that she will eat anything chocolate that I placed before her. Seriously, I rose and was dropped again!

Needless to say, my fear of sharing baked goods was reaffirmed. On a positive note, I was reminded that this little cupcake fiasco will not end my little world. I am at home now, ready to do some much-needed exercising, Glee watching, laundry folding, and studying.

Whew! Happy Tuesday to you all!

Sunday, February 6, 2011

During the Superbowl

Right now the Superbowl is playing on our television--and I am doing some much-needed blogging and journaling. Dane and I love sports, but we don't really get into the NFL. The Superbowl is fun to watch, but it really isn't a big deal. So, I hope no one is really offended that this game doesn't get me incredibly excited.


1. The cutest commercial was just on--the Volkswagen commercial with the little boy dressed as Darth Vader. So great!

2. I am so excited for a third Transformers! Eek! I was a little disappointed in the second one, but I think the third is looking up.

3. Dane and I got a guacamole pack from Bountiful Baskets yesterday, and we were pretty excited about it--so much that we already made a gigantic batch of guacamole. We pretty much downed an entire bag of tortilla chips too. So good!

4. I just finished the most productive, wonderful presidency meeting ever a while ago! I felt like the group was so great at working together and planning with purpose. I can't help but feel grateful for the time others put in and for their thoughtfulness and consideration. What a great group!

5. Lately I have felt a little frustrated with my changing body. No one has noticed the changes yet, but I really feel like I am getting just enough of a tummy to look overweight and not enough to look pregnant. Is this stage hard for anyone else? Last weekend Kelli and I went out on the search for clothing for Kayla's wedding, and I had a breakdown in the middle of a Target dressing room. Thank heavens Kelli was there to make things better. She was a saint of a shopping companion.

6. Recruitment season is almost done! Hallelujah! I feel like a free woman--especially since our crazy events are finished up. This next week is going to be beautiful.

I think that is enough for today. I am hoping that I start blogging a little bit more. It is really just fun for me. So, with that, have a great Superbowl Sunday evening!