been a while

it's been a while since i posted. i often think i've blogged because i've worked through it in my head and then i realize it didn't actually happen....

so i've discovered pinterest. and that's all i have to say about it... yikes. love.

i'm making chili right now...for the first time. which seems weird. who hasn't made chili before? it make it feel like fall. it's beautiful and i like the smell of it.

our community group starts tonite and i'm really excited about it. this year is going to be very different and i think it's going to be good. it's a small group this year. but we are happy to have room to grow. i think as we refine our purpose and what we're doing "as a group", i look forward to honoring the Lord in bigger and better ways.

We went to florida last week too. Taylor's first time on the beach. we had a very relaxing time and taylor loved the pool. he went out on the boat with us and did so good!  here's just a little peek!

me and my boy

the family hanging out in the condo. love that our son is sitting up right between us. so cute!

this is hilarious. he just loved the pool. he was kicking and splashing and playing with a little football.

He's pretty cute. and we had a great time. Taylor is a traveling king in his first year. I have to keep track of all the places he's been to. We decided he's already been to 5 states! Wow - :) fun!

IS IT JUST ME??

I don't know if it's a ?phase? or not, but I am always saying in my head "Is it just me or..."
These are some of things I am thinking about in my head... YIKES!


Is it just me or does the sax solo in Gaga's "Born this Way" and Katy Perry's "Last Friday Nite" make you uncomfortable?

Is it just me or does it feel necessary to pronounce the drink names on the QuikTrip billboards - "rasbanaroosterberry" (that's a poor example of the options)  

Is it just me or does the end of summer bring strong feelings of EXCITEMENT for fall and SADNESS that summer is over...?

Is is JUST me or are little baby laughs not the BEST things...in the W O R L D!?

Is it just me or do people seem to be TRYING to drive slower in front of me and then somehow anticipate that I'm getting over, so they can, in fact, get over in front of me?

Is it just me or is worry one of the easiest things to do? i do what i hate to do and i hate what i do (romans)

Don't you worry....there's more where that came from....

So I've cooked 3 nites in a row (yay me!) I love it too. I never thought I'd see the day....

2 nights ago, I made Dan's favorite Ranch crispy Chicken (so easy and pretty good!). So I decided to try a new side dish. I have yet to make a successful potato side dish (except cheesy potatoes).
Now,there is no reason homemade scalloped potatoes shouldn't work...but they didn't. The picture looks AMAZING and it's just chopped potatoes with cheese and a little bit of this and that for cooking purposes. But the bake time is WAY off or potatoes just don't cook or something. Some of them were still like uncooked potato, which isn't fun to eat, or good. There was great potential with the cheese and all baked on top, but I definitely need a revised recipe. Not worth trying again without knowing it'll be successful!!

Last nite, though, I made Capellini Caprese.

(1/2 lb. of capellini or spaghetti, uncooked (or in the Schnucks 10/$10 boxes, angel hair!)
1/2 cup Kraft Tuscan House Italian Dressing
1 onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
3 cups halved cherry tomatoes
1 cup Kraft Shredded Mozzerella
1/3 cup fresh basil, finely sliced (the basil is oh, so important - and absolutely amazing to smell as you slice)

Cook pasta. Meanwhile, heat dressing in skillet. Add onions and garlic; cook and stir 2 min. Add tomatoes; cook 5 min. or until heated through, stirring occassionally. Drain pasta. Add to tomato mixture; mix lightly. Sprinkle with cheese and basil.)
I love this sort of pasta. And even my sauce-loving husband (and this means thick, creamy and "lots-of" sauce enjoyed it! The dressing is "less visible" than say, an alfredo sauce, but has a great kick and is very flavorful! It was fun to make and delicious! 

THIS guy is now 5 months old! I seriously can't believe it.

Yes, my child used to be a newborn. It's like that stage is non-existent. I was looking back at pictures from the day/week he was born and got really nostalgic. He's SO fun, joyful, and freakin' adorable(if i do say so myself) now...but i was so sad he's not a tiny little booboo anymore! Typical mom thing to say, but so true. 
Did it make me want to have a little baby again? mayyyyybeeeeeee.....

then i was KNOCKED back to reality with how much work a baby is. And this is seriously with one of the most LAID BACK children in the world. I'm convinced of it. Taylor is such a trooper - such a content baby!

 Compare to this....yes, that's right. My little haus was once a teeeny little thing, frail little appendages and all! And all that hair!?




 Although, I must REPORT :
Taylor is getting little boy hair. His big ol' head is getting more and more hair - and it's small and fuzzy and .... blonde!?!?! yes, some of it's blonde. We may have the little toehead we always dreamed of (like his daddy!) (Although, I DO hate this word, so use it in the same sentence as my son's name, and I may have something to say...)

  

Peace ya'll...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

whole bunch o' nothing

sitting on my bed

listening to Joshua Radin (sigh)

With Taylor sitting here kicking me and talking/singing with the music <3

(dan just got back in town - woo hoo!)
he's getting us Taco Bell (guilty pleasure!)


that's literally all i have - life is good!

BLESSED & loving life

There are so many amazing and beautiful things right now to be thankful for!

1) the weather is GORGEOUS - which i didn't know if anyone would survive the 110+ heat indeces of late.

2) my hubby's out of town but celebrated my birthday with me 2 days, including a dinner to PF Changs. And then dinner at Noodles and Froyo. (maybe he felt bad?)  works for me!

3) a lovely birth day including shopping, lunch at Bread Co, a little nap, hanging with my mom and son(!!), and then a FUN and AMAZING dinner at Pi with my parentals

My family loves me. There's no denying it. It was a great day.


And for the record I completely DESPISE exercising. I curse the 'gods' of fitness while I crunch and curl and do the stupid chest flys Jillian makes me do (that's right. an amateur like myself CHOSE to start with a 30-day Shred with Jillian Michaels...makes sense...)
All the 4-letter words flying through my head pushed aside, I feel so good afterwards...and I hate that even more. Just proves that it needs to be done. Since I exercised this morning, I'm feeling great (that "proud of myself" euphoria lightly surrounding me). And I was able to do so in my new sports bra and athletic shorts gifted to me for my birthday :) That made it fun -- it's the little things!

And now I sit writing as my child cries himself to sleep...(meh! it's what babies DO!)



 

Risk

Isn't it exciting to take a risk? And I don't mean skydiving or ziplining 1000 feet above. I mean, relationally taking a risk. Doing something that you're scared of the outcome, but leaving it in the hands of God.
I wish I could say I took a risk like this. But really, a friend of mine did recently. I received an email, along with a few other woman, from her. It was so vulnerable and honest. She was humbled before the Lord of some sin in her life. She was asking for encouragement and support, or in her words, "really, what I'm asking is, will you be my friend?" The simplest of desires, but the hardest thing to ask or fight for. Beautiful.
It makes me want to take risks in my life. It's what we're called to do. I mean, it's totally what Jesus did (WWJD?) I feel like there is so much to do with my life, but it takes courage and faith. I need more of that. If it were up to me, I'd lay on my butt watching reruns of Home Improvement and Friends. But when I think about that (or the equivalent of/the things I do in my day) I think what a WASTE OF LIFE! There is SO much more...

convicted.

Also we went to the big Bada wedding this weekend. Got to see my DARLING niece, and bro and sis-in-law. Dan was the photographer for the wedding. and he did amazing!

Maddi & Taylor having fun in the hotel!

 On our way up to Ft Wayne, Dan's priority was Ivanhoe's. It was amazing, but we also took Taylor around Taylor U's campus and got pictures by the sign, which has been done many times before in this family! It was fun to take him there, to see it again, and of course he had to get pictures with the TAYLOR sign! :) Such great memories, a wonderful place... who knows? Maybe he'll go there someday. Although, I won't be heartbroken if he chooses somewhere...less expensive!

Can't forget Uncle Mike -- they're buddies!

It was a great roadtrip. Taylor is AMAZING, and such a trooper. It was fun to hang with our Maddi and see the budding Taylor #2 as well. I'm so happy for Mike and Lacey, working in ministry again and doing what they do best....but MAN ALIVE, do I miss them. (that's for you, steph!)

It's a bird, It's a plane. It's a Taylor!

I captured the newest excitement Taylor experiences. He love to play airplane. He's so big. The only downfall is the slobber that occasionally trails down onto Dan - not his favorite part. But it's hilarious.  You'll note the string of drool hanging down!

prcious moments with daddy

But sometimes SO serious...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dan has had some light days for summer! It's been really nice to hang out at home, run errands together and have our summertime!
Staying home is so fun too. I love being able to focus on being wife and mom.

I have revamped my recipe box and am trying lots of new things. It's been my goal since I am at home. I want to cook more, try new recipes, find healthier alternatives, and so far it's been great. Dan is stepping it up and trying more veggies. We figure he should ease his way into it as when Taylor is older, he'll need to be a good example! :)
So tonite I made Honey Mustard Chicken with fresh greenbeans. This chicken recipe is super easy and we love it. It's so fun to cook - I never liked it before, but I didn't try anything new, didn't feel like branching out and taking more than 5 minutes to make a meal. This is such a perk to staying at home. It's fun to be able to serve my husband in this way. I can always tell when he enjoys a good homecooked meal!