4 days and counting!!!

It's almost time! Yes, I can't wait! In four days, (Thursday afternoon to be exact) we're flying home to Indy to visit family, and we're so excited. Being away from family makes you miss them so much, but it's also nice because you appreciate the time when you do see them so much more. I can think of a million reason's I love going home for the holidays, but here are just a few:

1. Mom's cooking - Hello?!! Yes, that's who I get my interest in food from, and if anyone can throw down, it's my mom! For thanksgiving she's making a roast, as oppose to the traditional turkey, and I can't wait! yum!!!

2. Turkey! Yeah, mom's not making turkey, but Chris's dad is! That's the benefit of having several families to visit - more food =)

3. Jace - Everyone is busting at the seems to see Jace. They can hardly wait, and neither can we. It will be so great to see Jace love on his grandparents, especially since he loves giving hugs right now =)

4. Memories - Even though I wasn't born in Indy, I spent all of middle school and high school there and needless to say, I have many wonderful memories there. I love going back and feeling like I'm back in my old home town.

5. Shopping - The day after Thanksgiving is always one of my favorite days to spend with my mom. We hit the stores running at around 5 am.... SO FUN! I can't wait!

6. Friends and Family - My dad, mom, brothers, in laws, nieces, nephews, all of them. I can't wait to see them and give them all a big hug and a kiss!

7. Thanksgiving - it's one of my favorite holidays and so far Chris and I have been lucky enough to always be home to spend it with family.

8. The cold - Even though I'm enjoying the mild weather here in OK, it will be nice to get out into the crisp air and be reminded of what winter really feels like.

9. Date Night! - The nice thing about going home, is everyone wants to see Jace, which is great. It gives Chris and I the perfect opportunity to go out just the two of us... and that doesn't happen often! =)

10. Christmas Tree - Yes I'm like a kid at heart when it comes to putting up the Christmas Tree - I can hardly wait. And I know, once we get back to OK, it's officially time to put it up!!! So the sooner we leave, the sooner we get to come back, and I get to put up the tree!! =) ... Even though I already threw Christmas lights up all over our house and yard! lol

Saturday Nerves

it's funny. it's saturday night, i'm winding down, reflecting on what i did for the day, and what i'll be doing tomorrow, and suddenly it hits..... again. my saturday night nerves, or maybe i should say, my sunday morning nerves =)
i don't know why or when it will ever go away, but for whatever reason, every saturday night on the weekends i'm scheduled to lead worship in church, i get the jitters. i hate it. i'm such a dork. i've been singing since i was like 7. in fact, i think i could even prove it if i had to. somewhere, in an old dusty box, my mom has a vhs of me singing. i was the star of david in our christmas play about the birth of jesus. it was my big debut, me singing the lord's prayer, which might i add, that was when sandi patti was cool, so um yeah, shouldn't i be bigger than jitters by now? =)
sometimes, even though the nerves have my stomach all in knots, i think it's a good thing. mostly because as long as i'm nervous, i'm always praying! mostly saying, "dear god, please don't let me screw this up!" ha ha ha, but it's good. i'm relying on him with everything i have, and i'm sure that's probably right where he wants me. so there. i just taught myself something. i'm not a total dork, i'm just learning to rely on God. okay so maybe it's not so bad after all =)

Random Thoughts

- Why is everyone sick? My husband, my son, my babysitter, my friends, me..... we're all sick or are just getting over being sick. I wonder what it is with this time of year that makes everyone so "under the weather"?? I don't know, but I hope it passes soon!

-Tomorrow is my day off and I can't wait! I'm exhausted. Wednesday's tend to do that though. Thursdays.... well those days are wonderful =) Maybe I'll even get in a nap!

- The healthy eating is still going pretty good. Chris is doing especially well. 4 months and still going strong. I'm so proud of him. Great job Babe!

- New recipe, DE-LISH! Paula Dean's pumpkin bars! I know, not so healthy, but SO good! mmmm!

- Bought my first pair of skinny jeans the other week, and I finally brought myself to wear them the other day. At first, I have to say, I was a little nervous. I was afraid that maybe I would look like a dork, but after getting several compliments from some of my girlfriends, I think this skinny jeans thing might be better than I thought!

- Thanksgiving is so close, and for us, vacation is only 9 days away! I miss my family in Indy alot so I can't wait to go home! Not to mention my mom's cooking is amazing and I'm really looking forward to a yummy Thanksgiving lunch!.... and Dinner!

- Jace gives hugs now - It's definitely my new favorite thing. I squat down near the floor, spread open my arms and say, "JACE!", and every time he runs right at me, squeezes my shoulders, lays his cute little head on my arms and says, "Ahhhh". IT'S TOO CUTE!!!

- Oklahoma weather is really different. It's mid November and I'm still only wearing a sweater! I could get used to this!

- I just got my hair cut, well trimmed and I love it. Now that I've had my hair semi-short for a little while, I'm not sure when I'll grow my hair out again. Short is much easier!

- Christmas is already almost here! Crazy! I'm already thinking about lights, trees, shopping, but more importantly I've been trying to think of what I want. Hm? Maybe some new cookware? I'll have to think on this one.

Taking a Moment

These past few weeks have flown by, pretty much slipping right through my fingers. Every day seems to be shorter than the last! - well today is Saturday, and I pretty much decided when I woke up this morning, that I was going to slow things down for a change! =)
The plan: relax! Right now I'm sitting in my slippers and watching my favorite T.V. station, Food Network of coarse =). Jace is peacefully sleeping and should be asleep for probably the next hour - nice! Chris is at the gym working out which means one thing.... I get the T.V. (he he)
Times like these are nice, no not just because I get the T.V.! But because it gives me time to breathe and clear my head. So many days go by where I'm just like a little energizer bunny, going and going. Unfortunately, half the time I'm so busy getting things done, I don't even stop to enjoy what I'm doing. So today, I've decided to just relax and enjoy the slow pace.
It's so easy when you're busy to go through life, and not realize how many great things you've been given. Well right now, I have to say, I'm a pretty lucky lady. When I actually take a moment to think about my life right now, there's not much to complain about. I have an amazing, loving and patient husband, a beautiful, happy and healthy baby boy, and a job I love. God has been so good to me and our family. I just hope I can take more moments like this to thank him for it.

Weekend Recap

Oh what a Monday! Ever have one of those days where you sit back and ask yourself, "Wait? What just happened?" Ha, ha, well that's me every Monday! Mostly because it's our busy day at the office, trying to catch up from the weekend, and everyone is still pooped from our four services Sunday. Athough today, I am a little more pooped than my norm because this past Sunday, I was given the opportunity to lead worship. It was awesome! Leading for that many people was definitely scary, don't get me wrong, but simply having the opportunity to be stretched and being able to use my gift, doing what I love, it was great. One thing I never realized though was how exhausted I'd be by the end of the 4th service! By the end of the afternoon, I felt like I had just ran a marathon! Definitely makes you appreciate what Brian and Herbert do EVERY Sunday! =) So as soon as church had ended, I had a game plan: Grab lunch. Go home. Get into my P.J.'s, and take a nap! .... And I did!.... And it was wonderful!!! Not something I get to do much anymore, but when I do, I definitely try to take full advantage.

Rewinding back to Saturday, Chris and I went to our Ignite Cookout which was great. We love any opportunity we can get to spend time just hanging with friends. Later that night, I decided to go to the movies with some girl friends - FUN! We were going to see something called, "the secret life of Bee" or something like that =P. Well we were all excited to see it because we had heard it was supposed to be really good, but much to our dismay, once we were all there, we realized the movie had already started!... 20 minutes ago! No worries =) We hopped in our cars, drove to the nearest Starbucks, and just sat, talked, laughed, and enjoyed one another's company. I had a great time. There's just something about being with friends that's so refreshing!

So that was my weekend. All in all, it was great, but boy did it fly by! Hopefully this week will fly by too so I can enjoy the weekend again!

A Great Day

Today was a wonderful day. After having a great day at work, I swung by the babysitter's and picked up my little peanut ( that would be Jace ;). It was an absolutely gorgeous day, and even though I knew he was probably due for a nap, I decided we needed some outside play time. We spent an hour or so just chasing each other around the backyard, sliding down the slide, picking up dirt clumps and trying to eat them... you know the usual ;) Then we went for a walk, and even though the air was crisp, the sun was warm, and it was the perfect time of day to be outside. The kind that makes you wish you had a sweater, a cup of hot chocolate, and a comfy chair. After our walk, I put Jace down for a late nap, and knocked out some housework I've had on my list for like three days. Wasn't necessarily fun, but knowing it was finally done was so refreshing! There's nothing like a clean home! It's the only time I'm really able to relax. So once I finished up my house work, Jace and I went to Sam's and picked up some food for our fall cookout tomorrow.... I can't wait! Fall, Football, Food.... Fun!!! So we shopped til we dropped, and I don't know why, but there's just something so fun about shopping when you've got the cutest baby in the world sitting in the front of your cart, smiling at you the whole time =) What a cutie!! Once we were finished, we came home and relaxed. Luckily I decided tonight's dinner was going to be made by the crock pot, so instead of coming home after work and having to make dinner on top of all my housework, I was able to come home from shopping and simply relax! What a wonderful way to end out the day. Even though it wasn't anything exciting, today was still a great day, and tomorrow is Saturday so it can only get better =)

Random Ramblings

So I haven't done so good at keeping my word and staying on top of this blog lately! Funny. I always think I'm going to be able to get everything done, and yet somehow I never do! The story of my life =)
I find that when I've been blogging on a consistent basis, I always know exactly what I want to say. Yet when I haven't written anything in a while, like tonight (=)), I just sit here, speechless, thinking, "What should I say? Something profound maybe?" ha. Not tonight. I'm too tired to even spell words longer than my name, let alone actually think about what I want to say. I've just decided, it's time for some random rambling. So here goes:
-Got back from our retreat yesterday. It was a looooooong drive, but it was an excuse to spend some great time with our kids. It's funny, and I don't know why, but it's always on trips like that, that I realize how much I love doing what we do. I just love being with the kids and getting to know them. ...And when you're stuck in a van for about 6 hours, you've got plenty of time to get know one another =)
-Our trip to MO. also brought me back to memories I have from the many times Chris and I made trips just like that when we were in youth group with our youth pastors, Paul and Debbie Hinzman. Not sure if they'll get to read this, but in case they do, just want to say thanks guys. Not only did they invest in us then, but even now, they're still investing in us. From being our youth pastors back then to being some of our dearest friends today, they've played a huge part in the people we've become, and I'm so thankful that God's allowed our paths to meet. Thanks guys and we love you!
-When I arrived at the church for work today, I saw the progress that's been made with our new auditorium, and I literally squeeled! ha ha. I am so grateful to be a part of this exciting time at Peoples Church. What a blessing it's been to our family, and what a blessing it's going to be to so many others! We're reaching the lost, and it never gets old! I can't wait to see where God is going to take us!
-Jace is getting cuter by the day. He's just started saying, "Hi", and it's impossible to hear it and not grin. His vocabulary is almost large enough to count on two hands! ha ha. He's now saying, "Momma", "Dadda", "Hi" and "All done". That kid's a genius =)
-It's been pretty busy lately, and with the recent traveling, I actually had french fries for the first time in three months last weekend. It's was good going down, but once it reached my tummy, it wasn't good for long =( I forgot how heavy fast food can be on your stomache when you haven't been eating it. I'm hoping I'll eat extra good this week to make up for being bad over the weekend =[] I'm not trying to gain weight back after all that hard work!
-I'm starting to get into a routine: Get up, go to work, get Jace, go home, stay up way too late! ha ha. Not sure when it started, but I've been going to bed later lately, and my body is mad at me for it. I'm hoping to be a little more disciplined in the next upcoming weeks, but it's going to be hard. Hopefully I can make myself go to bed..... you know a lack of sleep speeds up aging - YIKES!!!!
-Speaking of, "Goodnight" - I'll hopefully talk to you sooner than later =)

EASY Chicken Tortilla Soup

I was talking to some friends today about what I was making for lunch, and after 3 different people asked me for the recipe, I just figured I would post it that way I can share it with all my friends =) This is literally the easiest/simplest recipe known to man - In fact, when it was first passed onto me, I was a bit in disbelief because it doesn't even require salt or pepper! I don't know about you, but I put salt on everything! So don't knock it til' you try it. Take it from someone who usually likes to make everything from scratch, you may be leery, but you will love this recipe. Mom's, it's fast, easy, and I've yet to meat someone who didn't like it. So jot it down, print it out... enjoy =)


Chicken Tortilla Soup:
(serves about 6)

2 cans golden corn (drained)
2 cans black beans (rinsed/drained)
1 large jar of chunky salsa (mild, medium, or hot - whatever you prefer =)
1 packet of taco seasoning
2 large cans of boneless (all white meat) chunked chicken breast (drained)
4-6 cups chicken stock (depending on how thick you want your soup. I like mine thick enough to scoop up with chips, almost like chili, so I only use 4)

1 small canister sour cream
2 cups shredded cheddar-jack cheese
1 bag tostitos "scoops" tortilla chips

Directions:

In a large saucepan, combine corn, beans, salsa, seasoning mix, chicken, and chicken stock. Cook and let simmer on medium to medium low heat for about 45 minutes.

Serve in bowls topped with a generous dollop of sour cream and sprinkle with cheddar-jack cheese. Serve with chips for your dipping pleasure and enjoy!!!

... Really! It's that easy!! =D

Random Thoughts

- So I've decided I need to start going to bed at a decent time. For me that's around 10, 10:30.... Oh look what time it is! 10:34 - I'm already breaking my new rule =(

- This losing weight thing is good and bad. Good because I feel better than ever. Bad because I finally feel like shopping.... every day!

- Starbucks has become a part of my morning routine. I think I've had it everyday for almost the last two weeks! I better slow down or I'm not going to have a money left over to do that shopping I want to do!

- Jace is cuter than ever! Dropping him off at the baby sitter's every day only makes me appreciate our time together more. Today we spent an hour, after I got home from work, just playing in the backyard. I love that little guy so much!

- Chris is thinner than ever! He's changing weight almost as often as I change my socks. He's almost down to 210 - Great job babe. I'm so proud of you!

- I discovered a great new recipe. Paula Dean's Spinach and Gruyere Pinwheels. Tiny little pinwheels made from warm, flaky puff pastry, wrapped around a mixture of sauteed mushrooms, warm spinach, and melted Gruyere cheese! If you like any of those things, you've gotta check this recipe out on foodnetwork.com. It's the perfect finger food for anytime, any occasion.

- Finally, it feels like Autumn and I love it! I actually wore a turtle neck today! YAY! =)

- I think we may be getting rid or our Dog. If you know anyone who may be interested in a Yellow Lab, let us know. He's cute as can be, just too much work for a family that's not home very much =(

- I have a big day tomorrow - work and church with not much time in between... on that note, I'm going to bed =) Night.

Catching up!!

Alright, so I've been really bad this past week and a half keeping everyone in the loop! Sorry, let's just say the past two weeks have been a blur. So here's the quick run down of my life the past two weeks =)

-Jace had two birthday parties!! His first party was on the day of his birth date (Sept. 25, 4:15pm to be exact =) and we celebrated with family. It was great to have Chris' family in town. His mom, Carolyn, Stepdad, Guy, and little brother, Benjamin, were all here to help us sing "Happy Birthday". We had a great time catching up with eachother and soaking in the moments we had together. We also had a great time observing Jace and his very first adventure with cake! YUM! He was so funny, at first he wasn't so sure, but within a matter of 2 minutes, he was shoving the cake faster than I could snap a picture! =) Here are a few pictures of our cutie pie on his very first birthday! :



-The second party we had for Jace, we decided to do on a Saturday at the park, that way some of our friends could come and join in the birthday fun. We enjoyed cake, yet again, which was good to my mouth, but not so good to my diet! All in all, we had a great time though, and Jace, even though he basically had no clue it was all for him, he was of coarse cute as ever eating his cake and greeting his guests =) Here are a few pics of his party :

(I'm picking the icing out of his hair.... Yeah he got it everywhere! =)

-Before Chris' family left town, we decided to take them to bricktown where we ate at this cute New Orleans Cafe called the Bourbon Street Cafe??? I think? Anyways, whatever it was called, it was good.... not to mention I finally got to try crawfish. It was pretty tasty, although everyone else wasn't so pleased with the aroma coming off my plate! Oh well, that only made it more fun to eat :P Here are a few family pics from our last night with the Magana family :

(I thought this was funny because when I leaned over to take a picture with him, he just nonchalantly put his arm around me like such a little man!)

- During this past week, I've started working part time at our church which I love! It's been such a blessing to join the team and help out with whatever I can. I am so blessed to be doing what I'm doing right now, and even though I'm a little more tired at the end of the day, I feel like I'm actually getting something accomplished, which I didn't feel as much when I was home all the time.
Even though the amount of time I spend at home as changed, one thing will never change.... my silly boy! This past week he made a discovery, "Hey! I can take this diaper off! Being naked is great!!!" ha ha ha. Yeah, pretty much. I have to watch him too because he's got quick hands! One minute he's acting like he's checking out his belly button, the next he's streaking through the house! ha ha ha. It's so funny though! It's kinda hard to tell say, "no Jace" with a straight face, when he's smiling at you butt naked! So yes, you get to share in the fun. Here are a few pics of our crazy little man! :


-Thursday was Chris' day off and it was a busy day. We both had doctors appointments in the morning, which are never fun =( but the upside is, I haven't weighed myself since I was in the hospital from having Jace, so when I stepped on the scale and it read, "129" I looked at the nurse and said, "did that say '129'?" and she looked at me like, "oh stop gloating." But I just couldn't help but smile! ... and smile! ha ha ha. That reading was such a great sight! I haven't been this weight since Highschool, so you better believe I'm going to soak it in as much as I can! =)
After our doctor's appt., Chris, Jace, and I decided to go and have breakfast together, and that was great. It's not often we get to go out for breakfast, so that for a change, was so much fun.
Later, at 2, Jace had a doctor's appt. where he got his 1 year shots!!! NO FUN!!! I always hate those appointments, but I know it's only to make him big and strong some day.... and he already forgot what happened so that's comforting! =)

-This past weekend was Amy Deas baby shower! I had the honor of helping host, and of coarse I love doing that sorta stuff! Anything I can cook for is fun for me! Not only did we have a great turn out, but I think Amy got a pretty good Asst. of gifts which is always nice. I hope she enjoyed it and it was everything she had hoped for. Amy is not only a great youth leader, but a loving friend and I wished her and Vernon the best wishes for their little bundle!! Here are a few pics from her baby shower:

(Amy and the "Hostesses": Nicole, Dorynda, (Amy), Me, and Nicole =)

-Tonight is our "BigNite" and I can't wait! Food and fellowship, what's not to like?! Plus, I'm really excited to lead worship tonight. There's just something about getting the opportunity to pour my heart out to God in a song, that's just hard to replace. I'm so thankful I'm at a place where he's allowing me to help others do the same. It's such a privilage and I'm so undeserving, but He allows me to be used anyway. I truly am so blessed!

-Well I think that pretty much catches me up to speed. Until Monday! .... oh stink! That's tomorrow! I'll be in touch soon =)