Exciting News

It has been a few months since I have blogged.  It has been a crazy last few months, to say the least.


Some new things going on in my neck of the woods......

Well,  I'M PREGNANT!!! That's right! After a year of trying for a baby, God has blessed us with a little one.  We are overjoyed!  I still can't believe it! At times, I think that I will wake up and realize that this has all been a dream.... So needless to say, I have been in baby mode the last few months.  I'm two weeks away from my second trimester.  I can't wait to be out of my first trimester.  However, I have had a mild case of pregnancy symptoms thus far.  So for that, I am very thankful.  My official due date is February 11th, which makes sense, since half of my family's birthdays are in February.  We wouldn't want our little one feeling left out. now would we? ;)  We are very thankful that God has answered our prayers.  While we wait for the arrival of our baby, I am going to try and get as much sleep and rest as possible.  Which has been pretty easy so far considering all I have wanted to do lately is sleep!


That is definitely the most exciting news I have.  We also recently got a a new puppy named Hank.  He is pretty much adorable.  Hank is pretty cute, but the holes he has been digging in our yard, not so cute... Hank and Duke have become great buddies!

Below are some fun pics of pregnancy announcements, doggies and our first ultrasound that was taken a few weeks ago!

Our baby pretty much looks like a gummy bear here :)

 

So, what's new with you?!

DIY Coatrack

My husband is awlays outside. Spring, summer, fall and winter, you name it, he is outside. We moved in our new house last January. I was always finding coveralls and coats laying by the front door, so I decided a coatrack was a must.  I have been in to DIY projects latley.  I decided I would try and make my own coatrack with the assistance of my husband, of course. Aferall, he is the handy one in our family. 

It is now April, but we finally got around to making the coatrack last week. It was SUPER easy and inexpensive.

What you will need:

1.  A wooden board. (size will depend on the space and how many hooks you want)

2. Hooks of your choosing.  (I bought mine at Hobby Lobby when they were half off)

3 Stain

I stained the board and my husband screwed in the hooks, it was that simple! See below for the final product. Thanks for stopping by :)

DIY Spring/Summer Wreath

Hi All!

I hope that you are enjoying this beautiful day! It is nice to see the sun shining and the temperature rising!

With the weather getting warmer, I have had the gardening and outdoor decor itch. I have mentioned before that my husband and I recently bought a house. Now that the inside is mostly finished, I am ready to tackle the outside projects.  We have a big front porch that is crying out for some fun decor. I decided this week that I would get started on sprucing up the porch.  I wanted to get a spring/summer wreath to hang on our front door. If you don't already know, I am a Pinterest junkie! I pin way more than I actually create, but when I do create something off of Pinterest, I am never disappointed with the results.

I went to Hobby Lobby and did some research. I could by a nice wreath anywhere from $30.00 to $60.00 dollars.  I decided I would create my own hoping to save some cash!

What You Need:

1.  A medium size twig wreath (I bought mine from Hobby Lobby for $7.00)
2. 4 of your favorite large size flowers (I decided to do two different colors for contrast)
3. A wooden letter (I used "R" because of my last name)
4.  Paint to color your wooden letter. (I used a light purple color)
5. Hot glue gun

Total Cost: $23.00

This wreath would make a great gift! It is inexpensive, and you can personalize it!


See below for the final result (it is a little blurry, but you get the point). I had a lot of fun making this wreath, and I am sure it will add fun and color to our front porch!

Junk=Treasure

You know the saying, "One man's junk another man's treasure?"  Boy, is that saying true!! This past Saturday, I went to a family friend's house. Some people would call her a "picker". You know, people who go to estate sales and demolition sites to find what most people would consider junk? Well, that is her! I have been wanting to find an old ladder to display blankets and picture frames. I knew I could find what I was looking for at this friend's house.

 I have shared before about my Pinterest addiction, I get so many cool ideas from Pinterest, but I am proud to say that I got this idea from my good friend, Leah Wright.  Check her out at Living the Proverbs 31 Lifestyle.  Leah is very crafty and creative!

There are so many creative ideas that you can use ladders for. I love how versatile they are! See the finished product below!

This is a creative and inexpensive way to display photos and quilts. Total cost $10.00. Can't beat that!

Bubble Up Pizza Bake

Hi Everyone!!

It has been a while since I have blogged. I have been super busy!! Things have finally calmed down a bit, so here I am!

Last night I tried a new recipe! It is called Bubbled Up Pizza Bake. I found the the recipe off of Pinterest. I don't know about you, but I HATE cooking on Sundays! It is my day of rest, and I don't want to have to be in the kitchen. However, we still have to eat, so this creates a problem. Most Sundays we go out to lunch after church. We normally eat a light dinner in the evening, because we are still full from lunch.

My husband and I have both been sick, so we decided to stay home all day yesterday. We slept in until 11:00 AM. I know!! It was heavenly :) The extra rest was much needed. Since we didn't go to church, we didn't have our normal Sunday lunch. When supper rolled around, we were both hungrier than normal. I wanted something that was filling yet easy to cook, hence, Bubbled Up Pizza Bake!  It was a hit, super easy and my husband loved it!  See Below for the recipe :)  If you follow me on Pinterest, it is under my "Favorite Recipe" board. Enjoy!

Ingredients 

2 cans (12oz) golden layer buttermilk biscuits (Pillsbury Grands! Jr)

1 jar (15oz) pizza sauce 

2 cups mozzarella cheese

your favorite pizza toppings

cooking spray

Instructions

-Preheat oven at 375 degrees

-Cut biscuits in fourths

-Put biscuit pieces in a bowl and combine pizza sauces

-Stir in 1 cup of cheese

- Pour mixture in a 9x13 greesed pan

-Add remaining cheese ant toppings

-Bake for 30 minutes

-Enjoy :)

** This dish is a great family dish,because you can section off the Bubble Up Pizza Bake and add each individual's favorite toppings!** See pictures below!

Skittles and Sour Patch Kids

I am on my lunch break, so I am going to make this post short and sweet.

EXERCISE!! I know most people dread having to talk about exercise, let alone doing it!

I have been married almost 5 years to my husband, Michael. It is safe to say that I have put on a "few" pounds since I have been married. I don't want to be one who lets myself "go" because I am married. Several months back, I noticed myself getting  a little "fuller" so to speak. I am short and have a tiny frame, so just a few extra pound shows on me.  I probably have put on 10 to 15 pounds since I said "I do." I decided to do something about it! Not only did I want to lose some weight, but I wanted to be healthier.

I believe eating healthy and exercising should be a life style. I never have liked the word "diet", because I don't like feeling limited and bound to something. Back in late summer, I decided to change my life style. I started walking 2 to 3 miles 3 to 4 days a week with my sister-in-law, Julie. I also decided to change the way I ate. I have never been one to "pig out" on a regular basis, but I definitely struggle with having a sweet tooth.  Most women like chocolate, I enjoy a good piece of chocolate now and then, but I am sucker for skittles and sour patch kids. My family teases me, because they say my candy choices are like a child's! :)

 I never really had to monitor what I ate until recent. I have become more aware of what I put in my body and have started to monitor my portion sizes. By doing this, I have lost 9lbs since September. I am close to my pre-wedding weight!

I know most women struggle with feeling secure in their body. How couldn't we with all the garbage out there in magazines and on television! It is also important to point out, that we have to be careful not to make our beauty our idol. It is easy for us to become consumed with our weight and appearance. It is important to remember that God looks at the heart!

Psalm 139:14 

I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.

1 Peter 3:1-6 

Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, when they see your respectful and pure conduct. Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious. For this is how the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves, by submitting to their own husbands, ...

It is important to remember that we are made in God's image, and He does not make junk!  With that being said, it is also important to be good stewards of  what God has given us. Our body is a holy temple. I want to live a long and healthy life. I believe by being consistent with exercise and monitoring what I eat, I can help keep my body healthy. I believe it comes down to consistency and discipline. I allow myself to enjoy my "guilty pleasure foods", but I try to keep it in check.

Hope this inspires some of you out there! You don't have to torture yourself with unrealistic diets. Be consistent in exercise and make better food choices. It is as simple as that! Now go outside and put on your running shoes and enjoy this beautiful day!!

Slow Cooker Italian Beef

Michael and I recently went over to some friends house and had some of the best Italian Beef I have ever had. I asked my friend for the recipe and thought I would share!! Super EASY and DELICIOUS!!!

INGREDIANTS

1.  2 1/2lb Chuck Roast
2.  3 cups of water
3. 1tsp of salt
4. 1 tsp of pepper
5. 1 tsp of dried oregano
6. 1 tsp of dried basil
7. 1 tsp of onion salt
8. 1 tsp of garlic powder
9. 1 tsp of dried parsley
10. 1 bay leaf
11. 7 oz package of dry italian style dressing mix
 12. Pepperonichnis

INSTRUCTIONS

Combine ingredients (except meat) in a sauce pan. Stir well and bring to a boil.  Place roast in slow cooker and pour mixture over meat. Cook on low. After 8 hrs shred meat and add pepperonichnis for the last two hours and serve!


-Casey