41 years

Tom and I are immensely blessed to have two sets of supportive, loving parents living out such admirable marriages. I have much to learn from, aspire to and appreciate about my in-laws, Pam and Greg. Happy 41st Anniversary! We love you! “Let parents bequeath to their children not riches, but the spirit of reverence.” - Plato

Home

Here are a few more pictures from my time in Charles City last weekend. It was a lot of fun to be "home" and a tad nostalgic to wake up in my old bedroom on my 27th birthday. *smile. I find it hard to believe I graduated almost 10 years ago.

-------------

Mober got lots of attention. I can't believe she's 16 years old!
Her favorite sun spot.

It's a rough life being so cute.

They had to beg me to do this job...not.
Laney meeting Mober.

One of my best childhood friends, Tara, and her daughter came to visit. Laney was quite the entertainer for all of us. I think I would be laughing constantly if she were my daughter.

Oh, how I miss that baby.

Best way to spend a birthday - snuggling with this guy!

Cheers

Happy Birthday to my brother-in-law, Robert! Everyone needs a "Robert" in their family and I'm so thankful he's in ours! He would do just about anything for anyone he loves and is one hard worker. If he was paid by the hour to do nice things for people, I know we alone would owe him a LOT. Take "putting a patio down in our courtyard" project for example. Robert and Becca drove 6 hours to spend their 2008 Memorial Day weekend with us to WORK. And work, they did.
-------------
Before: During:

After:

Despite his flaws (he's one HUGE Nebraska Husker fan), I think Robert is a pretty great guy. Cheers to the big 3-5! *smile

Bumpits

I think I get my love of infomercials from my sister. The difference between us, however, is that she actually buys the stuff and I just watch for the before and after pictures (doesn't matter what the product is - there is almost always a before and after picture.) You may have seen Bumpits (hair volumizing inserts) in the store or on TV. Like me, you may have also wanted to purchase them b/c they just looked that fun and easy. Who doesn't want a bridesmaid up do any day of the week? I mean, look at that girls fabulous volume! Well folks, Becca has done the guessing for you. Our conclusion - Bumpits are not worth it. Thanks to my favorite sis, we can all sleep tonight knowing we saved some $$. I will say though that they provided us with a solid hour of hysterical laughing trying to figure out how they work. Oh, the mirth the Bumpit brought us.

------------------

The Bumpit is in there.

Can't miss it. I think the position may be off...

Let's step it up a size and move it forward a bit.
Yep, that is definitely a bump on my head.
Let's try it with my hair down and a headband.
Hmm, that's different...
If you own a Bumpit and like it, then that's great! If you don't and decide to go out and buy a set just b/c this post made them look that fun, please provide me with before and after pictures. You will make my day *smile.

Photo Shoot With a Baby

We had the perfect baby sweater, the perfect weather, the perfect orange mum, the perfect pumpkins and the perfect baby to take Fall pictures of Weston this past weekend while my sister and I were home at our parents. On three different occasions throughout the day (in between meals and naps), we attempted everything we could think of to get this sweet baby to smile at us.

"What exactly are you doing?"

"How much longer do I have to do this?"

"No, I am not any happier with the basket tilted."

"You girls tire me out.""Really?"
"I wish you could see yourself.""Would you be smiling if you were me right now?""I love you mom, but you're acting very silly.""No more, please!""Ok, fine. One smile.""Well, maybe two. But that's it."

27 Blessings

Today is my birthday. Rather than focus on getting older (3 years away from being 30?!!) and the many reasons why I'd like to stay stuck at 26 forever (wrinkles, cellulite, inevitable sleepless nights for years, and so on and so forth), I thought I'd make a list of 27 things I'm thankful for and reasons why I'm blessed.
---------
1. Tom. He makes me laugh, encourages me, keeps me accountable, works hard to support our family and overall is an attentive and faithful husband. I love sharing life with him each and every day.
...
2. Our families. We're both blessed with amazing siblings and parents. Not to mention cousins, 2nd cousins, cousin's kids, aunts, and uncles. I love family.
...
3. Friends. I think I may just have the best friends in the world. Each unique in her own way; all bringing much joy to my life.
...
4. Jobs! Who doesn't love a paycheck in "these times."
...
5. Nieces & Nephews. I love being an aunt and watching them grow up. They are so fun!
...
6. Health. Of course I could always stand to be more toned and more fit but I am thankful for a body capable of doing this.
...
7. Our house. I love our first home! Who knows how long we'll be here but for this time in our lives, it suits us well.
...
8. Seasons. My favorite season is fall - shocking, I know. *smile
...
9. Reliable cars. Safety first. Go Honda!
...
10. Family vacations. Fishing, games, food, relaxation...ahhhh...........
...
11. My camera. Some people may find me annoying with how many pictures I take/moments I like to capture and to them I say, "Shhhhhh." (You know who you are.)
...
12. Becca. She deserves her own number. My sister is my best friend. We always have something to talk about and tell each other. She has taught me more than I can write about and had more of an influence on me than she probably realizes. I so treasure our relationship.
...
13. Life lessons. They can be hard and difficult to understand sometimes (most of the time.) But I have faith that there is meaning in each one.
...
14. Eyes that see (with contacts in) and ears that hear.
...
15. Games. Oh the good times we've had with board and card games.
...
16. My Education. "Learning is a treasure that will follow its owner everywhere." ~Chinese Proverb
...
17. The small things in life. Harvest, sunsets, baby noises, falling leaves, budding flowers, laughter, good wine, heartfelt talks, good naps, relaxing Sundays, beautiful weather, a nice walk, etc.
...
18. Ann Taylor Loft. Sometimes my entire outfit is made by Ann. Her sales are often too good to pass up.
...
19. Trader Joes. I love not having to check for partially hydrogenated oil and other foreign ingredients in my food.
...
20. A clean house. And a husband who helps keep it that way. (Most of the time.)
...
21. Tom. I know I already mentioned him but I still can't believe how blessed I am to be his wife.
...
22. Quiet time. I often have lots of thoughts to sort through.
...
23. Forgiveness. Because I'm a sinner.
...
24. Faith. "Is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen."
...
25. Hope. Because without it, some things would seem just too daunting.
...
26. Love. It's good to give and receive.
...
27. Life. Psalms 73:26 "My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever."

Thank you for the many wonderful birthday wishes today - voicemails, text messages, facebook wall posts, hugs, songs and blog videos. I am indeed blessed! Here's to being 27! *smile

Love,

Winning isn't everything

We may have lost the game (big time) but we still had a blast in Des Moines/Ames this past weekend. I love being back at ISU and reminiscing about our college years with wonderful friends. I always know going back will be exciting b/c we usually see a TON of people out tailgating and have a great time. It's hard to believe I graduated 4 years ago already! *tear
-------------
Here are some of my Pi Beta Phi sorority sisters hanging out Friday night - two girls with kids and another baby on the way! So exciting! Go Cyclones!
My good friend Jill and her adorable daughter Chloe. These two will always have a very special place in my heart for many reasons.
Monica and Derek Miller, Sophie, us and John and Hillary Hughes - tailgating in style in the Hughes RV
Two of my best friends - Celeste and Sophie

It's ok guys, I still love you...
I will make no mention of any final score. *smile

Oh, we will fight, fight, fight!

Off to see great friends and cheer on Iowa State this Saturday as they take on the evil Iowa Hawkeye in Ames. Go State!

I hope I have good news to report on Sunday *smile.

Minty Lime Goodness

I have been meaning to share this dessert recipe with all of you b/c I thought it was quite delicious. My husband -- my dear, sweet husband -- wouldn't necessarily agree with that statement ("I'm not a big fan of lime and mint," he says) but he has very selective taste buds, and I've learned to take his opinion with a grain of salt. As should you. Test it out on your next dinner guests and I'm sure you'll get rave reviews. If you're lucky, there will be leftovers to enjoy in the nights following (or mornings or afternoons - I don't judge.) And enjoy I did...
-----------------
Minty Lime Freeze
1 pkg. (8 oz.) Neufchatel Cheese, softened
1/2 cup sugar, divided
1 pkg. (3 oz.) Lime Flavor Gelatin
1 Tbsp. lime zest
1/4 cup fresh lime juice
1 tub (8 oz.) Cool Whipped Topping, thawed (I made my own using whipping cream - much more healthy!)
1 Tbsp. chopped fresh mint
1-1/2 cups finely crushed pretzels
6 Tbsp. butter or margarine, melted
-----------------
LINE 9-inch round pan with plastic wrap, with ends extending over side of pan. Beat Neufchatel and 1/4 cup sugar with mixer until blended. Add dry gelatin mix, zest and juice; mix well.
WHISK in COOL WHIP and mint; pour into prepared pan. Mix pretzel crumbs, remaining sugar and butter; sprinkle over gelatin mixture. Cover dessert with ends of plastic wrap; use to gently press crumb mixture into gelatin mixture.
FREEZE 3 hours or until firm. Invert dessert onto serving plate; remove pan and plastic wrap. Let dessert stand at room temperature 15 min. to soften slightly before cutting to serve.

And then, grab your favorite chocolate sauce and some fresh mint from your garden...
Select your piece... And enjoy one sweet summer dessert!