May Book #2

I know many of you women out there reading this probably have read this once or many times before.  When I tell my girlfriends (even the ones who don't read books very often) that I was/just finished reading this their first response is, "You've never read it before??!! It's SO GOOD" I know right! I've heard this book talked about for years, but just never got around to reading it.  Thankfully a friend had just finished reading it and let me borrow it...

Well just like everyone has told me, Redeeming Love is "SO GOOD!"  There are so many emotions that came up for me while reading this book, especially being married and having a child.  Francine Rivers is such a great author and paints a very vivid picture of the surroundings in this book.  I found myself reading slower to savor the characters.  I had to stop reading before bed, so that I could actually fall asleep, and because I was so anxious about the story line of what was going to happen next that I couldn't turn off my brain to relax. 

Redeeming Love is about a woman named Angel, sold into prostitution as a child, she survives by not letting her emotions make her feel anything.  She meets Michael Hosea, a wholesome farmer, committed to marry and love Angel for the rest of her life.  Angel is committed to not let Michael see her emotions or reveal her life to him and to run away from his love.  But slowly she opens up, but is still scared of admitting her faults and shame.  She comes to realize Michael's love comes from something more, something deeper....

Read this book!!!!

Cruise Recap!

We had such a wonderful time on the cruise!! We spent 5 nights on board Carnival's Ecstasy and made two stops, Progresso and Cozumel.  I'm really glad we went with a group of 10 of our friends. While I love spending time with my husband on vacation, having friends included on this trip just made it that much better! There was always someone to lay out with, eat at the 24 hr buffet with, go on the waterslide, play in the casino, people watching on Lido Deck, or Bryson and I could sneak away and watch the sunset together.  I was so surprised at how many things there are to do on the the ship. A cruise really caters to all ages and all different lifestyles!! I could say so much more about how great it was, but I know this won't be our last cruise! Here are a few pictures to show you our adventure: (check fb if you want to see more pictures)

 

Watching the boat sail away from Galveston

Every night we got dressed up and ate way to much at the fancy restaurant! It was so good!!

We were all so excited to be in Progresso, Mexico!! We spent the day an exclusive beach resort with water kayaks, ocean trampoline and an all day buffet and open bar!

Second stop was Cozumel, with waters soooo blue! We took the catamaran excurison and went to Passion Island. Another day at the beach, another buffet and open bar :)

Last night, group shot in the sunset

All in all a great vacation! Can't wait for the next one! 

Hot and Sour Soup

I love hot and sour soup! The Chinese take-out restaurant across the street (no, literally it takes 2 minutes to walk there from our front door) makes it so good!!  As we are recovering from eating really delicious food on the wonderful cruise we took, I thought I'd make us a light meal of soup and sides of fried tofu and steamed edamame.



-1 can chicken broth
-2 soup cans of water
-2 tbsp soy sauce
-1 pkg dried shiitake mushrooms or 1 can sliced mushrooms
-1 small can bamboo shoots
-1/2 tsp sriracha sauce
-2 tbsp cornstarch* (add more for a thicker consistency)
-2 tbsp vinegar
-1 egg, beaten
-2 green onions, chopped



1.(if you are using dried shiitake mushrooms, follow directions on back of package first) Combine chicken broth, water, mushrooms, bamboo shoots, cornstarch, soy sauce vinegar, and srirracha sauce.

2. Bring to boil over high heat, stirring constantly, until slightly thickened.

3. Gradually pour egg into boiling soup, stirring constantly.

4. Remove from heat. Stir in green onions and serve.


Easy-peasy!

15 months

Height: 32 inches (90th percentile)Weight: 22 lbs (50th percentile)


-running everywhere
-sleeps all night from about 8:30pm to 7am
-eats a lot of everything!!
-plays pretend with her dolls and stuffed animals (feeds them and makes them play)
-loves bath time
-stills hides from the vacuum, she doesn't even like to look at it in the closet
-starting to say a handful of words
-copies our voices tones for talking
-vocalizing for objects
-has 5 1/2 teeth (3.5 on top and 2 on bottom)
-trying to talk full sentences...though we can't understand her, she is trying very hard
-makes animal sounds for dog, cat, cow, monkey, elephant, duck, pig, rooster (hilarious!)
-loooooves sesame and anything with Elmo
-reads all day long
-points to all the flags when we are outside
-loves going on walks in the stroller/just being outside
-prefers to play with the older kids at the park
-cries when she is in the nursery at church (so hard to leave her) but is fine when we pick her up
-likes to draw and then is so proud to carry her art work around
-getting really good with eating with a spoon and a fork
-thinks drinking out of a straw is funny
-dances when she hears music
-starting to throw little fits when she doesn't get her way
-still using sign language (it's been so helpful!)
-talks/jabbers all day long
-she's been wearing 18 month tops for a while, but she's so skinny that 12 month bottoms are a little big on her waist, but are too short if they are pants...
-when we are with a big group of friends, she doesn't like to be very far from us, but she is okay if we're at home and have a lot of people over
-spins in circles
-is really quiet and observant at storytime at the library
-but wild, crazy and loud at home :)
-pretends she is hurt so we can kiss her "ouchies"



There is so much more to say about this fun stage!! She is a little fireball, full of joy, and happiness!  We love her so much and are having so much fun being her parents.



May Book #1

I became interested in reading "Water for Elephants" after hearing about the movie coming out.  I also so Reese Witherspoon and Robert Pattinson's interview on Regis and Kelly.  So before we flew to Colorado for a week I pick up the book, to help me pass the time while Violet napped at the hotel.  "Water for Elephants" is a historical book about the rough life working in/for the circus.  Told by Jacob Jankowski, a 90 yr old man currently living in a nursing home, of his days working as a veterinarian for the Benzini Circus.   He (of course) falls in love with the beautiful performer Marlena, who not by coincidence is married to August, Jacob's boss.  There is much drama, love for the animals, and the real life picture of the circus.   I honestly was a little let down by the book since there was so much hype about the movie.  I would like to still see the movie to see how it portrays the book.  All in all, okay nothing too spectacular for me, but enjoyable for a summer/pool side book. 

Snack Time

Somewhere between lunch and dinner, I become a crazy hungry woman! And if I dont eat a snack asap, it gets even worse. So I have this snack just about every day: Yogurt + Grape Nuts + Chia seeds.  There's a good crunch with the added grape nuts and it keeps me sane until dinner time :)

I know you are probably thinking, "Activia?? Doesn't that make you...ummm you know...go!?" Why, yes, yes it does. If you know me, you know I'm pretty open and honest about my "business".  But it doesn't make you have diarrhea like I've had some think.  Activia helps "move along" your digestive system.  And having a healthy digestive system makes you and me a more happy and healthy person in the long run. Read more here 

Tips for Traveling with kids

In the past 15 months since Violet has been born we have done our fair share of traveling. We've been on two plane rides and countless road trips to visit family and friends across the great state of Texas.  I feel like we've experienced and learned from each and every trip.  For example, to only driving 1.5 hours in our 7 hour trip and had to check into a hotel because V would not stop crying in the car, or to her sleeping the whole entire airplane ride which was glorious, and lets not forget explosive poop in her car seat and we were still 3.5 hours from getting home! Trust me, traveling with kids is definitely an adventure! I thought I'd share a little of our insight when traveling:

1. Be flexible. Children and traveling can be unpredictable! So stay calm and assess the situation as it comes your way.  As stated above we had intended to get farther in our travels one night while Violet was 3 months old, but when the crying just wouldn't let up, we decided to stay at a local motel in a small town and continue traveling early morning.  Though not what we had first planned, everyone was well rested while we resumed our travel the next day!

2. Food.  Always, always bring food or drinks with you.  This will/might help defer fits and crying due your child being hungry.  If possible wait until you are either on the road/airplane to feed, at least you'll get 30 minutes of no screaming then :) Also remember if you are on a road trip there are usually gas stations or grocery stores that have milk, fruit, and other snacks. 

3. Gear. Be sure to pack all of the necessary essentials when traveling. Such as, pack 'n play, stroller, diapers, wipes, swing, bumbo, car seat etc.  We are lucky to have nieces and nephews when visiting my in laws, so we know that there is extra of everything there.  But when we traveled to Colorado a few weeks ago that was another case.  We used a small umbrella stroller through the airport (right before we boarded it went into luggage with NO cost), we rented a car seat from our rental car company, Violet is still young enough to sit on our laps on the airplane, and our hotel provided a crib (though we borrowed a pack 'n play from my cousin). 

4. Toys.  Bring them!! All different kinds.  I have V's toys in rotation...I put some "away" each month and rotate the already "away" ones in.  It keeps them fresh for her.  So when we travel I take some of her toys that are "away" in rotation, so she thinks they are new and cool and keep her entertained a little longer.

5. Extras Clothes. You never know what your child is going to get into or spill on their clothes  When we travel I usually bring 2 extra outfits just in case we need them.  There was a time didn't bring enough and we thankfully borrowed some pants from her cousin! 


I'm sure I could share plenty more tips, but it's more fun if you make the experience and learn on your own.  I'd say most of all have fun while traveling with your children!  Though in the moment you may be really stressed out or very sleep deprived, enjoy taking your little ones on adventures with you!

Vacation

Almost a year ago I wrote this post "Wanting Wednesday"...one of them is coming true in T-minus 5 days...can you guess??

Okay I'll just tell you it's #3!!!!It will be our very first cruise! We are so excited to spend a week with 9 of our friends on a relaxing vacation! This vacation has been in the works for a long while now, it just took forever to get everyone's schedules to workout and we only booked it ourselves a month ago.  It will be the longest time we've ever been away from Violet, which I'm sad about, but at the same time I know she will be in good care and have lots of fun with her grandparents.  Also, I have a non realistic fear that we are going to sink like the Titantic... Other than that, I'm stocked up on sun screen, swimsuits, and shorts!

Anyone have tips or advice for first time cruisers??

Post Cinco Post

Cinco De Mayo was a fun day! Violet and I spent the afternoon with friends strolling around Hermann Park, window shopping at Rice Village and then cooling off with some frozen yogurt at Swirll.  The night was even better! I met up with 4 of 7 BFFs from college! (It was also a celebration to have Jessie back in America!)

Lindsey, Kim, Nikki and Jessie

We enjoyed lots of laughs, a band that was waaaaay to loud, texmex and 'ritas! Happy Cinco!

Summer Shorts

Despite the cooler weather this week in Houston, summer will be here very very soon!!  I've been on the hunt for a pair of shorts for the past couple of weeks (for summer and for our vacation next week) and I finally found a pair! 

My current shorts are post-pregnancy and are well on the too loose/saggy/falling off side and my pre-pregnancy shorts are in our storage unit somewhere, but I hope to find them soon and see if they fit.  Regardless, I was in need of shorts!! Since college I have loved Old Navy shorts.  Most stores that sell shorts are really really  really short.  Hello, I don't want to show the whole world my thighs/booty! "Modest is Hottest" yall!  I really appreciate that Old Navy has several options of lengths (3.5 inches, 5 inches, 7 inches and bermuda length).

In the past I have worn the 5 inch or the bermuda length, but yesterday I found a pair of 7 inch shorts! (This khaki kind is usually only sold online but someone happened to return a few of them to the store!) And when they say "the perfect khaki shorts" they aren't kidding. They really ARE perfect! I love the length, the way they feel and the color! If you are looking for shorts, try Old Navy they have tons of options, and this week they are only $15! I also found a grrrrreat mini skirt on sale for $10! Thanks Old Navy!

Sweet Potato Taco

Cinco De Mayo meal #2 you have a spell on me...You might remember my Not-so-ordinary Tacos awhile back.  A vegetarian and healthy twist on tacos made in a crock pot.  While they were very tasty I took a chance and made something similar, but a little different.  Sweet Potatoes are SO good for you that I try to incorporate them in our meals whenever possible! This was REALLY REALLY good, better than the crockpot tacos.  Bryson was quite impressed with this meal and requested it again already!

Sweet Potato Taco

 Ingredients:
2 Sweet Potatoes
1lb. turkey/hamburger meat
1 pkg taco seasoning
1 can black beans
1 Tomatoes
1/2 onion
1 Jalapeno

1. Preheat oven to 400.  Line a cookie sheet with foil.  Wash and then poke potatoes with a fork/knife all over. Set on cookie sheet and place in oven for 50 mins.

2.  Follow instructions on taco seasoning package to cook meat.

3. Open can of black beans and heat on stove or in microwave. 

4.  Once potatoes are finished, allow to cool for 5 minutes. Cut open and pile meat and fixings on top.

Eat, Drink and Be Merry! :)

Chicken Tostadas

In honor of Cinco De Mayo tomorrow, here's a yummy and easy recipe



Chicken Tostadas

Ingredients:

4-6 tostada shells

4 chicken breasts, cut into pieces

garlic powder, cumin, salt and pepper to taste

2 tbsp oil

2 cans diced green chilies

*Your choice of fixings:

grated cheese

refried beans/black beans

diced tomatoes

lettuce

lime



1. Season diced chicken. Heat 2 tbsp oil in a large pan on medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook for about 5 mins, then add in the diced green chilies. Cook until chicken is done, set aside.

2. Heat oven to 350.  Place tostada shells on a pan and sprinkle with cheese and place in oven, bake for 5-10 mins until cheese is melted. Meanwhile prepare fixings.

3. When the tostada shells are ready start to layer the toppings (example: cheese, beans, lettuce, tomoatoes, etc.) 

We also topped off our tostadas with this hot sauce, which was really good, authentic tasting and spicy:

Enjoy!