What's Going on with YOU, Jenny?

Well since you asked...

• I know I am the last person on the planet to visit Pioneer Woman's website, but I spent my day yesterday perusing the recipes and I am in LOVE.  I'm just sad I can't make everything right this second!  And that butter is the number one ingredient in every single recipe.  Okay.  So maybe sad is the wrong word.  Perhaps salivating is better?

•  I shall be making 3 or 4 of her recipes in the next two weeks.  I'll let you know how they go!

• We have another birthday party to go to this weekend.  And if I'm being honest, I could not be more excited!  My little Braden is turning one!  I say "my" like he's my child.  He's not.  But I want him.  How could you not?  

That little face gets me every time. And he's just the happiest little boy I have ever seen.  Oh I want to squeeze those little cheekies!!

Seriously.  I am obsessed with this kid.  I think I scare his parents a little.  And Matt for sure.

I need one.  Like now.

• Here's what I got him:

Then I had his name embroidered on the body.  Braden is all about the monkeys.  He was a monkey for Halloween and it's what his parents have called him all year.  So I thought this was very fitting for the little guy.

• I'm feeling almost 100% better!  Right in time for birthday cake!  Thanks goodness.

• I missed my 300th post!  Today is 301 in case you were wondering.  I can't believe I've blabbed on for 301 posts and I still have readers.  Ha!  Thanks for sticking with me friends.

• I've almost hit my fundraising goal for the 3-Day!  Can you believe it?  I sure can't.  I have been beyond humbled by the donations I have received and could not be more thrilled at the progress I have seen.  Only $339 to go!

• I have to walk 10 miles on Saturday.  It's supposed to rain.  Ick.

• Can you believe it's almost freaking May!?!  For some reason that just astounds me.  This year is flying by.

• My sister is coming next weekend!!  We're going to a casino night hosted by the Junior League and then we're going camping!  Yes.  I camp.  Well, I used to camp.  Now, I eat s'mores.  Same thing, right?

• It's Friday!  Since I was out sick on Monday this week was a breeze.  I'm in favor of three day weekends.  Who's with me? 

Blessed!

Morning girlies!

Thanks for all of the well wishes yesterday!  I am feeling slightly better today and was able to eat a decent dinner last night (hey...pizza rolls is decent in my book...) so things are looking up!

Forgive me for doing a weekend recap on a Wednesday...but I must share!

Friday Matt and I hit up Dairy Queen for their buy one blizzard, get the other for 25 cents deal.  It was PACKED!  I enjoyed the Turtle Pecan Blizzard and Matt had the Heath.  Delicious....however...I missed my Reese's something fierce.

Saturday I busted out my 8 miles in the morning in a light sprinkle and then headed to Chick-fil-a for breakfast.  Yum!  We spent the rest of the afternoon cleaning the house in preparation for Matt's parents to arrive.  It was just fabulous seeing them and was so sweet of them to come up for a visit!

Sunday we trotted over to the model home to show off our new digs.  We also hit up Lowe's and a local gardening center in search of some veggies and herbs for our garden.  We now have little baby tomatoes, basil, onion, and garlic on the way :)

We went to the evening service at church on Sunday because we were getting baptized!  Oh what a fabulous experience that was!  My MIL snapped a few photos of the process and I am so glad she did!

Just before this...I missed the last step into the pool and almost fell.  According to my MIL she didn't even notice...so hopefully she wasn't fibbing :)  Oh how embarrassing that would've been....

Hubs is up next!

What an amazing day to share together as believers!  And it was glorious to have Matt's parents there with us to celebrate!  They even brought us brand new bibles :)  So sweet!

But the highlight our night, we got to shake our pastor's hand!  I know that sounds a little weird...but our church is HUGE.  Like, thousands of people, huge.  And our pastor is very well known in the Christian community as he is on the radio and travels all over the world spreading the good news..so he is constantly being pulling in a million directions and is very busy.  He's just fantastic and we are so blessed to be able to hear him preach.  But we were all nervous to meet him!  It was kind of like meeting a celebrity!  Ha!  But he was super cool and really encouraging of us on that night.  Definitely an experience I will remember forever!

Blech...

Good morning friends!

I was off work yesterday due to an intense stomach problem which involved some crazy nausea only tolerable when laying down in my comfy bed...watching soaps, reading, and napping.  So that's exactly what I did yesterday.  And if I got vacation time, that's exactly what I would be doing again today.  But I don't.  So I'm at work.  Ick.

I'll save my update on our Sunday baptisms for tomorrow when I'm hopefully feeling a little better...and more able to express the awesomeness of that day.  Because it was just that.  Awesome.


Hope everyone has a lovely day!

Jam Packed Plans!

Morning ladies!

Thank goodness it's Friday, right!  I have a very full weekend planned but I'm really excited for it to get started!

Tonight I have a 5 miler on the schedule...so hopefully the weather will cooperate and I can get outside today.  I've seen rain in the forecast and my pretty pink shoes do not heart walking in the rain.

Saturday is 8 miles.  My plan in to walk three quarters of the way to Chick-fil-a and then have Matt pick me up for some lunch.  What do you think?  Sound like a plan you can get behind?  Me too.  What more of a motivating factor do I need than a chicken sandwich?  Answer: none.

source

Hold the pickle please....


Then I shall be in crazy cleaning mode because Matt's parents are coming up for a visit!  Am I the only one who only cleans when people are coming over?  Besides the kitchen...I seriously don't think I really clean a thing unless I have to.  Wife = Fail.

His parents are dying to see the model home, so after a yummy breakfast I intend on making (i.e. blackberry coffee cake!)...that's what we'll do.  I also have to try to fit in 6 miles somewhere in that day.  Hm.

But the purpose of their visit is for Sunday night!  Matt and I are getting baptized at church!  This is something I have been wanting to do for quite a while and I cannot even begin to tell you how excited I am to finally have this opportunity.  And to share in it with my husband is a dream come true.

Now...to get through this work day!  Ha! 

Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!!

XOXO

To Wear or Not to Wear

There are a lot of things to think about when training to walk 60 miles.

What shoes should I wear?

How about socks?

Should I carry a water bottle with me?

Where can I find a pretty pink sports bra?

You know.  Important things like that.

So my newest concern is this:  What kind of underwear do I wear to walk 20 miles a day?

Yes, I'm going to write a post about underwear.

I've been struggling to answer this question for several weeks now.  And so far all I've come up with is a pile of underwear NOT to wear. And I've only walked a maximum of 7 miles so far. 

I have a problem.

Thongs are not comfortable...and leave me looking over my shoulder in secluded neighborhoods to make sure no cars are coming so I can nonchalantly dig the material out of my butt.  I know.  It's not pretty.  And my regular underwear just gets all bunchy.  Plus I have these cute pink capri pants I wear and you can totally see right through the material giving spectators a clear view of my colorful undergarments.

I need help.  And the neighborhood children who have been scarred for life need help too.

Any suggestions??

Opening my Lunch Bag

What's in my lunch today?

source

source

source

source

source

source

source

Just in case you were wondering.

Viva Las Vegas!

Busy, busy weekend over this way girls!

Friday afternoon I finished up one of my favorite cakes I have made to date.  It was a roulette wheel for a going away party a girl at my work was throwing for one of her friends that was moving to Las Vegas.  I think it turned out just fantastic...and the best part?  It didn't stress me out one little bit.  Everything went just perfectly!

I spent the remainder of Friday evening at the Indians game!  We had a suite....and thank goodness because the wind made it absolutely freezing!  So I plopped my booty down inside and watched on the T.V.  Ha!  What a fan...

Redo...

We spent the remainder of our weekend booking everything for our Texas trip (yeah!), finalizing housing details, and relaxing.

Oh...and check out my new kicks!

 

I think I'll fit in at the 3-Day just perfectly now!  And please forgive the blinding whiteness of my legs.  I need to work on that...hm.

I'm a Jumbled Mess!

Morning friends!

Sorry I've been sporadic lately.  I feel like I have a million things running around in my head all at the same time and I can hardly keep up!

Here's a few things that are going on:

• I've been working on another cake this week!  It involves chocolate, fondant, and perhaps a casino theme.  I'll be done tonight so stay tuned!

• I'm in serious planning mode for our Texas trip in June.  I have done so much research on restaurants, hotels, and things to do...I think I could get around Texas myself without even having been there.  I simply cannot wait!

• The 3-Day fundraising has taken over my life!  It is a lot more work than I expected...but it certainly is paying off.  I'm over half way to my goal already!  Check it out here if you're interested. 

So as you can tell, I've been busy!  Between all of that, training, and work...I'm pooped!

But we have a full weekend ahead of us!  Tonight we have suite (and sweet!) tickets to the Indians game with a bunch of our friends.  I could not be more excited because the Indians are playing my very favorite team!!

source

You better believe I'm wearing my Sox jersey too.  Hopefully they win or I sure will look stupid :)

Then Saturday we have a birthday party to go to for a 1 year old.  It should be super fun.  I was a little concerned about the gift seeing as it was the first give I have ever had to buy for a child.  Ever.  Here's what I came up with:

source

source

Hopefully he likes them!!  They got good reviews....so that's what I went with :)

We are also meeting with our builder on Sunday to discuss a few more details about the house.  Everything is coming together!!  Our hardwood floor, granite, ceramic tile, and carpet are all picked out.  Next...brick!

Hope everyone has a lovely weekend!!

XOXO

Just a Little Taste

Y'all know I'm doing the 3-Day, right??

Well, I went home to Indiana last weekend for a quick trip to investigate some spots for fundraising events.  Although it was just for a few days, I think I made a lot of progress on nailing down some leads!

And while I was there I got to spend some much needed time with my family.  I hardly ever come home without Matt so it was really nice to stay in my own house with my parents and spend all the time I wanted to with just them.  We visited my grandpa, grandma, and an aunt all in one day...which let me tell you...never happens!  I even got in some training walks with my BFF when I was there.  Simply put, it was just the weekend I needed.  (Besides the 5 hour drive of course...but that clearly goes without saying.)

On Saturday night, BFF Jill, her SIL Melissa, and I went to Tastings.  It's a really cool concept for a wine bar in downtown Indianapolis.  It has tasting stations of wine set up with a brief description of each wine listed.  When you find a wine you want to try, you insert your pre-paid Tasting's card (which is basically like a credit card you put any amount of money on you want) and out comes a taste!  The prices vary...but shockingly I stuck to the $2.50 wines instead of venturing over to the more expensive kind!

It was a super fun night...and we got cheese!

Overall, the weekend was a blast and I cannot wait to make another visit!

Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend (and since I'm so far behind...and it's already Wednesday...) hope everyone is having a great week!!

That Cake is on Fire!

I finished a cake order yesterday for a co-worker. It was my first time working with cream cheese icing (red velvet cake!) instead of regular buttercream. Dude, this stuff is seriously delicious. Not that I tasted any of it. No. I would never do that.

She just wanted a simple sheet cake for a Harley lover's birthday. This is what I came up with:



The flame border is definitely my favorite part. Seriously cool!





On another note, my honey is still out of town (has been gone since Sunday...) but before he left he go this little beauty!


I used to ship Matt an Easter basket every year before we finally lived in the same city. It's so nice now to have him right by my side for every holiday. I miss that boy!

And guess what?? He finally shaved! He's been growing the grizzly beard since Christmas and he emerged on Sunday afternoon cleanly shaven! I think someone was trying to impress the judge :) Weird, but I already kind of miss the facial hair. Funny how you get used to things...

I have my very last small group meeting for the Junior League tonight...thank goodness! And I'll be walking 5 miles before that...so cross your fingers for nice weather. Walking outside is WAY more fun :)

Room Transformation

A few weeks ago we finally completed our Junior League provisional project and I totally forgot to post about it!

As you may remember, my provisional group was assigned an in home day care center on the east side of Cleveland and asked to renovate one room. The program was designed around literacy so the list of desired supplies centered around books, educational toys, puzzles...that sort of thing. Let me just say...I heart Target.

Here's what we started with:




The room was upstairs off the only bathroom in the house. There was no carpet on the floor and with all the windows it got very cold. There was also virtually no room for the children to play or a place to put a diapering station which the caregiver desperately needed.

So we went to work. And in only 30 minutes...here's what we were able to do:




I must say the room was virtually unrecognizable. We were able to provide tons of books and toys for the kids, a rug that covered almost all of the exposed linoleum, and a brand new changing table.

But this was the best moment of the day:


She was SO excited. Lots of "happy tears!"


This is Erin, one of our group members. We nicknamed her "Ty Pennington" for obvious reasons.

What a better way to start a Saturday morning, right?

Oh, but then we followed it up with lunch and cupcakes...so it was perfection :)

Texas Trip!

Morning friends!!

We got a wedding invitation in the mail last week from one of Matt's cousins. You know what that means??

Vacation!!

In June we'll be heading to Texas...my first trip to the Lonestar state! We'll be around the Dallas area...but plan on making our way to Houston and possibly the beach while we are there.

So my question for you dear readers. What's a girl to do in Texas? Where should we eat? Any can't miss attractions that we just have to see?? Besides The Shabby Princess, obviously, which will clearly be the highlight of my trip!

Matt's mama grew up in Texas so he's been there plenty of times and knows his way around. And he is incredibly stoked about Whataburger?? Who knows. But it better be good the way he's talking it up.

source

Other than that, I'm stumped. So help me out! Been there?

A Confession...

I have a confession to make.

I've been keeping something from you. No, I'm not pregnant. Believe me, I couldn't hide that from you if I tried.

No. I have done something that I simply cannot wait any longer to tell you about!

My sister and I have signed up for the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure in Chicago!

We are completely stoked and freaked out all at the same time. But we think it will be just an amazing experience to say the least and I cannot wait to share it with all of you!

We're in the beginning stages of our fundraising (AKA: ask everyone and anyone you have ever met for money...which is time consuming and uncomfortable to say the least) and I thought I would share my letter with you, my friends! So here it goes....

My dear bloggy friends,

I'm writing to you today asking you to take a stand. A stand against one of the most devastating diseases of our time.

Breast Cancer.

Did you know that 1 in every 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer? I sure didn't. What an astounding number! But it makes sense. Nearly everyone is connected to someone who has battled the disease. And I am no exception.

My grandmother, Shirley, was diagnosed with breast cancer when I was very young. Although I've been told by family members that her disease was incredibly serious and her odds of survival were slim, I never, ever remember her being sick. The woman was fighting cancer for years and I didn't even know! Granted, I was young and probably didn't understand the concept of being terminally ill. But because of her strength, I am blessed with memories of a woman who lived to see me graduate from high school, who came to every one of my sporting events, who called me during college just to see how I was doing, and who sent me $5 in "mad money" for no reason at all. She had the most incredible sense of humor and I wish more than anything my husband could have met her just once.

Although she has since passed away, my grandmother was a breast cancer survivor. A 17 year survivor to be exact. But some people aren't so lucky. And in order to make sure everyone gets the chance at a lifetime they deserve, my sister and I are taking a stand.

We are participating in the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure in Chicago. It is a 3-day, 60 mile walk. Yes. You read that correctly. We are walking 60 miles. In one weekend. Crazy? Perhaps. Challenging? Definitely. So why?

For a cure. We believe the money we raise by walking these 60 miles will help fund the research needed to find a cure. We're walking because we can. We are healthy women who are willing and able to make a difference. And we're doing it for those who can't. For those who need us the most.

We've committed to raise $2,300 EACH. That's $4,600 as a team! A daunting task to say the least. We're going to need as much support as possible to hit our fundraising goal and are looking to YOU to make a difference. Please consider making a donation (hey...it's tax deductible!) by either visiting my person fundraising webpage here or by clicking on the 3-Day for the Cure button in the top right corner of my blog.

We sincerely hope you'll share with us in taking this bold step in the fight against breast cancer. Remember, we'll be doing all the walking! All you need to do it make a donation. Because everyone deserves a lifetime.

Thank you in advance for your generosity and support!

Warmly,

Jenny


So what do you think?? Did it make you want to throw piles of money my way?? :)

In all seriousness, I'm really excited this is all out in the open because I am dying to share my training with you! Saturday I did a 6 miler and I got my very first blister!

See.

I'm official.

Jesus is Risen!

We had the most amazing Easter service this morning. The music was fantastic. The choir was phenomenal. The church was filled to the brim with so many people singing to Jesus. It was one of those moments I literally had to hold my chest to keep the tears from flowing. A.M.A.Z.I.N.G. Like I felt like dancing in the aisles like a crazy lady...amazing :)

Don't worry. I didn't.

But don't you wish every Sunday could be like that? Where so many people would flock to one place to worship Jesus every week instead of just twice a year?

This thought has been with me today and I'm unsure what to do with it.

I know I can't control others and the best way to show people the way is to live it out loud! So I'm going to try my best to do that. But you know what's so frustrating and comforting all at the same time?

That nothing I do will ever been good enough.

And it doesn't have to be.

Thanks goodness, huh? Or I would seriously be in a world of trouble.

It brought to mind a situation last year where one of my co-workers approached me about my reading of the Bible. We had a little chat about it and he ended the conversation with something like, "Keep reading." And it was very much in the sense of, "You have a lot to learn...and a lot of changes to make Missy."

Needless to say I was offended. Shockingly I didn't say anything. I know. You're not surprised. But I have let this comment stew inside for many, many months. I let it define me...like I wasn't living a Christian life because of this one man's opinion.

Well you know what I learned today?

He was right. I do have a lot of learn. But I have peace in what I already know. I know that who I am today is enough. A girl who has made so many mistakes, many of which are between her and God alone. A girl who gets jealous easily, is sometimes quick to judge, and ate too many Reese's Eggs to count today. I'm enough.

My prayer is to keep this fire I feel today burning everyday. To live for my Creator and in his name alone. To love the Lord with all my heart and share his joy with others. To pass that joy along to my future children and my family.

Happy Easter my friends. May the Lord bless you today and everyday!!

Home Sweet Home

Ask and ye shall receive!

Matt and I had an appointment at the model home last night so I snapped a few pictures so you could see our new house! The floor plan will be exactly like the model home but I'll try to give you an indication some of the changes we made in the pictures.

First off, just in case you thought I was lying about actually buying a house...

...that little red circle that says "Sold" on #12...that's us! Sorry the picture sucks. I was trying to be quick so no one would catch me taking a lame picture of a sign.



This is our front door and the foyer taken from upstairs. On the right will be our living room and on the left will be our study.



Here's the living room. We opted to leave out the bay window but everything else will be the same.



And this is the study. French doors will stay as well as the hardwood which will run from the foyer, into the study, and up through the kitchen and morning room.



Here's the dining room with is connected to the living room. So sorry for the poor quality of this picture. Time of day= fail. Again, we opted against the bay windows and the windows on the left will not be there. Instead I will be able to center my currently non existent china cabinet on this wall...and not leave it how they have it completely unsymmetrical on the other wall which we know would drive me insane!



Let's travel upstairs, shall we??



Coming up the stairs, you first get to our master bedroom, or the Owner's Suite as they like to call it. Clever Ryan homes. Clever.



That is just one of two walk in closets we will have. Sweet!



Master bathroom...everything will stay exactly like you see it here.



There is also a sitting room off to the side which I see as a major possibility for a midnight feeding area for our future children. Oh, and there's the door to the other walk in closet.



There are three other bedrooms on the second floor but I opted to skip the pictures of those. You know, because they just look like bedrooms.



Here's the upstairs guest bathroom. There is also a powder room downstairs with the pedestal sink I mentioned. Forgot that picture....



Heading back downstairs....



This is the great room. In the model it is bumped out a few extra feet in the back which we opted not to do. But it's still quite a nice size for us. And isn't the fireplace gorgeous!?!






And now...the moment you've all been waiting for. Well, if I were you...it would be.


The kitchen. My sanctuary.



Oh yes. The main reason I loved this house so much. Island. Double oven. Bar. Beautiful cherry cabinets and stainless steel appliances. Be still my heart.

The morning room is off to the right of this picture...but there were people in there and I didn't want to be that crazy girl who was taking pictures of strangers. So you'll have to use your imagination there :)


After we were done with our appointment...we walked down to our home site to check it out.


Sold baby!

Our first picture "in" our new home!