Hello, Goodbye, I don't know why you say hello, I say goodbye

Excuse the random title of this post, I have the Beatle's songs in my head. 

Well I have quit this blog for awhile, which kind of saddens me. I do LOVE blogging although I made a private blog as a journal for my little Owen that I am going to devote my time to now. I really want to document his life. I don't feel comfortable posting pictures of him on the web for just anyone to see. So for now I won't be posting on this blog but I may post recipes or random things every great once in awhile.

So tah tah for now:) 

Owen's Special Day

Yesterday, 10.14.12;

We had Owen's blessing day yesterday! He looked so precious in his little suit! I am so grateful for all our family that joined us for this special occasion! 

The whole day was beautiful. The weather was fantastic and I just felt so blessed all day. Tay gave him such a sweet blessing and my Aunt Patty wrote it down so I won't forget the sweet words that were spoken that day. 

Well my love for this little guy keeps growing everyday. He is everything I need. When Tay gets home and ask me how my day went I always say great! I have not had a bad day since he was born (I am sure that will change once he is a toddler:) I can honestly say being a mother is MUCH better than I thought it would be. I have always wanted to be a mom but I knew it would BE WAY HARD. I know it will be once he is older but now he is just the sweetest thing ever. He is a really good baby. He has been sleeping through the night since 4 weeks. Another thing, I am proud of is that we have not spent one dime on him since he was born. Yep I feel blessed. I was kind of worried how we were just going to live off Tay's income but we have managed to financially support ourselves for a year with just Tay working. I have learned to fully put my faith in God as we pay our tithing and live accordingly, things really do work one way or another. 

My heart is full of joy, love, and gratitude, now I know what other mothers mean when they say it really is impossible to know how much you can love someone until you have one of your own. 

Owen, the more I serve you the more I love you! I thank the Lord everyday for your sweet presence in my life.

I have been slacking on blogging because I was introduced to instagram. I also am busy being a mom, wife, and student. But this was a very special day and I wanted to write about it:)

Food= Happiness

Well I have been fortunate enough to receive meals every night since last night (which has been heaven, food really just makes me so happy, ask my husband he can testify). 

I am now back to thinking up meals and making them. Which I don't mind making them at all, it is the coming up with something to eat. I still have my freezer meals that I made but I want to save those for nights that I don't have time to cook. 

Anyways I have been meaning to post my bread recipe (actually it is my Dad's recipe)

(this is for you Dallas)

Whole Wheat Bread

(I actually use a bread maker because it is so easy and makes our condo smell amazing.)

Ingredients:

1 c. of cold water

1 tbls. of black strap molasses

2 tbls. of lecithin

2 tbls. of olive oil

2 tbls. of honey

3 c. of freshly ground whole wheat flour

2 tsp. of dough enhancer

2 tbls. of gluten

1 tsp. of sea salt

1 tsp of yeast

Directions:

place ingredients in the exact order as given above into bread pan. 

after you add flour make a little circle in the middle place dough enhancer, gluten, and sea salt on each side of the circle. in the circle place the 1 tsp of yeast.

place in bread machine 

set for baking

Press:

Menu: 3

Color: light

Loaf: 1.5

START

Bakes for 3 1/2 hrs. 

That easy!

 (I don't know what type of bread machine you have so the buttons might not be the same).

Oh and have I mentioned that I love being a mom!? This post has taken me forever to write because I keep stopping to munch on my little guy's face. I really can't leave him alone. Luckily he doesn't mind being kissed all the time. Tay and I take turns munching him. 

LOVE MY BABY BOY! 

A Slice Of Heaven

I am so grateful I am able to stay at home and be a mom to this innocent, sweet, loving baby. I was worried that I would miss our single life with no baby, but this little boy has added so much joy and happiness that I didn't know I could feel. I am so grateful for the time Tay and I got to have with just each other but this little guy has added so much to our marriage and I am grateful for that. I look forward to all the stages, even the  hard ones that I know will come with being a mother, but luckily I am not alone. I have the loving Lord that entrusted us with one of his children and my supportive husband. 

Little Man

I feel so blessed that we have a healthy little boy. That was really the biggest concern that I had. Everything went so well I only had to push for 40 min (which only seemed like 20 min.) Granted I have never felt so much pain in my whole life with contractions but after I got the epidural (after waiting for hours) that is when everything just seemed to go perfectly. We were in the hospital for 3 days and I really didn't mind it, I was actually scared to go home in case anything happened to the baby, there was not that red nurse button on my bed that I could press if I needed anything. Well once we got home, we settled right in, Tay and I eased into parenthood a lot easier than we thought. 

We honestly just can't get enough of our little person, he has brought such a sweet spirit into our home. I love to sing him hymns every night and morning. He really is such a pleasant little baby. 

Here are a few pictures of our first few days at home:

His first bath at home:

I just can't get over how little he is, Tay and I just stare at him all the time. He looks like a little doll sometimes.

He sure loves his swing.

All bundled up ready to go to his first doctors appointment. 

Well to say the least I love this baby so much. I love this little new born stage and I cherish everyday because I am worried it will go by so fast. 

Freezer Meals

Well I have been extremely productive the past 2 weeks, organizing, cleaning. I am now out of things to do so I decided to take my sister's advice and make some freezer meals. I was so excited to do this. 

I made:

Honey Lime Chicken Enchiladas

Goulash

Wild Rice Chicken Casserole 

Spinach Lasagna 

Healthy Corn Muffins

& yummy homemade maple syrup 

Here are the recipes:

 Honey Lime Chicken Enchiladas:

1/3 c. honey

¼ c. lime juice

1 tbls. Chili powder

½ tsp. garlic powder

1 pound chicken, cooked and shredded

8-10 flour tortillas

1 pound Monterey jack cheese, shredded

2 cans green enchilada sauce

1 can green chilies

¾ c. sour cream

Mix the honey, lime juice, spices, green chilies, sour cream, and chicken.

Spray a 9x13 pan with cooking spary. Fill flour tortillas with chicken mixture. Pour enchilada sauce over the top and sprinkle with cheese.

Bake at 350 degrees for 30 min until brown and crispy on top.  

Source: I have actually taken 3 different recipes and combined them to create this one. 

Goulash 

1lb ground beef

1 can tomato soup

6 oz can tomato paste

2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni  (I used whole wheat noodles)

2 Tbsp Italian seasoning (more to taste)

1 can (15oz) corn, drained

1 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp onion powder

1-2 cups shredded cheese (depending on your “cheesiness” preference)

1. Brown Ground beef with onion powder and garlic powder.  Drain.

2. Cook noodles according to package, drain

3. In a large bowl, combine soup, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, noodles and ground beef.  Stir in corn.

4. Transfer to an ungreased 8X8 freezer baking dish and top with cheese.  I buy the foil pans.  Easy peasy and you wont be missing a pan while this meal is in the freezer waiting.

5. Cover with foil.  I like to use heavy duty foil and double wrap it to prevent freezer burn.  Label and freeze.

Cooking instructions: Thaw and bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 30-40 minutes until heated through and melted cheese.

source: Joyful Momma's Kitchen

Chicken and Wild Rice

1 box wild rice with seasoning packet (4.3 oz)

1 can cream of mushroom soup

1 can cream of chicken soup

1 can water

6 boneless skinless chicken thighs, uncooked

1. Mix together rice with seasoning packet, both cans of soup, and water.  Stir in mushrooms. (don’t need to cook rice before just put it in.)

2. Pour in to 8X8 freezer dish, I use the foil pans.  Top with 6 chicken pieces and sprinkle with slivered almonds.

3. Double wrap in heavy duty foil, label and freeze.

Cooking Instruction: Thaw and bake uncovered at 350 for 1 hour until chicken juices run clear and rice is tender. 

source: Joyful Momma's Kitchen

HEALTHY CORN MUFFINS:

Take one can of white beans (do not drain) blend in blender to thick paste. This makes about 2 cups. You can freeze the rest for later use.

In a medium bowl mix together:

1 c. of pureed white beans

1 c. applesauce

1 c. honey

4 tbl. Oil

1 c. milk

2 eggs

In a larger mixing bowl whisk together:

2 c. whole wheat flour

1 ½ c. corn meal

1 tsp salt

2 tsp. baking powder

2 tsp baking soda

Directions:

Pour liquid mixture into the dry mixture and stir gently to combine. Batter will be slightly lumpy. Spray muffin tins well and fill about 2/3 full. Bake at 375 for 15 min. 

Source: Janie Smith 

Homemade Maple Syrup

*Makes about 10 cups (2 1/2 quarts) of syrup

INGREDIENTS:

8 cups granulated sugar

1 cup packed light or dark brown sugar

1/2 cup honey

4 cups water

2 teaspoons pure maple extract

2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

DIRECTIONS:

In a large 5-6 quart pot, combine the sugars, honey and water. Bring the mixture to a boil and reduce the heat to low so the mixture gently simmers. Cover the pot and simmer the mixture for 15 minutes. Remove the pot from the heat and let it cool for 20 minutes before stirring in the maple and vanilla extracts. Let the syrup cool in the pot for another 40 minutes, or so, stirring occasionally, before filling jars/containers. Once the containers are filled, let them cool to room temperature uncovered.

Store covered in jars or other containers in the refrigerator. It will keep for up to 2 months in the refrigerator. 

Source: Melskitchencafe.com

Well your welcome, all of these are fabulous recipes! Great for nights that you are in a hurry or even if you are not in the mood to cook.

Side note:

I am so ready for our little guy to come! 

We even have the car seat and a bag packed for him and me in the car ready to go! I am seriously ready to meet him! We are hoping he will come tonight or sometime this weekend but who knows he might even make me wait to see him next week.

Face Time

 Like all mother's expecting I am extremely curious what our little man will look like. 

I was organizing all of our stuff and came across some pictures, I am pretty sure our little guy will look like his daddy. Tay was so adorable so I would not mind that one bit:)

This is random but here is a little collage of Tay and I from high school till now. Both of our hair colors have totally changed I was way blonde and Tay had black hair.

 I like marriage on us, I am much happier (I won't speak for Tay but hopefully he would say the same:).

Here we are now 2 1/2 years later and having a mini us. 

Knowing Tay since I was 14 I did not think my little crush I had on him would turn into spending my life time with him, so grateful we have each other.

Okay side note:

I really am in need of a good book since school is out. I went to the library and spent an hour looking and came out with a couple of parenting books but what I really want is just a good enjoyable book to read that is more mindless reading. Any suggestions?? 

The 8th Month Mark

                 Well last week I made 2 trips to the hospital because my doctor thought something

 was wrong with our little man. She thought I might need to be induced because my placenta stopped working and the baby at this point would stop growing and I would have a still born. Well my doctor only thought all this because my belly was not measuring according to the normal size. Well THANKFUL she was WRONG. We had a 3D ultra sound which was incredible! He is so flippin cute, I wanted him to come right then and hold him! He is already 7lbs and PERFECTLY HEALTHY! Tay and I were so relieved! I really want a 7-8 pound baby so I am happy to know he is already 7lbs. I really want him to come this week, but he is not due for 13 more days so that may not happen. I am so ready for him though! Luckily I have been feeling pretty good considering I am this far along. I have been getting a lot of contractions which is normal obviously not enough to send me into labor (which I would not mind at all). 

Last week we washed and folded all his little clothes and blankets, so adorable! I still can't believe what a miracle this all is. I am so excited to have a child that will come into a home full of love for him! 

Well I said I would post a picture of me when I am about to pop so here it is: 

7-24-12

Tay had to work on the 24th so we didn't get to celebrate until he got home. 

We had a fabulous evening. 

I kicked it off with an awesome salmon dinner accompanied with delicious rice and broccoli. 

We then played some games, went on a tour around Sugar House around some of the neighborhoods, shared a frozen yogurt at Red Mango, and ended the night walking 22 blocks to see fireworks. Thank goodness we had the company of good friends because the firework show was kind of lame (I think it is because of all the regulations due to the amount of fires this year, which makes sense). I mean even the stadium of fire on the 4th of July was not very impressive. It's okay I don't really care I just enjoy holidays and spending time with people I love! 

P.S.

Baby Owen,

We already have an abundance of love for you!

 We are finally all ready for you to come. 

The bassinet is by our bed (I stare at it all the time thinking of you and how I can't wait to see your little body in it), Daddy painted your dresser and fixed it all up for you so it is nice and full of all your little clothes. We are blessed to have everything you need, and now we just need you to complete it all!  

We love you mini man! Can't wait to hold you in our arms! 

Jed & Kenz Special Day

Tay's brother got married two days ago - on 7/11 (they choose that day so they could get free slurpees on their anniversary).

I flew home early that morning from Colorado (which I will blog about later) to make it in time for the wedding. I was just in time. I had to change my clothes in the car on the free way which was interesting considering being 8 months pregnant.

 I was so tired but after the wedding my husband and I had a little date night with just us and it was so wonderful, he made a yummy healthy dinner. We went on a drive around some unique neighborhoods downtown and just had a fabulous time together! I sure love him! To make my welcome home even better Tay cleaned the whole house (he even scrubbed the toilet and bath tub), he even organized all of our sweet baby Owen's stuff. I really didn't think I could love him more then I already did from when we first got married, but I do:) 

Anyways Jed and Kenz are now married! I am so happy for them (and myself because I absolutely love Kenz, she is just so great!). I am blessed to have married into Tay's family! 

Here are a few pics of the wedding day:

Powell 2012

Another year at Lake Powell with the Cook Fam.

This year was a little more rough because of the extremely HOT weather and the wind. Although I wouldn't trade it for anything for the time that I got to spend with my family! I really LOVE spending time with every single one of them! I feel so blessed to have a good family. 

This year we missed Max, Kathryn, & Lora:( Hopefully next year everyone can all make it!)

It's Raining..Shower time!

My precious Aunt was so sweet to throw me a WONDERFUL baby shower! 

Everything went so fabulous, the food was good, the decorations, and the company! 

I am so grateful to everyone that made time to come to my Baby shower, it really meant a lot to me! 

I love EVERY single gift we got! The morning of my shower I woke up and looked at Tay and said, "MERRY CHRISTMAS!" It really felt like Christmas getting all these little darling outfits, gadgets, and many more useful things for my little man! I sure felt blessed to get so many wonderful things for my little baby.

Patty was so sweet to take a picture of me with everyone that came, but that would take way to long  to post all the pictures. 

Here is the amazing woman (on the right) who put my shower together:

Grace made all these candy bars for everyone to take one, so cute! 

So Excited and I just Can't Hide It!

I am so happy right now. 

I was just organizing some drawers and found an article about pregnancy which shows pictures of how big my baby is right now at 7 months and gosh he is big and squished! I can't wait to hold him and have a son with my husband!!!! Tay is so cute he will call and ask how the baby and I are doing, I love when Tay talks about our little man and us being a family. I am seriously so blessed to have the opportunity to bring this baby into this world.

 I know so many woman that are unable to have children and it breaks my heart for them. There is this one lady I know particularly that can't have kids and her husband doesn't want to adopt so they will never have the opportunity to raise children. I told Tay I wish that I could take her pain away, maybe I should make her some brownies or something. He replied by saying, "yeah make her brownies with a note saying since you can't have babies, enjoy having some brownies". He made a good point I would only make it worse by doing that but it just makes me feel so sad for her. I am sure it is painful for her to be around me and other people who have children of their own.

That just doesn't seem fair to me that someone who wants to be a mother so badly can not have her own children but yet there are so many woman that  probably are not in the "best situation" and probably just shouldn't be mothers but of course can get pregnant right away.

 Although I can't see the big picture so I guess I shouldn't judge what is "fair" we all have things that happen to us in life that just don't seem "fair".  

Anyways I have been so talkative lately. 

I love talking to my husband, Aunt, sister, Dad, and friends.

 When ever I am on the phone with them I just don't want them to go. Sometimes I will call Tay at work and just try to buy time with random conversations just so I can talk to him longer. Mm. Weird. My baby is probably well aware of my voice. 

Well I managed to snap a few photos of our awesome hike we went on. 

This photo is kind of silly but the one of us smiling is blurry and of course Tay can only handle so many pictures before he is done so we didn't get another one. 

less than 2 1/2 months to go! so excited! 

The Weed

I really don't like to post my views on certain subjects that are controversial because I don't want to offend anyone or create conflict. One of those topics is Gays. Although I want to share this article I came across about a gay Mormon who is now celebrating 10 beautiful years of marriage with his wife. I am sharing this because I have NEVER heard or read of a story about a Gay gentlemen living his life and sharing it in a way that is very insightful and he does such a good job with asking questions that many people have and answering them effectively.  Him and his wife have a beautiful relationship that I think is very touching and if you have time you should take a look...just click on the link below:

The Weed

I have been slacking on posting but I will be posting some recipes soon and hopefully pictures:)

Splash of Color

He is coming! Ah I can't believe it, a little less than 3 months and I will be holding my little baby. Tay and I went and registered at Target and I was completely unimpressed with their baby stuff. I am very picky and it just was not working out between Target and I which is unusual. I only  had about 20 items on my list. Well then this lady came up to us because she heard me saying how I don't like any of the car seats and she purposed that I go to BuyBuy Baby! Never heard of it but onward I went and discovered awesome stuff! I am so excited, they are owned by BedBath & Beyond, they have such wonderful things! They are located by South Town mall so if anyone is having a baby soon I highly recommend going, all the employs are very helpful!

Anyways..even after going to BuyBuy Baby I was not that impressed with their section of bedding but I found a cute Owl bedding that has orange, turquoise, and lime green colors (I normal am not into owls but sometimes you just got to break out of your comfort bubble which I have totally done ever since I have started design school). I really like the bright colors and all these ideas went flowing in my head! So I am excited to put my ideas in action! 

Brief interruption of cute chubby baby! :) 

I really don't care to pay 300 dollars for a changing station so I want to make my own I am on a look out but I want to put together/make something like this:

But in orange not yellow.

Well that is it for now, I just wanted to blog while my hubby was working on his lesson for church tomorrow but he is done now so that makes me done with blogging.

have a fabulous weekend!:)

Amazing but not True

Better than Sex Cupcakes (but not really)

I made these for Tay's boss for her B-day and they turned out great! I don't recall the last time I made cupcakes, but it sure is fun! I think I will be baking a lot more cupcakes for people because it brings me so much joy and happiness. Just the name of cupcakes makes me smile, I wanted to be a cupcake for Halloween last year with my man but he is too cool for cupcakes so it never happened. Now it is too late because we are going to be parents and that just doesn't seem like the mature thing to do. 

ingredients:

chocolate cake mix {use duncan hines devil's food} 

heath toffee chips

8 ounces cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup butter, softened

4 cups powdered sugar

 2 teaspoons vanilla

1 can sweetened condensed milk {you only use a tiny bit, so buy the smallest can}

bake cupcakes according to the instructions on the box.  let them cool completely.  beat butter, cream cheese, and vanilla until smooth.  gradually add powdered sugar and mix well.  drizzle a small amount of sweetened condensed milk on top of each cupcake.  (I actually did not add the sweetened condensed milk and they were still way good) let the cupcakes sit for a few minutes before piping on the frosting  and sprinkle with toffee chips. 

Bunch of Yum folks!

VIA

Blogger

Precious Red Head:)

Today was a bitter sweet day.

Last week my Great Aunt Hortense died. Today was her funeral. 

She is married to the last patriarch of the LDS church, Eldred Smith. Together they have helped the church grow so much. They were really good friends with Thomas S. Monson (the Prophet of the Church of Latter Day Saints) So we had the great privilege to hear him speak at her funeral and also M Russell Ballard. The spirit was so strong. The thing I enjoyed about this funeral is that it was not sad, Hortense lived a very full, wonderful life. Like President Monson said, "She devoted and gave all of herself, that is all you can do is give of yourself". He said such wonderful things about her and it made me want to be a better person so that when the day comes that I die, I can know I gave this life my ALL. 

(You can kind of see my baby bump, my cute little individual is sure growing fast, gosh I love him! 

And you can see this is my cute red headed Aunt...age 93 and her hubby is 104 we all thought he would go first but he is still living his life to the fullest!)

Here is my cute Grams (on the left) and Mary. They lost their sister but Heaven gained a great missionary!:)

Tata till next post!

Cravings

I think it is cute when other women take pictures of the different stages of pregnancy but I must say I could care less to document myself right now. Although I am loving seeing my belly get big. Some days I like it more than others but today I was feeling extra proud of having this little man inside of me and so I snapped a shot. This is the first and will probably be the last (maybe one toward the end when I am like a giant balloon ready to pop). 

~So here I am at 5 1/2 months~

I have not bought any pregnancy pants yet..

Mostly because I don't think they are very cute and they are way expensive to only have for 4 months. All I want is dresses. I love dresses, if I could I would wear a pretty dress EVERYDAY. I hate jeans, I always have since I was little just ask my Dad and my sister (I would cry when ever they would put me in jeans, I just wanted to wear dresses all the time). I don't mind jeans in the winter but even then I prefer to be in a dress. So we will see, I am getting really big so I should probably just give in and get some.

 Anyone know where I can get some cute prego pants?

Cravings:

I have just been loving veggies like I have never loved before.

Especially broiled asparagus. 

Another craving:

homemade wheat bread with cheese and tomatoes! 

YUM! I have this like everyday for lunch.

Gosh I sure love food. If I don't eat for long periods of time well...I am not a happy individual. My doctor told me my blood pressure is really low and that is because I am either not drinking enough or eating enough but that just seems impossible, I EAT. So I better start gulping down more water. Which won't be hard to do I just hate having to go to the restroom every 20min. I was hoping that was just a myth of pregnancy.

Yeah.. Its not. 

A Door to do the Chore

I love old vintage doors. I was able to talk my hubby into buying one for me after looking days for a good deal I was able to find a door for $40.00 which was not to bad considering the great usage we are now getting out of it!

We took this old door and made it into...

a distressed/vintage coffee table and an end table..

 We just sawed the top of the door off. Thanks to my Dad's handy tools and help I was able to do this in just 4 days. Tay and I really loved how it turned out! The color is a bit dull because I took these photos with my phone. (We sold our camera to get a more simpler camera and so in the mean time we get to enjoy these dull looking pictures)

Building these two pieces of furniture was a lot of work but totally worth it! I love taking old or used things and making them into something functional. 

We are now in the process of finding a new rug and fabric to make couch pillows to go with our new furniture. When I get the whole look put together I will post more pictures:)