a little love

I was searching for something in my email and I came across this beauty.  Here is a little story to grace your Friday.

Yes, that is a FAKE wedding announcement.  read on. 

Jeffree and I were at an institute dance only 3 days after our first date.  Jeff had a friend coming through town and thought it would be pretty funny for us to pretend we had just gotten engaged.  We borrowed a ring from his mother and sat out on his front porch, waiting for his friend to arrive.

We gave the performance of a lifetime.  We totally nailed it, right down to all the cliche phrases ("when you know, you know").  Jeff's friend, along with his traveling buddies, totally ate it up.  We had them completely convinced.  I remember that night as he drove me home, I told him, "I enjoyed being engaged to you."  The best part?  He wouldn't even let me hold his hand.  I tried to convince him it would be impossible to pull it off if we didn't touch each other.  He finally consented to my putting my hand through the crook of his arm.

A couple of days later we had these photos taken and Jeff's brother made our fake announcement, just to relive the glory.  Yes, it does say we are registered at pizza factory and D.I.  No, one cannot actually register at D.I.  Jeff checked.  I'm not sure about pizza factory.  :)

health journal #3

It feels oh so good when I eat healthy.  It means I can consume more food for fewer calories (yes please).  Plus, I feel much better when I give my body the proper fuel.  I'm not perfect, but I do love learning about nutrition and feeding my little family healthy meals.  I promised a few people I'd post one of my favorite quick and healthy recipes.  On those days when you don't feel like making a meal, whip this up instead of going through the drive thru or popping a frozen dinner in the microwave.

Recipe adapted from Zonya Foco's Lickety-Split meals for health conscious people on the go (whew!)

Almond Chicken Salad 

Makes four 1-cup servings

181 calories per serving

1 can (8 oz)  crushed pineapple, drained

3-5 green onions, chopped

2 cups (12 oz can) diced cooked chicken, rinsed and drained

1/4 cup miracle whip light

1/4 cup nonfat plain yogurt

1/4 cup slivered almonds

Mix together and enjoy!

I like to wrap it in a whole wheat tortilla or stuff it in a pita half along with some lettuce or spinach.  When I've had my share of carbs for the day, I eat it with celery or on top of a lettuce salad.

It's seriously so easy to throw together.  Grape halves make an excellent addition as well.  

i won't give up on us

Last weekend I had so much fun shooting a wedding video for this lovely couple.

It was like filming a fairy tale come true.  They've been best friends for so long, and she has always been in love with him.  She waited and waited and went through a lot, never giving up on him.  And they finally got their happy ending.  But of course, it is only the beginning.

Congratulations, Steve and Suzanne.  I love you so much!  

reaching for something in the distance

There's nothing like a morning run to get the day started.  Even little e was excited to get going.  Here we are showing off our muscles before the run.

Our sweet one was obviously happier after the run.  While she loves to get in her stroller, she's even more excited to get out of her stroller.  Two miles later, here we are.  Still smiling.

I'm sweaty and gross and e is covered in carnation instant breakfast milk, but it feels good to know that no matter what else happens today, at least we got up and worked it.

Have a lovely Wednesday, friends.

the land of the free

I confess that Jeffree and I have spent a lot of time watching the olympics.  We just can't help it.  The athletes are so amazing.

But I didn't quite realize the effects it would have on our sweet little e.  She gets just as excited as we do.  She climbed up onto the couch and got in slouching position, then fixed her eyes on the t.v.  I think she has a crush on Tom Daley.

Love her pose with her head tilted to one side.  

Not sure what our new past time will be once the olympics is over.  Go team USA!

moments

"There is no one perfect way to be a good mother. Each situation is unique. Each mother has different challenges, different skills and abilities, and certainly different children.... What matters is that a mother loves her children deeply and, in keeping with the devotion she has for God and her husband, prioritizes them above all else."  - M. Russell Ballard

Sometimes its easy to feel like others have all the right answers to raising my child.  But sweet little e is mine, and I am her mother.  The role is Divine, and as with all Divine roles, we will receive divine help to fulfill our role.

My sweet e is so precious to me and I love her so very much.  I often wonder how she can be so cute and smart and sweet and funny.  She's even gone all cuddly on me lately.  I feel so blessed that I was chosen to be her Mother.  

"Recognize that the joy of motherhood comes in moments.  There will be hard times and frustrating times. But amid the challenges, there are shining moments of joy and satisfaction."  - Ballard

Cherish the moments.