Trip to Oxford

For Valentine's Day, Chris and I decided that it would be fun to get out of Columbus and head somewhere a little bit more romantic. Now don't get me wrong, Applebee's & Chili's can be romantic, we just wanted to spice it up a little bit :) So, we chose to make the quick 2 hr. drive up to Oxford, MS to stay at a friend's condo for the weekend. The drive was really nice. Since Chris works so much, I feel like it was the first time in a REALLY long time that we just got to enjoy each other's company w/o worrying about early "go times", check rides or instrument tests. We made it into town at around 10, put Elli to bed, and hit the sack so that we could start exploring the area early the next morning. We hit just one small snag in our perfect plan...our sweet girl doesn't really like to go to sleep after taking a 2 hr nap in the car on the way to our destination. She has also adopted the really funny habit of "talking" to herself when we put her down for bed. Well, it's funny for the first 30 min or so!! After about an hour of that sweet voice, it becomes a little less sweet and a little more...uhhh, not sweet :) After about the millionth time of hitting the song button on her Pack 'n Play, she finally decided to drift off to dreamland...until about 4 when she decided that making razzing noises was really a lot more fun than sleeping!! Needless to say, Mommy didn't have a very restful night on Friday, and therefore was not very bushy-tailed for our exploring on Saturday!

But, we finally made it out of the house by about 11 and decided to go to a local hot spot for breakfast. After a super yummy breakfast of french toast (really, is there anything better?!), we decided to check out the Ole Miss campus. It was gorgeous! We had a great time just walking around looking at all of the different colleges. Wait, is that what they call them here or am I confusing it w/ how it is in England? Well anyway, we were looking at all the buildings and reminiscing about our own college experiences. It was a lot of fun!

We then headed over to "The Square", and did a little window shopping. Sadly, Elli hasn't been feeling very well lately and Saturday was no exception. Honestly, I wasn't feeling too hot either...maybe that French Toast wasn't such a great idea after all! So, instead of eating at the super romantic restaurant in the heart of Oxford that we had all picked out, we packed up all of our stuff and headed back to good 'ole Columbus. We thought we'd stop in Tupelo and get some Logan's, but when we got there (at 5, mind you!) there was an hour and a half wait! What?! How is that even possible?! So, we found a hole-in-the-wall mexican restaurant instead. We then got back on the road and ended up making it home by 7:30.

Though it wasn't exactly the trip we had planned, I still think it was a wonderful way to spend the weekend. We talked, we laughed, we watched a movie and snuggled, and we just really enjoyed being together. And that's what Valentine's Day is really all about, isn't it? Not the flowers, or the chocolates, the presents or the cards (though I do love me some chocolate!!). It's about spending time w/ your best friend, your family, the ones you love. And I certainly got to do that this year...and it was perfect :)

**Update: Pictures :)**

Elli & Daddy deep in conversation!
The Ole Miss Seal
Getting some sugar :)
The gorgeous campus!

Me & my girl...she's not in a smiley mood at the moment!

Show Us Your Life...Valentine's Edition!!

Well, it's Friday and everyone knows what that means!! Or, maybe you don't...hmmm, probably should have thought of a different opener! Anyway, it's "Show Us Your Life" day at Kelly's Korner, and today is all about your favorite Valentine's Day date or gift!!

Many of you may know this, but Valentine's Day marks the 14th Anniversary of my first date w/ my husband. Now I'd be lying if I said that the past 14 years have been smooth sailing! Wait, that sounded bad...let me start over. Fourteen years ago I was a freshman in High School and my hubs was a sophomore (he was the studly older guy!). Like *most* high-school relationships, we broke up & got back together about a bazillion times. We FINALLY got it together after college, and realized how much we truly loved each other, and decided to get married in 2006. But let's rewind back to that first date...let me set the scene...

I spent what seemed like forever getting "primped" for my very first date...ever! Oh the amount of hairspray I used was a sin! I remember meticulously looking through my closet for the perfect outfit, and you know what I chose? Jeans, a Nautica polo shirt, a braided brown leather belt, and loafers! Eek!! I cringe just thinking about it! Chris picked me up at my moms house donning flowers and a HUGE card. He was wearing pleated khaki pants, a button-up shirt, and lots 'o hair gel...I thought he was simply dreamy! We went to eat at On The Border & to see Mr. Holland's Opus...ummm, hello 90's!!

That date 14 years ago, with that super cute sophomore, is (and always will be) my favorite Valentine's Day ever. I still have the cheesy card, and the dried flowers from the bouquet that he brought me. Why? Because the moment I opened my front door, I knew that I loved that khaki pant wearing guy standing on my porch. Something in me changed, something ignited...as corny as that may sound. We were a FAR cry from the perfect couple back then, believe me! But still, through the many years of ups and downs, the way I felt about him never changed. He captured my heart that night, and he's held it ever since. I'm so happy to call him my husband, and my forever Valentine.

I thought I'd give you all a little blast from the past...hope you enjoy the pictures :)

Valentine's Day 2005

4 Days after Valentine's Day 2006

Valentine's Day 2008...in Vegas!!

Wordless Wednesday

Cha-Cha-Cha Changes!!

Instead of doing housework, taking a shower, finishing up some data entry, or doing anything relatively productive while Elli took her nap this morning...I changed my blog!! Not feeling super great about all the work that has now been moved to this afternoon, but it sure was fun at the time!! Hope you like the changes :) I'm still working on what I want to do w/ the header...maybe I'll work on that during her next nap!

SUPER Easy Enchiladas!!

I love to play around with recipes, and this is my latest creation. I've made it for most of my family members and they all seem to really like it. It started from the back of the enchilada sauce can, and I tweaked it to fit our family. The great thing is that you can totally make it your own w/ a few minor adjustments. See the end of the post for some suggestions :)

Ingredients:

8 tortillas

1 lb ground beef

Taco Seasoning

1 can of Rotel (I use mild)

1 can of Enchilada Sauce (I use medium)

1/2 onion chopped (you can omit if you don't like onion)

3/4 cup shredded cheese

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees, and spray a 9x13 dish w/ cooking spray.

Brown the meat w/ the onions, and drain the fat. Add the taco seasoning according to directions. Pour in the can of Rotel, about 1/2 the can of enchilada sauce, and about 1/2 cup of the shredded cheese. Stir, and bring to a simmer. Scoop about 3 heaping Tbsp. of the meat mixture into a tortilla, roll it up and place it seam-side down in the dish (I use a ladle & it makes it pretty easy). Continue scooping & rolling until you fill all 8 tortillas...make sure you have a little bit of the meat mixture left in pan at the end. Pour that remaining mixture over the rolled tortillas and spread it around. Then pour the *remaining* enchilada sauce down over that and spread it around as well. Top w/ the rest of the cheese and bake for 15-20 minutes.

**I don't like my enchiladas very saucy, so I usually end up w/ about 1/4 of the can of sauce left; however, you can use all of it and make it super saucy...it's up to you.**

You can make these enchiladas a lot healthier by using whole wheat tortillas & low-fat cheese (or cutting down on the cheese). And you can make it as hot/mild as you like by experimenting w/ different flavors of Rotel & enchilada sauce. Add japs if you like it super hot, or add black beans for a different texture. The above recipe is how we do it at our house, but it's so easy to change it up!! I hope you try them, and I'd love to hear what y'all add/omit when you do!

A Song for Thursday

Have you heard the song "What Faith Can Do" by Kutlass? Oh my gosh, go to Youtube right now and look for it. It is so uplifting and powerful. In the midst of all the chaos and confusion of this world, God is still here working His miracles in and through us. I love this song b/c it speaks to my heart, and reminds me of what I know deep down in my soul to be true. Faith can move mountains, restore hope to the hopeless, and lift up even the most downtrodden. I know I've seen it in my life, and I'm willing to bet that, at least once, you've seen it in yours as well.

Here are the lyrics to my favorite song of the moment...enjoy :)

**And don't forget to listen on Youtube or iTunes, I promise it's worth it!**

"What Faith Can Do"

Kutlass

Everybody falls sometimes,
Gotta find the strength to rise,
From the ashes, and make a new beginning.
Anyone can feel the ache,
You think it’s more than you can take,
But you are stronger, stronger than you know.
Don’t you give up now,
The sun will soon be shining.
You gotta face the clouds,
To find the silver lining.

I’ve seen dreams that move the mountains,
Hope that doesn’t ever end,
Even when the sky is falling.
And I’ve seen miracles just happen,
Silent prayers get answered,
Broken hearts become brand new...
That’s what faith can do.

It doesn’t matter what you’ve heard,
Impossible is not a word,
It’s just a reason for someone not to try.
Everybody’s scared to death,
When they decide to take that step,
Out on the water,
It’ll be alright.
Life is so much more,
Than what your eyes are seeing,
You will find your way,
If you keep believing.

I’ve seen dreams that move the mountains,
Hope that doesn’t ever end,
Even when the sky is falling.
And I’ve seen miracles just happen,
Silent prayers get answered,
Broken hearts become brand new...
That’s what faith can do.

Overcome the odds,
You don't have a chance,
(That’s what faith can do)
When the world says you can’t,
It’ll tell you that you can!

I’ve seen dreams that move the mountains,
Hope that doesn’t ever end,
Even when the sky is falling.
And I’ve seen miracles just happen,
Silent prayers get answered,
Broken hearts become brand new...
That’s what faith can do.
That's what faith can do!

Even if you fall sometimes,
You will have the strength to rise.

Happy 5 Month Birthday, Elli!!

I know I say this every month, but Holy Cow where is the time going?! Can it have really been 5 months since that sweet baby girl came into our lives? That's almost half of a year...what?! I mean, of course I want her to continue to thrive & grow, but can we do it a little bit slower please?! Next thing I know she'll be crawling around telling me that she needs chocolate (I assume this will be what she says since she is my daughter, after all!). I'm not sure I'm ready for that!

What has she been up to these days? Well, let's see...she hams it up for the camera on a pretty regular basis (as shown in these pics!), continues to roll over both ways, is sitting up on her own, LOVES her new bouncer, squeals with laughter when she's happy, jabbers away with me while I'm cooking dinner, and has an affinity for things that go on her head. Oh wait, that last one might have been mine :) We're continuing to hold off on Rice Cereal b/c, well...girlfriend is definitely not hurting in the weight department and I still just don't think she's ready. And we are looking for a new way to give her baths. She's outgrown her small tub, but she can't really sit up well enough (for a long enough period of time) for us to move to the big tub. If you saw our bathroom, you'd understand...it's a parent's bath-giving nightmare!! Our kitchen sink is divided, and both sections are pretty small so that's out. I did see a pretty cool thing that fits in the kitchen sink the other day, but I'm not sure I want to spend over $50 for it. Any of your mommies out there have any other ideas?

Let's see, what else? She wears size 3-6 mo. clothes, but 6-9mo. sleepers (her poor little feet get all squished in the smaller ones!). Her hair is really starting to grow in, and I think it gets more and more strawberry blonde each day. She reaches for me to pick her up when I'm done changing her diaper, and she still sports a smile every morning when I go in to wake her up. She's doing great with sleeping as well. Most nights she'll sleep from 10 (when I give her a "dream-feed") to 7:30/8ish, but if she does wake up, it's only once at around 4AM. If that happens, she just takes a bottle and goes right back to sleep. She takes 3 naps a day, and they last about 1-1.5 hours. She still isn't really a cryer...now she has more of a shriek to get our attention and then she's done. She loves books just like her mommy, and she loves doing "Super Elli" with her daddy as he flies her around the room. Every time she laughs she gives herself the hiccups, and she is just about the most endearing thing I have ever seen. I don't know how it's possible, but I love her more every single day.

Elli wearing a sweet little jumper that my friend, Sam, knitted for her. Yes, I said knitted! This super cute outfit is totally handmade...oh, and it has bloomers too!! You should see the whole thing in person...it's simply too precious for words!

Me? Oh, you think I'm cute? Why, thank you. Thank you very much! :)

This cute-ums hat was a Valentines gift from GG & Grandaddy. Isn't it just devine?! Oh, how I love it...and Elli does too :)