HP TouchSmart 600!!

By blogging about MckMama, I am entered for a chance to win this computer....

















Sure would be a nice little Christmas present if I do say so myself!!

We're on a BOAT!

...a few of my favorite things

SALSA!!!!

I have this recipe for homemade salsa. It is a very good recipe, but today, while at the grocery, I decided to add of few things to it.

What you will need:

1 lrg can of whole peeled tomatoes
1 can of Ro-Tel (get whichever kind suits you (this has a lot to do with how spicy it turns out))
1 small purple onion
1 avocado
2 limes
Cilantro
1 can of black beans
Salt
Ground Coriander, if you'd like

I use a food processor that I was so kindly gifted to blend these up.

Drain lrg can of whole peeled tomatoes, empty them into processor. Drain can of Ro-tel and add to processor. Cut up purple onion and add to processor (do not blend yet!). Cut avocado in half, twist it to get it apart, and then scoop half into processor (do not add peel). Press whole limes against the counter to get the juice-a-flowin! Cut them in half and squeeze juice into processor (you can stick a fork in the pulp and twist to get even more juice out). I add juice to taste, this time I used 1 & 1/2 small limes. Pick off leaves of cilantro and fill up about a palm-full. Try to avoid picking the stems. Add to processor. Add salt to taste. I probably use 1/2-1 tsp (you can stir in more at the end). Add coriander if you'd like, 1/2- 1 tsp. BLEND TO YOUR LITTLE HEARTS DESIRE. If you like chunky salsa, blend less and visa-versa. Scrape whole pieces off sides of processor and make sure they get blended. Rinse black beans well with cool water. Drain all liquids and stir them into salsa. Eat & enjoy!

I'm pretty sure I was promoted to "Great Wife" after Derek got ahold of this salsa....it's that good.

Today I

Today I...


Ate: Only breakfast food so far. A pastry thing and a bowl of cereal.


Felt: Happy


Listened: the laughter of little kids!


Watched: Ellen...right now.


Loved: watching/listened to Derek sleep/snore on the couch beside me.


Hoped: that someone would go grocery shopping for me....hasn't happened thus far.


Wished: I didn't really have 6 study guide questions to answer tonight that will take me 6 hours to complete.


Enjoyed: having 2 cups of free coffee today...so what if I have the gitters now!


Wondered: why people who don't look so smart, sometimes are.


Drank: oh I kind of already answered this...2 cups of coffee, baby!!


Wanted: kids. and to be able to dance (ie ballywood, ballroom, salsa, doesn't matter to me)


Looked: at my anatomy and physiology book in confusion....for a long time...

You're turn. Copy and paste to your blog!

Baby Shower!

Well today was a busy day. My sister had her baby shower which was lots of fun. I think it's pathetic that I get (possibly more) excited than even she does about things. We all know I am living vicariously through her, so that makes it a little bit better. She received lot of lovely things, but definitely more diaper cakes than anything!



Oh well, they were all made of usable disposable diapers....so I'm sure she was more than thrilled about that. Check out the 3D pics of Levi in front of the cakes. I love those things and he better look exactly like that or I will demand a refund. Just kidding! We played some fund games at the shower...

We guessed the circumference of Les' belly with toilet paper....


My mom won by merely taking the roll and measuring her own waste....she wasn't too happy about that, but she got a gift!


Some of us were not so lucky...

It's chocolate syrup, but I've seen a few dirty diapers that had a similar appearance.

My sis got lots of great things and it's hard to believe he will be here in less than a month (according to my predictions). I helped get all his stuff organized, and he has lots of it, but I will admit my sis was pretty well prepared. Props! Here are some more pics of the shower.

Blankets... Basket o' goodies...


Mobile... More clothes...


Over all, a good time....and all I have to say is:


...well almost.

My pretty (and rather pregnant) sis...isn't she pretty?!

Forced Blog

I won't lie...I have been receiving threats to my life about updating my blog, so I decided rather than loose my life, I would update it! Not too much has been going on. My sister, mom and I recently took a trip to IKEA, which I completely meant to document with pictures, but figured would be a little weird. I will admit I was rather ecstatic about going and the whole store exceeded my expectations...as well as my mom's and my sister's too, I think (hope). I was the one who kind of forced the trip, but I think everyone ended up with some good finds and were happy they went. My sister had ordered a crib from Target, which ended up being damaged during shipping, so she was going to look for a crib while we were there. In the magazine/online they look nice, but you can't really tell if they are actually going to be sturdy or a piece o' crap. So when we finally got to the children's section she checked out the cribs and they ended up being very sturdy. So she got this one...

I definitely planned every detail of my future children's rooms while I was there....I know....psycho. But a girl can dream. Recently I posted a status on Facebook that said something about Derek never giving me children or something to that effect. It must have freaked people out, because I received several comments about it. Don't worry people, I talk to him like that in real life and he doesn't take any offense....and if he did I definitely would a) stop talking to him like that & b) not post it behind his back on Facebook. What kind of wife would I be if I did that? We are in agreement that comments like that are all in good humor, I am aware that sooner than later he will give me a child, but still plot relentlessly on how to get pregnant by mistake. mwah ha ha ha.

Let see...in good news, our friends (and some of your alls friends) Trey & Ashley Fuller, and their daughters Hannah & Noelle, will be gracing us with their presence tomorrow afternoon. They are moving from PA to MS to be with Trey's family. I will not go into detail because it is not my place to do so, but I'm sure the Fuller's would appreciate prayer as they move and for there time in Mississippi (definitely had to say that our loud as I typed it and definitely said "double s, s"...no explanation). We are excited that they will be staying the night with us, it is all a part of my plan to make Derek fall more in love with babies. I know Hannah is like the best baby in the world and we can only hope Noelle with be on her best behavior (just kidding, but I'm sure she will be!).

Noelle...I cannot allow this! But Hannah is a seasoned heart-breaker!


In other good news, my friend Emily is preggers!!! Yay for baby making! She was also plotting and luckily she got her wish....some girls have all the luck. I could not be happier for her and her husband. I am positive they will make great parents and I love having children near by to secretly spoil...Lord knows I won't be spoiling my own.

Emily and her hub, Robbie. Emily practicing!!

In other GREAT news, I should be an aunt in less than a month!!! As many of you know, my sister is also pregnant with a little boy, Levi Aidan. You can find her recently started blog on my "Favorite Blogs" list located to right of this. She has been having Braxton Hick's contractions for a while now, which I don't think has anything to due with actual labor. However, in my predictions she will go into labor early. She is due April 29th, but I think it will happen more like April 15 or 16, but who really cares what I think?!!

This is her rendition of Levi in the belly!
Let's hope he's not actually a monster!

I am still taking my Anatomy and Physiology class. I finished A&P I...it was an 8 week class and I ended up with an 82-B. I was thrilled with that grade because I was positive I would get a C. I have my first test of A&P this Monday and will admit that I am a little scared. This is going to be tough!! If you remember, say a little prayer for me Monday morning...I could use it.

On a more serious note...I'm sure most of you noticed the button at the top of my blog that contains a very sweet picture of a little boy and the words "praying for Stellan". I have been following this perfect strangers blog for a while now, you can find the link to it also under my favorite blogs. It is called "my charming kids" and is written by a lady I have never met, do not actually know the name of, and is a lady who is the mother of that precious little boy. You can read the story of Stellan on her blog (and I encourage you to do so), but Stellan and his family are in need of prayer. Stellan's little heart has been in what's called SVT for nearly a week now. His heart beats 200 times and minute, sometimes more, and they have been working for several days to get him out of SVT. His heart takes a break at times, but shortly re-enters SVT. Needless to say, this is not good for his little heart (nor any heart). If you think about it, although these people are probably not people you know either, they need your prayers. His mom is wearing down from the stress and little Stellan needs to break out of SVT. Lord be with them!!

Well that's all I can really think of to write about for now. It was a lot and will hopefully meet the needs of my stalkers for now (cough, Leah). I will try to do more updating as I exit my hibernation and re-enter life.

Happenings:
March 29- The Fuller's visit
April 3- Pax RN test (will I pass??)
April 6- Emily's 1st doctors visit as a pregnant woman!
April 16-Levi's predicted arrival
April 29- Levi's arrival
May 3- Leah's wedding!!
May 25- Europe..here we come!
June 8- Return from Europe (unless I accidentally loose my plane ticket and have to stay there forever!)

If I think of anymore exciting things, or you have one you think should be on here, I will add them!

Buds...

I have really been trying to think of something to write about these days. My life is pleasantly uneventful it seems. I feel like I am always doing something, but like I have nothing to do. It's weird. Anyway, it's Valentines Day and sadly Derek and I did nothing and got each other nothing. How un-romantic...I know. Actually I really could care less. I have never been a big celebrater (I know that is not a word)...birthdays, including my own, pointless holidays, I just don't get into it. We did babysit tonight, which I always enjoy. I have started to really appreciate getting to watch children grow up right in front of my eyes. Kids I knew when I was younger are like almost adults now...it is really freaky to see them all grown up. blah blah blah...

I did get on here to write about a rather random topic. My friends. I have never been the type of person to "spread myself thin" when it comes to friends. I guess I don't feel like I can put enough trust into people to lend myself victim to their demanding schedules and unpredictable-ness. I have been blessed with a few good friends in my life (yes, I can count them on one hand) . Some have come and gone, others have been around a while longer, but each has brought something different to my life. I truly enjoy sitting back and watching my friends, who are all completely different, go through different stages of life. I get to watch them get married, make the decisions with their husbands to start a family, watch the changes that take place after they get pregnant and realize they've made a decision that is going to change their life. It's nice and it's weird (I realize that), but I like it. I take this friend thing seriously, if you are one, it took a lot for me to regard you as highly as I do...not because you're not a great person, but just because I'm a bit strange. You each have a special place in my heart and I feel blessed to be your friend. I guess that's it.

Lonely Blog

I know I have neglected you blog. I have been hoping something exciting would happen in my life...but sadly, it has not. I promise when something worth writing about happens, I will write on you.

Whitney

Thanks again Ernie...

Just an update of what Ernie's up to.

Blogging to postpone studying!

Ok. So I don't feel like frying my brain just yet, so I thought I would blog. I don't really have much to blog about, but Lord knows I'm going to think of something. Well, this past weekend we had visitors! Trey, Ashley and Hannah Fuller came to visit the Svoboda's and new baby Caleb. We didn't get to see a whole lot of them, but it was fun while they were here. I love opening my (small) home to friends and family. It was also a lot of fun to have a baby in the house. Hannah is such a great little girl. Ashley had warned me that she was a little fussy because she had been teething, but Derek and I both agreed that she was great!

In other news, my class is getting a little bit better. I am starting to see that a lot of other people in my class are just as lost as I am. I'm not happy that they're also lost, but I am happy that I'm not alone! I'm starting to learn that I am just going to have to come home and study pretty much until I go to bed and the more I do it the more normal it feels. I realize now the pressure that a lot of people feel when there is a lot of work to be done and pressure to make great grades. However, I think I will maintain a little bit of my life and relationships and if it effects my grades, then so be it...it's worth it.

Derek and I have gotten involved in a community group at church...finally. It took us quite some time, mainly because we were a little hesitant to make a commitment to a group of people we knew nothing about. We were scared that we would visit a group and it wouldn't be a great match and we wouldn't have the nerve to leave. When Derek started at 5th3rd we knew he would be working with a guy that goes to Sojourn. He invited us to his community group and after we had visited we knew they were the group for us! I'm so glad we got involved before this semester started, because I would dare to say that Derek and I would just claim we were too busy and put it off for another year.

Life is good and ever so busy. I have a prayer request for those of you looking for something to pray about (haha). My friend, who will remain anon, and her husband are trying to start a family. They haven't been trying for very long, but just pray that they would remain patient and know and trust that the Lord is in control of this situation. Pray that the Lord would give them the desires of their heart and reveal himself through this situation and through the child they will surely bare. Children are such a blessing as I have gotten to see with the recent births of babies all around me, but it is vital for us to contemplate the reasons we want to bring children into this world. (and I am not saying that because she has the wrong motives, I kind of have to say it to remind myself to be honest).

Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. -Psalm 37:4

Ernie's new best friend....

the door! I know you ALL have a great interest is hearing about my dogs. Unfortunately they are one of my main forms of entertainment. Derek and I often play with Ernie. We chase him around the apartment, play hide and go seek (seriously), he and Buster battle in tug-a-war, and more. Sometimes, however, we (including Buster) don't feel like entertaining him anymore! We took pictures of our solution for this. I find it rather amusing because he walks back and forth, back and forth, tugs for a while, and then finally just gives up...

Tug, tug

Swinging the door back and forth

Sat his butt down, but still held on to the rope

your welcome for this very enlightening blog!

How Anatomy and Physiology makes me feel...

Well, all thats really going on in my life right now is my one and only/hardest/most overwhelming class I have EVER had. It's 4 days into my semester and I have half a mind to tuck tail and run in the other direction. I have inquired about a tutor and pray to God that someone gets back to me! I just wanted to post a picture that I felt expressed how I feel.

Back to School

Well, tomorrow I begin my new path to becoming a nurse. I start Anatomy and Physiology at 10:35 am in the morning. I must admit, I am very nervous and don't really know what to expect. I have known people who have become nurses and I know if they can do it surely to goodness I can do it. Schools are upping the stakes a little bit these days. There is a pretty substantial test that you have to take these days and at JCC only the top 20% of the class even have a chance to get in or something like that....so...if you think about it tomorrow (or tonight) feel free to say a little prayer for my nerves. After I payed my tuition the other day I had to go get the book from the bookstore. I have never bought a medical book before, but needless to say, they are not cheap. I brought it home and went out again later that evening. I took pictures of how Ernie felt about the books.

Notice the missing rings and the missing corners.

THANKS ERNIE!!! YOU NEVER LET ME DOWN!!
(p.s. this is why I want children...I've never seen ones that chews up books)

More pics of my Nephew!

Pictures from top left to right:
1. Baby is 3D (he already looks like my sister I think). It's a profile with his arm up in front of his face.
2. Baby's wee wee. More proof it was a boy.
3. Baby's little feet/toes.
4. Baby's profile.