All snuggled up...

...on the couch with my beautiful, sweet, lovable, sick, snoring (up a storm) baby boy. ☺Happy to snuggle but sad he doesn't feel well.

A couple of weeks ago, Ryan, Cameron and I took a spontaneous trip to OUR favorite little spot, Trinity Hotel in Carlsbad, NM, and we had a great time! It's so neat that they, mostly, have all the same employees since before Ryan and I were engaged well over 2 years ago. They all said Cameron looked just as they had imagined he would...they pictured that long before we were even pregnant. We had visited 3 weeks before I was induced to have Cameron, and I fell in LOVE w/ the bath tub in room 201...I couldn't wait to sit in it! So, my husband helped my 8 1/2 month, pregnant self in the tub and had a quick photo shoot. ☺ And lucky us, we were able to snatch room 201 up again this last visit and the baby in my belly was actually able to enjoy the big bath tub all by himself, outside of my belly! And boy, did he ever!!!! I was able to enjoy it even more this time, too! ☺ And, I had one of their AMAZING cinnamon rolls and vanilla lattes, again! Yummo!!! I'll post more pictures from our trip soon, I need to get back to snuggling with my precious angel and my pup, Beau. Nighty night to you all!

 

 8 1/2 months pregnant w/ Cameron

Cameron now @ 16 months old

 

 

 

 

Loads of Goods

"Praying is just like breathing...

 

When breathing stops, the heart stops and the body dies.

When praying stops, the heart hardens and the soul dies."

I thought I'd start off by sharing a quick, yummy and filling snack... My husband and I fell in love when I made it for the first time two days ago. These are the two main ingredients that make it, in my opinion.



 

I toasted the flatbread on a cookie sheet in the oven on 350 and removed it from the oven after 5 minutes. I, then, evenly covered the toasted flatbread w/ 2 tbsp of pizza sauce and about 1/2 cup of finely grated mozzarella cheese. I topped it with pepperoni and the Italian herb seasoning, and then, I baked it on 375 for about 8 minutes or until the cheese was melted. And that's it! Now, you have yourself a YUMMY, 300 calorie flatbread pizza!

 

My husband and I cut it in half and shared. :-)

 

 

YAY FOR FALL!!!

 

I am totally addicted to this time of year!!! Friday night lights, Starbucks non-fat pumpkin spice lattes (I've been lucky enough to have had 3 this last week...stinks I don't have a Starbucks down the street ;)), and the new fall candy?! Caramel Apple Milky Ways and Pumpkin Spice Hersey Kisses!!! What?!  :-)

 

Yum, Yum, Yum!!!

 

Starbucks non-fat pumpkin spice latte

Caramel Apple Milky Way & Pumpkin Spice Hersey Kiss

 

Fall brings cool weather, which I love, but that also means dry skin for most! I am queen of that! I've, unfortunately, always had bad skin... and hair! It dries easily, and I can break out when the slightest amount of alcohol touches my face, neck, chest. So, like most of us women have, I've gone through product after product in my almost 30 years of life, and I have found two great products that have FINALLY helped to SERIOUSLY save my skin.  They aren't the most affordable products, but they both last up to 3 months. The key is to wash your face and then use the Kiehl's Calendula Herbal-Extract (alcohol-free) toner before bed and, of course, when you wake up. The Creme de Corps should be applied all over your body morning and night. I love that it makes my skin shine! As you can tell, I take my Creme de Corps with me every where! SIMPLY AMAZING PRODUCTS!

 

http://kiehls.com

 

Okay, so I have to share...

 

On Wednesday, I decided to take my son, Cameron, out to a sunflower field not to far from us for a Fall photoshoot. I walked a ways in front of him, so I could get a good shot of him and the sunflower field, and as I turned around, this is what I saw! :-) Ha! My sweet boy never ceases to amaze me!

 

 

After pictures, it was Library time!

 

Walking into the Library w/ his car in hand. :-)

 

After Library time, it was grocery store time!

 

"Driving Miss Daisy"

  

Leaving the grocery store, headed for home w/ Mr. Frog.

 

"My, what HUGE eyes you have!" ;-)

 

Here are a couple of my "new" favorites that I picked up for Cam @ the grocery store!

 

Quick to grab and throw into Cam's baby bag!

"Goldfish" grilled cheese! Yes, please!

Chomping down his grilled cheese w/ Mommy's cap on. :-)

 

 "Golf Course" Friday!

 

Picking out which car he wants to take to the golf course.

Little multitasker



LOVE, LOVE MY SUGARDUMPLIN'

Watching daddy tee off.

Big smile for mommy. :-)

Love his new little skip!!! :-)



Cameron and daddy

  

 Since Ryan had to work this evening, I decided Cam and I should "camp out" (like Jennifer and I always did as children) after his bath. So, we did just that, camped out in his rocket w/ his flashlight, sipped on hot chocolate w/ whipped cream and watched the first Harry Potter, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. It was a success! Harry didn't even make it to Hogwart's before Cameron fell asleep. Ha ha

 

  

What an adventurous day we had! Goodnight to all!



Your Memory Remains

   

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son,

that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life."

John 3:16

I wish it weren't so, but Saturday, September 15, 2012, marked a year since my grandfather or "Pa", as I call him, went to be with our Lord and Savior.  Needless to say, Saturday was a very sad day. I know he'd want me to be happy and rejoice that he's up in Heaven living the good 'ole life, but it's so very hard. I'd love to have another conversation with him here on Earth and laugh with him as we watch Cameron prance and skip around (Cameron's new thing he does, which I SOOOO LOVE). Yesterday, chills ran down my spine as I heard Cameron make the same exact sound with his mouth as my Pa always did, and he kept doing it and kept doing it and did it again today! It's the best sound... I am so lucky to have such sweet, little reminders of one amazing man! 

Since Ryan was playing in the Challenge Cup in my hometown on Saturday, Cam and I were able to spend a little time with my Gran, my Dad, my Aunt Karen and my cousin Clint, who were both in town visiting.  I really enjoyed the little bit of time we all had together. It was nice to spend some time at the cemetary with my Pa, too. Of course, Cameron loved the dirt, laid in it and all... always does! Ha ha... I know Pa didn't mind and never does.

Gran, Clint and Aunt Karen

We picked dandelion's for Pa :)

My husband was working the evening of September 15, 2011, so Cameron and I decided we'd go spend the evening with our Grandparents in my hometown. We walked in and were greeted by my Pa, with a smile, of course, and Cameron gave my Pa a big smile. Oh, that made my Pa's day for sure. I remember my Pa looked very nice that afternoon. He was wearing navy trousers and navy dress socks. I don't exactly remember what shirt he was wearing because I was more intrigued by his trousers and socks. It was rare that I didn't see him in tan trousers. "Navy was a great color on him," I thought. He had just had his knee replaced 2 weeks before that and had been doing therapy. I was proud of how well he was doing, and I never dreamed that would have been my last moments conversating with him here on Earth. I cherish every minute I had with my Pa, and I share stories and pictures of him with Cameron. I long for Cameron to know our Pa and he will! :)

I thought I'd post some pictures from that time...never have before, but my heart has mended a little, and I feel strong enough to share them now. I am posting one of Cameron and his beautiful blue eyes, which are now looking more green, but they remind me of my Pa's bright blue eyes in the photo down below... this was taken minutes before our lives changed forever.



This picture was taken after the paramedics took my grandfather to the hospital. Sleeping Cam and I awaited for good news from the hospital. I felt peace in my heart, and I believe that's what my grandfather wanted but was only greeted by the most devasting news of my life (at that time).

Cameron was our saving grace, especially Gran's, that's for sure... still is! 

These were taken a day after Pa had passed away.

These photos were taken after my Pa's funeral... notice the beautiful rainbow. Totally God sent! :)

I thought I'd share a few photos I found on my phone from July 2011. Oh so happy I found these!!!

Cam, Aunt Aline (Pa's sister) and Pa visiting.

Looks like they are admiring Cam here.

Now they're visiting with Uncle George (Pa's brother).



These were taken at my cousin's wedding, July 2011.

Uncle George and my Pa

Pa and Aunt Aline keeping Cam close.

I thought I'd close with a couple of my favorites.

Pa and I at my baby shower. (April 2011)

Pa was the first person to hold Cam outside of the hospital. (May 2011)

Happy Birthday, Aunt September!!!!

HAPPY 19TH BIRTHDAY, September Laura! I am so proud of the young woman you have become! I SOOOOO LOVE that you are a "true" individual and are very diverse.  You know what they say about a "true" individual don't you, they are the best leaders because they don't conform to and follow this "world"... they stand out! And look at you, standing out in New York City! Yay! Yay! Yay!

 I hope this has been your best birthday yet and that you're enjoying your first semester of college in New York, New York at The King's College! We are so proud of you, Aunt September, and please, don't change for anyone! We love you to the moon and back!

 

Cheers to YOU!!!