[Memorial Day Weekend]



Ridge & Jacks



Yes, I realize tomorrow is Memorial Day and I am already posting on my Memorial Day weekend.....but of course, I will be saving lives at work tomorrow (insert sarcastic voice). I hate I have only had a 2 day weekend, but I have had a great weekend off. Friday night, our friends Lee & Leah came in from Birmingham and we met them for dinner when I got off work.  After taking Maddie for an overdue grooming Saturday morning, we spent the remainder of our day working in our yard. Fixing up our yard will be a never ending project, bleh. I need to register for one of those HGTV shows were they show up and landscape your yard...hey, I can dream, right?

Unfortunately since I work tomorrow and so does my mother-in-law, we grilled out this afternoon with the inlaws. I think I ate an entire week's worth of food today...and I am really regretting that one at this moment.  I am thankful for a wonderful Memorial Day weekend with family, and thankful for all the men and women who have lost, risked, are risking their lives for our country. I am so proud of my husband and brother in law for both having served in the Marines. I hope everyone had a splendid weekend.

[weekend home]

Finally! 6 days off from work!

Ryan and I went on a much needed trip to the coast to visit my parents. We left on Friday and came back Monday, and it was not near as much time as I would have liked. This was Jacks & Ridge's first big road trip, and I was really nervous of how they would do in the kennel for 6 and a half hours. To my surprise, the puppies slept the entire way, and let us know when they needed us to stop for a break. We spent the weekend shopping, relaxing, and eating as much as possible. Jaron and Courtney stayed Friday night as well (btw-have I mentioned, I AM GOING TO BE AN AUNT!!) The puppies absolutely loved that my parents have a fenced in back yard and they could come in and out as they pleased.  They were wore out to say the least. I wish my parent's didn't live so far away, but I am thankful they live within one day's driving distance. I don't know how I am going to make it back at work tomorrow, getting up at 5:30 am and working a 12 hour shift aren't looking so fun....



at my favorite restaraunt! lookout!




Jacks & Ridge LOOVEE water




Me & Jaron



[back to the gym I go]

Maybe if I post this publically, I will hold myself responsible.

Have you ever lost complete motivation to be active? I am guilty. My last semester of nursing school and until our wedding I was completely addicted to working out, and the high you get from having so much energy. I felt good, and I had so much more energy...and I also had a goal-fit into my wedding dress. Since October, I have given up on working out, and I am still paying a gym membership. Sad, but true. It takes a a couple of weeks of dragging yourself to the gym before it becomes enjoyable....but I need the motivation to even do that! So, starting this week, my goal is to get back to working out, and not using the excuse of I am too busy. Now, I don't mean hard core dieting, just working out (I am world's worst about dieting!!).  I felt so much better about myself and I had soo much energy when I worked out, and I am hoping I can get back to that point.....I am also totally guilty of having a chocolate chip pound cake in the oven as I type this.. eh : /...This isn't going to be easy! Guess I need to find my running shoes, and air the tires up on my bike.

[Cinco de Mayo]

To begin, I know I have been MIA lately. Work and life have been CRAZY! The tornados hit our area directly and it has been a mess. We were so fortunate and blessed that it missed our small town, but it hit all the towns surrounding us. I personally know how much a struggle the next few years will be for the people who were directly hit, and my heart absolutely breaks and goes out to them. We spent this past weekend working in a small town called Phil Cambell, in which there is total devastation. We talked with the coroner while we were down there, and the stories are just horrid. Lots of prayers are needed for these areas. Also, the hospital was crazy after all the storms had calmed with victims. I have gotten my fair share of overtime the past week. Ryan's work has also been closed due to lack of power, he has been using his time doing tornado clean up with some of the members of our church. My mother in law took pictures one day while we were down there, I will upload some next time, and even then pictures don't do it justice.  Please continue to keep those affected in your prayers, as they have a long road of recovery ahead.

On a happier note, yesterday was cinco de mayo! In lieu of cinco de mayo, we had family over for dinner and had a great time. Mexican is my favorite, and I kid you not I could eat it every day. So yesterday I made enchilada casserole, mexican rice, cheese dip, and lime margarita cupcakes with  lime cream cheese frosting.  My vote is everyday should be cinco de mayo!

Enchilada Casserole:

• 1 pound lean ground beef 
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 2 cups mild picante salsa
• 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1/4 cup reduced-fat Italian salad dressing
• 2 tablespoons taco seasoning
• 6 flour tortillas (8 inches)
• 3/4 cup Sour Cream
• 2 cups (8 ounces) shredded reduced-fat Mexican cheese blend

1. Cook beef and onion in a large skillet, drain.

2.Add salsa, black beans, italian dressin and taco seasoning. Mix.
3. Place 2 tortillas down on a 9x 13 baking dish. Pour half of meat mix on top of tortillas, top with 1/2 of sour cream mixture and cheese. Place 2 more tortillas down, rest of meat mix, sour cream and cheese. Place last 2 tortillas on top and sprinkle with remaining cheese.
4. Bake @ 400 for 20 minutes, or until bubbly.
-Serve with tomatoes, lettuce, and sour cream for toppings
*Note: I double my recipe and make 2 dishes, so I can freeze one to bake another day.

Mexican Cheese Dip

-1 block of Jalepeno Mexican cheese dip (at Walmart in the hispanic cheese section)

-8 oz cream cheese
-3/ 4 cup of milk

1. Crumble cheese dip block into small pieces with milk and cook in microwave for 30 seconds at a time until almost creamy.
2. Add cream cheese and place into crockpot on warm, until serving.
3. Add straw, and drink cheese dip because it will be that amazing. just kidding, ..well..maybe not :) .

Hope everyone had a great Cinco de Mayo!