A Bite of Perfection!!

I owe a HUGE thanks to this girl. She introduced me to the cupcake. Well, not introduced me. I knew them. I'd had them as a kid. Occasionally, at work. But I had never really known, a good cupcake. Not until my friend.

She happens to adore cupcakes. And she's good at baking them. All sorts of them. And she treats so many people, to her yummy creations!! But this week, she totally out did herself!! With these sweet treats.

 

When Lola asked me, what she could bring to the girls' baptismo, I left it up to her. Knowing that we wouldn't be disappointed. She's a GREAT cook!! And when she should up, with dozens of these perfect little cupcakes, I was over the moon!!

 

They were light, and full of flavor. Yummy strawberry. The icing was light, and fluffy. And when I asked her for the recipe, she didn't hesitate. She pointed me here. Told me about the little changes she had made. And we ate a few more. I have a feeling, I'll be making these for years to come!!

Sugar and Spice: Week 12

How's every one's week been? Me? I think I might have forgotten what sleep is. I'm exhausted! But I'm getting it together. And I'm just grateful, that I can nap whenever I want. Let's get this week's Sugar and Spice underway!

Sugar:

*Once Upon a Time! Hello, it's so good every week. Clearly, it's becoming a favorite of mine. What in the world am I going to do, when I go back to work. I usually work Sundays....
*Dove's dark chocolate and raspberry candies. Thank you Lola for sharing them with me!! Life changing. People you must try them!!
*Long phones calls, with good friends. Sometimes, you just NEED to talk it out. Glad I got this girl, and this one, and this one....to talk to!
*Cranberry juice. Unexpected for sure! I've never liked it before. But all of a sudden, I NEED a glass during breakfast. Every day!!
*A hubby that brings home beautiful flowers. Just because. He's definitely a keeper. Y'all don't be jealous!!
*Beautiful gift wrap. Just sitting here, waiting to be used up! The ribbons are pretty gorgeous too! Christmas, you can't come soon enough!
*My hubby's "All Day Chili." Heck ya! He cooked it twice, in 8 days. Love this man! And his chili. :)
*Online shopping. It's helping me get through the day. And not go nutso! I MISS shopping. But I'm finding out, online shopping can be fun too!!
*Carrot cake cupcakes. Thank you Lola! You know the way to my heart. The girls say Thank you too! Let's just say, we were all happy campers!!
*Most of all, this week I'm grateful for growing babies. My girls are both gaining weight. And doing well. We've even begun talking about potential delivery dates!! :)

Spice:

*Watching Orphan. It scared me to death!! Literally, I couldn't sleep on Wednesday night. Because of this movie. I had to wait until James got home. Don't watch it!
*The smell of burnt toast. It takes forever to go away! Ugh!!
*"Pregnancy Brain." I can't remember my name at times.
*I miss getting my hair done. It's just a "Hot Mess" at the moment! I consider it a total success, to wash it. And throw it in a messy knot. Lame. I know!
*Fighting with Blogger. There are just some days, that I want to blog. And it doesn't let me. Or I want to add something cute to the 'ol blog. Blogger, just let me do it!
*Hearing people say, I look like I'm at 42 weeks! Really, you're not helping me out here. And all the "Bless your little heart," makes me cry.
*On that note, all this crying. When did I get so emotional? I cry for everything. Simply everything! Including when James killed a bug last night.
*All this "Holiday TV" interrupting my regular TV shows. Don't get me wrong, I love me some holiday movies. But I really do miss some of my favs right now.
*Our mail system. Why must all of our mail come back? Or get lost? Ugh! And the USPS is wondering why it's crumbling.
*Politics. Period. I'm so over them! Just get it together. Get our country back on track. Remember the average American. And how hard we work. Please protect us, and our families.

That's it! Oh, I'm so excited!! Our family is coming for a visit this week. Yes, I'm so excited!! Not only am I happy to see our family. But I'm also glad, that James will have some help. I know he's been doing a lot lately. Have a Blessed Sunday!!

Won Family, Where Did You Go??

One of my absolute favorite blogs to read, is Wons Upon A Time. I don't remember how I originally found it. But I remember that night. Sitting up, for hours past my regular bedtime. Reading all the posts. There is just something about this blog, that pulled me in.

 

Part of the intrigue is the realistic writing. How this couple's life, is not perfect. They have marital issues. Parenting is not perfect, or planned. More like, "Learn as you go." But not everything on this blog is a "downer." Not that "real life" is. It's just nice to know, other wives have fights with their husbands. You know, over the everyday stresses. That not everyone is happy 24/7. Basically, it's nice to know, I'm not the only one, that doesn't have a "picture perfect life."

The stories about Jane and Alex's kids, are hilarious! Isabelle cracks me up. Really, you must read this blog, to get it. I'm not lying. I sorta wish, that in "real life," I could run into this family. As Isabelle, is riding her favorite ride, outside Toys-R-Us. Let's not forget about Isaiah. He's a cutie!

I adore that this family takes regular trips to Disneyland. Yes please! If I lived closer, you could bet your bottom dollar, I'd do the same thing! Jane has such a love for Disneyland, that Alex proposed there. Doesn't get much more "fairytale" like. Oh, and their tips to Hawaii. Yes, I'd like to do that as well. I adore the Won family! All of them. And this blog.

But today, I'm sad. This regular read of mine, has gone dark. Well, at least for me. The blog is now set to "private." And it's been over a month, maybe longer, since I've read a post. Not going to lie here, it makes me sad. When I'm having a tough day, I used to like to read a story about Isabelle. Instantly, my day was made better. She's such a sweet soul. And has the best convos with Jane! When I'm having a struggling time, I like to read one of the inspirational posts. You know, to let me know, that I can make it through it too. Just hope the Won family is OK. And that the blog goes public again. I know you'll love it too!!

If Only I Could Stand Up....

There is something going on with me. Something that even James, knows not to mess with. I'm not sharing my sweets. From the beginning of my pregnancy, I've craved sweets. All sorts of them. But in the last few days, it's been all about this candy bark. It started 2 years ago. My friend Lola, brought some candy bark to work. I stole it. Ate it all up. Then begged her to make more.

Let's fast forward to last Fall. When I spotted this post at Mix and Match Mama. Immediately, I printed it. Didn't matter that I had just started my shift at work. I knew, I MUST make it. When I got off of work, 18 hours later, I headed to Walmart. Picked up my supplies. And went home.

Yes, I made it. Didn't matter that it was 6am. I made my bark. Put it in the freezer. Took the world's fastest shower. And ate my bark. It wasn't completely hard. But I couldn't wait any longer! Boy, since then, I've made this candy bark so many times!! Well, maybe not with the candy corn. But some variety of candy.

Today it's all I can think of. If I wasn't on bed rest, I'd be all over it. ALL OVER IT PEOPLE!! But apparently, even melting some candy, to make candy bark, is too much for this pregnant lady. I wonder if any of my friends are reading this? Lola? I'd really adore some candy bark. Pretty sure the girls agree with me! :)

Christmas Perfection!!

This past weekend was one of those, that pre-bed rest, I probably would have enjoyed. Because I would have had time, to meet my friends for lunch. Or go shopping. Maybe have a "spa day." You see, James hasn't worked an entire weekend, in almost 2 months. Not from Friday afternoon, to Monday morning. But this weekend, was his weekend....

And I knew, that I was going to have a ton of hours, to fill up. My friend Rachael offered to hangout with me on Saturday. She's a "firefighter wife." So she gets it. Besides, Rachael was bringing her darling 3 kiddos with her. Total score!!

James had stocked the fridge. With my favorite foods, and snacks. He also was very thoughtful. And got me a lot of things, to occupy my time. Hello new nail polish! I told you ladies, don't be jealous of my hubby. He's just a doll! My friend Sarah, was going to come over, for dinner on Sunday. And I was really excited about this. Because she was bringing over our favorite take-out! All the plans were made.

But it still left me with hours, to fill. Yes, I had my stack of books, magazines, a movies to watch. But I also had Pinterest. An entire weekend, and Pinterest. I don't think I've shared this with you. Since being on bed rest, I must spend 3 hours a day, drooling on Pinterest. Boy, I could get myself into trouble there! If I followed all the links. Instead, I pin the pictures. And this past weekend, I found so many ideas. But nothing, and I mean nothing, as cute as this!!

I know! Christmas is 3 months away. But folks, that's just 3 months. What did I do, the minute I seen this on Pinterest? I followed the link here. Oh ya, I don't know how to crochet. But this lady does. And I just might have, emailed her the link, and begged her to make me 2.

Now my friend doesn't want to charge me. And I don't have a way to get the supplies. But I'm going to do something for her. Because this is just too much!! And honestly, it didn't take more than me asking, "Can you make this for the girls?" Lola said yes immediately. She is too sweet. And after a long talk this morning, we agreed that she'd "girl up" this little outfit. Maybe make a skirt, for the diaper cover.

I just can't wait to see the outfits! And to see my girls, in these outfits. Lola is going to make them in a newborn size. And I've already dreamt up, ways to take the girls pictures. Newborns at Christmas. Who would have thought! But it sounds like so much fun!! Just 3 more months.

A Summer Must!!

I adore Summer! Almost a little too much. Especially, because I live in the southwest. And it's hotter than heck! Let's just put it this way, we've got more triple digit temps, between June and August, than double digit temps. Many of those days, you can feel the soles of your shoes, melting as you walk across a parking lot. Yes, it is hot!!

Your AC, never gets turned off. Ever!! Not during the Summer. You don't plan activities, between 11am and 6pm. Not outside. And you ALWAYS carry around ice cold water. ALWAYS!!

If you are my friend Lola, well you are crazy. Because she has no AC. Relies on fans, that do little to bring down the temps in your home. And finds any excuse, to eat ice cream. Maybe even drink it. Because this is her favorite drink....

What is it, you ask? An "Orange-sicle Float." At least that's what Lola calls it. And just about a month ago, she introduced it to me. Oh. Emm. Geee!! It is delicious! And the perfect drink to quench your thirst. Even in the desert.

I know. It sounds odd. But really, you must all try this. Take some vanilla ice cream. Or a heck of a lot in our case. And your favorite orange soda. Scoop up the ice cream, into a tall glass. Add in some ice cold, orange soda. And enjoy!

If you happen to be "slightly" lazy like me. Head to your favorite Sonic. As for a Root beer float. With orange soda. And maybe a spoon. You are going to thank me and Lola. Hurry and try this!

Two Peas in a Pod

The day we found out, that we're expecting, James and I, were over the moon! We've been super excited, from the very first second. I just wanted to laugh on Friday. When I got home from work. And I found these sweet onesies, at our door....

Looks like James is totally on top of this!! Not only did we buy 2 books, and 2 stuffed monkeys, on the day we found out about the twins. But James hunted down these onesies. And ordered them! Now I must admit, they are adorable!! To imagine, in 7 1/2 months, we'll have babies to wear them. I just can't believe it!!

Never Stop Dreaming....

Way back when, I found myself dreaming. Dreaming of a baby. This was years ago. And even then, just a few weeks pregnant, I found myself dreaming. Dreaming of being a momma. Having a precious little baby. During that first pregnancy, I dreamt. Of babies, happy times, and lots of cute things. I even saved this picture....

After my miscarriage, I was devastated. I endured a few of those. Then James and I took a break. We just couldn't handle it. We needed time to heal our hearts. But this picture, it was a constant for me. I kept saving it. From one computer, to another. And I kept dreaming.

From the time, that I found out I was pregnant, I've constantly looked at this picture. Imagining what our sweet babies will look like. Knowing, that in some way, we will incorporate monkeys into their nursery. Or playroom. Because they are flipping adorable!

And gave me the faith, to keep trying. To continue believing, that one day, James and I would have a precious baby. Or two! ;) To hold, call our own, and love. Now I MUST find something similar. In a few months, we will have 2 baby monkeys.