New Favorite CD...

I bought a new CD of a new artist I just came across and I am in love...It has been on repeat in my car for over a week now and I'm not planning on changing it any time soon... Her name is Adele and she is comparable to a Joss Stone, a strong female voice with good lyrics...check her out!

It's Official...

I am PREGNANT!!! I officially got outed at work this week in the lunch room and since that day numerous people at work have approached me saying they have heard the good news...So I figured the last place to announce it was my blog. I turned 14 weeks this past Friday and it is such a relief to say that I am in my second trimester. It has been a long couple months with a roller coaster of emotions, but I must say I am just truly filled with joy and excitement.  I am due September 23, a perfect fall baby...my favorite time of the year...LOVE IT! Some you may be wondering what I am going to do about school and my response to you is that I'm just going to do it...I will have 2 online classes on maternity and people may think that's crazy, but I will just figure it out. I will get it done, it may not be perfect but taking a semester off is not an option. So that is that!

Now onto a few details...I found out I was pregnant in early January I was probably only about 4 weeks...Mark and I were thrilled. Had an early ultra sound at 6 weeks, could see the heartbeat but could not hear it, I had an ultra sound at 10 weeks, we could see the baby move, see and HEAR the heartbeat...pretty cool. I had a 3rd ultra sound for some screening purposes and that baby was rolling in circles, moving all over the place and that's when I officially fell in love. I think it really hit me at that appointment that this is really happening. I am so excited! There have been a lot of emotions this first trimester, maybe another post at another time, but right now I'm reveling in the fact that I am over filled with joy. So now it's official...I think everyone knows and I'm starting to feel okay with that. I wanted quite a bit of privacy at the beginning, but now I'm just going to enjoy it. And and now introducing my little alien...

What's for DInner...

Mark was requesting meatloaf for dinner this week....meatloaf??!! REALLY?!? I can't remember the last time I ate meatloaf, let alone an attempt to make it!  So with some new found energy I looked into blogger world and found a million and one recipes. I adapted a few recipes into one and went for it...I'm not going to lie it did not look very appetizing but it was yummy!!

Here is what I did:

1.5lbs of ground beef
1 chopped onion
3/4 c. breadcrumbs ( I used Italian)
1/2 c. chicken broth
I added sage, salt, pepper, and garlic salt a pinch at a time
approx 1/2 c ketchup
3 eggs

I mixed it all together, put it in my loaf plan and topped with more ketchup. Baked at 375 for 1hour and 15 minutes.  It was moist and delicious. Served with sweet potatoes and green beans! I have one happy husband tonight! I had to blog about it so I wouldn't forget what I did! It feels good to be back in the kitchen again!

Fat Tuesday

Today is Fat Tuesday....that means tomorrow is Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent and the Easter Season. I must admit I would rather be in New Orleans celebrating Mardi Gras then sitting at home in a sweatshirt and sweatpants trying  to figure out the probability of some random medical testing I do not care about for my stats class. Oh to be at the Mardi Gras parades stuffing my mouth with delicious treats...instead I am going to walk on the treadmill...I guess this is life. You don't always get to do what you want or what you dream of because of the day to day tasks of life. But when I start to think about all the stuff I can't do I remind myself of the stuff I CAN do. I am pretty lucky in my life. Making a list of the things I am blessed with and thankful for is a great reminder of the fabulous life I live everyday (even though it doesn't always feel that way) So today I am throwing my own Mardi Gras celebration...I am actually going to make dinner tonight since I have been seriously lacking in that department and make a yummy treat to celebrate Fat Tuesday...Then it is time to focus on Lent and what I will be giving up/or promising to do 40 days. I have no idea what to do this year I am hoping I can come up with something meaningful.  Are you doing anything for Lent?

I'm Still Alive....

I had dinner with 2 of my sister in laws last night and they were giving my grief about my lack of blogging lately. I have to admit I have been a total slacker this past month. I don't feel like I have much to share, maybe about the hatred for my stats class, the fact I have not been cooking and eating cereal for dinner almost every night, or the fact I have had no creative stirrings these past few months. My house is blah no fun decorations...I have just been in maintain mode. I don't think that is bad, it is just boring! Maybe it has to do with the dragging weather, the snow, rain and a few  nice days that were a HUGE tease! I'm starting to feel spring in the air, it is staying lighter a bit longer and I can hear the birds chirping in the morning. I am hoping once the weather gets nicer my creative stirrings will return!  The month of March is one of my favorite months because it marks the beginning of spring or maybe it is because my birthday is this month (details details!) I also love St. Patrick's Day...even thought I am not Irish, I always had a great time celebrating in college. ( I will not be sharing pictures of those days!) I am hoping to be getting a little groove back in my step and serioulsy praying for some warmer weather to help inspire my blogging!