SURPRISE...not!

Time is honestly flying by!  I was certain it had only been a few days since my last post, but it has been over a week!  Life has been hectic lately.  Filled with all kinds of things from play dates to family time.  I have been getting tons of photography jobs, and been a little busy with my new adventure as a Thirty-One consultant.  Today is play date day at my house, so I can't stay long just wanted to pop in and post a little somethin' before I forgot my password to Blogger!

I saw this on Pinterest today and it made me laugh, because this describes me to a T! I adore surprises, or at least I think I do... until I am surprised.  Then I feel unprepared and not ready for the "surprise".   I actually didn't realize this about myself until the other day when my husband told me that on September 22nd we would be going on a date and all I needed to know was to be ready at 6 sharp.  Then 1000 questions and concerns flooded my brain.  Who is watching Cayden?  What should I wear?  Do I need to cook dinner, or are we going out?  What time will we be done?  What is he wearing?  Should I pack Cayden an over night bag- or just a few items for an evening?  Are other people going?  You get the point.
I can't help it.  I am a planner, with a touch of OCD.  I think becoming a mom has made this even more extreme.   I wish I could be carefree and just go with the flow sometimes... but that's not me.  I like to have a plan.  I like to be prepared.  I think it's amazing when you have these "epiphanies" about yourself.  For all these years I thought I loved being surprised... but the truth is I am too much of a control freak to enjoy being whisked away for a romantic evening.  So when people ask me if I like being surprised... I suppose my answer will now be "yes, as long as they are carefully planned..."

Hope everyone is having an awesome Monday! 

Whitney

Summertime and the livin' is easy easy...

Although in Florida summer is here 9 months out of the year, the sale of school supplies and crazy-ness of the mall is definitely the sign that summer is coming to an end.   Which makes me a little sad.   I don't even have a school age child, so nothing about our life really changes, but there is something about all the kids being out of school and it officially being "SUMMER" that makes me feel relaxed.  Like it's "summertime and the livin' is easy" is our official soundtrack these days.   

So to celebrate the nearing end of summer, we are going to play in the sandbox, bust out the kiddie pool, and be refreshed by some delicious popsicles today! Of course... we will probably be doing this exact same thing in November.

Happy Summer, friends! 

Whitney

What I love Wednesday!

YAY! It's Wednesday! Check out a few of things that I am absolutely LOVING this week! 

Ladies and Magenta-men nail polish by OPI! On Sunday I snuck away to this little nail salon by my house while the boys took a nap!  It was one of those days that I was feeling kinda blah, so I thought maybe a burst of color would do the trick.  It totally did!  I sat there and read my book {The Help} while  sweet little Cindy painted my toes and fingers this amazing fun color! 

With Cayden in swim lessons every morning at 9am, we have to be out of the house by 8:20 to get there! This leave no time to sit and enjoy a hot cup of coffee {or 5}. Plus it's like 100 degrees outside by 8am so I have not been into my usual cup of joe from my Kuerig.  Instead I have invested in these delicious packets from heaven, Starbucks VIA Carmel Iced Coffee.  Seriously, they are the PERFECT jump start I need while fighting morning traffic to swim lessons! 

 Okay, we all have them {or at least I hope so that I don't embarrass myself with this one...} cheesy, mindless TV shows that we are addicted to.  Seriously the first two come on ABC Family and are made for pre-teens/teenagers {although I would NEVER allow my teen to watch them} I am addicted.  They require no thinking, and I can completely zone out.  They are all on my DVR and perfect for the late nights that I can't sleep, or I am trying to stay awake to see my hubby at 2am.  Am I the ONLY one who watches these?  I hope not...

On Tuesday a few of my stay at home mom friends from church met up at Broadway Gymnastics for an open gym play date! Oh what fun! It was only 5 bucks and it wore Cayden out! We went right after swim lessons so by the time I got him strapped in his car-seat to head home he was passed out!  If you live in the Oviedo area, I definitely recommend this.  They will be having open gym for preschoolers (and younger) every Thursday from 9:30-11:30 for 5.00 a child! So fun! :)

There are plenty more things that I am loving this week... but I'll end it here.  What are you loving this week?  I'd love to hear! I am always looking for new things to try and LOVE myself!

Have a great day, ya'll! 

Whitney

I heart faces: Beautiful eyes

How could NOT enter my little boy and his big brown eyes?!  Those eyes are sure to win!  Right?!!


Check out iheartfaces.com to see more beautiful eyes!

click me! 

Pizza+Pool=Perfect Friday Evening

               

This makes me smile and is truer than true :)  

I am loving today! After swim lessons we made a trip to Michaels to hunt for some supplies for Cayden's Pirate Birthday party.  I am making my own invitations and decor.  I must admit I am pretty excited about this!  I can't wait to get going!  I know he won't remember anything about this birthday... but I know it is one that Jeff and I will never forget.  How could we not go all out? I will definitely be posting more about this totally awesome Pirate Birthday more! 

Cayden's Mimi and Pops are out of town this weekend, so we are thinking we may head over and swim!  This is Jeff's last day of his amazing day-shift schedule, then it's back to working midnights.  So I think we should end this week with some fun family time!   What could be better than pizza and the pool?   

Well, TGIF everyone! Cayden is finally down for a nap... and I am hoping to get all the dishes and laundry done before he wakes.  Maybe even sneak in a chapter or tow of my book! {The Help}

Have a wonderful Friday, ya'll! 

Whitney

If I had a million dollars

I need to go shopping...

and I am loving outfits like this...

I also want to buy Cayden this...

Now, if only I had one of these...

or may just a million dollars.

Today was a great day.   It was very rainy all day, but I was able to get so much done!  I love days that I go to bed feeling productive.  I still have things left on my "to-do" list... but at least I made a dent! :)  Besides, I can't be too productive, because then I wouldn't have any time left for me and Cayden to play ball, or do silly dances, or play peek-a-boo or read all the books in his book crate! So although I am so glad I was productive today, I am even more happy for the time I spent playing with Cayden inside on this yucky, rainy day.

Goodnight Friends, 

Whitney

Fresh Prints!

For those of you who are out of the loop... there is more to me than my life as a mom.  I am a photographer.  It is one of my other hats.  I am a mommy, a wife, a photographer, a Thirty-One consultant, a blogger, and member of MOPS.  My husband says my plate is "getting full", but I love it!  I enjoy being busy.  Now that I am a stay at home mom I am actually able to do things that I LOVE to do!  The best part is, I make my own schedule.  Cayden still gets 100 percent of my attention and everything else fits in the cracks.  I love all my jobs!
Photography has to be my favorite (other than being Cayden's mom and Jeff's wife) it give me the chance to be me, to get creative, and to have something else in my life that is just mine.

Check out my website at FreshPrintsPhotography.com and spread the word about my upcoming mini-sessions!  It is a deal that is seriously hard to beat!

Goodnight kisses...

In case I have not expressed this enough... I adore Pinterest!  While wasting time this evening and browsing around I came across this....

This is exactly how I hope Cayden lives his childhood.   I want him to have the happiest and most care-free childhood.  I hope it is full of amazing memories and he always knows how much he is loved.  I want him to be a boy, but also have manners.  I want him to always  have fun, but know responsibility.  I want him to be kind, and caring.  I hope that he always speaks his mind and stands up for what is right.  I pray he is always safe, and yet continues to explore.  I hope he has a big imagination and a love for adventure.  I hope he enjoys his childhood, because it definitely goes by too fast!

Tonight as we were reading our bedtime books I couldn't help but just take in the moment.  It was too sweet not to.  Here I was sitting in the rocking chair in his room, reading him favorite bedtime book {The Going to Bed Book by Sandra Boyton} and after every page he would look up at me and grin.  When the book was over,  I picked him up to face me so I could say goodnight when he leaned in and gave me the cutest, sweetest, wettest kiss on my cheek.   

I kissed him back and put him in his crib.   While I was turning on his night light I couldn't help but feel like the luckiest mom.   I hope he knows how happy he makes me and how precious these moments are to me.  

I see things like this sign and it reminds me of all the things I want him to grow up knowing.  I adore being his mom and I am so thankful for the sweet little moments like we had this evening. 

Love, 

Whitney

Sunday Supper

As everyone knows I love Sundays!  They are usually slower paced and easy going.  I love that they are filled with family and heart warming laughter.  

This Sunday was more like a Saturday!  We were so busy!  Not that it was a bad thing, I just happened to be swamped with photo sessions this weekend.  

We met our friends, Lisa and Vince at this yummy burger bar in Orlando, Graffiti Junktion.  By the time we got home it only left an hour before I had to be in Apopka for a photo shoot for the Haus of Hollie Online Boutique.  So needless to say we had a great, but busy day!  We ended up eating dinner away from home, so there was no cooking Sunday Supper, but I wanted to share some yummy recipes anyways! 

I know that these are better for a blustery fall or winter evening, but these two recipes are some of my favorite comfort foods.  In Florida we have lots and lots of rainy evenings which can end up leaving us stuck inside for a whole day!  Days like that we rarely get out of our PJ's and are spent watching movies and playing on the floor with our favorite little boy.  For dinner on rainy nights we like to make soup.  It is just so cozy and fits the mood!  So here is one of my favorite soup recipes!  

My aunt usually makes this soup for me, and she gave me the recipe a while ago, but I can't seem to find it.  So I saw this on a blog and it sounded pretty darn close! 

White Chicken Chili

1 large onion, chopped
1 clove of garlic, minced
1/2 cup flour
2 cubes of butter
4 cups half and half
1 1/2 cups of chicken broth
4 cans white beans (navy, great northern, or garbanzo), drained and rinsed
2-3 (4 oz) cans chopped green chilies
4 boneless skinless chicken breasts cooked and sliced into small pieces
2 cups grated Monterrey Jack cheese
1-2 tsp. Tabasco sauce
1-2 tsp. of chili powder (depending how spicy you want it)
1 tsp. cumin
1 cup sour cream (optional)

Cook onion and garlic in a couple tablespoons of butter until soft, not brown. Set aside. Make a roux by melting the 2 cubes of butter and whisking the 1/2 cup of flour in. Boil for 3 minutes stirring constantly. Add the onion and garlic to the roux.

Add the half and half and chicken broth. Simmer 3 minutes or until thick.

Pour mixture into a crockpot then add the white beans, chilies, chicken, cheese, Tabasco sauce, chili powder, and cumin.
Simmer 20 minutes. Right before serving add salt and pepper to taste and sour cream (optional). Garnish with cilantro.

And because there is ALWAYS room for dessert...

Found recipe on this blog!

Pumpkin Cake
One Cake mix- I used yellow
1 -15 ounce can 100% pumpkin- puree, not pumpkin pie filling

Preheat oven to 350°. In a large bowl mix cake mix with pumpkin filling using a hand mixer or a stand mixer. Beat on medium for 2 minutes. Pour batter into a greased 7 x 11 inch baking dish. Bake for 28 minutes or until tooth pick comes out clean. Cool completely before frosting. Serves 8.


Apple Cider Glaze
1 cup powdered sugar
2 T. apple cider
1/2 t. pumpkin pie spice

In a small bowl blend all ingredients until smooth. Pour over Pumpkin Cake letting it drizzle down the sides of the cake. Let set before covering.


Seriously, how easy is that cake! I have yet to make it, but I am going to this week! It's like a total of 5 ingredients! I have all of them too! Except I think I am going to use Spice Cake Mix instead of the yellow cake mix. {I'll let you know how it tastes!}


Hope everyone had a super Sunday! Since I didn't get to make our Sunday Supper today, I will be making up for it one night this week!

Have a great week, ya'll! 

Whitney

What a week!

What a fun week I got to spend with my little boy!  Since we were both feeling pretty lousy last weekend and the beginning of the week, I tried to end the week with some fun times!  

Thursday...

We set up our umbrella and the baby pool in our back yard.  Since the summers in Florida are ridiculously hot, playing in water is about the only thing to do outside without suffering from heat stroke!  But I wanted to do something even better, so I made finger paint! I found the recipe on this website and put the paint into a muffin tin! I had a big roll of white paper so I tore off a piece and let Cayden go to town (outside of course!) It was so much fun to watch him play in the paint.  Since he is only 9 months, he obviously didn't care about getting the paint on the paper, as he did on himself but it was fun regardless! 

Once he was done (and the grass, Cayden and myself were all shades) into the pool we went.  We spent 45 minutes splashing and playing having so much fun in the summer sun.  

Messy Boy! 

He loved the way it felt on his hands.  He just kept rubbing his fingers together! 

Cayden's Masterpiece! 

Friday...

Friday was a great day!  Jeff got to come with us to swim lessons and Cayden officially mastered his float! It was really great having Jeff there while Cayden hit that milestone.  We were both super proud parents that morning, and of course we had to celebrate with a trip to Target.  We bought Cayden a fun, new toy.  I think we were more excited about it than he was!  That afternoon Jeff had to go to work so Cayden and I met his friend Shayla and her new baby sister Braelyn at Mimi and Pops house to swim!  Shayla and Cayden spend the afternoon floating and splashing together.  It was a lot of fun spending the afternoon with friends.  Cayden was wore out, so we went home for a nap!  Later that evening we went back to visit Mimi and Pops! Cayden had a blast playing with Mollie, their doggie.  We stayed and played all night! Cayden didn't go to bed until 10:30!  But of course he didn't forget to wake up at 6:30 on Saturday morning! 

(my phone died before Mrs. Yvonne was having him float on his own)

Saturday...

This morning Cayden and I had time together while daddy slept in.  Cayden played with his barnyard magnets on the refrigerator while I made eggs and whole-wheat banana pancakes.  We sat and ate, and "talked" and just enjoyed our morning in our PJ's!  I love times like that.  They are simple, and sweet.  Although I love running around and doing fun things, morning times are some of my favorite times with Cayden.   It feels so carefree.  He is so happy and just starts my day out with a smile.  

I really do love my sweet boy.  He is growing up so fast and getting such a funny personality.   I feel so blessed that I get to spend everyday with him, and I get to enjoy every morning being giggly and carefree. 

Cayden was COVERED in eggs and pancakes after breakfast this morning!  Thank goodness for  our doggie, Bailey!

Good Night...

Whitney

What I LOVE Wednesday!

Those first few weeks home from the hospital took some getting used to! Our family of 2 adults and 2 dogs suddenly had one more added to the mix.  One more that required being fed every two hours!  Not to mention rocking back to sleep, then only to lay down and wake up a few minutes later to start the process all over again.   Those were some hard days {and nights} but a few things helped me and my sleep deprived hubby along the way!  So for all my newest mom friends and those expecting be sure to check these things out!

The Baby Connect App- This app is my all time favorite! You can register as many users as you want! So anyone who will be keeping your sweet bundle of joy can download this app and help keep track of your baby!  We used this to monitor diaper changes, breastfeeding, sleeping and milestones! It was great for the first few weeks when your brain is a blur and you can't remember how many hours your baby slept.  It also keeps charts so as your baby gets older, you can review it and see their schedule!  It helped us so much when my parents would watch Cayden.  My mom would update it, so I knew how many ounces he drank or how many diaper changes he had while he was out of my sight.  I loved it! When we had doctors appointments and they would ask me about his feeding/sleeping/and diapers it was all right there!  It is a must have for all moms, dads, babysitter, and grandparents! 

My beloved Keurig comes in next.  I know that you aren't supposed to drink a lot of caffeine when breastfeeding.  This is why this is super handy.  You can make just one cup!  And it's quick!  It's perfect for those sleep deprived daddy's too! It doesn't give the whole house that "coffee" smell that would make any coffee addict need to drink 8 cups! 

Netflix or any mindless show on TV will work.  For some reason the late afternoon feedings were the hardest for me.  I would always want to fall asleep.  By day 3 I realized that I needed something to keep my attention and help me stay awake.  So Netflix was my new best friend.  I would watch usually old Friends re-runs.  I loved it! A plethora of mindless TV and movies to watch! 

Muslin swaddling blankets! These are my all time favorite blankets!  The ones you see below are by Aden and Anais.  These are so soft! And the best part is the more you wash them, the softer they get! They are much bigger than the hospital flannel blankets or the cotton ones you will get as gifts.  Plenty of room to make the perfect swaddle.  Cayden could only sleep if he was swaddled, but he was like freaking Houdini! It wasn't until I found these that I realized all the other blankets were way to small! Seriously these are a must have! 

Express Cami's! I lived in these for at least 2 weeks after Cayden was born.  Now mind you I did have a C-Section so I was going for comfort and the least amount of shuffling when it came to feeding time.  I hated to spend money on stupid "nursing shirts".  Let's be honest, they are not cute.  And after a few months you will never ear them again! So instead of wasting my money on something that will hit the "donate" pile, I went to express and stocked up on these comfy Cami's!  My personal opinion was that these were so much easier than dealing with 2 different clips! You already have to fidget with a bra, why make it more difficult?  This made my whole breastfeeding experience and post baby comfort a lot more enjoyable.

Burt's Bees.  This stuff will most likely make all of my "What I love" lists.  It is my favorite.  I probably have a tube of this in every purse, diaper bag, nightstand, vanity, pocket, refrigerator, and cubby in the house! Let's face it, nine months of carrying a baby will definitely dry your skin out and your lips are no exception.  Which is why Burt and his Bees always are a must! New moms, old moms, not yet moms... no matter who you are, this stuff should be in your bag! 

Well there you have it, a few of the things that I couldn't have lived without those first few weeks post Cayden.  Haha actually, a lot of those things still are my must-haves today! 

Well there is just one more thing that I LOVE this Wednesday...

CAYDEN FLOATED! 

My 9 month old Cayden has been taking swimming lessons through ISR for 2 weeks (This is his 3rd week).   This morning during his lesson, his amazing teacher Mrs. Yvonne let him go and he did it! He stayed a float! I was one proud mommy!  He still has some work to do on his form to make sure he can stay a float... but still he did it! :)  I wanted to do the happy dance, but didn't want to embarrass him {obviously} so this is my way of expressing my extreme happiness for this amazing event!   

I saw this on Pinterest today.  It made me laugh... mostly because it's true.  

-Whitney

Boogies everywhere.

What a crazy few days.  I feel as though I have been MIA from life lately.  A bout of the plague (well, almost- more likely a virus) hit our house on Friday and took over our lives.  For the last four days my life has involved boogie wipes, DayQuil, saline drops, a fussy baby, limited sleep and lots and lots of snot. (Gross, I know)  Luckily, Jeff did not catch this horrible virus and was able to help out with Cayden when he wasn't working.  We (Cayden and Myself) are much better today.  Thank goodness!  Nothing like a mom and baby sick at the same time.  You can imagine the amount of laundry to be folded, floors to be mopped, and things to disinfect.  So that's how my sunny Tuesday will be spent; catching up on life, cleaning, and laundry.   Even though that warm summer sun and cool pool water are definitely calling my name... Today is cleaning day.  :)

Happy Tuesday, Ya'll! 

Whitney

I choose fun:)

I saw this little quote on this amazing website, Pinterest.com.  If you haven't heard about it, you really must check it out.  I was scrolling through and saw this and it absolutely reminded me of today!
I adore days like today.  Today is mommy and Cayden day! Don't get me wrong, I love my husband dearly.  I actually prefer the days that it's the three of us all day.  But sometimes, days like today are just what I needed.   Now that we have finished swim lessons for the day and are back home we have all day to ourselves! No places we have to be, or errands to run.  Free to play and be silly, just Cayden and me.  Put the laundry off until later and just enjoy being a mommy.  I wish we could do this everyday, but unfortunately I enjoy wearing clean clothes and eating off clean plates.  Call me crazy, but I even love having clean floors.  But not today- the clothes can stay dirty and the dishes can wait to be put away.  Today nothing matters {until 3 p.m. at least when Cayden goes down for a nap} besides my ever-growing little boy.
I am not exactly sure what I will do with this whole day to ourselves, but that's the best part!  We can do anything we want!  Perhaps we will go to the park- or maybe even head to the pool.  We can eat lunch outside in the summer sun or crawl around inside if we want!
I just can't say it enough... I love days like today!  Full of sunshine and giggles, water splashes and kisses.  I hope you enjoy your Thursday as much as I will enjoy mine! Now off to pack our lunch and maybe even spend the afternoon splashing' around in the pool!

BAHAHAH! Get it... mustache!  I <3 Pinterest! 

Whitney

What I LOVE Wednesday!

So for this post I wanted to share some of my favorite mommy products.  It's amazing how much your "product love" changes once you have a child.  Pre-Cayden this list would include my favorite make-up, or flavor of  iced coffee, perhaps the latest movie out.  Boy how things have changed.  Here are a few products that I have found made life a little easier now that my whole life/schedule revolves around a 9 month old.    These are all products that I use/need at this point in our lives.  But I will be posting soon my "new momma must-haves" soon! 

My "Mommy Must-Haves"...

These three make-up items are my essentials.   Especially for those days you are running out the house and doing a million things at once.  These will keep you looking refreshed, but natural. Great way to hide those tired eyes and blotchy over worked skin. The lip tint is great {not just because it's Burt's! Although, he is my fave} it adds just enough color and moisture without looking like you are hitting' up the club at the playgroup. 

AHH.  One of my all time favorites.  This is magic in a bottle.   This amazing potion because my best friend on days that I have Cayden crying, and not enough time to blow dry and straighten my hair.  I spray a little of this on after I towel dry my non brushed hair, do a little scrunch all around, and drive to my destination with the windows down.  Viola!  Beach Bum hair on a Wednesday! 

Philosophy is the most amazing skin care product I have ever come across.  The idea behind it is to make your skin so perfect you won't even need make-up.  I wouldn't say it's taken me that far, but pretty close. I love how simple and pure it feels when I use it.  My skin feels genuinely clean, without the harsh chemical smells.  Oh and don't let me forget their body wash, lotions, and perfumes.  "Amazing Grace" is my favorite.  It's classic.  But I will promise that whatever scent, you choose or product you desire, Philosophy will not leave you disappointed! 

LUNA BARS. The perfect pick me up. Ready for an on the go breakfast, or late afternoon snack.  They are filled with vitamins and fiber and definitely fill you up.  I love this flavor!  It's a good way to get a chocolate fix without the guilt! 

My baby "must haves"...

This Baby Einstein Jump-a-roo is the best invention ever!  It keeps Cayden occupied and content while I cook dinner, fold laundry, or take a potty break.  We have gotten our use of this item for sure!  I am sad that he seems to be "getting over it".   The more mobile he gets the less constrained he wants to be.  But trust me I will use this awesome toy until he is too big for it!

Nuby Sippy Cups.  Cayden was a late bloomer when he jumped on board with Sippy Cups.  Actually, it was just a few ads ago that he actually drank formula from one of these.  It has taken us a while to get him to drink from a cup and even more time to get him to hold it himself.  However, even with all the troubles this was the only cup he would even try.  That's why Nuby makes my "must have list", because chances are without them Cayden would be 2 and still drink from a bottle.

love. Love. LOVE ISR.  We just started but so far I love it.  It is not at all what I was expecting.  I have heard horror stories of Infant Survival Swim Lessons.  These are nothing like that.  They do not throw him in, or make him "learn on his own".  Mrs. Yvonne is awesome.  She pays attention to Caydens needs in the water all while teaching him valuable life saving lessons.  I feel so much better about Cayden being at my parents house {or anyones house} who does not have an enclosed pool.  I love ISR and am thankful I made the decision to begin the process of "drown-proofing" Cayden

Happy Baby Food is so fantastic.  This organic baby food comes in squeezable packages.  They are our favorite because they are so much more portable than the jarred food, and a lot less mess.  Not to mention Cayden now drinks from a straw and we are pretty confident its all thanks to the genius idea of "sucking" out the baby food! 

Hip Hip Hooray!  A diaper rash cream that actually wipes off with a wipe and doesn't leave your baby smelling like medicine.  I love Butt Paste.  It is a great product that I have used since Cayden was a little peanut!  This stuff is amazing.  The first sign of a rash, I put it on very generously and by the next day it's practically gone.  LOVE IT.  Keeps mommy and Cayden happy! 

Thanks for checking out my "Must Haves"!  I will be sharing more products that make mommy-hood a little easier very soon!

Until next time...

Whitney:)

A mothers love...

This week my heart has been heavy with finding out about the loss of childhood friend.   His name was Greg.  Even at the age of 5 he was the kindest boy I knew.   We grew up in church together and even now I remember his laugh.   He was his mother's only child.  She lived for him and for church.  He was raised by his mother and his grandmother and all of three of them were the most sweet-spirited people.
Over the years as we grew up, Greg and I lost contact.  We would still see each other around town now and then and say hello, but that was that.
In all honesty, other than a few "likes" on Facebook, I hadn't ever given him much thought.  I remember reading a few posts that caught my attention.  His mom had to have heart surgery, and he was now the sole supporter.  I remember sitting there having such admiration and thinking about how he still was that sweet boy that I grew up with in Sunday School.  What an amazing person, that in their 20's, would do all they could to support their family?
Unfortunately, Greg went to sleep this past Saturday night and never woke up.  Autopsy reports came back that he had a massive blood clot to his heart, which took his life.  His young, energetic, life.
Although it's not my place to ask why?  I can't help it.  Why would God take the life of this amazing guy?  A boy whose family needs him more than ever.  Why would God put this much grief on a mother whose heart is still healing from massive surgery?  Why would God leave this family who already struggling with money any more in debt?  These questions may never be answered.  But I can't help them from lingering in my head.   Such a sad story that we will never understand.  I know God has a purpose, and a reason for everything... but things like this will never make sense.
Not only does the death of this amazing person bring me such sadness, it wears heavy on my heart and soul.  I know from what is now personal experience that no one knows the deepness of a mothers love.  I can not even imagine was Mrs. Beckie is going through.
Over the past two days I have held Cayden, played with him, fed him, and watched him sleep.  All the while thinking about that poor mother who has lost her only child, her son.  I can't help the tears that well up thinking about it.  I could not imagine my life without my little boy.   I can't imagine living a day and him not being a part of it.  My heart goes out to her on levels that I would have never understood in life B.C. (before Cayden).
So as I go to bed tonight I will once again pray for peace in her heart, and say thank you for the most amazing little boy in my life.





The past few days may have had a lingering cloud of sadness, but it hasn't stopped me from enjoying every minute with Cayden.  We have had a full 2 days filled with swim lessons, shopping trips, trying new foods, visiting the sweetest addition to the Barsky Family, and playing with Logan, while I visited with Kelly and Sky.  I love days like these past few.  They feel a little care-free, but structured.  I feel productive and yet relaxed.  We will see if we can keep that a trend this week:)  My favorite thing about both yesterday and today is Cayden's "cheese" face.  The past few days we have discovered that when we shine a light on his face he thinks its a camera and now squats his little eyes and says "eeeeesssseeee"! It is THE cutest thing.

Hope everyone has had a good Tuesday and will have a better Wednesday!  Please pray for the Gonzales family as funeral arrangements are made and they are left to pick up what pieces they have left.

Love always,

Whitney

Sunday Supper

"By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work." Genesis 2:2

Sundays in the south mean going to church, taking naps in hammocks, relaxing outdoors, gathering with family friends, swimming in the lake, reading in the sunshine, and cooking a big delicious dinner.  
For our Sunday Supper, I like to stick to my southern roots with some down home cookin'.  Chicken and Dumplins’, biscuits, mashed potatoes, Chicken and rice, pot roast, green beans, sweet carrots, corn bread, sliced tomatoes, peach cobbler, and strawberry shortcake are some country comfort classics you may see on our table.  And of course us southerns couldn't enjoy a bite of it without our sweet iced tea. 
I love Sundays.  They feed my spirit, my soul, and my tummy.  They are always sweet, simple and refreshing.  

So my goal is to share a delicious recipe every Sunday.  Perhaps it will inspire you to start a Sunday dinner tradition in your home.  You can keep it in the family, or invite some friends.  You can keep it simple, or go all out.  Or if you already share this wonderful southern tradition, maybe some of these recipes can make it to your family table tonight! 

Since we are in the dead of summer I wanted to share some summer-y recipes.  Although they may not be the "country classic" dinner in the south, they are sure to hit the spot! 

                   

Grilled Chicken with Lemon Basil Pasta  

Ingredients:

4 whole Grilled Chicken Breasts, Sliced

1 pound Penne Pasta, Cooked Until Al Dente

½ sticks Butter

3 whole Lemons, Juiced

¾ cups Heavy Cream

¼ cups Half-and-half

1-½ cup Grated Parmesan Cheese (or Romano)

Salt And Freshly Ground Black Pepper, To Taste

20 whole Basil Leaves, Chopped

Preparation Instructions

Cook pasta, reserving 1 cup of hot pasta water when you drain. Set pasta aside in a colander.

In the same pot, melt butter over medium heat. Squeeze in the juice of 3 to 4 lemons. Whisk together. Pour in cream and half-and-heat. Whisk until hot. Dump in cheese and whisk until melted. Add salt and pepper. Check consistency, adding some of the hot pasta water to loosen the sauce if needed.

Pour pasta and sauce into a large serving bowl. Sprinkle remaining basil all over the top, then add sliced chicken breasts. Serve immediately!

I found this recipe on:

http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/

I like to accompany the pasta dish with either steamed green beans, or a salad.  Of course my husband would be completely content without the veggies, but I what kind of a mom (or wife) would I be if I didn't serve veggies?!  
Of course on Sundays there is always room for dessert.  But after a heavy pasta dish, perhaps something a little lighter is the best bet.  So whip up your favorite fruit filled dessert, or try one of my summer favorites!  

Grilled Peaches and Ice Cream

Ingredients:

1 peach per person

1 warm grill (your grill should still be warm after grilling the chicken)

Vanilla Ice Cream (In our house we prefer Bluebell Homemade Vanilla)

Preparation:

(Always wash your fruit thoroughly before you eat them!)

Cut your peaches in half and remove the pits. Place them cut side down on to the warm grill for about 1-2 minutes, depending on the temperature of the grill.  You want them hot, with grill marks across but not burned.  Turn them over to make sure they are heated all the way

Once they are grilled to your liking, place them in your bowl and top with a scoop of ice cream. 

It is such a simple, light and delicious dessert.

(This recipe is something that I most likely saw on the food network, ate at a restaurant, or saw in a recipe book.  It isn't an original but I have been making it so long, I don't even know who to give credit to!)

Happy Sunday, and in the words of my favorite southern chef, Paula Deen...

Best Dishes, Ya'll! 

Whitney