Happy Birthday!

Today is Nannie's 80th Birthday!  My kids and their kindergarten buddies have something to tell her. . . I can't get ahold of her as of now so Happy Birthday Nannie!  I love you very much and am so thankful you are my Nannie!

Love, Honey Bunny

One Step Closer

We are one step closer to freedom!  We paid off my car this week and what a feeling it is!  We celebrated with pizza for dinner (yes I know that may seem to some like a rather lame celebration but it is just what we needed).  We are down to ONE loan left to pay off and while it is rather large (thank you Leanne for choosing an expensive college. . . ) we have a kind of competitive attitude and have turned it into a competition to see how fast we can "kill" it.  One step at a time!  One dollar at a time.  Thank you Dave Ramsey for teaching us to live like no one else so we can live like no one else.  And thank you to our families who set AWESOME examples and continue to cheer us on and inspire us to continue to live DEBT FREE BABY!  If you haven't tried it or don't know where to start, look up Dave Ramsey and Financial Peace University.  Best choice we have made in our marriage yet!

Polly Pipsqueak

**WARNING** Proud Auntie posting LOTS of pictures!

Last week was spring break and Aimee and I went to Iowa to see Mollie (Polly Pipsqueak) and her parents.  It was a long drive from here but well worth the sister/niece time.
We snuggled:

 We shopped:

Aimee taught Mollie some "grown up things" (just kidding. . . Mollie has VERY active hands)

 We had some serious conversations which required no blinking and lots of deep thought:

 We helped with bath time and believe it or not, the water was warm, and Polly was very serious about getting clean. . .

 

The aunts dressed Mollie and got some smiles and yes as her shirt says, she is as cute as her Aunt(s)

 We changed diapers and spit up on clothes:

 We babysat while mom got a haircut and a coffee:

 We skyped with Grammie & Papa, Uncle Tim & Aunt Danielle, and Grandpa Randy & Grandma Jill:

 We took pictures for Grammie:

 And we gave kisses:

 Lots and lots of kisses:

 

Polly, I can't wait to see you again in Texas, be a good sleeper, keep working on that serious face, and work really hard on giving good burps.  Thanks for letting The Aunts invade your house for a few days!  We love you to the moon and back!  (Uncle Ryan was very sad he could not come. . . He loves you too and really enjoyed all of the texts and pictures we sent of you. . . He would love to babysit and says you can come stay any time you would like.  He also said you could bring that nice, warm Iowa weather with you.)

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough

 It is no secret that the people that live in my house like chocolate chip cookie dough.  I was watching Paula Deen one day and she gave a recipe for chocolate chip cookie dough truffles. . . YUM!  So being that I had three of these solid kisses that kids in my class gave me I decided to make them. . .

 Here is the melted chocolate in my homemade double boiler

 

Here are the truffles pre dipping. . . 

and here are the finished product. . . they were super yummy and Ryan was very bummed when they went to school. . .  

Here is the recipe

• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
• 1/2 cup semisweet mini chocolate morsels
• 1 cup finely chopped pecans
• 1 1/2 pounds chocolate bark candy coating, melted

Directions

In a large bowl cream butter and brown sugar with an electric mixer at medium speed until creamy. Add vanilla. Gradually beat in flour and add milk. Add chocolate morsels and pecans, mixing well. Shape into 1-inch balls. Place on waxed paper; chill 2 hours.

*Cook's Note: Since the dough is sticky, roll your fingers into flour. This will make it easier to roll.

Melt chocolate bark candy coating in a double boiler. Using 2 forks, dip cookie balls into candy coating to cover. Place on waxed paper and chill to set. Store in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.

I am supposed to be doing homework. . .

So I am supposed to be doing homework and I am doing some but I am sitting here super excited about being on spring break, spending time with my sisters and Mollie, and seeing my parents tomorrow.  I got distracted because I started laughing because Ryan is in the other room on the couch and I can hear him snoring above the fan on my computer, the radio I have on, AND the TV he is "watching."  Oh man. . .

On another note, I was at the doctor this week and saw a print that had this poem and I thought it was too cool not to share.  It is called Living Life by Bonnie Mohr. . .

"Life is not a race - but indeed a journey. Be Honest. Work Hard. Be Choosy. Say "thank you", and "great job" to someone each day. Go to church, take time for prayer. The Lord givith and the Lord taketh. Let your handshake mean more than pen and paper. Love your life and what you've been given, it is not accidental ~ search for your purpose and do it as best you can. Dreaming does matter. It allows you to become that which you aspire to be. Laugh often. Appreciate the little things in life and enjoy them Some of the best things really are free. Do not worry, less wrinkles are more becoming. Forgive, it frees the soul. Take time for yourself ~ Plan for longevity. Recognize the special people you've been blessed to know. Live for today, enjoy the moment."

Wordless Wednesday :-)

A friend

Ryan has a friend. . . And it is tooooooo cute for words.  Apparently he talks about Ryan all the time and I think he said his name about a thousand times yesterday when we were together.  Then we came back here and he got his jammies on for the ride home and just look where he ended up. . . climbed on up like he owned the place and I think someone is wrapped around his little finger. . .