Caramel Dip

I did something, crock-pot caramel dip One ingredient, sweet and condensed milk cooked in the can in a crock-pot full of water...pretty good.

Getting Ready for Baby

We are official ready for baby;) I have all I need, or so I think. My friend just sent me an awesome package and it was so fun to open! Here is all the great baby things she made for me. Thank you so much Bobby Sue, you are awesome!

Baby Shower #2 Guess Whooo's Have a baby?

This is my second and final baby shower that I had in the area I am now located in. One of the sisters I visit taught in my last ward helped put it together plus two other friends. They made sure I had a great Manassas Baby shower. They did a great job and were so nice to include me, I had a blast visiting with everyone and even had a friend from my new ward come and my cousin as well, I am so glad they made it! It was a double shower with my friend Allison who is having a boy and it was double the fun. The owl theme was so cute and it was fun seeing the boy presents and the girl presents. A big thank you to all that made it a happy and great experience, I really needed it especially since things with baby have been so up and down. Currently things are up and baby and Mom are doing great and I don't have to have the baby today but can wait until 39 weeks as long as all my tests keep coming back normal. A HUGE thank you for all the presents, they are so cute and fun and needed!

The guests of honor with the three hosts

The set up, it was so cute!

All the pregnant mama's attending









The gifts, we love them and it has made the nursery complete, a special thanks to Andree Anne for having the energy to make the bedding set since I wasn't able to do it but really wanted it to be home made!

Baby Shower #1 Ready to POP

Last Saturday I was blessed to receive an awesome baby shower from my best friend Catherine up in Arlington. It was so nice of her to throw me a shower for all my friends that I have up there so they didn't have to travel to Manassas. I got to see a lot of people I haven't seen for a while and had a really great time visiting with them. I also really needed the distraction with all the baby drama that is happening. The stress relief worked since things are looking much better for me and for baby and we may not have to have the baby so early.

I love the "Ready to Pop" theme that Catherine did so well. She made over 6 different kinds of popcorn and had lots of my favorite candy in purple and pink not to mention the Jones soda "pop" and take home bags that said, Thanks for popping by" that all the guests got to fill up with their favorite popcorn.

I really appreciate everyone that was able to come and celebrate with me and for all the wonderful gifts that were given. It is nice to have people that care about me and my baby. We haven't had a newborn for a long time and it is nice to get all the things that help make it easier. Thanks to all and a special thanks Catherine and to my friend Kelcy for opening her home and helping Catherine out.







Here are some wonderful gifts I also received from my Mother in Law, we really appreciate all you do for us.

My Hot Cocoa Bar

Finally, I did it! It was very low key but so much fun. My friend was coming to visit yesterday and so I told a few other friends that we were doing hot cocoa at my house and though only two were able to make it, it was really fun to do. It was kind of a birthday celebration for my 30th, that is coming this weekend. My friend, Asenath, brought some cute peppermint/chocolate, stirring sticks, and even surprised me with a wonderful gift of Mary Kay make up, she is my Mary Kay Lady and I love her for it! It is so nice to get some things just for me. I had a great day chatting with friends, talking about babies, and thinking about baby showers. It was so wonderful and we ended the night by having Asenath and her husband over for dinner, it was a great birthday celebration!

Hot Cocoa Maker and Other Things

It has been a long time since I have posted, I promise I haven't forgotten about this blog, but boy have I been busy. I have had a lot of little trials that have taken up most of my time and haven't been able to be very creative. I am pregnant with a little girl and she takes up most of my energy, she has quite a personality and moves quite abruptly. I'm a night person and so is she so that has been fun to not be the only one up at night. She is the kind of baby that moves and someone sitting across the room could see my belly rumble. I am working on making her a baby quilt and am excited to get her nursery put together. I have been blessed to recieve lots of clothes from friends, a crib, and I am borrowing some gear from another friend. It is nice to know people care about me and my baby, and though I have a ways to go I can't wait until she gets here. I always thought I would have three kids, but this little girl is working hard on being my youngest. This pregnancy is hard on me but I am excited for our new bundle of joy due mid March.

Here is the latest and greatest for me, I got my long awaited hot cocoa machine, and it is everything I hoped it would be. I need to have some friends over to really test it out but I have enjoyed a cup or two over the last few days.



This is an awful picture of me, with my double chin and all, but can't you see the joy in my eyes:)


I also got a laminator and I am excited about all the things I need to laminate. I will be again making a pre-made scrapbook for my little girl and got the album now...lots to do but now to find the energy and motivation...nesting stage come soon!

Yummy Mashed Potatoes

I know this isn't new to most people but it was a cool find for me so I will post it. Quite a while ago we had potatoes we needed to use and so we made some mashed potatoes but we didn't want them plain and I didn't want to make gravy so I added some ranch dressing and cheese to taste and whipped it in my potatoes and it turned out great! If you don't want cheese and ranch try sour cream and garlic salt, and chives if you have them. It is a great side dish and a delicious way to use your potatoes.