Tough Decisions

As I mentioned in a previous post...Mr J and I had some big decisions that we would be making. Before precious baby a came along I had dreams and aspirations to climb to the top in the corporate world. I had a great job at a bank. I loved what I did, I loved everyone I worked with and I could not imagine doing anything else. But then baby a came along and turned my life upside down. The thought of leaving her at daycare made me sick. The thought of someone else seeing her roll over, speak her first words, take her first steps before I did made me cry. My dreams of climbing the corporate ladder dissolved and my only dreams and aspirations now were to become a stay at home mom. Mr. J and I knew that we could not do it on his income alone. But...God has started revealing his plan for us. He has provided in ways that we could never imagine. And as of today I will be a stay at home mom. I have very mixed emotions at the moment. I am beyond excited to be the one raising my daughter. I am the one who can see her roll over the first time, hear her speak those first words, and see her take her first steps. But at the same time I worked with the greatest people in the world, loved my job and will miss it. But I also know this is the right decision. God has made that very evident in our lives. God is good...no...God is great...no...God is downright Amazing! This week he has taught me that when I truly rely on Him and not myself, He makes himself known. He makes His will known. Why do I try to do things on my own?!?!?! Haven't I learned my lesson!?!?!

Now I need to go love on my sweet baby girl. We had more shots today! :(

Long Over Due

I have neglected my blog for over a week now! I promised myself I would stay on top of this...but life just happened this week. I did finish my first home improvement project of painting the bathroom. I will post pictures later after we finish the final little touches. Also, sweet baby a turned 2 months this past week! I cannot believe that she is 2 months old. I also cannot believe that I will be going back to work in 2 weeks! With being 2 months old also comes 2 month shots. I hated every minute of the day we took her. It hurt me so bad to know she had no idea of what was coming. She took them like a trooper though! I did ask them to space them out so we have to go back this week to get another round :( . I hate the thought of them having to stick her again, but at the same time I feel better knowing that not all of that medicine is going in her little body all at once.

I know I normally post my menus on Thursdays, but as I said, life just happened this week. And I greatly apologize if anyone actually reads/uses the menu. But...here is this week's (well last week's menu)...

Baked Creamy Chicken Taquitos

(These were amazing and I did make the Cilantro Sauce she suggest on the blog as well)

Source and picture: Brandy's Baking

Crockpot Chicken and Dumplins

Source and picture:BubbleCrumb

Baked Ham and Cheese Sliders

(I have had many different versions of these and these may be my favorite. I did use American cheese though)

Source and picture: The Girl Who Ate Everything

Honey Kissed Chicken Sandwich

(Buy good buns/rolls!)

Source and picture: Life's Ambrosia

Coconut Chicken Strips

(I made a really yummy pina colada sauce to go with! It is below)

Source and picture: Our Best Bites

California Cheeseburger pie

(This is a favorite of Mr. J's! But it is not a favorite for the waistline so it seriously is a once a year recipe. Also, I leave out the pickles. Mr. J hates dill pickles.)

Source and picture: Pillsbury

Pina Colada Sauce

4 oz Pina Colada Mix

3 oz Sour Cream

3 oz Crushed Pineapple (drained)

Mix together and chill until ready to serve! :)

Tasty Thursdays

I have a confession to make about next week. I will not be cooking along with you. I will actually be cooking a week ahead. But this will allow for me to review the recipes before I recommend them to you! Mr J and I have had all but two of these recipes and we would highly recommend them. I hope you enjoy! :)

Island Chicken

Source: Annie's Eats

Chicken Gyros

Source: The Girl Who Ate Everything

Toasted Ravioli

Source: What's Cookin, Chicago?

Light Spicy Lemon Chicken

Source: Babble

Baked Pesto Chicken

Source: Kayln's Kitchen

Chinese Honey Chicken

Source:Blogchef

Buffalo Chicken Rolls

Source: Can You Stay For Dinner

Big Decisions

Mr J and I have some major decisions to be making in the next couple of months. One of those being what to do about a new house. I love our little home and it will always be special to me as it is our "first house" (not first home). But with the addition of baby a...we are quickly running out of room! Our once living room has now turned into a play room. We know a larger house is in our near future but the question is...where do we purchase this home? Closer to Mr J's work, closer to my work, or in the middle (or where we find the best house for the best price).

With the thought of selling our house soon, also comes the thought of some diy home projects. We do not have anything major to do, mainly just painting. I love color but understand some buyers cannot see past paint. So with that being said...I will be doing some painting in the weeks to come. I would love to finish it all before I go back to work (am I dreaming?) I thought I would start with our bathroom. I will show you the before pictures and hopefully be posting the after this weekend!

(Please do not judge my photography. I am learning...well plan on learning.)

Happy Tuesday everyone! :)

Next Week's Menu

I hope you guys have been enjoying the amazing weather as much as our household has! It has been filled with lots of running and walking! Here is our menu for next week! I hope you find something that sounds yummy to your family!

Creamy Chicken Marsala Pasta

What's Cookin', Chicago

Yummy Honey Chicken Kabobs

Allrecipes.com

Lemon Chicken

Barefoot Contessa

Taco Pasta

The Girl Who Ate Everything

Apple Maple Turkey Burgers

Food Network

Slow Cooker Angel Chicken

Cleverly Inspired

Mongolian Beef

Pink Bites

Happy Fall Y'all!

Fall is here...well...not officially, but it seriously feels like it!

I am so excited it has finally cooled down so we can get sweet baby a outside to play! And the cool weather will make my running much more enjoyable. I strive to become an avid runner, and I will say I do enjoy the way I feel when I finish (well, not at the exact moment...), but I still am not a huge fan. But I strive to be healthy. I want to be able to chase my little munchkin around when she starts moving and not be out of breath. I want to outlast her (if that will every be possible). I want to set a good example for her of what it means to live a healthy, balanced life.

With that being said, I hope everyone had a great weekend! We had a family filled weekend and it was great to be able to relax and hang out. Mr. J and I actually went on a "date" Saturday night. I had so much fun with him, even though he would probably beg to differ as I constantly reminded him I didn't want to stay out late and wanted to be home by 8.

I hope that every has a great week and get out and enjoy this weather!

Life Lately

As I was running yesterday afternoon during the hottest part of the day I was trying to keep my mind off dying and realized I had not updated the blog since Saturday. I am trying really hard to stick with this blog and update on a regular basis. Life lately has been busy.

 On Saturday my brother came to visit from Texas. Sweet baby A loved her uncle Nate and enjoyed every minute of his visit. Hermano (brother in spanish since he lives in texas, we are part mexican, and he works in Mexico...i thought it was appropriate) Nate had a short visit. Sunday I cooked a big lunch for the family and then we all just hung out. Great Grandma came to visit sweet baby a. It is so funny with my family. A visit to them consist of about 10 minutes. My mom and dad drove an hour one way to get my grandmother and then they stayed a total of 10 minutes. After they left we all ventured out to get diapers for baby a. By the way, I love Pampers Swaddlers. I promise to not use anything else unless I absolutely have to. While we were out Hermano Nate saw that we had a Taco Johns, and that is what he wanted for dinner. Please, explain to me how you can live where there is authentic Mexican food and you beg to eat at Taco Johns? Mr. J and I neither one understand it. Monday, Hermano Nate flew back to Texas to be with his sweet little family again. We cannot wait to see them all at Christmas and see Miss Maddie in September!

{Hermano Nate and Baby A}

{Miss Maddie} 

 Yesterday we had our first shopping trip and lunch outing! Baby a couldn't have been any better! We have been so blessed with such a good/happy baby! We ate lunch with Mr. J and then shopped for some new pjs for baby a. What a good day out!

 This update has been all over the place so I'll leave you with our menu for next week and a picture to make you smile! :)

Saturday Night- Mexican Chicken
Sunday- Pan Fried Pork Chops with Mushroom Gravy
Sunday Night- Chicken Pesto Pizza (see recipe below)
Monday- Italian Garlic Sausage Penne
Tuesday- Chicken and Broccoli- Use this Beef and Broccoli recipe only use chicken
Wednesday- Baked Ravioli (see recipe below)
Thursday- Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos

Chicken Pesto Pizza (It can't get much easier than this!)

• 2 Chicken Breast- Cooked and Diced (great for leftover grilled chicken)
• Pre-made Pesto in a Jar
• Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
• Pillsbury Pizza Crust in a Can- Or your favorite crust

1. Spread your pizza crust out on a baking sheet.  Bake for about 3 to 5 minutes on the heat that the can suggest.  Take out of the oven.
2. Spread pesto on crust to your liking.  A little goes along ways!
3. Sprinkle diced chicken and mozzarella cheese on top.  
4. Bake for about 10 minutes until cheese is bubbly and crust is slightly browned.
5. Enjoy :)

Baked Ravioli

• 1 Package frozen beef or cheese ravioli
• 1 Bottle of your favorite Marinara Sauce
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

1. Pre-heat oven to 350
2. Cook Ravioli according to package
3. Drain ravioli
4. Spray a 8x11 baking dish with cooking spray and place about 1/2 cup of your marinara sauce on bottom of dish
5. Place ravioli in dish on top of marinara
6. Top ravioli with marinara until well covered
7. Top with cheese 
8. Bake for about 15 minutes until cheese is melted
9. Enjoy :)

And as promised...a precious face...

Happy Thursday!