Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Birthday Weekend

Jason's birthday weekend was a busy one.
The busyness began on Friday evening.
Jason has his CDL, so he was asked to drive a bus for Younglife.
They needed an extra driver to take some middle schoolers to a weekend camp.
We couldn't stay all weekend, so I followed him up to camp on Friday night, so we could come back. It was only about an hour and a half drive, but it felt further in the dark!

On Saturday, Jason had plans to help some friends move. 
I ended up helping too, but with some cleaning- not any actual moving!
Moving always takes longer than expected,but it's one of those things you have to get done. So I ended up not making cupcakes on Saturday,  and we postponed our dinner. We still had cookie cake with my parents, and Jason opened his gifts from them.
He got a gift card and some cedar planks for the grill.



On Sunday, we slept in a little bit. 
We had breakfast at Waffle House on the way to pick up the middle schoolers from camp!


After bringing the kids back, we headed to Jason's parent's house to celebrate with them. Jason's mom made his favorite meal- philly cheesesteak sandwiches. It was yummy, and we had coconut cake and cheesecake made by Jason's sister for dessert! Jason opened his gifts- he got a couple more gift cards and some new clothes.
I, of course, completely forgot to make any pictures...

When we got back home on Sunday night, I made the strawberry cupcakes for Monday.
Monday was Jason's actual birthday, so we went to Red Lobster for dinner. 
Jason opened his gifts from me, and we had strawberry cupcakes for dessert!
Strawberry Cupcakes!
I got Jason 2 video games he has been wanting- Batman and Call of Duty.


Reading my card

 Jason got new shoes too!


Happy Birthday Jason!

Saturday, March 24, 2012

Daisy Duke

This week Jason was out of town for a couple of days,
so Daisy and I spent a lot of quality time together.
I snapped a few cute pictures I want to share!

 Daisy and her new tennis ball.
(This ball has since been thrown away because she was eating the yellow stuff...)

 Snuggle Time!

Hey! Check out my new do!

 Trying to escape the vet's office.

My mom snapped this one last night.
She was one tired girl!

Tonight we are celebrating Jason's birthday with dinner at whatever restaurant he chooses.
And I will be making these strawberry cupcakes today too!
Jason loves strawberry cake, and these cupcakes are so yummy!!
Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Zucchini Chips

I am trying to find new recipes and try making new things.
Jason and I get tired of green beans and chicken!
I found a recipe for zucchini chips on Pinterest and decided to try it.
The original recipe can be found here.

The ingredients:
breadcrumbs (I used store bought)
parmesan cheese
whole wheat flour
pepper
milk
sliced zucchini
(original recipe calls for apple cider vinegar, but I left it out)


I cut the recipe in half because I was only using one zucchini.
Mix 1/8 cup of breadcumbs with 1/8 cup of parmesan cheese.
Add pepper to taste.


Mix 1/2 cup of milk and 1/4 cup of whole wheat flour.


Dredge each zucchini slice first through the milk/flour mixture, then through the breadcumb/cheese mixture and put on a cookie sheet.


Bake at 425 degrees for 30 minutes until browned and crisp.


These turned out yummy! I would definitely make them again. 
It's quick and easy- my favorite :)


Friday, March 16, 2012

Life Ain't Always Beautiful

I'm just going to be honest. This week has not been the best week at our house. 
Both of us have been really busy with work and working weird schedules.
Then Jason has had issues with both of us trucks (the joys of car ownership),
 and there were some random things to bring us down.
So, I am borrowing a line from a Gary Allan song,
"Life ain't always beautiful, but it's a beautiful ride..."

Life will never be perfect. And every week can't be the best week ever.
If we never had a bad week, we wouldn't appreciate the good weeks as much!
God certainly never promised us perfection.
In fact, he promised exactly the opposite.
James 1:2 (NLT)
"Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy." (emphasis mine)
It doesn't say "if trouble comes your way"; trouble is surely coming. 
But God has promised that He will be with us in every circumstance.
Deutoronomy 31:6 (NLT)
"So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will never fail you nor abandon you."
I love it! God has personally gone before us. He already knows where we are headed because he has been there already! Amazing!! 
And He will never fail us or abandon us.
He is there in the good weeks and the bad weeks.

God had truly blessed me in this bad week through the Passion White Flag CD.
We were able to get a copy at Passion City Church on Sunday.
I have been listening to it non-stop since. 
If you don't have a copy, I highly recommend it!!


This CD has literally brought me to tears every time I listen.
Oh the love God has for me and all He has done.
I cannot even choose a favorite song because they are all awesome!
There are a few lyrics that have really touched me this week that I would like to share.

You Revive Me- Christy Nickels
"My soul, O Lord, is thirsty
Only you can satisfy
You're the well that never will run dry
You revive me, You revive me Lord
And all my deserts are rivers of joy
You are the treasure, I could not afford
So I'll spend myself til I'm empty and poor
All for you, You revive me Lord"

Mystery- Charlie Hall
"Sweet Jesus Christ, my sanity
Sweet Jesus Christ, my clarity
Bread of Heaven, broken for me
Cup of salvation, held up to drink
Jesus, mystery
Christ has died and Christ is risen
Christ will come again"

One Thing Remains- Kristian Stanfill
"Your love never fails, never gives up
Never runs out on me
Higher than the mountains that I face
Stronger than the power of the grave
Constant in the trial and the change
One thing remains"

Thank you Jesus for reviving me and being the only thing I need. 
Thank you for being my sanity and clarity. 
Thank you that your love is unending and unfailing!

Monday, March 12, 2012

Birthday Celebration

Today is Daddy's birthday, but we celebrated on Saturday.
Charles and his fiancé came up so we could all have dinner together.
Daddy loves seafood (the rest of us do too!).
Since we couldn't go to our favorite restaurant in Destin, 
Jason and I made our crab cake recipe and cooked up some shrimp too.
We also had asparagus and mashed potatoes.
It was all yummy.


Then we had vanilla cupcakes with chocolate icing for dessert!
Also yummy!


After dinner, Daddy opened his gifts!




He got some movies, candy, a sudoku book, a CD, and a book!
It was great to be able to celebrate all together!

Happy Birthday Daddy!
You are the best Daddy a girl could ask for.
I love you so much!!
I am so grateful that you taught me that Jesus is the One I need.
"The One You Need" by Shane and Shane


Thursday, March 8, 2012

Athens Adventure!

Jason and I both had the day off on Wednesday, 
so we decided to spend it together.
We wanted to do something fun but not too expensive, so we headed to Athens!

Our first stop was lunch with our friend, Pam. 
We went to our favorite sushi place, Ru Sans.
Then we had to make a stop at Menchi's Frozen Yogurt!
The Georgia Peach is our favorite. Yum!


 Next stop was the zoo. Yes, there is a zoo in Athens, and it's free!
They have bears, birds, reptiles, bobcats, and alligators. 

 Turkeys. All the Toms were showing their feathers!
 Eagle
 One of the baby bears- They had a momma and two babies.
 Gator hiding in the leaves!

After leaving the zoo, we headed to the State Botanical Gardens. 
Another place in Athens that I had never been!
It was beautiful today, so I can't wait to go back when everything is in bloom!

The Day Chapel
 Collard greens in the garden!
 The Butterfly Fountain
 Beautiful pink flowers
 This artwork is called "Sunflower Gate"

It was already late afternoon when we left the Botanical Gardens, so we decided to go to a matinee movie and have dinner downtown.
We went to see the movie Chronicle. Jason wanted to see it. 
He liked it, but honestly, I thought it was weird.
We had the theater all to ourselves though, just like our first date! :)

Leaving the movie theater, we saw this beautiful sky!

We had dinner at the Last Resort Grill. One of my favorite Athens restaurants!
The meal was delicious and so was the strawberry cake we had for dessert!
We were stuffed!

I am so thankful to have had this day to spend time with my sweet husband. 

"I have found the one my heart loves"
Song of Solomon 3:4

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

What I'm Loving Wednesday

I decided to link up with Jamie for What I'm Loving Wednesday!



Today I am loving:

1. That this is my week off. No work for me! :)

2. The warm weather we had today! I'm so glad we are getting into spring.

3. That Jason had today off and we got to spend the day together.
We took a trip to Athens and just did fun things. It was a great day!
Here are a couple of pictures until I am able to post about it:



4. That Friday my mom and I are going dress shopping for Charles's wedding and planning for the shower we are throwing my future sister-in-law. Quality time with my mom is awesome!

5. That my sweet friend Sherry is recovering well from her final breast cancer surgery! Praise the Lord!!

6. That the whole family will be together to celebrate my dad's birthday on Saturday.
Jason and I will be making the crab cakes :)

7. My sweet Daisy Duke, who is even more spoiled now that she sleeps all night with Jason and then all day with me!


8. That I decided to give the green smoothie a try this morning.
I adapted this recipe from skinnytaste.com.
2 cups of spinach
3/4 cup frozen blueberries
1/2 banana
3/4 cup vanilla almond milk
1/2 cup of greek yogurt
Since I used blueberries, it isn't really green. It did taste good though!


9. The beautiful sunset tonight.


10. That I have so many things to love today. There is so much to be thankful for! :)
"Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong in Christ Jesus."
1 Thessalonians 5:18

 I hope you are having a wonderful Wednesday!

Thursday, March 1, 2012

It's March!

First of all, I cannot believe how fast time is flying by!
But I am excited that it is March for several reasons.

First reason:
We are getting closer to spring! It hasn't been a really cold winter, but I'm still ready for more days like today, sunny and in the 70's!

Second reason:
Daddy's birthday is March 12th! I am excited to make cupcakes and maybe even some crab cakes to celebrate! 


Third reason:
My friend Kristen and her husband will celebrate their one year anniversary!
I can't believe it's already been a year since they became husband and wife!
Happy Anniversary Kristen and Daniel!!


Fourth reason:
Jason's birthday is at the end of the month! He will be the big 2-9 this year! :)
He can't decide between a cookie cake and strawberry cake, so he might be getting two cakes this year! I love birthdays, so I'm looking forward to celebrating!


Looks like March will involve lots of celebrating! :)

I finished up my February Photo a Day Challenge this week. Here are the last few pictures:
27. Something you ate
Breakfast- I love my Kashi Cereal!

28. Money
Our nutcracker piggy bank. We got it as a white elephant gift!

29. Something you are listening to.
The new Shane and Shane CD- The One You Need.
Jason and I have pretty much been listening to this CD non stop the past 2 or 3 weeks. We love every song- there is so much truth and encouragement about God and His love for us!

Here is the list for the March Photo a Day Challenge. I really liked February, so I'm going to keep going. This time I'm going to save all the pictures to do a big post at the end of the month though.  If you have instagram you can follow me (@kristenellis) to see the photos throughout the month!