Lately

You would think I would be able to blog more since I have so much time on my hands during the summer.  Well, that time is almost up my friends.  Lately I have been very lazy (and loved it) but things are starting to pick up a little. 
Monday and Tuesday I went up to my school to arrange my classroom.  It was very successful and quick :)  Wednesday Becca and Carson came over for lunch.  It was his second birthday!  I can't believe he is already 2....such a cutie!  We had a great time visiting and I am so glad that I got to celebrate his birthday with him and some cupcakes.  Thursday I spent the afternoon in Grapevine helping a friend out with something.  We had fun catching up while we worked.   Friday was more of the laziness that I talked about earlier...this entails me and Griffin laying on the couch allllllll day, only getting up for food and potty breaks. Tough life, I know.  Saturday I went to another painting class.  This time I went with Cindy and Katie.  We had so much fun and talked about doing it again with all the girls from the family.  Here is a pic of our finished products. 

The part that I was most nervous about was writing in cursive....but I think it actually came out pretty good.  While we painted there was Christmas music playing and it was really cold inside.  It made me feel like it was almost winter time, then I walked outside and was quickly brought back to reality.  I can't wait till then though so I can display this in our apartment! 
This week I have trainings Mon-Thurs.  Not really excited about that, but I have one more week of vacation after before I have to officially go back to work.  I guess I better make the best of it!!!

Chocolate Nachos

I found this amazing recipe for a really cool dessert the other day.  I posted a pic of it on my facebook and had several requests for the recipie.  Lucky you, it's soooooo easy!

First, you take some flour tortillas.  I used 3 and it was a little too much for Aaron and I.  Then, melt a little butter in the microwave and brush it onto one side of the tortillas. Sprinkle some sugar and cinnamon on the side with the butter...as much as you want :) Using a pizza cutter, cut them into the chip shapes.  Then bake them in the oven at 350 for about 10-12 min on an ungreased cookie sheet.  While they are baking, chop up some strawberries.  I used 4 and it was perfect.  Then let them sit in a spoonful of sugar for a few minutes so they get a little more syrupy.  Once the chips are done, they should be curling up at the edges a little bit, let them cool for a few minutes.  Then, I used dark chocolate chips and melted them in the microwave adding a dash of oil to make it easier to drizzle.  Last, arrange them on a plate, add the strawberries and then drizzle the melted chocolate on top.  Voila!  Easy and super yummy!!

Perspective

I find that I sometimes have a hard time putting things into perspective.  I think I am mostly even headed about things, but every once in a while might get a bit dramatic...I am a girl after all.  It is good to get a reminder now and then. 
I stumbled across this story while reading two different blogs that I follow.  I have been following the sad story of a young family with an 8 month old son battling cancer.  A brain tumor to be exact.  They started the blog to tell about their battle, but their son died this weekend.  I cannot even imagine the pain they are feeling now.  My mom always told me the hardest thing for a parent would be to bury their child.  I cried every time I read their blog.  I prayed for them every time I read their blog.  I prayed for them at church today.  I know that right now, your prayers would help them too.  If you would like to read their story, go to their blog, James beats the tumor.  I found their words very inspiring.  They showed so much faith through the whole thing.  I know that would be a big struggle for many, myself included.
Back to perspective...it makes me feel guilty that I worry or get upset about little things when others are going through something HUGE like this.   It makes me thankful that I have never delt with anything like that and it makes me hopeful that I never will. 
For now, I will continue to pray for their family and that they can find comfort that their precious son is no longer in pain.

This Week

This week has revolved around 3 things for me.  Baseball, soccer, and Harry Potter.
It started Sunday with the women's world cup.  USA vs. Brazil.  It was the most intense game I have seen in a LONG time.  Probably since my senior year of soccer.  However, this one was different because I was watching, not playing.  It is much worse just watching.  I was nervous and could hardly watch at certain moments.  Despite some AWFUL calls by the ref and her sideline judges, and some horrible acting by the Brazilians, we pulled it out!  I screamed sooooo loud when the USA scored the tying goal with about a minute and a half left.  I'm pretty sure Griffin was scared silly by that.  I then enjoyed another good game on Wednesday when they played France.  I can not wait till Sunday to watch them in the finals and hopefully win for the first time since 1999.

Monday evening we had some friends over to watch the Home Run Derby.  It was so much fun to have them all over and enjoy visiting while we watched my favorite Yankee win it all!!!  I picked Robinson Cano to win before it started :)  Tuesday evening I went over to my in-laws house to watch the All-Star game with Sheri.  She made some delicious ball park food for dinner. 
 Harry Potter has been my favorite book series since I first read it back in high school.  With the last movie coming out today, I decided to watch all the other movies this week.  Monday morning, I watched the first 3 movies in the series.  I hadn't seen them in a very long time and it was funny to see how young all of the actors were compared to now.  Tuesday Mollie came over and we watched 4 and 5.  Wednesday Aaron had class after work so I watched number 6 and today, I watched number 7 - part 1.  I am ready to see the final one tonight!!!  Aaron and I are going with Becca and Garet to see it and I literally can not wait! 

Vacation

This past week, I was on vacation!  Last Saturday Aaron and I drove down to San Antonio to spend the holiday weekend with my family.  We had a great time hanging out, eating good food, and shopping.  We even got to visit with some of our friends, Nick and Kathryn. 
That Monday, Aaron headed home to Dallas and I headed back to Harlingen with my parents for the week.  I had such a good time being with them for a whole week.  I also got to hang out with my two grandmas.  I always enjoy visiting with them and listening to their stories. 
While in Harlingen, I'm pretty sure I gained about 15 pounds.  You see, when I'm home I feel like I need to eat as much as I can at my favorite restaurants since I won't be back for a while.  And that's all we went to...my favorite restaurants.  I had a whole list of where I needed to eat while at home.  My parents were so sweet and took me to each one :)  It was nice to escape for a little bit, but it was really nice to get back to Dallas to my hubby and Griffin.  I was greeted with lots of kisses (from both of them) and a fairly clean apartment, which I spent all day Sunday cleaning :)

SPORTS

Our families are sports nuts.  Almost all sports included.  Here are my thoughts on the sports world right now.  Take 'em or leave 'em :)
SOCCER The women's world cup is going on right now.  I am in soccer heaven!  Good games everyday, until today...the USA women looked fairly pitiful.  The defense was slow and unorganized.  The midfield was unimpressive with a few good plays and the attack was sloppy.  I sure hope they get their act together before the weekend when they play Brazil or their trip will be O.V.E.R.
BASEBALL The all-star break is almost here!  The first half of the baseball season is almost over and my fantasy team is still in First Place!  Whooohooo :)  Our favorite team, the Yankees, are in first place in their division and the captian, Derek Jeter is only 4 hits away from the 3,000 club!  My favorite guy, Robinson Cano, is set to be in the homerun derby. Roger Clemens trial is starting...can someone tell me why the US government cares if he took drugs while playing?  Sure it was illegal, but really, don't we have better things to use our money on? 
FOOTBALL The dumb lockout continues...I don't care if they ever play again.  They are greedy and selfish.  On a side note, I heard a funny story about Roy Williams on SC today.  He mailed a proposal and engagement ring to a girl who said no and kept the ring.  Insulting enough, but now, he is suing her to get the ring back...making it public record.  How embarrassing!!!!  How stupid!!!
GOLF I am thoroughly impressed with Rory McIlroy.  I can only hope he keeps his head straight and doesn't end up like Tiger, who he is drawing countless comparisons to.  Tiger is still hurt...don't really care there either though.
Well, there was my wrap up.  Hope you enjoyed :)

Homemade Part 2

I have re-discovered my craftiness this summer :)
The other night, Aaron and I made a super yummy, super easy dinner.  I made some quesadillas while he made some salsa.  We bought some mason jars at the store so we were able to make some extra and store it.  The quesadillas were cheese and beef fajita...one of my favs!

It was one of the best dinners of the summer so far.  And just FYI, the beer was Aarons :)
This morning, I made some delish cupcakes and decorated them for the 4th of July!

I just used some sugar sprinkles on the outside ones and I made the pompoms with knitting yarn then attached them to the top of kabob skewers that I cut into shorter pieces.  They are supposed to look like sparklers that you would use on the 4th, but I kinda think they look like the Truffula trees from Dr. Seuss' book The Lorax.  What do you think?

I may have just come up with a surprise snack for my kiddos next year when we do our Dr. Seuss unit :)
Hope you all have a very happy 4th of July!  We will be in San Antonio celebrating with my family!!