Happy Birthday Mom!!!

So today is my Mom's birthday. I am making a cheesecake for her party on Monday. Now if any of you know anything about baking a cheesecake, you know that it takes forever and you have to let it "cure" for 24 hours or more after you bake it. So here's some pictures of my baking excursion today. I thought since today is Mom's actual birthday I would do a post of the cheesecake and also say.....

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!! I LOVE YOU!!

Now to show you what I've worked so hard on for your party!! I know you will enjoy eating it as well as looking at the pictures!!

Chopped walnuts, pecans, & almonds for the crust.....

 Mashed into the bottom of a springform pan....one of my most favorite dishes I own!

Now to start mixing everything for the actual cheesecake part...

 Done mixing....

 Pouring the cheesecake mixture into the springform pan.....

 Ready for a water bath in the oven!

And the finished product baked & ready to cure!!

I have been trying to learn how to make every single cheesecake recipe I can get my hands on. I love being in the kitchen. Cooking, baking....pretty much anything I can make in the kitchen makes my heart happy. I'm excited that I got to be in charge of my Momma's "cake" for her party. I hope everyone loves it! 

Home

So I just thought I would share what my life was like growing up. I've been thinking about it a lot lately because my husband's best friend will be here in a week and I'm so looking forward to having him here. I know that sounds a little strange so let me explain.

Growing up, our house was always full. Whether it was my friends or my brothers, there was always an abundance of people there. I remember when I was about 15 or 16 and some boys that I was friends with stopped by. One of them told me that he loved my house. I had the coolest parents. That he would never be allowed to have that many people at his house, his parents would have freaked at how loud it was and how many people were there. I knew then that my house was a special house. There was no judgement there, no repressed feeling....it was just a safe place to be yourself. It didn't matter if you were the head cheerleader or a boy that broke into a rival schools bus at a football game....at my Mom & Dad's house, you were always accepted. We had midnight swims, water fights, and I remember my cousin and one of my brother's friends wearing my bras and acting stupid in the living room....I have pictures! We always had the most awesome time.

So next week when my husband's best friend comes home, I'll be left at home some but they will also be here a lot. I will get to cook for them, listen to all thier stupid jokes, and my house will be the place they feel like they can be themselves. I love that. It makes me feel like my house is finally home.

I'll Pray For You

You know we say that a lot. I have never laughed so hard as when I watched the video by the new artist, Jaron and the Long Road to Love. His song is called "I'll Pray For You" and it cracks me up. I can promise the next time someone says they are praying for me or I say "I'll pray for you" this is the first place my mind is probably going to go. Enjoy. It's definately worth the listen if you need a laugh!

Jaron and the Long Road to Love
More CMT Music
More CMT Music Videos

ABC's

I just had a thought today. I wanted to do the ABC's of things that I love so here goes...

The ABC's of what I love:

Astley's

Bride Wars

Cooking

Designing

Every Lethal Weapon Movie

Family

Grandparents

Home

In-Laws

Japanese Cherry Blossom

Kae, as in Rhyan Kae

Little brother

Music
Nutella
Oranges
Parents
Quiet
Red
SETH
Tulips
Unusual Jewelry

Valentine's Day

Water

X-Men

Yoga

Ziggy

This was a little trickier than I thought it would be! I had fun thinking up everything I love though.....just hard to do it according to the alphabet!

Happy Mother's Day!

So this weekend is Mother's Day. I'd like to take a minute and tell the Mom's in my life that I love them.

• To my Mom, you are amazing and I'm so thankful that you are MY mom! The memories that we make each weekend....I will treasure them forever. You are my saving grace at times and I hope you know how much you mean to my life. I love you Momma.
• To my Mammaw, I don't think they make them any better than you. I love you even if you won't admit that I'm your favorite! I love cooking with you and having pie fights in the process.
• To my second mom, my Aunt Leaoma, thanks for always being there for me when I have needed you. You are truly a blessing to my life.
• To my Mother-In-Law, Veldean, I'm so thankful that I have you in my life. You are such a fun lady. Thanks for taking me in and treating me like family.
• To my best friend, Shawna, you are an amazing mom. Your boys are so fortunate to have you. I hope you know how wonderful you are with your boys!

These ladies are some of the very most important ladies in my life. I love them and hope they all have a very happy Mother's Day weekend!

Boys & Mud....

So it's been a couple of weeks since I actually did this. But I wanted to post something about it anyway. I met my best friend and her two little boys a few weeks ago in a town not too far away. We took them to eat at a little mexican resturant and then came the fun. Shawna brought them extra clothes because we were taking them to the park......to play in the mud! It had been rainy and gross all week and we were determined not to let the rain stop us from playing! I just thought I would share a few of these pics because they make my heart happy! Alex & Logan had a blast and they got some extra goodies from their "Nisa" before they left to go back home. I love these two little guys. Enjoy the pictures.....

Logan, me, & Alex

The boys & Mom

At Last....

At Last my love has come along.....

So 5 years ago Friday I was walking down the aisle to that very song. At Last by Etta James.....my how that song brings back so many memories! I thought since I haven't posted anything in a while I would go ahead and post something celebrating mine & Seth's 5 year wedding anniversary. In all my years of wishing and hoping and dreaming of "the perfect guy".....geez, my imagination never even got close. I couldn't have asked for a better man to call my husband. I love him more than words can express. So I'm going to leave you with some pics that we've taken over the years. I hope you enjoy. They bring a smile to my face just going through them.