Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Brownies

I found a recipe that I absolutely HAD to try. It looked too good not to! :) It's a very simple recipe (gotta love that) with lots of yummy-ness! Basically, you make a box brownie mix, pour it in an 9x13 pan, and set aside. Next, you make a pouch chocolate chip cookie mix (or homemade Choc. Chip cookies) and place rounded tablespoons of cookie dough evenly on the brownie mix. Pat the cookie rounds gently then bake 350 for 40 mins. I had to bake mine a little longer to make sure the brownies were cooked through (I hate undercooked brownies). After the brownies have cooled completely, spread chocolate frosting on top. Serve and enjoy! Here's how they turned out...

I Heart Faces: B&W

This week's theme is B&W. I had several pictures to choose from and had a hard time deciding but I finally chose these two. And, if you have a chance, stop by the I Heart Faces website and check out all of the other B&W pictures!



B&W: Kids - This is a picture of JJ chewing on his overalls. It was a beautiful day outside so we took the dogs to the park. I, of course, took many pictures! Here's one of my favorites from that day.


B&W: Adults - Once again, I've chosen a picture of my brother. This is the day he returned from a tour of duty in Saudi Arabia.

Valentine's New York Cheesecake

Hubby's favorite dessert is cheesecake so I thought I'd make him one for Valentine's. I've only ever made box or frozen cheesecakes before. I was determined to make a real spring form cheesecake this time. I found a recipe for a New York Cheesecake online that had rave reviews and decided this was the one to try. Let me tell you, I will never go back to box or frozen cheesecakes again. It was creamy and perfect! Delish!

I Heart Faces: WONDER

So, the theme for this week's contest at I Heart Faces is WONDER. The pictures I am entering are 2 of my favorites and, I believe, are the definition of WONDER. Be sure to take a moment and check all of the other WONDERful pictures on the I Heart Faces website.



WONDER: Adults - This is a picture of my Dad holding JJ while he sleeps. We were hiking and JJ fell asleep in his Grandpa's arms. My Dad stopped to rest and I took the opportunity to take a picture that captures a beautiful, unforgettable moment.


WONDER: Kids - This is a picture of JJ during Christmas time. He was in awe and wonder of all the Christmas lights and decorations.

Valentine's Weekend Getaway

One of my Christmas gifts from my thoughtful Hubby was a few nights of my choice in a Hotel Penthouse Suite. Well, I decided that Valentine's weekend would be the perfect time for a mini-vacation. The hotel is in the city so we only drove about 20 minutes to get there. Even though we didn't go very far, it still felt like we were actually on vacation. It was so nice to relax in a nice suite, enjoy fine cuisine (and not have to cook one single time), and just spend quality time together as a couple and as a family. The suite was complete with living room, dining room, full kitchen, 2 bedrooms and 2 full baths. I could honestly live here. It is small but open so that it feels like there's plenty of space. A staircase leads to a loft bedroom and it was on these stairs that JJ climbed/crawled for the first time! We were so surprised to see him crawl up the whole flight of stairs with no trouble at all! Admittedly, this made things a little more difficult for us since we didn't want him trying to scale the stairs on his own. We went to the OKC Bombing Memorial Museum on Saturday morning. We took JJ to my parent's house that afternoon and Jorge and I got ready for our Valentine's date night. We had dinner and a movie. The restaurant of choice was Jazmo's and the movie was He's Just Not That Into You. They both were very good! It was so nice to be able to spend time together just the two of us. It was such a romantic and relaxing evening. I wish there were more like it! It was a perfect weekend that ended waaay too soon!

JJ playing with his Valentine card.


Red rose from my Hubby.


JJ sitting on top of the stairs.


At Texas Roadhouse.


JJ making his presence known at the restaurant.


Family photo on our last night there.


Sitting at the bottom of the stairs.

I Heart Faces: SILLY

This week's theme at I Heart Faces is SILLY. JJ is only 10 months old but he's a pretty SILLY little boy and anyone who has met my brother knows he's SILLY as well (maybe weird would be a better word...). Anyway, enjoy the pics. and be sure to check out the I Heart Faces website to see all the other SILLY faces!



SILLY: Adults - My brother, Andrew, holding JJ and making a silly face. JJ looks like he doesn't quite know what to think of his Uncle...


SILLY: Kids - This is a picture of JJ on the day he was born. The silly look on his face makes me thing that maybe he's not too excited about being out of Mommy's tummy just yet!

A Year Ago

I was looking through some pictures early this morning (yes, JJ was awake at an un-godly hour again) and noticed the dates on a few of them. This is what I looked like a year ago! My how things have changed! (Ignore the unfinished room. We were still in the process of remodeling.)




Obviously, I don't look like that anymore but I can't wait for the day that I do! I remember thinking then that my belly would never return to normal. Boy, was I was right. Although I didn't get any stretch marks, my belly has a new shape to it that will never go away. I'm thankful for it, though. It carried and protected my precious baby boy for 9 months. My body will never be what it was but it shows signs of Motherhood, and for that I am forever grateful.

By the way, JJ is 10 months old today. Happy 10 month birthday, sweet boy!

Preparing for the Big One

I've begun planning JJ's 1st birthday party. I know, it's still 2 months away but I thought I'd get a head start so that I wouldn't be rushed into planning it all last minute (which is so typical and will probably end up that way, anyway). Anyway...looking at the invitations, cakes, and decorations made me realize that I have 2 months until my sweet baby boy will begin toddler-hood (is that a word???). I am in shock at how quickly time with JJ has gone. I could swear that we just brought him home from the hospital the other day and I know for a fact that he just started eating solids and crawling yesterday. Where has the time gone? I so wish it would slow down. I have tried so hard to cherish every moment but I feel as if it wasn't enough. I want a do-over. I want to do it again so that hopefully, this time, I will have every moment and every detail memorized. I don't want to forget a single thing. If time would stand still, just for a bit....

This morning JJ woke up right before Jorge left for work. I was still in bed so he brought JJ to me and I nursed him, hoping he'd go back to sleep (no such luck). I laid there and stared at my beautiful boy while he nursed. He is so perfect and such a gift from God. I knew, as I laid there, that these early mornings together would be one of the sweetest and most precious memories I would have with my baby.

It is inevitable that JJ will continue to grow and one day, he won't need me as he needs me now. Until then, I will treasure the moments we have right now knowing that it will all be over too soon.

I Heart Faces: THE EYES HAVE IT

This week's theme on the I Heart Faces website is: The Eyes Have It. This time, they also have a pets category.



The Eyes Have It: Kids - This is JJ after a bath. Here you can see his beautiful, big brown eyes!


The Eyes Have It: Adults - This is my brother, Andrew, just getting home from a tour of duty in Saudi Arabia. You can't see his eyes very well but what you can see tells you he's glad to be back home!


The Eyes Have It: Pets - This is Bentley, our Golden Retriever, after playing in the mud. He's dirty, but cute and his eyes definitely show his guilt!


Now, if you have a moment, check out the I Heart Faces website. They've got some great pictures!