Friday Letters

Dear This Week,

Please end now. I am so ready for Sunday. A day to sleep in & stay home. A day to forget about how stressful this week has been

Dear Cruise,

One week from this very moment (6:50am) I will be adding my last minute items to my luggage & loading them into the truck to head off to the airport. 

Dear School,

I am so stressed over this midterm and I have no idea why. i have been around kids now for almost a year and I can do this. 

Dear Work,

Please do yourself today so I can do other things. 

Dear to do list,

Just like work, please do yourself so I can do other things today. 

Dear Alex,

I woke up at 4am with you to make you coffee and I love you. 

Dear Readers,

Thank you for the sweet comments and being so nice about everything. I know I have slacked off lately on my post due to my stress and my time being so crazy. I promise, come Dec. 9th when school is over for GOOD I will be better at this. 

Hope you all have a great weekend! 

Pumpkin French Toast Bake

**These are NOT my photos - I wish I was THIS good at photographing my food & had these pretty plates but I don't**

but I did try this recipe & lemme tell you YUMMY

I bring to you 

Pumpkin French Toast Bake

ingredients:

* 5 1/2 - 7 1/2 cups of inch bread cubes (we used wheat kirkland bread & just filled the bottom of the pan and made it like 2 high)

*7 large eggs 

*2 cups of milk (any kind) 

*1 tsp vanilla 

*1 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice 

*1/2 cup pumpkin puree {we used puree} (or 1/4 cup of pumpkin butter)

*3-4 tablespoons brown sugar for topping 

*nuts of choice 

instructions:

1. cut any kind of bread into 1-inch cubes. Enough to cover 9x13 baking dish full. 

2. In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, vanilla, pumpkin puree or butter, and pumpkin pie spice until well combined

3. Pour over bread and push down with spoon until all the bread is soaked. 

4.Cover with saran wrap or lid and refrigerate overnight 

5.Next morning, preheat the oven to 350 degrees. 

6.Uncover dish and top with brown sugar (as you wish) and more pumpkin pie spice & nuts

7. Bake for 45 - 60 minutes depending on your oven. Wait until all the liquid is gone and top is golden brown 

8. Serve immediately with your favorite french toast toppings. 

ENJOY!

Weekend Adventures

It's officially my favorite season of the year..
Fall is here! 

Now that is out of my system and I can breathe again
My weekends are flying by and I am NOT okay with this.. 

I dread Mondays, there is not enough coffee to help me. Student teaching at a preschool I don't like {12 weeks to go} & than class 6pm - 10 pm. 

Besides Monday fails, my weekend was a blast though, it was nice to just stick around the house.

**Still in need of prayers for hubby to get his time off from work for our anniversary cruise that we leave for in 10 days**

Snap shots of my weekend...

Friday

my fur nephew doesn't like beds apparently 

We ran errands to get some stuff for the birthday party we were going to Saturday. We also HAD to get Alex his video game. GTA V, any other husbands out there glued to the tv?  I also had my first HOT PSL. 

I found this adorable shirt for my mama which I am mailing to her & telling her its from Eli. 

Wife day presents. How can you NOT love that Duck Dynasty shirt? plus I hear 42 is a really good movie & I couldn't resist not buying The Longest Ride 

Saturday

I spent the morning cleaning

We had soccer 

Than off to Birthday party for Eli with friends - it was duck dynasty themed so of course I wore the shirt 

It was so much fun & we cant wait to hang out with them again. Praying the friends move to our back yard literally. They are in the hunt for a house & just so happens the house that lines up with our backyard is for sale, praying they can buy it! Eli would LOVE to have friends that close to home 

We hung out at their house with a fire & beer until later in the night. Those red apple ales are so yummy! 

Sunday

Today was wife appreciation day.  

We started off with massages & Starbucks  Ran to Costco where I got my year pair of their uggs. Seriously the best things ever & the best $40 spent. Napped for a little bit. Did some homework & remembered it was the season finale/last show ever of Dexter. 

We are catching up on it before watching it. 

How was your weekend?

I need some coffee today. 

High Five For Friday

High Five for Friday

-Fall Starts Sunday: I can't wait for fall and the cooler weather. I want to get more decorations and some candles. 

-Shopping tonight: We are heading out tonight to go shopping for a friend's birthday party so don't mind if I get some extra fall decor too. 

-The new IOS 7: I can't say I am a HUGE fan of it but it is growing on me. The ONLY fail I have found is we can't change the color scheme. #fail 

Saturday marks 2 weeks: Two weeks from tomorrow I will be 24 + two weeks from today I will be on a plane heading to FL for our cruise. Praying my husband gets the time off to go with me. Not to forget, our one year anniversary is the day we fly home. I will be extra sad to spend my anniversary on a plane withOUT my husband. Prayers needed 

-Work is crazy: I am so busy with work & school, I better get back to it! Anyone want to do it for me? 

Have a great weekend! 

Random Thought

As I am browsing through blogs I found a reoccurring theme...

When I started my weight loss journey a few months ago I was asked and still am asked what is my goal weight.. and secretly I know I want that scale to read 118. {I WILL get there sooner than later} 

The true story is, weight loss for me is a love/hate struggle. I will kick ass for months than bam I will quit and be miserable. I need to remind myself that this number will not define me and that I am awesome just the way I am now.

I want you to remember to strive for perfect but never settle.

I am making a promise to start working on my perfection again to find that happiness. This means back to my love of working out and eating well. 

Happy Thursday

#throwbackthursday 

I want to be this happy with my self image again

(fall 2011)

So What!

So What If...

-I am excited about spending this Friday night at home cleaning & watching dateline or something else on tv 

-We have NOTHING planned this weekend besides a friend's birthday party & soccer

-Eli has been in school for almost an entire month & it still breaks my heart a little that he doesn't want me to walk him to class

-I don't put real clothes on. I could live in yoga pants & over size t-shirt 

-I am truly over working at the preschool & home + school 

-I day dream about how clean my house would be if I didn't work 

-I honestly had no idea what to blog about since my life consist of work work work school & trying to get some sleep 

-I quit working out 100% & now I miss it 

-I am so ready for fall & the weather Come on highs of 70 & low of 30's 

-I have already had my share of pumpkin flavored everything & want more of it 

-I am joining in on SWW & Hump Day Blog hop now a days since I changed my URL & blog name 

-

Better Late than Never

I know it is Tuesday but man was Monday a LONGGG day for me. I am starting to really hate Monday's & it won't get any better until after December 9 so if you are wondering I am counting down. 

My weekend though was wonderful. 

Friday

Rascal Flatts Concert 

Yes that is Marty with the Party 

After the concert, we were staying down on the bay for the boat races. 

Sunday was just a repeat of Saturday.. Sitting on the beach with a drink in hand & watching the day go by. It was wonderful 

Now I am trying to survive this week. 

Happy Tuesday 

That One Time I typed With One Hand

Lemme say its hard to type, i'm chicken typing!  You know the one finger at a time searching for a key. I poured boiling HOT water over my hand by accident. IT HURTS!!!! 

This weekend I am heading off to the boat races with this gimp hand. Hope its better by Monday to give a full report.

Happy Friday 

Ps. Happy 11 months Anniversary . Almost to my one year!! Prayers needed as I am not sure husband will be able to get it off to celebrate my birthday & anniversary 

Pumpkin Love

Don't be fooled, I have NOT made these YET.. 

But I promise after the cruise I will be back to myself of baking & cooking hopefully with extra time

hopefully {praying for awesome birthday present: tell my husband it's the perfect gift.. T5i} with a new camera to take awesome pictures like this.. 

This is Pumpkin Roll from Sweet Pea's Kitchen

I found her site & immediately fell in love. 

I want to make it ALL

So for all you other pumpkin lovers out there.. 

Ingredients:

1/4 cup powdered sugar (to sprinkle on towel)

3/4 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground cloves

1/4 teaspoon salt

3 large eggs

1 cup granulated sugar

2/3 cup pure pumpkin puree

1 cup walnuts, chopped

1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, at room temperature

1 cup powdered sugar, sifted

6 tablespoons butter or margarine, softened

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Powdered sugar

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375° F. Grease 15 x 10-inch jelly-roll pan; line with wax paper. Grease and flour paper. Sprinkle a thin, cotton kitchen towel with powdered sugar.
Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves and salt in small bowl; set aside. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment beat eggs and granulated sugar until thick. Beat in pumpkin. Stir in flour mixture. Spread evenly into prepared pan. Sprinkle with walnuts.
Bake in preheated oven 13 to 15 minutes or until top of cake springs back when touched. Immediately loosen and turn cake onto prepared towel. Carefully peel off wax paper. Roll up cake and towel together, starting with narrow end. Cool on wire rack.
To make the filling cream cheese, combine powdered sugar, butter and vanilla extract in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment until smooth. Carefully unroll cake. Spread cream cheese mixture over cake. Reroll cake. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate at least one hour. Sprinkle with powdered sugar before serving.

Try it & lemme know how it turns out. 

I am going to stalk up on pumpkin EVERYTHING to start baking ..

COME ON FALL.. You are Welcome ANYTIME you want

Guess What Day It Is?????

HUMP DAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY

Happy Hump Day!! 

Reach For The Stars

 Recap of August Goals

*Close on the house - we did it! We closed & are officially home owners. 

*Lose 5-10 lbs - Did not do this! I epically failed since I have this cough & nose problems. 

*keep up with my workout(s) including Chalean Extreme & Focus T25 - FAIL! 

*finish work strong again- Did this but lately I have been so overwhelmed working two jobs both full time with school. 

*find balance between E-man in Kindergarten, work, blog, workout & hubby's work - No true balance but I am surviving so that has to count for something?

*make time for friends - I did have a few dates with friends. 

*Clean the great room - Didn't even move a piece of paper 

*get ready for cruise (58 days away) - I got ready than hubby told me he might not be able to get the time off. Prayers needed or I will seriously go crazy!! Just for once in my life I want a vacation with my husband before he deploys again! 

*pay off credit card(s)  - DONE! I paid it off & now just watching it & how much I spend. 

*******************************************************

September is upon us & it's time to make some goals for this month

*get my husband leave approve 

*plan out my lesson plans for school

*try to find balance between school, work at preschool & work at home 

*find motivation

*clean out E-man's closet 

*enjoy September 

What are your goals for September?

Have you wrote them down? It has been proven, those of us who write down goals tend to achieve them more than those who do not! 

WRITE IT DOWN. 

I Actually Did Something This Weekend

This weekend was pretty normal.
Friday we stayed home & hit the bed before 10pm. {Call me a Grandma} 
Saturday we had soccer and went to my aunts for the boat race stuff for this weekend and my good friend came over to help fix the generator for our trailer.

Now Sunday for once I did something fun. Kailyn & I had a Sunday Funday doing a photography class down in Balboa Park. 

The first two hours our teachers wouldn't shut up. We just wanted to take pictures & use our cameras. Kay & I both were texting & tweeting about how painful it was to sit through it in the heat. Not to forget, we didn't bring water so after the two hours talk about Cotton Mouth.. We were dying for something to drink. 

Anyways here's some of the pictures I took 

Kay taking pictures 

and what kinda photography class would it be if I didn't get a picture of the teacher? 

Now on my list of things to buy..

New Cannon Rebel T5I 

I want it so bad now that I know how to plan around on it. 

anywho its Monday which means I student teach & have class tonight. Therefore I am going to miss my hometown team play again the Texans. 

LET'S GO CHARGERS!! 

BOLT UP BOYS!!! 

Friday Letters

Dear Friday,

Thank you for showing up. Please slow down though. This week flew by and I am not ready to start another week. Let's enjoy the weekend first. 

Dear Work,

I seem to be doing ALOT of you lately. Please slow down so I can enjoy life. You truly are stressing me out. 

Dear husband,

The e-card is true. I wish I could fall asleep like you and sleep as hard as you do! Meanwhile, I am over here dying and wishing I could. Also, I would really LOVE that teal camelbak just saying!! 

Dear sickness,

Please go away. You have been around long enough and its time for you to go find another home.

Dear weightloss,

We MUST meet again as soon as my weather decides to cool down. I need to get my body back!!  I am sorry but I am not mama laughlin who enjoys running in 100+ degrees. 

Dear Readers,

Let's hang out for a month & swap! Also, thank you for staying by me as I changed my URL as there is ONE person in this world I truly do not want reading my stuff. Sadly she just has made my life miserable and there is no need to satisfy her. 

I hope you all have a beautiful weekend.

Enjoy it 

Let's hang out for a month??

I can't believe I changed my URL... 

Now I am on a mission to get myself back out there!! 

I want to get back into regular blogging too.

This is where YOU come in. 

LET'S BUTTON SWAP FOR A MONTH

It is totally free and it helps us both out! 

ps. 29 days until my cruise/birthday so I will need some of you to help a friend out!!! 

Happy Thursday!! 

What Happens At Walmart Should Stay at Walmart

I was trying to decide what to blog about.. and i happen to be spending my life away on pinterest & for some reason I saw a pattern of people thinking Walmart pinterest was so funny.. so I do not want to leave any of you out.. Here you go!

Come follow me on there here

& that my friends is how pinterest views walmart! 

HAPPY HUMP DAY!!! 

My Fall Favorites

Fall is here.. We are officially in September

Anyone else find this crazy to think?

As San Diego is dying in this heat problem we've been having I can't help but hope for some fall weather.. 

it got me thinking, what are my FAVORITE fall items. 

As many of you have read before, Fall is my favorite season!! 

The leaves change colors, the cooler weather, the clothes & I could just go on and on about why I love it so much but here are some of my favorite things.. 

1. Fall Candles 

I love Yankee Candles - I am not sure if its the coupons I get or how well they always make my house smell, but I do love them! I know many people love Bath & Body works, I personally haven't tried them so maybe one of each this year to test out. No matter where you get it from though, make sure it has pumpkin smells. 

2. Football Season

Football season is upon us! I can't wait for those sunday's of just laying around the house & watching EVERY game & cheering on my blue & gold! 

3. The clothes

The clothes are just the BEST. I love leggings, jeans, boots, long sleeves, scarfs -- I just love it all! Very easy to make something look very classy & beautiful

4. Decorations

As I am a newly wife.. I am learning how to decorate the house for seasons & holidays. I do love me some fall decorations. I am hoping to get my craftiness on in the very near future & start on this.

I would love this.. anyone want to come help decorate??

5.  Pumpkin Spice Latte

Yes Starbucks knows the way to my heart!! The pumpkin spice lattes are out early & let me just admit that I have had 1 PSL & 2 Pumpkin Spice Fraps already!

Have you had any yet?? 

With that said, I am now going to make September MINE & get back on track to lose this weight!  

What are your fall favorites??