Apple Cinnamon French Toast with Buttermilk Syrup

(I am realizing how handy it is to just take pics on my phone and then send them to my email-it reminds me to update more often!)

So I woke up yesterday and was dreaming about what I wanted to eat for breakfast. When Jared woke up I said "Do you know what I have been thinking about?" He responded "No...." I continued "I think that that cinnamon apple bread would be really good french toast, especially with buttermilk syrup." He started laughing and replied "I thought you were going to say something about how we are going to have a baby." 

Anyways he wasn't laughing at me anymore when he took a bite of this goodness! The bread was a loaf of bakery bread and we decided we will have to make this again for sure! The recipe that I used for the syrup is:

Buttermilk Syrup

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 3/4 cup buttermilk
• 1/2 cup butter
• 2 tblsp. corn syrup
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 2 tsp vanilla

Instructions

1. In a large pot mix all of the ingredients except the vanilla and baking soda. Boil over medium heat for about 7 minutes, stirring the entire time.
2. Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla and baking soda. The baking soda causes a reaction so expect it to bubble.
3. Serve immediately on french toast, waffles, or pancakes.

We didn't have buttermilk so we made it with 1 T. lemon juice then add milk to make a cup (15 T.)

The syrup will stay good in the fridge for about a week and reheats WONDERFULLY in the microwave, just make sure to do it a little at a time and stir it so it doesn't burn. :)

Enjoy the Journey.

34.5 weeks

How far along? 34.5/35 (depending on the date you go by)

Total weight gain: 20 lbs
Maternity clothes? Yes- I recently purchased another pair of jeans on clearance and cut them off, sewed them and made kapris. I get sooo hot these days! I am so grateful that I am not due at the end of summer!
Sleep: GREAT!!! and Lots!
Miss Anything? nope
Movement: lots!, She has discovered my ribs but doesn't kick them, just glides under/around them. I have been feeling her "drop" and can tell she is getting lower. She has also been knocking her head against my pelvic bone-not the most pleasant thing but it isn't horrible.
Food cravings: nothing in particular- I just eat a lot of fruit, still quite a bit of cereal.
Anything making you queasy or sick: a few smells, but nothing terrible.
Gender: Girl 
Belly Button in or out? barely in, Jared checks it by the Hour sometimes!
Wedding rings on or off? off, I switched to a band that Jared has. I can still get my ring on, it is just too tight for my liking.
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy
Looking forward to: Meeting her! We are getting so close I can't even believe it! Jared said the "thoughts" are starting to cross his mind that he is going to have a child, but it hasn't really hit him yet. :)

Enjoy the Journey.

Bump via Cell Phone

I am going to do SO much better taking pics these last 6ish weeks, and will do a full update later today about pregnancy. For now these are some of the past weeks of pregnancy and the bump courtesy of my cell phone. :)

 28 Weeks

This picture you can see how low she was before she evened out and stretched out a bit.

 29 Weeks

In one week she moved up and made a noticeable "bump" not just me looking fat.

33 Weeks

You can for sure tell there is a baby in there!

Enjoy the Journey.

Idaho via Cell Phone Pictures

Jared and I need to get better about documenting our lives... but at least I take lots of pictures on my cell phone because I text them to my mom. So this is part of our weekend in Idaho (except the chicken pic) from last weekend. Enjoy!

 Ward Baby shower + going through stuff from Christina.  We are so blessed!

 The 24 bags of chicken that I did a few weeks ago. I dislike touching raw chicken.

 Some flowers that I made a within the last few weeks-multiples of every color so I could put them in the mail to random places and share the love.

 Jared was helping my mom put something away and she gave him a beautiful crown. (Granma in the background-too bad I didn't get a pic of her outfit-she is one stylish 82 year old woman!)

I wanted to try a new way of curling (with my straightener) and I always try things on Karissa. I thought it would take 30 min max because her hair isn't very thick.... well her hair has doubled in thickness since the last time I did it. It took me an hour to curl! 

Enjoy the Journey.

To Do

As I mentioned in a previous post my mom came down for her spring break. We made a HUGE dent in my TO DO before this little one comes list, but somehow it keeps growing! Not to mention the things we didn't finish are still there and my week of being sick and doing nothing.

This is what I need to get done before she comes:

*Black and Pink Quilt

*Mikee Quilt

*Blessing Dress

* Car seat Cover

*Boppy Cover

*Robe

*Jeans into Capris

The thing is I really should get most of these done this week/weekend. We are headed to Idaho for a family baby shower and so I am hoping to get some done with my mom. The Capris, and boppy cover should be done by the end of today. And I should have the carseat cover and/or robe started.... Here goes a day of sewing!

p.s. I already finished the mock bodice of her blessing dress and a nursing cover today.

Enjoy the Journey.

Saving Money

Alright Folks... I have had people surprised by how little we spend on grocery's each month. They find it hard to believe that we can easily spend less than $100 for the two of us. WELL here are my hints/tips/what I do!

1. Shop the Ads! This is the biggest thing that I think you can do! Then stock up when it is a good price. -For example $0.33 per box of macaroni and cheese-stock up with enough to get you through the expiration date. 1.29 lb for chicken-stock up and get as much in your freezer as you can! That is what I did yesterday-24 lbs of chicken bagged into 26 bags and into the freezer. Luckily we have a small chest freezer so that we can do this. 

2. COUPON! I am not a crazy coupon lady-I think it is silly when people get things that they wouldn't normally, only get junk or get it just because they can. I check the sites freebies2deals and hip2save as well as coupons.com. 

-For example today Jared and I got 2 trial size toothpastes and were paid $0.06 to take them out of Wal*Mart, plus 2 2oz bottles of multi purpose contact solution for free! Not to mention the other coupons that I used while we was there. Oh and we hit up Walgreens and paid $0.56 for 2 bags of wint-o-green lifesavers (you know the kind you LOVE during church...) 

3. Talk to people. 

-I talk to my mom all of the time about what is a good price for this or that- I mean she is "SUZY SHOPPER" and all. And yes sometimes when I am at the grocery store I may call her 4 times within 5-10 minutes but it's a good thing she doesn't mind. But there are most likely other people in your neighborhood/ward/etc. who know good deals or how to coupon. 

Anyways these are my helpful hints on how to save money/live thrifty/be frugal. (oh and p.s I love heyitsfree.net to sign up for free samples-another way to save money!)

Enjoy the Journey.

Thankful Thursday.

Jared and I have been talking a lot today about how Heavenly Father has blessed us lately. For example: he had 2 finals that were both supposed to be on Saturday. Then one got rescheduled to a different time so they were at the exact same time. He emailed his teacher and it has been rescheduled for Monday so he only has one final every day from here out. 

Me-I finally got medicine today!

So as we were making milkshakes tonight I remembered Jared telling me about the "Gratitude Challenge" that he was given in Priesthood a while back we have been meaning to do. So we figured now would be a great time!

10 Physical abilities we are grateful for:

1. To walk (and not hurt)
2. To see
3. To smell
4. To hear
5. To taste
6. To bike
7. To dance
8. To hug/embrace
9. Physical coordination
10. To Kiss :)

Write 10 material possessions you are grateful for:

1. Bikes
2. Cars
3. Computers
4. Clothes
5. Books
6. Bed
7. Sewing Machine/Serger
8. Food
9. Internet
10. Phones

Write 10 living people you are grateful for:

1. Each other
2. Our baby
3. Family (All of you)
4. President Monson and the other general leaders of the church
5. Friends (old and new)
6. Teachers who care about us/work with us
7. Neighbors
8. Doctors-Dr. Clark especially!
9. Our local church leaders
10. Kind people at the grocery store-the girl at Buy Low who was so nice!

Write 10 deceased people you are grateful for:

1. Christ
2. Personal Ancestors
3. Joseph Smith-and other leaders of the church
4. Nephi/scriptural prophets and heros
5. Founding Fathers
6. Steve Jobs (Jared.)
7. The pioneers
8. Soldiers who have given their lives for us.
9. Friends
10. President Hinckley-"Temple Builder"

Write 10 things about nature you are grateful for:

1. Sunshine!
2. Water, Lakes, Rivers
3. Mountains
4. Green Grass
5. Rainbows
6. Snow (at the appropriate time.) ;)
7. Sunsets/Sunrises
8. Wildlife
9. Flowers
10. Trees

Write 10 things about today you are grateful for:

1. Rescheduled Final
2. MEDICINE! (and a good doctor)
3. Sleep
4. Government support
5. Reviews for finals
6. Chocolate Milk
7. Reeses Eggs/pumpkins/hearts (peanut butter)
8. Turkeyloaf (food)
9. Rain
10. Coupons

Write 10 places on earth you are grateful for:

1. Shelley, ID (especially our homes)
2. Rexburg, ID
3. Lehi, UT
4. Orem/Provo UT
5. Costa Rica
6. The temple-any place it is
7. BYU/BYU-I campuses
8. Grandparents (and other relatives) houses
9. Our Current Home
10. Nauvoo

Write 10 modern inventions you are grateful for:

1. Flushable toilet
2. Running water
3. Electricity/Heat
4. Transportation
5. Television/movies
6. Toaster
7. Blender
8. Kitchen Aid
9. Oven/Stove
10. Microwave

Write 10 foods you are grateful for:

1. Potatoes
2. Frozen Waffles
3. Hot Dogs
4. Milk
5. Strawberries, Watermelon (okay... all fruit that I enjoy)
6. Sloppy Joes
7. Bean Burritos
8. Chicken
9. Alfredo
10. Breadsticks

Write 10 things about the gospel you are grateful for:

1. A Loving Heavenly Father and His Plan of Happiness
2. Forever Families/Temple Sealings
3. The Atonement/Repentance
4. Scriptures
5. Service
6. Prayer
7. Priesthood/Priesthood Blessings
8. The Sacrament
9. Faith
10. General Conference

"When we make a list like this, we discover that a list of 100 doesn't even begin to scratch the surface of all the things God has given us."

Enjoy the Journey.

Erik and Jessica Castillo

On March 24 my dear friend Jessica Kirkham was married in the Idaho Falls temple. We were able to go to the sealing and then Jared did their wedding videography. It was so great to see her so happy and not quit smiling the entire day. She will always hold a very special place in my heart. I am so happy for this sweet girl! From my experience with Erik on their wedding day he is just as great as she is! 

Jared just finished their first wedding video check it out at:  https://vimeo.com/40135708

(Also if you are on facebook make sure you "like" his page KottonField Productions)

Enjoy the Journey.

Church Ball

Jared (usually 24) has played on our ward's church ball team since January. I have enjoyed going to all of the games (but one) and watching him. Last year our ward apparently didn't win a single game. This year our team is undefeated! Tonight was the last normal game which means the tournament will start soon. I know Jare is sad to see it come to an end but I think he will enjoy riding his bike a lot more often now. :)

Enjoy the Journey.

Projects

When my mom came down we got lots of projects done (as I mentioned previously). One of the things that her and Jared, and Julisa (she was here for a few hours) did was spray paint. I picked up this broken old mirror/frame for free at a garage sale. (I didn't get before pics-yes mom I should have). But I had them spray paint it and then I finished it today. The lace was picked up for free at a garage sale too! So the cost= hot glue and all of the many bows that I have made her. (She has WAY more than this-I didn't want to crowd it and make it look cluttered)   :)

Enjoy the Journey.

1 Year.

 It has already been a year since we were married! I cannot believe how fast this past year has gone! It has been a wonderful year married to my best friend! Since I was still sick and Jared got sick we opted to spend the day together in bed. Movies, toilet paper, medicine, water, frozen waffles, cadbury eggs, new sheets, baths/showers helped us make it through the day. 

 My view during the day.

 Some people go out someplace nice for their anniversary-all I wanted was a bean burrito. But we do have a gift card to use when we are feeling well enough to actually go out to eat. (Take note of our new sheets! I am loving them! Our old ones started pilling-getting the annoying balls on them- so we bought new ones)

 I think I might hate it more when Jared is sick than when I am because I always feel so bad for him.

 My other best friend yesterday....

 (Don't judge me... I stayed in bed all day.)

I am so thankful we still have eternity to go together! I am so lucky to be married to such an amazing man! He is so good about leading our family and making sure we do all of the things we are supposed to. I am so thankful he is a worthy priesthood holder and exercises it in our home. He truly is my best friend and I couldn't ask for a better one.

Enjoy the Journey.

Sick and stuff.

• I have decided it really is no good to be sick while you are pregnant. Luckily I never got super pregnant sick, but I have something right now. The stinky thing is the doctors don't know what is wrong with me. It for sure has something to do with my tonsils, but I have tested negative for strep so they think it is viral which means-wait it out. In turn this means waking up every morning and having my throat hurt worse and worse.
• A bunch of hamburger that was in our freezer is now turned into sloppy joes so that all Jare has to do is warm it up. This is heaven for him because they are one of his favorite meals and because of a bad experience #1 on my least favorite meal list. It also helps me to know that he always has something easy he can eat that he will enjoy if I don't feel like cooking.
• Garage sales have been good the last two weekends! I haven't gone but Jared has and has scored big for ebay!
• My mom came down for her spring break! It was such a fun week to have her here and she did so many projects for me. I had planned on helping her but she got a lot of them done while I was sleeping before I would wake up in the mornings. She is amazing! I am so glad she was able to come down and help me feel like I was being productive even if I wasn't the one doing it! 
• Lisa and the kids came Thursday of last week! It was so fun to play with them! We went to an awesome park and had tons of fun! Sadly we forgot to get the camera out! Jared helped make fishing hooks out of bobby pins for the kids fishing poles they made with sticks and 8lb beading string. In Parker's words "I can't believe I have been here all day and didn't catch anything!" (We were there for an hour or two, and the pond mostly has minnows from what we saw. As well as ducks and eggs! Chad came into town on Saturday and it was great to see him too! We were sad to see all of our company leave Sunday morning. 

Jared is amazing! He has been so good to me and has been taking care of me while I have been sick these past few days. Waking me up to take medicine, getting me anything I want or think I need. He even asked me yesterday if I wanted him to draw me a bath. Upon my response he grabbed a pen and paper and started with the claw feet of a bathtub. I told him I preferred not the Amelia Bedilia way. :)

Our little one is growing and growing! She is very active most of the time now as well as showing so that people are noticing that I am pregnant. I will get Jared to take a picture of me and do a real update in the next day or so.

1 year tomorrow!!!! It has gone so fast but has been so wonderful! -An update on that to come too.

Enjoy the Journey.