It's a ... BOY

We are so overjoyed to welcome this little man to our family! Our little Hudson came into the world September 13th and has been brightening our lives every day since. It has been a whirlwind, but we could not be more thankful for this incredible little life we've been entrusted with. I've been learning so many lessons that I think are worth sharing, so those will come soon, maybe after a bit more sleep. Thank you so much to our amazing friends and family who have been an incredible support, and shown Hudson more love already than we could have asked for. He has truly been welcomed into the world surrounded by the most amazing people!

Popcorn Bar Recipes

The popcorn bar included in the baby shower post here has gotten a little attention, so I decided to post the recipes.

 

We made A TON of popcorn and had leftovers for a good week. You can pop as much as you want and alter the recipes accordingly.

Basic Popped Corn

• use the biggest pot you have
• cover the bottom of the pot with a decent amount of canola, coconut, or grapeseed oil (I use grapeseed oil for the savory flavors and canola or coconut oil for the sweet flavors)
• most say to use a 4 to 1 ratio of popcorn to oil, so 1/4 cup of corn to 2 tablespoons of oil, 1/4 cup of corn will equal about the same amount as a bag of microwave popcorn
• heat the oil up and put 3 kernels in, once those 3 pop, the oil is hot enough
• pour in enough kernels to cover the bottom of the pot
• put on the lid, swirl it around, put back on the heat, and let it pop away
• once the popping stops it's about done, don't leave it on too long or the steam will make it chewy
• remove lid and pour into paper bag to add toppings (about 3 tablespoons of butter will cover 1/4 cup of popped corn)

Italian Herb

• melt butter
• add Italian seasoning and parsley flakes (be as liberal or conservative as you like)
• drizzle over popped corn, and shake until all the popcorn is covered

Garlic Parmesan

• drizzle melted butter over popped corn
• immediately sprinkle granulated garlic, freshly grated parmesan cheese, and salt over popped corn (*note* do not add extra salt if you're using garlic salt instead of granulated garlic) 

Muddy Buddy

• I used the normal Muddy Buddy recipe found here but cooked it on the oven in a double boiler instead of the microwave
• pour the chocolate mixture into the pot of popped corn and mix to coat, then pour into paper bag with powdered sugar and shake to evenly coat

Kettle Corn

• begin to heat oil as described above in the basic recipe, as oil is heating add 2 tablespoons of sugar, add corn in the sugar oil mixture, shaking pot frequently, it will be done when the corn stops popping like normal 

Carmel Corn

• I use this recipe, here, and substitute honey for the corn syrup

The toppings I put out were: marshmallows, peanuts, chocolate chips, and butterscotch chips. There are tons of different things you could do for this!

Enjoy :)

Summer Hair

1 . PUT IN A LEAVE-IN-CONDITIONER BEFORE YOU GO
Massaging some leave-in-conditioner into the ends of your hair before you go will provide protection against sun, salt-water, and wind.

2 . WEAR A HAT OR SCARF
The sun’s harsh rays not only damage your skin, they also take a toll on your beautiful locks and can alter your color if it has been treated. Wearing a hat or scarf are great ways to prevent this. My amazing hairstylist recently told me about hair sunscreen which I am yet to try.

3 . STYLE WITHOUT A PART
The top of your head is the most exposed to the sun and typically not protected with sunscreen. Especially if you’re not going to be wearing a hat or scarf choose a style like a messy bun or pony tail, without a part, this will prevent the uncomfortable scalp sunburn that can come after a day at the beach.

4 . RINSE AFTER GOING IN THE WATER
While the salty water often creates great waves and curls, it also strips your hair of many natural oils leaving it dry and brittle. Combine this dryness with the wind you typically find near the shore and your hair is incredibly susceptible to breakage. So rinse your hair with clean water after getting out of the ocean and prevent it from breaking and drying out.

5 . SPRAY WITH COCONUT OIL
After you get out of the water and rinse your hair, replenish your mane with the oils it’s been stripped of by spraying a coconut oil mixture onto your hair. To make this coconut oil spray mix one part melted coconut oil with one part clean water in a spray bottle. If the bottle is in your bag at the beach the sun will keep it liquid and perfect to spray on your hair.

 

Mr. and I headed a few hours out of LA LA Land this past weekend for one last time away before peanut gets here. After a season of non-stop go go go we needed this break more than we even realized. From Friday evening to Monday afternoon we embraced all that the relaxation could offer! I turned my phone off for the entire weekend and it was LIBERATING! I have done this once or twice in the past, and it is seriously amazing. To be disconnected from the constant attack of social media and just being so connected to everything all the time is sooo good! Seriously - try it sometime - even just for a few hours. Anyways, we sat by the pool, slept, and ate delicious food. Thanking the Lord repeatedly for this time of rest and cherishing such sweet time with my amazing husband. Here are a few pics -Baci Baci

 

 

Growin!

Well little peanut is growing away! Third trimester, check!

I cannot believe how fast this time has gone! In the beginning 9 months felt forever away, and now that the time is quickly approaching I feel like I'll never be ready on time. God clearly knows we need these 9 months to prepare, mentally, emotionally, obviously physically (on baby's end at least). But as is true with just about every big and new thing in life, we are as ready as God sees that we need to be - maybe not as ready as we think we should be. But His ways truly are higher than ours.

This little surprise - which was a huge surprise - has become one of the greatest blessings in my life already. His greatest gifts in my life always seem to be the most unexpected ones. Taking a moment to stop the craziness and be thankful. baci baci

A little photo update from a recent afternoon in the park with my talented Mr.



WASH your fruits & veggies

I do not claim to be a whiz in the kitchen or a master of the agricultural process that takes place to grow our food. But I do have a little observation and a love for documentaries about the food industry. Whatever your views, this is the most practical thing I've learned in a while. We don't buy 100% organic, would love to, but financially it's just a non-opt. right now. I make sure to check the tags on our produce to make sure they are non GMO. This is a great article about what the infamous "GMO" means, and how to read the label to know if your food is or isn't. Whatever you're buying I HIGHLY recommend using this cleaning method. Lots of companies have various "produce cleansers" - I'm not going to lie - I'm a little skeptical about rinsing the chemicals off my fruits and veggies with ... another chemical ... seems self-defeating. Anyways - here's the easiest, cheapest, and, in my opinion, BEST method to clean your produce.

 

1. fill large pot or sink about 3/4 full with cool water

2. add about 1/2 cup of white distilled vinegar

3. let your produce soak for 5-10 minutes

4. dump vinegar water, rinse with clean water

5. eat or store your freshly cleaned veggies

 

What you will see by doing this ...

-a disgusting chemical film on the surface of the water before you dump it

-your produce will last longer without going bad

-your produce even tastes better

 

*don't worry - this doesn't leave your produce tasting vinegary

 

Enjoy <3 - baci baci



Motherhood

They read this at church today, and I thought it was so encouraging and sobering. I'm not sure where they got it, but I hope it blesses all of you <3 baci baci

To those who gave birth this year to their first child—we celebrate with you

To those who lost a child this year – we mourn with you

To those who are in the trenches with little ones every day and wear the badge of food stains – we appreciate you

To those who experienced loss this year through miscarriage, failed adoptions, or running away—we mourn with you

To those who walk the hard path of infertility, fraught with pokes, prods, tears, and disappointment – we walk with you. Forgive us when we say foolish things. We don’t mean to make this harder than it is.

To those who are foster moms, mentor moms, and spiritual moms – we need you

To those who have warm and close relationships with your children – we celebrate with you

To those who have disappointment, heart ache, and distance with your children – we sit with you

To those who lost their mothers this year – we grieve with you

To those who experienced abuse at the hands of your own mother – we acknowledge your experience

To those who lived through driving tests, medical tests, and the overall testing of motherhood – we are better for having you in our midst

To those who will have emptier nests in the upcoming year – we grieve and rejoice with you

And to those who are pregnant with new life, both expected and surprising –we anticipate with you

This Mother’s Day, we walk with you. Mothering is not for the faint of heart and we have real warriors in our midst. We remember you."

GRADUATED!

My little brother graduated from college today! I'm sure part of it is the pregnancy hormones but I have been super emotional about it. I could not be more proud of him! I realize I use this phrase a lot, "I could not be more ..." But seriously, I am so encouraged by his hard work. I cannot wait to see what the future holds for him and his life; I know God has incredible things in store for him! Congratulations brother! Love you!

~Picnic Engagement Shoot~

Tom & Amy

I got to assist my handsome husband on this incredible photo shoot for some recently engaged friends. We had so much fun, and they were like professionals when it came to being in front of the camera. The love they have for one another is so evident, and we were so blessed to be apart of this season with them. 

Drum-Roll Please

Yes! We are having a baby! 

I don't think it'd be possible to be more excited for this precious gift the Lord has given us! Now the world knows! This was my brilliant way to announce to the world that our little peanut will be here soon. The morning sickness has dulled my creativity, but when it subsides we'll see if I can get together a photo or two of the ever growing bump. Until then, I will be researching more than could ever be necessary about baby things trying to figure out how much of it is propaganda and what this tiny baby will actually need. Any recommendations welcomed... In the form of a recommendation rather than the form of a commandment - if you have ever been pregnant I'm pretty sure you know exactly what I mean ;) love love

Happy Birthday to the BEST DAD!

Everyone argues they have the best dad, but I have to say I'm pretty good at arguing and this guy takes the cake. He is the most incredible example of patience, grace, and generosity. Jake and I are so thankful to have him in our lives! Happy Birthday to the best! Love you! <3

wedding flowers

My momma is absolutely amazing! When the florist for our wedding doubled the price, and told us she couldn't guarantee the type of flowers we had been discussing all just 10 days before the wedding, my mom agreed to do all of our flowers for us. She did amazingly! Seriously I couldn't have loved them more! I'll have to sift back through those wedding photos and post ours sometime. But since then my supermom has gotten some buzz and she's been asked to do a few other weddings. Here are a few from her latest :) They're exactly what the bride asked for, and I think they look just amazing!

 

Stillness

We have been going non-stop lately and decided we needed to take a day for rest and prayer. And that is exactly what yesterday was. I am so quick to become so wrapped up with all that NEEDS to be done that I don't take 5 seconds to stop and just be still. With that, Mr. asked that I please turn my phone off for the day. At first I was a little hesitant, but I really was needing a complete break, and it seemed like it probably would be a good idea. I CANNOT TELL YOU WHAT A GREAT IDEA THIS IS! Seriously - if you haven't done this ever, or recently ... DO IT! It is so nice to not be wondering every five seconds who you should be responding to, what email you should be reading, what you should be catching up on, etc., etc., etc...
I forget that one of those ten commandments so many of us know so well is to take time to rest. As much as we're not to commit adultery, lie, steal, or kill, we're supposed to rest. Pause, rest, and seek the Lord - He commands it. We are still trying to figure out how to implement this, but it was so good to be reminded and see first hand why He does call us to rest. We get moving so fast that we think it's impossible to take this time for rest, but once we are at the point when we will either stop or fall apart - and we are basically forced to take a minute to breathe it is so clear how necessary it is. It's not a sign of weakness, it will not make your world fall apart, it is a sign of obedience. Praying I learn this lesson before I push myself too far again. Thank you God for your grace. xo

The best chocolate covered strawberries EVER

We never do seem to celebrate Valentine's Day on the 14th. Last year it was the 13th, because we always celebrate the 13th :), this year we had sporadic 13th, 14th, 15th celebrations. Completed with chocolate covered strawberries. They are one of Jake's favorite desserts, and who can say no to the best fruit and chocolate coming together in such perfection?? A few years ago in my very single days I was helping my mom make Valentine's dinner for our family, and she taught me the secrets for the best chocolate covered strawberries!

1. Wash and THOROUGHLY dry each strawberry. Like, one-by-one hand dry them. This will make it so the chocolate really sticks rather than crumble off.
2. Melt straight chocolate, don't add anything, just semi-sweet chocolate chips.
3. Always use a double boiler. This prevents the chocolate from burning or clumping. Even if you don't have a fancy one, you can create a make-shift double boiler by placing a smaller pot inside a larger pot of boiling water.
4. After smothering the strawberries in TONS of chocolate, let them set on parchment paper, and refrigerate for an hour. This will let the chocolate really harden and leave you with the most delicious dessert!

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

I have always loved this holiday! A day to celebrate love with pink everywhere! It is fabulous. Since I was super young my mom has made this holiday such a fun celebration, that even when I was the most single 18 (or, 20, or 22 for that matter...) year old in the world, she somehow made it fun. So I've always just loved it. Hope you all find joy in today! Whatever your relational status at the moment you are loved, and there is reason to celebrate :) Baci Baci Baci! xoxo

 

"But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8 Praise the Lord!

Some days are hard

For the last week I've been in bed with the plague that so many people are fighting. The coughing, fever, death cold. Slept through the first few days, but once you hit the point where you still can't get out of bed, but actually have brain functioning capabilities, it just gets old. For me today this apparently looks like taking it out on my husband. I hate those days where you're frustrated and it gets directed to the person you love most. Fail. The days not done ... Still time for it to be redeemed ... So here's to the joy that God's mercies are new every morning, and a husband who's more forgiving than I deserve. Thank you God and thank you Jake ... Baci Baci
And to anyone else fighting off this awful cold - praying for you

PitterPat

This morning I woke up to the beautiful pitter-pat of rain. It quickly turned from pitter-pat to downpour, but there are few sounds I love waking up to more. Hope you are all enjoying your weather however favorable or unfavorable - always look up. Baci Baci

I just love him

A word on this man ... I am so blessed by him. I love him more than I could ever express in words. He really is the sweetest man I've ever met.
Gush over ... thanks for bearing with me