Tatted up

I-heart-tattoos

Don't ask me why, but i do. Done the right way i think they are such a beautiful expression of art. I have 2, both on my foot and if i were more wild and had a higher threshold for pain i would totally get a 1/2 sleeve. i don't see myself getting anymore any time soon, but if i had kids i would have to think about something like this...

Here's my swollen willow tree the night I got it.

(My maiden name in Spanish means willow tree)

My hubs also likes tattoos. He has a B-wing ship from Star Wars on the right side of his ribcage, Ezer Kenegdo on his ring finger and this on the left side of his ribs...

I just Can't do it Captain

First I just wanted to show this screen shot I saved...

I was reading a craft blog this am and came across this ad from Nordstrom. I laughed out loud because I recently bought both of the above items (except my poncho is in hunter green). Way to go Nordstrom advertising!

Anyways, early this am I got to thinking about things I can't do, but wish I could...

1. I can't sleep through the night without getting up for a potty break (this point started the mental list at around 630am).

2. I can't speak more than one language fluently (this is sad because my dad is bilingual!!!)

3. I can't eat wheat (sometimes a girl just wants a hamburger...with the bun)

4. I don' t think I can still zip my wedding dress (to be fair, this might not be my fault. Thanks to undiagnosed Celiac Disease I was Skele-tor at my wedding)

5. I can't really get any volume to my hair (my hair is so fine and I just wish there was more of it)

6. I can't run a marathon (my joints are real bad...again, thank you to Celiac disease)

7. I can't play a musical instrument (Matt plays the guitar so beautifully and both his parents play piano. Such a beautiful gift)

8. I can't pass a sale without stopping to buy something (this one I am working on)

9. I can't deny my sweet tooth (I'm an absolute sucker for sweets, ba-dum-shhh)

10. I can't name all the capitals in the good 'ol USA (but I can do all the states in alphabetical order)

Catch-up

Soooo I passed my nursing boards, holla! And I started working where I externed during school. Shout out to SICU at Main Methodist Hospital. I am scared every second of my shift at work, but a good scared. I know I have an important job having people's lives in my hands. And even in the "not-so-fun" moments I am loving my job and feel so honored and blessed to be in this place in my career.

Also, Thanksgiving has come and gone... How did that happen so fast? I love the food and family combination and I ate my little heart out. Matt and I took Trist for a Thanksgiving morning jog-walk and discussed all that we were thankful for. And there is a LOT we are thankful for this season. He is our portion and we are MORE than blessed.

Okay now some Random-ness...

Remember when this girl got engaged?

Well, she moved back to Cheese-ville and

I miss her like crazy.

But, I will be visiting her next Sept...

for her WEDDING...

bc I am a BRIDESMAID!!!

My dad bought me an awesome Michael Kors

black leather jacket for Christmas. And I plan

on wearing it like this :)

Matt's mom has also been wanting to make us

a quilt for quite some time. I am thinking

something like this!

One person I am especially thankful for is this man.

He is my best friend, my hubs and my leader.

Thank you Jesus for Mateo!

What's on the Menu?

Enjoy...

Caprese Pizza

(Fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil)

Green Chicken Enchiladas

with homemade rice

I've deemed these "brookies" (cookie dough

dal-loped in brownie mix).

Thanks http://www.hastenhaus.com/

Homemade Chocolate Peanut Butter Pudding

YUM!

And a doggy treat for Tristen as well!

What's on the Menu?

It's been a while since I've posted anything about food. Yes, our kitchen is working. And yes, we have been eating.

The Waite's love us some Fish Tacos.

This time I added shredded cabbage

and a sauce (avocado, lime, cilantro

and greek yogurt in a food processor)

with homemade rice and beans!

Corn fritters with dill and feta,

topped with a dollop of Greek yogurt.

These accompanied chicken cilantro burgers,

but I forgot to take a pic.

French Onion soup with a homemade

cheesy crouton. Yum!

GF Strawberry Shortcake cookies!

SO SO SO good!

Well, I don't know how those got into the cart

but I can tell you they made clinical

a lot more manageable!

Oh. My. Fluff. This was amazing

PB ice cream with caramel clusters,

swirls of PB and marshmallow fluff.

Here's to You Dad

Consider this a Father's Day post, with a twist. My father and his girlfriend came over last night for dinner. I made pulled BBQ beef sandwiches, topped with coleslaw and homemade french fries. While we were finishing up Tristen, being the hyper-being he is, jumped up to catch his toy and instead knocked a burning candle off a piece of furniture. WAX WAS EVERYWHERE!!! It splattered all over our carpet, melted down my antique piece of furniture, dripped down our wall, and all over my sandals and Justin's new pair of shoes. What a mess!

But, oh wait... Here comes Dad to the rescue (MacGyver himself fails in comparison to my Dad's bank of knowledge). Apparently in his Catholic alter boy days he would frequently get candle wax on his church robes and would use an iron, with a piece of cloth in between, to soak up the wax from his robes. Who knew?

Part of the disaster

Putting the hot iron and paper towel method

to the test!

Ta-da! Seriously, this blows my mind.

Apparently Dad knows best!

I'm thankful I have been the recipient of a plethora of his knowledge over the years. My dad has also supported and encouraged me in whatever I am doing. I'm a true believer that women can get a better or worse picture of who God is based on the impact their fathers have had on their lives. I know how much my Heavenly Father loves and cares for me because I first felt that from my earthly father. He has always treated me like a princess and always tells me I am the biggest and best thing he has ever been a part of. I love that even as an adult both of my parents are so quick to take off from work to accompany me to a doctor's appointment. I'll never forget that ways they have both sacrificed for me, and I hope I am able to do the same for my children. Love you Dad, and Happy Father's Day.

What's making me smile!

Two Words: Birch Box

$10/mo gets you an assortment of

high end samples delivered straight to your

mailbox. It's like Christmas every month!

Mexican Food! I could eat my weight in

chips and guac. Just posting this is

encouraging a Chipotle run tonight!

My new Anthro mugs! Shout out to Justin P. Berner.

(I also have a new fabulous anthro apron, shout out to Traci K)

My kitchen is now stocked with Anthro everything...

It's my happy place.

Amazingly good. Shame on you Starbucks for

giving me another addiction. But thanks to Amazon

for being able to order in bulk.

Dinner date with the hubs always puts a smile

on my face. He's great company and watching

him consume every edible item on the table

provides added entertainment.

Cascading, no slip hangers. Oh yes!

Our new record player from urban outfitters.

I gave it to M for an early Anniversary gift,

and we are both in love. It has an amazing ability

to produce serenity in a chaotic world.

thank-FULL for my countless blessings.

I deserve nothing and my God gives me everything!

Philippians 4:19
And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

Sweet Sienna

I had posted about Trist and his bff Sienna (best furry friend) back in April. See post here.

And I am so so so sad to say Andrew and Kristen had to put her down early this am due to an emergent internal issue. My heart breaks for them, and for Trist. Watching the two of them play was truly a sight to see. They played together a couple times a week and were quite the dynamic duo at the lake. I know how hard it is to say goodbye to a pet and I don't know if you ever truly get over it. I had my sweet Sox for 12 years and I still think of him often.

With any loss I don't think it ever gets easier, you just become stronger. Praise be to grace! And I know God has such a special place in heaven for his sweet creatures. You will be missed Sienna!

Ode to T-dog

We love our furry buddy. He truly is part of the family and our first child. He is super hyper and requires exercise at least 2x a day, so I will be ever so thankful when we finally have a backyard. However, despite his high energy level he is totally brilliant and can wind down enough to give me some snugs (I am a big fan of cuddling).

Playful and modest all wrapped up

in one cute package!

View from the bed.

He loves to sleep like this.

Showing those pearly whites

Did I mention he is wildly hyper?

Play hard, sleep harder.

Fingerprints

I found this super fun idea that I will definitely take on when I have little ones. Nowadays, there are so many jewelry ideas of incorporating your kids (necklaces, rings, etc.) but this tops them all.

So, unique and special...

Yes, I am currently in class. And, no I don't feel guilty about blogging during lecture.

If I had a Birthday this month...

The following things, in no particular order, would be on my list...

(I'm not this shallow, but I'm post-dentist and in pain, and well... this makes me feel better).

I love this necklace. I first saw it on

the Rachel Zoe show. The real one is a Jennifer

Meyer original and expensive.

This is a brilliant Etsy find.

Just.Lovely.Things. No really, that's

the name of this Etsy shop. I love all her

headband creations. So much in fact I just bought

this one 30 sec ago. Oops, Happy Birthday to me!

This stuff is amazing and I've gotta have it

I adore Free People and their lace

bandeaus. So cute under tanks!

A private art lesson with my sister & my mom

by THE Casey Wiegand.

Oh wait, I got to do that!

J.Crew gold jellies, I need you.

Cough, size 7, cough.

And J.Crew chinos, I could own you

in EVERY color.

New Anthro mugs, you would go perfectly

in my cabinet. And you would match

your sibling "m" mugs that currently

reside there. Don't worry, they'll

make room.

Nerdy? Yes.

So soft you want to sleep on them? Oh, yes.

My sister already bought me one of these

memory foam bath mats and now

I'm itching for the smaller one.

She may have given it to me early because I:

A. Helped organize her disaster of a closet

B. Was assaulted by her plaster belly cast while

organizing said closet.

or

C. Because we are from the same mold

and can't wait to give a loved one a great gift.

What's on the Menu?

School has kept me pretty occupied the last few weeks, so the menu is limited this go-round.

But here is what has been cookin' in the Waite kitchen...

Fish Tacos with a cucumber and radish slaw

and homemade Mexican rice (secret family recipe)

So in L-O-V-E with Hansen's soda and

the fact that there's no high fructose corn syrup.

Pomegranate and Vanilla cola are my fav's.

And who can forget my Royal Wedding spread? Chicken salad,

crackers and hummus, cheese cubes, prosciutto wrapped asparagus

and homemade cake balls!

And what's a meal without cute new platters to serve it on?

I made these with plates and glass candle holders, and

the best part is they cost $6 a piece!