BLR

I made a gender reveal cake for my best friend, Holly, back in November (you can read about it here).  Well the sweet little boy we had all been so anxiously awaiting arrived one week early in April.  Holly was at work (she works at the same hospital as me but on a different unit) when she went in to labor.  She was quickly admitted to the L&D floor.  I was also working, so I made frequent trips throughout the night to check on her and the baby.  A while back Holly had asked me to be there with Baleigh so that Jeremiah (her husband) could be with her.  That morning Jeremiah and Baleigh got there, and Jeremiah and Holly were quickly prepped and taken to the OR.  Baleigh and I passed the time until her baby brother was born by acting silly, watching cartoons, and talking about what baby brother (BryceLeo as she calls him) would be like.

At 8:44 A.M. on April 10, 2012 Bryce Leo Rivers made his appearance in this world!  He is such a precious baby boy!

Jeremiah and Baleigh with Bryce

Baleigh is a proud big sister!

how sweet is he!!

I couldn't be happier for Holly, Jeremiah, and Baleigh.  They have one cute little boy to be proud of!  And since Mother's Day is approaching, I would like to give a shout out to Holly and let her know how proud I am of her!  She is an amazing mother, a wonderful wife, a dedicated student (in school for her masters), a full-time employee, and a great friend! I am thankful to have Holly, and her family, in my life, and I look forward to many more years of friendship.

Day Three...Combo

The third day was much easier than the first two!  Day three is a combination of day one and day two, so you are supposed to eat fruits and veggies, except you are not allowed to have a potato on this day.  I had to make another trip to the store because we were about out of soup, plus I wanted more vegetables. For my first meal of the day I microwaved/steamed carrots and broccoli and had a handful of grapes.  For the next meal I had a wonderful salad, and of course a bowl of wonder soup!  The salad was composed of lettuce, spinach, red and yellow bell pepper, cucumbers, mushrooms, broccoli, purple onion, and tomatoes.  It was a very colorful and delicious salad.

colorful salad

For dinner I was ready for a hot meal and not the same ol' stuff I had been eating.  I decided on asparagus, okra & tomatoes, and squash, and don't forget, a bowl of soup.  

I had planned on having some fruit for dessert, but I went to sleep before I was ever hungry for dessert.  The weight continues to slowly come off, and I am sure that day four will be a big weight loss day because it is bananas and skim milk day (not looking forward to it).  Keeping my eye on the finish line...

Cinco de Mayo = 6 years

May 5, 2012 marked 6 years that Jon and I have been a couple!  It's crazy to think that we have been together that long and only married for one year!  So much has changed in the past 6 years, but I wouldn't trade it for anything.  

Cinco de Mayo

Day Two...Veggies

Let me recap Day One before I tell you about Day #2...After eating fruit (and of course wonder soup) all of day #1, my mouth was raw (I suppose from the acid and sugar in the fruit) and I had ZERO energy when I woke up!  I did lose 5 pounds...which is the only thing that kept me going on this diet.
For day two the diet required eating vegetables (no beans, peas or corn) and of course, wonder soup.  You are also allowed to have one potato with a small amount of butter.  When I woke up without any energy, I was so ready for some food.  I immediately chopped up zucchini, squash, and purple onion, spiced it up and put it in the oven.  For my first meal of the day I ate a baked potato, purple onion, squash, zucchini, and a bowl of not so wonder ful soup.  I was in heaven eating that potato, even with the small amount of butter!  I stuffed my face and thoroughly enjoyed it.  Day #2 consisted of a lot of wonder soup, squash, zucchini, purple onion, broccoli, and carrots.  I did have one small salad as well.  This day has not been as hard as the previous, but I have also been eating every 3-4 hours.  Day three is a combination of Day #1 and Day #2.  I am going to have to make another trip to the grocery store, because I am about out of wonder soup, and I am ready for a different variety of vegetables.  Keeping my eye on the goal...

Hot Jazz on the Red

Jon and I always try to find fun things to do around town.  We get tired of the same ol' restaurants or hang outs.  One thing we always look forward to about the Spring/ Early Summer is Hot Jazz on the Red.   The Barnwell Memorial Garden and Art Center is a place located on the Red River here in town that hosts Hot Jazz on the Red.  They have an outdoor jazz concert every Thursday evening from 6 pm- 8 pm.  We love to go early in the Spring because the weather is so nice.   It is free and BYOB.  People bring blankets and spread out with their kids and dogs, wine and food, and enjoy the outside while listening to live music.  It really doesn't get much better!  Here are a few pictures from the latest concert we went to...

I made a southwestern style pasta salad for us to eat.

We also brought white wine and cheese and crackers to enjoy.

love him!

We hope to make it to more concerts this year... and support a good thing in this city!

Kick-Start...

I'm constantly complaining about my weight, feeling depressed because my clothes don't fit, but yet I CAN NOT stop eating all the yummy food out there!  Two girls I work with are getting married this next month and are trying to lose weight.  We all decided we needed a "kick start" so we chose to do the "7 Day Detox Diet" aka "Cabbage Soup Diet."   There are specific things to eat each day, along with "wonder soup," which is the cabbage based soup.   Today was day one and consisted of eating fruits, except bananas, and wonder soup.  I went to the store this morning and stocked up on fruits and veggies (and I spent an arm and a leg I must say!).  I got home and started making the wonder soup.

the HUGE pot I had to use...

all the ingredients for the "wonder soup"

"Wonder Soup"

My first meal of the day was the soup, cantaloupe, grapes, and strawberries.

picture of my first meal...beano included :)

As this first day is coming to an end,  I must say it has been tough.  I am tired of fruit already!  I am definitely looking forward to my one opportunity of eating a potato on day two!  Also, I have been drinking SO much water, that I might as well stay on the potty!  Wish us luck...we still have 6 more days!

1st Year Anniversary

We celebrated our one year anniversary on March 26th.  We didn't do anything special, but it was wonderful.  We made dinner at home and ate the top tier of our cake

 (which was surprisingly still delicious).

I got this idea from Pinterest...hopefully we keep up with this tradition  :)

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March 26, 2011 was the best day of my life so far!  

I look forward to all the years I get to spend with Jon, 

he is truly my best friend and the love of my life! 

Jon's Mustache Bash (Part 2)

Here are a few pics of the party goers...

I really had a lot of fun planning this party! I think that everyone had a great time, and I know Jon did.  I can't wait for the next big party to plan! :)

Jon's Mustache Bash (Part 1)

Way back in February I had a birthday party for Jon for his 30th birthday.  I planned this party for over 6 months and I'm glad I did because it turned out great!  In the beginning I decided on the theme of mustaches and beer tasting.  I'm not sure why I decided on the mustaches but the beer tasting was because Jon is a big fan of beer and he's always trying new ones.  Here is a recap of some of the party via pictures...

the 'sweet stache" aka dessert bar

the delicious birthday cake

nuts and such

the hot dog bar

a little DIY project with bottle caps

another DIY project- those are chalkboard paper mustaches

homemade beer mug cake pops

the set up

welcome sign at the front door

To be continued...