this is our happily ever after

I'm an Auntie!!!!

Chris (brian's brother) and his wife Shanda welcomed Braedon Christopher Moore into the world today at 12:34 pm.    He is healthy weighing in at 8 lbs 3 oz.  I don't have any photos yet, but when I do you can bet they will be posted here.  We hope to go visit sometime in August...I can't stay away from a newborn for very long. 

thursday already??!!

I can hardly believe it's already Thursday.  This past week had flown by so quickly.  Lots of stuff going on in the life of Angela this week and last weekend.  Let's start with Friday....I spent the day with my cousins Chelsea and Jessica shopping and preparing for a couple's shower that Jessica was throwing for her friends who are getting married.  Friday I was over there till about 9:00 pm...Brian came over after work and we had dinner there.  Saturday I worked around the house in the morning and then headed to my aunt and uncles (where the party was) and helped out with more of the food and setting up.  It was definitely a group effort!  Everything turned out great, the food was yummy...the peanut sauce and sweet/spicy meatballs I made got rave reviews!  I'm always afraid that people won't like my food, so it made me happy to hear the great comments!  On Sunday we went to church came home and cleaned the house.  Carrie Beth came over for dinner...we had Gringo's because that is something she can't get in Germany.  You can bet that in her care packages I will be sending chips and salsa.  I could not live without Mexican food!  Monday I had to go to court over a speeding ticket.  I'm taking defensive driving so that isn't put on my driving record.  There is something about going to court or DPS or the Social Security Office that makes you feel so good about yourself.  I am always astounded at the riff-raff that are at these places.  When I went to court I wore some nice trousers with a white blouse and cute sandles.  To me that shows respect and honor to the judge and the court system (although I often get mad at the court system).  I couldn't believe what other people were wearing.  I realize that many of these people are poor, but you can get a nice pair of khakis and a nice blouse at Wal-Mart or Target....trust me I buy clothes at Target all the time.  In fact the police officer inside the court room kept yelling at people to go tuck their shirts in and pull up their pants...you know what I'm talking about.  Seriously people....Going to places like this really give me a scary perspective of our nation.  It makes me realize how important it is to be a good example of integrity, honor, respect, perserverance, courage, hard work, and compassion to the younger generations and to raise our children with these attributes.  Ok, enough of that soap box....After going to court I met Carrie Beth to do some banking with her and then we had lunch.  I went to Lifeway Christian Bookstore afterwards and picked up this new book to work on until the new fall bible study begins.  Unfortunately I'm not perfect and I have some character issues to work on.  I really like the layout of this book and I'm looking forward to digging in.  Hopefully I will have some great thoughts and insights to share here.  On Tuesday morning I met CB at the bank to do some last minute paper work making me her power of attorney since her parents do not live here.  I think I'm offficially her American representative while she is away working for Jesus in Kandern, Germany.  She left on Tuesday afternoon and arrived safely after a very long traveling adventure.  She called me from Dallas and was so excited because Jeremy from last season's Bachelorette was sitting near her in one of the terminals...of course he was with a beautiful blonde, but CB was giddy none the less.  This is where she will be serving...BFA in Kandern, Germany... a link to her blog is on the left of this blog.    Here are some pictures of the luau

aunt molly, aunt sherry, and "aunt" ginger

my cutie cousin Chelsea with her equally cutie boyfriend Sergio

loved the lighting on this picture of pineapple

michael and friends...the grillmaster and bartenders

Me and my super cousins Jessica and Chelsea

Jessica and cousin Andrew

SURPRISE

last night we had our last Stepping Up bible study session at my aunt's house.  I'll add some notes from it later.  We had planned on hanging out afterwards 1. because it was Carrie Beths last night to hang out with my family (which has become her second family) and 2. because my aunt Sherry, Aunt Molly, Chelsea and Aindrea were all going to be back from Spain.  3. because Tuesday was my cousin Michael's birthday.  So were all hanging out chatting, laughing, goofing off, and I hear behind me something about some spanish wine.  I turn around and who do I see but my cousin Andrew!!!!  He's been in Spain for 2 months with Sherry, but he has also accepted a job there so when we sent him off in early May we didn't expect to see him until at least Christmas.  What a great surprise...but the weird thing is...earlier yesterday I had wondered and envisioned him coming back to surprise us...I thought how cool would that be...and that is something he would do...funny...and a bit creepy...am I gaining the gift of prophecy?  Just kidding....

jessica hugging Andrew

CB and Brian

CB and Me....drinking some Corona's

glimpses of the past week

I'm not quite sure what  I've done the past week....stuff around the house, a trip to Central Market, a Wine Tasting party with friends, cooking for Danice, scrapbooking, working on thank you's for my cousin, writing my own thank yous...etc....Here are some glimpses of the past week in my life....

an evening view from our backyard

Emilly McAuley, a wanna be chef I took to Central Market with me

wine tasting party...girls surrounding the table with chocolate

my favorite breakfast--fresh fruit with cranberry pistachio bread covered in honey walnut cream cheese

everyday life

It's been a few days since I last blogged....I haven't been up to much that's terribly exciting, rather I've been trying to catch up from being sick for 3 days last week.  You know how it is...everything is ignored, except your bed, pillow, couch and tv remote (at least in my house) when the flu hits.  All is good now.  I went back to the gym late last week and have been twice this week so far.  I have a little notebook where I'm documenting my progress (wonder where I got that from?...you know who you are ;)) I hadn't tried the eliptical in a long time and have been enjoying using it this week.  It makes me sweat, something I'm not used to!  I'm just using light free weights for now...the machines at the gym are still too heavy for my upper body (even without weight)  I know that's sad, but I'll get there. 

Last week we were awarded Yard of the Month for our neighborhood.  Actually I should say that Brian was awarded...other than picking out plants at the garden center and telling him where to put them I am hands off. 

I also posted some new photos on my flickr site (link to the left).

a new fave: today while running a few errands I decided that I needed a little something to drink.  Since I wasn't near a starbucks or sonic I decided to go to McDonald's.  Originally I was going to get an iced tea, but when I saw their new iced coffee on the menu I thought I'd give it a try.  Well let me just say...YUMMY!  Sweet, creamy, icy goodness!  The coffee flavor isn't quite as strong as Starbucks, but I loved it.  Actually after drinking about 1/3 of it, I came home and added some leftover coffee from this morning to my cup and have been happily sipping all afternoon.  If you're needing a cold, sweet and creamy pick me up try one of these!  I got a medium and it was under $2. 

and a photo of my sweet furry boy...

super easy fish dinner

I made this awsome baked fish last night off the top of my head.  It was so easy, just a few ingredients, 20 minutes and dinner is on the table. 

tilapia filets (i used about 5 small filets for Brian and I) you could also use flounder or red snapper

1 can diced tomatoes with italian seasoning or chiles, depending on what flavors you're looking for.  I actually used regular diced tomatoes and Penzey's tuscan sunset seasoning, which was way yummy!

1/4 cup chicken broth or just use water if you're in a pinch. 

In a shallow casserole dish lay fish filets on bottom.  Sprinkle with salt, pepper and seasonings if you desire.  Spoon diced tomatoes on top of each filet.  Sprinkle with more seasonings if using regular diced tomatoes.  Pour broth into bottom of dish.  Cover dish with lid or foil and bake at 350 for 20 minutes.  While the fish is baking make some rice pilaf or orzo cooked in chicken broth, adding toasted pinenuts at the end.  Serve with salad or steamed veggies. 

stomach flu

I've been battling the stomach flu or food poisining the past few days....not sure which...no worries....I haven't eaten any tomatoes.  Although I'm having a difficult time believing that tomatoes are the culprit of so many outbreaks of samonella.  I'm feeling a bit better today...I'm pretty sick of sprite, gatorade and double noodle soup.  Last night Brian and got some grilled fish carryout and it tasted great.  Hopefully I'm on the mend.  I am completely behind on all tasks as my weekend was taken from me by the flu.  My goal today is to get the baby annoucements mailed to my friend Tiffany and go to the grocery store.  I did manage to capture a few photos the past few days...you check all of them out on flickr, but here are a few that encompass my past 2 days....

today's small thing

is to drink more water.  The past few days I've been trying to drink more water (2 of these big mugs) and commit to taking my vitamins.  I used to buy lots of bottled water and drink that, but I decided to help the environment and save some pennies so I  invested in a Brita pitcher.  I still take bottled water when I'm out and about, but at home I use water from the Brita.  I almost always add a slice of lemon, lime or orange to my water too.  Since I have to take medicine (swallow pills twice a day) I tend to blow off taking my vitamins, but I notice a huge difference in my energy level when I do take them.  So today (and looking foward) I encourage you to drink more water and get back to taking your daily vitamins.  These are the vitamins I take in additon to this which my aunt urged me to try.  I buy them at the Vitamin Shoppe. 

celebrations, etc

On January 1st I resolved to take a picture a day for the entire year and then post them to flickr...well I probably take at least one picture every day, but they didn't get posted to my flickr account...so I decided that I would restart the picture a day on my 33rd birthday, which was last Saturday.  I mean, I have this awesome new camera that screams take a picture of everything.  I have added a link to my flickr account on the side for you to check out.  Some of the pictures will posted here as well, but not always. 

Wednesday after bible study at my aunt's we had a little birthday party for moi!  I really felt like it was my birthday then...on Saturday I really didn't feel the celebration.  The party was great...lots of friends and family, wine, baskin robbins cake, presents...and a really sweet toast by my Uncle Craig.  This birthday is extra special, considering last year I was fighting for my life...a new life...a new heart.  What a BLESSED year it has been.  A perfect new heart...which has lead to a new lease on life...I couldn't ask for more.  I've decided that along with the number 8 now 33 is my new lucky number.  I was transplanted on 10/23 and if you add 10+23= 33 and I KNOW that my 33rd year is going to be full of more blessings than I can imagine.  I know that God has great things for me, Brian and our families this year.  Maybe God will bless us with a baby, only HE knows and that is fine with me.  He is for me (us) and I'm just ready to be used by Him and see what incredible things He has in store.  Below are some photos from the festivities on Wednesday night.  Lot's of goofy pictures...but I'm totally into embracing the goofy side of life right now!  Most of these photos were taken by my cousin Chelsea.  I gave her my camera so that I might actually be in some of the photos for once.  I think she did a pretty good job...don't you?!

baskin robbins pralines and cream ice cream cake...my favorite!

CB and me...what will I do when this chica moves across the pond?  sigh...

Aindrea popping the cork on the champange

"Aunt" Ginger pouring the champagne

seriously happy

a toast to me at 33

being silly with "sissy"

new link added

Check out my friend Carrie Beth's blog by clicking on her link to the left.  She has big adventures ahead of her!