Cheescake Cookie Squares

For each coworkers birthday we started making different desserts instead of getting the old, boring bakery cake. Most usually come from Pinterest. Well, since Jennifer was out of town for Candice's birthday I was in charge of making the dessert. I searched for different desserts to make but ended up making a dessert that Eric's mom made for me and the sister-in-law. It turned out great and was super easy.

Ingredients:
2 rolls chocolate chip cookie dough
1 package of cream cheese
1/2 cup sugar
1 egg

Press 1 1/2 rolls of dough in greased 9x13 pan. Beat cream cheese and sugar - Add egg and mix well. Pour over dough. Drop remaining dough on top. Bake at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes.

Super easy, right? And it is delish. I suppose you could use different cookie dough but I have only had it with the chocolate chip dough.

Foto Bella

When I first got my dslr camera I didn't really expect to use for anything other than personal use. I am hoping a brother or sister-in-law will have a baby soon so I can put it to good use! A friend/coworker and I have started a little photography gig. We named it Foto Bella (beautiful picture in Italian). Right now, we are just taking pictures of friends and coworkers' children. Who knows what will happen once we get better and better...

Here are the links to our websites:
fotobellanashville.shutterfly.com
fotobellanashville.blogspot.com

Here are a few pictures I took of a coworker's sweet little boy. Not sure what to do with the editing so these are unedited.

What a cutie! We had a good time, and I think we got a lot of good shots for it being our first "session"!

Mother's Day

Alas, it's that time of the year again that pulls at my heartstrings...Mother's Day. 2007 was the first year that I wasn't able to celebrate Mother's Day with my mom. I still thought about her and honored her life and I still do every year since then.

I pray that the woman I am today is a reflection of the woman my mom was. She was kind, tender-hearted, motherly, gentle, stubborn, determined and Godly. Even if I live today with one or two of those traits, I am happy. She taught me how to love and live life to the fullest even when life throws you curveballs. She certainly did not ask for malignant brain tumors, but she never complained or asked, "Why me?" She was a fighter.

I wish she was still here today - to give me advice, to have seen me get married, to see her future grandchildren, to share life's joys and struggles.

Happy Mother's Day, Mom! You are never forgotten.