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.

Scout

Scout is our new puppy. He is a little over 5 months old now and he sure is a handful. Eric brought him home when a coworker's dog had puppies and said he'd take all the unclaimed dogs to the pound. Well, my husband being the marshmallow he is brought home the dog.

Scout is believed to be a chihuahua/min pin mix although Eric's coworker swears he is 100% chihuahua. He is small and only weighs about 10 pounds but he has the markings of a miniature pinscher.

He is really cute and that's probably his only saving grace. He is into everything and will chew On anything found on the floor. He really is a pretty good dog and hadn't chewed on anything of importance except for two harnesses. ::knock on wood:: He is a silly dog and chases his tail and legs. I really don't think he knows they belong to him. He'll catch his tail wagging in the corner of his eye and he's off. He'll turning circles for a long time. It makes me dizzy just watching him.

He and Watson get along ok. Watson isn't much for playing and thats all Scout wants to do. Watson gets annoyed but puts up with him well. He knows he's just a silly puppy.

I'm sure I'll have more stories to tell about little Scout.

New camera

Well for my 25th birthday I decided to go big. I've never bought anything real expensive for myself except for my big tv. This birthday I decided to ask all family for only money and put it towards a dslr camera. So I bought a Canon Rebel T3. I've still yet to get it in the mail but I'm really excited to start using it. I don't know how to use it but have read beginner guides online about various things. I am taking a photography class with a friend at the end of the month and am excited to learn more.

Hopefully I'll start updating more and posting awesome pics to go with it! Just have to patiently wait for it to arrive. That's the hard part.

reflecting

In college, I was in a service club, Pi Kappa Sigma. At one of our meetings we got into groups and talked about how we saw God that day or week. It seems like you could come up with a list of things to talk about, but what I like most about the "exercise" is it really makes you stop and think about your day and all the ways you are blessed no matter what kind of day or week you've had. You can have a completely rotten day and still find one way (big or small) that God has worked in your life. He is always working.

What a simple, beautiful question, "How did you see God today?"

Mine for today (and everyday really) is my dog, Watson. He is precious. After a long, tiring day at work I always come home to my precious pup who is always excited to see me. I could be gone for one minute or hours at a time and he's always at the door to greet me. This may be corny, but I think dogs are gifts from God. Some dogs are really useful for daily life (seeing-eye dogs, sheep dogs, etc) but my dog is merely for looking cute. He keeps me company when Eric isn't here and is always available to give me puppy kisses. :)




So, how did YOU see God today? Just think about it. 

Happy Birthday to my favorite brother!

Ok, so I'll admit. I only have one brother, but who's not to say he's not my favorite?!

He turned 26 today! Gosh, he's getting old!

Wish I could have been there to celebrate with him. Happy Birthday to him!!!!!!!!