The Cheese Stands Alone.

Happy Monday!

This weekend was so cold out! So me and A decided to do a few errands, and cozied up in the house. Again another weekend where Redbox won as the the activity of the night - Iron Man 3, and I cooked up some good food. 

In fact, I decided to make some homemade baked macaroni and cheese. Any one that knows me, knows that is my absolute favorite thing to eat. I LOVE cheese. LOVE it. I'm the type that goes to the fridge for a snack and grabs a stick of cheese. 

Yum, so good. 

So when my mom would make mac & cheese as a side to go with dinner growing up, I would help her make it just so I could eat bits of cheese that didn't make it in the pan :) Haha! And I was so spoiled with baked macaroni and cheese, I didn't even know you could make mac & cheese from a box until middle school. I lived off easy mac containers in college, the first year away from home; but alas I have returned to the real stuff. The homemade, 4+ cheeses and oven baked, gooey goodness. 

The good stuff. 

For those of you who do not share in my love for mac&cheese, I apologize. 

Actually, I do NOT apologize. How can you not love cheese? Who are you?

Anywho,

hope this brought a smile to your face to start the week out right! 

P.S. What's your favorite type of cheese!?

-J

Steamy Weather + OOTD + Our True Work

Happy Monday!

Hope you all had a great weekend! 

It has been ridiculously hot here in Minnesota. I mean 95 degrees plus, which is not normal for us this time of the year. So on Sunday for church, I opted out of my favorite maxi skirt and decided this cute number from H&M would do the trick. 

Dress H&M. Necklace Thrifted. Black Sandals Heartbreaker. Smile Priceless ;).

On top of beating the heat, I met up with some girlfriends from work as my friend was giving away bags of clothes she no longer wears! SCORE! I found so many cute tops and dresses I can wear as my belly grows, so I'm very greatful and super pumped to share some of them with you. 

Also a hot weekend, doesn't end without some type of ice cream in the mix! Yum.

Over the weekend, I also learned some very important keys to life during the sermon yesterday. It involves our true work on this earth. 

Our work and purpose is not about making nice, going to church on the weekends, getting in a routine and serving Christ so that we "feel better" about ourselves. 

Our work and purpose is not about working a good job, having a close family, creating good memories with great people. Sounds good, but that's not what it is about. 

Our true work on this earth is about sharing Jesus with the world. Although, everyone is not going to accept Him (as the bible even states this); our work is to show others how great our lives can be with Him. Showing them how He is the great I am. He is the one true living God, and I am a living testament to his greatness. 

In fact, we all are. 

I have never lived better, and more accomplished life until I had Jesus on my side; and through out it all I have no worries. If any of you knew how I was, I was always a worry wart - couldn't sleep at night at one point I was so depressed from the worries and thoughts that consumed my mind. Now when I began to worry, I give it to Jesus and it always works out. 

 He is my peace in the time of a storm, He is my rock when no one is there, When I have no one to talk to - He is there and He understands exactly how I feel. I don't know where I would be without Him. I am so grateful that He chose little old me to share His word and to live for Him. 

I am excited and filled with true joy!

You all have the right to live a great, wonderful, mysterious, ever changing, beautiful life with Christ. He is the way, the truth, and the life. He is everlasting, he is a living God. AND He has a special plan for each and everyone of you if you seek Him. 

Happy Monday! 

Quite Amazing

Happy Monday!

*Taking time to remember those who served this country and are no longer with us*

It's funny, lately I've been feeling a sense of peace. 

My nights went from - busy nights working late and jumping into school work; to rushing home from work to get dinner started and appreciating the moments I have to put my feet up on the table and watch Dancing With The Stars. (Old news - but so glad Kelly won, BTW!) 

I made a promise to Jesus that with my extra free time, now that I've graduated, I'd give Him more of my time. My nights are often spent diving into the book of John and picking up on things I missed the last time I read it. It's quite amazing to me that there could be so much within each scripture. In fact the more understanding Jesus gives me, it's like a part of my spirit is awakened and I am becoming more alive. 

For the first time in my life, I am living. 

It's all quite amazing actually...

The peace I have when my house is clean, laundry is done, and I have a plan for taking care of my finances.

The confidence I feel in the choices I make; that I am in full authority and control of my life. 

The understanding that when things do not go as planned or chaos is around me, I can focus on Jesus and  escape my worries. In fact, I can always do this and He will keep me. 

The appreciation I have for those around me; family, friends, co-workers, neighbors, and even those I do not know. The beauty of everyone in their own being, 

The fascination I have for being swift to hear but slow to speak. Oh, how much more do I grasp!

The gratitude I have for God's plan for me. 

Knowing that He is in control and because I understand that, I too am in control. It's funny. I would have never thought these would be my thoughts, but I am so thankful that He has changed my mind. I am being continually transformed and I love every moment of it. 

I have also been quite transformed in the kitchen as well. 

Haha! Adrian sure appreciates it. 

Tonight I'm making sausage and onion flat-bread pizzas. 

Yum. 

Have a great week! :)

Rockin' Around

Hey there, How goes it?

Last week my girlfriend invited me to a Christmas Party for her job. I decided to pull out a dress that was actually gifted to me last year by another girlfriend of mine. She bought it from ASOS, which was my favorite store last year! It didn't fit her, so thank God for friends, eh!! :)

If the shoe fits...

The party was a lot of fun, we ate great, had a few bevs... and at one point 90% of the people at the party were on the dance floor. That was the highlight of my night! Needless to say it was a very fun night! It definitely got me in the Christmas spirit! 

WHO'S EXCITED FOR THIS WEEKEND!!??

This weekend I will be heading to my parents house, which is about 15 minutes from me. We are doing a secret santa, which we started a couple years ago. One for the adults and one for the kids. It takes the pressure off of having to buy lots of gifts, or go broke for Christmas. 

Don't get me wrong, I like giving gifts, especially the thoughtful ones that take a little effort. But, at one point everyone was getting so stressed trying to get everything, and we decided to make it more focused on God and family versus material things. However, my mom people still bend the rules and get gifts for others!

We don't do a big dinner for Christmas Eve, usually that's done on Christmas Day. For Christmas Eve, we are going to be having walking tacos! And I am super excited because I love tacos and adding Doritos to them just makes them even better! If you don't know what walking tacos are, they are just when you put all the fixings of a taco (meat, cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, taco sauce, sour cream etc) in a personal size bag of tortilla chips, fritos, etc. It just makes it easier and it mixes it all up for you. It is delish! 

You must try them!!

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Speaking of food, 

last night I had a girl's night with my faves. We made dinner and talked about our goals for 2012. 

Roasted chicken with veggies, red potatoes, macaroni & cheese and side salad.

And WINE of course! It wouldn't be a ladies' night without it!

Hope you all have a Merry Christmas! Can't wait to see what you get! :)

Enjoy your weekend!