A year with Mia

I was never a dog person until we got our little Mia. I fell in love with her instantly, and I guess it is fair to say she fell in love with me. Even though she was supposed to be Ronnie's little pup, she never misses an opportunity to cuddle up on my lap. We have had so much fun with her over the past year. We love watching her play, learn new tricks, and especially sleep... she is SO cute when she is sleeping. I can't believe it has been one year since we picked up Mia in Dallas and brought her home to our little hotel room at Brook Army Medical Center. I can honestly say that I don't know what I would do without her. She seems to bring a certain joy to our house that I don't know that we could have found otherwise. She has motivated both Ronnie and me to get up get moving and get better. It has been one year with our little bug and we could never have asked for a better gift.

Then

Now

The travel bug

Ronnie and I caught the travel bug last week after Ronnie got out of the hospital so we decided to take a spur-of-the-moment trip to see his family. After a late night at the rodeo on Friday, we woke up early on Saturday and drove to Dallas. We had a great day with Ronnie's Uncle Ken, Aunt Tracy, and cousins Samantha and Zane. It is hard to believe almost exactly a year ago, we were in Dallas picking up our little Mia bug! Mia had a great time playing with all their little Chihuahuas, too. It is always so great to spend time with Uncle Ken and Fam.

The morning came too early on Sunday as we headed toward Tulsa at about 4:30am. We made it into town before church and even had enough time to have breakfast with our great friends Logan and Haylee. What an unexpected surprise! We stayed in Tulsa from Sunday until Wednesday morning.

Here are the highlights:
*Sunday morning breakfast with our amazing friend's Logan and Haylee-- couldnot have asked for a better start to the trip
*Seeing Jake sing at church on Sunday
*Lunch with Grandma and Papa McCulley followed by a visit with Great Grandma Owens in the nursing home
*Watching Lauren ride her horse, Patriot, and then getting a chance to ride ourselves!
*Having dinner with Aunt Jan and listening to all of her funny stories from China
*Stopping by Tulsa Bible Church to say thank you to all the wonderful staff there for their prayers and support
*Taco Bueno lunch with family (this was a high point for Ronnie)
*Pizza dinner at Jessica and Ryan's house filled with wrestling, funny stories, ferrite fun, and family time with the McCulley's and Nana and Grandpa
*Late night movie's (for us girls) and whatever-it-was that the boys did during that time...
*Watching Mia and Boomer fight over the multitude of chew-sticks around the house
*Dressing Mia and Boomer in their clothes


All and all, it was a very fast but fun trip.

Feeling Texan

With all this rodeo stuff happening, it is hard not to feel your southern side slipping out. We attended the Rodeo Star Experience again last Friday. Not only were we decked out in plaid and cowboy hats, but we bought our first official pair of REAL cowboy boots. After watching the bucking broncos, bull fighters, mutton busters, and barrel racers, we were escorted down onto the field for front row seats at the Lady Antebellum concert. Talk about good country music! We had so much fun singing along to the songs we both know and love. We were certainly feeling a bit southern that night. But I wouldn't trade it for the world.

Re-living the Moments

I am a preserver of memories. I love to scrapbook, collage, hang pictures, and keep nick-knacks. I always want to remember. I want the feelings and the funny little stories to always make me smile, laugh, or cry. Sometimes flipping through printed (or digital) pictures is just not enough for me. I'm still learning the best and most practical way for me to collect memories. In the past, I have made time lines, videos, and powerpoints. More recently I have chosen to scrapbook and make keepsakes. Last year, I dabbled in printing books and looked into Project Life which I plan to use this year. All of them are amazing ways to create, keep, and pass along.

Tonight, I was blessed to re-live our November wedding through the beautiful photographs taken by my friend Amy Moore, of Amy Moore Photos as I sorted and selected my prints. The details, expressions, and faces came back to me like a flood. It was a magical night. One that I will never forget. And thanks to these beautiful works of art, my family can remember them, too. I love memories and the feelings they come with. I love pictures, picture books, and mementos. I love that soon, I will be holding them all in my hands. I just cant wait.

My Valentine

So, I am truly blessed to have a spectacular husband who LOVES to spoil me. I woke up yesterday morning to a lovely dozen red roses, donuts and chocolate milk for breakfast, and a stylish purse and adorable PJs. I didn't let him down either. Along with some fun and yummy goodies, I made a fondue dinner complete with cheese, chocolate, and all the fixin's. Afterwards, we went to see "The Vow" which, by the way, is probably my new favorite movie. So great.

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As usual, I pulled out a couple new tricks for the holiday as well. ;)

First, I made a couple adorable care packages for my sisters.

Then, I made these scrumptious little morsels.... Strawberry cookie sandwiches. Recipe is HERE.

Luke Bryan Concert

Not 24 Hours after Ronnie was released from the hospital, we found ourselves with front row seats to the Luke Bryan concert at the San Antonio Rodeo! We had a great time with the BAMC wounded warriors participating in the "Star Experience." It is always fun to watch the cowboys compete and the concert was spectacular.

Discharged!

Ronnie was discharged unexpectedly on Thursday evening. We knew he would be getting out within the next few days, but had not spoken to the doctor to find out when. Since then he hasnt had time to slow down. He is feeling pretty well and is continuing to heal up.

Mia was excited to pick Ronnie up at the hospital. She sat on his lap, the whole way home.

Learning New Tricks

Mia is learning a new trick! Doesn't she look thrilled? lol. The goal is to keep the cheerio on her nose until we tell her "okay." She is a little skeptical. It is still a work in progress, but I couldn't pass up the cute picture.

Another good & easy

Easy Lemon Squares

So I found this in my "101 Things to Do with Cake Mix" book and since I have been on a lemon kick, I decided to give it a try. It really turned out great!

Here is what you need:
1 box lemon cake mix
2 eggs
1/3 cup oil
powdered sugar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

In a bowl, mix together cake mix, eggs, and oil. Spread the stiff mixture evenly into a greased 13x9 inch pan.

Bake for 13-15 minutes until slightly golden on top. Cool, then sprinkle powdered sugar over the squares.

A year with you, my love

So I just realized today that our Anniversary post never posted for some reason! So bummed! So I am moving it to the top to share it for now. :)

Ronnie and I had a wonderful first anniversary while my family was in town. We were even able to eat the cake from our wedding ceremony in November (which I'm sure was much better than waiting a full year!). On New Years Day, Ronnie and I went to the Tower of the Americas in downtown San Antonio. It has been on our list of things to do for a while and it made for a great Anniversary surprise. The view from the top of the tower at sunset made dinner even more romantic and spectacular. The Chart House Restaurant's steak helped a lot too ;)

It has been one year... It hardly seems possible. It has not been your typical year, that is for sure. Ronnie has gone through several surgeries and extended hospital visits in our first year. We have made trips all over the country visiting family and friends and housed visitors in our first home together as well. We have moved a total of 4 times here in TX and even managed to have two weddings! But through it all, I know I am blessed to be married to my best friend.

Surgery: Part 2

Today, Ronnie had the second half of his surgery that began in January. Back in January, surgeons made incisions in his right hand and right knee and filled them in with Integra®. Today, they took skin grafts from all along his left leg and filled in the open areas. Even though donor sites are quite painful, the results of the surgery should prove to be well worth it as Ronnie should be able to use his right hand more and also walk and bend easier.

Ronnie spent the afternoon in the ICU to get his pain under control. They expected him to only stay for about an hour but the loss of an IV, and the medication subsequently not making it to his blood stream, caused higher than anticipated pain and therefore a longer stay. He was moved out of ICU at about 7pm tonight and called me right away to bring him some dinner. Good to see that his appetite has not suffered! He is getting some rest now and will hopefully not have too much pain tonight as he sleeps. Thank you all for your prayers!

Delightful Distractions

Distractions are a great way to keep your mind occupied from worry and boredom. The last week has been a great distraction for Ronnie. He has been home in between surgeries for the past week and a half and has had quite a few visitors. Ronnie's parents and two younger siblings came for a quick visit. We girls enjoyed shopping at a few of our favorite stores while the boys held a semi-friendly competition in racquet ball. We had a really relaxing and fun time.

Less than 24 hours later, Ronnie's Nana and Grandpa came for a visit and brought with them a collection of old movies. Gotta love Alfred Hitchcock! Were were also able to visit the Buckhorn and Texas Ranger Museum which was a fun collection of western game, guns, and replicas. I feel so Texan!

It was so great to see so many relatives and it certainly kept Ronnie's attention off his upcoming surgery.

Pintentional- S'more Bars

I have loved trying new recipes the past few weeks. This one is probably one of my favorites so far.

S'more Bars

http://lickthebowlgood.blogspot.com/2010/11/smore-love.html

• 1/2 cup butter (1 stick), room temperature
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 1/3 cups all purpose flour
• 3/4 cup graham cracker crumbs
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 5 regular Hershey's milk chocolate bars or 2 king-size bars
• 1 1/2 cups marshmallow creme/fluff (7 1/2 oz. jar)

Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease an 8-inch square baking pan.

In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light. Beat in egg and vanilla. In a small bowl, whisk together flour, graham cracker crumbs, baking powder and salt. Add to butter mixture and mix at a low speed until combined.

Divide dough in half and press half of dough into an even layer on the bottom of the prepared pan. Place chocolate bars over dough breaking the chocolate (if necessary) to get it to fit in a single layer no more than 1/4 inch thick. Spread chocolate with marshmallow creme or fluff.

Place remaining dough in a single layer on top of the fluff (most easily achieved by flattening the dough into small shingles and laying them together like patchwork).

Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until lightly browned. Cool completely before cutting into bars.