Thursday, March 29, 2012

Wendy the Sister.


Wendy is my eldest sister who acts like she's about 20 years younger than I am.
She took a lot of crap from her younger siblings me growing up but somehow managed to still like me after all was said and done.
So, to reward her loyalty, she shall be in my wedding.

Ode to Wendy

She may be pretty nice,
and she looks really sweet,
But if you mess with her family,
You'll get your butt beat.


She's past the age of thirty,
but she loves Mickey Mouse.
She's super duper purty
and she has a big ol' house.


The commercials on TV
often make her cry,
She's a big old baby,
but, really, so am I.


She's a crazy, super-fan,
From Twilight to Harry Potter.
If a sexy vampire is involved,
you know you surely got her.


She's the greatest Aunt Dede
and one of my favorite sibs.
She'll only outdo herself
when she has her own kids.


I hope she knows that through the mess
are where God's best plans are laid.
She's gonna be the best,
biggest boobied bridesmaid.

WOOHOO!!!
Love you, sista.

Monday, March 26, 2012

Maid of Honor.


And so begins the story of Whitney.
I mean, we've known each other forever seeing as we are 'step-cousins,' but I used to think she was a brat.

Then we hit middle school, began obsessing over the Backstreet Boys, and realized that we both happened to be the best dancers ever.
The rest is history, folks.

Whitney is one of those friends that I can completely disagree with (and she can disagree with me) but we love each other just the same.
It's a match made in heaven.
We've certainly had our fair share of arguments, but then we became grown ups and realized it's okay to disagree with each other and even voice that disagreement.
In fact, I think it's what makes her my BFF.

Ode to Whitney

My B to the FF, 
My Backstreet lady, 
I love you so much cuz you ain't not shady.

 
You tell me how it is 
and I tell you too,
and that's alright 
because it's really nothing new.


We think "Friends" is funny,
We laugh until we pee.
It's one of the few things in this world
funnier than you and me.


We LOVE eating good food,
and we like to drink some vino.
I prefer the White, 
but you prefer the Pinot.


We are the queens of dancing,
no one can deny.
They try to hate on us, 
but they even know they lie.


 We're country girls all the way,
We sing it loud and proud.
We fest at CMA,
and scream super loud.


You're the peanut butter to my jelly,
the Frick to my Frack.
I love you like the food in my belly,
there's nothing that you lack.


I'm getting all married and committed,
 but that doesn't make me a gonner.
Nothing makes me happier
than you being my Maid of Honor.

I LOVE YOU!
and I'm fairly confident you laughed a lot during this.  

Thursday, March 22, 2012

wedding.

You may or may not have heard that I'm getting married.
May or may not.

But I am.
On July 27, 2013.

And here is another casual picture of my beaut of a ring:


If it seems as though I am showing off the fact that I'm getting married, it's because I am.
I've been waiting for this bad boy for a long time, so let me have it!

Since I've been planning my wedding since I was 5, I basically have the details worked out.
I considered doing something like 'Wedding Wednesdays,' but opted against it because it's kind of demanding. 
I mean, what if I don't feel like talking about my wedding every Wednesday?
So, you'll get little tidbits when I feel like it.
Luuccccccccckyyyyyyyyyyy!

My MOH, Whitney, so loved my Ode to Steven that I thought it would be nice to make public all of our embarrassing habits, obessions, and moments over the last 20+ years of friendship.

And so begins the introduction to the Maid Brigade (you love it).
Tomorrow.
I'll do them one at a time, which will take forever because there are a bunch of them:

Whitney (MOH/Cousin/BFF 20+ years)
Wendy (Sister)
Helen (Sister)
Rachel (Sister)
Kelly (Sister-in-law)
Brittany (Sister-in-law)
Janelle (Sister-in-law)
Amanda O. (BFF 18+ years)
Christy (BFF 12+ years)
Amanda Z. (BFF 12+ years)

If you've been around a while, you've heard about Whitney, the Amandas, and Christy before here.

Isn't this exciting?!?!






Wednesday, March 21, 2012

how to be happy.

In regards to this gem of a photo, my galfriend said, "I swear you have THE happiest kid of anyone I know. Parental reflection ? :)"

He is happy.  And I am a generally happy lady, so I want to say yes.  Of course it is parental reflection, right?

Give me your million dollars now for I am about to reveal the secret to happiness.



Tea?  Maybe it's tea.  I drink a lot of tea and that sure makes me happy.

I walked in this morning to a brand spankin' new computer at work.
I feel like a new woman today!
Fast programs, fast emails; I don't know what to do with myself.


Morning Diet Coke?
I say, "WHY NOT?!?!"
I am wild.
Diet Coke makes me really happy.  If you are a Diet Coke enthusiast like myself, you get it.
If you don't like Diet Coke, you are strange and you don't get it.


Another great way to be happy is to enlist a goofy child and a sexy man.
That will surely do the trick.

And this, my friends is the secret to happines:
Tea, new computers, Diet Coke, hot men, and silly children.

Uno secreto...

I am lying my butt off.

I giggled at my friend's comment on my picture.
While I tend to be a pretty happy indivdual, I also tend to showcase the pictures of my little guy when he is not throwing food at the dog and/or chasing her with golf clubs.
As proof, view this sweet little post.

Now, sweet Samantha was right in that we encourage happiness, silliness, and playfulness in our house.
But if you really knew me about 4 years ago, you knew that my heart was cold, mean, and hateful.

My little secret to happiness is God.
He's not such a big secret and you might be throwing things at your computer and vowing never to read my blog again.
But my heart  has been changed in a way that I could never really do on my own.
Even in the last two short weeks that I've been going to church and praying for God to come in and change me, I've felt huge changes.
Changes I've tried to make, unsuccessfully, on my own in the past.

The proof is in the punch, people.
I also admit that I have NO IDEA what that saying actually means/refers to.
Pretty sure it works  here, though.

There are no 'catches' with turning your life over to God.
But to have allllllllllllll this good stuff (and I mean a LOT of good stuff), you have to accept it from Him.

If you're not sure how to do that, ask me.

Now, go have a Diet Coke.  It won't cause total happiness, but it will make things (like traffic) a little easier to deal with.

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

twenties.


Happy birthday to the love of my life,
the father of my child,
the provider of our family,
the cuddler of Bella,
the hottest of hot,
the silliest of silly,
the moodiest of moody,
the super sexiest,
the hardest working,
the do-it-himselfer,
the good ol' boy,
the guy that gets along with everyone,
the super griller,
the 'i just ran 10 miles for fun' er,
and my future husband!

I adore you and look forward to watching your eyebrows turn gray.


Live it up, old man.
It's the last year of your twenties.

Monday, March 19, 2012

how i weekend.

I was chatting with a girlfriend about weekends and had to giggle at how much my weekends have changed in the last few years.

At first, I tried to resist being lame.
It took me about a year of motherhood to accept that I will no longer be going out on the town Fridays and Saturdays, but I have finally embraced it.


This is what my Friday night looked like.
I got in a great workout during the day, so I capped my night off with a power mile, a shower, a huge cup of sleepy time green tea and 'Say Yes to the Dress.'
All of this before 9pm.
Hecks yes.

Saturday was St. Patricks Day (incase you live under a rock or are without a calendar).


The boys and I packed up the car with ingredients to make Shepherd's Pie and some Oreo Truffles and headed over to my brother's house.

Familial Highlights:




I tasted an 'Irish Car Bomb' that my brother-in-law swore tasted like Dr. Pepper.
Lies.  All lies.
I proceeded to gag and gave it to my fiance who happily downed it.
He also woke up with a nice giant headache Sunday morning, which I suggest is a sign he can no longer 'keep up,' but he insists that's not the case.

Big Steven missed what was to be his first day of church (shame!), but Little Stevie and I proceeded.
The babe enjoyed himself and God spoke straight to my heart, so I'll call it a win.

We capped our night off with a Herman Sunday Dinner to celebrate the birth of my favorite fiance.


We ate my mama-in-law's famous baked ziti (MY FAV!!!), ice cream cake, some delicious GiGi cupcakes, and played outside.
Stevie thought it was his birthday again, which was just adorable.
Big Steven looked handsome as ever - even at the ripe old age of almost 29.

We went home, I folded laundry, and we hit the hay as early as possible.

Sure.  Sometimes I miss my 'do-whatever-I-want' days.
But definitely not this weekend.

Thursday, March 15, 2012

stewardship.

Personal shout out to Starbucks for furnishing my post-traffic smile.

Tall Mocha Frappucinno Lite.
110 not-too-naughty calories of pure delicious.


It's been stinkin' 80 degrees!
We took a little family walk to the park yesterday and Big & Little both had fun.
Big Steve got to play basketball with some fellas and Little Steve raced down slides.
I personally loved the 3 mile jog/walk to and from the park in the gorgeous weather.
So, who cares that my allergies are in full effect?

I am so lucky.

On Sunday, I went to church and the sermon was about stewardship.
How we are all called to take care of and manage the 'things' we've been blessed with.
I needed to hear it for so many reasons!

I've been blessed with a healthy body.
I'm hard on myself and my body; I put myself down for not looking a certain way.
I'm learning that the most important thing is that I take care of the body I've been given.
I regularly work out and, for someone who loves food, I generally have pretty good self control in regards to what I put in my body.

I've been blessed with a hard working man.
He drives me crazy and is SO oblivious to mess.
He eats like a cow.
But he is incredible.
He works his butt off, he's generous, and he loves his family.
I'm learning instead of nagging him to death about leaving coffee grounds all over the place ("What?  I cleaned it up."), I am pretty lucky that I get to take care of him.
When all else fails, I just take a good, long look at him and appreciate his hotness.

I've been blessed with a well-behaved, polite child.
I often wonder how the heck he got to be such a good kid, but I'm sure not complaining about that.
Sometimes he drives me nuts, too.
He gave me nice little stretch marks across my belly and gave me the appetite of a 300 lb woman for 9 months.
He's messy (like his dad), runs away from me because he thinks it's a game when I use the phrase "come here," and he wants me to hold him when my hands are full.
I'm learning that there are many people out there who are praying for children and would LOVE to clean up after a little boy.
I am so, so lucky that way.


The sermon from Sunday challenged me to appreciate the things that God is letting me 'manage' and to do so in the best way possible.

None of this belongs to me.

I have been given so much to look after and have gotten so busy trying to make things 'perfect' that I've forgotten to appreciate everything.

My greatest challenge is money.
It's not that I have a problem giving, but that I don't feel like I have much to give.
So, in the next few months, I am focusing hard core on my financial responsibilities and will likely share what I learn.

Deep, right?  Well, right now I am going to relish in the fact that it's Thursday and the last day of my work week.  HOORAY!

To be continued...

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

rita.


Make up couldn't even hide those bags today.  Sheesh.
It's going to be friggin 80 today.
80!
Naturally, I am still wearing a scarf.
Not only because I love them, but because it tends to be about 10-20 degrees colder in the house where I work.

I went to Target the other day, as directed by my lovely fiance, to buy some clothes with his money.
I know.  I'm living the dream.
I get anxiety when I spend money unless I'm spending on someone else, so I ended up walking out with 5 shirts for Stevie, a pair of shoes for Stevie, 2 pairs of work out pants for myself, a workout jacket (that I am taking back because I can't justify the money for it), and a pair of shoes for myself.

The best part about all of this was the shoes I found.


As I tend to accidentally happen upon 'style,' I am generally unaware of what is fashionable at any given moment.

Turns out these shoes are 'in.'
People, my Grandma has been wearing these shoes for 50+ years.
Who knew Rita was such a fashionista?

Monday, March 12, 2012

like a child.

Kuddos if my title made you sing the Backstreet Boys song.


Like the rest of the world, I love the weekends.
Weekends are awesome because it breaks me out of my normal weekday routine, which can be a ltitle exhausting.
My job is not demanding at all, but the commute plus the whole mom thing at the end of the day can be a little tough.
I don't have to drive all over the place on the weekends and that part I really love.
More than anything, I love relaxing with Stevie.
Watching him play, standing for 30 minutes while he runs back and forth with his cars through my legs over and over again, making breakfast, taking naps together (sometimes), etc.
Stevie time is the BEST time.



This weekend, I got to spend time with my nieces.
We ate sloppy joes, bacon cheddar home fries, and made cake batter bars.
I didn't count calories like I normally do and I really enjoyed watching the girls play with Stevie.
Alexis and Stevie are SO LOUD when they are together; they run around screaming for no reason at all.
I absolutely love it!
It's my favorite kind of loud.


When Stevie went to bed, we said goodnight to Big Steve (and gave him some super awesome goodnight hugs and kisses) and had girl time.
By girl time, I mean we watched the Justin Bieber movie in bed.
Say what you will, but that JB is one talented little sucker.
He gave me the fever all over again.

The whole time they were over, I just kept thinking how quickly we grow up.
When I first became 'involved' with the Schumann family, Alexis just turned 1! 
Now she is 6 and Ashley is on her way to being a teenager!

I miss being a kid.
Maybe that's why I refuse to give up my love of boy bands/pretty boys, girly nailpolish, and choreographing songs.
I keep wanting to tell Ashley to just be a kid, but I know she won't understand.
I remember a time when I just wanted to grow up and move out.
I never thought for a second that I'd want to go back to my sunflower bedroom that I shared with my sister, lay on the top bunk, and stare at my Backstreet Boys posters that covered my walls and ceiling.
I never thought that I'd miss my mom nagging me to clean or my sisters yelling at me for wearing their clothes.
But, boy do I miss it.

I made a pact with myself before Stevie was born that I would always let him just be a kid.
The same way my mom did.
Sure, we had chores, but we were really lucky kids.
My mom and step dad used to fight, but I remember distinctly that they hid it very well; until I got old enough realize what was going on, I thought they were the best couple ever.
My mom never laid her 'grown up problems' on us.
We knew we didn't have a lot of money growing up, but we never knew how hard it probably was on my mom.
I played with Barbies through middle school and believed in Santa until I was like 15.
It was the best!

So, I will let Stevie be a kid for as long as I possibly can.
He doesn't need to hear his mom and dad fight, he doesn't need to know that I've had a bad day.
He just needs to play and have fun.

As for me...


I will continue channeling my inner child by painting my nails pink with sparkles.

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Cheesy Chicken, Bacon, & Corn Stuffed Baked Potatoes.


Chicken, Bacon, & Corn Stuffed Baked Potatoes

1 lb Chicken
2 cans Cream of Chicken Soup
8 slices Bacon
2 cups Corn
2 cups Cheddar Cheese
6 Medium Potatoes
Mesquite Seasoning (optional)

I used a Crockpot to shred my Chicken because it's disgustingly easy to do and was ready for me when I got home.  All you do is add your Chicken and Cream of Chicken soup to the Crockpot and let it cook on low for 6-8 hours.  When you come home, you can easily shred it with some forks. 

Clean your Potatoes, season with Salt and 'bake' them how you see fit.  I see it fit to 'bake' them in the microwave.  15 minute Potatoes - YES PLEASE!

I cooked up some Bacon in a frying pan, let the grease drain on some paper towels, cut it up, and threw it in the pot with the Chicken.  Add your Corn, Cheddar, and optional Seasoning and let it cook for 30ish minutes!

Serve the Chicken inside your Baked Potato!  SO YUM!

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

wouldn't it be nice...


Wouldn't it be nice if we all looked as good as Sienna with dark roots?


Why is it considered to be a style in Hollywood, but a no-no in real life?

Wouldn't it be nice if we could be fit without working out so hard?
I mean, I have grown to actually - dare I say - like to work out.  But, what if we could just eat Girl Scout cookies and Pizza all the time and still be thin?

Wouldn't it be nice if every time we went to bed, we were guaranteed 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep?  OMG!

Wouldn't it be nice if we all gave $5 to charity instead of buying Starbucks for one day?
(Insert shout outs to Brittany and Angie)

Wouldn't it be nice if when we made more money, we stopped talking about how broke we are?
Ever noticed that?  No matter how much money people make, they're somehow always broke.

Wouldn't it be nice if we learned to live within our means and appreciate what we have instead of wanting more and more and more?

Wouldn't it be nice if we could all parade around like Christina Aguilera?


I literally have no idea what is on her head.
But, to be honest, I wish I had the guts to wear something so silly and feel hot and sassy.
[side note - Adam Levine is smokin' hot.]

Wouldn't it be nice if instead of pointing out someones flaws and bringing them down further than they probably already are, we decided we'd encourage them?

Wouldn't it be nice if traffic was non-existent?

Wouldn't it be nice if these dang braces didn't hurt?
Or if we had a magical way of fixing teeth instantly - Harry Potter style?

Wouldn't it be nice if kids were automatically potty trained at the age of 2?

Yeah.
All this stuff would be really nice.
But, wouldn't it be really nice if we all realized that life isn't so bad?
That some of these things are what make others extraordinary?
And that all of these things teach us something?

Wouldn't it be nice if we just learned the lesson?

Monday, March 5, 2012

potter party.

Yes I do mean Harry Potter.
nerrrrrrrrdddddddds.

I never finished the books (only got through 4) and only saw the first movie.
This is a little bit preposterous considering my love/obsession with Harry Potter in high school.

I got to spend the weekend with two of my siblings, which was so FUN!
My twin showed up to partake in the munchies and make fun of us, but I think he was totally into it.

Here are some of my favorite moments:

[30something, folks.  she was getting us excited for the partaay.]
[harry potter burrow breakfast - w/ glasses and tie!]


[stevie spent most of the time on top of uncle tyler.]

[when he wasn't on top of uncle tyler, he spent his time laying in a dog bed watchin Cars on the portable dvd player.]
[BUTTERBEER!!!!!!]
[typical Daniels reaction to a picture taking.]
[partaking!]
And there you have it, folks.
I spent a lot of time conflicted between liking J.K. Rowling and hating her because of certain events (RIP D-dore).
But, I have officially concluded that I love her and Harry Potter alike.

Still to come:
Twilight weekend
Star Wars weekend

NERDS UNITE!

Friday, March 2, 2012

skillet pork chops w/ pipette noodles & spinach.


Skillet Pork Chops w/ Pipette Noodles & Spinach

1ish lb Pork Chops
1 can Cream of Mushroom Soup
2 Chicken Bouillon Cubes (optional)
2 cups Frozen Spinach
1/2 box Pipette Noodles (or whatever)
1/2 cup White Cooking Wine w/ Lemon (also substitutable or optional)
EVOO
Salt & Pepper to taste

Heat your EVOO on medium heat.  While it's heating up, season your Pork Chops; I use Jane's Krazy Mixed Up Seasoning (the Original Salt) because it has SUCH great flavor.  Add the Pork to the skillet when it's nice and hot and add your Chicken Bouillon Cubes.  I used Chicken Bouillon for extra flavor; they're inexpensive and last a while and just make the quality of the meal so much better.  Cook Pork about 4 minutes on each side.

Meanwhile, cook your Pipette Noodles according to package instructions.  

Optional:  Transfer drained noodles into a skillet and add your Wine; allow to cook for only 2 minutes or so and remove from heat.

When the Pork has been cooked on both sides, remove it from the pan and add your Cream of Mushroom Soup.  Wisk the soup with the remaining juices and Bouillon from the Pork - he sure to scrape the pan a little to get all that yumminess and to avoid burning.   Once a gravy like consistency is formed, add the Pork back to the pan and cover; allow to simmer for about 5 minutes.

After the Pork is all good and covered with the 'gravy,' add your Pipette noodles and Spinach.  Cover and turn heat to low/medium.

The verdict: Delicious! (per Big Steve)

Thursday, March 1, 2012

colon cancer awareness month.

It's a two post kinda day.
Did you know that March is Colon Cancer Awareness month?
Neither did I until this morning.


This beauty here, Erica, was a friend of my sister's who unfortunately lost her battle with Colon Cancer last year.
She was 29.

My sister has made a bold decision to walk in her memory this year at the D.C. Scope It Out Run/Walk for Colon Cancer Awareness. 

Her goal is small - she wants to raise $1000 for the cause and I'm asking if you can help.
There truly is no dollar amount too small; I ask that you give what you are able to give if you are able to give it.

Donations can be made via the following link:



My blog in the last couple of days has been on fire.
I am almost at 1,000 page views today and it's not even 1!
If you make a donation - $5, $10, $15, whatever - I will advertise your blog for the entire month of March.
My only 'rule' is that you pass this information on to someone else.
We have the means to raise awareness, so let's do it!