Correct me if I'm wrong but.....

I think I need some praise.  I am the furthest from crafty as it gets, but lately I've been expanding my horizons in the creativity category.  Don't be jealous, but it's true, I actually made this dazzling tree with my own two hands.  If you'd like I could write up the directions as to how to make such a creation, no problem.  Totally kidding- it looked way cooler in my head.

This is an idea I stole from my friend Teri.  It is so fun to turn the fan on and watch the rings fly.  So entertaining, but beware, it makes you a little dizzy.
Here is the picture to go with the Tortilla soup recipe I posted a while ago.  Did I mention how good it is??
These are the scarecrow cookies I made today.  Why scarecrows in the middle of December you might ask.  I am teaching on loving yourself and others in Young Womens tomorrow.  The girls are suppose to set up their own scarecrows to keep negative thoughts from destroying their self esteem.  Not my idea, I got it online of course.

So that's what I have been up to lately.  It's been nice and distracting, keeping me away from shopping during this tempting time of year.  Twelve days of Christmas starts today.  Hooray!!

Christmas Fiesta 2008

We had a Christmas party with a bunch of friends tonight.  We had an ornament "white elephant" gift exchange.  It had to be an ornament you would NEVER put on your tree.   Zac was pretty stoked about this anchor he chose.

Honest, there was no alcohol.  I am not sure why Zac looks so drunk.
Here's a shot with all the girls.

And another shot with the whole group.

What party is complete with out Christmas BINGO?
I finally got to show off my awesome snowman sweater I won at a gift exchange last Christmas.

I couldn't decide which shoes.  When is it more appropriate to wear one of each than to a Christmas party?

I made a chocolate zucchini cake that was suppose to look like a giant ornament, but so didn't.  It tasted good though.

This is a spice cake with a butterscotch syrup that we drizzled over it.  Pretty tasty as well.
Thanks to Teri and Ben for being such great hosts and for everyone else for bringing so much food and fun!  Till next year I guess.  Merry Christmas to all!!

Thanksgiving recap...finally

Wait is Thanksgiving already past?  Where has this holiday season gone?  I know we still have Christmas to look forward to, but now is about the time I start getting sad because it'll be over before we know it.  I know I am a little late with the Thanksgiving post, but better late than never, right?  Here is the whole Freestone gang in front of the hotel we stayed at in Texas.  We had so much fun visiting Zac's sister's family.  We happened to fall in love with Texas during the few days we were there.  It's since been added to our "potential places to live" list.

This is one of the major factors contributing to our love for Texas, Rudy's.  It's a delicious Texas barbecue food joint.  It's attached to a gas station and you eat off wax paper, but don't let that scare you.  It is TASTY!!
Here I am devouring my corn-on-the-cob.  You could drink the Rudy's sauce I am holding up, it's that good.  Thanks for the recommendation Wendy, definitely a winner.
On Thanksgiving day we had a heavenly feast and then went to see Bolt in 3D.  We all really liked it.  I would recommend it to both kids as well as adults.  
Here are my amazing in-laws, Margo and Steven.  I don't wonder what Zac is going to look like in about 35 years, his father.  I am so lucky to have such fun and supportive in-laws!
Before we took off for Texas we went to Utah for a little skiing and snow time for Zac.  He missed the mountains so much in Arizona.  The weather was actually nice at Alta, about 40 degrees and sunny.  I was even warm.  I was wearing a coat that was warm enough to climb Everest in, but that's beside the point.
While in Utah we had a busy schedule with only a few days and many restaurants and movies to see.  We saw the Bond movie, and Twilight, although definitely not a highlight.  We ate at Brick Oven, Bombay House, Bajio, Maverick (for their soft serve cones), 7 Elleven for the slurpies and chocolate sinkers (Zac's favorite donut ever made) and Will's Pit Stop for the best Kettle popcorn on the market.  We ate well to say the least.  We were thoroughly entertained and got to spend quality time with family.  It was a vacation much needed and so appreciated.  Thank you Freestones.

Chicken Tortilla Soup

Since it's dropped well into the 70's here in Arizona I decided it was time to make some of my favorite soups. Here is a yummy tortilla soup recipe Zac can take credit for:

3 cooked and cut chicken breasts
1 small can tomato sauce
1 large can stewed tomatoes
1 can corn with juice
1 can kidney beans
1 can white beans
1 chopped onion
1 small can green chiles-mild
1 cup chopped cilantro

Sometimes it seems too thick so I add a little chicken broth or even just water will do. I do like it a little thicker though.

So easy, just pour it all in a large pot, heat and EAT!!

I always serve it with Fritos or tortilla strips, sour cream and shredded cheese. Really you can add in whatever you want, olives, green onions, a squirt of lime.

ENJOY!!

Zac is making this for me tonight and I am so excited.

3 YeArS!!

1,095 DaYs or 26,280 hOUrS or 1,576,800 MiNuTeS That's a lot of time, right??

It's true, it's our third-year anniversary. If we've made it this long, we can make it forever. Zac and I had a lot of "surprises" about each other we found out after we were married. A lot of them really funny, a lot just really sweet, and some we had to learn to love. Some things I've learned about Zac in the past three years:

*He is very sensitive, a good sensitive though. He sometimes cries in movies, or when he sees me in pain.

*He is allergic to just about everything

*He knows how to get out the toughest stains

*He is thorough with everything he does

*He doesn't like schedules and does not own a calendar of any sort

*He is an extremely deep sleeper

*He can honeslty eat two dozen chocolate chip cookies in one night

*He could live off of Peanut M&M's

*He dresses me half the time, mostly on Sundays. He has a knack for style, making things work I would never think of.

*He is a great gift-giver

*He's perfect for me and I DID NOT KNOW that before we got married. I just got lucky.

I love you babe. I can't wait to see what the rest of our lives together brings us.

Happy Anniversary!!

He's a free man!!

Finals are finally over and my husband has two weeks off filled with no worries and all fun.  We are flying to Utah on the 21st and then off to Texas to see his sister for Thanksgiving.  We are so excited.  He hasn't slept more than about ten hours total this entire week.  It's time for him to catch up on his z's, watch some football and just relax.  He worked so hard this whole quarter and I am so proud of him.  Here we are at our friend's house.  We haven't hung out with them in forever and it was so fun to reunite.  We had a bbq, played games and ate really delicious pazookies.  

Here are the guys trying to look tired.  Somehow it was really hard for them to make a tired face, despite the fact they actually all were exhausted.
Here is Zac on his second pazookie.  He doesn't look so great.

What if...

What if I really cut and colored my hair like this?  Yay or nay?  I desperately need help with my hair these days.  I don't know if I will go to quite these extreme measures, but I have a few ideas brewing in my head.  This is not a wig, just a computer program I used to see what this cut would look like on me.  I called my sister and told her to check her email for this picture I sent her of my hair.  I told her it was real and she totally believed me.  I will not mention any names since she is still bitter I fooled her.  It was pretty funny though.  Please forgive me sister.  Love ya!!I am open to any ideas, advice, opinions, suggestions, whatever.  This is a cry for help.  

Halloween 2008

Surprise- Zac and I were hippies this halloween.  Someone actually asked me if this was my real hair.  Should I be offended my hair looks like a cheap hippie wig?  

This is Lillie, my friends adorable daughter.  We were twins at our ward halloween party.  Her costume is a little cooler than mine though.  I am not flipping the camera off, I am flashing a peace sign and the light just hit it perfectly to hide my index finger.  You know how every hundred pictures or so you come across one that makes you look skinnier than you are?  Well this is one of those.  Perfect angle, flattering pose and weird lighting and whala- ten pounds lighter.
This is where I went this afternoon, Target for all their half-priced halloween candy- can't beat it.  I got these four bags for only six dollars.  It's some of my favorites too, not the left over junk no one wants, like the smarties, dots and whatever that sorry excuse for chocolate wrapped up in a pumpkin wrapper is.
This is the sad bowl Zac and I mooched from our ward trunk-or-treat.  Yeah I know what you're thinking, aren't you suppose to have kids for such activities?  Our friends felt bad for us and let us trick or treat from their bowls.  So nice!
After the ward party, Zac and I watched the movie Halloween H2O-freaky, Michael Myers finally dies in this one.  About time huh?  Zac painted my toe nails for me since with my fake nails it makes it a little difficult.  He did a great job for his first time.  
Here is the finished product.  Please excuse the hairy feet.  I know their ugly.  Focus on the pretty color.

7 WEIRD THINGS ABOUT ME!

This is in response to your tag Teri, except I decided to do this one instead.  I hope that's ok.

1.  I eat Cheetos with my yogurt.  Try it, it's so good.

2.  Zac and I go to Old Country Buffet every Valentine's Day.  Believe it or not, but there's never a wait and the service is so great.  (This one's for you Liz.)

3.  I can't watch movies that were either made or set in time any earlier than 1980.  BORING!!

4.  I try to dress according to whatever holiday is coming up.  ie. the picture below.  Yes, I am a tacky festive dresser.  Just wait for my Christmas wardrobe.  I usually embarrass Zac at least a few times through out the season with my reindeer necklace and jingle bell earings.

5.  I make paper chains for just about every upcoming event in my life.  I love any reason to celebrate and throw parties.
6.  These three jars of bloody fluid were drained from my stomach this past summer.  Sick, huh?
7.  I fall asleep on my right side with one leg out of the covers every single night.  

I tag:

Sarah Draper

Wendy Thomas

Christy Dayton

Try to come up with things I don't already know about you sisters.  Love ya!!

The countdown begins!!

Is this not the coolest Christmas decor you've ever seen?

In case you're wondering, it's only 99.99.  What a deal huh.  I know this is going to shock you, but it's not in mine and Zac's budget this month.  I've been thinking about it since I first saw it displayed at Target about a month ago.  Every time I go there now I make it a point to walk by it.  This time I got smart and took a picture so I wouldn't miss it when I was home.  Isn't it exciting to think that the big day is just around the corner.  Don't worry I won't forget about Thanksgiving.  I want you to notice how awesome this countdown is, it includes the days, of course, the hours, minutes, and even the seconds.  

Murder Mystery Party

Who ever thought a murder mystery party could be so much fun?  I didn't, but with the right crowd, eccentric costumes and delicious food it is a total blast.  Here I am with two of my close friends livin' in the AZ.  I am a waitress at Bubba's.  Cindy(left) was a disheveled I don't known what.  Teri was a tatto artist.

That is ginger ale we are drinking, no worries. 
I thought I would get Zac back from a horrifying picture he took of me a few weeks ago shown on a recent post.
All the girls, and Ben, (Teri's wife) with the sweet mullet.  We had a rainbow child, two fortune tellers and an auto mechanic.
Here are the two fortune tellers with all their glitz, Cady and Sheri.  Cadi is the best hostess ever.  She put this whole shindig together and far exceeded any of our expectations.
Here we have our Wal-Mart employee/hunter, Aaron, with is wife, Liz, the ultimate artist.  Zac was a hippie/aspiring rock-star.
Unfortunately we could only have six couples attend since that was how many the game called for, but each character was so vital.  I can't remember the last time I laughed this hard.  I saw a lot of personalities surface I had never seen before.  It was awesome.  A night I won't forget.  Thanks Cady for all your hard work!

Pumpkin Sheetcake

Caution:  Extremely addicting

I've had a few people ask me for this recipe so here it is.  It was given to me by my sister-in-law, Tasha, who happens to be one of the best bakers I know.

*Preheat oven to 350 and grease a jelly roll pan (10x15)

Mix together:

1 (16 oz.) can pumpkin

2 cups sugar

1 cup oil

Then add:

4 eggs

2 cups flour

2 tsp. baking powder

2 tsp. baking soda

2 tsp. cinnamon

3/4 tsp. salt

I like to add milk chocolate chips to the mixture.  It's good either way though.

Blend all together and pour into pan.  

Cook for 25-30 minutes.

Let cool and then frost.

Cream Cheese Frosting:

4 oz. cream cheese softened

1/2 cup butter softened

1 Tbsp. milk

1 tsp. vanilla

2 cups powder sugar

Beat with a mixer and spread over cooled cake. 

I like it cold better so I keep it in the fridge once it is completely cooled.

It's the best, there's nothing else to say!

The past month

So here is what I've been up to lately:

 At a brunch with some friends I work with in Young Women's.  That is my neighbor's baby I am holding.  She is so cute!

Another creation of mine-Creamy Pea Soup.  I loved it, Zac...not so much.  I topped it with some cheese, roasted red bell pepper and some crackers.  We dipped grilled cheese sandwiches in them-yum.  Have I mentioned how good it is to be able to eat again?

So this past month has been great.  I truly believe more than ever when one door closes another door opens.  Zac and I have been in the process of applying for adoption.  It has kept me really busy.  I feel like Zac and I have really bonded from working on some of the questionnaires together, answering difficult questions and discussing interesting topics concerning parenthood.  Each day we are getting closer to being finished and eligible to  hopefully be placed with a child.  

I got a new job this past week.  I work for a doctor in a family practice clinic.  I never thought I could work in an office, but this one is different.  Everyone I work with is so nice and fun to be around.  I stay pretty busy through out the day and so the time flies by.  I feel so blessed to have found such a great place to work.  It was kind of ironic how I stumbled upon this job.  I'll give you a quick summary.  I took my friend to Urgent Care last saturday night and was really impressed with the doctor (I am now working for) and all of his staff.  It made me want to work there so I asked if he was hiring.  He said, "Yes, as a matter of fact we are looking for someone to work the front office."  The next day I was working.  It feels good to be productive again.  However I will miss my days spent strolling through Costco tasting samples and lunch dates with such great friends.  All good things  must some to an end.

My gift to myself for finding a job I am excited about: Acrylics!

I finally got my nails done, like really done.  I have always wanted to have fake nails and when I got this job I knew the time had come.  I have never been able to with volleyball and then working as a waitress forever.  I am not going to lie, they are a little annoying for the following reasons:

  *they hurt

  *I can't take my contacts out, minor setback

  *I can't lick out my pudding cups anymore

  *I can't bite my nails 

  *I can't open the little flap on my cell phone so I can charge my phone

  *I can't type

Other than that, they're great.  The price I pay for vanity-eek.  My goal is to see how long I can keep them before I pull them off.  I really want to get little snowmen on them come November 1st.  We'll see.  

So the fact I would put this on my blog means I am not vain-right?  Zac kept making me make psycho faces until he saw what he wanted to capture on camera.  He could not get over how freaky I looked in this photo.  I mean he was rolling on the bed laughing after he took it.  It is a bit scary.  How dumb am I to keep making faces to appease him, his laugh is just so funny though.  I guess we were really bored one saturday morning.  He had just given me a scalp massage.  Put that and my greasy hair together and wala.

He's all I got....and I love him!!

WARNING: Extremely cheesy, but very true.

I feel so lucky to have such a wonderful husband.  When I sit down and think about it, I got really lucky.  He is everything I've ever dreamed of in a husband and more.  I know this is probably making most of you gag, or roll your eyes, but I just had to write it because sometimes I just get overwhelmed with appreciation for him.  He is patient, fun and such a hard worker.  He is a magnet to kids, they share a special interest I guess, PLAYING.  He supports all that I do (or don't do) for that matter.  He makes me feel so loved.  With out him I would be lost.  I love you babe!!

The things I missed and so appreciate!

Here are just a few of the things I took for granted and now realize more than ever how much I appreciate and love them.

I never thought I would want to cook again when I was sick, but now I remember how much I love cooking and eating delicious meals.

Missy, a forever friend since fifth grade, and I went to Golden Spoon while I was in California.  She is due any day now with her second baby girl.

Friends in Arizona-every sunday we get together for game night.  This was actually a tuesday night, but same group.

Getting ready for and actually going to church is something I've never been more grateful to be able to do.  I was so excited to go back on sunday I actually made Zac match with me.  He was a good sport.

And last, but not least, just being able to smile again, to laugh and enjoy everyday I am not in the hospital.  I never thought I would get through the past couple of weeks, but with the help of family and friends I am still here and surviving each day.  As time goes by I realize that there is a plan for Zac and I and that one day we will become parents.