Peanut Butter sandwiches dipped in chocolate

1 box of graham crackers

1 lb of Almond bark chocolate 

1 cup of creamy all natural peanut butter 

1 cup of powdered sugar

1/3 cup of heavy cream

5 tablespoons of butter, soften at room temperature

1 tsp of vanilla (real vanilla, not imitation)

1/4 teaspoon salt

1. Place aluminum on a cookie sheet. Take 32 sheets and break the graham cracker sheets in 4 (like indicated on the cracker). Place half of them on the cookie sheet. The other half will be used to cover.

2. In a bowl mix the peanut butter, powdered sugar, softened butter, vanilla and salt with a hand mixer. Once everything has come together and is creamy, pour the cream in and mix until it is smooth. 

3. With a small spatula or knife spread mix on each cracker. The amount you put on the cracker depends on how thick you want it. I like mine pretty thick so I would say about 1/4 inch thick. 

4. Once you have put the peanut butter spread on all of the crackers cover them with the remain crackers. Let them sit in the refrigerator to cool.

5. While the sandwiches are cooling, start heating the chocolate on a double boiler. Make sure to keep stirring. Once all the chocolate has melted, take the chilled sandwiches out and dip them in the chocolate. It is up to you how you dip them ( I simply use my fingers, some say to use a fork or some fancy utensil...guess I'm not fancy :))

6. Once you have dipped them all or dunked them as I did, let them cool for about an hour & tadaaa, they are done :) Enjoy!

Being Thankful: Day 23, 24 and 25.

On day 23, I was thankful for the time we were able to spend with Anthony's grandparents. We had such a great time catching up on so many things and being loved on. We have to cherish every minute we get with them because they are the only grandparents we have left altogether and the only great-grandparents our children we have. Nana and grandpa, we love you.

One day 24, I was thankful for girl time and baking with my awesome in-laws.

On day 25, I was thankful for breakfast at cracker barrel with Mary, Brad and Baby Everly. It is so great how we can go so long without seeing each other, but how quickly we can go back to being such great friends. We love you guys so much.

Being Thankful: Day 22...Thanksgiving Day!

Gobble, Gobble! Turkey day is here. On Thanksgiving I was so happy for the love I felt around the house. We had Thanksgiving dinner at Keith's and Jackie's this year; I love being in Georgia.

I was so thankful for Anthony's family. I love them so much and I am just so thankful for how they have taken me in as one of their own.

I was also so thankful for the God's grace. So thankful for his abundant love. Praise God.

Being Thankful: Day 19, 20, & 21

Day 19: I was thankful for a 2 day work week!

Day 20: Thankful for my L.S. students who wrote me a letter about how thankful they are for having me as their teacher :). It really made my day and made me feel worthy of begin their teacher.

Day 21: Thankful that Anthony had the day off and we were able to spend the day hanging out with Debbie and Scott. Anthony was able to spend time working on a piece of furniture for our house with his dad. My favorite part of the night was rib eye steaks on the grill that Scott made and when Alayna finally made it in to town.

Being thankful Day 18

Today I am thankful for having more than enough food in our home to invite others to have lunch with us. We live in a country of abundance and we are so grateful to be able to share what little we have with others.

Being thankful day 17: Our adoption

Day 17: I am thankful for the outcome of our concert, for the amazing support we raised, for all the people who helped through out the night, for all the people who helped me put it together and for God being so good to us. Yesterday was one of the most amazing days our life. I just cannot believe this little idea I had in my head to get people together turned into this incredible event. God had his hand all over it and he deserves all the glory and praise.

This has been such a humbling experience for both of us. We have never had to depend on our God more than we are now. We have spent $8, 500 (more or less) so far--all of it coming from our savings. We recently signed a huge check for our adoption agency and have $0 in our saving. We have surrendered all of our money to God and are obeying his calling for us. If you know me well, you may know how challenging it is for me to surrender control, but I believe this is a time for learning and to be humbled before my community and God. I am not good at asking people for money, so this whole adoption fundraising is a difficult one for me. But I am trusting God more and more and he is making it clear to us that he is greater than anything we could ever imagine and if we obey, he will take care of us in more ways than we could have ever fathomed. 

At our concert last night we were able to raise $2,029. Some people gave $5 and others gave $500; no matter the amount the obedience of those people surrendering their money allowed us to raise that much money. And as if that wasn't enough for you to realize we love a God with no boundaries, at the end of the night, Anthony's aunt and uncle donated $3,000 to our adoption-- yes, you read it right, $3,000. Incredible. Like I have said before, we love a God who moves mountains. I am so glad so many are walking along side us through this process. 

We are still in need of $5,000 more. I could sit here and stress out, but I am learning there is no use for that- we know God will take care of the finances. Please share our  online giving account with all of your friends and family and ask them to do the same. In order to donate you have to have a pay pal account, if you aren't comfortable with that, send me a message and I will send you our address. Thank you for reading this and thank you for surrendering some of your finances to bring our son home. Also, please pray for us and for our future little boy.  http://www.acharityproject.com/f/Lovingthefatherless

Being thankful day 15 and 16.

On Thursday November 15th, I was thankful for family coming into town. We have been expecting Marenda, Debbie and Jackie to visit us for the concert event, but we were so surprised when Kella walked in with Brady and Lela. It made my night and I was able to hold Lela for the very first time. It was so great.

Today, Friday November 16th, I am thankful for Brady. He just makes me smile and fills my heart with joy. His heart is filled with such love and sweetness. I know he is going to make such a great cousin to our little one.

Being thankful Day 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14

On Friday the 9th, I was thankful for date night dinner with the hubs to an Ethiopian restaurant. We have been meaning to eat the food for sometime and we finally did it. When we arrived the restaurant smelled of fresh curry and coffee. The smell was intoxicatingly good. We ordered beef tips and short ribs. The food arrived in a huge plate with sides of vegetables and injera. Injera is a doughy fluffy tortilla; it is very yeasty. It was such a joyful time for us. We spent the night day dreaming of our little boy and the life we will soon have in just a few months.

On Saturday the 10th, I was thankful for Nice Serve. We were able to go serve House of Refuge; a couple who helps the homeless. It was a blessing to serve along side new people who love to serve others as much as we do. It was also a grew day because it was Anthony's first time leading a group. I am thankful for the honoring man he has and is becoming.

On Sunday November 11, I was thankful for free lunch at California Pizza Kitchen and time spent with the Drake Family.

On Monday November 12, I was thankful for a great day at work. There are some days I really wish I did not have to deal with the students I have to deal with because they drain me, but on Monday it was a good day. It went by really smooth. I was also thankful for a good free dinner with The Bank's.

On Tuesday November 13th, I was thankful for my Grandmother who passed away on the Monday. I am glad that she is not suffering any more and she is in a better place with Jesus. I am also glad to have spent time with my cousins and my extended family.


Today Wednesday the 14th, I am thankful for my family. As crazy as they are, I love them. It is hard to deal with the death of my grandmother, but it has been so encouraging to go through this with the people I love and have known all my life.  

Being Thankful Day 6th, 7th and 8th

On day 6 I was thankful for my amazing bible study. We had a pizza party to hear the outcome of our election. It was so neat to see how we could all share our opinions about the candidates and not get offended or upset an definitely not judge each other. I am so honored to be in community with them; completely and utterly blessed. 

Yesterday, day 7,  I was thankful for our Constitution and the freedoms we have in our country. I genuinely hope they continue to exist.

Today, I am thankful for having Chicago home. Last night he went missing after escaping from our backyard. We thought we had lost him and were devastated. We are so happy to have found him this afternoon. He was at the local pound, safe and sound. Praise God.

Being thankful #5

Today is my mother's 55th birthday. I dedicate this day of thankfulness to her. She wasn't a perfect mother and our relationship wasn't the best, but I wouldn't be the woman I am today if it wasn't for her. I am thankful for her strong will and for being such a hard working woman to provide for my sisters and I. 

Energy oatmeal balls.

Anthony and I are constantly looking for tasty granola bars to eat for breakfast, but the healthy ones always seem to be super expensive ones. We recently tried Lara Bars and they were good, but so expensive. I have been looking for a recipe for a good bar and  finally came across one. Mind you, they are not bars, they are balls, but still who cares as long as they are delicious. I modified the recipe and made it my own and added new things. It is high in fiber, protein and healthy fats!

1 cup of Oatmeal

1/2 cup of almond butter

1/3 of raw (local) honey

1 cup of unsweetened coconut

1/2 cups of ground Flax seed

1/4 cup of mini white chocolate chips

1/4 cup of mini semi sweet chocolate chips (I used the Enjoy Life Chocolate Chips)

1 teaspoon of vanilla

Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl. Put it in the fridge for about 30 minutes to let it cool. Once cool, roll into small ball. This recipe made about 20 for me. Depending how big you make them, the amount will vary. The best part of this recipe is that you don't have to bake anything. Store the remaining balls in an airtight container or ziplock bag.

Being Thankful # 4

Thankful for Summit Church. 

Thankful for their mission to change lives and exhibit grace. Thankful for the friendships that have been built through this church and more importantly, thankful for their heart for Christ which has led Anthony and I to where we are today. 

If it weren't for Summit and the people at Summit we would not know about the loving, graceful, giving God that we love so much.

Picadillo...my way :)

I am embarrased to admit this, but I do not know how to cook much Spanish food. My mom never taught me growing up and although my aunt is an amazing cook; she was too impatient to teach me how to cook. With that said, this recipe may not live up to the typical Cuban Picadillo, but I still love it. It is delicious and it goes perfect with white rice; a total comfort food for me.

1 lb of beef (we use grass fed beef, but hey, you use what you want)

1 white medium onion (chopped into small pieces)

1 green medium bell pepper (chopped)

2 teaspoons of chopped garlic (about 4 cloves; I buy my garlic already chopped)

1/2 cup of beef stock

3/4 cups of diced tomatoes (you can also use tomato sauce)

1 teaspoon of oregano

1 teaspoon of cumin

salt and pepper to taste 

2 small potatoes (peeled and diced into small cubes)

olive oil

8-10 green olives*

1. Place olive oil in a pan and sauté the onion, green pepper and garlic until tender.

2. While the onion, green peppers and garlic are sautéing, mix the meat in a bowl with the cumin and oregano.

3. Once the veggies have sautéed, add the beef, beef stock and tomatoes. Let it simmer for 15 minutes on medium to low heat.

4. Add the diced potatoes. Cook for another 15-20 minutes.

*(If you want to add olives, this would be when you add them and cook for another 10 minutes to allow the flavors to settle. I don't add any because I don't like them, but it is a big component to the recipe.)

5. Serve over white rice and enjoy :)

Day # 3 of being thankful

I am so thankful for family. For the joy my heart is filled with every time I am with them. For the nights spent playing board games, making s'mores, playing scrabble, loving on babies, cooking and baking, and simply for the LOVE and GRACE they extend to me continuously. 

Day #2 of being thankful

I am so thankful for the friends who have become family.

Thankful for the laughter, joy, memories,  journies, tears, smiles, dinners, jokes, "our moments", our nights making smores and rocking out.

I am thankful for everything you all do for me through the good times and the bad.

& for loving me and accepting me at my worst and best.

You are all some of the greatest friends a girl could ever ask for.

Here are some of my favorite moments captured in a picture!

Thank you for loving me.

Day #1 of being thankful

Anthony and I have been together for almost 6 years. It's a little crazy to think about, but I love that we love each other so much after this long. I can only hope that in 6 more years, 10 years, 20 years, 35 years, 50 years we feel the same; I am sure we will. 

I am so thankful for the grace he exhibits and for bringing me closer to Christ. He has changed my life and continues to do so. I cannot wait to be the mother of his child. And I cannot wait to spend forever with him.

Love you Ant!