Summer Pics

I wanted to share a few quick photos of the kiddos. We just got back from our camping trip and I will be adding a bunch of those soon. But, in the meantime, here's of few of my most recent favorites.

J

Dough Pizzeria Napoletana

So I went to lunch with my dear friend Britt today to celebrate my birthday. She suggested we go to this new pizza place called Dough. After she explained the concept of fancy pizza, I was game. I arrived at the strip mall location to the cute little restaurant with no idea how superb my meal would be.

We started with the Burrata Caprese. I was familiar with a Caprese salad. Usually comprised of tomatoes, mozzarella and basil, I was unprepared for what was to come. Apparently, burrata is a very special kind of cheese. I found this on Wikipedia.

Burrata is a fresh Italian cheese, made from mozzarella and cream. The outer shell is solid mozzarella while the inside contains both mozzarella and cream, giving it a unique soft texture.

It really is as good as it sounds. The burrata cheese was surrounded by fresh tomatoes treated with a yummy balsamic reduction that tasted like it had some roasted garlic in it. We were both in heaven.

Now, you can't go to "Dough" and not get pizza. So Britt and I got the prociutto, mozzerella, arugula and truffle oil pizza. Seriously, you're kidding me, right? This was insane. A pure feast for all 5 scences. The creaminess of cheese, the saltiness of the prociutto, the bitterness of the arugula all complimented by the earthiness of the truffle oil. Seriously, insane.

We finished the feast with lemon sorbet that tasted like a frozen sweet lemon.

If you're in the San Antonio area. This place is awesome. If you don't, we'll go when you come visit. :)

Now that I've made you hungry, go get something to eat.

J

Sleeping baby

Now, I realize that my 3 1/2 year old is not technically a baby. When I see an actual baby, I am reminded that I am way past that stage. But when I see her face like this, so sweet and innocent, I want to keep her there forever.

This pic is especially for the grandparents who I know would love to see this. Enjoy! And who doesn't love a Sadie post anyway?

Have a good weekend.
J

Oh, and the cake was so good...

So, yesterday was my birthday. And it was a great day. Started the day with 2 cups of coffee, got my house cleaned by someone else, went to the mall with an awesome friend, my dear sweet hubbie brought me flowers and then had a great dinner ending in CAKE. It was a good day. I wish I could give you all taste-a-vision. This cake is divine.

Btw, to read the wording on the cake, think "totally delicious," but funnier. Just a joke I have with my cake making friend, Julie, and her husband, Jason.

Have a good one, all!
J

A study in boy's feet...

The pics above are a before and after, if you will.

As an ode to the Pioneer Woman, this post is about keepin' it real.

So, I'm out with the fam on Saturday, just killin time. We decide to go to the exchange (the military "mall"). As I often do, I go to check out the kids shoes, always looking for a good deal. Aiden took a particular interest in the Sketchers. I try to leave the section (without shoes) and he practically begs me to get a pair. I had been thinking it was time for new sneakers, so I give in.

We find the next size up - size 10 - from his current sneakers - size 9. Those don't seem to have the amount of growing room I'd like. My brilliant mother suggests we measure his feet. She takes him off and comes back to inform me that his feet now measure 11.5.

So, now it makes since why he's been wearing his sneakers sans socks.

Before I get reported to Child Protective Services, he did have other shoes to wear. I just never made the connection that his monkey feet had grown so much.

He is now a very happy boy and is convinced that he is much quicker with his new shoes on. Who am I to refute that?

J

Life without Training Wheels

I finally got some pics of my big girl riding without her training wheels. She is so proud and so am I!

J

Big Sister Andrea

Can't figure out how to post 2 pictures in one post yet. (Anyone know how?) Here's Andrea and Sadie.

The New Kid on the Block

Hello all,

I wanted to take a moment and introduce the newest member to Mustang Isle. Our wonderful neighbors had a baby boy named Daxton Seth a week ago today. He weighed 7lbs 7oz and was 20 inches long. And all that at 2 weeks early! He has the most precious face and I already love him dearly. I have already had the pleasure of holding him a few times, and he is just precious. (How long can you call a boy precious, anyway?) It also gave me a great opportunity to use my new camera. Please enjoy the pics.

Below is a picture of his big sister, Andrea, with Sadie.

J

Update on the Roar

So, notice I did not refer to it as the tumor. That is because it is in fact not a tumor. The MRI last (very long, very extensive MRI) confirmed that there is no tumor. I am a little relieved, but still would like some relief from the roar. My doctor prescribed me some blood pressure medication to help ease the roar. We'll see if it works.

Thanks to everyone for the kind words and prayers.

On another, I got an early birthday present last week in the form of an awesome new camera. I have so many great pics already that I plan to blog about. Be on the lookout for them in the future.

By all, J

Tumor Update part deux

Got a call yesterday (yes, just yesterday) that my CT scan showed nothing. No sign of a tumor. So...I have an MRI next week. It is still possible that it is not a tumor. I just kind of want it to be so that it can be removed. Well, that's the latest. Thanks for stopping by.

J

Happy 4th of July

I certainly hope everyone is enjoying their day celebrating our nation's independence. I am particularly thankful this year to have my husband home. I have celebrated 4 Independence Day's with my husband in another country. It's always been a very pride-filled day for me. But, it has also left me feeling lonely and scared for the safety of my husband. I am so happy to have him here this year...manning the grill and enjoying time with me and kids. I want to thank all of my family and friends who prayed without ceasing while he was deployed. So, in that spirit, allow this day to remind you to never stop praying for the safety and well-being for those deployed serving our country. In as much, continue to pray for those left behind. They often have the hardest job.

Here's one more challenge: next time you say you support the troops, really support the troops. Below is a list of things that I think could help:

• mow the lawn for a family with a missing husband
• bring a meal or invite them to dinner
• invite your friend to a girls night and arrange childcare for her kid(s)
• just call to check on them and be prepared to let her vent
• send a care package to the deployed troop - just filled with fun stuff
• take her kids for a few hours with no strings attached

These are just a few things that I know meant SO MUCH to me. It's easy to feel isolated when you're in this position. Don't feel like you need to know how she feels. You can admit that you don't. Just be there...really be there.

Thanks for reading this post. Again, I hope you all enjoy your family time today.

J

CT Scan

Well, all went well yesterday. I was able to hand carry my films to my doctor. So, I really hope to hear something today.

On a funny note, has anyone else had one of these with contrast before? When it entered my bloodstream, I immediately had that cold hot feeling. No problem, right? Then it got up into my head, very weird feeling. Had a brief scare that my throat was closing, but again, that passed. No problem. Then it traveled down. When it got to my crotch, I swear I thought I wet my pants. Just had to lay there without moving thinking I wet my pants as they were taking pictures of my head. Thankfully, that passed, too, and I was ok.

All I have for now. Hope everyone is having a good week.

J