"i knew you were trouble when you walked in..."

"i knew you were trouble when you walked in..." yes, this is a song i frequently sing to my little guy. the other day i turned around and he was on top of our coat hanger... i scolded, "Gunther get down! but not until i get a picture!" he got down alright, but only because it toppled over from all his squirming :) oh how i love this kitty!  

must reads.

stir your brain. think. contemplate. enjoy these reads today! 

1.  Darling Magazine: Reclaiming Delight
2.  Growing Up With Two Moms: The Untold Children’s View
3.  The Gay Community and That One Time Jesus Called Me the ‘N-word’
4.  Water For Camels

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strawberry cupcakes with lime buttercream frosting.

happy tuesday, lovelies! here is the recipe i promised. i made these cupcakes for Easter Sunday... the strawberry and lime flavors are perfect for welcoming in spring (btw spring, where are you? winter has overstayed his welcome). this recipe is very simple. 

i made the frosting first so i could refrigerate it while preparing the cupcakes. i think cold icing is easier to manipulate onto the cupcakes. 

lime buttercream frosting:

• 1 package of cream cheese
• 1 stick of butter
• 3 tbsp of lime juice
• 4 cups of confectioners sugar
• 1 tsp of almond extract 

beat the cream cheese and butter together until mixed. add the lime juice. gradually add the confectioners sugar, about one cup at a time, waiting to add the next cup until mixed. add the almond extract. once frosting is smooth and creamy, put in fridge to chill. 

strawberry cupcakes: 
(makes 24)

• 1 box of white Duncan Hines cake mix
• 1 box of strawberry Jello mixture
• 3 large eggs
• 1/2 cup of oil
• 1/2 cup of diced fresh strawberries

preheat oven to 350 degrees. combine cake mix, jello mix, and oil into mixer and beat. gradually add the eggs, one at a time. add diced strawberries. once mix is completely smooth with no bumps (and a pretty pink color), add your mixture to some pretty cupcake liners and bake for 18-22 minutes. once cupcakes are baked and completely cool, add your frosting.

{yes, i did in fact eat one for breakfast this morning. in the words of kate spade and her merchandise, "eat cake for breakfast." i happen to like this motto very much.} 

have a beautiful tuesday!

Easter Sunday.

I hope everyone had a beautiful Easter Sunday! We had a quiet, intimate day, just the two of us (or "three" if we're including the kitty). We started the morning off at church and came home to do our Easter basket hunt. Every year we hide Easter baskets filled with candy for one another and every year it takes me forever to find mine, while that boo of mine finds his right away. Well this year we are living in a much smaller space, so finding creative hiding spots was much more challenging. And I am proud to say that for the first time, this lady right here found her basket first!

 

The Easter Bunny even brought something for our little Gunther! I wasn't sure if Gunther would be too interested in the things in his basket (let's face it, giving him a basket was more for our benefit and entertainment), but he really was! He spent a good while playing with a new toy and eating kitty treats :)

 I decided to splurge on an unhealthy dinner, being a holiday worthy of celebration and all ;) Lately we've been pretty strict with our diets throughout the week, eating plain chicken breasts and plain sautéed veggies...no butters, cheeses, salts, or desserts. But for Easter, I made chicken cordon bleu, creamy corn, and other fresh veggies, with berry cobbler, and strawberry lemonade cupcakes with lime buttercream frosting (recipe to come). 

We have lots of leftovers, not to mention all of our Easter candy, so it may be awhile before the diet resumes ;) We are so blessed with all we have, but most of all for the life we have in Christ. His resurrection is the basis for how all believers ought to live out their lives. 

Happy Easter!! 

surprise girls night.

so... i took an unplanned break from the blogging world for a couple weeks... the internet in our apartment was out and reading blogs is just not as convenient from my phone. so i feel like i've been out of touch for awhile! anyway, thankful to have our internet up and running again!

last night i was "kidnapped" by a good friend and taken to our friend, d's house. i was all ready to "go see a play" with brian, when my friend andrea showed up and said i was coming with her. she drove me to d's house where a few other friends were waiting with a great homemade meal and banana split cake. our friends are so sweet and planned this fun night to celebrate andrea and i's birthdays. 

after we ate our delicious meal, d told us that we were heading to the toledo museum of art. the museum itself was beautiful and it felt like we were the only ones there... and that was pretty much how we acted ;)

the 19th century french section was my favorite section by far. there is so much romance in those paintings!

there's a section right across from the museum itself thats a glass pavilion and specializes in glass art. check out this dress made entirely of glass!

we also got to watch a tutorial on making glass art, which was pretty fascinating! 

we had a great time and i cannot wait to take brian to this museum one night for a fun date. 

the art museum was also on the list of things to do in toledo, in the sweet scrapbook that d made for me. it was great being able to check another item off the list! thankful for these ladies who have shown me so much love. 

SYMC 2013.

This past weekend Brian and I went to the Simply Youth Ministry Conference in Indianapolis. It was an amazing weekend of workshops, classes, peer panels, amazing speakers, and worship. It was cool to be around so many great authors and leaders in youth ministry. 

Worship was led by Shane and Shane, Lecrae, and my personal favorite, All Sons and Daughters. Did I wait outside the doors for an hour so I could get a good seat? Maybe. Did I practically run over people to get to the front? Maybe. But it paid off... we were four rows from the stage when All Sons and Daughters played. It was such an awesome time of worship and refueling. 

The next morning, Leslie Jordan, the female singer, got in the elevator with Brian and me and we got to talk to her for a brief minute. I was all Kristen Wiig on the inside, but tried my best to play it cool on the outside. 

My brain: OMG LESLIE JORDAN, WE'RE LIKE BEST FRIENDS, YOU JUST DONT KNOW IT YET, THIS IS SO FREAKIN EXCITING!

My mouth: Yeah, I like your music. 

I'm already looking forward to next year. While we had the perfect time, I missed my little lion cub... my mom was gracious to watch him for the weekend, but I was so excited to see him after four days and take him home :)

If you work in youth ministry as a pastor, volunteer, or mentor, I highly recommend SYMC. Next year's conference will be in Columbus, Ohio! 

O-H! 

Liebster Blog Award.

Hi friends! My new friend Jessi at Flawless nominated me for the Liebster Blog award. Thank you so much, Jessi! Scroll down to check it out.

The Liebster Blog Award rules (I'm not the best rule follower and bent the rules a little):

1. Each person tagged must share eleven things about themselves.
2. They must answer the eleven questions the tagger has made for them.
3. They must then choose eleven fellow blogs to nominate.  The nominees must have under 200 GFC (Google Friend Connect) followers and be told in a comment on their blog.  Choose as many or as little as you want. 
4. Lastly they must then think of eleven questions to ask the bloggers they have decided to nominate.

Okay, so eleven things about me...

1. My favorite meal in the entire world is Butternut Squash ravioli. There's an adorable place back home in Mason, Ohio, called Wildflower Cafe that makes it the best, sprinkled with goat cheese and everything. They only make it in the Fall, so it's definitely a treat. 

2.  I am also obsessed with breakfast foods- french toast, waffles, omelets, the whole she-bang.

3. I am married to a youth pastor and love working with younger girls.

4. I adore my orange tabby named Gunther.

5.  I love learning about the intimate/Romantic heart of God and how He individually loves and woos each one of us.

6. I love to craft and create things and wish I had more time to do it! My favorite project I have done so far is definitely my "tea party lamp!" 

7. I am currently a substitute teacher for elementary students. I am praying that this will lead to a full-time position soon!

8. I prefer smaller groups to larger groups.

9. My husband proposed to me with the game "Pretty Pretty Princess." He is the sweetest!



10. Self proclaimed fashionista right here- I love glitter, dresses, and pattern mixing and would love to contribute to a fashion blog one day. 

11.  I've seen every episode of Friends at least six times and still laugh every single time I watch them. 

Here are the questions Jessi tagged me for:

1. Who is one person you really miss right now? 

Oh goodness, I have to pick just one?! Can I say my college roomies? That's two. There was never a dull moment with them. Good times. 

2. What is the weirdest meat you have ever eaten?

Unfortunately, I haven't been too adventurous in the meat department, but I did eat squid once, without knowing I was actually eating squid :P ....other than that, maybe different types of sushi that I've tried?

3. Do you have any nervous habits?

I crack basically every joint in my body...but I do this all the time, not just when I'm nervous :) 

4. What can always make your day?

Going out for a fantastic breakfast-- or having a really great one made for me...especially in bed :)

5. What is your favorite sport to watch?

College basketball- UK Wildcats!

6. What is your favorite mode of transportation?

I don't get to fly very often, but I enjoy it a lot... I also love riding bikes!

7. What is your favorite day of the week and why?

Friday-it's the start of the weekend and my husband and I's date night. Although I recently discovered $5 Tuesdays at our movie theatre, so Tuesday comes to a close second :)

8. What do you like on your burger?

Pepperjack cheese, tomato, and ketchup. Sometimes guacamole. 

9. What is your favorite grocery store?

Whole Foods Market.

10. What is your favorite season and why?

Summer-I'm a huge fan of sundresses, tans, ice cream, late night summer walks, the beach, and swimming. I also love the long hours of sunlight and hello-teachers get summers off! 

11. Nerds or Jocks?

I'd probably have to say Jocks since that most describes my husband...although in my opinion, he's kind of a secret nerd, in his own way. It's pretty adorable :)

I nominate:

Melissa from On Bruised Knees

Ellie at Letters + Light

Allie from Allie in Oz

Shana at Colorblind

Hannah at Hannahloveyoon 

Natalie at Heart Stirrings

Katie at Hope Engaged

Allison from Nestful of Love

Brhea from No Place Lyke Home

Eimile from Reflect

Barbie at The Parlor Girl

Deanna at Spotlight 316

Hillary at Runner Girl for Jesus

And, here are my questions :) 

1. Describe your perfect hot drink. You have a warm mug of something... what's in it?

2. What are your morning rituals?

3. If you could only wear one color for the rest of your life, which color would you choose?

4. What have you secretly believed you'd be really good at if you were given the chance?

5. What one thing bothers you most about the world? 

6. Facebook or twitter?

7. Describe your perfect Saturday.

8. What is one habit you are trying to change?

9. What is one of your God-given gifts?

10. Polka dots, stripes, floral, or leopard-choose one and tell me why.  

If you choose to post, I'd love a link in the comments box so I can see :) Have a great day loves! 

top oscar 2013 moments & looks.

1. Anne Hathaway's gracious and humble acceptance speech.
2. Jennifer Lawrence's fall up the stairs (this girl is hilarious... falling has never looked so good!)
3. Adele's live performance. 
4. Ben Affleck's "thank you" to his wife, Jennifer Garner. 

Here were my favorite looks of the evening:

Naomi Watts, Armani Prive via

Jennifer Lawrence, Dior Couture via

Kerry Washington, Miu Miu via

Sandra Bullock, Elie Saab via

Jennifer Garner, Gucci via

Watching the Oscars this past Sunday night was a treat because Sunday nights are our youth nights and normally I would not have been home to see them. But since I was sick and felt terrible Saturday night through Monday morning, I was home stuck on the couch and got to watch. Did anyone else watch this past Sunday night? What were your favorite moments and looks of the evening? 

must reads.

just some articles/posts that have encouraged me and made me think lately... 

1. The Dark Side of Creativity

2. The To-Don't List

3. The ABC's of Me

4. Mandisa's Valentine's Letter to her Future Husband

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enjoy :)

valentines day recap.

i absolutely adore valentines day. hands down, its my favorite holiday. i love the colors, the crafts, the hearts, the expressions of love. my mom always made it so special growing up that it never phased me if i was single. it was hard this year not being close to family, as my mom usually hosts a valentine's dinner. however, brian and i were able to spend it with our college students and fellow young adults, and this was special in itself. 

i subbed in a 2nd grade classroom for half the day and came home to some goodies from my boo, family, and friends. 

i made these little hearts for the girls we would be seeing that night at dinner filled with a piece of chocolate and a love letter from Jesus. i attached a pencil with a clothespin to each one. 

the young adult/college ministry is called "morph." we all got dressed up, met at the church, and then went into the city for a nice dinner. 

it was a great time of bonding and to be reminded of our Savior's unconditional love for us!

happy valentines day!

a blessed birthday brunch.

i went home to cincinnati this past weekend for my birthday. my mom organized a little get-together with some friends in the area. i seriously have so many amazing people in my life!

i took gunther home with me so i could show him off to my friends. we played "pass the kitty" so everyone could hold him. then we let him play around everyone. he knew that he was the star of the morning!

even though everyone might not understand my love for kitties (orange ones in particular), allison does. she has two kitties of her own who are going to be fast friends with little gunther.

i was so blessed to be able to spend saturday morning with so many wonderful women. i was totally feeling the love. 

like i said, allison totally understands my love for kitties...and baking... so she got me this adorable Kitten Aid print. it is perfect and looks just like my gunther. 

and it goes oh so well in my kitchen!

new kitten, lots of wonderful friends, and brunch. 24 started off perfectly.