Goodness in a Jar!

Zach and I had our first baby shower for Knox this past Friday. You can read all about it here. Several weeks ago when the date was set, I immediately starting thinking about hostess gifts. For a few of our wedding showers I gave the hostesses mason jars filled with ingredients to make M&M cookies. They were fun to make! I knew that I wanted to make something similar but make it gluten-free and paleo. 

I came across this recipe on MarthaStewart.com. Zach and I of course sampled it to make sure that it was worthy to give someone else. It was absolutely delicious!

I'm calling this "Goodness in a Jar!" 

Ingredients:

(You can go to MarthaStewart's website for the exact measurements.)

Toasted Walnuts

(Place them in a skillet on medium heat and toast for about 5-10 minutes. You will smell them when they are done.)

Dried Cranberries

Dried Apricots

Honey

Mix all ingredients except honey and fill a mason jar (size of your choice).

Pour honey on top. I used a butter knife to move around the nuts and dried fruit so the honey could get all the way to the bottom. 

Find fabric of your choice to add a special little touch. 

I placed them in these burlap sacks with their Thank You card.

You can either tell them or write a little "instruction" card...

Enjoy on your favorite toast, yogurt, ice cream, or whatever your heart desires!

I think they turn out super cute and believe me... it is delicious! 

CCJ Baby Shower

Zach and I were guest of honor at Knox's first baby shower yesterday. It was held at Zach's work by a few of his clients. I am not going to lie... I was very nervous! All week long I was trying to get myself ready for it. 

What would I wear?

Will they like me? 

I knew these were stupid question to be asking myself because Zach says nothing but GREAT things about everyone he trains. I, somewhat, felt like I knew most of them. I had only meet two of his clients prior to the shower. Both of which was a while ago. So, basically, I was walking into a place where I only knew his two co-workers. 

From the start, I felt comfortable. They went way out of their way to try to keep it mostly gluten-free for us and very laid back. Knox was showered with tons of amazing gifts and some very yummy food! 

When we picked Knox's bedding we were not planning on it to be an elephant theme. Well... it's just kind of happening. One of the hostesses got this super cute elephant and all the plates and napkins had elephants on them. She had no clue about the bedding when she bought these items. 

The delicious gluten-free cake is from Campbell's Bakery in Fondren. Zach was showing her our gluten-free cake from our revealing party and she immediately said to him that she was going to Campbell's for the shower cake. They did an awesome job and it was just as good as the cake we had in January. As a matter of fact, I think I have eaten my weight plus some in cake. I think I have had my fix on cake until my next shower. 

Zach and I were so impressed with all the food. They REALLY out did themselves to accommodate to our gluten-free lifestyle. 

We had baked ham (there were rolls for those who do eat bread), 2 different types of sausage balls, cauliflower hummus with veggies, spinach dip with gluten-free crackers (and wheat thins for those who wanted them), fruit and the yummy cake. It was all so delicious!  

Opening the gifts was a lot of fun. 

 We had a wonderful time and talked non-stop about how great it was the rest of the day.  

We got home and of course had to go back through all the gifts.  

Looks like Christmas morning!

(Love all the blue!)

Knox got tons of clothes(which is great!), wipe warmer, wipes, books, stroller, gift cards, towels, lovies, and lots more!

After going through all the gifts again, we realized that we left the cake! This was sort of a big deal. We don't eat cake very often and since it was a cake that we could eat, we really wanted it! Zach and I made the 20 minute drive to his co-workers house(he took it home with him to save us about 15 minutes) to pick up the cake. We probably should have left it so I would be has big as a house right now from all the left overs but hey, its okay every once in a while! :)

I still can not believe that we just had our first shower! There are not enough words to describe how thankful we are. We are so blessed to have such wonderful people placed in our lives. Working in gyms, you don't  really think about getting that close to the members, but really it is like our second family. As you can see, Zach's second family is quite amazing!

Today is the 100 day mark until Knox's arrival! 

Only 100 more days!!!!

25 Weeks!

Check out how much that belly has grown in just a week! Knox is really starting to pop out!

*25 weeks

*Knox is the size of a rutabaga.

*taught 12 classes this week but only participated in 9 of the classes. decided to give myself a little break. 

*Knox has his first shower this Friday!! can't wait!!!

*energy has been okay. 

*sleep is still hit or miss. some nights are good, some are awful! 

*chocolate, oranges and almonds

*appetite is still good. I get full very quick!

*Knox has still been very active. the other night it was hard to sleep because he was rolling and flipping all over the place. 

*next appointment is March 5th. Glucose testing... should be fun! Praying that I pass!!!

Knox is a popular little boy already. His Nana-Darlin' (my mom) sent him is first piece of mail today! 

It was a cute set of blankets. Zach's parents came down on Friday and brought Knox his dresser. 

What a loved little boy!!!

Random things...

Zach and I made supper for our friends. We cooked them beef stew, sweet potato biscuits and homemade almonds joys (which I think are my new staple). I believe it was a hit! 

I had to work this weekend and was so excited to see this on my way home Sunday night. Such a beautiful sight! 

I think I will have two side jobs from now on...

1) Caterer

2) Photographer

If you need one of those two please give me a call! :)

I know I say this every week but I REALLY can NOT believe how fast this pregnancy is going. I am so incredibly thankfuly and blessed how easy it has been!!! I pray that the last 15 weeks go by just as easy.

Hope you all have a great rest of the week!

24 weeks!

Another week down! 

*24 weeks

*Knox is the length of an ear of corn.

*taught 12 classes this week. 

*yes, I mowed the yard and Knox helped :)

*energy has been okay. 

*sleep was hit or miss this week. 

*craving fruit and almonds

*appetite is still good. I get full very quick!

*sprained ankle... bruising and swelling are gone! YAY!!

*Knox has still been active. I love those little kicks and punches. It is really neat when I lay down and all of a sudden you see my belly jump. I think he has played on my bladder a few times. 

*next appointment is March 5th. Glucose testing... should be fun!

Got a call from my wonderful grandparents tonight and Memaw has done a little shopping! 

How cute is this monkey booty???

 Love it!

She got several other outfits and a little blanket too. So much fun! Zach's parents are bringing the dresser for Knox's room. I can't wait to fill it up!

Monday morning, I was teaching class and this beautiful sky caught my eye. After class, I ran upstairs to my desk to grab my phone. As I was snapping this picture Emilee was sending me a pick of the sunrise too. I might miss a lot of sunsets but I get to see some beautiful sunrises. This picture doesn't even do it justice. It was a gorgeous sight!

Zach and I have been attending Broadmoor Baptist Church in Madison. We have really enjoyed the Lifegoup (aka Sunday School). Every time someone has a baby they do scheduled meals. You sign up for a day and cook basically whatever you want unless they have some allergies. Well the family we took food for tonight doesn't have any allergies. I still made the meal gluten free... I guess its just a habit for me now. Zach and I started planning their meal and this is what we came up with...

Pulled pork, broccoli slaw, sweet potato biscuits and homemade almond joys. 

I sure hope they enjoy it! This is my first time doing this so I really didn't know how it worked. 

I am so thrilled about celebrating Knox at our first shower next Friday. 

Zach's work is throwing us a shower! I can't wait to finally meet everyone he trains. I have heard such great things about them. 

So, this blog is all over the place but I had a lot to say. :)

Hope you all have a great weekend!

23 Weeks +Valentine's Day

I am ready to take my picture for 24 weeks. I feel like the past week Knox has made my belly double in size. 

What went down this week....

*23 weeks

*Knox is the size of a large mango.

(is a mango really bigger than a spaghetti squash???)

*taught 12 classes this week. body is super sore!

*energy has been low! still waiting on that energy burst!

*sleep was once again pretty much non-existent! only slept a few hours a night. 

*craving fruit and almonds

*appetite is still good. I get full very quick!

*sprained ankle... still bruised and slightly swollen still. Barely any pain. Was able to resume to all my normal activities this week. 

*Knox is very active late afternoons on most days. some days I think I wear him out with all the classes. Zach has gotten to feel him quite a bit. Knox throws a mean punch! there is a guy in our Life-group class that owns a martial arts studio... Zach and I think Knox will be good at this!

*next appointment is March 5th. Glucose testing... should be fun!

Valentine's Day was Thursday. I am not a huge fan of V-Day. I think it is highly over-rated. I don't think you need a special day to say "I love you." Even though I am not a fan, Zach and I do swap small gifts. I got Zach an Under Armour t-shirt from me and Knox gave him a heart box full of chocolate. The top of the heart shaped box was chalk-board. I wrote on it...

"Happy V-Day, Dad!

I can't wait to meet you! 

Love, Knox"

I woke up in the middle of the night and put the box on Zach's gym bag. Little did I know my gift was sitting out the entire time... I never noticed it!

After I went to sleep, Zach made me homemade almond butter/ dark chocolate cups. They are very similar to a Reese's p.b. cup, but so much better! He also gave me flowers and Ghiradelli chocolate bars. Because I needed more chocolate. :)

So sweet.

But we make sure that we tell each other daily how much we mean to each other and "I love you" doesn't have to wait for a certain date on the calendar.

Hope you all had a great week!

Lent 2013

Wednesday is Ash Wednesday, also known as the start of Lent. 

No, I am not Catholic. 

I am Baptist.

Each year, I try to partake in Lent. I think it is a great personal challenge to give something up. A long time ago,  probably in elementary, I was told about Lent. I decided to give up sweet tea. I am so thankful that I did because I never went back to drinking it. Zach and I are probably the only two southerners that you will meet that don't drink sweet tea. 

Last year, after several months of "trying" to give up gluten and everything that has wheat, barley, and rye, I finally decided to give it up for Lent. Once again, so thankful that I did! I feel so much better without it! I know I have talked  about it several times but just a few of the positives of giving up gluten... clearer skin, no more knee pain (gluten can trigger arthritis), my digestive system is better and no more allergy flare ups. With this crazy weather that we have here in Mississippi, I have only had one sinus cold in a year and I am positive that I got a hold of something on vacation that I wasn't aware of. We have learned to ask questions each time we go out to eat or research restaurants before we go. 

I have given up things for Lent and then continued to enjoy them after Lent was over, such as... mayonnaise (yes, I enjoy mayo on occasions now... no, we don't keep it in the house), sodas (I don't drink these at all anymore), potatoes and bread (I only enjoy gluten free bread every once in a while). 

I have been thinking of what I could give up for Lent this year. I thought I could give up treats and splurges but I eat pretty clean and so I thought taking away a splurge here and there would be border-line crazy. You got to live a little! And plus, I have 4 baby showers in the next couple of months. I am looking forward to enjoying myself. 

I started looking at our bank statement and what all we spent money on this past weekend. I was blown away at what we spent on eating out for 3 meals. Are you ready for this....$120!!! Yes, that is three meals and dessert. RI-DIC-U-LOUS!!! 3 MEALS=$120!!! 

I sent a text early this morning to Zach after I saw this and asked him if he wanted to give up going out to eat for lent. So thankful that he jumped right on the bandwagon and agreed!!

Yes, this is going to be very challenging. 

Yes, I am 100% sure we can do this.

Yes, I am sure this is one of those things that we will resume after Lent.... maybe not $120 on 3 meals.

So, family and friends... please understand that if you ask us to go out to eat that we will be more than happy to go with you but we will not be eating. We will join you after Easter. 

Do you give things up for Lent? 

What are you giving up for this year??

22 weeks!

 Yep, that's right!

22  weeks!!!

My doctors appointment went great yesterday. I wish we would have gotten a sonogram but at least we got to listen to that sweet heart beat. Knox's heart rate was in the mid to upper 140's. I wish I could have recorded his heart beat so I could listen to it whenever I wanted and not have to wait 4 more weeks until I hear it again.

Here is what's up with Knox!

*22 weeks

*Knox is the size of a spaghetti squash

*taught 7 classes this week... looks like I won't be teaching anymore for the week. I sprained my ankle today.

*energy has been better.

*sleep was amazing on Monday night but Duke and Delta decided to keep us up most of the last night. 

*craving fruit, vegetables and almonds

*appetite is good!

*took small tumble today (how I sprained my ankle) but the nurse says as long as I'm not hurting or bleeding everything is fine. Praying it stays this way.

*love feeling Knox move around. Some days are more than others. Doc says that this is normal and will be this way for a few more weeks.

*next appointment is March 5th. Glucose testing... should be fun!

This morning I was cleaning my daily equipment while I had a break and the sun was shinning through so bright. Almost blinding bright! I couldn't help but run to my desk and take a picture of this beautiful, bright sunrise. 

God is so good. Words can not express how thankful I am how smooth this pregnancy is going. I am reminded daily by folks how blessed I am that I haven't been sick. But there is no reminder needed. I am still able to do just about everything that I was able to do before I got pregnant. Besides being tired... I am healthy and strong and have a sweet baby boy growing rapidly, therefore, I am VERY, VERY THANKFUL!!!!