A Fun Birthday!

Yesterday was my birthday and my wonderful husband went all out with some great surprises!  I woke up to a Happy Birthday message on our bathroom mirror and a birthday present on the floor.  I was sent on a mini scavenger hunt around the house until I got to my "real" present!  I was so shocked to see a certificate for an hour massage that very afternoon.  My sweet husband left work early and came home so that I could go leave for my massage at the spa!  What a wonderful way to spend a birthday!

After a blissful time at the spa, I met up with all my boys at P.F. Chang's.  As usual, we ate super-fast so that no one would melt down or cause too much trouble.  The little ones acted pretty good, but it was definitely time to go!

As you can tell, we let John Michael eat one of their tiny desserts.  He kind of loved it!

Afterwards, Jordan and John Michael left to go one more birthday-related errand and Matthew and I hung out and walked around our outdoor mall.  We visited the big trees.........

and the big ornaments and presents.

We also looked at the pretty water fountains!

 

We also rode the train with the boys and John Michael was sooo excited!

The conductor gave both boys a sucker so they were very happy!

After we got home Jordan surprised me with a cake from yummy Rick's Bakery!  It is so pretty and it tasted so good, too!

 

And on a fun note, I bought a cute little 4th of July baby hat for our little 4th of July baby due this summer!  This is the first purchase for baby #3!!

Happy Birthday, Mary!

Happy Birthday

 

To My Beautiful Bride!!!

 

This is Jordan, Mary's husband.  I am hijacking Mary's blog to wish my beautiful bride a happy Birthday today!  We have been married for about 4 1/2 years now, and actually went on our first date over 11 years ago in High School.  It's been such a wonderful journey over the years, constantly learning all of the little things about each other, and always growing our love for each other to a new level as each year goes by.

Mary has been such a wonderful wife to me, always there in the good times and the bad... and it doesn't hurt that she always has a hot meal waiting for me at the end of a long day of work, either!  :-)  Just when I thought I couldn't love and respect her any more than I already did, we became parents.  And I tell you, she has been such an amazing mother to our children.  I have all the respect in the world for the things that she does with them on a daily basis, and for having the desire to stay home to raise our boys every day!  I know as we continue to expand our family with our next little one due in July, that her motherly skills will continue to amaze me even more.

Thank you, baby, for being such a great wife, mother, and my best friend.  I love you so much, and hope you have a great birthday today!

Love you,
Jordan

 

Soup's On!

I posted this tonight on facebook and I had a TON of people wanting the recipe, so I thought the easiest thing to do would be to just post it on here!  I found this recipe in Taste of Home last year and it is just so wonderful!  It's pretty rich and filling, so it only needs to be made once, maybe twice, a year!

To me, it feels like a really hearty winter soup.  It's not a fall kind of soup, but a cold-day, heart-warming kind of soup!  I hope you enjoy making it!

Tomato Tortellini Soup

Ingredients

• 1 package (9 ounces) refrigerated cheese tortellini


• 2 cans (10-3/4 ounces each) reduced-sodium condensed tomato soup, undiluted


• 2 cups vegetable broth


• 2 cups 2% milk


• 2 cups half-and-half cream


• 1/2 cup chopped oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes


• 1 teaspoon onion powder


• 1 teaspoon garlic powder


• 1 teaspoon dried basil


• 1/2 teaspoon salt


• 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese


• Additional shredded Parmesan cheese, optional

Directions

• Cook tortellini according to package directions.


• Meanwhile, in a Dutch oven, combine the soup, broth, milk, cream, tomatoes and seasonings. Heat through, stirring frequently. Drain tortellini; carefully add to soup. Stir in cheese. Sprinkle each serving with additional cheese if desired. Yield: 10 servings (2-1/2 quarts).

YUMMY!  Personally, I think this would be great with a warm, toasted piece of french bread.  I made crescent rolls and a salad with cranberries and walnuts.  It was so nice to sit and eat a real meal instead of feeling nauseated and not wanting to eat.  Hurry up blissful second trimester!

Oh, NOW I remember!

Now I remember why I usually wait until Jordan comes home from work to unload the dishwasher...

He keeps Matthew entertained in the den while I unload!  During this time Matthew got into the dishwasher, Christmas bows, found markers, and tried to eat a lava rock from the gas fireplace!  Whew!

And sweet John Michael watched his favorite Christmas episode of Mickey Mouse!

I was exhausted after unloading the dishwasher and chasing Matthew!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!

 

 

We hope you have a happy, blessed, and safe Christmas!