I'm Back :) Happy Easter!

First. Happy Easter ♥
I hope you all enjoy plentiful amounts of time with your loved ones!  Spring is such a beautiful time of the year and it is the day to remember how blessed we are!



I made some yummy cupcake puppy chow.

Doesn't the look of it just make your mouth water?
It is simply fantastic.
Check our the recipe here!

Second. Hi! I'm Back :)

Who knows if anyone even look at this blog anymore, but wow, I have missed some old blogger friends.  My life has been quite busy to say that least.  Actually the busiest it has ever been (and potentially EVER will be). 

So what have I been up to in this past YEAR, you ask? Here are my top 5 things going on in my life...

ONE.

I got engaged! 

Eeek. 

Yes, finally :) 

We have been together now for 8 1/2 year and he is my high school-sweetheart, whom I adore! I feel so lucky to have someone life him.

TWO.

I started grad school. I will walk THIS May with a MS in Education & a focus in Literacy :) 

THREE.

I am second grade teacher and absolutely love my students.  They are at the age where they you are the greatest thing known to man and have mad rad skills (such as: you am the best artist, you SO knowledgable...(almost genius!), and the list goes on!) 

FOUR.

We're getting a house! Now, this is exciting but also incredibly stressful.  Holy paperwork! My life is officially signed away with mortgage loans and what have-ya. Whoa, nothings "official" yet, but we're darn close!

FIVE.

We will be adding another addition to our family soon...

A PUPPY :) 

Thoughts about particular breeds? We want to adopt a small-medium sized furry friend!

Well, if you happen to mosey on over and find this post, let me know something new that's been happening in your life! It will take awhile to get back into the swing of things and read old friends posts, but I thoroughly intend to, quite soon too!

Have a happy and blessed day, friends!

xoxo

erin.

Happy St. Patrick's Day :)

Today will be filled with laughter, beer, food that isn't on my diet plan, friends, and GREEN :) I love St Patrick's Day and good ol' Corn Beef and Cabbage! 

With blonde hair, blue eyes, and a name of Erin
...you know that I'm Irish and ready to celebrate!

Later tonight, I'm skipping the crowds and staying in with my man to watch some old movies and make some good food!

What are your St. Patties Day Plans?

via

 Be Safe.Have Fun.Go Green :)

xoxo.

Happy Fourth :)

♥Happy Fourth of July
...the 10 minutes that's left of it that is.

Today was a wonderful day filled with family, food, and fun.

First, I started the day by finishing dessert, cake pops! So many people/fellow-bloggers have been talking about these little fattening, calorie filled chocolate goodness pops and so I had to to give in. I spent hours in the kitchen making these babies completely from scratch (mad props to me). You guys need to understand that I am usually an awful cook/baker/all the above. I called my mom over to come do a taste taste mid way through to assure that they were edible. Luckily, I was approved with flying colors and continued on.
Here is my first completed batch of cake pops :)
I am so proud of myself!

For the recipe I used, click here!

Next, my mom came over for a little wine and scrabble. 

It is our favorite game and perfect for some competitive family love :)

Later, I stuffed my face with loads of sugar and unhealthy yummy-ness all while watching the spectacular fireworks show that my (extended) family puts on. They buy extreme amounts of fireworks, make handmade ply-boards that are remote controlled and have loads of glued fireworks to them. It is quite the sight...even neighbors gather friends over to watch the show. I have no idea how much they truly spend on fireworks all-together, but it sure is one pretty penny!

Here is how we got the neighborhood dark(er)...
A member of my extended family built this contraption that sits on top of a street light. This "contraption" has a built in light that deceives that light pole to think it's daylight - He then assembled this long pole to allow him to set this thingy-mageeger up there...pure genius if you ask me!

(I totally understand that is an exceptionally bad picture, but you get the idea!!!)

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Finally, here is a short 52second clip of the tail-end of our fireworks show.
In all, the grand entertainment was approximately 23minutes long.

I hope you enjoy :)

Fireworks can be extremely dangerous, so I hope everyone stayed safe :)
Also, thank you to anyone who is/was serving our country.
YOU are what this day is actually about ♥

"...And I'm proud to be an American, where at least I know I'm free. And I won't forget the men who died, who gave their life for me...andI gladly stand up, next to you and defend her still today.

'Cause there ain't no doubt, I love this land...

God bless the USA"

xoxo
-erinj0

Bachelorette and Boyfriend Madness

I have some funny stories to share with you all

AND

I need your thoughts on a something as well :) 

(My boyfriend and I are in this heated debate & so I decided ask you all!)

 ♥ photo credit

Okay so first things first - graduation party

This Sunday was my cousins high school graduation party. 

My mom and the boy decided to get together and talk about all the "stupid" things that I do and vent to each other about how awful it is that I am such an indecisive person 

(okay, I admit...it can be pretty, really bad)

Here's one of their examples about me:

[Erin] Mom, which one do you like. The red shirt or the blue?

[Mom] I don't know, they both like nice! Either one would look good on you

[Erin] ...But if you HAD to pick, which one?

[Mom] If I HAD to pick...okay the blue

[Erin] The blue one? Really? You really think the blue one is better?!

[Mom] Okay, the red one then!

[Erin] ...Excuse me, miss! (at this point I am calling over a random person just minding their own business in the store to come over and give their opinion)...which one do you like...the red shirt or the blue?

[Random Person] Oh, well... I like the blue one. But they are both really nice

[Erin] Really. okay thank you!

[Mom] Okay - the blue ones the winner then?

[Erin] Eh, I think I like Red...

**This is embarrassing admitting but it is SO true. I am the WORST at making decisions!**

So, I guess they have a right to complain a little. After all...they are the two people who are with my non-stop :) I am so thankful they put up with me like they do!

Now for a funny story. Here is where I got back at my man!
(The best part, right?!)

I was sitting at the kitchen table and eating some Cheetos's. 

The kitchen table is sitting right underneath a ceiling fan.

As I start to grab the Cheetos's, my lovely boyfriend decides to "warn me"...

Um, hun - just so you know, those Cheetos are getting a little stale

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I look at him with a puzzled look in my face, like what the hell are you talking about?!

He repeats..."yeah, they are getting kind of stale. The fan is drying them out"

****Note: The Cheetos have only been opened and hour and a half ago**** 

WHAT?!?!?!?!? 

I am cracking up right now - you have no idea. TEARS are pouring down my face and I cannot control the laughter. He is busted. What a perfect time to embarrass him infront of people :) It was great!

------------------------------------------------------------

Next: Here is where I need YOUR HELP!

Here is the question that my boy & I are arguing over

Girls: Would you rather get a massage from a female masseuse or a male masseuse?

I told him that most all girl request to have a massage done by a female. He is convinced that I am just not the typical female, because I am wrong & girls want a male masseuse working on them

I think that is awkward - am I right? or is he correct & I am just abnormal? : /

Lastly - The Bachelorette was on tonight :) Episode 2 Recap/Thoughts

♥ photo credit

{1} William got the first one-on-one date! He is too adorable and I love him

The only "odd" part was the beginning of their date. They looked at rings & had a fake marriage.

Weird.

{2} I can't stand Ashley's laugh. I understand it's probably a "nervous laugh", but man it drives me nuts! I hope it doesn't ruin the show for me : /

{3} The crazy mask man STILL hasn't taken off his mask. PLUS he got a rose? Something is wrong with that picture. How bad would you feel if the mask man got a rose over you. I feel bad for the men that went home tonight, knowing that crazy phantom man beat them. Ugh.

{4} Bentley is a fake. He needs to go. The producers just want him for the hype & ratings

{5} I think JP is just the cutest guy & he reminds me of Heath Ledger. ♥

I hope everyone had a great memorial day

I am so honored and thankful for those who serve our country

xoxo

-erinj0

Happy Valentines Day

Happy Valentines Day to my man ♥

I haven't been feeling well so I am staying in & he is sick with the flu : /

I usually don't care to much about this "holiday" but it's fun to share memories.
Gifts are overrated for Valentines but home-aid creative ones are always accepted in my book!
We've been together 6 years and  so this is a conglomeration of pictures over our time together! Hope you enjoy : )

**Love You**

xoxo

-erinj0

::2011::

Happy New Year : ) 

The time has come... it's a new year, with new possibilities.
This past year has been full of memories and life changing events that I will never forget. 

  
   In 2010...

*I became an alumni of Zeta Delta

*I became VP of SCEC (Student Council for Exceptional Children)

*I was diagnosed with Dysautonomia/POTS

*The last year of Roosenblatt Stadium!

*Moved into my amazing 1 bedroom apartment

*Conquered my fear of dentists at the begining of the year & got my wisdom teeth removed (which unfortunately lead me POTS) Sad how that works : /

*After loosing my job, seven months later I got a new job at a call center where I can sit. Not the best job but it's all I can do right now

*Taught my first lessons during some of my practicums

*And I wouldn't have made it through the hardest part of this year without the help and support of my amazing mother whom I love more than anything. 

   In 2011...

*I will begin student teaching! (Let's hope my health holds up!)

*It will mark the last year of undergraduate classes at UNO

*Right now, my only goal is to successfully complete my first semester of student teaching! I've learned it's only appropriate to hope and accomplish one thing at a time

*Also- this year I am going to make an appoint to rely on my faith to get my through

Although this year towards the end was one of the most difficult times that I have had thus far in my life, I will only grow from all the experiences. POTS/Dysautonomia sucked a lot of things from me, but I believe that if you just try to stay positive and with the right therapies/medication and will, sometimes you can push yourself enough to enjoy little things that you like.

I lost my job - the job that I absolutely loved from being in the hospital and home bound for 4 months. I lost some friends for awhile, missed out on experiences and much more. However, when you are down looking out into life, you realize what is important in life. You start not taking the special simple things for granted and see the purpose in life. I believe that this illness has taught me a lot and will continue to only make me a stronger person.

I hope everyone has a happy/blessed 2011 year

xoxo
erinj0