Texas Tech Game!

We meant to post this at the beginning of the summer-- we've officially been married over 2 years now! Mom's doing something fun for her Christmas cards this year and asked that we take a picture of us holding up a sign that sums us up. In a few short words-- this describes us to the T:

 

So this is my third attempt at this particular blog post. I am praying that this time it doesn’t in some weird way get deleted or my computer randomly decide to turn off and forget to autosave in my document recovery—again. With this said, I have much to post about.

First and foremost--- I have great news! No, I’m not pregnant;)

We are having an early morning pancake brunch with a bunch of our friends conference weekend. As I begun making the list of friends to include on our Evite list, a thought came to me to include my mother. I ignored the prompting as I knew there was no possible way that she would ever be able to make it, but I couldn’t shake the thought. I wasn’t inviting my sisters or anyone else that wasn’t here in Lubbock, it was just a silly thought. However, it stayed with me, and I finally caved to the idea of sending her an Evite too.

A day or two passed and I was speaking to my mom on the phone. She had mentioned receiving my Evite! Then I was totally caught off guard when I heard her say, “What do you think about me maybe coming and visiting you in a couple of weeks? Would you mind at all if I came to help you flip pancakes for your party?” She said that she’d been thinking a lot lately about coming and visiting us—and things were just working out so it looked like she finally could! We are so excited! I went and spoke with my boss about taking some time off to spend with my mom, afraid that because it was such short notice, it wouldn’t be much, but to my surprise. . .  somehow I’d missed that I had a couple extra paid days off that I could spend with her! This mean’s I’ll be able to spend 5 ½ days with her! There aren’t a million things to do here, but I’m stoked just to get to hang out together and not have to do anything. Fuzz and I have been married just over 2 years and none of our family has ever been able to come see us—which is so fine, because there really isn’t much here to see—and we are fine making the flight or drive home to see our families, but we’re thrilled for her to come see us here in our little married home and life;)

So a little bit more of some big news for us. . . last Saturday, I went to my first Texas Tech Football game!!!! I was so excited! I can see why it’s such a big deal around here! We went with our friends the Dangerfields-

 

 

 We had a few issues there at the beginning getting in—because I kinda threw a fit when they told me that I had to sit in a different area of the stadium than my husband because he was a student. Even though we paid good money for my ticket, they said the only way they would let him sit by me was if he bought another ticket—and regardless I wasn’t allowed to go sit by him in the student section because I wasn’t a student. I was just so caught off guard, because we were with our friends, another couple that was in the same predicament as us---- we were all so confused about what other couples or families do—since that game we’ve asked around, and found that most just don’t go to the games for that very reason, that—or they are forced to cheat the system, and enter with other student’s id’s to be able to sit together. My friend and I had to split up with our husbands and then sneak into their student section when nobody was looking just to enjoy the game with our spouses. Kinda lame. I guess I’m just use to Utah where everything is made to accommodate families, or is just family friendly-- and I just assumed it was the same everywhere else. Other than that --- the game was awesome! They destroyed the other team and there was just so much school spirit! Students stood for the entire game! I’d never seen anything like it.

Here are some pics Fuzz took when they had drill this summer at Fort Bliss:

Here's Fuzz in his favorite hang out spot-

 

Here's his side kick Danger--should I be nervous that one of his best friends name is Danger?

 

 

Here he is with some of his other army buddies-

 

 

 Last week Fuzz had drill—he’s in the National Guard for just less than one more year;) He’d mentioned to his sergeant some time ago that there was a triathlon that he’d hoped to compete in and asked for permission to be excused from a couple of hours of drill to do it. (Most of the time “drill” consists of sitting around literally doing nothing for a couple days.) His sergeant responded the day before the triathlon and said that he’d let him go. Luckily he’d been training regularly with his tri team and so he was ready even with the short notice to participate. He was so excited!!! I wished I could have gone to watch him, but it was about an hour out of town and I had to work that day. He came in to my work later on his way back to show me his trophy!

 

 

He had placed third in his division—I was so proud;) The tri was the Cotton Country Sprint Tri and they gave him a mini bail of cotton as his trophy;)

Several weeks ago my spin instructor mentioned something about this class that was starting for those with any interest in instructing group fitness—I thought it sounded like fun, but knew that there was no way I could work it in to my already crazy schedule. I kept thinking about it trying to make it work in my head, and I figured by then it was already too late. I decided that if she mentioned it again, I’d ask a few more questions, and if it was meant to be it would all work out. The next class I had with her she brought it up again. She didn’t have a whole lot of information about the specific class, but gave me the contact information for the teacher. I called her and she informed me that the class would be held once a week for 2 hours. It almost sounded like I could make it work—I’d just need permission from my boss. I hate asking for favors---- but I really wanted to take this class. So I asked her--- and she said, “Sure, I don’t see why not! You’re the manager for your department,  just make the schedule adjustments you need to and come in a little bit early to make up the hours—it should be fine!” She is the nicest lady! I about did cartwheels right there in her office I was so happy!!! Since then I’ve attended two classes and can’t tell you how much I’m loving it—Oh it’s not half as easy as I thought it would be, right now we’re learning all the medical anatomy, as well as how to teach step--- it’s kicking my trash--- but I’m loving it!!!

We’ve been trying all sorts or healthy substitutions lately--- like stevia, which claims to be all natural, so it’s not like an artificial sweetener—it’s supposed to be just like sugar but without the calories—so here’s my review on it--- it might not have the harmful side effects of artificial sweeteners, but in my opinion it tastes just like em.

 We made this “healthy” dessert last Sunday:

Individual Protein Cheesecake
serves 1
Filling
6oz Chobani plain 0% Greek Yogurt
1/2 Tbsp Jell-O sugar-free instant pudding mix – cheesecake

Crust
1/2 cup fiber bran cereal
4 Tbsp water
1 Tbsp unsalted almond butter
1/4 tsp stevia
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1/8 tsp nutmeg
Add the cheesecake flavored pudding mix into the yogurt and stir until well combined. Set yogurt mixture aside. In a food processor or blender, grind the bran to a fine texture. In a small mixing bowl, add the ground bran with all dry ingredients, (stevia, cinnamon, and nutmeg) and mix evenly. Then add the almond butter and water and stir until it becomes moist and sticky. If the batter is still crumbly, add additional water in 1 tsp increments until desired consistency is achieved. Pour the crust mixture into a small 4in circular pan. Pack the crust along the bottom and sides of the dish to create a pie shape. Pour the filling on top of the crust and smooth evenly along the top. Refrigerate for at least 20 minutes and enjoy cold.
(I substituted the almond butter for peanut butter;)

Here’s where I found it: http://rabbitfoodformybunnyteeth.com/my-big-nonfat-greek-yogurt-recipes/

It looks like it would taste good—but I didn’t entirely care for it. Fuzz liked the cream cheese part—he said the crust just tasted too “healthy”-- I concur.

 

Here’s one I made today--- it tasted a whole lot better than the one I made last week. . . and I kinda cheated and put light whipping cream on top with sprinkled graham cracker crust;)

 

Here’s where I found it: http://www.shape.com/healthy-eating/healthy-recipes/10-mouthwatering-low-calorie-desserts?page=2

2-Minute Pumpkin Pie

 

If you need a little something to satisfy your sweet tooth, whip up this 75-calorie pumpkin pie for one. This simple recipe, pared down to the most basic and common ingredients, only takes 2 minutes to make, but the end result tastes as delicious as traditional, calorie-packed pie.

Ingredients:
1/2 c. pumpkin puree
1/4 c. egg whites (from an egg or carton)
Sweetener
Cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice

Directions:

Mix together all the ingredients. If you prefer a flan-like texture, add more pumpkin; if you prefer a cake-like texture, add more egg whites. Microwave for two minutes. Use a mix of Greek yogurt, hazelnut cream cheese, and pumpkin pie spice for the icing. Top with toasted pecans.

Makes one serving.

 

 We got to babysit my friends dog a couple weeks ago-- it was a baby shitzu! Her name is Lucy-- she was such a sweetheart! We had so much fun being dog parents for the weekend;)