Who Doesn't Love...

...a yummy chick-fil-a chicken biscuit! James and I are not really fast food eaters (as in almost never). Although, there is one place that we love and that is Chick-Fil-A. If you live in Dallas and have not heard, you can go to Chick-fil-aforbreakfast.com and "reserve" your FREE breakfast coupon for a specific Dallas location. All you have to do is pick the location, choose your free breakfast item and time and they email you a coupon.

I know I am pregnant and probably over excited about a free yummy chicken biscuit, but you know you are excited too!

So go check it out! Happy Tuesday!

Dallas Moms Blog Guest Post

Hey Everyone! Go check out my post on Dallas Moms Blog! You can see pictures and details from our gender reveal party for Baby Unthank!! Also, check out some of their date night ideas and advice on other Dallas spots for mommas!

all those crazy tricks

Each night when I get into bed James usually talks to Ella (some studies say she can hear us now so we will go with it and be over excited parents to be). So of course, James is just itching to feel Ella kick (even though he knows it will be a little while until she is big enough for that). James had read on BabyCenter that if you put a flashlight close to my belly and move it slowly they will move around to follow the light. So I was laying there last night thinking to myself I would let him have his fun and do the cute dad thing and I would just lay down and out of no where Ella kicked harder than ANY kick or movement I have felt so far. I literally jumped with excitement because I could not believe I felt her that much. I have been feeling her move a little when I lay down at night or sometimes when I sit down after school. She had one more hard kick that night and then settled down. I know James wishes he could feel it but, the look on his face was priceless that his crazy little trick worked. 

I honestly think we will remember that sweet moment forever. It was so wonderful and I can't wait to feel her even more as she grows! 

Also, saw this on pinterest today and drooled...

boden usa 

Wonder if I can convince James that Ella needs a winter coat? haha. 

It's a GIRL!

We are so excited to announce that IT'S A GIRL! This is a VERY belated announcement to the blog (due to the craziness of getting back to school). We could not be more excited to be welcoming Ella to our little family in January! 

When we went in for our appointment to find out what we were having I was so mixed with feelings of anxiousness to see our baby, know if it was a he or she, figure out if my guess was right, but, most of all eagerness to see that our baby was growing healthy and strong. Our sonographer started going through the sonogram, it was like I completely forgot the anxiousness of finding out if it was a boy or girl and kept feeling so grateful every time she muttered "__________ looks healthy and strong!" I am so thankful that Ella is growing and continue to pray that prayer through this whole pregnancy and far after that. 

Within days of finding out I was pregnant, James has always thought it was a girl. I didn't really know until further along and then began to get the "mother's intuition." There was just something that made me feel like it was a girl. Maybe it was the citrus and sweet cravings or the desire for bows and dresses, but somehow I just knew. 

James and I threw a Gender Reveal Party with our families and a few close friends. Here is a picture from the party. I will be posting about the party and all of the details next week on Dallas Moms Blog. 

Now let's just cross our fingers that I can control myself with all of the cute, tiny, girly things out there! Right after we found out, James took me to a little children's boutique that I LOVE and let me pick out a dress for Ella! He is going to be such an amazing daddy to our sweet baby girl! 

balance and goldfish

Sorry for the lack of blogging this week. I am definitely learning balance in an entire new way. Every year going back to school has required balance, but any time I am over working myself or tip toeing on a chair to hang a border on one of my walls it has never been a big deal. Then...there is this year where everything has to be thought about while I take care of baby unthank and I am so thankful for that, but still learning. 

I thought I would share a fun little thing I did for my second graders. I got the idea from Pinterest (where else?) and thought they turned out really cute. I did not have my camera with me, so I will share the image from Pinterest. 

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Also, I am working on a really fun art project for the nursery. I mixed 2 ideas from pinterest and will share it with you this weekend hopefully. I am half way there, so we will see!

Anyone had any great ideas, crafts, recipes, decorations, or inspiration from another blog, pinterest, or a friend lately? I would love to see what you have been working on!

Happy Friday and enjoy your weekend!

back to school

It is that time of year (at least the teachers are heading back) and it always comes with such mixed emotions...you'll miss the ease of summer, but your excited for your new group of kiddos. This week can definitely be one of the more difficult ones because it is full of trainings and setting up, but once the kids get there, it really reminds you why you do what you do. It is weird how right now my back to school mindset includes deciding what I want to bring in my lunches (to satisfy some preggers cravings and still be healthy), looking at curriculum and what we are going to teach this year, and picking cute borders and name plates for my classroom. I know with baby Unthank on the way that it will fly by and before I know it back to school will be backpacks, lunch boxes, new clothes and shoes, and gearing up for a whole new side of back to school. Even though I know that is 5 years away, it is still exciting that this baby will bring so many new experiences into our lives (like no more lazy Saturday mornings, but lots more giggles and kisses). So as I was sitting in staff training today, I was just thinking how quick time flies and how many wonderful and exciting things will change in the years to come. 

Hope everyone (teachers and mommas) are getting ready for back to school. I hope this is a wonderful year!

Vintage Alphabet Cards and more

Check out these amazing vintage alphabet cards. The Handmade Home is a great resource for free printables. I wanted to to get some vintage cards to string up in the nursery and stick with our bright color theme. Everywhere I have looked they are at least $25-$40. This is a great option to print them for free and get a chance to try them out. If I don't like them on the wall I can turn them into a little book! 

Here is the link to get each letter. This would also be fun if you just printed the letters for your baby's name and displayed them somewhere in the nursery. 

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Also, check out the rest of her blog. She is always sharing wonderful handmade ideas and shares her printables all of the time!

She also has some great ideas to add color and prints for "sprucing up a space," like this shelf...



Hope you enjoy a new blog with some wonderful ideas. I am loving finding all of these great prints (especially free ones) to start planning out the walls for the nursery. 

17 weeks

Well 17 1/2 now....this update is a little late I guess. I absolutely can't believe how fast this pregnancy is going by. It seems like we just found out we were pregnant and now we are 5 days away from finding out if Baby Unthank is a boy or girl!!!

The second trimester has been good so far. I have noticed I have a lot more energy during the day and am able to work out without getting so tired. So thankful for that with school just around the corner!

I have still been craving sweet and tart things and particularly loved some Mexican food this weekend! I have also got my snacks down to a routine (things that fill me up and are good for baby!) But of course, that does not count the late night snack...which is usually when Baby Unthank would like something sweet :)!

Here is the 17 week pic (sidenote...this is real life, no makeup...we were on our way to the pool)

Hope everyone has a wonderful Tuesday! I personally cannot wait to see The Help tomorrow!!!!

change and nursery plan

Over the next week or so ( I am not sure exactly when) the blog will be undergoing some changes. I am in the process of getting a new design from Penny Lane Designs that I am SO excited about. Just wanted to give the heads up in case you drop by and things are a little messy in the transition.

As for today... it is major cleaning and organizing time for the nursery. We officially moved the guest bed out and now it is time to sort through all of those "random things" little boxes from our move in May. I have decided to make a tentative plan for getting the nursery together (these are just ideas and goals...definitely not written in stone).

Our nursery set up plan is...

August- organize and clean out old guest room, order the crib (it is on sale at Pottery Barn until the end of August...woohoo saving $200!) and stare daily at the paint swatches to decide what we love

September to October-Paint the room, pick fabric for the curtains and bedskirt, work on some DIY art for the walls


November- Finish setting up everything, assemble crib, get in the glider, and finish hanging stuff on the walls

As I have said our due date is January 14th and our hope is for the nursery to be done by December so we can completely enjoy the holidays and not have that added to the mix. Honestly, I would love for it to be done before Thanksgiving. It will be interesting to see how the actual timeline goes down. I LOVE getting to decorate this room and the freedom with colors and such, so who knows....maybe I won't be able to stop myself once I get started! Although, my personality thrives on a plan, and James appreciates knowing what I am wanting to get done and when. We both had a lot of fun looking at paint colors (who knew that could be so fun) at Home Depot the other day. I will share the colors we are looking at pretty soon!

Hope everyone has a productive Tuesday!

New Moms Hospital Survival Kit

Thought I would share this sweet New Moms Hospital Survival Kit with FREE printables that I found while perusing Pinterest. The original source is jensownroad.blogspot.com. I thought the printables were a cute way to make it fun. She gives some great ideas on what to put in the bag, but I think you could also add anything you want to make it personal for whoever you are giving it to. 

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Here are some things I might add...

- a hand lotion

- a notepad 

- a sweet little note

- chocolate

- slipper socks

Any fun ideas on what to add to the bag? 

sweet words

Wanted to share this lovely verse that is from a print shop that I love called Naptime Diaries. Check out her etsy shop and blog for a ton of wonderful prints that speak joy and truth. I am working on a print wall for the nursery and want to find fun ways to display scripture in the nursery (for the baby and for James and I to be reminded of while we are in there). I found this one the other day and really love it. 

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I feel like this is a good verse to remember everyday. Just the sweet reminder that God is in all things. The joyful, the hard, the exciting, the sad, the unknown. Going through pregnancy has taught me to lean on him in new ways everyday as I have to remind myself that He is in every part of this journey. Hope this verse encourages you. 

Also, dont forget to go check out her etsy shop. Like I said she has a ton of creative prints that display truth with scripture. 

Pinterest Loves: Cold Weather

I figured since it is currently averaging around 110 in Dallas I would do some pinterest loves that remind me of cold weather and holidays (my absolute favorite time of the year!) The winter season is something I have always loved. I love celebrating the holidays with family and friends, celebrating the birth of Christ and the freedom that comes with knowing Him, out wedding anniversary, sweaters, scarves, and this winter...out sweet little baby that will be joining our family! 

So enjoy...and pretend that it's cold outside!

This beautiful blanket...

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Precious North Pole cupcakes. These would be great for a kid's Christmas party. Maybe I will make these this year!

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Adorable burlap bunting for Halloween...or you could make it work for any holiday/celebration!

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Grosgrain Ribbon Wreath. You could do this with any color to fit the holiday! 

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Then last, but not least...this is the most quaint, twinkle lit, lovely, wintery scene. I wish James and I were walking there with a cup of hot chocolate! 

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Hope this helps you beat the heat! Have a wonderful Thursday! 

summer veggie pasta bake

I made this summer veggie pasta bake from my Cooking Light magazine. James and I both loved it and I would highly recommend trying it! The only change we made was we added mild italian chicken sausage. During the pregnancy I definitely have to get in a good amount of protein in my meals or I end up really hungry an hour later. I also thought the italian sausage added an extra kick. This also reheated really well! 

Summer Veggie Pasta Bake

First, chop all of the yummy veggies ( I also used cherub tomatoes cut in half instead of what the recipe called for and added more veggies than the amount they called for)

Then assemble the pasta and top with mozzarella

 Then it comes out of the oven in all of it's bubbly yumminess! 

I served this with salad topped with avocado and tomato. This is a great summer meal to enjoy in this ridiculous Texas heat! 

Hope you enjoy!