Next Time...

I love the summer Olympics. Specifically women's gymnastics.  Not sure what it is about that sport, but I've been slightly obsessed ever since watching the Magnificent Seven compete in 1996.  I'm pretty sure I could name every single one of those gymnasts at the time, but Dominique Moceanu was definitely my fave.  (Side note: I was going into eighth grade that year!  The announcers keep talking about how that was nearly 20 years ago...holy cow I'm getting old!)

Then, four years ago, there was America's sweetheart, Shawn Johnson.  Of course I was a fan of her...she's an Iowa girl like myself!  I was slightly disappointed when she announced her retirement from the sport, which meant no repeat Olympics.  But, did you hear she's going to be competing on Dancing with the Stars All-Star cast?  Yay!  I loved her on that show the first time around...it's the only season I've ever watched religiously.  Of course, Melissa Rycroft was on that same one...another reason I watched...and luckily, she's back again, too!  Yipee!  Love me anything Bachelor-related!

This year's team of gymnasts, The Fab Five as they are referred, definitely did not disappoint!  How could you not feel a sense of pride as Aly Raisman finished her floor routine and knew she had secured the gold for her team?  Priceless.  Way to go team USA!

Anyway, my main reason for this post - last time the summer Olympics were on, I had just started dating Craig.  I remember thinking to myself, "Next time I watch these, I will probably be married...maybe even have a kid!"  And now "next time" is here.  I am married.  With a baby.  And happier than ever.  So crazy to think about how much life has changed in four short years.

Now I'm wondering how life will change in yet another four.  Maybe two kids?  Or perhaps even three?  I guess only time will tell.  I can't wait for that "next time"! :)

I'm Lovin...

 Here's a random post for ya!  Things I'm lovin lately...

1.  Our iPad 

It finally arrived!  Remember that iPad the hubs won way back in April??  Yeah, that one!  Mr. Fedex finally brought it yesterday!  It's awesome.  Did you know you can subscribe to magazines on them?  Helloooooo US Weekly!  How cool is that?  What's stupid though is that they're not any cheaper than buying the paper copy.

2.  Hipstamatic

It's this app I downloaded on my iPhone.  Here are some photos I've taken with it. 

3.   Last class tonight!!

It's hard to believe it's been 6 weeks since I started my first Masters class!  I feel like all I've done lately is write papers!  I'm happy to say I have 6 ouf 36 hours complete until I'm done.  I'm also happy to have an {almost} 3 week break before the next session begins!

4.  New contacts

Yes, my contacts.  They're daily contacts.  I get to throw them out every night and open a new pair every morning!  Pretty awesome for someone who suffers from allergies as bad as I do!

5.  Starbucks Iced Via

I blogged about the non-iced kind a while back...remember??  The iced version is just as good, if not better, especially on these warm summer mornings!

6.  Summer School

Well, technically not summer school, but rather it's laid back-ness and relaxed atmosphere.  It's great.  Like today, I rolled out of bed, brushed my teeth, put on something semi-nice and comfortable, and off I went.  No makeup, no shower (why shower when I'm gonna hit up the pool 4 hours later??), and I don't even care!  Even better--I only have 3 days to go!!

7.  Much needed hair appointment on Friday

It's been since early March since my hair was cut (remember that Reece look I was goin for?) and December since it was highlighted!  Yikes!  I'm embarrassed about how bad it looks!  I've been putting it off for right before our Hawaii trip.  Friday can't come soon enough!

8.  Blake on The Bachelor

Can't hardly stand this season my fave reality show.  It's so scripted.  But I do love Blake!  Even better--my co-worker Jessica knows him AND he currently lives in Greenville, SC, where my cousin lives!  I'd for sure go to the dentist often if I lived there!

9.  Hats

Lately I've been wearing a lot of hats.  {Perhaps it's my horrid-looking hair?}  I think I've bought 4 or 5, just in the past year!  I've never been a hat lady, until recently.  Check it out.

10.  My first red tomato

Yay!

Since I've Been Gone

It's been awhile since I've blogged! Definitely not because there's nothing to blog about!  In fact, just the opposite!  I've been super busy and life just kind of got in the way!

Grad School
First off, I began my Master's classes.  Like I mentioned before, I'm taking one on-campus class (Today's Learner) and one online class (Understanding Celebrity).  My on-campus class is every Wednesday from 6-10pm...tonight is night #2.  I was as nervous last week as a freshman entering high school!  I hate new situations where you know no one...it made me remember what the first day of school must feel like for my kiddos.  Both classes seem like they will be fine, but it's a lot of reading and writing.  Every time I feel like blogging, I think of all the assignments I have to do, and decide to do that instead.  So be it, I guess.

End of the School Year
I have one half-day of school left before the end of the 2010-11 school year.  Wow!  It's gone so incredibly fast!  Such mixed emotions.  I will truly miss two of my six classes.  The others...let's just say I'm ready for a new batch!  But first, I'm ready for summer, the pool, and our trip to Hawaii!  Speaking of, we leave 5 weeks from today...!!

Crawl for Cancer
We had a wonderful time at C4C this year!  It was a cloudy, colder day (of course), but that didn't stop us from having fun!  I'll save the pics for another post.  Here's a sneak peak (and the picture that made KCnightlife.com)!

Saturday Night BBQ
We had a BBQ at our place the weekend before C4C.  It was perfect weather to chill outside, drink mojitos, and sit around our fire pit.  Unfortunately, I was too busy running around like a chicken with my head cut off to take any photos.  The only one I got was a picture of my friend Lauren's dessert creation.  Aren't they cute??

The Bachelorette
Yes, I'm writing about the Bachelorette!  I'm so excited it's back on t.v.!  I hope this season proves to be a good one!  (So far, I'm a little annoying by the amount of scripted-ness.  Oh well, still pure entertainment!)

American Idol
While we're on the subject of t.v., I should mention American Idol!  Such a good season it's been!  Other than Jacob and the first few girls to be voted off, I've loved them all!  Haley was my fave from the get-go, and I'm happy she made it to the top 3!  It doesn't surprise me she got voted off.  She began to cop an attitude.  Tonight's the big finale!  I can honestly say I don't care who wins!  I love both Scotty and Lauren, but think Lauren will take home the title after that last performance last night!  AMAZING!!  Here's an idea--how 'bout they just tie and form a country duet?

Holy Tornadoes
It's been nearly 3 years since I've heard the tornado sirens go off here!  Until Saturday, that is.  Our tornado sirens went off at 11 that night.  Luckily nothing happened other than a little rain and wind.  I hate severe weather.  Can you blame me after seeing the devastation in Joplin??  Today the sirens went off once again.......AT SCHOOL!!  This was a first for me!  (Surprising it doesn't happen more often!)  Our poor kids had to sit in the hallway for nearly an hour and wait it out!  Thank goodness we had already taken the final that block and it was just study hall.  I'm really hoping the severe weather is done for awhile.  I'm ready for some sun!


Wine Class 
Remember that wine class I bought my hubs for Christmas?  Well, we finally went!  We went to the $10 vs. $100 Cabernet Sauvingnon class last Friday.  It was fun and we got to try 7 kinds of wine.  I'm honestly more of a beer drinker, but put 7 glasses in front of me, and I have no problem drinking it!  Here's the only picture I took.  I didn't want the other people thinking I was weird.

I'm sure there's more to post, but that's all I can think of right now. Besides, I need to head to class soon.  I promise to update more frequently and I'll post our C4C pics soon!

Creamy Baked Ziti

I saw this recipe on my friend Erin's blog. The best way to describe it - creamy, amazing, deliciousness!

Creamy Baked Ziti
4 cups ziti pasta, uncooked (I used a 16 oz. package which was about 5 cups)
1 jar (26 oz) marinara sauce
1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained (I used the kind with olive oil and garlic)
6 oz pkg cream cheese (I was too lazy to split it, so I used all 8 oz)
3/4 cup sour cream
1 pkg (8 oz) shredded mozzarella cheese
1/3 cup Parmesan cheese

1) Heat oven to 375.
2) Cook pasta in large saucepan, as directed on package, omitting salt.  Remove from pan; drain.  Meanwhile add marinara sauce, tomatoes, and cream cheese to same pan.  Cook on medium heat for 5 minutes, or until cheese is melted and mixture is well blended, stirring frequently.  Return pasta to pan; mix well.
3) Layer half the pasta in 9x13-inch baking dish; cover with layer of sour cream, 1 cup mozarella, and remaining pasta mixture.  Top with remaining mozarella and Parmesan.
4) Bake 20 minutes, or until heated through.

Yummo!  Sooooo healthy, too, with all that cream cheese and sour cream.  =)

Pair it with a nice glass of wine and you have yourself a fancy-shmancy dinner.  This is our wine from Napa.  The same wine that rode home in my boot.  We thought we'd break it open for a special occasion.  Monday night Dancing With the Stars seemed appropriate enough.

Oh, no...

Monday nights are my fave.  I'm addicted to the Bachelor.  It truly is the best, most addicting reality show on tv.  I'm a sucker for anything "reality" but this is my absolute fave!

It dawned on me the other day...next week is the finale and I'm not even going to be around for it!!  I'll be in San Francisco and no way am I taking three hours out of my Spring Break vacay in San Fran to watch the Bachelor.  I can only imagine what my hubby would say...

I'm addicted to the Bachelor, but I'm also addicted to Facebook.  And People.com.  This puts me in a pretty big predicament.  Check Facebook and my fave celeb gossip site and find out which girl was selected, or stay off those websites for three days??  Grrrr....why does the finale have to be on my Spring Break??  Seriously, a tough decision.

I guess I have seven days to think about it!

Will he pick Emily?

Or Chantal?