The Good Things

My Drew does not have class tonight, so we are spending the evening making a yummy dinner, sipping on delicious wine, and snuggling while watching a movie.

could
not
be
more
excited
!!!

I hope that your Friday night is filled with all the good things!
(we heart it)

Happy 1st and Meal Planning Monday

Well today is the first day of school!!! For me, that means crazy traffic outside our neighborhood (joy), but for a ton of my sweet friends, it means starting a new year, with new kiddos, challenges and joys. I would like to give a shout out to my precious little sister who starts student teaching today! Your first day outfit is just precious and I know that you are going to be absolutely fabulous and the kids are just going to adore you! A few more special shout outs to my loves Em and Jewels! Both pros at first days by now, but I wish you both a very special and stress-free first day (if there can be such a thing). I can't wait to hear all of your cute student stories, so remember them all! After hearing stories and experiencing all of the hard work that my sweet friends willingly do day in and day out, I have to tell you, it takes a very special person to be a teacher! If my future kids have teachers that are half the teacher that all of you are I will feel so blessed! Love you each so very much! Cheers to a wonderful year!

On another note, my momma starts her new job today! The Lord has blessed her with an amazing opportunity that we have been praying about for almost a year now. He is so good! I could not be more excited for you mom and can't wait to see what the Lord has in store for you as you begin this new journey!

And now onto meal planning (I WILL be better at posting these!):

Monday - Taco Soup (recipe from Em) with chips and homemade salsa

Tuesday - Pesto Shrimp Pasta with salad and bread

Wednesday - Yolanda's Famous Chicken with squash and zucchini

Thursday - Chicken Pasta Salad with Cantaloupe

Friday - Fish Tacos with Black Bean and Corn Salsa (minus the mayo, yuck!)

Saturday - Date Night Out

And A Happy Friday To You!

It's Friday! It's Friday! It's Friday! To celebrate Friday's arrival I stopped and got myself my favorite Starbucks drink this morning on my way into the office...however when I took my first delicious sip as I was walking into our building, I realized it wasn't my drink...huge let down. It's ok (white mocha from what the label tells me) ,but not what my taste buds were expecting. Bummer.

This evening, at 5:55 to be exact, Nat and I are off to see our precious college roomie in her new hometown San Antonio! We are going to live it up in true girlie fashion (like we do best)...San Marcus outlet malls, sushi, laying out poolside, cocktails, mexican food, and probably some more shopping. AND Em gets to debut her new precious little home! Absolutely can't wait!

I hope that everyone has the most fabulous weekend!

Time To Hit The Books

(we heart it)

I have never been good at keep a journal or diary...(and you are thinking, obviously Jen because you blog "maybe" once every other month) :) but I am going to strrrriiive to be better. My precious newly married sister just started an adorable little blog (stop over and welcome her!) and so she has inspired me to do a better job at documenting our lives through this little blog here.

I just wanted to take a moment to give a little shout out to my amazing husband. He is going back to school to get his MBA in Accounting and officially starts back one week from today! Not only will he be going back to school, but he will be working full time as well for the next two years. In my mind, that makes him absolutely positively amazing! I could not be more proud of my man and the desire that he has to provide for our family. I have promised to do everything I can to make his transition of going back to school a huge success....making flash cards, sitting by his side while he studies, quizzing him before tests, making special study treats...basically anything that he needs...as long as it's not ME going back to school :) Drew, I love you with my whole heart and could not be more stinkin proud of you! Cheers to a great first semester!

All Packed And Ready To Go

(we heart it)

...see my baby sister in Lubbock!!! A woohoo! I absolutely positively could not be more excited to see her beautiful face, precious little home, and watch her in action as the newest and cutest little wifey in town!

A Few Of My Favorite Things

From one of my favorite places!

Except I use mine to hold my favorite little pieces of jewelry!

Almond Biscotti...THE most amazing smelling candle!

My sister got these as a gift at one of her showers and I instantly fell in love! Precious precious measuring cups!

Currently on my "want" list!

Got this for my sister's new kitchen...but think I may need one too!

The Lipman's Are Alive!

Has it really been FOUR months since my last post?! Ridiculous! We have just had a liiiittttttle bit going on that has kept me busy...home improvements and decorating, wedding showers, lingerie shower, bach party, bridal luncheon, rehearsal dinner, MY BABY SISTER'S WEDDING, spending as much time with sister as humanly possible before she moved, craziness at work, a work trip to Las Vegas turned into a long weekend with my honey to celebrate our three year anniversary, getting Drew ready to go back to school next month, a trip to Colorado...etc. etc. I promise to update on all things soon, but to tide all of my readers over (haha all three of you), a picture of Drew and I in Las Vegas!

Miss you blog world!

Meal Planning Monday

Monday: Pizza cups and salad

Tuesday: Soft Tacos with black beans, chips and homemade salsa

Wednesday: Shrimp Scampi with green beans and corn

Thursday: Garlic Lime Chicken Breasts with corn and salad

Friday: Out for Beth's birthday

Saturday: Jen out of town, so hubs is on his own

Sunday: Baked Chicken Parmesan with wheat noodles, brocolli, and garlic bread

Meal Planning Monday

I have been a bad blogger lately...must...be...better! Lots to update on and pictures to share! But for now, our meals for the week!

Monday: Grilled cheese sandwiches and soup (I have to go to the store after work, so tonight we are doing a quick and easy meal)

Tuesday: Going out for Mexican food with the Lipmans and Fitzgeralds

Wednesday: Baked Chicken Parmesan with wheat noodles and salad

Thursday: Tilapia with corn and green beans

Friday: Girls night/Boys night

Saturday: Brown Sugar Chicken with brown rice and broccoli

Sunday: Chicken Enchiladas with pinto beans and rice

I'm Two Today!

Hi. My name is Bo Lipman and I am TWO years old today! Happy happy birthday to me!

I absolutely can't believe that our little guy is already two years old! It's hard to imagine what our life was like without him! Love you little man!

Happy birthday to you!

Meal Planning Monday

On Tuesday! Behind...story of my life these past few weeks!

Monday: Chili with baked Tostitos

Tuesday: Grilled Cheese and soup (will be a late work evening, so needed something simple)

Wednesday: Not sure...going to be another late evening at the office, so it might just be a "fend for yourself" kind of night

Thursday: Spicy Mexican Chicken with veggies and homemade salsa

Friday: Brown Sugar Chicken with brown rice and veggies

Saturday: Date night out

Sunday: Zesty Shrimp and Pasta

Just Another Snowy Day In Dallas!

I snapped these with my phone as I was leaving for work this morning. The snow is absolutely beautiful!!! I can not believe how much winter white we have been getting this year! It is just crazy! While I am a huge fan of the snow, Bo is not. He will not have it. It gets quiet interesting trying to get that little boy to go outside!

On a separate note, I have been a horrible blogger lately! I have a huge project at work and won't be finished with it until mid next week....so until then!

Canton Treasures

Yesterday Jewels and I made an impromptu trip to Canton to browse. Neither of us were searching for anything specific, but we were in need of a girls day, and Canton is one of our favorite ways to do girls day! I got two white shabby plates and two place mats for our kitchen table. In a few short months (praise the Lord!) we are going to be getting a new kitchen table, so these will look even better on it! I love the country/shabby feel that it brings to the kitchen!

Every time that we go to Canton we always see necklaces displayed on crosses, and I always think that it is just too precious! So when I got home yesterday, I grabbed my cross that was not being used (it was sitting in the dining room with all of my other items that are "waiting to be placed" or packed away) and went upstairs and created my own!! What do you think?!

(please excuse the picture quality...these pictures were snapped on my iPhone as I ran out the door this morning)

Meal Planning Monday

Monday: Chicken, Mushroom, & Onion Quesadillas and Homemade Salsa

Tuesday: Manny's with the Lipman's

Wednesday: Pulled Chicken Sandwiches with baked beans and chips - Mom & Dad are coming over for dinner

Thursday: Grilled Chicken with Basil and Mozzarella with veggies and salads

Friday: Sister is in town, so either dinner at mom and dads, or out with the family

Saturday: Sister is in town, so either dinner at mom and dads, or out with the family

Sunday: SUPER BOWL! Have not planned my snacks and meals yet for the game

Newlyweds

Beth and Travis' photographer posted some pictures from their wedding! This is one of my absolute favs! Check out the rest on their photographers blog.

Happy married bliss you two!

{photo cred: ee photography}

YUM

On what has turned into a cold and rainy afternoon, I am SO glad that Chili is cooking up at home in my Crock Pot! There is nothing better than a warm bowl of chili on a dreary day. I got the recipe from Mrs. Paige and I can't wait to try it! One hour stands between me and a snuggle night with my boys...

Chili Recipe from Paige
1 lb. lean ground beef*
1 16-oz. can chili beans (Bush's makes a good kind)
2 16-oz. cans diced tomatoes (I look for ones that are garlic/onion flavored or spicy)
2 tbsp. chili powder
1 tbsp. cumin
2 tsp. garlic powder
2 tsp. onion powder
Salt and pepper liberally to taste

Simmer in crock pot for 8 hours. Add 1/2 cup water if you like it a little liquidy. (It will look very chunky when you first make it, but will cook up a lot of juice.) Add seasonings or subtract to taste. Serve with crushed crackers, cheddar cheese, onions or whatever you like!

*I used turkey instead of beef, I'll let you know how it turns out!

Facelift!

New blog design coming soon from Penny Lane Designs! Marina is so talented, wonderful to work with, and is such a sweetheart! Head on over to her site...you are sure to find a design that you can't live without!

Meal Planning Monday and Good Morning Jillian!

Monday: King Ranch Chicken, Corn, Salad, Hawaiian Rolls

Tuesday: Garlic/Butter/Lemon Shrimp Pasta

Wednesday: Chili

Thursday: Tilapia with veggies

Friday: Lasagna Roll-Ups (didn't get to these last week) and Salad

Saturday: Dinner out!

Sunday: Left Over's

I have to say, meal planning has really helped me enjoy cooking more! Each day I am prepared with what I am going to cook each evening, rather than getting home after a long day of work and then trying to decide what to cook. I go to the store on the weekends, so all "quick trips" during the week are eliminated, which is fabulous! We are eating healthier, and I enjoy searching for new recipes! Yeah for meal planning!

Project for tonight - Organizing my recipe book!

...I woke up to her this morning, and she kicked my butt. Getting back on track with doing this DVD on the mornings that I am not at the gym.

Walk Down Memory Lane....

With all the wedding festivities and wedding planning going on around me, I decided to take a stroll through our wedding album! Our wedding day was more than I could have imagined, and best of all, the Lord blessed me with an amazing husband! :) Click here to see a few of my favorites from our wedding day! My roomies and I all got married in the same year...take a look at our wedding day pictures together! It was so special to get to live together, plan together, and celebrate our special day together! I love you girls and you are so very special to me!

Sean and Mellie's Engagement Pictures

Over Christmas break Sean and Mellie has their engagement pictures taken and they could NOT have turned out MORE ADORABLE! Below are a few of my favs! Click here to see them all!

{photo cred: Caleb F Photography}

Mr. and Mrs. Fitzgerald!

Well, it's official....Beth and Travis are MARRIED! The weekend went off without a hitch and everything was just beautiful! I didn't get as many pictures as I would have liked (off being a bridesmaid and dancing my little heart out), but below are the ones that I did get! Enjoy! As soon as the rest of their pictures are posted on their photographers website I will add the link.

Meal Planning Monday

After a weekend FULL of wedding festivities and house guests, I sat down yesterday to do my meal planning and then hit up the grocery store.

Monday: Chicken Tortilla Soup with chips and salsa

Tuesday: Dinner at The Fitzgerald's

Wednesday: Cornbread Taco Casserole

Thursday: Lime Garlic Chicken, broccoli, and corn

Friday: Taco Salad

Saturday: Date night out!

Sunday: Lasagna Roll-Ups and salad

Fitzgerald Wedding Weekend!

My sister-in-law and very soon to be brother-in-law get married THIS WEEKEND! And I absolutely positively can not wait!

Stay tuned for details and pictures to come next week!

Birthday Girl

This little one has her first birthday coming up very soon! Since our sweet friends live in Houston, I keep up with Cadence on her momma's blog and love seeing all of the cute pictures of her growing up!

I sent her these for her birthday! I think they are the most precious little things ever! Order yours here.

Productive...I Think So!

In an effort to make good on some of my resolutions for 2010, I purchased this fabulous planner and it came in the mail at the end of last week. I am in l-o-v-e with it and how organized I already feel with it in my bag! Of course ours says "the lipmans" on the cover! Get yours here.
At lunch today, I went and bought these....

(Mimosas For Mr. & Mrs., Sweet Heart, Alone At Last...even though they look pretty similar in the pictures above, they are very different shades on the nail)

So I have not mastered the skill of painting my nails to where they look fabulous (too many years of being spoiled with mani's where I didn't have to??!), so I tend to stick to lighter colors for my finger nails so they look more professionally done :)

Also, went down to College Station this weekend to help sister register. We got up bright an early Saturday morning, drove to The Woodlands, and knocked out Bed Bath & Beyond and Pottery Barn. We had SO much fun and were SO very productive, but it was a LONG day! Even though I tried to warn sister, she could not believe how long it took to pick out little kitchen gadgets and everything you "think" you "might" need for the future house that you have never lived in. Oh registry, how fun you are! Looking forward to her showers now where she will get all of her great stuff!

I have not had a chance to do my "Meal Planning Monday" yet since I was out of town this weekend, but hope to get to it tonight!

Happy New Year!

I absolutely can not believe that it is 2010! I remember Y2K (as it was refereed) like it was yesterday...so hard to believe that here we sit TEN years later, and hard to believe that I was a mere sixteen years old then! My how time flies when you are having fun!! As I warmly embrace 2010, here are a few things that I hope to accomplish and strive to be better at (in no particular order):

-I want to be a better cook and I want to enjoy cooking! I started off the week right by sitting down last Saturday morning and planning out my meals for the week, then hit the grocery store mid-morning to pick everything up that I would need. So far this week I have made Salsa Chicken on Monday night, BBQ Ribs in the crock pot on Tuesday night, and Talapia last night. I think I may start "meal planning Monday's" on my blog to keep me accountable!

-Read more books...on the deck right now I have "The Boy In The Stripped Pajamas", "Sheet Music", and "The Abs Diet". After those I would like to read "Dear John" and "For Women Only". I got sucked into the Twilight series last year and I would LOVE to find a series that I would love just as much. Any suggestions?

-Work out on a consistent basis. I always have the best of intentions and do well for a while, then just totally suck for a while. I need and want to be consistent so that I can lose the 10 lbs that I would like to! My goal - work out before work on Tuesday and Thursday mornings before work and then on the weekend. The idea of getting ready at the gym is not totally appealing, but it's nice in the locker room and a girls got to do what a girls got to do, right?! Time to get serious!!!

-Keep my nails painted. I do good with my toes, need to work on keeping my fingers painted.

-Spend more time with friends and keep up with what's going on in their lives. With the hustle and bustle of everyday life, all too often I find that it's been more time than I would have liked since I last talked to my sweet girlfriends!

-Be craftier. (Is that a word?!)

-Drew and I bought a couples devotional book that we will start on Monday. Our goal is to have our couples devotional every day with each other....looking very forward to that special time together!

-Drink more water. I have gotten a ton better, but could defiantly still drink more.

-Make my sisters months of engagement and wedding as special as I can! My goal is to fill it with many special memories and fabulous girlie showers. There is nothing like this special time in her life and I am so excited to share in it with her as her MOH!

-Become more involved in Preston Trail...we love this special church and are so glad that the Lord has placed it in our lives.

-Love on my sweet husband more and make him feel special every single day...can a wife really ever do this enough? I have been blessed with the most wonderful husband and I am so very thankful to call him my love!

-I would love to travel more and I need/want to get better about traveling in the car. If driving in the car helps me get to visit a place that I have never visited before, I want to be ok with it and excited about it! (silly I know, but I really really dislike traveling in the car for long distances).

-Stay organized. I know it sounds crazy because I use to be an organize freak, but since I have gotten married, I have become less organized/my husband has helped me chill out a bit :). I bought myself a planner that I am carrying around with me in my purse...tried using the iPod, but I guess I'm just an old fashion girl, I love my pen and paper calendar. Here's to keeping up with what's going down in 2010!

-Learn to love red wine. I love white, but can't do red....yet.

Cheer's to a new year!