Weekend Top 5 - Round 2

Here we go again -

#5: Making my first creation with my new sewing machine.
I made a pillow! A few weeks ago I accidentally turned all of our pillow shams blue after washing them at the same time as a new hoodie. Yesterday I found some really awesome fabric that was on sale (yes!) and made a new sham. I still have one to go and I need to sew some buttons on, but I'm pretty proud of my first project.

#4: Watching Jason do the worm.
Jason is pretty good at making me laugh so hard that I cry. He's seriously the funniest person I've ever met. We're kind of like Claire and Phil from "Modern Family" (except I'm probably a little bit more laid back than Claire) in the sense that Jason would get really jealous if another man made me laugh as hard as he makes me laugh. Anyway, last night as we were sitting on the couch watching TV, Jason and I started laughing at something - so of course he decides to get up, lay on the ground, and do his version of the worm. I literally started crying. I wish I had a video, but unfortunately, I was laughing too hard to think straight.

#3: Being told Happy Mother's Day...twice.
I'm not a mom. I'm not even a pet mom. BUT, I do hope to be a mom someday. Yesterday I was told Happy Mother's Day, not once, but twice. Honestly, I was a little surprised because until yesterday, people always assumed I was about 18 years old. Apparently I went from being 18 to being a mom, so I basically skipped about 8 years of my life. Honestly, I take it as a compliment though. My mom is pretty rad, so if I look anything like her, I will definitely accept that. Also, upon hearing my story, Jason said that I should go get the Mother's Day free froyo from YoMo (aka Yogurt Mountain). But alas, I am not a liar. Maybe in a few years random friendly people...maybe in a few years.

#2: Talking to my mom for 2 hours on the phone.
My mom and I used to talk for about an hour a day when I was in college. Then she went back to teaching full-time and I began working full-time. Now we text pretty often, but it's rare that we get a collective hour on the phone throughout an entire week. Well, Saturday I spent a full 2 hours on the phone with my mom. It. Was. Awesome. I just love hearing her wisdom and being encouraged by her.

#1: Ending my birthday week with dinner at La Paz.
Friday night a group of friends all met Jason and I at La Paz for one last birthday celebration. This seemed like the longest birthday week ever, but there was really no way around that. Since we went to Destin last weekend, the infamous birthday week started early on Saturday with a family party. Then, Jason continued it on Monday by taking me to see "Iron Man 3". Then Tuesday my work friends took me to lunch, and Jason took me to dinner. Jason wanted me to get to celebrate with a group of our friends, but it's just hard sometimes to get people together during the week when everyone has to be to work early the next morning. So, we put it off until Friday - which was so wonderful. I am truly blessed to have such incredible friends in my life. So thank you all, for all you did from Saturday to Friday for my birthday. It was simply a terrific week.

Cake. It was delicious. It was also my breakfast all weekend.

Oh - and I got to hang out with this cutie on Friday!!
{Baby Kyla <3 Jessica}

I hope each of you had a fabulous weekend as well. Happy Belated Mother's Day to all of you moms out there - and future moms!

A Birthday In Review

So, I had a pretty great birthday. For some reason this year I've just been really really excited about my birthday. Last year I was more excited about Jason coming home from the tour and getting married. The year before that, I was excited about graduating college. So it's been a few years since I've been super hyped up just about my birthday - and man did this birthday deliver.

I'm probably the only 24-year-old who goes to work at a normal time the night before her birthday, sets her alarm for 6:30 the next morning, and then sets a separate alarm for midnight. Since I turned 20, I haven't had anyone else in the room with me when the clock struck midnight to declare my birthday to - but now I do. So come 12:00 a.m. on May 7th, my trusty alarm started buzzing and I heard this groggy, "What is THAT?" from beside me. I was only coherent enough to mumble "It's my birthday now," turn off the alarm, and quickly fall back into my dreamy abyss.

I honestly thought I dreamed this screenshot.

Needless to say, I probably won't set an alarm for midnight next year (sorry 'bout that Jason).

I woke up and got ready for work, complete with my snazzy new clothes.

Can you tell I just woke up? My eyes are still puffy.

I decided to skip breakfast because I knew the day would be full of yummy food, but as I was leaving I began to regret that decision. Thankfully, Tuesday is the day that my department always meets at work and usually someone brings breakfast. Thanks to Jenna, I got a delightfully tasty sprinkle doughnut - all I had to do is navigate us to Dunkin Donuts.

My cube yesterday.

Next came lunchtime. Some of my friends from work took me and other birthday girl, Morgan (her birthday was May 5th), to lunch at Olexa's. As always, the cake melted in my mouth. They even brought our cake out with little candles in it for our birthdays.

Best cake ever.

After work, I headed home knowing that a delicious meal was in my future. I'd requested for Jason to take me to Leonardo's, so I was really disappointed when he called and said that they were closed. I didn't believe him at first, but sure enough, the phone line was disconnected and the place was closed down. I started trying to think of another place to go as I was driving home from work, but I literally only wanted Leonardo's.

When I got home, Jason had me go wait for him to get finished setting up my gifts. When I walked into the living room, he'd set everything out so nice. I was shocked at the sewing machine that he bought me! It literally does more than my iPhone, and coming from me that's saying a lot. It will definitely take some time for me to learn how to use it, but I'm excited and I think it'll be an adventure.

I was also really surprised because I figured I was getting a sewing machine because that's all I'd asked for...but Jason went way over the top. He talked to my friend Chastity, who has had just about as many sewing machines as I have iPhones, and she suggested this one. It looks way nicer than anything I saw at Target and I'm so thankful he bought me something that will last me many years to come.

After a very frustrating conversation over where to go for dinner (frustrating because I was frustrated, not because Jason was frustrating me...I feel like I need to make that very clear after I just bragged on him), I decided on Mafiaoza's in Crestline Village. We completely forgot that it was 2 for 1 pizza night, but it worked out of us in the end. We had a great dinner and decided to go back on another Tuesday night soon for more cheap, but delicious pizza. We even had plenty of food for leftovers. 

Waiting for our table.

We got home around 8:30 and settled in with a Steel City Pop, "The New Girl" (or "It's Jess" as Jason lovingly calls it), and "The Mindy Project". Those are two of my favorite shows, so I was happy for a quiet end to my birthday with just me, my friends Zoe and Mindy, and Jason. Oh, and as an added birthday bonus, yesterday was Winston's birthday too (if you watch It's Jess, you know what I mean) AND Mindy Kaling was on "The Daily Show" (I don't watch that normally, but I saw that she would be interviewed on Instagram so I was able to DVR it)...she's so funny. Jason calls my fascination with her obsession, I call it a healthy interest. Tomato - tomato.

Thank you to everyone who wished my a happy birthday. I'm reminded each year how very blessed I am for the people who surround me. I am so undeserving, but so very appreciative.

In Case You've Caught the Mondays

Happy Monday everyone!

After two posts on Friday, I decided to take the weekend off from blogging. But don't worry, I have plenty to share today!

I will catch you up on my weekend really quickly (meh, kind of quickly).

Friday, I left work a little early because Jason and I had friends in town.

When I arrived home, a birthday/wedding present was waiting for me.

At first it was a mystery, and then on Saturday my sisters called and told me that the gift was from them! I love it (and so does Jason)!

We took our friends to New York Pizza, which was really fun. Jason and I just hung out for the rest of the evening.

Saturday was a busy day. We started out at the 5K Walk for Foster Care. I took us to the wrong park...oops! But once we got there, we had a great time. The weather was perfect and it was nice to start the day out early.

From there, we attempted to run some errands, but it honestly didn't happen. Everything we needed to do was closed. So...we went to lunch.

We hit up Stix by the Galleria thinking that they had a lunch menu, but they didn't. I got the teriyaki chicken with double veggies and no rice. I'm slowly but surely learning how to spell teriyaki (even though it's showing up as misspelled on my computer right now...uh oh).

Saturday was my sweet little neighbor's 87th birthday. Jason and I bought him a cupcake, card, plant, and balloon and left it for him Saturday morning. I ran into him as I was coming home from the grocery store on Saturday though and he said he didn't have dinner plans.

I was making dinner for Jason and myself, so I took some over to him.

Then...he told Jason that I need to go into the catering business.

Not sure what to think about that!

Anyway, here's what I made for dinner:

Jason's dinner is on top - Ziti Bake - and my sandwich and salad is below.

Once again, Jason and I ate together but separately. His dinner wasn't unhealthy, but I really wanted some frozen yogurt Saturday night, so I decided to use the remainder of the turkey from last week to make a sandwich.

I adapted the recipe for Jason's ziti bake from a recipe I found on Dashing Dish.

Three Cheese Ziti Bake (or, Three Cheese Pasta Bake):
Ingredients

• 3 c. cooked whole wheat penne pasta
• 1 c. fresh spinach leaves
• 1 lb. lean ground turkey
• 1.5 jars three cheese marinara sauce
• 2 oz. 1/3 less fat cream cheese, softened 
• 1 c. shredded mozzarella
• 1 tsp. basil
• 1 tsp. oregano 
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
• 1/4 c. Parmesan cheese

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375. Spray a large casserole dish with non-stick cooking spray. Cook pasta according to package directions.
2. Meanwhile cook ground turkey in a large nonstick skillet, until meat is cooked through, (no longer pink). Stir in cream cheese, crushed tomatoes, spinach, and spices and turn off heat. When pasta is done, pour into a colander to drain. Add pasta to sauce mixture.
3. Pour everything into prepared casserole dish, and sprinkle mozzarella over the pasta. Cover casserole dish with foil. Bake for 15 minutes, remove foil, and bake an additional 5-7 minutes, or until mozzarella is melted.

My sandwich consisted of whole wheat bread, an avocado, black forest turkey, and colby jack cheese. I grilled it on the skillet for a few minutes to melt the cheese.

I had a blast cooking Saturday night, as you can see. Usually, I'm alone on Saturday nights, so I either just make something quick for myself or go out to dinner with friends. Have I mentioned lately how much I love having Jason home?!? 

After dinner, Jason and I went to go see The Avengers...finally!! We are huge fans of the Edge Theater in Crestwood. We started going there when Sharing Spree sold tickets for less than $2. We bought tons of them...and unfortunately they're all used up/expired now. We still have coupons and Sharing Spree deals that are $5 for $10 worth of tickets or concessions. So, for two tickets and a popcorn, Jason paid the difference of $2 for us to see an incredible movie!! That's what I call a deal!

I loved everything about Saturday night. The food, the company, the movie, the price...absolutely everything...except for the kid who sat behind us in the movie and coughed, sneezed, and sniffled the ENTIRE 2.5 hour long movie! By the end of it, I felt like I needed to wash my hands for 15 minutes straight...or maybe take a shower.

Sunday was a normal Sunday for me. Jason went back to volunteering at church working the lights during all three services. I taught my 8th grade girls small group. We went home for lunch, ate leftovers, and watched Property Virgins. Then we went to the Summit to look for some colorful jeans for Jessica and we hit up Target on our way back to church. Church was great, our pastor and his wife are pregnant with their 4th child! We're so excited for them!

After church we went to Maki Fresh where I ordered a salmon salad. It was great, but I'm usually not all the way full after eating that. That shouldn't be the case for a salad that costs almost $10 from a counter-service restaurant. Oh well...

After church, Jason and I went home and read. We've never done that before and I'm not sure why. We both enjoy reading. So, we sat on my couch, Jason with book in hand and me with my Kindle. We read for about and hour...and then I fell asleep on the couch. Have I mentioned that Jason and I are glad we're done with school? I don't have the stamina to read like I had to in college anymore!

So, that about sums up my weekend. This morning I got up and went for a run around my apartment complex for about 30 minutes. I saw Jason's Asian next door neighbor doing tai chi or something in the parking lot.

GOAL: Get a picture of that for tomorrow's blog!

Also, isn't always more fun to get ready for a Monday with new things?

New matching red and black lunch box and tumbler.

QUESTION: Do you prefer a busy weekend or a laid back weekend at home?

Enough rambling for this Monday morning. Let us turn our focus to prayer...

Prayer Focus for the Day: May is National Foster Care Mother. Yesterday, the Alabama Baptist Children's Homes held their annual day of prayer. Will you join with me in praying for the fatherless both domestically and internationally? Here is a printable 40 day prayer guide: http://www.pearpod.com/oc/downloads/40DaysofPrayer.pdf

Both Ends of the Rainbow

Good morning everyone! Today is a special day...especially for me!

Today, I turn 23. It's the first of my "adult" birthdays. I know that people say that you're an "adult" when you turn 18, and then some people say you're an "adult" when you turn 21, but I don't believe any of that boondoggle. In my opinion, you're an "adult" when you go to work on your birthday.

Don't get me wrong, I could have asked off for today, but the truth is I kind of wanted to come to work. I have great friends at work and I love being around people on my birthday. It's also hard for me to take a lot of vacation days pre-wedding.

I even got some presents! Folger's Vanilla Biscotti, Summit gift card, cute earings, and a summer scarf!

I'm super blessed to have great friends at work.

I also realized this morning that this is the last  birthday that I'll ever have as Jessica Sansom. Next year, I'll be married woman and rockin' a new last name!

I'm super excited to celebrate with Jason and some more friends tonight! Stay tuned for that post tomorrow :)

Now it's time to backtrack to Saturday night-Sunday. I'm still trying to get my blogging schedule down pat, so you'll have to bear with me on the weekends for now.

Saturday night:

 I made some cookies to welcome Jason home and also to give to my sweet next door neighbor. Mr. Fritsch (my neighbor) is in his 80s and his wife just passed away a couple of months ago. I try to give him some sort of goodies and a note just to let him know that I'm thinking about him and praying for him whenever I can.

Cookies and Cream Cookies (recipe adapted from Lovin' from the Oven blog):

Yields 24 Cookies

Ingredients

• 1 stick softened margarine
• 6 Tablespoons Stevia in the Raw
• 6 Tablespoons brown sugar
• 2 egg whites
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 ¼ cup flour
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt substitute
• 11 broken pieces Oreo Cookies
• 1 cup milk chocolate chips

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Cream butter, and sugars until well combined. Add egg and vanilla until mixed well.  
2. Place flour, baking soda and salt into a large bowl, stir to combine. Slowly add dry ingredients to wet ingredients then stir in the Oreos and chocolate chips until just combined. 
3. With a medium spoon, scoop onto baking sheet. Bake for 10 minutes or until cooked, but still soft.
4. Let cool on baking sheet for 3 minutes before transferring to cooling rack. 

Each cookie came in at about 56 calories. Not too shabby for a yummy treat!

The outcome = delicious 

Sunday:

The day had finally arrived. Jason was coming home for good! I woke up thinking that I was going to be late picking him up, but in actuality, I woke up about three hours too early. Oh well. Better early than late, right?

I took it slow, ate some breakfast (boiled egg), drank my coffee (yum), and did the 30 Day Shred (ouch). Then I hopped in the shower and headed to Montgomery where I was supposed to be meeting the buses. 

I arrived about 30 minutes before they did, so I hit up Ross Dress for Less. I had a successful little shopping trip. I walked out of there with a new welcome mat and wreath for the front door, a can opener, new lunch box, and a dress for less than $60. 

Finally, I got the call. The bus had decided to stop at a different exit, so they dropped Jason off at a Raceway gas station. A few minutes later, he was in my car and we were headed off to lunch!

We decided to get back on the road, so we stopped for lunch in Prattville. I was being a very indecisive eater, but we (I) finally settled on McAllister's Deli. 

Jason went with the French Dip with macaroni and cheese while I rocked the Veggie Club with fruit. 

When we finally made it back to Birmingham, we just relaxed and hung out. I couldn't believe that he was home for good and we didn't have to squish a whole week's worth of time together into two or three days. It was seriously so nice just to chill. 

After a little relaxing, we got ready for church. While we were driving there, we came across the most amazing rainbow I've ever seen. 

It looked like we could see the beginning of it and we drove under its perfect arch. I was just reminded of God's promises, which I know might be a bit cliche, but who cares. We serve a Savior who is faithful to the promises in his Word. 

Birmingham rainbow - the beginning

I sent a picture to my sister Carlee, and she sent this back to me.

Destin rainbow - the ending

We were five hours away from each other, but connected by rainbows. God is truly amazing.

At church, I felt so blessed to be able to dive into God's word specifically referring to a place where I am in life. The sermon was on Matthew 19, which is primarily about divorce. But, being engaged, it was necessary to truly listen and get everything I could out of it because to be divorced, you have to first be married. The whole entire sermon I kept thinking to myself, "I must be a wife who depends on solely on the Lord. My marriage must reflect Christ."

 I've heard him say it multiple times, but when David Platt said, "Take heed lest you fall," it pierced my heart like never before.

After church we grabbed dinner with  some friends who we haven't spent a lot of time with lately. It was so wonderful to reconnect with them! 

When we got home, Jason came over for a little bit. We had so much fun just talking and laughing. Like I said, it's really nice to just be able to hang out and relax. I don't like feeling rushed. 

Welp, that's about it as far as my weekend goes.

I did find out this fun fact today: 

Yes, while this was happening, I was being born. What a wonderful day May 7, 1989 truly was :)

Instead of rambling on, I'll leave you with a gift...

For all of you fellow Nutella lovers, here you go.