The First Kiss

Yesterday while driving home I was struck with a memory or something that I hadn't thought of in a very long time.

Randy and I met my sophomore year of college.  I was full out having fun with my girlfriends, not a care in the world other than deciding who was going to be our designated driver for the evening.  When he called me to ask me to a party a friend of his was throwing, I wasn't really expecting it to be more than a fun evening, a couple of laughs and some smooching.

Then it all changed.

I still see it perfectly.  We were sitting at the tall table over in the corner.  He looked me right in the eyes, leaned in and kissed me so gently.  The room around us disappeared, the DJ was gone, there was no one else in the world except for he and I.  To be as cliched as possible, the world stopped and fireworks went off.

The first kiss is something we all look forward to.  It is so highly anticipated that more often than not it falls flat, leaves us wondering what went wrong.  Not ours though.  Our first kiss left me wanting more. 

Sitting in traffic on my way home, reliving this moment, I was once again sitting at that tall table.  I was feeling the rapid fire emotions of happiness, amazement, terror and joy.  I was reminded of one of the many reasons why we are together and why we love each other so very much. 

I don't know what sparked that memory...but I'm so glad I have it.

One

Many of you that know me are aware that Randy and I have always said we were a "one and done" family.  When we found out I was pregnant with Keagan we staunchly reported that this was it, unless there are twins in there, this is the only child we will have.

As several of my friends can attest, my resolve weakens every now and then.  Like when a bottle (or 3) of pinot grigio is involved.  Or we meet a new little bundle that our friends have blessed the world with.  Or on a Tuesday.

My most recent weakening occurred last week when a dear friend of mine announced she was pregnant with her second child.  Miranda and I were pregnant together the first time.  We compared notes on our exhaustion, our ridiculous hunger pains and of course our long-lost love of wine.  We welcomed our sons just a few weeks apart from one another (both giving birth to toddlers nonetheless).  We've gone through the infant stages, the "OMGWTFAMISUPPOSEDTODOHEWON'TSLEEP" stages, the toddler stages.  Together.

Seeing that my friend, a woman that I've never "met" but that I've shared so much with was pregnant brought tears to my eyes and gave me goosebumps.  I was so happy, so elated for her.  Enter the resolve weakening, stage left.

I started thinking about another child in our lives.  A little brother or sister for our little man.  Another little son or daughter in our family.  It was a nice picture...a really nice picture.

I know that we will probably never have another child.  Not because we don't have enough love for another child.  Not because we couldn't afford another child (though to convince Randy of that may be another story).  And most days I'm ok with that.  But that picture in my head?  It's a good one.

Then my son comes around the corner, just looking to give me a hug.  Or runs up to me before dropping him off at day care demanding "one more kiss."  Or says in his little man voice "I lub you."  It makes me realize, yes, another child in our life would be nice...but the one I have now?  He's pretty darn perfect.

Lasagna Soup

Yes, I realize that it is still officially Summer. But what you have to realize that since my new found love of Pinterest, Fall is all I have been able to think about {and boots, and beautiful orange trench coats, and caramel frappucino cupcakes...}

Wait, where was I?

Oh yeah, soup.

So I'm perusing my new all-time favorite site In.The.World. when I stumble across this yummy deliciousness.

Dude. Cheesy yumminess? Fire roasted tomatoes? Yes please.

Imagine my happiness when our Sunday forecast was pretty close to perfection for giving this recipe a try.

I did modify it a bit from the original but it was an all around WOW at our table. I hope you enjoy it too!

Lasagna Soup

Soup:
2 tsp. olive oil
1-1/2 lbs. Italian sausage
3 c. chopped onions
4 garlic cloves, minced
2 tsp. dried oregano
1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
2 T. tomato paste
1 14-oz. can fire roasted diced tomatoes
1 14-oz. can garlic and onion dice tomatoes
2 bay leaves
6 c. chicken stock (I used bouillon)
8 oz. bowtie pasta (or Keagan was calling them - the butterflies)
1/2 c. finely chopped fresh basil leaves
salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Cheesy yumminess:
8 oz. ricotta
1/2 c. grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 tsp. salt
pinch of freshly ground pepper

2 c. shredded mozzarella cheese

Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add garlic and let simmer for 30 seconds or until fragrant. Add onion and cook until soft, about 4 minutes. Add sausage, and brown for about 5 minutes. Add oregano and red pepper flakes, cook for 1 minute. Add tomato paste and stir well to incorporate. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes, or until the tomato paste turns a rusty brown color.

In your crockpot add chicken stock, diced tomatoes, bay leaves, stir to combine. Stir in basil and season to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper.

Once sausage is done, drain and add to crockpot.

Cook on high for 3 hours.

In the meantime, prepare the cheesy yumminess. In a small bowl, combine the ricotta, Parmesan, salt, and pepper. Refrigerate until ready to eat.

About 10 minutes before dinner time, boil water and cook your pasta to al dente.

To serve, place a dollop of the cheesy yum in each soup bowl, sprinkle some of the mozzarella on top, add your pasta and ladle the hot soup over the cheese.

Serve with crusty Italian bread.

A World With More Birthdays

A few weeks ago I had a scare.  A scare that every woman fears, a scare that every woman prays never happens to her.

Luckily for me this scare was benign.

But for many women, this fear is real, this threat is real.  It is because of my experience, and the experience of those women that are living with Breast Cancer that I am joining forces with the American Cancer Society and Making Strides Against Breast Cancer on October 2nd.

Every day, the Society is helping people stay well by helping them take steps to reduce their risk of breast cancer or find it early, when it is easiest to treat; helping people get well with information, day-to-day help, and emotional support to guide them through every step of a breast cancer experience; by finding cures and promising new treatments through funding and conducting research; and by fighting back by working with lawmakers to help all women get access to screenings and care. (The American Cancer Society, 2011)

I urge you all to find a Making Strides Event near you.  A world with less breast cancer and more birthdays.  What a wonderful world.

Like to sponsor me?  Click on the above badge for a link to our team page.  Every little bit helps.

Where You At?

I'm over at my soul sister Miranda's from Not Super...Just Mom guest blogging while she's kicking up her Sparklecorn heels at Blogher!





Check it out, leave some love!


Also, don't forget to enter the giveaway closing tonight!

If Only He'd Asked For Directions

Early, early, EARLY this morning my super-sonic mommy hearing was activated.  I could hear my little man whimpering.  Then calling for me.  Then starting to cry.

So I went into his room, prepared for a VERY long morning to find my little man curled into a ball at the bottom of his bed.

He looks at me and says "Mommy, where's my blankie?"

I ask him if he wants to lay down...but it soon becomes apparent why he's at the bottom of the bed.

He's lost and can't find the pillow.

Kid totally has my sense of direction.

Sail Away With Me...

****GIVEAWAY CLOSED - Congratulations Gina!  Email me your contact info at TakingItOneStep@gmail.com!***

It's GIVEAWAY time!

As many of you know I'm a Thirty-One Gifts Independent Consultant.  Thirty-One Gifts is an amazing company focused on celebrating, encouraging and rewarding women through offering quality products and an outstanding opportunity to become successful.

And did I mention how ridiculously cute?

As a kick-off of the New Fall Catalog and a soon-to-be send off of Summer, I'm giving one lucky reader this Sailboat Icon Coin Purse!  With zipper closure and lobster claw clip it is the perfect addition to any beach bag or lunch tote.

 

How do you win?  It's EASY!

Go check out our Fall Catalog and come back to tell me

what your favorite product is and how you would use it.

That's it!

Contest will be opened through Saturday August 6th at 11:59pm.  Winner will be announced Sunday!  Good luck!

Yesterday.

For about a week or so I've been meaning to call my Dr.

Obviously, since I waited an entire week I didn't feel like it was that big of a deal, but I finally remembered to do it yesterday.

And they wanted me to come in immediately.

Yesterday I sat in a waiting room while listening to them scramble around, trying to figure out why their computers weren't working.  I sat there and worried that this was going to take longer than my allotted hour lunch.

Yesterday they sent me for a sonogram.  They were worried that it may be something more.  I drove over to the clinic worried what I was going to tell my manager.

I sat there and waited.  I sat there and worried.  I worried about who was checking my files, whether or not our client needed something and I wasn't there to handle it.

Yesterday I had a Doctor say "We don't know what it is, we need more tests."

I sat there in my gown.  And I worried.  Only now I wasn't worried about my job and what was or was not happening in my absence.  I was worried about my little boy and what would happen if this went from "We don't know..." to "I'm so sorry..."  I worried about my husband and what would happen to if this changed our life from happiness to heartbreak.  I worried about my family and what would happen if...

Yesterday I did a lot of worrying, a lot of thinking. 

Now I'm focused on today.

It's Things Like This That Make Me Smile

A few days ago I was stalking perusing Facebook land when I came across a status update from a girl I was friends with in high school {she also coincidentally lives down the street from me, but that's a whole other story}.

She was thanking those that had helped her recently collect gently used formal gowns that she would be bringing down to North Carolina in a few days.  These gowns are intended for girls ages 13 - 21 that are patients at  Levine Children's Hospital.  These gowns are intended for children that are sick.  These gowns are intended for those that may never be able to attend a "real" prom.

Instantly I wanted to know more information.  My friend shared with me The Sandbox, an organization focused on serving the individuals and families that are facing challenging circumstances and obstacles in their lives, both emotionally and financially due to terminal disease and/or circumstance.  One of their current projects was that of The 1st Annual Evening of Stars - a Prom for the children who are patients at Levine Children's Hospital.

So I went downstairs and dragged out my prom dress.  I dragged out my bridesmaid dresses.  I dragged out everything and anything that could possibly make a young girl feel the thrill that is slipping into her first prom dress and feel like a princess.

I had been holding on to these dresses out for the pure sentimental value of it.  I remember my Senior prom like it was yesterday.  I remember wearing that gorgeous blue ball gown in my dear friends wedding.  But I think I'm going to remember the thought of making a sick child feel beautiful a whole lot more.

Please check out The Sandbox to learn more about how you too can help.  I know I'll be looking in to more programs like this at our local Children's Hospital, and I urge you to as well.

A Night At The Park

Last night we went down to the park where Mama-Pajama was holding her weekly show.  Kids are everywhere playing with toys, instruments and more.

I'm not sure who had more fun, Keagan or myself.

While the music was playing (I will have Itsy-Bitsy-Spider stuck in my head for days by the way) he would run over to the playground and be the dare-devil child that I love and fear!

Did I mention the sprayer?  Because it was like 90 degrees out too.  And he was hot.  And wanted in the water.  NOW.

At least he cooled off.

One thing is for sure.  He is getting be a little man, and the kid knows how to make me smile.