I think it's about time I gave you all the recipe for my take on Mac and Cheese, it's Dominic's new favorite lunch, and it's a super quick meal, anytime! :)
Tori's Pesto-Pasta Bake
(all amounts are per serving) 1-1/2 c. cooked pasta (we like angel hair, but everything from elbow macaroni to cheese ravioli works) 1 tbs. pesto (we use store bought, but homemade works too! use more or less to taste) 1/2 c. shredded mozzarella cheese Parmesan cheese (as much as you'd like!)
If pasta is cold - start here! Mix pasta and pesto in a large bowl, you may need to use your hands. add about half of the cheese and mix put into a non-stick baking dish, such as a ceramic ramekin add remaning cheese to the top, and sprinkle with as much parmesan as you'd like stick in the oven and start it for 350, go ahead and make sure it's in WHILE the oven is preheating. Once it's at 350, time 2 minutes before changing the temp
If pasta is hot - start here! next, put your broiler on high and wait about 5 minutes, or until cheese is brown and bubbly let cool for 5 ish minutes and enjoy! :)
I just got done changing up all the cute fonts for both this blog, and my etsy store blog. I got all of my fonts, and the instructions how to do it at the coolest site, kevinandamanda.com :))
anyway, Kaelyn's first tooth is just about grown in! It's finally cut the surface of her gums, but it's still flush, but it seems as if the painful part is done! Yay baby Kae! :)) that makes me sooo happy! Any who, I've just been doing homework (lots of it) and making lots of pretty new hairbows! I am really excited for all the new things happening this semester, with school, and etsy, and Kaelyn, and with me and Dominic :) This is looking to be a good year! :))
Well, we'll start Thursday, when Dominic and I saw Inglorious Basterds. Which was, by the way, hilarious! Both of us were expecting a true story/based on a true story type of movie, and sadly it wasn't the case. I say sadly only because I wish that this story had been true! ha! You'll have to see it yourself - I'm no spoiler.
Friday. I didn't do a whole bunch Friday, but I did go and buy a baby shower gift for Ashley (and baby Riley). Also, Friday I made a couple of hairbows for Ashley's shower, and I made one for Kaelyn's outfit for the shower.
Saturday. First, I went to Ashley's shower. I had a great time! We played games, ate good food and talked and talked - and of course Ashley opened her gifts! She got some really great stuff, I'm so excited for her and her daughter! Then, after the shower I went to Dominic's and spent some time with his family. At 6 Dominic went to work, and at 7 all of the girls, and Tracie's friend all went to Pizza and Stuff -yum! We had a great dinner and talked and talked and talked :) and Kaelyn was so well-behaved :))
Saturday/SundayAM. Came home to find my dog was having puppies! We were expecting this, although we though she wouldn't have them till Tues/Wed. It was so neat to watch! I was realllllly excited! Piper had 5 puppies, but one of them didn't make it. So we now have 7 doggies!!! ahhh :))
Sunday. I had every intention of going to church this morning, really I did. But when you wake up at 6 in the morning, after having gone to bed at 1, and after having played veterinarian all night, church doesn't sound all that appealing. So, instead I went to breakfast with mt family and coldstone with Dominic.
anywho, I had a fabulous time at My Gym today with Kaelyn. She is such a good exerciser! haha! Speaking of Kaelyn, I put her in her crib this evening, and she was on her back, lengthwise to the crib...I just checked on her and she's on her tummy, widthwise...crazy baby!
Tonight I was watching Food Network Challenge (before Big Brother, of course) and they made the coolest sugar sculpture! I wish I could find a better picture, but that's all I could find anywhere! Anyway, the contestants had 10 hours to make these sugar skyscrapers, they had to be a replica of a real building, and this one was the Empire state building. They could only use sugar, water and eggs, and it had to have door(s), windows and some time of balcony. Phew, it was intense.
One Year Ago x. I had just found out I was pregnant x. I was on the phone with APU, seeing if I could still attend x. I had never been more scared in my life x. I was ashamed to go to church x. I was afraid to tell Carrie x. I thought my life was ruined
Today o. I made it through o. I have a beautiful baby girl o. I'm making a way for myself, and for my family o. I'm breaking the mold, and defying statistics o. I attend 3 churches ( : o. I'm on the dean's list o. I'm tired, sore, restless, and still scared out of my mind,
but this by far, as been one of the most amazing years of my life. I have gone from not sure if my relationship with Dominic would last through the pregnancy, to knowing that I am lucky enough to have found my soul mate in middle school. I have gone from being a carefree teenager, to a full time mother. I have gone from my mother's child, to my mother's friend. I have surprised myself. I have become more frugal, and also more giving. More irritable, but kinder. I am everything I never saw coming, and (almost) everything I've always wanted to be.
Most importantly, I'm not ashamed. "God never gives you anything that you can't handle". He's given me strength when I thought I hit rock bottom, and HE is the reason I am here today, sound mind, body and soul. Without Him, there's nothing.
Far as I can tell, this is the life that's best for me. :)
This weekend had a rocky start, as I'm sure you all could tell by my previous posts, that aside, it was lovely :)
I was a bit discouraged Saturday morning after multiple go-sees, and even more application hunts, only to be turned down by all by two restaurants. However, I got home and called a woman named Nancy at Covina Evangelical Free Church, and applied for the job as Nursery Worker. And she was so excited to meet me that today she had me come to the service and I had an informal interview!
So I got to the church this morning, and to my sweet surprise the church (CEFC) is led by Pastor Neal Montgomery, yes, Mark's dad. And Caitlin, Daniel, Hannah, Brian, Kaitlyn, Mark & Mason all attend. It was nice to see (some of) them, although I didn't stay long enough to talk. Next week! :)
Needless to say - I think I got the job. No for sure yes's yet, but I'm praying :))
Tonight Dominic's mom is making a yummy Thanksgiving-style dinner, and I have a lot to be thankful for. God works in mysterious ways. After this past week, I was ready to give up the job hunt, and take a semeseter off at APU to watch Kae. But after this weekend, and a probable job prospect, I am ready and rejuvenated to work on Kae's daycare status, and I am certain that it will all work out in the end. (the end really being the beginning, seeing as she's only 6 months old ;D)
Anyway, that's all for now, lots to organize still before school starts, and I want to take advantage of Kae's naptime :))
I'm determined to turn this around, to fix it, make it better than it was before. But I can't do it alone. You have to be on board. I will always love you, no matter what, but in order for this to work, we both have to give all of ourselves. I'm afraid of giving and not receiving.
This is my by-the-end-of-summer bucket list. made it a couple weeks ago and I'm having trouble sticking to it. posting should help re-motivate me
x. get a student loan x. get kaelyn into a daycare (preferably fairplex) x. memorize all of my cations and anions for chem. x. organize my room so it is homework-friendly x. work on my relationship x. spend less than 2 hours/day on the internet x. take care of myself x. don’t waste my money x. kaelyn drinking from a bottle x. kaelyn sleeping in her crib all night – even after a feeding x. finish painting the bathroom x. get up between 6:30 and 7 and sleep between 10:30 and 11 x. get healthy x. swim/run/walk three times a week x. read the Bible everyday x. use my planner!!! x. perfect my handwriting
x.bad not having a loan having a non-english speaker try and tell me why I don't have a loan crying on the phone to the aforementioned non-english speaker calling APU about a money transfer, only to find I have negative money listening to Kaelyn scream and scream and scream all day getting yelled at/bossed around like I'm two years old not being able to find a job finally finding the PERFECT job with PERFECT hours, and not getting a response having to apply at target not being able to open a f***ing stroller (<- Told you it was a bad day)
x.good lunch with Mrs. Black Dominic coming over and making Kaelyn giggle like crazy wrestling (and losing) to Dominic getting new shoes :)
meh. That's about how I feel, and sadly, I don't think it's going to change. going to try read la biblia, hopefully it will help.
x.stressing o. about money for school o. about finding a daycare for Kaelyn o. about my relationship o. about getting through this semester o. about not losing my MIND!
x.buying o. a new baby carrier sling o. new school clothes o. books for school (that's my task tomorrow >800 f'ing dollars.) o. teething rings for babykae
x.working o. on summer homework for my organic Chem class o. on finding a job/maybe o. on staying sane! o. on getting organized
x.babykae o. trying to eat out of a bottle o. eating baby food 3x a day o. teething (it's awful) o. knows how to sit up o. going to mygym on Tuesdays
x.tomorrow's to-do list o. APU to buy books/school supplies o. BHS to pick up hand-me-downs from Jill o. RES to help mom in her classroom o. Target to get school shoes for my lab classes (closed-toe only) o. Zerpoli family friend to pick up more hand-me-downs
I have too many hobbies. I have so many that I start one and can't finish the others. Currently I have
x.multiple unfinished watercolor paintings x.lots of scrapbooking to do (although I don't have the pictures printed, so that's not entirely my fault) x.a bathroom to finish painting x.multiple unfinished crocheting projects (at least two blankets and a scarf) x.a garden to keep up with x.a hair-ribbon "business" & I'm sure there will be more to come.
Gah, I really wish that I could buckle down and just do a project start to finish. The main problem is that I am good at lots of things (see aforementioned list) it's just that I am easily bored/distracted. So I start something, do it for a while, and then come back to it in 6 months. Well, whatever. :P
Anyway, I am going to lunch with Dominic's mom tomorrow. Kinda excited :)) The main reason I am going is to show off princess Kaelyn to Tracie's co-workers, and she said that if I drive all the to Fontana, the least she can do is buy me lunch lol. So, that will be fun. It just means that not only do I have to bath and dress up the baby, I have to bathe and dress-up myself. Oh well, food is my reward, I just gotta keep my eye on the prize :) hah
So today I had lunch with one of my favorite people. Miss Volney Youngstrom (It's like Younquist and Engstrom put together :)) Anyway, we went to our favorite restaurant The Corner Bakery Cafe :) yumm. If you've been there, you know what I mean, if you haven't - go! You will not be dissappointed. I had the salad trio with ceaser, fruit, and potato bacon ranch :) and of course I got my banana carmel baby bundt cake. All this talk about food and no talk about my girlfriend! HA. anyway, Volney is moving back home at the end of this month, and she's gong to be working full-time this year, she's having a hard time making ends meet :/ it's a bummer that I won't be seeing her around APU, but "we're making the best with what we've got" :) I love this girl. Even though she told me she was pregnant.
Speaking of pregnant, I just "met" a wonderful girl, Ashley, who is due in just a couple months with a baby girl! I am so excited for her, and for the life she's about to start! I can already tell that God is working in wonderful ways through this young woman. I cannot wait to meet her in person!
Well, tonight I really don't have much more to say, so like always
I got told that today. I really don't think that I am too cheery! I mean, I'm a happy person, but not too much.... hmm. lol. Anyway, I am in a particularly good mood though. So last week I took my midterm for my Luke/Acts class, and I got a 78% on it. And I was kind of bummed, but whatever, right? Wrong. So turns out there was a glitch in the program and I really got an 87% :) so, I'm pretty happy - to say the least.
My family is so important to me. I don't even remember what life was like before Kaelyn, and I remember even less about life before Dominic. It's so wonderful, really it is. I suggest that everyone have a baby, it doesn't matter who you are or how old, just have one. Then, and only then, will you experience true love :) okay, so that's a bad idea, but really, it's great :)
I love flickr. I mentioned that in my blog "Things that make me Happy" but, I wanted to mention it again. Almost every picture that I get, minus the ones of Kaelyn, come from there. :) All of the pictures in this blog entry are flickred as well :)
I always used to wish I had a sister. Random, I know, but growing up that was one thing I always wanted soooo bad! Also, I always wished that I had a twin somewhere out there, that my parents weren't able to take care of or something, and that one day, I'd meet her - just like the Parent Trap! haha, oh my dreams!
Also, when I was younger, I was very ambitious. I wanted to be a farmer by day and a belly dancer by night. Not at all promiscuous, I know :) haha
So, I am addicted to Ben & Jerry's ice cream. I don't know why it has to cost so dang much, but I buy it anyway. My favorites are, Phish Phood, Cinnamon Bun, Imagine Whirled Peace & Americone Dream. :) Mmmmm
Anywho, cramps suck! Can I just say, that being pregnant were some of the best nine months of my life, only because 'Mother Nature' left me the heck alone! Can I always be pregnant? Please?
AHH in exactly 4 hours and 55 minutes (it's 3:05pm) the brand-new season of Big Brother starts!!! Channel 2, 8pm - do it!! :)
Well, that' s all I can think of to write right now. I've rambled quite a bit, sorry! Anyway, off to enjoy the rest of my B&J's and my cramps!
That's how I feel right now. And it is such a wonderful feeling! I just finsished (well, two hours ago) my exegitical paper for Luke/Acts - it was a beast - but it's good and done! Also, I have the next two weeks completely planned out so I know what I'm doing, and I've got everything under control. I love having everything in a schedule, and my poor planner proves this. But, I loveee having it like this - I call it organized chaos :)
Speaking of chaos, I am already thinking about packing for our trip to Montana. Its 10 days, which isn't too bad, but when you assume that Kaelyn will wear 2-3 outfits everyday (spitup, poop etc. makes for more than a single outfit) plus she needs clean pajamas every other night, and diapers, and socks, and bibs....the list just goes on and on - and we haven't even gotten to me yet! But, it's okay, at least I'm starting early!
Tomorrow I get to hang out with Dominic all day :) yippee! It's because it's one of his 2 days off this week. We are going to hopefully put up my blinds, and we're going to watch Big Brother! Yay! The season premiere is on tomorrow night, channel 11 at 8pm! You should definitley check it out!
I was just looking over my school schedule for this fall - it's intense! I'm going to have zero social life, so I apologize now to all my friends! I've got Laboratory for Health Sciences, Organic Chemistry for Nursing Majors, Anatomy Lecture, Anatomy Laboratory, Intro to Philosophy & 1 & 2 Samuel. Yuck! But, oh well, I just keep telling myself, I gotta get through this, if not for me, for my daughter. She needs someone who can provide for her. Only 4 1/2 more years sweet pea, and mommy can provide for you! :)
I just wanted to share one of my favorite pictures of Kaelyn :)
Friday is girls day! :) I can't wait to hang out with Lindsay and Katie. And we're having wingstop, which I've never had, so it should be interesting! Plus, I love, love, love going in the pool, and so does Kaelyn. I'm sure we will all have a good time, and I'm sure Lindsay will take 100 thousand beautiful pictures!
Well, I suppose it's time for me to go, Kaelyn's getting fussy, so I'll go rescue my mom, and I've got to get to work on cleaning my room for Friday. One of the downfalls to having a baby - everything takes 5 times the amount of time to accomplish!
x.Dominic x.Kaelyn x.all my new and re-found friends o.Katie o.Lindsay o.Volney o.Mat o.Alyssa x.bar-be-que chicken pizza from Trader Joe's x.sitting in my room doing nothing x.The Secret Life of The American Teenager (the show) x.The Secret Life of The American Teenager (the blog) x.reading other people's blogs x.retail therapy x.thinking about our upcoming trip to Montana x.watching Kaelyn grow and learn x.taking care of my garden x.cooking o.especially for other people x.church x.watching movies x.watching HGTV x.taking pictures x.searching "random" on flickr x.swimming x.being a mother x.diet coke x.Parent's magazine cute cover kid contest o.entering Kaelyn in the aforementioned contest x.making lists x.crossing things off of lists x.making lists of things I've already done, just so I can cross those things off x.summer.
Is my new favorite song. It's by Frank and Derol. Victoria Mack introduced me to them, and now I am forever grateful. Check it out. It's fantastic.
So I am sooo happy to have met with Lindsay today :) We had a wonderful time catching up, and she took some beautiful pictures of Kaelyn. I'm not going to go into details, but Dominic and I have had a tough two days. It's hard being parents, being teenagers, being in love, AND getting along! :) But, things are good, and I am so happy. I have never been so in love, and I can't wait to marry my babylove :)) But that's enough about him - I don't wanna make y'all gag haha!
So tonight Dominic and I decided to go watch the fireworks (just like everyone and their uncle) but anyway, we drove up to the point, and it was jam-packed! Not only was it crowded, we couldn't see any fire works - fail! So then we drove to the new Vons center and wall-la! No people and a perfect view! :))
I made dinner tonight, lasagna:) It was delish!! I'm an excellent baker, but my cooking is hit and miss. Sometimes it's great, and other times it makes you want to eat your own vomit. Haha. Anyway, tonight was a hit. And I made my babylove happy.
I've decided that after church tomorrow I am locking myself in my room and doing ALL my homework. Uggh, not excited about that at all.
This last weekend was wonderful. Kaelyn got baptized and then we had a lovely party at my house :) One of the most precious gifts that she received is this beautiful dress from Katie. It makes her look like a little fairy princess :)
This week was spent with homework, homework and more homework. It seems like Dominic does homework one day while I watch Kaelyn, and then the next day we switch! But at least in a couple of weeks we will both be done!
Tomorrow is the 4th of July. (after I typed that I thought duh. to myself.) Anyway, parade :) every year my church has a float, and I love to walk with them, but with the baby and the sun, and the possibility of her getting hungry, all lead me to decide to watch it this year. I don't think I've ever watched it, so it will be fun! Plus, when you're watching you get to walk down to the McElwain's home and show off your baby girl :)
So I entered Kaelyn in the Parent's Magazine Cover Model Contest. I'd like to think she has a chance to become a semi-finalist. Although, I'm pretty sure I'm biased. It's steep competition though, they pick the top 20 (of her age group) out of close to 10,000 entrants. So, don't get your hopes up. (that was for me, not you all)
Well, I believe this is all for tonight. I need my sleep, and so do you! So, go to bed!!!
Ahh, I know that like everyone and their brother loves this song, but I just have to put it out there that I love it too! I do love the original, Journey is amazing! - but there is just something about the cover by Glee Cast that is just intoxicating! Speaking of songs, another one of my latest favorites is "No Yo Me Doy Por Vencido" by Luis Fonsi I added the video for you to enjoy! For those of you that do not speak Spanish it translates to "I do not give up" :) Pretty much story of my life.
Yesterday was Father's Day. :) Dominic's first. Ahh, it was very sweet. I spent the day/afternoon with my dad, and then when Dominic got off of work we spent the evening together. It was so nice! And, I had lamb for the first time - delish! :))
Today I talked to my cousin Georgia, she and I are probably the closest of all my cousins. And I love it :) She's the one who took me to England/Wales/Ireland for my 18th birthday. Anyway, we are going to see Harry Potter together! yay! It's basically tradition.
Today was the start of my last Summer school class. It doesn't seem to bad, actually it's quite refreshing after my last one! (rolls eyes) And the prof is so sweet, she's actually making an effort to get to know us, and she loves hearing about our lives :)
Tomorrow I'm going to get a mani/pedi - so excited! I haven't been in quite a while! Dominic's mom gave me a nail gift certificate for Mother's day, and it's about time I put it to use. I want to get my toenails really cute, not sure what, but some cool, crazy pattern, or a bright, fun color is what I'm craving. These are pretty cute :)
My new Hannah Montana buddy-to-be! I cannot wait until we watch the movie together, ahaha, that will be epic :)
Anywho. I really should be sleeping, especially since I have alot to do tomorrow, but, oh well! I have the house to myself this weekend, well, minus Kaelyn of course, but it should be interesting. Am I the only one who finds it odd that I am 19 years old and I have never stayed home alone for a weekend before? Hmm.
Today was my last day of summer school...until Monday. boo. But, I am very happy to have finished one semester of Spanish, yay! And class today actually was really fun, I got to take Kaelyn, and we had a little fiesta. Divertimos muchos :)
Saturday I am going on a mini-shopping spree, and I'm a bit excited. I'm not sure what I am going to get, as there isn't anything I really need, but I want to get myself just a little something :) I also have to get Kaelyn some white (preferably satin) booties for her baptism in two weeks, and I have to get Dominic a Father's Day gift. :) That one I'm pretty excited for. I was reading Katie's blog earlier, and she said how she's not a real swell gift giver, I am her exact opposite :) haha.
So this week I had my first ever run-in with a collections agency - scary! Haha, I had three things a year overdue from the library, and it was over 100$ in fees. So I found two of the three items, I have no idea where that other book went, and I took them down to the library, and the lady was so nice to me, I think I probably looked like I was going to cry. And she was able to reduce my fee to 15$ Sweet! Hence the money for the shopping spree :)
Kaelyn is fast asleep right now. I am so enjoying being a mother. Much more than I thought I would. While I was pregnant I looked at my near future as a chore, I HAVE to change diapers, I HAVE to feed the baby, I HAVE to rock her to sleep, ... etc. But now, although I'm still no fan of diapers, it's gotten to the point where I love every little moment that I get to spend with her. And when she's sleeping, it takes every ounce of willpower not to wake her up to play with her. Ahh, my sweet, sweet daughter.
Speak of the angel, she's waking up. Her ears must be ringing. This is my cue to exit stage right.
I've spent the last week reconnecting with old friends, and making plans with new ones. It started with Katie, we haven't talked in years, since middle school, but it was so great getting to know little bits of her on Facebook, and we decided to hang out. It was a blast, and we're having a playdate Thursday :) So that obviously went well. Well, last week Kaila started talking to me too. She and I haven't talked since before graduation, we had a massive falling out, which I'm not going to get into, for her sake and mine own. Well, it's just weird because I like her, she knows more about me than a lot of people ever will, and I love her family. But, it's hard. I've gone through a radical change in the last year, not just with having Kaelyn, but that is a huge part of it. But, I feel like I don't want to share myself with the people who left and are coming back now. I want to share myself with the people who were with me when the going got tough, when I was 9 months pregnant and they were rubbing my feet, and helping me study, and everything else my fiance and my new friends have done for me. Is it selfish? Is it wrong to not want to go back to high school? I didn't think anything of it until I started talking to Mat today. He's great, by the way, and I am so happy that his life is going so well, but do I want to stay connected to my past? I didn't like who I was then, will I like it now? And if you three people are reading this, I love you guys, I really do. PLEASE don't take this as me trying to cut ties to any or all of you, I'm just trying to grow out of highschool, and I want to make sure that my highschool friends have the same goal, cause I don't want to be stuck there forever.
Yep, it sure was! I got a ton of stuff! Favorites include two pairs of shorts, a wrap dress, a cute lacy top and drum roll please - a swimsuit :) It's too cute, yellow and black and white. But, not bumbee looking at all haha. I'd say it was a successful trip.
So, Hell's Kitchen Finale last night, what a bust, the cockiest person won, gah I hate that! Oh well, the person I wanted to win (Laura) can go on to bigger and better things.
I am so addicted to Pick Up Stix. They have the best chicken in the entire world! Everytime I go I get the house chicken with brown rice and a spring roll...yumm! I'm getting hungry just thinking about it.
I don't have a very good feeling about this online class that I am taking. It seems like it's a little too advanced for me, and it's only a 100-level course! But, we shall see. I turned in my first assignment yesterday, all it was was a paragraph response to our readings, so hopefully I did well. My other class though, is sooo easy! It's elementary spanish 1, and we are moving at such a slow pace! I feel bad for the people in there who don't know spanish though because he jumps around a lot. He has yet to explain how to conjugate verbs, yet he expects everyone to know which form to use and when...oh well.
I get to spend the day/evening with Dominic! Oh, I am so excited! Since I have started my classes I haven't been able to spend more than a few minutes with him while we are exchanging the baby :/. But tonight - is us time! yay!
Wii Fit update - I am 2lbs lighter! yay me!
Well, Kaelyn just woke up from her nap, and I gotta get lunch anyway, till next time...xo!
My name is Victoria and I like to blog :) be sure to follow my blog, and get your picture featured right below this thing! If you think something is funny, sad, heartfelt, or otherwise note-worthy, feel free to leave a comment! God Bless!
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