Chocolate Ricotta Pudding

Valentine's Day and chocolate go together so why not try this Chocolate Ricotta Pudding with Raspberry Sauce. :: Chocolate Ricotta Pudding ::

Do you have your Valentine’s Day plans all figured out? Menu all planned? If not, don’t fret! This recipe for Chocolate Ricotta Pudding With Raspberry Sauce is a magical end to a Valentine’s Day meal at home. Sara shared, in the guest post recipe of Nutella Cheesecake featured on Simple As That, her favorite Valentine’s Day plans.  She like myself, tends to spend the night-in with the kids and hubby, rather than battle with the prices and the crowds. We both often don’t have the luxury of having our husbands home on holidays, so it makes like easier to make a fun meal at home.  Often times it’s just our kids and us, so dessert has to be the star of the show! [Read more…]

Pumpkin Waffle Cone Ice Cream

Pumpkin Waffle Cone Ice Cream the perfect fall treat.:: Pumpkin Waffle Cone Ice Cream ::

We are celebrating today with a big scoop of Pumpkin Waffle Cone Ice Cream.  Today my baby boy is 8! I can hardly believe that my little guy has become such a big boy. We have planned a family trip for this big day, but first there is always room for ice cream.  Pumpkin Waffle Cone Ice Cream for breakfast sounds like a great way to start off our weekend celebration! [Read more…]

{weekend} lovelies

 

 

:: Weekend Lovelies ::

 

Hi, Everyone! The weekend is finally here! The Fourth of July is next week…. {it’s so hard to believe}! We decided it’s high time to prepare for the upcoming holiday! It is after all, one of our favorites! For further inspiration, visit our ‘American Sparkle’ board on Pinterest {image above via: glitter guide, tumblr}! Have a lovely weekend! {xo}

 

Desserts for your Celebration // Martha Stewart

1. Red, White & Blue Berry Trifle| 2. Independence Icebox Cake | 3. No Cook Cheesecake | 4. Vanilla Raspberry Sundae’s yum x 4! 

   [Read more…]

Mr. Amazing Turns Two!

This is an emotional month for me…

the month of March.

Sure a time of great celebration with my youngest two having birthdays

within two weeks of each other….

but also so hard emotionally.

For some reason, I have a difficult time with this whole…

getting older thing.

I just wish I could keep them little longer…

maybe even forever.

Close friends of mine would probably tell you that I’m addicted to having babies.

That’s a fact.

I love the whole process….

from preparing my body for pregnancy,

getting that first positive result,

carrying that precious bundle for nine months,

the birthing process,

and meeting my baby for the first time.

I love nursing

{yes… I’m one of those moms!},

I love the tender bonding moments in the middle of the night

when the house is quiet and everyone else is asleep,

I love carrying a baby on my hip,

and the sweet moments when you look in their eyes

and they instantly smile because all they wanted was a second of your attention.

I   l o v e   i t   a l l  ….  

>>>>>>>>>>>> 2 <<<<<<<<<<<<

Well this baby stage is

{unfortunately}

coming to an end for me.

I told Husby that he better get snipped because I knew I’d want baby #5 someday.

He decided to go through with the procedure when Mr. Finn was four months old.

I have regretted it ever since.

Perhaps not the route we should have taken…

but I wonder…

would I have ever felt done?

I don’t think so…  

>>>>>>>>>>>> 2 <<<<<<<<<<<<

So, here we are.

Today…

March 20th, 2013…

our littlest man’s 2nd birthday.

A day of celebration for his sweet life,

all the love he gives,

and all the joy he adds to everyone he meets….

but also a day to look back and remember…

with incredible warmth,

the memories created over the past two years. 

>>>>>>>>>>>> 2 <<<<<<<<<<<<

Born on a stormy evening on the first day of Spring…

this little man graced us with his presence

and we instantly fell deeply in love.

We haven’t experienced jealousy issues with the kids.

Although emotionally prepared to handle such issues should they arise…

they never did.

Our older three are just as enamored with him, as Husby and I are.

He is the most adorable little addition

with his dreamy brown eyes,

dimples and curls!

He is already a little clown around here…

striving to make everyone laugh by the things he does.

He is full of energy,

incredibly affectionate,

a little charmer to all he meets,

and a lover of all things big that move — trucks, tractors, trains and trash trucks!

Finner loves to throw absolutely everything

{Husby is hoping he will one day be a NY Yankee!},

loves to draw

{especially on himself and walls},

and play dress-up with his adoring sister…

wearing heels, a handbag and pink sparkly sunglasses!

He lights up with the mere mention of one of his siblings.

We feel so blessed that God entrusted us to love, nurture, and guide this little boy….

our “Mr. Amazing!”

There are no words to describe the immense love we all feel…

so instead,

some photos of the past two years…

 First two days of his sweet little life… Ry, Seth & Soph couldn’t stop touching him! I was one tuckered out mama! No drugs again… and a very hard delivery {I’ll spare you the details}!

[Read more…]