An Update From Disney!

Monday, February 28, 2011

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Greetings from Disney!
I have internet for a bit, (because I am supposed to be finishing schoolwork...haha)
and wanted to say HI!  I miss you guys, but am having a blast.
I can't get over the amazing weather.
I almost forgot what it was like to wear shorts and not be cold!

Here are a few pictures so far...
Upon arrival we rushed over to Kennedy Space Center to see the Discovery Space Shuttle Launch.
It was an amazing sight...

The next day we lounged by the pool a few hours and, 
oops, I got sunburnt.  But just one line down my arms and legs...
I know, I am a dork.


Since then we have ridden rides...

Met characters...

Watched parades and fireworks...

My husband as gotten dessert and chocolate to his hearts content..


My niece has met her idol.... Ariel.


We even rode Dumbo...


And of course, admired the castle at night...


And we aren't even halfway through!

I have started picking up items for my giveaway and it has been so hard to choose...
I think you all will like it though.

See you Friday or Saturday friends!!!

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Leavin' On A Jet Plane....

Thursday, February 24, 2011

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  Travel day!

I am up and getting my coffee and we are off to the airport!

Tonight we will be watching the space shuttle launch... and be in downtown disney for some delicious mexican by 7pm.

I CANNOT WAIT!

And when I get back, don't forget I am bringing goodies for a giveaway for all of YOU awesome people. Get Excited! Notice my travel day shirt?  Heck yeah, Mickey Mouse!

{{{SEE YOU ALL IN A WEEK!}}}

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My Oh Mahi !

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

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A few nights ago my husband and I had what just might be one of our new favorites.  Of course, anything that includes guacamole ranks at the top for me.

If you don't like fish, before you turn up your nose hear me out!  White fish is the least "fishy" of fishes.  In fact, with the spices, pico de gallo, guacamole and avocado lime dipping sauce you may not even notice that you are eating fish.

And, these are healthy. It doesn't get any better. Really, it doesn't!

Before you get started, you need to whip up a batch of guacamole. Next, make your avocado lime dipping sauce and pico de gallo.  I would also chop up your lettuce so once the fish is cooked you will be ready to assemble your tacos!

Ingredients*
2 medium to large pieces of whitefish of your choice, such as Mahi Mahi
2-3 medium to large flour tortillas
EVOO for drizzling fish and coating pan
salt and pepper
pinch of cayenne
juice of half a lime
sour cream for spreading on tortilla
about a cup of chopped lettuce

Pico De Gallo
2 small/medium seedless tomatoes, diced
1 small onion, diced
1/2 jalepeno, diced
1/4 cup fresh cilantro, finely chopped
1 garlic clove, minced
1 tsp salt
1 tsp lime juice
-mix these together in a bowl and place in fridge for a half hour to an hour.

Avocado Lime Dipping Sauce
1 avocado
2 tbsp lime juice
3 small garlic cloves
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
3-4 tbsp olive oil
-Place all ingredients and blend in a food processor.  Place sauce in fridge until ready to use.

*INGREDIENTS ARE PORTIONED FOR TWO HEALTHY EATERS!




Directions:
Once you have made your pico and dipping sauce, coat pieces of fish in olive oil so it doesn't stick to the pan. Sprinkle on salt, pepper and cayenne (I used Wahoo! Chili Spice from Tastefully Simple on mine).  Over medium heat, grill fish 4-5 minutes on each side or until fish has turned opaque. Once done, flake fish into large chunks.

Now, throw your tortillas in the pan and let them brown slightly on each side. Now you are ready for assembly. Coat half the tortilla with sour cream and the other half with a generous amount of guacamole.  Add fish, pico de gallo, lettuce and even some mexican shredded cheese if you want!  Wrap up (I wrap mine like burritos to make it easier to eat) and either drizzle with avocado lime sauce or place in a little dish for dunking.

I have been craving these since we had them the other night and I can't wait to make them again.  TRUST me when I say these are really tasty. And if you don't like avocado then I just don't know if we can be friends! :)  ENJOY!


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I Was Almost Murdered... kind of.

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Edit:  If you were her earlier and saw my post about sponsor spots, please do not be dismayed...
I have been rethinking the sponsor spots.
I want to keep my blog FUN for me,
so for now I will not be doing it.
However, don't be surprised if I change my mind in a few weeks.
:)

......................................................................................................


Since Sunday's ice storm the snow has picked up with no stopping in sight.   It has been really beautiful and given me a lot of time to clean up our fort (sad, I know...but we're going out of town so it had to be put away), read and finish schoolwork and put away piles of laundry. It was yesterday when I was folding our laundry in the spare bedroom that I heard a distinct THUD.


 Now, with all the ice, lots of branches has been breaking off the trees and hitting the porch/cottage but this thud was a little different.  I walked through the house to the front door and decided to open it.  We HAVE had crazy cats running around making noises too so I thought maybe one was outside.  I opened the door, and my heart dropped into my stomach.  FOOT PRINTS.

Do you see them?  

They went from the front door,
down the sidewalk,
into the driveway,
and up the lane.

I freaked on the inside.



WAS SOMEONE STAKING OUT OUR P LACE TO COME KILL ME?

I started walking from room to room checking to see if I could see anyone, and once I got into the third bedroom and looked out the blinds, I saw this. That was no murderer.  It was the UPS man.  And once my adrenaline rush subsided I went back to the front door and found the package he left.  I then figured out what had happened: he got stuck coming down our half a mile lane and WALKED the rest of the way to deliver my victoria secret bathing suits (which aren't cute and have to be sent back anyway...ugh).  He was stuck in that spot for about 45 minutes.  Here is a better picture with my "spy" lens. It is really just a zoom lens but I feel like a spy with it.

Poor guy, I am not sure how he ended up getting out but I don't think he will be heading down this lane if there is snow again anytime soon.   After thinking I might die I decided to go outside and take some pictures of the ice and snow.  They all turned out so pretty I can't choose (as usual) so here is a winter picture overload.  I hope it makes you feel better if you are in a warmer climate at the moment.  If not, then you can share my pain at the BITTER cold we are stuck in.

Our still frozen lake..
Does anyone know what this plant is?  It was bright red, and looked so pretty against the ice!

This Picture Looks Like Christmas...

Back yard trees...  so pretty with the snow on them...
You can see more HEREHERE, HERE and HERE.


The snow this week has really made me appreciate the fact that I will be in 80 degree Orlando weather in two short days.  We have our fingers crossed that everything works out so we can make it to the Kennedy Space Center in time to see the last space shuttle launch of the Discovery.
And I can't wait to find some goodies to bring back and share with all of you.

Now, enter to win a free sponsor spot & tell your friends!

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Sometimes, Life Calls for a FORT

Monday, February 21, 2011

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Greetings From Our Fort...

Yes, we are adults.  And Yes we built a fort, and lay in it all night and watched movies.  Yesterday around 11 it started snowing and sleeting and it was just nasty weather (come back 49 degrees from last week!), so we decided to build a cozy fort with tons of pillows and blankets.  It was a great idea.  I really recommend this.  If you had kids?  Double recommend. My nephews and nieces sometimes set up camp in their living room's and "camp out".  Sleeping in a fort all night, or even for a movie has to rank right up there with indoor campouts.  Do you even remember how much fun forts are?  Take it from me, they are FUN and if you build one you might wind up sleeping there for months.  You never know.  Husband and I would have slept there last night but once the sun went down it got really really cold on the floor.  So we retreated to the bedroom.  However, the fort remains intact.


On top of our movie, we had a pretty unconventional  - (and by unconventional I mean amazing) - dinner.  Yep, take a look.  That is:  frozen supreme pizza, orange crush, strawberries, watermelon and string cheese.  That all was followed by super fattening, super delicious chocolatey Bear Claw ice cream.  And popcorn.  We might have pigged out just.a.little.  I don't feel bad abut it one bit either. Don't tell my Zumba class. ;)



My husband really liked the fort, 
minus the blanket falling down in his face.
Of course he stayed inside playing Call of Duty.


Yesterday I set up the Facebook fan page.  So you can head over there and "like" us if you are on Facebook.  What else...oh there is a little Nav bar at the bottom of the blog now.  All the link up top are working too!  I think that is all I wanted to update you on...

WAIT-- NOPE, IT ISN'T.

I have exciting news that I almost forgot to tell you about!  
I will be going to Disney in 3 days and when I return,
we will be having a little giveaway! 
And not just ANY giveaway...
but a DISNEY themed giveaway.
Get excited!
(I know I am!)

It will work like any other giveaway, where you can enter multiple times by following this blog, becoming a facebook fan or following me on twitter.  That will all be in about 2 weeks. You can do those things now and then enter multiple times, or you can wait, or you can leave here and never come back.  Your call.  But I would go with free Disney loot if I were you. Just sayin'...
So excited!

Will you be be building a fort to watch the Bachelor hometown dates tonight?!

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Juicy Babies & Cupcakes

Sunday, February 20, 2011

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Yesterday we got finally got our camera back when we went to do our laundry.  I maybe never told you but after doing a few loads here in our cottage we noticed a strange brown spotting all over our clothes.  We figured out that it was rust in the pipes...which means that unless I want to stain and ruin everything we own we are going to have to do our laundry elsewhere.  Joy of Joys.

Also, we can't use the water to cook with because there is literally so much rust....we also smell like metal after showers, and brushing our teeth with the iron infused liquid is a special experience.  But really, besides this and the 10 wild cats that fight outside 24/7 we can't complain.

Back to the reason for this post:  We got our camera back so now I can share all the adorable pictures of my nieces 1st birthday!  Also, we are going to Disney in a mere 4 days and I will be MIA in the blog world for about a week...  so I am trying to make up for that with my weekend posts.  (Not sure if it will work).  Anyhow, despite every one feeling kind of sick, including the husband who has the stomach flu, we had a great time.  I don't mean to overload you with photos, but really how I am supposed to choose?!  You will see what I mean:

Baby Kloey, 6 months

She has just started showing little teeth. It is so cute.



Rylee was the cutest little birthday girl ever.   She is such a sweet little chunk and she waddled everywhere in her tutu.  Also, I love these antique photo effects.  Can't get enough! 


Rylee LOVED her balloons, and so did her cousin Landon.  Landon will be 2 in April, and of course we will have an equally fun/loud/chaotic birthday party for the little Mr. Man.

Some of my favorite pictures were of the gorgeous (I am a cupcake fanatic, okay?) and equally delicious cupcakes Rylee's mama, Kristin made!  "1" for Rylee and "6" for Kloey!



These were as good as they look. 

Little girl birthday parties are the best.

Dancing and that ever elusive picture of the all of the grandkids followed.
Any parents out there will understand HOW HARD it is to get a group of children to smile on command at the same time.  It is a riot in the Slater home because 9 adults are usually jumping around, whistling and clapping their hands as one person tried to snap as many pictures as possible.  It gives me a new appreciation for those poor photographers that have to go to elementary schools and take class pictures.  God Bless Them. For us, THIS picture was as close as we got to everyone facing the camera and kind of smiling.... 

 pictures of little girls in pink and purple? cute OVERLOAD.



And, of course, no one upstaged the birthday girl... It makes me excited to have a little girl so I can dress her in a tutu and have pink dresses/cupcakes/decorations galore!





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Date Night Duds=FAIL.

Saturday, February 19, 2011

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Shirt: Gap  Jeans: Thrifted Boots: Aldo


I really, really....really, really need our good camera back.  I tried to jump on the blog bandwagon of the "what I wore" trend but my little point and shoot fought me every step of the way.

For one, it kept tinting my pictures really funny, so even when I go to edit them they are pretty much unsalvageable.

But I tried, I promise.  You can't really even see my outfit, or the cute belt I had on or the cupcake necklace, or anything.

What I Wore=FAIL.

Maybe next time... Despite the picture failure, husband and I had a lovely date night last night.  We went to an Italian place in Elkhart, Indiana which is about a 40 minute drive.  I had the most delicious margherita pizza ever. How they made the crust sooo thin, I will never know.  But I did eat 75% of my 14" pizza.  (Yes, I am going running today...)   Then we went to see Unknown with Liam Neeson, which I do recommend.  It was pretty good...




I woke up this morning to the lake actually showing some water!  It is sunny out, but only 30 so it is really deceptive.  Husband and I are going to try and make our way to a gun range to shoot today... again, a situation where I wish we had the big camera.  Boo for forgetting things.
See What I Mean About The Weird Tint?


Weekend Suggestions:

HAPPY FREAKIN' WEEKEND!


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Recommended: Shauna Niequist, Cold Tangerines

Friday, February 18, 2011

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"I want a life that sizzles and pops and makes me laugh out loud. And I don't want to get to the end, or tomorrow, even, and realize that my life is a collection of meetings and pop cans and errands and receipts and dirty dishes. I want to eat cold tangerines and sing out loud in the car with the windows open and wear pink shoes and stay up all night laughing and paint my walls the exact color of the sky right now. I want to sleep hard on clean white sheets and throw parties and eat ripe tomatoes and read books so good they make me jump up and down, I want my everyday to make God belly laugh, glad that he gave life to someone who loves the gift."






This has been one of my favorite books for quite a long time. Sometimes I read and re-read my favorite parts and just well up and bawl like a baby.  Shauna is an amazingly talented writer.  I confess, I haven't read her new book Bittersweet, but I have no doubts it is just as good as Cold Tangerines.  What can I say to you about how much you need to read this?  I really hope you pick this book up and love it as much as I do, and cry and laugh and feel your soul stirring  as you read it.  Also, you can follow Shauna on her blog, HERE.
www.shaunaniequist.com

                                                                                     ********
In other news, I woke up this morning to a loud "BEEP-BEEP-BEEP" like a semi truck was going to back through the bedroom wall.  I sprang up and then my husband mumbles in his half comatose state of sleep "oh yeah that is the sand guy." I should back up.  I few weeks ago our "landlord" called asking if it was okay if he had some sand delivered so when it gets warm he can fill up the beach area for all the summer vacationers.  Apparently he called last night to let us know the delivery would be happening this morning.  Did my husband tell me?  Nope.  So for about 10 seconds I was bracing for impact as the semi noise got louder and LOUDER!  I watched the dump the sand...RIGHT in front of the garage where our cars are parked.  I am not sure how I am even going to get out of the garage now.  Then, of course, I couldn't go back to sleep.  Excellent.

It is 43 degrees already today.  I am SO thrilled by this, you have no idea!  The snow seemed to melt overnight so I can see grass all around and the lake looks like it is starting to get soupy and melt as well.  I am going to find every excuse to be outside today. Or maybe crack open the windows and let the spring air flood this cottage and lift my spirits.  Only 6 more days until Orlando/Disney.  So excited.  My husband found out that there is going to be a space shuttle launch 2 hours after we land at the airport.  We have a car rented (thank you in-laws!) and are going to drive over to see it.  HOW COOL IS THAT?   Next, before dinner I am going to find this vegan bakery, Babycakes that my friend told me about. Later, we plan on doing dinner at Chevy's in downtown disney.  All in all, our first day is chalking up to be an exciting one!


Is it warm where you are?  Please say yes, because that means spring is within our reach!!!!!
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Holy Guacamole, Somebody Got a Face Lift...

Thursday, February 17, 2011

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Hey blog friends....  I know, I know.  What happened here?

Well, I got so frustrated with waiting for my new website I decided to give this blog a little sparkle.

We'll call it Botox, and the actual facelift surgery is coming later this year.  What can I say?  Patience isn't my thing sometimes.  Okay, a lot of the time.

Check out the links on the navigation bar and let me know how you feel.  Too simple?  Too cluttered?  Your thoughts are appreciated.

Until then, I want to share with you one of the best recipes ever, for one of the best dips.  Of course, I am talking about Guacamole.  I started making this a few years ago and have since tweaked the recipe to suit the husband's taste.  A little heavy on garlic and light on jalepeno, with just the right amount of chunky tomato and onion.  This stuff seriously doesn't last.  And yes, maybe it is more appropriate for summer, but with the 42 degree weather these past two days I am anticipating spring's arrival.  And I am coaxing it to come out and play a little early by eating my gauc and pretending that spring is indeed, here.
Ingredients:
3 ripe avocado
1 Medium white onion
1/2 Green pepper, seeds removed
1/2 jalepeno, seeds removed
2 small to medium seedless or Roma tomatoes
3 large cloves of garlic
half a lemon for squeezing
2 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper

The key to a perfect guacamole is to get ripe avocado.  At the store, make sure the avocados give in your hand and are slightly squishy.  You still want them to be firm, because if they squish and feel like they are going to break open in your hand then they are probably going bad.  Once you have your avocado, slice in the middle around the fattest part of the fruit.  The avocado should come apart in nice equal halves.  Now you can pop out the seed by giving it a gentle squeeze (you might need to encourage it to come out by pulling on the seed).... after that you can squeeze out the insides into a bowl.   Mash with a wooden spoon.   I don't like to put mine in a food processor because it takes away the chunks.  Plus once you start mixing the other ingredients it gets plenty creamy.

Okay, time to chop your veggies up:
Dice green pepper, tomato and onion.
Mince garlic cloves* and jalepeno.

Mix all ingredients with avocado, add salt and pepper.  Once all ingredients are mixed squeeze the juice of half a lemon over and mix.  (This keeps the dip from turning brown really quickly....)

Eat immediately.  Note I did not say serve.  You will just want to eat all of this yourself, and that is perfectly acceptable.

*{ I found that by popping the garlic cloves in the microwave for 10-20 seconds, all the peel comes right off!  No scraping, tugging or fighting with your garlic cloves anymore!  This has been a life saver for me, and doesn't leave me fingers smelling quite so garlicky. }




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Batting For The Other Team...

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

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You all have dirty minds, really.


I am not going all lesbo on you.
But I am doing something crazy.

We, in the Slater household are...
GOING VEGAN!


Okay, hold the phone, we aren't actually becoming full on tofu eaters.  We are just choosing to incorporate some meat and animal free dishes into our lives.  Starting with two meals a week.

(You didn't think we would actually give up the delicious piece of heaven that is meat did you? Really? I thought you knew me better than that. Give me[or my husband]a mid-rare ribeye any day of the week and we are happy campers. Okay? Okay. Glad we got that figured out!)

Currently I am gathering recipes for this,
so if you have any good ones PLEASE
SEND THEM MY WAY!!!

You might be wondering just why we are doing this?
Well, our reasons are three-fold.

Not really, but I wanted to say threefold.
(Try it, it's fun).

Threefold.
But, I digress!

We want to:

a) support local farmers and growers.

I am a huge advocate of locally grown, organic fruits and veggies.  I can't tell you how many essays and papers I have written on pesticide use and the long term (very negative) effects it has on health.  I want to do everything I can to support those who want to bring good wholesome foods from Earth to my belly. 


b) Feed our bodies with Delicious Goodness.
Meat is fabulous and we will never give it up, but too much meat isn't really healthy.  Our bodies need all types of nutrition in moderation. This includes meat, which doesn't mean gobbling it down every day.  In fact, eating 4 ounces of red meat daily will increase the risk of heart disease and cancer by 30% in women. And that is the GOOD meat (the kind that isn't filled with who knows what..)  I bet you didn't know that, did you?  You can get that filling protein that meat provides by adding tofu, tempah or seitan.  With a little creativity in the kitchen, it is easy to whip up dishes that are healthy and tasty and don't clog your arteries with processed, hydrogenated junk.  

I hope you weren't waiting for me to start in on respecting animals or something. I mean, I do.
And I really do not agree with how some animal harvesters handle animals.  It just isn't right.
But here is the thing.
When it IS done the RIGHT way,
I think eating animals is the natural order of things.

So, that is our new little adventure.
I think we are going to start after our trip to Disney...
because we don't want to miss out on the good food while we are there!!!



Have any of you ever gone "vegan", how did it go for you?


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The Curse Is Broken!

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

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First, Can I get a hallelujah?
Michelle, the crazy is gone!


Well played Brad.

I only got to see the last 30 minutes of the show because my husband took me to a delicious FANCY SCHMANCY dinner, thus breaking the curse.


Let me bring you up to speed. I have never had a good Valentine's Day.  Even the ones with my husband-then-boyfriend.


The first year it was one of our first dates and he ended up telling me that he wasn't sure if he liked me that much and didn't want to lead me on....


Then, last year I didn't even see him because we were in different cities. But, joy of joys, the curse is broken!  First, I got a dozen roses with a sweet note. 


Then, we wined and dined (mussels, filet mignon, gnocchi, my chocolate covered strawberries and pink champagne)...YUM.

[We had a mini crisis while trying to get off a toll road.  Our ticket would not process when we put it in and of course, a semi drove up behind us and started honking and flashing his lights, and being a rude jerk.


My husband said "You can cuss at him, I don't even care". 


But I am sure he was just sad because he was stuck driving a truck on Valentine's Day. So we just ignored him.  And finally our ticket went through, after about 10 minutes and we made it to our dinner.]


Then, on the way out of the restaurant I bit it when I slipped on some ice.  Not even just a little fall...my legs shot out from under me and I landed with all of my body weight on my right butt/leg.


And, I cried.  Instantly. It hurt THAT.BAD.


Also, after furiously super glueing my hearts and making a table runner I lost feeling in the tip of my right index finger.  It has yet to return...  getting a little worried that I seriously damaged a nerve.  


SO, some high points and some low points, but all in all a great Valentine's Day.  I would say the curse is officially broken.





I hope everyone had a great V-day!!
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Love Day Is Here...

Monday, February 14, 2011

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It is here, the day of Luuurve.

I have hearts to string, strawberries to dip and champagne to chill.

My husband said "Don't make dinner" right before he left for work.
Clearly, this means we are going OUT to dinner, one of my favorite things...


IN OTHER NEWS.
Yesterday, we celebrated my niece's 1st birthday.
Rylee Joy is the cutest little chunky sweet baby.
She loves to smile and she had the cutest little tutu on that made her waddle around like a duck. 
Adorable?
Absolutely.


We also celebrated little miss Kloey Grace's 6 month half birthday.
It is a Slater traditional to give babies their first taste of sugary frosted cake when they turn 6 months old....
Kloey is a thoughtful and sweet little girl, who didn't quite know why everyone was staring at her while she carefully poked into the frosting....


Unfortunately I left our camera so I am swiping these from my mother-in-law...more pictures of the birthday celebrations to come!


Love these little ladies...

Happy V-day Ya'll!

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Calling All Couples in the Grand Rapid/Kzoo Area!

Friday, February 11, 2011

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                                    http://www.familylife.com/groups/KCC2011


Calling all couples, married & engaged.  You do not want to miss this amazing event taking place in a few short weeks in our area!  The Family Life -A Weekend To Remember event is an amazing, life changing weekend meant to strengthen and encourage your marriage.  Learn to pursue God AND your spouse,  redefine the roles in your marriage and rekindle the passion.  This is not just for couples whose marriages are "on the rocks", instead it is a great tool and encouragement for all couples no matter the state of their current relationship.  I have heard personal stories from men and women who had attested that his singular event SAVED their marriage.  On the opposite side, I have heard from couples who have an amazing, Godly relationship who have found new ways to bless one another and take their amazing relationship to new heights.  Please consider joining my husband and I as we seek to pursue one another and reap the blessings the Lord has promised us.  Please e-mail me for further questions or join us,  and save 50% on registration by registering with our group, KCC2011.

SO EXCITED FRIENDS!

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2 Weeks Until Disney MAGIC..

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Only 2 weeks until Disney.
Only two weeks until sunshine.
swimming pools.
sunscreen.
and mounds and mounds of food.

and rides.
and fun.
and late nights.
and early mornings.

and did I mention the SUN?
and the swimming?
and the laughing?

OH I CANNOT WAIT.

Will me meet tigger again?

Will we catch another Beauty & The Beast Play?

Will we spot another JoBro??

Or will one of us have too much caffeine?


Only time will tell....   COME ON FEBRUARY 24th!!!

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