Vacation = Hospital Stay + Exciting News!!

I know I have been really bad about keeping my blog up to date, but I have a good reason. Yes, I know that is what all us blogger in a rut say, but I really do!

On July 27th I became very sick and was in horrible pain all night long. Finally after hours of being sick I felt some relief and finally was able to get some sleep. I was leaving the next day for a very fun family vacation. My dad was turning the big 6-0 and the whole family had a planned trip to see my sister's new house she had just purchased in Huntington Beach, along with many other adventures in So Cal. This was a trip I had been looking forward to all summer, and I didn't want anything to get in the way. On the 28th I thought it would be best to make an appointment with my doctor just to make sure everything was OK since I still wasn't feeling myself. After some time at the doctors office I discovered that I needed to have some test run however, with our flight leaving early afternoon I couldn't get the test done before we needed to leave. I know silly right, well being the stubborn person that I am I thought it was nothing and would soon go away so we all boarded the plane.

After the short plane ride the pain seemed to increase and I knew something wasn't right. We arrived at my sister's new beautiful home at 8:30PM and at 10:29PM I was checking into Huntington Beach ER. After hours of test I was admitted to the hospital at 3:00AM only to discover that I would be going in for emergency surgery! Yes, that's right what I thought was something minor and would go away was not going anywhere without surgery. About 9:00 AM on July 29th (My Dad's Birthday) I went in for an emergency appendectomy. The doctor's thought it would only be a little infected however once they where in they discovered it was just hours from bursting. So I guess you could say I'm not the best at judging whether or not something is serious or minor.

Unfortunately I missed out on a great concert with the family, trips to the beach, and of course the wonderful shopping. I did celebrate with everyone on Saturday, however I was pretty low key. This will not only be a family vacation that I will never forget but it will also be a birthday that my dad will never forget!! Happy
60th Dad!!

Oh don't think the excitement ends here . . . .

While in the ER we not only found out I would be having emergency surgery but we also found out I was pregnant!! Yes that is right I'm due April 7th. So for the past 13 weeks I have been not only recovering from surgery, preparing for the beginning of a new school year, starting a new school year, but I have also been dealing with ALL day sickness!! It has just been in the past week that I am starting to feel better so hopefully I can get back on track with blogging!!

We are all very excited and Miss Ava is super excited to finally be a big sister!! So stay tuned for all the excited that this adventure brings! I'll keep you posted!!

No Bake Granola Bars~ Tasty Tuesday

This is a super yummy treat that the kids and adults love! I think the best part is my little one loves to help make this healthy, yummy snack!




What You Need:
2-1/2 cups crisp rice cereal
1-1/2 cups quick-cooking oats
1 cup PLANTERS NUT•rition™ Antioxidant Mix
3/4 cup PLANTERS Creamy Peanut Butter
1/2 cup honey
1/4 cup packed dark brown sugar

Make It:
LINE 13x9-inch pan with foil, with ends of foil extending over sides.

COMBINE first 3 ingredients in large bowl.

MICROWAVE remaining ingredients in microwaveable bowl on HIGH 1 min.; stir. Add to cereal mixture; mix well. Press onto bottom of prepared pan.

COOL 30 min. Use foil handles to remove dessert from pan before cutting into bars.

Today I'm joining these great blogs:

Not Just a Housewife
Sugar Bee Crafts
A Diamond in the Stuff

Chicken Alfredo Pesto Pasta~ Tasty Tuesday

This is a great, light and easy dinner the whole family will love!



What You Need:

1/2 lb. angel hair pasta, uncooked
2 tsp. oil
1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces
2 cups milk
1/2 cup (1/2 of 8-oz. tub) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese Spread
1 large red pepper, cut into strips
1/4 cup KRAFT Grated Parmesan Cheese
2 Tbsp. pesto

Make It:


COOK pasta as directed on package, omitting salt. Meanwhile, heat oil in large nonstick skillet on medium heat. Add chicken; cook and stir 7 min. or until done.

STIR in milk and cream cheese spread; cook 3 min. or until cream cheese is completely melted and sauce is well blended. Add peppers, Parmesan and pesto; stir. Cook 3 min. or until heated through, stirring occasionally.

DRAIN pasta. Add to cream cheese sauce; toss to coat.


Today I'm linking up with these great blogs, check them out and join the fun!

Not Just a Housewife
Sugar Bee Crafts
A Diamond in the Stuff

Fashion Wednesday

Well It's been a while since I have done fashion Wednesday. It seemed that after having emergency surgery I didn't really get dressed in clothes that were presentable for a while but now I'm back to work and getting dressed every day! So here are a few photo's of what I wore this past week.


Pink lace top- Old Navy
Shorts- Old Navy


Mustard colored dress- Nordstrom
shoes- Macy's


Navy dress- Target
Belt- Local Boutique
shoes- Steve Madden shop

Today I'm linking up with these blog parties, come join the fun!

The Pleated Poppy
No Model Lady
Momma Go Round

Frosted Peanut Marshmellow Crispy Squares~ Tasty Tuesday

These have always been my all time favorite treat! With school back in session what a better way to treat your kids after a long day at school than with one of these squares.



What You Need:

1/4 cup butter or margarine
1 pkg. (10 oz.) JET-PUFFED Marshmallows
1/2 cup PLANTERS Creamy Peanut Butter
5 cups crisp rice cereal
1 cup PLANTERS Salted Peanuts
1 cup BAKER'S Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chunks
1 cup butterscotch chips

Make It:

MICROWAVE butter in large microwaveable bowl on HIGH 45 sec. or until melted. Add marshmallows; toss to coat. Microwave 1-1/2 min. or until marshmallows are completely melted, stirring after 45 sec.

STIR in peanut butter until blended. Add cereal and nuts; mix well. Press onto bottom of greased 13x9-inch pan.

MICROWAVE remaining ingredients in small microwaveable bowl 1 to 1-1/2 min. or until completely melted and mixture is well blended, stirring every 30 sec. Pour over cereal mixture; spread to cover. Refrigerate 1 hour or until chocolate mixture is firm.

Today I'm joining these great blogs, check them out for some great inspiration!

Not Just a Housewife
Sugar Bee CraftsA Diamond in the Stuff

Apple Walnut Chicken Bake~ Tasty Tuesday

We are back in full swing with school and work which means dinner menu's. This is a very yummy yet fast recipe that the whole family loves! I hope everyone at your house loves it as well!



What You Need:
1 pkg. (6 oz.) STOVE TOP Stuffing Mix for Chicken
1 large apple, chopped
1 cup PLANTERS Walnut Pieces, toasted
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup KRAFT Honey Dijon Dressing, divided
6 small boneless skinless chicken breast halves (1-1/2 lb.)
1/4 cup KRAFT Shredded Cheddar Cheese

Make It:
HEAT oven to 375ºF.

PREPARE stuffing in large saucepan as directed on package. Add apples, nuts, raisins and 1/4 cup dressing; mix lightly.

SPOON into 13x9-inch baking dish; top with chicken. Brush chicken with remaining dressing. Cover loosely with foil.

BAKE 35 min. Top chicken with cheese; bake 10 to 15 min. or until chicken is done (165ºF).


Today I'm joining these great blog parties, check them out!

Not Just a Housewife
Sugar Bee Crafts
A Diamond in the Stuff

It's Back to School!

Well, its official my summer vacation is over and its back to reality, work! I do consider myself very lucky that I have such a wonderful and rewarding job, it does make going back much easier! I am very excited to meet all my new students, I love the first day of school photo's, new outfits, and all the fun that a new year brings!

I'm however sad to see my days at home with my little peanut come to an end. This has been one of the best summers at home with her. She is at such a fun age and I love our special time together. Today is a big day for her as well she will be going to her new school for a meet and greet, luckily I have such a wonderful mother who will be taking her. I can't believe my little baby will be starting PK on Wednesday, time has flown by! She will always be my little peanut!

So as you can see today will be a lot of fun first's for our family, stay tuned for a recap of today's events!

Happy Monday everyone!