25 random things about me (Amy)

1. I really hate tags
   
2. I love to socialize
   
3. I love to laugh
4. I need to remodel my spare bedroom
5. I wish I was on a nice warm beach
   
6. I need a massage
7. I LOVE going to the gym!
8. My husband says I'm neurotic
9. I HATE seafood!
10. My FAVORITE dessert is brownies!
11. I love it when my daughter wraps her arms around my neck
12. I LOVE the happy, puffy clouds
13. I LOVE camping
14. I LOVE jammin out to the radio with my daughter
15. I LOVE cuddling with my hubby!
16. I wear socks to bed
17. I usually stay in my jammies all day long unless I need to go somewhere
18. I still need to go over my lesson for Sunday
19. I wish it were Spring so I could go outside and garden
20. I miss the warm weather
21. I wish I were on vacation
22. I really like David Cook's CD
23. My favorite song right now is Lucky by Jason Mraz & Colbie Calliat
24. I miss my friends Lynette and Laura
25. I love to sing

Okay now it is my turn! I tag anyone who hasn't done this. Hahahaha!

Looks are deceiving! So the search continues.

Last night I was looking EVERYWHERE for my favorite brownie recipe. I never knew what the recipe was or anything, I just knew what the brownies were supposed to look like with frosting. My friend Lera had made them for a Young Women's activity when we were serving in the YW together. They were almost kind of cake-like. They were SOOOOO scrumptious!

I thought I had found the recipe by the looks of the picture so, I decided to make them. The batter tasted a bit rich but I thought maybe it will dull a little bit after I bake them......NO! I went through all this hassle to make my favorite brownies when I discover THEY'RE THE WRONG ONES! I'm not one that likes a lot of rich chocolate flavor. These brownies were RICH! There were chocolate chip bits in them that hadn't melted which I don't really care for. It gives me an upset stomach. Anyway, I pull the brownies out of the oven, let them cool and then frosted them. To my surprise, when I went to taste them, I was totally taken off guard by how rich these brownies were! Brian had no complaints what so ever! He's acclamated himself by eating so much candy and chocolate.

So continues my quest for the perfect brownie and frosting recipe. All is not lost I suppose. After all, I did learn how to make a chocolate glaze frosting from scratch!

Slipping

Okay, so I've made a bunch of "resolutions" and like most have already broken most of them.....okay really only one or two.

I've been wanting to be a little healthier by dragging my lazy butt to the gym. It worked for the first couple days. I have only been to the gym maybe 4 or 5 times in about three weeks. I find myself slipping back into old habits. In my defense, it has been really cold and I didn't want to stand out in the cold snow scraping off the car to go to the gym. Lame I know. It has also been a little difficult to find a good time to go while trying to work around Brian's school and work schedule. I am making more of an effort to go early in the morning though so we'll see how that turns out.

In other news, Tali is pulling herself up to a standing position now. Looks like I need to start clearing everything off our coffee table now. She even tried going for one of my plants. Another discovery I made today was that Tali is starting to get her first tooth! It hasn't quite popped through yet, but it won't be long now. Poor thing!

Today for some "unknown" reason, I have been having such a HUGE craving for brownies, but not just any brownies, a specific brownie recipe with frosting. I have never tasted better brownies than this one particular recipe. I went online and through the majority of all of my cookbooks and TA-DA! I finally found it......I hope. The picture looks like my favorite brownie recipe, but we will have to wait and see.

Daddy's little girl

Today Tali started saying "Dadda." It was so flippin' cute! Unfortunately, he was at work when she said it. When he called on his last break, she was just chattin' up a storm saying "Dadda" over and over again so he did eventually get to hear it. Now he doesn't have to be jealous of her always saying "Momma."

I'm so amazed with how much she is learning. She is now doing this inch worm type thing where she'll scoot herself up on her hands and knees and then scoot herself again toward whatever she wants. I think she may be crawling any day! Brian's been getting on the floor with her trying to show her how to crawl. It is so adorable to see how he plays with her. He's such a good daddy!

CHANGE HAS COME!

Our 44th American President:
Barack Obama

Today is a monumental day in the history of our great nation. Today we gain what I hope to be a leader of greatness; A leader of hope and a leader of change.

As I was reflecting on this election and the transition of our new President, I was moved by his message and his request for all of us as citizens to serve in whatever capacities we can. I was so moved that I myself decided to serve in my own community. As of last night, I was elected to be on the board of our HOA committee. I know it is something so small, but I am willing to do my part whatever it may be. I love this nation and am so proud of our new President Barack Obama. As he is our new leader, I will sustain and support him.

In case some of you may have missed his inauguration speech, here are some of my favorite quotes and highlights of what he said. Sorry, it may be long, but here it is:

• "At these moments, America has carried on not simply because of the skill or vision of those in high office, but because we the people have remained faithful to the ideals of our forebears and true to our founding documents."
• "Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real. They are serious and they are many. They will not be met easily or a short span of time, but know this America, they will be met!"
• "On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear; Unity and purpose over conflict and discord."
• "In the words of scripture, the time has come to set aside childish things. The time has come to reaffirm our enduring spirit to choose our better history, to carry forward that precious gift; That noble idea past on from generation to generation the God given promise that all are equal, all are free, and deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness."
• "In reaffirming the greatness of our nation, we understand that greatness is never a given; It must be earned. Our journey's never been one of short cuts or settling for less. It has not been the path for the fainthearted."
• "Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off and begin again the work of remaking America. For everywhere we look, there is work to be done."
• "Now there are some who question the scale of our ambitions; Who suggest that our system cannot tolerate too many big plans; Their memories are short. For they have forgotten what this country has already done.....What the cynics fail to understand is that the ground has shifted beneath them."
• "The question we ask today is not whether our government is too big or too small, but whether it works......When the answer is yes, we intend to move forward. When the answer is no, programs will end."
• "And those of us who manage the public's dollars will be held to account, to spend wisely, reform bad habits, and do our business in the light of day because only then can we restore the vital trust between a people and their government......but this crisis has reminded us that without a watchful eye, the market can spin out of control. The nation cannot prosper alone when it favors only the prosperous."
• "Know that America is a friend of each nation and that every man, woman and child who seeks a future of peace and dignity and we are ready to lead once more."
• "Recall that earlier generations faced down fascism and communism not just with missiles and tanks, but with the sturdy alliances and enduring convictions. They understood that our power alone cannot protect us; Nor does it entitle us to do as we please. Instead they knew that our power grows through it's prudent use. Our security emanates from the justness of our cause, the force of our example, the tempering qualities of humility and restraint."
  
• "We will not apologize for our way of life; Nor will we waver in it's defense. And for those who seek to advance their aim by inducing terror and slaughtering innocence, we say to you now that our spirit is stronger and cannot be broken. You cannot outlast us and we will defeat you."
• "We cannot help but believe that the old hatreds shall someday pass; That the lines of tribe shall soon dissolve; That as the world grows smaller, our common humanity shall reveal itself and that America must play it's role in ushering in a new era of peace."
• "To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit...know that you are on the wrong side of history but that we will extend a hand if you are unwilling to unclench your fist."
• "For as much as government can do and must do, it is ultimately the faith and determination of the American people upon which this nation relies....that finally decides our fate."
• "Those values on which our success depends: honesty and hard work, courage and fair play, tolerance and curiosity, loyalty and patriotism; These things are old. These things are true. They have been the quiet force of progress throughout our history. What is demanded then is a return to these truths. What is required of us now is a new era of responsibility and recognition on the part of every American that we have duties to ourselves, our nation and the world; duties that we do not grudgingly accept, but rather seize gladly."
• "Let it be said by our children's children that when we were tested, we refused to let this journey end . That we did not turn back nor did we falter; and with eyes fixed on the horizon and God's grace upon us we carried forth that great gift of freedom and delivered it safely."

Good luck Mr. President, Barack Obama. May God bless you!