Life

Life is full of so many adventures, choices, happy times, sad times, challenging times and learning experiences and I feel so much of this year has been just that! I feel that I have learned so much about life, balance and taken the good with the bad.

I keep saying I can't wait till 2011 and that I just want this year to be over with. However what I didn't stop to realize or think about is all that I am thankful for and all the good things that 201o has brought to us. I have a beautiful little girl, a wonderful husband who loves me unconditionally, a wonderful family and a successful business. These are all things to celebrate and be thankful for.

This year has had it share of heartache, sadness and challenges both personally and professionally but what I am learning is to trust in myself, my beliefs and trust in our lord. He has a plan for me, my family and our lives he will not guide me in the wrong direction and the obstacles, challenges and heartache and sadness I have experienced are all part of his plan. Sometimes I wonder why all this has to happen? But I have to trust GOD and believe that he truly has a plan for me!

I have been faced with some very challenging situations and I truly am putting it in GOD'S HANDS. I have to believe he will lead me to make the right decisions and he will be my strength through it all.

One of the things I am most proud of and excited about this year (other than Kate's birth) is that I have chosen to become Catholic. I am in the process of taking my classes to convert to Catholicism and I have learned so much about God and Jesus and the bible in the last 7 weeks, more than I have known in my entire life. I know that is sad to admit at 34 years old that I didn't really know a lot other than the 'BASICS" but I have fully engaged myself in this process and I am learning so much. I feel that GOD is guiding me as I need this in my life and I truly feel better late than never! Today I did my Rite's of Acceptance and stood before the entire congregation as they accepted me into the program! It was such a wonderful feeling I can't even put it into words! I am so excited for the next 6 months and as I grow in my faith and grow in my relationship with Jesus Christ! This truly is something so exciting for me and it is something wonderful that is happening in 2010! I started my journey toward accepting the Lord and Savior into my life!

So when things seem like you just want them to end....there are always new and exciting beginnings! So for this I am celebrating this year and excited for all that is to come next year!!!

XOXO

Happy First Day of Advent! This Truly is The Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

SNOW DAY Part 1

This was Kate's first time in the snow and boy did she love it! I had to post these photos in order as James took them one right after another! It is cute how it almost shows the movement! Kate is such an adventurous soul. She loves almost everything and tries everything! She just amazes me everyday! I love it that she loves to explore new things and isn't afraid to try them.

Mom...this is fun! Thanks for letting me play in the snow!!! XO

SNOW DAY Part 2

Thanksgiving Day

This year we spent Thanksgiving Day in Alta, California! We went to Nick's Aunt & Uncles house and had such a fun afternoon and evening. The Sierra's had just gotten a huge snow storm so there was so much snow in Alta. Kate was able to play in it and she just loved it! Those photos will be in another post! :) The holidays much like everything else in life goes by so fast! You wait for it to get here and then it is gone before you know it! It is just so nice that we have family to share the holidays with. Here are a few of the afternoon! Enjoy!

Kate playing with Aunt Linda's things! She had fun!!!
Sandy (Aunt Linda's Sister) and Kate hanging out together! They were the best of friends!!Edith (Aunt Linda's Friend) and Kate hanging out and staying away from the Doggie or as Kate says...OGGIE
James & Kate! James is responsible for the fabulous photos of Kate playing in the snow! He was teaching mommy how to use Papa's Fancy Camera!!! James is Sandy's son!
The Gang! This was the second time we have spent Thanksgiving in Alta and it was so fun! It was a little bitter sweet as the last time we were in Alta we were with my dad. I sure do miss him and he was really missed on Thanksgiving! I know he was with us in spirit! It is just so hard sometimes when you lose someone you love so much!! I truly am thankful for his life and the time God gave us together!

After dinner we headed to Reno to see my family and catch the tail end of their Thanksgiving dinner! They all celebrated at my cousin Gary's house! It was so fun to see both of our families!!! We spent a couple of days in Reno and did a little shopping and a football game (more to come in another post)

We hope that all of you had a wonderful Thanksgiving!!!!

Happy Holidays!

The DoLaTa's!

Going Private

Hello All!

I just wanted to let you know that as of December 1, 2010 I am going PRIVATE with our blog! If you read our blog and want to continue to read it please just email me kelly@asavvyevent.com and I will add you to the list! :)

Thanks!!

A Visit to New Mexico to see The Christians!

So a little over a week ago Kate and I got on an airplane and headed to New Mexico to surprise my niece Ashley for her birthday! We got there and the kids came home from school and Kate and I were sitting in the house! They were so shocked and so excited to see us! We had a really great visit even extended our trip a few days and then.......Kate and I both got really sick! :( We both had the flu and I had worse than Kate. My sister was a dream and took such great care of us! We had to extend our trip a few more days because both of us were too sick to fly home...but it was so nice to spend time together and see the kids! Ashley had a great 11th birthday! Here are a few photos of some of the things we got to do together when we weren't sick! :)
Lunch with Allison at her school! It was so fun to eat in the school cafeteria with Allison! I miss being in elementary school!! Kate loved seeing all the kids.
Buddy and Kate! They are the Best of Friends! Buddy loves her so much!!! He walks around saying "baby kate" " love her" too cute!!
This was Kate's first bath in the big tub and she HATED IT! That truly is an understatement! She screamed the entire time! Buddy was quite content and so wanted Kate to have fun but she wanted no part of it!
Can you believe my little girl??? She is climbing on everything!! She is just getting too big to quick! AYE AYE AYE!
Look at her she climbed up the stairs and is getting ready to go down the slide! WOW WEE...!

Another Recipe to Try!

Ok...so I have been blog searching, hopping, reading etc...today! Thank goodness I am not at home as my husband would probably go nuts! I use to read blogs ALL the time....and I haven't in so long and well I have had a hay day today seeing all the fun neat things out there! I have an idea I am working on and the blogosphere is great for getting ideas etc....anyway....stay tuned more to come on that...but as I was searching I came across two more recipes that I am going to have to try and thought I would share them with you all! :) As soon as I get home I am going to try these out! :) I can't wait!

CHEDDAR CHEESE SOUP

1 cup onion, chopped
1/2 cup bell peppers, red & yellow, chopped
1 cup celery, chopped
1 cup butter
1 cup flour, all-purpose
4 cups chicken broth
1 1/4 cups cheddar cheese, grated
1/2 cup dry white wine
1 cup half & half cream
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
Optional toppings: peppers, sprig of basil

Saute the onion, peppers and celery in the butter until soft. Then stir in the flour until well blended. Add the chicken broth and bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Add the cheese and the wine, stirring until thoroughly blended. Cook over low heat until the cheese has melted and the soup has thickened. Add the cream and stir. Heat until very hot, but do not boil again. Yields: 8 to 10 servings

BUTTERMILK CORNBREAD STICKS

1/2 teaspoon baking soda
2 cups buttermilk
2 cups white corn meal, self-rising
1 egg, beaten
3 tablespoons melted bacon fat or butter
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon sugar

Dissolve the baking soda in the buttermilk. Add the corn meal, egg, butter, salt and sugar. Beat well. The secret to good corn bread is beating it well. Pour the mixture into a corn stick pan, sprayed with cooking spray and bake at 400 for about 15 to 20 minutes or until golden. Yummy served warm!

Found the recipe HERE

Day # 5 of Giving Thanks:

Today I am thankful for the life of my dad! I am thankful that he was my dad and that god gave him to us! I miss him every day but I cherish everyday I had with him and the good times we had he was a wonderful dad and an amazing Papa!!! I miss you dad!!!! Thank you for being my daddy-o (that is what I would call him)

A few more things I am thankful for, for my dad...I am thankful that he had so much passion for life and people. My dad was such a positive person and always offered great advice. My dad could walk into a room of strangers and know at least one person and usually walk out with a roomful of friends. My dad had a love for Boise State Football and I am thankful that he was able to go and see the games with his friend Ron. No matter what circumstance that was thrown his way medically or physically nothing came in the way of Boise Game or Boise Bowl Game.

My dad truly loved his grandchildren and even though he didn't get to see them all the time they brought so much joy to his life and his face would just beam with love and happiness when he would see them! I am just so thankful that I had the time that I had even if it was cut too short in my opinion! I love you dad today I give thanks for you and your life! I can't wait till we meet again!

Day #4 of Giving Thanks

Today is day #4 of Giving Thanks....
Today I am thankful that even though one of my biggest fears is to fly I still travel and go places. I am thankful that I don't let this fear stop me. I don't plan as many trips as I would like but I try to go at least 2 times a year on a plane. I know for some that is not a lot and for others that might be too many! I so wish that I could over come this fear but so far I have not been able to do that! Maybe that is something to work on for 2011. But just for now I am thankful that even though I am fearful to fly today I am getting on a plane with my daughter for the first time the two of us together without daddy and going to visit my sister for a week! UP UP and AWAY......

I Had to Share

So I just saw this on a blog......

SWEET & SPICY Mac n Cheese....

Well if you know me you know I love Mac n Cheese and I love all things sweet and spicy! So when it was combined with mac n cheese I thought YUM... so I googled it and found this recipe on Deschutes Brewery Website! I hope I can try it soon!!!

Recipes


Sweet and Spicy Mac and Cheese
Ingredients:
4c. Penne Pasta
2 Cups Tillamook white cheddar, Grated
½ c. Bread crumbs
4 c Heavy Cream
¼ c. Sweet chili sauce
2 Tbl Siracha

Mac Sauce

In a heavy Bottomed stock pot reduce the cream by half. Add the Sweet chili sauce and Siracha and mix thoroughly.

Mac and Cheese

Cook Penne until al dente. In a casserole dish mix penne, cheese and Mac Sauce. Sprinkle top with bread crumbs and bake uncovered in a 350º oven until browned, about 20 min.

Serves 4

Giving Thanks Day #3

Day # 3 of Giving Thanks!
Today I give thanks for my mom because without her I don't know where I would be? She has guided me through life been there for the good times and the bad times and even though we don't always agree most of the time and I say MOST she is usually right!She is the most amazing Nana ever and she is always putting others first. She is always there when I need her and her love is unconditional. I love you mom! Thank you for you and being the best mom a girl could ask for! XO

p.s. I update these on Facebook too but I don't have as much space so I try to expand them just a little bit more on here! :)

Giving Thanks Day #2

Today I am thankful for my beautiful daughter! I don't know what I would do without her and she brings such joy to my life! I count my blessings every day for her! Thank you God for giving her to me I love being her mom!!

p.s. One of Kate's favorite things to do is go to the park and feed the ducks and swing!! She loves it so much and just giggles the moment she sees the park! It truly is the cutest thing!

Giving Thanks~

Since Thanksgiving is in November I thought it would be appropriate to give thanks each day of the month for something in my life! I feel that so many times in life we focus on the bad, the negative and not the positive. I feel that if I can give thanks for one thing each day this month it will help keep a positive mind set and help us all really appreciate what we have in life!

I hope you will join me in giving thanks for the things you are thankful for in your life!

XO

Kelly~

Day # 1

Today I am thankful for my wonderful husband because without him I would have not gotten through this past weekend. I love you! For those of you that don't know I injured my back and my daughter was really sick and I couldn't get out of bed for the last 3 days! Nick was amazing through the entire weekend and helped me so much! Thank you my love! XO