Peanut Butter Parfaits

Well I officially need to thank Mrs. Paula Deen for the extra 5 lbs that I put on last night due to her delicious Peanut Butter Parfaits! Ha! With that said, I loved these! I have been trying to look for fun,yummy desserts for my sister's baby shower so when I went to B&N the other day I saw these on the front of Paula's Magazine. So I bought the magazine and tried them and they turn out darn near perfect( that's what Jordan said):) Here's the recipe:

Peanut Butter Parfaits

2 cups cold fat-free milk

1 (3.9 oz.) box instant chocolate-flavored pudding mix

1 cup creamy peanut butter

1/4 confectioners sugar(powered sugar)

1 (3 oz.) package cream cheese, softened

1 (8 oz.) container whipped topping, thawed

4 bananas, peeled and sliced

1 cup chopped peanuts

1/2 (1 lb ) package peanut butter sandwich cookies, crumbled

Garnish: peanut butter sandwich cookies, chopped peanuts

In a medium bowl, combine milk and pudding mix; beat at medium speed with an electric mixer for 2 minutes. Set aside.

In a medium bowl, combine peanut butter and confectioners' sugar; beat at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy. Add cream cheese, beating until smooth. Fold in whipped topping, mixing to combine.

In serving glasses, layer pudding, bananas, peanuts,peanut butter mixture and crumbled cookies, and chopped peanuts, if desired. Serve immediately, or store in refrigerator until ready to serve.

* I did not add the bananas or the chopped peanuts. I tried the Nutter Butters but Reeses Peanut Butter Cups worked also.

Valentine's Day

I'm a little late posting this but I need to! Jordan was so cute. He loves to surprise me. I kinda take the fun out of surprises because I don't know how to handle them. I love/hate surprises! I like to know what to wear, when to be ready, and now that we have Vance it adds more to it. But I decided not to guess too much:) We went to SLC for the night. We ended up timing it just right because I fed Vance and he would sleep long enough that we were able to leave him with Jordan's parents. This was really nice. Although I did tear up as we drove away from Jordan's parents house... he he... but it was still really nice.

He first decided that he would take me to dinner. Jordan is not really the type that likes anything but steak if he is paying for it. So I kinda knew where we were going. Flemings Steak House. Delicious! It's a fancy kind of place... so it was a real TREAT!
This is what to main course looked like but without the lobster( I hate lobster).

Anyway, our meal took all three hours so we couldn't do much else because we had to head back up to Park City to feed the baby. It was so fun to be just with Jordan. (The picture we took at the restaurant got deleted off of Jordan's phone! I was so mad!)

We promised not to get each other gifts (which I had a hard time with!). On actual Valentine's Day we got home from Park City and chilled together. While I was changing Vance, Jordan said he had to run out to the car to get his wallet. When he came back in he was holding the book that I have asked for forever, " Never Too Little Too Love." This is one of my favorite children's books. I was so happy! He is so thoughtful. He thinks that the present of not getting him a present was the best thing I could have gotten him. Ha ha!

Day 6,5,4,3,2,1... Engagement, Our wedding, and Now

About a week later Jordan and I went for a little hike. It's a really cool spot on the mountain where you can see all of Park City. We were enjoying ourselves chatting when he whipped out the borrowed ring and popped the question. It was a little more romantic than that. He was grinning from ear to ear! He had worked very hard for this. When I said yes I think his heart was about to come out of his chest. I couldn't believe that this was my time. I was in LOVE! (The jewelers finished my ring about 2 weeks later and when Jordan went to give the borrowed ring back, they felt that it had too much sentimental value so they GAVE us the ring for free! :)




We planned the wedding for August 21st but then my dad's schedule changed and we had to move our wedding date to a month later. I was so stressed so I didn't handle that news very well. But all I had to remember was that a month was not going to change anything and our wedding would be perfect. And it was. We were married in the Bountiful Utah Temple on September 27th, 2008.
Our wedding reception was up in Deer Valley(Park City), Utah. It was a balmy night. We invited over 200 people and more than that came. What a wonderful party! We had so much fun. We danced, sang, made a point of eating our wedding cake, which was delicious, took pictures and were as happy as could be. Jordan was mine and I was his forever.

Since then we've moved across the country twice and we had a baby, Vance. Our lives couldn't be more perfect and this is really all due to my best friend, my love. If he wasn't so persistent about marrying me, I wouldn't ever have been able to be this happy.

Wrinkly Feet

He has really really skinny wrinkly feet. He gets that from me. I have wrinkly ski feet. I had to show you because they are so cute!

Thing Vance Does...

1) Vance loves to hold my hand. I LOVE this!

2) Vance chats it up. He love to tell me his opinion about everything. But he especially loves when Jordan comes home. He does not stop talking for a long time. We think he gets a little bored with me and is telling Jordan about it.

3) I for sure have the happiest baby on the planet. He loves to smile. He loves to be apart of everything.

4) He still absolutely loves to eat:)

5) He does not like when Jordan makes annoying noises... they scare him.

6) He doesn't like when I have to rub him down with lotion and then vaseline 3 times a day.

7) He sleeps 6 hours in the night!

8) He will not smile for me when I try to take pictures. We have to surprise attack him. Mean I I know! He really does HATE my phone camera (probably because I have a case that is covered in terrifying skulls, thanks to Uncle Justin.) You can see the ugly cover on my phone in one of the pictures of Vance when he is smiling, it's in the corner.

9) He is starting to want to roll over.

10) He still is a momma's boy and loves to be cuddled right up. I hope he stays like this forever.

Tummy Time

Vance has hated "tummy time" since he was about a week old when we started it. It has been hard to watch him struggle but all those hard neck workouts have paid off. Look at my boy now!

Just a little tummy time treat:)

Good workout. Totally warn out.

Meeting Baby Mounteer

Baby Mounteer came two days ago. She was 7 lbs 12 oz. and 20 in. long. So little! This was such a sweet experience to hold one of my best friend's baby. I couldn't stop myself from crying. I loved this little baby so fast. She just cuddled up to me and loved me. Ashley and Corey are so happy and are doing really good.

I got to put her little shirt on and she has the saddest mini cry. It made me want to cry! This is probably why the Lord blessed me with a tough boy because he knew that I was probably too rough for a little girl. But we got through putting on her shirt and then she tried to nurse with me ha ha... sorry Baby Mounteer, I already feed one baby... but she took a passy and fell back asleep. So sweet!

Crafty Goal...

So for those of you that know me really well know that I am just not blessed with being creative or crafty. But I am trying to make myself be. I want to be creative and artsy so that when Vance is old enough, I can paint and do fun things with him. When I told Jordan this he just smiled and said with full support, "okay honey." :)

So the past few weeks I have made frames, Valentine hearts made out of crayons, and these cute and tasty Valentine heart krispies. Jordan helped me and supported me telling me that they looked great... ha ha.. he is so sweet. We made these for Ashley Manwill/Mounteer who just had her sweet baby girl two days ago. Hope she enjoyed them.

Day 8 and 7... Telling the Family and The Fake Out...

I had my answer and now it was time to tell the family. They really didn't know much about Jordan because I hadn't really told them anything. I was nervous I guess because our family is so protective and opinionated. I got over that and dealt with their opinions. They didn't quite know what to say when I told them that I was in love with the man.

In May, I asked my mom if I could bring Jordan up to Montana to meet our family and of course she didn't mind at all. We drove into town and met my parents at a restaurant. It was kinda awkward because Jordan is a VERY quiet person and this restaurant was a very noisy place. I was sweating bullets. I knew what they were going to say... He's really quiet Chelsea, are you sure that you need someone like that? He came back from his mission, why? Maybe, you need more time to think this over... This is exactly what they said. I knew that it was hard to see why I loved Jordan but I knew that with time, they would see. So meeting the family was done and done. As we went back to Utah I knew that this was it. I would never want to date and look at another man again. I was whipped by this quiet and very charming man.

I began to stress. We wanted to set the date for August 21st and that meant that we needed to get out engagement pictures done and our invitations ordered. Time was flying by and Jordan STILL hadn't proposed.

One day he said that I needed to be ready at nine in the morning for a day of fun. I thought this was the day! He blindfolded me in the car while he drove us to the first destination. He took me to this spa in Salt Lake to get a massage (that hippy woman worked wonders that day). Then after I was finished, he blindfolded me again and took me to our second destination: the zoo. I LOVE the zoo. I thought he was going to propose here because I told him that I would love that. So we were sitting by the gorillas(my favorite spot) and nothing happened! I was starting to get a little bothered, ha ha.

Once again he blindfolded me and we drove for a long time. We ended up in Park City at the mountain. We went up the mountain on a chairlift and rode the slides down... so fun! Then later that night we went to Ruth's Chris Steak House. This restaurant is SO expensive and delicious! I thought for sure this was it but no. I was a little mad and teary in the car and he said that he couldn't propose because the ring that he designed was not finished. So we waited.

The Biggest Goal I've Ever Made...

So I now know what is harder than being pregnant for 10 months, giving birth, and recovery combined... GETTING BACK IN SHAPE! Before a got pregnant with Vance, I made the goal to run a half-marathon. Crazy but I was determined. I was up to running about 5 miles and that was pushing it. But then the doctor told me that I couldn't run like that anymore so I just stopped doing EVERYTHING. SO STUPID! Now I am paying for that.
I heard that in order to make and keep a goal you have to write it down. I don't know how much I believe in that concept but I am going to put it to the test.

My goal: I am going to train again. I will run in the Provo City Half-Marathon on May 1st, 2010. My goal time is 2 hours and 15 minutes. I am running it with Daydre Manwill.

I am a little nervous that I am posting this because now it means people know and that I can't back out. I guess that is the point of writing goals down, to make them known:)

Day 9... Confusion and the Answer

So we went to California in the middle of April of 2008 and for the month after that I had nothing but confusion. I could not make a decision. I wanted to marry Jordan but I also had commitment issues I guess. I prayed and prayed about it. Finally one day I went to the temple and stayed there for a long time. It was peaceful. I wasn't even thinking about my life or Jordan at the time but out of no where he popped into my head and I was overwhelmed with the feeling that I was supposed to marry him. That was all I needed.

For the weeks following we started to plan the wedding. I could not believe that I was planning a wedding and I wasn't even engaged. I had a ring picked out from the beginning of my sophmore year in high school. I carried around a page that was torn out of a magazine that had the ring on it. So Jordan took me to a jeweler that sold that brand and to my surprise I hated the way the ring looked on my finger! So now we were back to square one. We looked and looked and finally he decided that he would design the ring and have it made ( he's an artist). So the ring was taken care of, now on to the wedding...

My Fixed Hair

So Jordan obviously needs to practice getting my whole head in the shot but this will work:) I may look a little like a punk rocker but I do have red highlights. I love them! I think that it was time for a change especially after having Vance. I feel like a new person without a belly and my hair done. Anyway, there you have it... me with red hair:)

Proud to Show He is a Good Eater...

Scared by the Flash

Jordan was trying to take a picture of my hair so that I could post that I got it fixed but instead of writing about that I thought Vance stole the shot with his face! Check it...

Day 10... California Lovin'

This has to be one of my favorite times: A few weeks later Jordan and I were on a date somewhere and were having a conversation about California and how much we loved it. He and I decided around 5:30 that night that we were going to California to see family and get out of Utah. So we threw some clothes in a suitcase and left. I knew that I had to work in the morning but that didn't stop me. I quit right then and there. Ha ha, so spontaneous! Though on our way out of town I asked him to turn around and go back because I suddenly got scared. But he wouldn't turn around because once Jordan makes a plan, he sticks to that plan!

The whole ride to California we didn't listen to ANY music, we talked and talked and talked. It was fun to get to know this person with whom I had begun to fall in love. I think that everyone should have to take a road trip with the person they are considering marrying because I got to see ALL sides of Jordan. For example, Jordan got pulled over right outside of Vegas going 83 in a 75... stupid... but he was totally calm about it. I was shocked because I would for sure be yelling and coming UNGLUED but he was calm and respectful. I loved how calm he was and that he just realized that he was speeding even though other people were going faster and the cop pulled us over because we were driving the Mercedes.

We visited my Aunt Lynnie and Uncle Steve in Huntington Beach for a couple of days and then went on to his Aunt Debbie and Uncle Reed's house in Yorba Linda. This is where I decided that I couldn't live without Jordan. He was content anywhere and everywhere. He was/is perfect!

I remember he was tucking me in one night and so we were laying there for a little bit in silence and all I was thinking over and over was that I wanted to tell him that I loved him. So I did! He tells me that when I said this to him, he was thinking, "I know, finally you admitted it!"

Day 12 and 11...

So truth be told, I was scared. I did not want to make a mistake and have it end badly. So what did I do, I shut down. We were in the parking lot at Jordan's brothers house and I told Jordan that I wanted nothing to do with him and this relationship. Through tears he told me that he loved me and wanted to be with me forever. He knew that I loved him and he couldn't stand that I would give up on something this amazing and perfect. As I drove away, I watched him and sobbed. We did not talk for three weeks.

Our reunion was at my birthday party. He was NOT invited and he showed up with a cousin that I didn't even know with NO PRESENT. I was so bothered that he would do that so I didn't say one word to him until the end when he went to leave. When he told me that he was leaving, my heart sank. I didn't want him to go but I couldn't let down my pride and tell him to stay. So I walked him outside and gave him a courtesy type hug although it was a little awkward because he sort of leaned in the kiss me... ha ha KARMA FOR TURNING ME DOWN! He says that as he was walking away, he told his cousin that he would call me until I told him that I never wanted to talk to him again. He held true to his word. He called me the next morning and asked me out. I was dying to go!

That night we went out and ended up at Kawanis Park laying on a blanket talking for hours. We hadn't talk for three weeks so we had a lot to catch up on. I still was scared but knew that this was right. We were deep in the conversation when the sprinklers came on and drenched us. I left Jordan high and dry in the middle of the lawn with the blanket, 2 sodas and our shoes. I'm so thoughtful ha ha:) But that night sealed the deal for me. He was ready to marry me in IHOP so I guess it was about time that I came around.

Got My Hair Did

So this is not the final color but it was close. I wanted it to be red red and it came out a bit orange red. No worries, I did get it fixed but haven't done my hair to take a picture yet so I thought I would just post this now and then today I will take a picture of the fixed color and then post it.

A Mouth-Full

Vance likes to challenge himself to see if he can fit both hands in his mouth at the same time...

Big Boy Hands

We have noticed something about Vance. He has HUGE hands! Compared to the rest of his little body, his hand are out of control. We pray that he'll grow into these big boy hands!

Day 13...

As time went on we began to find out more and more about each other. We played the question game for weeks! I knew I really was intrigued and I was definitely infatuated with this man. On his birthday, December 22nd, we went up to Park City to his parents for a dinner. We ended up going downstairs to watch a movie and we didn't watch the movie at all. We laid on the couch cuddling. I was so nervous because I felt like this was actually going to go somewhere and for the first time I knew we were on the same "playing field". We were joking around and one thing led to another and Jordan couldn't resist any longer... he kissed me. I was so excited! It was his birthday present from me because I let him:)

Early that following morning, I left for Montana for Christmas. We didn't see each other for 2 weeks or so and it was miserable. We talked throughout the day and every night for hours.

I used to fly stand-by everywhere I went so when I tried to fly back to Utah from Montana, I had issues. It was the holidays so flying stand-by was NOT fun! By the end of the day, I had gotten on three different planes and was kicked off all three times. Finally, the last flight of the night, I got on! I could not wait to see Jordan. I landed around 10 P.M. and I drove right up to Park City to see him. It was snowing like crazy so the drive took forever! When I pulled in the driveway he was standing there waiting for me. He was wearing this black sexy coat and I couldn't help myself, I jumped out and practically squeezed the life out of him, ha ha:) I was so happy to see him again.

Things started right back where they were before, just a little more fun because the ice was broken and we were practically a couple, but not quite...

14 Days of Love

So my cousin Stephanie is doing a "14 days of love" on her blog and I am copying it because I thought it was so cute! Each night I am going to blog an event/cute thing about our life together starting with the beginning. I am so excited! I love re-living the sweet and fun times.

When I first met Jordan he came over to my house for a movie night in December 2007. Not knowing how Jordan was, I was annoyed that my friends would bring this guy over to my house who didn't say one word. By the end of the night I thought he was charming with his subtleness and quietness.

From what he says, He knew that he liked me and my spitfire personality. He liked it so much that after the group left my house, Jordan and two of the other boys came back at two in the morning and asked me to go to IHOP. I was not interested in putting myself out there at all and so I decided that I would wear my dark gray ghetto sweats with a light gray sweatshirt that completely clashed. Little did I know that this is what made Jordan like me even more. He says he loves a girl in ghetto sweats ha ha! Anyway, he was so quiet even in a smaller group and I didn't think anything would ever happen with me and him.

That weekend Jordan called me and asked me out to go to the movie Stardust, and I said no. Ha Ha, I was not an easy girl to date. He must have had it in his head that he was going to see me again and that was that. He invited himself over to my house. He sat there and chatted with me and three of my girlfriends. He and I ended up hanging out until late into the night.

We spent every night that week together. One thing that really stands out in my mind about that week is when I put myself out there and went to kiss Jordan for the first time( I NEVER instigated the kisses) he turned his head and I kissed his cheek. I was so embarressed I kicked him out of my house. I was so mad! Ha Ha! He told me that he wasn't going to kiss me until it meant something to both of us (Cheesy but he was serious!). So from then on, we spent every minute we could together.

SHOTS

Well our little sweet boy had to get his vaccination two days ago and he is finally better! He was miserable and so was I. That was one of the worst things that I have had to do! Watching someone hurt my baby. Geez, I'm crying writing this, haha! At the doctor's office, I couldn't hold Vance because I have a little problem where when I see a needle, I pass out so Jordan had to hold him. I hid behind Jordan. When I peeked to look at my baby who was SCREAMING, I saw Jordan watching him with hurt in his eyes and I lost it. I cried along with my little boy.

The days following, he threw up the Tylenol and wouldn't eat (not fun when I have mastitis). The only thing that he liked was sleeping with mommy and daddy and the warm rice bag that we put on his little legs (thank you Laura!). I never want to do that again!