Red Velvet Cake Balls

These are the ingrideints plus what it takes to make the cake,Eggs,Oil and Water Bake the cake as directed on the box Then Mix in the cream cheese frosting and refrigerate for A hour, Im inpatient so I stuck it in the freezer for 30 minutes... Then take it out of the freezer and make little balls out of them, I did the size of A meatball. Then dip them in the almond bark, I used A spoon with holes in it and scooped them out.

VOILA ENJOY!!Haley and I mixingHaley Bug I saw this recipe about two weeks ago over at http://www.kellyskornerblog.com/ you should check out her blog,She is just fabulous.I saw it and REALLY wanted to make it since I LOVE red velvet cake and they just looked so yummy. I have been talking about making them and everyone has been asking for the recipe... So here it is,As you can see I had A little helper. My friend Brittney's little girl wanted to help me so we had A lot of fun making these. It is A great recipe for kids to help with it is so easy. Anyways enjoy!!!! XOXO Always Amanda

Diaper wipe cases

As most of you know my sister in law Courtney is 9 months pregnant, along with my friend Brittney. The funny thing is they are actually 6 days apart. Nick and I, Ok maybe me more than Nick are SO excited about baby Trace. I am so excited to be A aunt and spoil him rotten. I made Courntney and Brittney these diaper wipe cases and had A blast doing it. I put the pictures of them up on my facebook and got A GREAT response from some other Mommy's to be. A lot of people are wanting to purchase the diaper wipe cases. So it looks like I will pretty busy with making these for A while. I love it though it gives me something to do... So take A look and let me know whatcha think also if you would like to purchase one, Leave A comment and let me know...Hope everyone has A great week...XOXO Always Amanda

Merry Late Christmas

My little brother Cameron and I Christmas 2009A kid at heart, Had A blast jumping on the trampoline Nick can jump SO high its crazyMackenzie,Cameron and I feeding the rabbitsMy Dad and I Christmas afternoonMy little sister Mackenzie and I Nick and I Christmas morning~ No makeup AHHHMr. and Mrs.Nick and his GramMr. And Mrs. I cannot believe I didn't blog about Christmas yet... I'm so ashamed!!! I hope everyone had A GREAT Christmas and spent it with the ones you love the most. This Christmas was so extra special to me. I think this year has been pretty rough for everyone,We have all felt the pinch in one way or another. I love it though, It brings us back to the basics of what Christmas is all about. For me it has always been and forever will be about my family,and for that I am FOREVER GRATEFUL. In the back of my head this Christmas all I could think about was Whats to come for Nick and I this year. I thought to myself and was so excited to think that next Christmas my husband might have NEW LUNGS!!!! HOW AMAZING IS THAT!!! I still get giddy and amazed to think that they will be able to take lungs from another thoughtful donor and give my husband the gift of LIFE, That we all take for granted. We had A good time this Christmas between both families it was nice. It was A little hard due to the fact I didn't get to see my mom this year for Thanksgiving nor Christmas. Usually I can handle it but we have had a pretty rough year this year with the loss of some that we love. It makes for A bittersweet holiday season. Here are some pictures from Christmas and I have lots of new stuff coming up for the new year. I AM SO EXCITED!!! Have A great week yall !! XOXO ALWAYS Amanda

Period Party

I watched the Tyra show today and was really happy that I did,Right when you think you know it all. Her show today was all about your menstrual cycle. It was so informative, I really suggest checking it out when it re runs.To find out when it does you can check your TV guide or go to, http://tyrashow.warnerbros.com/

During the show they talked about tons of stuff,even period panties. It was SO funny and interesting.They also talked about remedies for cramps,THERE IS A GOD....I know I have EXTREME cramps when its that time. Tyras has A menstrual routine that she called "The 4 steps to attack your cramps". It is pretty much what I do EVERY time around that month.Im propen,Hot bath,Hot tea and A heating pad.On the show they talked about some very weird but interesting remedies that are defiantly worth trying out. I hope you find this informative and not weird for me to post on this because its defiantly something we all go through some more than others. Check out these remedies.

• Mustard For years coaches have given mustard to their athletes with leg cramps. Mustard has acetic acid, which helps the body make more acetylcholine. Take a spoonful or two of mustard.
• Pickle juice As with mustard coaches have given pickle juice to their athletes with leg cramps. Pickle juice has acetic acid, which helps the body make more acetylcholine. Take a few ounces of pickle juice
• The consumption of pomegranate seeds with salt and black pepper is also recommended

Fabulous Finds

If you know me you know that I LOVE makeup!!!! One thing that I am absolutely obsessed with is my eye makeup. I am forever on the search for A mascara that works best for me. I think I am in love. I came across this mascara on another blog which is great you should check it out ....http://www.primpandtell.com/ Anyways it is Mabelline's Colossal volume mascara. I absolutely love it!!! Usually I end up using 2-3 different mascara's to get the look I want. With this it seems to do it all for me. Its lengthens your eye lashes and has collagen in it,and gives you the EXTREME volume that everyone loves. I always have people asking me if my eye lashes are real which makes me smile. You can get it at walmart but I get it at CVS with my rewards card and A coupon. It's about 4.98 but I usually pay 3 something for it with the discounts. Anyways,Check it out and let me know if you have any Fabulous finds you would like to share..... XOXO Always Amanda

Forever Thankful

Hello everyone, I hope yall are having A great week. I have some GREAT news. Nick had A Dr. Appointment Monday,His FEV 1 went up 10 points. When he was in the hospital last month it was the lowest it has EVER been, A very scary 21. That is when they came in and talked to Nick and I about him going on the list for A double lung transplant. Thankfully Nick is A VERY determined person and has worked hard this past month. Nick went into his Dr. appointment Monday and blew 10 points higher...31!!!! I am so proud of him and his determination. 31 is still too low for comfort but something we are defiantly working on together.I am so thankful to have A husband who is so strong and optimistic, I know I say it all the time but it is such A blessing in my life. As most of you know I have recently got A new job in retail,Which is working out good so far. I was hired on as temporary for the holiday season. With lots of prayer and my wonderful customer service skills... haha I got moved from temporary to full time...I feel so blessed that things have worked out there and is one less thing I am worrying about all the time.Working there I have met a lot of new people,Which is great because I love meeting new people. On the other hand I am so disappointed in the way people think and act sometimes. I know times are tough right now and we are all going through things,But it just seems like everyone is ALWAYS complaining. I know I have been totally guilty of doing this myself. Its very easy to do. Since getting this news of Nicks possible transplant I just keep thinking "Things could ALWAYS be worse". I had A lady come through my line today and she was complaining how her husband doesn't make enough money for her spending habits....When I asked the lady where her husband worked at and she said he was A pilot for A airline. In the back of my mind all I could think about was " You ungrateful woman,Be thankful your husband is able to work". Nick is such A hard worker and would do ANYTHING to be able to work again, and here this lady was complaining because her husband didn't make enough money for her taste. I know I am kinda ranting and raving here but it just really bothers me. I have seen SO much of this lately and wish people would just remember what life is about. I wish that everyone could live with someone like Nick for A little while and then maybe they will be thankful for their healthy body and family....Anyways I just had to get that out... Am I the only one who feels this way??? Have A great week everyone and please take some time to thank the people who make A difference in your life, Let them know you care and most of all BE THANKFUL and remember it could always be worse.....XOXO ALWAYS

Just Breathe

Hey yall, I hope everyone had A great day!!!! So I saw this article the other day and was really excited...YAY Cf actually getting some good media.. Check it out!!!! Have A great week and remember it is what you make it



http://www.nydailynews.com/gossip/2009/12/05/2009-12-05_miley_cyrus_shows_off_new_just_breathe_tattoo_.html

So much Fun

Hello, I hope everyone had A great weekend and are enjoying the coming of the holiday season. Yesterday Nick and I along with his sister and her husband went to take some pictures. Courtney wanted to get some maternity pictures for her baby shower and photo album.We had planned on doing the pics on the beach and well... Mother nature had other plans. It has been so rainy and cold here that it just wasn't picture weather for the beach unfortunately.So Friday night I was thinking and thinking of where we could go inside to take pictures. I really didn't want to drive into Jacksonville. Finally I thought about the Ritz Carlton on Amelia island. I know that they always decorate SO pretty for Christmas. So I talked with A family friend of ours who would be taking the pictures and she liked the idea as well. I AM SO GLAD we went there, It was absolutely beautiful and they were so nice about letting us do the pics there. We were really there to take pics of Courtney and Chuck and her preggo belly, But you know I of course wanted A couple of Nick and I... Do you blame me ? The location was gorgeous. So below are some pics, I hope you enjoy them I know I cant stop looking at them. Courtney is now 8 months along and VERY pregnant. We are all getting ready for the arrival of Trace and are SO excited.Nick is doing well,He is still having on again off again back pain,but has continued to maintain his weight. Shortly after Christmas we will be working on getting the application for his transplant put in and hope to start the evaluation soon.Thanks for all the thoughts and prayers. XOXO Always

Christmas 20 questions

1. Eggnog or hot chocolate? Egg nog for sure
2. Does Santa wrap presents or just set them under the tree? "Santa" wraps the presents
3. Colored lights or white? I only like white on our house but love looking at all the colored lights
4. Do you hang mistletoe? Most Defiantly,Its A tradition
5. When do you decorate for Christmas? Usually the day after Thanksgiving
6. What is your favorite holiday dish, excluding dessert? Green bean casserole
7. Favorite holiday memory as a child? Hmmmm....Making cookies for "Santa"
8. When and how, did you learn the truth about Santa? Learn what ????
9. How do you decorate your Christmas tree? Slowly and carefully
10. Snow. Love it or hate it? Love it... I wish it would snow in Fl. again
11. Can you ice skate? Sure can
12. Does holding onto the wall count? Uh Yeah
13. Do you remember your favorite gift? Hmmm....My Pogo stick... That was so much fun
14. What is the most important thing about the holidays to you? Spending time with my family,And being thankful that I have them in my life.
15. What is your favorite holiday dessert? Apple Pie with whip cream
16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? We didn't do it last year but usually EVERY year I go with my family on Christmas eve to dinner and A movie...
17. What tops your tree?A Angel of course
18. Which do you prefer, giving or receiving? Tis the season for giving....
19. What is your favorite Christmas song? Rocking around the Christmas tree
20. 20. Candy canes. Yuck or yum? Yum... in moderation

For A good cause

Nicks and his AMAZING nurse RonnieNicks her faviorite....Did I say that?Greg,Barry and Nick....Kicking Cf in the buttWhen Nick was in the hospital A couple of weeks ago his lovely nurse Ronnie came in and gave us some good news. Somebody,She wouldn't tell us who bought tickets for Nick and I to go to this years third annual silent auction. All of the money from the silent auction goes towards the adult cystic fibrosis office that Nick goes to.We were pretty excited about it since we got to go last year and had A BLAST... Its fun to get all dressed up and go and visit with all of Nicks old nurses from Wolfsons and his nurses now.They really are like family to us and we are truly blessed to have A team like them. While we were there we met two GREAT guys and I had the pleasure of meeting another CF wife,Which is so nice.We met Greg and Barry,Both in their 50s and kicking CF'S butt. Greg actually had A double lung transplant back in 1997. He is doing VERY well and looked great. It was nice to talk to someone who was 12 years strong after their transplant. Nick and I had A good time,it was at the Cummer art museum downtown. They raised TONS of money for such a good cause, Its so nice to see. Nick and I have A busy weekend ahead of us...Tomorrow we are going with Nicks sister Courtney and her husband Chuck for pics. She is taking some maternity pics and Nick and I need A Christmas card pic. The weather is SO gross out so I have No idea where we are going to go now.We shall see.... Tomorrow night we have the Christmas parade hopefully that will help me get in the Christmas spirit...Hope everyone has A GREAT weekend!!!! XOXO Always