{Chocolate Chip Bundt Cake}

Can you tell what has been on my mind lately (besides baby and moving)....CHOCOLATE! But what's new? This might have to be the first baking project I tackle in the new house!

Ingredients:
1 box yellow cake mix
1 box instant vanilla pudding mix
1 cup reduced fat sour cream
1/2 cup applesauce
3 eggs
1/2 cup pecans
1/2 cup chocolate chips

Directions:
1. Combine cake mix, applesauce, pudding, sour cream, and eggs together and beat for 3 minutes with an electric mixer
2. Spoon 1/3 of mixture into greased and floured bundt pan
3. Sprinkle with 1/2 of pecans and chocolate chips and then spoon in the rest of the cake batter mixture
4. Top with remaining pecans and chocolate chips
5. Bake at 350 degrees for 50-55 minutes and let cool completely before taking out of pan
6. Serve with ice cream and enjoy!!

Happy almost Friday, everyone (and moving weekend for Josh and I)! Stay tuned...pics to come!

{Bump Update: 25 weeks}

Here we are at 25 weeks! According to My Pregnancy Journal, I am beginning my 3rd trimester! Whatever the "correct" timing, I can't believe I'm even near my last trimester! We have many many exciting things taking place in the Dearmore house! It's moving week! As of Friday, we will be proud new home owner! We are both so ready to get settled (as this has been about a year process)! However; look how God's timing has been so perfect....don't get me wrong, there were many days when I didn't understand, but looking back, I'm so very thankful!

Josh and I also registered for Miss Ella today! I don't know who had more fun...Josh playing with the different toys, or me laughing at his silly remarks and questions! I wait for the day we get to see her wrapped in the blankets, playing in the bathtub with her toys, swinging in her swing, and laughing and giggling at her fun toys and books! Many sweet days ahead!

Weekly Recipe ~ Father's Day Style!

In honor of Father's Day this upcoming Sunday, I picked one of my daddy's absolute favorites to share with you...Chocolate Chip Cookies! If you know my dad, you know what I'm talking about!

All-Time Favorite Chocolate Chip Cookies

Ingredients:
3/4 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 1/4 cups plus 2 Tbsp. all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 (12-oz.) packages semisweet chocolate morsels

Preparation:
1. Preheat oven to 350°. Beat butter and sugars at medium speed with a heavy-duty electric stand mixer until creamy. Add eggs and 1 1/2 tsp. vanilla, beating until blended.
2. Combine flour, baking soda, and salt in a small bowl; gradually add to butter mixture, beating just until blended. Beat in morsels just until combined. Drop by tablespoonfuls onto parchment paper-lined baking sheets.
3. Bake at 350° for 10 to 14 minutes or until desired degree of doneness. Remove to wire racks, and cool completely (about 15 minutes).

I'm so blessed to have the worlds most incredible daddy! This year is extra special with Josh and I awaiting the arrival of our baby girl! There is no question in my mind that he will be the most wonderful daddy to Ella! I can't wait for the day we get to look at her and meet her face to face!

A Fiesta Kind of Birthday

Thank you to all our friends and family for making yesterday such a special day! I didn't get to take too many pictures, but here are the ones I managed to take! A birthday is not the same if you don't get to use the "You are Special Today" plate! I made Josh some cinnamon rolls (my specialty) HA! Celebrating with family and friends at El Tiempo ~ a favorite of Josh's!McCain was the entertainment for the night! Here he is playing peek-a-boo with tissue paper!Boo!Happy Birthday....and many more!McCain and Uncle Squashy! Two peas in a pod!Some of "Josh's" birthday presents! hehe...I don't think he's ever received a pink tutu before! :) Ahh....can't wait to dress Ella in that sweet outfit!

The Birthday Boy!

my dearest josh,

today, wednesday, june 15th is your special day....the day you came into this world 32 years ago. there's not a day that goes by that i don't thank the Lord for bringing me such an incredible husband, best friend, and confidant. this is going to be a big year for us....we'll be meeting our sweet baby girl in less than 4 months. ahh....you are going to be the best daddy! i can't wait to watch you with our sweet Ella! she is going to love you so much. i can't wait for you to have the kind of daddy daughter relationship that i've had with my dad. i could go on and on about the things i love about you but the things that stand out is your selflessness, your honesty, your laugh, your smile, your thoughtfulness, and the way you love others. i pray this is a special day for you. thank you for sweeping me off my feet and making me the happiest girl in the world. forever and always! i love you!

{Bump Update: Week 22-24}

Yes, I realize I am a few weeks behind! Our world has been a little busy over the past few weeks, but oh so great! I began my summer break a week ago and am loving every minute of it! We closed on our current house last Monday (everything went smooth as can be and we are so excited about the couple moving into our home), and will close on our new home next Friday (not to mention having packers and movers beginning next Wednesday)! Wow...I don't think we've slowed down yet, but we couldn't be any more excited!

Now, onto our sweet baby girl...Ella Victoria! I'm not sure if I've even shared her full name yet or the reason we chose her name...so here goes! I have always loved the name Ella, plus it is a family name and Victoria is after my sweet mommy. The meaning of her name is Ella: "light" and Victoria: "victorious"...I don't think it gets any better than "victorious light"! We can't wait to meet our sweet angel in less than 16 weeks (assuming we make it to 40 weeks). I can't believe it, but we're 6 months pregnant!!

I went in today for my glucose screening...I have to admit, I had worked myself up over this appointment (too much reading last night), but it was a breeze! Now, I'm just praying I don't get a phone call saying the test came back abnormal! Our doctor said everything looks perfect, Ella is growing exactly how she should be and the heartbeat sounded great! We don't have to go in for another 4 weeks! I count my blessings everyday and thank the Lord that we have had a wonderful pregnancy thus far! He is good....all the time!

Here are some pictures from our Memorial Day weekend at the beach with Josh's family! We had so much fun getting to hang out with our sweet little nephew, McCain!

22 weeks! I most definitely "popped" out over Memorial Day...and no, I didn't eat too much chocolate! :)And here we are 6 months pregnant! Ella and I are growing daily!