Meal Planning: Off the Bandwagon

So I kind of fell off the bandwagon when it came to meal planning. The past few weeks have been such a busy combination of healthy and unhealthy and just plain "I don't care where we find food" moments. With the final weeks before Spring Break and our schedules just being out of sorts, I am happy to know that this week should look pretty different. I am so excited that Spring Break is here. Both Ray and I are looking forward to planning many meals at home that are definitely healthy in nature. Now while I write this, I have to admit, that tonight is going to be one of the unhealthy ones. I'm so excited! We are hosting our March Zellner Cafe. We will be dinning on chicken and waffles. So starting tomorrow I'll be back on the bandwagon and looking forward to more healthy meals at home with the hubs.

A Pre Birthday Visit to Aggieland!

For months, we have had a family visit to College Station planned as my brother, Chris, will be turning 33 this Easter. While our start was a little later than planned, we met my mother and brother  at Sodalaks in Snook, TX. Known for their super large and absolutely delicious portions the food was great and the company was even better. As College Station is not exactly half way between Dallas and Sugar Land, it is definitely a perfect place to meet up with our family on beautiful days such as this. We were actually dreading the weather as it was supposed to be a complete down pour, but the skies opened up to this gorgeous day. It allowed us to enjoy a fabulous pre birthday lunch, trip around Aggieland, and fun catch up day.

Our first stop was a photo opt by the over-sized Aggie Ring. I thought it was a pretty great start to our afternoon.

 Me and my boys!

 

From the remodeled MSC, Century Tree, Northside campus, and even a lucky penny on Sull Ross's feet, our afternoon was a great time with family and a super fun pre birthday celebration!

A little HOWDY from the Aggieland Bookstore

at the Memorial Student Center

 Century Tree

A Lucky Penny

 

What a great start to Spring Break. I am excited for perfect Sundays with family, for pre birthday celebrations, and a week of pure relaxation!

Ballet Sunday!

Our Sunday lead us to Bass Hall in Fort Worth, TX for an afternoon of American Ballet Theater. Two free tickets, stage right upper level seating, and my amazing husband dressed in coat and bow tie. What a perfect afternoon date.

I've actually gotten several questions and comments in regards to our Ballet Sunday. At the beginning of this year, Ray signed us up for filltheseats.com. It is a great resource for extra tickets to different local events including sports games, concerts, commedy shows, and even ballets. For $40 a year, we find fun little date nights (or afternoons) such as this!

ABF in Aggieland!

Saturday morning with donuts and snacks in hand, we traveled with two fabulous Aggie couples from our ABF for a day trip to sweet home College Station. The ladies took one car while the gents another. After 3 1/2 hours of fun conversation, hang out, and photo fun, we had officially arrived.



(Denise and Amy)

For lunch we dinned at Blue Baker, one of my college favorites. I do love a good soup and bread bowl. After lunch, we made our way around northside and quickly to the MSC (Memorial Student Center). Before our stop for a few pieces of Aggie merchandise, we had to take a few photos under the Century Tree. It's tradition!

 

 The Zellners

 The Goodings and the Hanks

 

The MSC is gorgeous. Ray and I had the opportunity to see it several months ago, but I love seeing all the new pieces that we missed. It is amazing to see the updates, but love the old Aggie feel.

 



After our trip on campus, a new A&M shirt purchase, a few ladies photo ops, and a little shopping excursion...



...we ventured to Reed Arena to watch our Aggie Basketball team take on the Tennessee Volunteers.

 

After 4 OTs, our Ags ran out of time. But what a fun game for sure. Thank you to the Goodings and Hanks for creating more Aggie traditions and a great day trip to Aggieland.

(Colin, Chase, and Ray)

After the game, it was time for us to say our good-byes and return home, as Ray had his marathon early the next morning in Fort Worth. It was definitely a day of tradition, friendship, and fun. I look forward to our next daytrip to Aggieland.

 

FIVE Years at COWTOWN!

 

I am so incredibly proud of my husband. Five years ago, he and his best friend began a running journey. This path lead them through many different race locations, events, medals and memories. This year marks his fifth year at Cowtown in Fort Worth. With a final medal in hand as well as a new and exciting PR of 4 hours and 30 minutes, Ray has completed his STAR as each medal makes a point. Before the race, Ray printed pieces of scripture for each mile as a reminder that... We can do all things through Him! Philippians 4:13.

So enjoy a picture post of our Cowtown experience over the past five years!

Mile 1: Be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of age. Matthew 28:20
Mile 2: The Lord will work out his plan for my life. Psalm 138:8

Mile: 3: I tell you the turh, if you had faith even as small as the mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, "Move from here to there," and it would move. Nothing would be impossible. Matthew 17:20

Mile 4: To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given. Luk3 19:26

Mile 5: I can do everthing through Christ, who gives me stregth. Philippians 4:13

 

Mile 6: Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we can not see. Hebrews 11:1

Mile 7: I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and hope. Jeremiah 29:11
Mile 8: Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity. 1 Timothy 4:12  

 

Mile 9: We know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. Romans 8:28

Mile 10: Let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. Hebrews 12:1

Mile 11: Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and he will help you. Psalm 37:5

 

 Mile 12: With God's help we will do mighty things. Psalm 60:12
Mile 13: We can rejoice, too, when we run into prolems and trials, for we know that they help us develope endurance. Romans 5:3
Mile 14: We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed. 2 Corinthians 4:9

Mile 15: The Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you. 2 Thessalonians 3:3
Mile 16: Don't be afraid, for I am with you. Don't be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand. Isaiah 41:10



Mile 17: It is not that we think we are qualified to do anything on our own. Our qualification comes from God. 2 Corinthians 3:5
Mile 18: Be strong and courageous, for your work will be rewarded. Chronicles 15:7

His power is made perfect in our weakness.

 

Mile 19: Whatever you do, do well. Ecclesiastes 9:10
Mile 20: He will order his angels to protect you wherever you go. Psalm 91:11

 

Mile 21: Anything is possible if a person believes. Mark 9:23
Mile 22: The amount you give will determine the amount you get back. Luke 6:38

Mile 23: I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize... Philippians 3:13
Mile 24: Our present troubles are small and won't last very long. Yet they produce for the us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! 2 Corinthians 4:17

Mile 25: I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.
Mile 26: Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed. Proverbs 16:3

Mile 26.2 But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:31

Ray found these 26 scripture pieces here. Thank you MilePosts for the inspiration. 

February 2013

Our February has not always looked like this. While this is a favorite past time of ours lately... the concept of sitting and vegging on the couch with the pups, I would have to say that our February has been pretty fly by the seat of your pants sort of month. Of course in between we definitely do our fare share of resting and couch potato sitting. Sometimes that's all I want to do. School has been a whirlwind as well as everything in between.

Here are some of our exciting activities that we've shared in this month...
... Chuy's happy hour celebration for a co-worker. You gotta love free chips and queso
... Celebrated Jacob's 2nd birthday party in Bubble Guppie gladness.
... ABF Bible Study Ladies Night
... Boys camping trip in Tyler, TX
... ELC dinner date at Zios
...Got my hair did at my favorite salon in McKinney
... ABF Bowling at Splitsville in Allen

... Heart day celebrations
... Pedi with the husband
... Zellner Cafe: Dessert Edition
... Celebrate the birth of the Fant twins

What did your February look like? Looking forward to many more to do's and all that March will bring!

Bryson Playdate and the Twins Arrival!

Every good and perfect gift is from above. James 1:17

 

Those words never spoke more truth than this past Wednesday. Wednesday afternoon I received a call from Michael that asked if we could watch Bryson as Kristin was going into the hospital to be monitored. I tried to hide the excitement from my voice as I knew what this meant. Her scheduled date was over a week and a day away, but at 37 almost 38 weeks, I new that it could be at any moment. We picked up this cutie from daycare. He was at first a bit confused but within seconds was running at marathon speeds to us and gave big hugs. From the moment we were in the car, we discussed changing into his jersey and then playing lots of different sport games including basketball, hockey, golf, and baseball.

 

We played puzzles, pop up pirate, and play dough. We sure had a blast. He made every minute of the night full of excitement. I love the way his brain works. Plus he just LOVES Ray. Talk about melt your heart moments. We had found out that it was go time. We couldn't wait to hear the news of the twin's birth. We sent love and prayers to our Fant friends and continued to love on little man. :)

 

For dinner he enjoyed chicken nuggets and some gummies with a side showing of Cars 2. I love how he named all the different car characters. After dinner he told us that his Thingamajig was sleepy and he quickly tucked him in for the night.



 

It was about that time for little man to get his own jammies on. We bribed him a bit by explaining that Ray would be Superman and I would wear Super Mario Brothers if he could show us Mr. Incredible. As you can see he was super excited to show us his Mr. Incredible jammies. Then he sang us the B-I-B-L-E song and repeated several stories from the bible in bed. I told him I was getting sleepy (hoping he would start getting tired). He asked that the lights be turned off and gave me a pillow. He then tucked me in. Another melt your heart moment for sure. The night ended in wonderful excitement. We had a super fun playdate with little man, Bryson and two very sweet twins had arrived. God is good!

 

The next day, we couldn't wait to stop by the hospital to visit Kristin and Michael. Mom and babies were doing amazing! Sweet Emily and Madelynn were absolutely perfect.  



We are so thankful for these two blessings to our Fant friends. We know that God made them perfectly and wonderfully. I'm so excited to watch them grow and know that they have such wonderful parents to set forth the example. Sending love and wishes to our friends! Happy birthday sweet girls!